As a child, I certainly was not the world’s most avid Frozen fan. The movie’s songs were just so popular that I refused to take part in enjoying cult classics such as “Let it go” or “Fixer Upper.” However, as years passed, I can proudly say that Frozen is one of my top five favorite Disney movies. With lovable characters, a genuinely enticing story, intriguing worldbuilding, and of course, magical powers, the film evokes a feeling which simply cannot be replicated. Going into Mountain Lakes High School’s production of Frozen the Broadway Musical, I admit I felt a tad bit nervous. Not only had the MLHS theatre team lost many senior actors from 2024-2025 that I had become familiar with, but because I wasn’t sure how one of my favorite Disney movies would be translated on stage. Of course, these concerns were QUICKLY dismissed, as the show not only blew past my expectations, but also proved that the theatre program is constantly gaining incredible new talent each year.

My first viewing of the Frozen musical was magical. I walked into the school with some friends, being kindly greeted by Mr. Henry before I stopped to look at the amazing pictures on display from the Mountain Lakes Garden Club photo contest. As I walked into the theatre, we sat down and I was just giddy with excitement. In the first act, the musical plays out similar to how the movie does: Anna and Elsa are introduced, we learn about Elsa’s burden of becoming queen of Arandelle, and travel in search of Elsa with the legendary group of Sven (Camryn Gauthier), Kristoff (Carter Nikolsky), and Anna (Mia Bezalel). What really struck me in this first act was the incredible acting from every character on stage; there truly never was a dull moment with this cast. Of course, songs like “Love is an Open Door” featured incredible vocal and dance performances from Jayden Trogani as Hans, and Mia Bezalel as Anna, but I also found a lot of entertaining side-plots happening behind the windows on stage between other characters. For example, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Keith Cullen’s various ‘tangos’ as the Duke of Weselton. Busting out the modern dance moves in Arendelle just really resonated with me for some reason, and Keith really fit the vibe of the duke perfectly in the show. Regarding “Love is an Open Door,” I would really like to just exclaim how elated I was to see Jayden play the role of Hans. He delivered his lines with such gusto and made me physically jump up and down with glee whenever he was on stage. Below is my reaction to seeing Jayden on stage.

It is the combination of incredible choreography along with the synergy that everyone on stage has with each other that makes the musical so entertaining to watch! Some other songs that really stood out to me this act were “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” in which Grace Shuhet (Young Elsa) and Bridget Keyt (Young Anna) delivered performances which warmed my heart and kept me smiling, and “Dangerous to Dream,” where Ella Thomas (Elsa) introduced me to an emotionally moving song which became my favorite of the show upon my second viewing. 

After I stocked up on candy and bought a stunningly gorgeous tiara from my producer friend Brandon Keyt, the second act commenced. 

I obviously have to highlight Hygge, including fantastic choreography and an incredible accent by Allesandra Wianecki (Oaken). My friends and I loved this song, laughing and singing along gleefully in our seats as we watched the whole cast perform eye-high kicks just like the Rockettes. What really impressed me this act was how big a role the ensemble played in the last few scenes. I absolutely loved when Elsa, Kristoff, and Anna are all navigating through the blizzard on the frozen lake, trying to find each other, while multiple cast members are fluidly dancing around them, mimicking the harsh wind while melodically singing “colder by the minute.” The scene was so cohesive yet frantic, it really had me on the edge of my seat in anticipation, while still making me smile in awe at the amazing performances from the stage and pit.

Overall, Frozen was such a wonderful experience, and every member of the production from crew to the cast to the pit orchestra should be proud of their fine work. The talent displayed not only by the upperclassmen, but also the multitude of underclassmen foreshadow great things to come for MLHS theatre!

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Michael Cera '26

mliddle@mlschools.org

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Women’s History Month is celebrated every March to honor the important contributions of women from the past and present in American history, culture and society. Key figures that are often highlighted during Women’s History Month include Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, who were the primary leaders in the fight for equal rights for women, Amelia Earhart, who was the one of the world’s first female pilots, Rosa Parks, who refused to give up her bus seat for a white man, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and Marie Curie, scientist and the first woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize. 

