Current News 

By Finney Thayer of The Pathfinder

October 18, 2025

From the hard, frosty earth,

Flowers sprout up once more.

Blanketing the ground with a variety of colours,

From striking purples to sunny yellows and bold reds,

Shaded blues and bright oranges weave their way in.

Whimsical birdsong permeates the air anew.

Gaia has awakened.

The beams of Apollo beat down harsher than ever before.

Animals throughout the forest are quiet,

They hide from the harsh rays coating the lands.

Shafts of light pierce through leaves,

Giving the floor a dappled look.

Rivers shrink ever so slightly,

As the sun greedily drinks them up.

Greenleaf is upon us.

Cool breezes rattle the boughs,

And the leaves flutter down, cloaking the ground

In shiny golds, ruby reds, and tawny browns.

Scents of pumpkin and maple swirl in the air;

A murder of crows flies overhead

Letting loose a harsh cacophony of caws.

Magna Mater has begun to grow sleepy.

Harsh winds sweep over the lands,

Accompanied by stinging rain and cold snow.

The trees are bare as can be,

Bereft of their leaves.

Slumbering fauna lie beneath the earth,

Dreaming of a moment better than this.

Time slows down,

As if Chronos can feel the chill brought on.

Liquid ice seeps into the ground,

Killing off all that is pretty

And replacing it with a coat of white.

Mother Earth is slumbering once more.

Derek Sheffield, Washington State Poet Laureate, will deliver the 44th annual Stegner lecture on Friday, October 17, at 7:00 p.m. at the Lewiston City Library (411 D Street, Lewiston, ID). 

Sheffield is the 8th poet laureate of Washington State (2025-2027). He received a 2024 Pacific Northwest Booksellers Award for Cascadia Field Guide: Art, Ecology, Poetry. His other collections include Not for Luck, winner of the Wheelbarrow Books Poetry Prize judged by Mark Doty, Through the Second Skin, runner-up for the Emily Dickinson First Book Award, and Dear America: Letters of Hope, Habitat, Defiance, and Democracy. He teaches at Wenatchee Valley College and Western Colorado University, edits poetry for Terrain.org, and can often be found in the woods along the eastern slopes of the Cascade Range near Leavenworth, Washington.

The Stegner Lecture is named after Wallace Stegner and has been an area literary-cultural highlight since Stegner gave the first lecture in 1982. Stegner has often been called “The Dean of Western Writers” and won a Pulitzer Prize in 1972. 

By Lanessa Watkins of The Pathfinder

October 8, 2025

1. Shakespeare is an expert comedian.

2. If you can quote Shakespeare, you’ll sound smart.

3. It’ll help you pass your English exam.

Shakespeare is, without a doubt, one of the most prolific writers in the world. His works have been translated into over 100 languages, and several have served as inspiration for million-dollar box office successes. The point is: Shakespeare is popular. Even if you haven’t read Shakespeare, you have—in fact—read Shakespeare. Two star-crossed lovers whose relationship is forbidden? That’s Romeo and Juliet. Two witty singles whose romance is interrupted by their scorned past? That’s Much Ado About Nothing. A young prince who wants to avenge his father’s death? That’s Hamlet. 

So, you’ve seen Shakespeare. Many elements of his writing have been incorporated into popular culture and still affect the way we tell stories today. But why, you might ask, is this one particular guy still so widely studied and revered today? Perhaps you read Romeo and Juliet in middle school and thought: yeah, that was alright. Or your teacher forced you to suffer through the endless monologues of Julius Caesar, and you hated every moment of it. Regardless of your previous experiences with the bard, I’m here to tell you that Shakespeare is certainly worth giving another try (and not just so you can pass your English test). 

First things first, Shakespeare’s works are multi-genre, and you need to find the right genre for you. His plays come in three flavors, so to speak: comedy, tragedy, and history. Each of them read very differently, and you won’t enjoy Shakespeare until you’re reading the right one for you. So, let’s take a look:

Comedies: Full of romance, misunderstandings, jokes, and wordplay. Usually simple in terms of plot but lush with interesting characters and ridiculous moments. These productions play especially well on the stage, but the intense wordplay can be difficult to parse. If you’re looking for something witty, lighthearted, and you’re a lover of romance, this might be the category for you. 

Tragedies: Defined by the downfall of a tragic hero, the fight between good and evil, and themes of guilt, revenge, and ambition. These plays typically focus on human flaws and royalty with dramatic speeches and deadly battles. If you’re someone who likes stories that are gritty, human, and impactful, these are the plays for you.

Histories: Focus on dramatic narratives, social classes, and British history. These plays are perhaps the most difficult for Western audiences as the history they reflect is quite distant to us. Unlike the audience Shakespeare’s histories would have played for during his time, we aren’t intrinsically familiar with the Hundred Years’ War or the Medieval British monarchy. Still, the history plays are intense, funny, and incredibly charming. If you’re looking for something rooted in realism with epic tales and imperfect characters, the history plays may just be your jam. 

