online edition

The Student Newspaper of Hopkins School

2025

  • March

    New Haven artists pose at the opening of the Black History Month gallery. (Hopkins Communications)

    Black Excellence: BSU and DivBo Honor Black History Month

    Sonali Bedi ’28, Campus Correspondent
    Black History Month at Hopkins serves as a time when students are able to honor and learn about the experiences of Black individuals. Throughout February, Diversity Board (DivBo) and Black Student Union (BSU) organized a plethora of events to celebrate Black History Month (BHM) at Hopkins including Spirit Week, movie nights, an affinity lunch, a showcase, gallery tour, game night, basketball tournament, and a final affinity celebration. 
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  • The sun shines on the sign outside Elena’s on Orange on a hot summer day. (Kate Rodriguez)

    Elena’s to Serve Up Advice in Assembly

    Rose Porosoff ’27, Assistant News Editor
    Nestled into a residential section of New Haven is an ice cream shop called Elena’s on Orange. Elena’s serves three flavors: soft-serve vanilla, oat milk chocolate and a rotating seasonal flavor. Inside the store are bright colors, customers enjoying sweet treats and smiling staff. Elena’s also offers baked goods, hot chocolate and more. Elena’s is owned by Hopkins graduate Elena Grewal ’02, who will speak at assembly on March 28 as part of the Alumni Fellows Program to share her wisdom and perspective. 
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  • Mody follows through on a swing. (Jonathan Beckerman)

    Gallant Golf Captain: Zal Mody

    Lukas Roberts ’27, Campus Correspondent
    As Zal Mody ’25 concludes his career in the Hopkins Aquatics Program as the captain of the Boys Varsity Water Polo and Boys Varsity Swimming teams, he turns his focus to the spring season and captains the Varsity Golf team alongside Krish Garga ’25. 
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  • Hopkins runners pose together after the race. (Saidan Thapa '25)

    Hopkins Students Support IRIS Amidst Funding Cuts

    Claire Billings ’25, Lead News Editor
    On the morning of February 9, amidst piles of snow, thousands of runners gathered outside of Wilbur Cross High School to run New Haven’s 18th annual IRIS Run for Refugees. Among them, a record number of 18 Hopkins student runners and 10 volunteers. Saidan Thapa ’25 and Evan Yan ’25, co-heads of the Hopkins IRIS Club, organized a team of Hopkins community members to volunteer, run, and fundraise for the Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services, which helps roughly 2,000 refugees reach self-sufficiency each year. 
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  • Kenkare throws the ball to her teammate. (Jonathan Beckerman)

    Water Polo Wonder: Layla Kenkare

    Beatrice Lundberg ’27
    Affectionately dubbed “the wall” of her team, Layla Kenkare ’25, who co-captains the 2025 team with Josie Lipcan ’25 and Maggie Russell ’25, has been a fundamental part of the Girls Varsity Water Polo team since her freshman year. 
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  • Executive Chef Michael Hembly, Director of Dining Services Chris Alfano, and Sous Chef Cassan- dra Dunn pose in the Heath servery before the lunch rush begins. (Stephen May)

    Behind the Scenes with FLIK Dining

    Eric Roberts ’25, Lead Features Editor, Elona Spiewak '26, Assistant Features Editor
    FLIK staff – the dedicated and welcoming unsung heroes of our campus community – work hard every day to fuel students, faculty, and staff alike. Although all Hopkins students benefit from the dining services and cafe on a daily basis, few Hilltoppers know many details about how their food arrives in their hands. From the energetic curly-fry chaos to special cafe items, FLIK staff help define the Hopkins community.
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  • Students enjoy Block Blast together in Upper Heath. (Elona Spiewak '26)

    Booming Breakthrough: The Rise of Block Blast

    Arya Mehta ’27 Campus Correspondent
    With the growing popularity of mobile apps, more and more Hopkins students have been flocking to their phones to play the new trending app Block Blast. Huddled in assembly, around the lunch table, or even in class, students are hypnotized, trying to beat their friends’ high scores.
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  • A student takes a break to admire a picture of chopped chin.