Women’s History Month originally began in 1978 as a weeklong local celebration in Santa Rosa, California, organized by the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women. The celebration then spread across the country as other communities began to hold their own Women’s History Week celebrations. The celebration eventually received national recognition from President Jimmy Carter in February 1980, when he issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the Week of March 8th as National Women’s History Week. The following presidents continued to proclaim National Women’s History Week every March until 1987, when Congress passed a law designating March as “Women’s History Month.” Additional resolutions were passed from 1988 to 1994 authorizing the President to issue annual proclamations designating March as Women’s History Month. This tradition has since continued, making 2026 the 40th anniversary of Women’s History Month.

Since the first Women’s History Week in 1978, other countries have joined the United States in honoring women and their contribution to history and culture, including Canada and Australia. The National Women’s History Alliance chooses a theme each year for Women’s History Week. The 2026 theme is Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future, highlighting women who are driving innovation and systemic change across environmental, economic, and social sectors, fostering long-term sustainability and equity for people and the planet. Themes from the past have included the 2025 theme Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations which celebrated the collective power and influence of women and the 2024 theme Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress which focused on gender equality as a human rights issue. Beyond the themes, Women’s History Month represents the correction of underrepresentation of and discrimination towards women while also celebrating their many achievements and impact on the world. 

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Hania Shafqat '27 Janvi Singh '27

mliddle@mlschools.org

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The alarm rings, and you hit snooze without thinking. A few minutes later it goes off again, and suddenly getting out of bed feels really tough. It might seem like a motivation problem, but the real explanation is rooted in biology and our bodies.

Even the common habit of hitting the snooze button can make the problem worse. Studies suggest that about 45 percent of people press snooze regularly. Each time someone falls back asleep, the brain may begin starting another short sleep cycle. When the alarm interrupts that cycle just minutes later, it can intensify the feeling of grogginess and make waking up feel even harder.

Ultimately, it takes more than just laziness or a lack of willpower to get out of bed. It takes time for the body and brain to adjust from sleep to wakefulness. The struggle you have with your alarm clock is more about biology than discipline when you understand the science behind mornings.

In addition to the standard recommendation to “get more sleep,” research points to a few less evident methods that can facilitate waking. Exposure to bright light shortly after waking is one of the most effective. Morning light strengthens the body’s circadian rhythm and signals the brain to stop producing melatonin, which makes you feel alert faster. Another method is changing the temperature. Moving into a slightly cooler environment or splashing your face with cool water can help the body transition out of sleep by increasing alertness. Some sleep researchers also suggest placing your alarm across the room so you have to physically get up to turn it off, which interrupts the urge to fall back asleep. Even small habits like drinking water soon after waking or doing a quick stretch can help signal to the body that the day has started and make the transition from bed to morning feel a little less painful.

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Janvi Singh '27

mliddle@mlschools.org

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Most of us know that our high school has a band, but did you know it’s a lot more complicated than that? Between zero period musical groups and extracurricular ones, the mountain lakes instrumental groups include concert band, symphonic band, wind ensemble, orchestra, jazz band (which is split off into two different levels), pep band, pit orchestra, bell choir, and, during the holiday season, holiday brass.

In-School Bands

Anyone who joins band at Mountain Lakes starts out in concert band freshman year, which meets during the school day. From there, one is either placed in symphonic band or wind ensemble, both of which are composed of a variety of sophomores, juniors, and seniors. In terms of string instruments, those who join the orchestra meet during zero period starting freshman year, with the orchestra being made up of one singular group.

After School Bands

Pep, pit orchestra, and bell choir are all available for musicians to partake in after school. While pep band—which anyone who has been to a herd game has heard—is a graded requirement for band members, pit orchestra and bell choir are separate activities. Pit orchestra is back and better than ever with the musicians preparing to show off the music they’ve been working on for months in the high school’s upcoming production of Frozen.