Regardless of which category you find suits you, you’re sure to enjoy Shakespeare’s writing once you begin to understand it. My suggestion: watch the plays as you read them and don’t be afraid to search for summaries or guides. Shakespeare is old, nearly 400 years old, in fact, and that makes much of the language and wordplay foreign to us. Luckily, there is no shortage of people willing to guide you through reading some of the most influential literary works in history. One such organization is the Folger Shakespeare Library, which offers great resources for reading, watching, and interpreting Shakespeare. Additionally, if you're a high school or college student, I’m confident your teacher/professor would be happy to help you understand why they love the plays they’re forcing you to read. Seriously, just ask. I guarantee you it will make their day. 

Of course, as an English major and someone who has read/watched 13 of Shakespeare’s plays, I have some tricks of my own for parsing the language. 

Tip 1: Watch the play as you read. I mentioned it earlier, but Shakespeare was meant to be watched, not read. Once you see it on stage, you’ll start to understand the appeal. If you’re still struggling to follow along, try a movie adaptation. My favorites are Kenneth Branagh’s Much Ado About Nothing (1993) and Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet (1996). 

Tip 2: Buy a version of the play with notes. Once again, the Folger Shakespeare library creates some great paperback versions of the plays with notes and definitions for understanding the language. Shakespeare’s Globe is another fantastic resource.

Tip 3: Try to understand the context of the play. This may require research. Like I mentioned earlier, Shakespeare does not follow modern conventions of storytelling. He is telling stories from his time and about his people. That means they act, and do, and say things that seem strange to us. Understanding the historical context of Shakespeare’s plays is perhaps one of the most important elements to enjoying his work. Research the setting, the time period, and maybe even what was going on in Shakespeare’s life when he wrote the play. 

Tip 4: Go see a show. As someone who has grown up loving theatre but often having to watch things at a distance, I can tell you without a doubt that live theatre is nothing like watching a video. I enjoyed Much Ado About Nothing when I first read it, but seeing it on stage was a life-changing experience. These characters positively come to life on stage, and even if you don’t understand everything being spoken, the costumes, set, and staging make up for it. Naturally, live theatre is a bit difficult to come by in Idaho, but there are ways to see Shakespeare on stage. For those of you who attend LC State, the faculty offer a truly amazing trip to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) every year in the fall. The trip does cost a fair amount of time and money, but if you’re interested in seeing some of the highest-quality presentations of Shakespeare (and other plays!) in the country, I think you’ll find the trip worthwhile. A bit more local is the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, which takes place in Boise, Idaho, and typically runs from May to September. 

Now that you’ve been properly Shakespeare-educated, I’m sure you're just raring to read the likes of Henry IV or Taming of the Shrew. If you’re not sure where to start, here are my recommendations:

For comedy, I highly recommend Much Ado About Nothing. This romantic comedy is full of social critique, foolish mishaps, and characters that I guarantee you’ll fall in love with. 

For tragedy, I have to recommend the classic Macbeth. This play has witches, assassinations, power struggles, guilty consciences, and one of the best female characters in all of Shakespeare. 

For history, I recommend Henry IV, Part 1. This play takes place right before the death of Henry IV and features political tension, drunken conversations, and epic Medieval battles. Plus, Prince Hal and Falstaff are simply adorable with their father-son relationship. 

Since you’ve managed to make it this far, I suppose I should tell you the real reasons you should read Shakespeare:

1. His works are filled with humor and genuine fun guaranteed to make you laugh.

2. His writing is one of the foundations of how we tell stories today, acting as the inspiration for countless tropes and conventions in popular culture. 

3. His characters are charming and the timeless themes are universally relatable. It’s impossible to not find something to enjoy.

Dating Destinations and the Career Journey 

Submitted by Craig Newsom an LC State and Pathfinder Alum

Some say life is about the journey while others insist the destination is what matters most. Since graduation this past May, my life has taken a bit of a turn. I’m in Georgia right now visiting family while looking for a position that fits a bill I haven’t quite spelled out for myself yet. That’s a hard bet. Part of me is looking at different opportunities just exploring the possibilities and another part is screaming, “FIGURE IT OUT AND DO IT DUDE!” That’s why I got this degree, right? Shouldn’t I have all this figured out and be moving into the next season of my life; leveling up, as it were? 

A webinar on facilitation and unlocking career success with Voltage Control made me reflect on purpose as it relates to career choice. Not just the “I need to get a job” kind of purpose, but the deeper “why” that would help me define what sort of job, where and all that. After several rounds of asking why, a little clarity finally emerged; I want to build a substantial life in a place where I can enjoy community, faith, and simple joys like pickleball and fishing. I want to enjoy life, including what I do for a living. But how do I find that?

Maybe it’s time we treat careers like dating rather than arranged marriages exploring fit, compatibility, and shared values. I know this goes against the grain of some social standards that have evolved over the past several decades in which we saw the development of some great STEM programs, dual enrollment and workforce training initiatives, but according to Mason Butts of ngpf.org in Jan 2023 only 46% of college grads surveyed say they currently work in their field of study. 