    Brainrot for Beginners: Hopkins Students Weigh in on Slang

    Abby Rakotomavo ’26, Features Editor
    With Gen Z and Gen Alpha as the primary users of social media apps like TikTok and Instagram, slang is not what it used to be. It has even taken on a new name: brainrot. 
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  • The poster for the 97th Academy Awards. (Fair Use)

    Glambots and Glitz: The Oscars 2025

    Miriam Levin ’26, Lead Arts Editor
    Movie aficionados and those who simply enjoy movie theater popcorn are all gearing up for the most anticipated night of the year for film: the Oscars. Between the fancy outfits, the interesting glambots, and the controversial nominations, the Oscars never fail to either amaze or disappoint viewers, and this year is no different. With 2024 being such a huge year for new releases such as “Wicked,” “Emilia Perez,” and more, this year’s event is, to many, more excitement-filled than recent years.
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  • Your favorite Gingers on The Razor, Lily Dumas, Winter Szarabajka, and Aerin O’Brien. Gingers unite! (Rain Zeng '26)

    How to Make a Ginger Snap in March: A Step-by-Step Recipe

    Aerin O'Brien ’26 Assistant Op/Ed Editor and Winter Szarabajka ’27 Assistant Op/Ed Editor
    “People who haven’t red hair don’t know what trouble is,” Anne Shirley of Green Gables famously lamented. Unable to blend in, impossible to ignore, we Gingers have been victims of persecution, witch-hunts and ridiculous stereotypes since the beginning of time. 
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  • International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world.

    International Women’s Day: For All Women

    Rain Zeng’26, Op/Ed Editor
    March 8 is such an important day for women in other countries — and I’ve always wondered why it isn’t for Americans. My parents and relatives celebrate International Women’s Day through gifts, and women even get a half-day off work every year in China. As a child of immigrants, I know that there are many aspects of American culture that differ from that of other countries; holidays and traditions celebrated elsewhere may not be a commonplace observance here.
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  • GNBM in a group picture.

    Moonlight and Melodies: Goodnight Blue Moon Takes the Stage

    Olivia Yu ’27, Assistant Arts Editor
    With their energetic and dynamic live performances, Goodnight Blue Moon (GNBM) introduces a unique genre of Americana folk music to the stage—featuring Hopkins’ very own band teacher, Erik Elligers, on guitar and vocals. Based in New England, GNBM features seven musicians who perform around the New Haven area. Goodnight Blue Moon also performed on campus during the Fall Festival, where students and faculty could enjoy their energetic music.


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  • Can AI replace human companionship? (Hailey Wiley '25)

    The AI Friend Dilemma: Go Outside (Please).

    Anya Mahajan ’25, Lead Op/Ed Editor
    Human-to-human interactions have steadily declined due to the silent period of suffering during the pandemic. The final nail in that coffin of connection? Artificial intelligence (AI) companions, offering a person something to confide in, with a free, instant accessibility that will always beat out your friend who takes 3-5 business days to text back.
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  • The cast of “Cabaret” rehearses on the new APAC stage.

    Wilkommen, Bienvenue! Welcome to “Cabaret”

    Isha Seth ’28, Campus Correspondant
    To all those who wished to see the Hopkins rendition of “Cabaret,” the Hopkins Drama Association (HDA) said “Wilkommen, bienvenue, welcome!”
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  • February

    Jerseys, Pajamas, and Cookie Monster Hats: Sports Fashion at Hopkins

    Liliana Dumas ’26 Arts Editor Saisha Ghai ’27 Assistant Arts Editor
    On the average day at Hopkins, you might see student-athletes roam the halls wearing glitter pants and cookie
    monster hats, before changing into their uniforms to win a game. From “Men in Black” suits to shin guards, each team has its own traditions and uniforms, but they all represent Hopkins, whether diving into the pool in swimsuits or stepping onto the field in lacrosse skirts.
    Read More
  • SZA accepts an award for Best R&B Song.

    Thank You for the Music: the 2025 Grammy Awards

    Claire Li ’28 Campus Correspondent
    From surprising snubs to memorable speeches, the Grammy Awards have captured the essence of the music
    industry since 1959. However, as we approach the 2025 ceremony, the Grammys are now grappling with navigating the changing landscape of music production, consumption, and recognition. With the rise of streaming services, viral trends on platforms like TikTok, and the increasing influence of independent artists, the Grammys face new challenges in staying relevant and inclusive.
    Read More
  • Margot Sack ’24 shares her writing with other program participants.