Specific Instrument Group Bands

The two jazz band levels and holiday brass groups are unique in that they are limited to specific instrument groups—for instance, a flute can’t join a jazz band since it’s not considered a jazz instrument, and only brass players can join holiday brass. Holiday brass gets to show off at winter concerts and various other winter-holiday events. Lastly, both jazz bands (blue notes, which is less exclusive, and backbeat, which requires an audition) allow students to explore a unique style of music that isn’t always covered in larger ensembles.

Here’s the bottom line: our school has a lot of talented musicians. Beyond these various bands, there are also numerous vocalist-focused groups and extracurricular activities. Don’t forget to support the arts and come see your friends perform if you ever get the chance—for instance, Mountain Lakes will be putting on the musical Frozen on March 5-7. Come check it out!

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Cate Conklin '26

mliddle@mlschools.org

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Alysa Liu, an American figure skater, has been making history as one of the youngest and most accomplished skaters of her time. Her journey to becoming the first skater to bring back gold for the US since 2002 started when she was just 5 years old, taking to the ice for the first time. She excelled quickly and began competing in national competitions just two years later, showcasing her skill and passion for figure skating. By this time, her outstanding accomplishments had only just begun. At just 12 years old, Liu made history as the youngest woman ever to land a triple Axel, a jump long considered one of figure skating’s most demanding feats. The following year, she captured the 2019 U.S. National Championship title at 13, becoming the youngest skater ever to win the event.

Liu carried that momentum and energy onto the world stage at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, where she finished sixth in the women’s singles competition, which was the top result among American skaters. One month later, she earned bronze at the 2022 World Figure Skating Championships, marking the first time a U.S. woman had reached the world podium since 2016.

After closing out a remarkable 2022 season, Liu stunned the skating world by announcing her retirement at just 16, stepping away from competition while still at the peak of her career.

However, after she was later encouraged by a friend during a ski trip, Liu found her way back to the ice, with a competitive fire she thought she had left behind. This time, her comeback was entirely her own. She handpicked her costumes, selected her music, and carefully curated the aesthetic of her programs, crafting a return that reflected not just her skating, but her identity as well.

In her first season back, she finished second at the U.S. Championships, signaling that her hiatus had done little to diminish her skill. Then came a crowning moment at the 2025 World Figure Skating Championships in Boston, where Liu captured the women’s singles world title, becoming the first American woman in 19 years to do so.

2026 Olympics

For the 2026 Olympics, which took place in Milan from February 6 to February 22, Alysa Liu’s first event was the Figure Skating Team Event, which she participated in with other U.S. figure skaters such as Ilia Malinin and Amber Glenn. The Team Event is composed of one qualifying round and then a final round, both of which contain four categories: Ice Dance, Pair Skating, Women’s Singles Skating, and Men’s Singles Skating. Liu competed in the qualifying round for Women’s Singles, performing a Short Program, a competition segment lasting no longer than 2 minutes and 40 seconds with seven required technical elements, to “Promise” by Laufey. Liu received a score of 74.90 and 9 team points, placing second in the event. Overall, the U.S. won gold in the Team Event with 69 total points, and Liu received her first Olympic gold medal.

However, the Women’s Singles Skating Event was where Alysa Liu shone brightest. For her Short Program, she again performed to “Promise” by Laufey and landed in third place with a score of 76.59. Then came the Free Skate, a longer competitive segment lasting 4 minutes with more creative freedom, where Liu performed to “MacArthur Park Suite” by Donna Summer and received a score of 150.20, resulting in a final score of 226.79 and a first-place finish, winning her second Olympic gold medal.

For all of her events, Liu’s performances were described by many as a breath of fresh air. She has been described as bringing joy and passion back into an Olympic sport that has historically seen athletes suffer from immense pressure and stress. Her declaration of returning to the sport for fun and the energy and happiness that she brings to her performances present a powerful statement that success is not just measured by medals, but by a genuine love and passion for what one does.

