Watching

Although soccer isn’t as popular in the United States as it is in most other parts of the world, Welcome to Wrexham provides an in-depth look at a Welsh team that works towards being promoted to a higher league. As majority owners, actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney use their fame and money to attempt to provide the city of Wrexham with their club’s long-awaited success. Even for viewers who are not soccer fans, they will cheer the progress that the owners are making on the club and the community.
~Noah Bair 24

For more than a half-century, Rebel Without a Cause has been lauded as one of the best films to portray teenage angst and frustration. After watching the film it is clear to me why. Through James Dean’s phenomenal performance as the film’s lead, Jim Stark, Dean takes the audience through an emotional journey that makes a one-day journey feel like a lifetime. Personally, this story still holds up as a definitive teen movie and is capable of delivering an emotional punch nearly seven decades after its initial release.
~Ben Schoenberg ‘24

Reading

Considered one of the most influential books of all time, Dante’s The Divine Comedy from the 14th century follows his journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven with numerous cameos from famous historical figures (most of whom Dante fawns over) and detailed accounts of eternal suffering. Dante’s work provides a fascinating insight into how late medieval Europe perceived sin, salvation, and Christianity. Additionally, the epic poem provides a unique perspective on the social, political, and religious situation of Medieval Florence through Dante’s flaunting of his own biases (Dante would often feature people he didn’t like as one of the many souls damned to eternal suffering in Hell). Overall The Divine Comedy is a great if extremely dense read, and something I would recommend if you like history and reading.
~Connor Pugh ‘24

An arduous journey, One Piece is an action packed, emotional adventure about pirates finding a treasure that belongs to the Pirate King called the One Piece. It has been a part of my life since my elementary school and has made me who I am today. Currently on my fourth reread, I have read up to Chapter 600 as of now. It is notable for being very long , with both its manga and anime adaptation being over 1,000 chapters and episodes respectively. While it can be consumed through many different mediums, like anime, and now a live action TV show, reading the manga, in my opinion, better immerses you in the story.
~Dasun Panapitiya ‘24

Listening To

Tyler Childers’ sixth studio album, Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven? is my favorite of his releases. Hounds contains three versions of each song. First is the “Hallelujah” version which focuses on Childers and his core band, The Food Stamps. “Jubilee” version follows, representing more of a big band sound with prominent horn and string sections. The final is the “Joyful Noise” version, a combination of his traditional folksy sound and electronic club-esque beats. Listening to three distinctly different versions of the same eight songs compiled into one album is a wonderous example of how expansive music can be.
~Audrey Farris ‘25