    A Look Inside Hopkins’ Special Programs

    Elona Spiewak ’26 Assistant Features Editor
    Hopkins offers many opportunities for student enrichment, from sports to clubs to community service. Additionally, Hopkins provides specific specialized courses for students with certain passions. Two Hopkins-specific programs are the Hopkins Authentic Research Program in Science (HARPS) and the Young Apprentice Writer’s Program (YAWP).
    Read More
  • Young Republicans, Young Democrats, and Civic Engagement Club Heads pose for a photo together.

    Can the Hilltoppers Find a Middle Ground?

    Sarah Solazzo ’26 Assistant News Editor
    Every few Wednesdays, the Weissman Room fills with students discussing political issues. Middle Ground, a student-organized conversation platform, tackles a variety of polarized global topics. Similarly, Students United for Racial Equity (SURE) created Community Conversations as a way for the community to engage in discussions about race, identity, and culture. Recent Middle Ground conversations following the presidential election and the Israel-Hamas war have left many students reflecting on what makes for a productive dialogue.


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  • A student receives flowers from secret admirer.

    Can You Feel the Love Tonight? Romance on The Hill

    Eric Roberts ’25 Lead Features Editor and Veena Scholand ’26 Assistant Features Editor
    As the new term starts and students begin to lose focus on academics, they turn to one shared goal: finding love. With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, Hilltoppers are taking extra time to reflect on the uncontrollable romantic craze surrounding campus.


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  • Dr. Juan Sebastian Chamorro speaks in assembly.

    Democracy Speaker Series Tackles Authoritarianism

    Aurelia Wen ’27 Campus Correspondent
    For the Term Two Democracy Series, Hopkins is welcoming a number of important speakers to campus. As the first speaker of the term, former Nicaraguan pre-candidate for president in the 2021 general election, Juan Sebastián Chamorro, spoke in Assembly on January 24. He also held small group Q&A sessions in the Lower Library in the morning with students and faculties.


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  • Students can publish their paper in the Hopkins History Journal.

    Research Paper Writing: Tips, Tricks, and Techniques

    Ashley Denh
    Each year, Hopkins students enrolled in the core Atlantic Communities (AC) history classes are required to write a research paper on a topic of interest. The months-long process entails choosing a topic, conducting research, writing, and workshopping an eight- to twelve-page paper. Given the challenges of this under- taking, members of the Hopkins community offer tips and advice to help students stay ahead of the research paper game.
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  • Lynn Connelly shares her vegan lunch in a video.

    SusBo Takes on “Veganuary”

    Aiden Chan ’26 Campus Correspondent
    In the first week back from break, the Sustainability Board (SusBo) launched its inaugural Veganuary initiative, aimed at promoting sustainable eating habits across the school community. Spearheaded by the Energy Subcommittee, the campaign was based on the Veganuary movement—an annual challenge that encourages individuals to adopt a vegan diet during the entire month of January. The effort also included the support of Ms. Connelly, who documented her experience through promotional vlogs.

     
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  • January

    After 40 Years of CFBF, StuCo Switches it Up

    Rose Porosoff ’27 Assistant News Editor
    The Connecticut Food Bank Fundraiser (CFBF) has been around for roughly 40 years and is now in its peak
    time of development. Big changes came to the CFBF this year.
    Read More
  • Maroon Key hosts a toy drive for St. Luke’s.

    Beyond the Bow: The Art of Gift Giving

    Christina Feng ’28 Campus Correspondent
    With the holidays drawing near, the hunt for presents has begun. For many, gift-giving is a big part of winter holidays. Katie Spenner ’25 said, “My favorite part of the holidays is participating in gift exchanges.”
    Read More
  • Hopkins students volunteer at Union Baptist Church.

    Fall Community Service Brings Opportunities Galore

    Lena Wang ’27 Campus Correspondent
    On and off campus, and even all the way in Hartford, Hopkins students have been serving the community this past fall. Maroon Key, Hopkins’ largest student-run community service board, ran their annual Clothing Drive from September 30th to October 30th, partnering with St. Luke’s Episcopal Church to replenish their clothing closet. Outside of campus, Hopkins has extended its outreach in the Greater New Haven area and beyond.
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  • Scott Wich loves watching “It’s A Wonderful Life.”