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Hania Shafqat '27 and Janvi Singh '27

mliddle@mlschools.org

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Robert Bob Weir, born October 16, 1947 in San Francisco, California, passed away on January 10th, 2026. Now his name, at least in this generation, may seem like any other ordinary name, but what if I were to tell you that Bob Weir is arguably one of the most influential musicians of all time, on the same level of Miles Davis, Michael Jackson, and those alike?

Early Life

Bob Weir did not have an easy start in life, his childhood, to describe it in a word, was turbulent. Weir became an orphan as an infant before being quickly being adopted by a family out of Atherton, California: an extremely wealthy neighborhood in the San Francisco Bay area. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with dyslexia early into his childhood, leading to academic struggles and often behavioral issues, and before he had turned 16, he had already been expelled from five different schools. Yet, behind the struggles with academics and behavior, he found a sanctuary in music. He developed an early interest in folk and blues, drawing heavy inspiration from artists across multiple genres of music, including McCoy Turner, a Jazz Pianist with the John Coltrane Quartet, and Reverend Gary Davis, a well-acclaimed Blues guitarist and gospel singer.

The Formation of The Grateful Dead

In 1963, at age 16, Bob Weir completely abandoned the traditional lifestyle in the pursuit of becoming a full-time musician. At this point, he had been expelled from multiple prep schools, skipping formal education entirely, and spending the majority of his days in Dana Morgan’s Music Store in Palo Alto, where local musicians often congregated and performed together. This is where he met his future co-star, Jerry Garcia. Jerry Garcia, like Bob Weir, was born in San Francisco, California, and found refuge in music partly because of his medical condition (Polio). They both enjoyed the same music, and more importantly, both shared the dream of living the rockstar life. Weir and Garcia quickly began collaborating in music festivals before founding The Grateful Dead in 1965, symbolizing the beginning of a new era in music.

The Grateful Dead & Dead and Company

Weir and The Grateful Dead quickly took over the nation, with their new sound combining folk, country, and jazz took the hearts of millions within a few short years. Songs like “Dark Star” and “Turn On Your Lovelight” sold millions and before you even knew it they were touring across the country, performing to thousands and living that rockstar life they had dreamt of as teenagers. 

The Grateful Dead symbolized freedom, and living to the fullest, denying negative energy and only living with best intentions. And by following this motto, they rocked the 70s, again selling millions of records, revolutionizing music with their twist on rock and disco, and playing hundreds of shows per year. However, they fell as quickly as they rose. While The Grateful Dead symbolized freedom and unity through music, they also symbolized drug use, and the downfall of the band heavily stemming from that drug abuse. 

While Bob Weir was known to typically avoid heavy drug use, his bandmates did not see eye-to-eye with him. Jerry Garcia quickly drew health concerns, and combined with the exhaustive touring, these factors killed their momentum and motivation. In July of 1995, the band unofficially stopped touring. A month later Jerry Garcia, the lead guitarist and singer, tragically overdosed and passed away. Although the band never formally disbanded, Jerry Garcia’s passing unofficially marked the end of The Grateful Dead, ending an unprecedented era of music. 

Within the year, Bob Weir formed a new band named RatDog, that focused on reinterpretations of Grateful Dead material, which lasted a quite long time despite losing such a valuable piece of the band in Jerry Garcia. Yet, Bob Weir prevailed. By 1999, he married Natasha Münter and had two daughters, and embraced a healthier lifestyle through surfing and exercise. He had witnessed Jerry Garcia’s struggle with fitness and drugs and vowed to never repeat them.

By 2015, though the band had stopped touring as The Grateful Dead, Weir and the core members of the band formed a new group: Dead and Company. The band included Bob Weir and other core members of The Grateful Dead, but also some new faces like John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge, and Jeff Chimenti. Although The Grateful Dead had long been done touring up to this point, the mission with Dead and Company was to build on the Grateful Dead legacy by reintroducing their music, but this time, to a completely new audience and generation. 

While the band began touring in 2017 with only one tour per year (excluding 2020), their legacy endured. With Dead and Company, Bob Weir had finally found a peaceful balance between performing and his personal life. He went from 200 shows per year with The Grateful Dead to around 30 per year with Dead and Company, and although core members like Bill Kreutzmann eventually leaned away from playing with the band, Bob Weir continued to tour and build on the Grateful Dead’s legacy, until 2023 when Dead and Company announced their final tour.

Life After Music

After The Grateful Dead unofficially disbanded in 1995, Bob Weir shifted his priorities. He strayed away from performing above all else, but rather on health and fitness. While The Grateful Dead embodied drug-use, Bob Weir stayed avoidant of drugs, understanding the lethal consequences of not being careful. 

After 1995, he promoted fitness and became a symbol of recovery, showing that anyone could outlive addiction, eventually even speaking out about discipline and mindfulness. He served as a beacon of hope for society, a role that he consistently maintained throughout his life.

Bob Weir evangelized showing up and caring for the body, serving as a reminder for people what happens when drug use is taken too far. Although the band has been disbanded for over 30 years now, their legacy endures, and so does Bob Weir’s. Bob Weir’s legacy did not end with his passing, it continues through music, values, and culture he helped create. 

From a troubled youth to national rockstar, Bob Weir embodies the comeback story. As the steward of The Grateful Dead, Weir made it his top priority to carry the band’s spirit into new generations through Dead and Company while modeling balance, health, and resilience. Bob Weir may be gone in death, but the music is what endures, the community he unites, and the hope he inspires.

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Sam Bruderle '27

mliddle@mlschools.org

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Let’s cut to the chase – Mountain lakes and its neighboring towns are full of hot chocolate, so we decided to rate some local favorites so you can decide where to go to satisfy your sweet tooth. 

Our First Sip: Hapgoods

It’s a classic you all know and love, the one and only Hapgoods. They were strong from the get-go, with Christmas Music, colorful lights, and a fire ablaze to welcome you. We were seated right away and ordered one traditional hot cocoa and one peppermint hot cocoa, plus a biscotti for dipping. The traditional hot cocoa embodied everything Hapgoods stands for: comfort, sweetness, and a rich flavor. (Side note: the whipped cream is truly sensational; don’t be afraid to ask for extra) The showstopper of the evening, however, was the peppermint hot cocoa. The holiday flavor, paired with an already superb base of dark chocolate, was a match made in heaven. Paired with their biscotti, you truly can’t go wrong. Although this was a very high-scoring establishment, we did, of course, have a few critiques. A major one that stood out was the temperature: it just wasn’t hot enough for Sam’s taste. Cate and Charlotte didn’t mind that aspect too much, but they did note the flavor of the traditional was a bit underwhelming compared to that of the peppermint. With its Mountain Lakes charm and truly delicious cocoa, Hapgoods is definitely a spot to check out.

Around the Block to the Corner Creamery

If you are looking for an adorable ice cream store with small-town vibes and colorful decor, Corner Creamery is the perfect place for you! However, we don’t recommend coming here if you’re searching for hot chocolate. While we commend the low price, stick to their ice cream; the hot chocolate was far from hot, had no chocolate flavor, and didn’t quite have any redeeming qualities to offer. At the end of the day, we love all of our small businesses, and we respect the attempt, but until they figure out their hot chocolate, go here for the ice cream instead!

Across Town to Boonton Coffee

After the setback at the Corner Creamery, I had to say the bar was set pretty low. However, our next stop was Boonton Coffee, which proved to be the polar opposite of the previous. Not only was the hot chocolate comforting, but the atmosphere definitely gets points for being aesthetically pleasing. The first sip of the seasonal peppermint hot chocolate immediately gave me feelings of rich and handmade hot chocolate. If I were to describe it in one word, it would be balanced: it wasn’t too thick that you felt like you could only drink a small cup of it, but it was thick and dark-chocolately at the same time.