    From Screens to Scenes: Hopkins Students on Holiday Traditions

    Karolina Jasaitis ’27 Campus Correspondent
    Following the three weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas break, many Hopkins students return to the comfort of their homes and spend some much-needed time with family. The holidays: a time of nostalgia, comfort, and rest that Hopkins students covet most dearly. Many families cherish traditions such as watching holiday films every year during the holidays.
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  • Saki Tomita ‘25 dashes to the finish line at a track meet.

    Hilltop Hopes: Students’ New Year’s Resolutions

    Abby Rakotomavo ’26 Features Editor and Veena Scholand ’26 Assistant Features Editor
    With 2025 quickly approaching, students are setting goals to work toward in the new year. While some, like Logan Matthews ’25, view them as an opportunity for “self improvement [and] embracing the finite nature of life,” others are more cynical about making resolutions. According to Henry Weinstein ’26, New Years’ resolutions are “an arbitrary idea that humans created that the turn of the year should be the time to actually get your act together.” On the other hand, Olive Snow ’30 believes, “Every year is another chance to try again.”
    Read More
  • Schedules overwhelm the desk of one junior.

    New Schedule To Be Tested Before Potential 2025-27 Rollout

    Sarah Solazzo ’26 Assistant News Editor
    Hopkins faculty members are working alongside a redesign team Leadership+Design to implement a new schedule as early as the 2025–2026 school year. The redesign team, led by 15 Hopkins faculty members, is in the process of exploring different prototypes of schedules including trimester and semester based schedules. Matt Glendinning, Head of school, said that before any changes are made, the team will be “piloting the proposed new schedule for a week or two” in order to make changes and understand its impact.
    Read More
  • A Hopkins gossip page on Instagram.

    Spilling the Tea on Social Media at Hopkins

    Veena Scholand ’26 Assistant Features Editor and Abby Rakotomavo ’26 Features Editor
    With students flocking to Instagram the second anything remotely interesting happens, more and more Hopkins-affiliated Instagram pages are being created. Posts on these accounts range from funny candids of their friends to informational posts about Hopkins events. Recently, gossip pages have grown in popularity within the Hopkins community, with one freshman-run account gaining the school’s attention. This raises the question: do Hopkins administrators have the right to restrict students' online activity? If so, what are the limitations of this power?
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< 2025
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Editor in Chief 
Liliana Dumas 

Managing Editor 
Miri Levin 

News
Sarah Solazzo 
Rose Porosoff
Anvi Pathak 
Lena Wang
Sonali Bedi 
Features
Abby Rakotomavo
Elona Spiewak
Becky Li
Ashley Deng
Aurelia Wen
 
Arts
Aerin O’Brien
Saisha Ghai
Veena Scholand
Ellie Luo
Isha Seth
Op/Ed
Rain Zheng
Winter Szarabajka
Anjali van Bladel
Gitanjali Navaratnam-Tomayko
Bea Lundberg

Sports
Samantha Bernstein
Hana Beauregard
Elaina Paktuka
Beckett Ehrlich
Lukas Roberts
Content
Amelia Hudonogov-Foster
Edel Lee
Micah Betts
Ari Mehta
Olivia Yu
Karolina Jasaitis 

Cartoonists
Susie Becker 
Faculty Advisers
Stephen May
Elizabeth Gleason
Shanti Madison
The Razor's Edge reflects the opinion of 4/5 of the editorial board and will not be signed. The Razor welcomes letters to the editor but reserves the right to decide which letters to publish, and to edit letters for space reasons. Unsigned letters will not be published, but names may be withheld on request. Letters are subject to the same libel laws as articles. The views expressed in letters are not necessarily those of the editorial board.
     
The Razor, an open forum publication, is published monthly during the school year by students of: 
Hopkins School
986 Forest Road
New Haven, CT 06515

Phone: 203.397.1001 x628
Email: smay@hopkins.edu
986 Forest Road
New Haven, Connecticut 06515
(203) 397-1001