Even if you aren’t a big sweet tooth, this cup of hot chocolate goes really well with the Cinnamon Chip Scone. I appreciate how they warm it up for you and put it on a cute plate, along with the hot chocolate mug; combined with the homey atmosphere, you really cannot go wrong with Boonton Coffee. Something to note for topping lovers: it doesn’t come with whipped cream. Although, we all thought that it was unnecessary due to the creamy consistency and semi-light flavor. In all, we would rate this location a 11/10, simply because they took the hot chocolate and scenery to a whole other level; we will be coming back here!!

Our Final Sip of the Day: Java Smugglers

We wrapped our night up with Java Smugglers, which offered a fresh perspective on hot chocolate that we had a hard time rating but ultimately felt very fond of. Immediately when walking in, the vibes are incredible; the decor is unique, there are some adorable products for sale that would make incredible gifts, such as candles and tea cups, and it feels very rustic and curated. We ordered their plain hot chocolate, and compared to the other ones of the night, it was less rich and had more of a spiced marshmallow-y flavor, with the chocolate being less prominent. With that said, the flavor was incredible, and it was nice to try something with a less traditional hot chocolate flavor, especially being on our fourth hot chocolate of the night.

On top of that, the whipped cream was incredible, the sizing was very reasonable (we got a small, which was more than enough for three people), and the temperature was pleasant. Some notes we want to make in case you’re considering going is that it would be considered on the thinner side as far as hot chocolates go, which Cate and Sam appreciated, but if you’re like Charlotte and you prefer a more viscous drink, we would recommend looking elsewhere. All in all, Java Smugglers has an incredible ambience, an interesting menu that draws people in for its bourbon coffee, and a great spin on hot chocolate, so go support a small business and check it out. 

Ending on a Sweet Note

No matter where you choose to get your hot chocolate from, we hope our reviews helped! From all three of us, we wish you a happy holiday season and happy hot chocolate drinking!

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Cate Conklin '26, Sam Hirschfeld '28, Charlotte Caggiano '27

mliddle@mlschools.org

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It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for. Did you think this article was about recipes or decorations? Well, you thought wrong. Get ready to read Charlotte and Sam’s dream Thanksgiving table. Whether you’re into sports, pop culture, history, or philosophy, you’ll be sure to converse with someone of interest at this table.

1. The Rock

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is perhaps the epitome of American Pop Culture. Both an actor and a wrestler, the conversation will never lull in his presence. Since we know he’ll make a full plate, we don’t have to worry about too many leftovers. Also, if we have a stuck jar, we know who to call on. Starring in Moana and Jumanji, his wide range of experiences will bring an air of expertise and strength to the table. Worried we won’t have enough sides? Don’t worry, he texted that he’s bringing his favorite one: homemade cornbread with honey.

2. Abby Lee Miller

Quite a controversial figure, Abby Lee Miller will be sure to bring her opinionated attitude to the table. Whether you know her from Dance Moms or through her self-owned dance company, “The Abby Lee Dance Company,” you must be familiar with her fierce, yet loving attitude. Also, the food at this dinner must be top-tier if Abby Lee Miller is attending. If you get lucky, she may even bring some of her mom’s homemade noodle casserole!

3. Barack Obama

In the midst of the chaos, Barack Obama is here to the rescue. The perfect buffer for our table, he brings both the political and historical features. Although, it would be a miracle if we even got him at our table, considering how family-oriented he is. His community-oriented values and hopeful attitude make it easy to be thankful. Oh, and also, according to ABC News, his favorite Thanksgiving food is pumpkin pie, so be sure to save him a slice.

4. Alexander Hamilton

1776, New York City. Actually, it’s 2025, at Sam and Charlotte’s Thanksgiving Table. But Hamilton will be there nonetheless, because what is Thanksgiving without a founding father? A musical written about him, and drafting the Constitution, what hasn’t Hamilton done? Known for writing 51 essays out of spite, his sass will be sure to spark historical debates at our table. Also, we can count on his colonial outfit to turn the table into a fashion show. He won’t be young, scrappy, or hungry anymore, especially once we cook his favorite dish, cauliflower florets as featured in the Hamilton Cookbook.

5. Charli D’Amelio

I know what you must be thinking, why on Earth would we want 2020 TikTok-famous Charli D’Amelio at our Thanksgiving table. Honestly, she just adds some diversity; she is by far the youngest and probably the least serious. If we get lucky, maybe we could even be streamed on the D’Amelio Show on Hulu on a special Thanksgiving episode. I am sure she would have something to add to the conversation, especially because she used to get trained by Abby Lee Miller! There is some talk about them having a strictly professional relationship, but who knows, maybe they will bond over their traumatic dance experiences and leave dinner with a new friend.

6. Simone Biles

We all know If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, but what about If You Give Simone a Gold Medal? Specifically, 11 gold medals. With her Olympic-level discipline, we know at least she will arrive on time. Honestly, probably 5 minutes early with time to stretch. We’ll make sure to keep the hallway clear, just in case she needs space to do a mid-dinner routine. When she brings her favorite food, potatoes, I just know we’ll rate it a 10.

7. Gordon Ramsay

World-famous chef, mostly known for his screen time on Hell’s Kitchen, will definitely bring more controversy to the table. As if we didn’t have enough already. His tough criticism and unfiltered personality will make sure to make a comment on the food, whether good or bad. Watch out, though, if you take your eyes off him, he may just take over the kitchen. I don’t know about you, but I’m not getting in his way.

8. Aristotle

Mathematics, philosophy, linguistics, oh my. While he may not have experienced Thanksgiving in his own time, that certainly doesn’t mean he’s excluded from ours. With his analytical outlook, we know our seating chart will perfectly balance everyone’s virtues and alignments. No spiritual clashes here. Also, his commitment to eudaimonia (a state of flourishing or well-being) will curb the petty drama brought on by some other, cough cough, Abby Lee Miller guests. While we don’t know his favorite food, his diet likely would’ve been Mediterranean, so a dish such as Branzino with olives would definitely suffice.

9. Britney Spears

Oops, I did it again. I…invited Britney to Thanksgiving?! With her world-class vocal talent, we won’t have to worry about curating a playlist for this special holiday; Britney will have the music covered. We’ll definitely make extra mashed potatoes, in case she says “Gimme Gimme more”. Being an unprepared host is not an option. With so much talent at our table, we knew we needed Britney to bring another side of fame to our dinner, the vocal kind. While we don’t know for certain what Spears’ favorite Thanksgiving meal is, we do know she’s very fond of turkey, so we’ll be sure to perfect our recipe just for her.

10. LeBron James

To be honest, not much thought went into this one. And with full transparency, he will probably eat most of the food anyway. However, he is known to be pretty funny and quite athletic. He joined the NBA straight out of high school when he was 18. I wonder if he and Simone, two very disciplined and accomplished athletes, would hit it off. I guess we will never know.

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Sam Hirschfeld '28 and Charlotte Caggiano '27

mliddle@mlschools.org

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“Over 10 million photos that mentioned Thanksgiving-themed words in their captions were shared yesterday,” Instagram, the famous social media platform for sharing photos and videos, announced after the Thanksgiving holiday in 2012. “For several hours throughout the day, more than 200 photos about Thanksgiving were posted every second.” It was the busiest day the network had ever had. One year later, Instagram users broke the upload record with even more pictures and have continued to post at this rate on Thanksgiving each year.

Social media has also played an impactful role in the Thanksgiving menu. From TikTok stuffing hacks to Instagram-worthy charcuterie boards, social media is now one of the most powerful influences on how people cook. Some viral Thanksgiving dishes that have made their way to the table are Tini’s Mac & Cheese, deep-fried turkeys, charcuterie boards, and so many more. These foods started to be added as an addition and some have even replaced traditional Thanksgiving dishes.

Food isn’t the only thing that has been increasingly commercialized. As seen on Instagram, it isn’t enough just to have the perfect spread; the decorations need to be perfect too. It’s a problem that extends past Thanksgiving – waste from seasonal decorations is a problem for other major holidays as well. Humanity’s waste production increases between 25%-43% during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. Although it may seem festive at the time, spending money on excess seasonal decorations leads to increases in landfills and waste production, harming our environment. 

Overall, social media has greatly changed our perception of Thanksgiving from a simple, family-centered celebration to a highly commercialized event. While social media can be useful for providing decoration inspiration and new recipes, they have also contributed to a rise in consumer culture and pressure to have the perfect holiday. Instead of feeling the need to post the perfect meal or have the most aesthetic decorations, it’s important to balance your spending habits and stay focused on what Thanksgiving is really about: family and gratitude.

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Janvi Singh '27 and Hania Shafqat '27

mliddle@mlschools.org

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On November 4th, the Democratic Party was found victorious in numerous elections. This “blue wave” was apparent in the results of Virginia, New York, California, and, of course, New Jersey. Specifically, former navy pilot and congresswoman Mikie Sherrill won the governor’s race in New Jersey, marking the first time in roughly six decades where one political party remained in power for 3 terms in a row. 

The results of the election were interesting: Sherrill won 56.6% of votes compared to Jack Ciattarelli’s 42.8%, giving her a comfortable lead. However, many early polls indicated a much closer race between the two candidates; an underestimated turnout and large share of undecided voters at the time seemed to have affected the results of early polls and predictions. Given the results of this election, what can we expect for the future of New Jersey? 

Sherrill’s Campaign Promises

Sherrill’s campaign focused heavily on issues regarding the cost of living, and ways to drive it down. She pledged to reduce taxes through tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, which would help working families. She also planned to freeze utility rates and invest in projects on solar power, as well as streamline housing development to promote affordable housing. These plans, if executed successfully, could help middle and lower class families keep up with the cost of living and allow New Jersey to become more livable.

Sherrill promised to fix NJ Transit, which has been criticized for subpar service. The NJ Transit system is the third largest in the country, moving 720,000 people across the state via trains and buses; it is clear why this is one of her top priorities. She specifically wants to push into transit-oriented development to create compact neighborhoods around transportation centers. This would reduce dependency on personally owned cars to improve efficiency of transportation flow and create sustainable communities. She also intends to modernize rail infrastructure and improve the Gateway Tunnel, which on top of bettering transportation can also create critical jobs; all these things, she believes, will positively stimulate NJ’s economy and create a better NJ.

Sherrill has plans with regards to social programs as well. To achieve more accessible education, she proposed more universal pre-K, free school lunches, as well as stronger mental health programs. Regarding healthcare, Sherrill aims to require insurance companies to have better justifications for higher pricing so that she can ultimately lower drug prices. She also wants to defend reproductive and abortion rights and expand contraception access, and hopefully, Sherrill’s progressive agenda will better the lives of many New Jerseyans.

NJ Politics Moving Forward

With such a strong performance by Mikie Sherrill in mind, what is the future of New Jersey’s politics? Will NJ continue to be a Democratic stronghold, or is there a possibility the state will accept conservative ideals? Well, the truth is: it’s hard to tell. The political parties are constantly changing, and drastic shifts in the support for each party can occur. With that being said, the current Democratic support in NJ is stronger than it possibly ever was, so the Republicans will have a hard time overtaking them in the foreseeable future. 

Looking Ahead

Regardless of the quality of the promises, execution is key to a better New Jersey; likewise, regardless of political party, all of us want a better New Jersey. All we can do is hope that Mikie Sherrill gives us the New Jersey we want and deserve. 

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Ali Cherry '27

mliddle@mlschools.org

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