A recent trip from North Georgia to Cincinnati reminded me that life itself is both journey and destination. Along the way, I discovered an unexpected joy in Cleveland, Tennessee, where a well-worn community center buzzed with the sound of pickleball. Seniors and students, retirees and shift workers all played side by side, trading grins and grimaces over the net in friendly competition. That stop, a small slice of community, became a highlight of the journey.

But destinations matter too. A hotel with grainy TV, broken Wi-Fi, and a strange smell proved unbearable. For a little more money, I found a place with a fountain courtyard, a restaurant, and a pool— destinations shape the experience as much as the roads we take. It was a tangible reminder that while the journey holds joy, destinations influence how we carry those moments forward.

Careers work the same way. The stops along the path, internships, first jobs, new cities, shape us, but where we choose to land matters. When we think of a job as part of our journey, we keep an openness to discovery. When we see it as a destination, we weigh carefully whether it’s worth calling home. The truth is, both perspectives matter. One without the other leaves us either drifting without purpose or stuck in an ill-fitting role. Some folks are already living their passion, while others are forced to start over due to circumstance. Wherever you land, don’t wait until the last minute. Get your CV ready, seek career guidance, and think of your resume as a dating profile: Who are you, and what are you looking for? Most importantly, cast a vision for yourself that goes beyond how others see you. After all, the reflection in the mirror is the person you’ll live with the longest.

In reflecting on both career and travel, I stumbled across a retired (antiquated) word, roborate: to strengthen, fortify, invigorate. Its cousin, 'corroborate,' means to strengthen together. Perhaps that’s the real takeaway: finding purpose requires both the courage to explore the journey and the wisdom to choose the right destinations. And along the way, it is in community that both career and life find their truest meaning. Maybe it’s not the journey or the destination. Maybe it’s who you share it with that matters most.

By Lizette Ohlund of The Pathfinder

October 1, 2025

Congratulations! You're in college now. You may or may not be living at home with your parents anymore. You might be responsible for buying your own groceries. You might even have rent that you need to pay. All these adulting things can be challenging to manage on top of everything else you have in your life. 

Budgeting is a concept that many adults use in their every day lives. Your parents probably budget to some degree. If you don’t budget and don’t need to budget then you are part of a very small portion and probably should budget anyway. Budgeting allows you to not only know how much money you have but also what your money is doing or where it’s going. It also serves as a way to prepare yourself for any bad or unexpected things that may happen.  

The budget we will explore is called the 50-30-20 rule. The 50-30-20 rule takes your gross earnings, the money you make after taxes have been taken out (the money that shows up in your account), and divides it into three categories. Needs, wants, and savings.  

An example of needs would be groceries, tuition, rent, gas, or any payments you have like insurance or a phone bill. These are all things that you simply cannot not pay. They are the non-negotiables.  

Wants are different. These are things that you want but don’t have to have in order to survive. They can include money for new clothes, subscriptions (such as Spotify, Netflix, and Amazon),experiences and more. Finally, savings might seem obvious, but it's more specific than simply saving money. Savings could include money put aside for a big trip for spring break or a special gift for someone in your life. While having a savings account that you can add money to is an excellent idea and one that everyone should have when they have a limited income, things tend to get cut for more short-term thinking. 

Now that we've defined what needs, wants, and savings are, we have to look at how much money you make per paycheck. For the sake of simplicity, we are going to use a fictional student who attends LC named Bob. Bob is a sophomore in college and is living in an apartment with a friend. Bob works at the grocery store on the weekends and a few days during the week. Bob makes $10/hour at his job and works about 25 hours a week. Let's help Bob make a monthly budget using the 50-30-20 rule. 

Income: $15/hour 25 hours/week 4 weeks/month 

Income = $1,500/month 

Expenses (NEEDS) 50% of income: Expenses (WANTS) 30% of income: 

Rent: $500 Netflix: $14 

Gas: $100 Spotify: $6 

Insurance for car: $20 Eating out: $100 

Food (grocery shopping): $100 Experiences: $200 

Phone bill: $30 Have fun money: $100 

Wifi: $10  

Total Needs: $760 Total Wants: $420 

Bob’s total monthly expenses (needs + wants) are $1,180, which is about 80% of his income. Bob is saving to take his girlfriend to a concert in a few months. He is also saving to get his brother a new computer for his birthday. Bob has decided to put aside the remaining money from his paychecks to get him closer to those savings goals.  

This is just one example of how budgeting can be done. Not everyone will be like Bob, where you know all their expenses or their income in advance. If you can answer some of the questions about where your money is going and what it’s doing, you’ll be better off.  

By Penny Holper of The Pathfinder

October 1, 2025

 When I look down at the baby pillow that was handcrafted for me, I still feel my mom’s presence. Some people may not hold on to keepsakes. Some people may lose them during life events. Some people might not even have a tiny baby pillow that was handcrafted for them. I was very fortunate to have had a mom who sat down and handcrafted me a tiny baby pillow for me. She was a loving mom and a good mom. I am the youngest of four kids. I have kept that pillow for forty-eight years now and it resides where I reside. My mom was a crafty woman and a seamstress. She sat down while pregnant with each of us kids and crafted something that was from her heart to show us that she loved us. And I can feel the love in that tiny baby pillow that was handcrafted just for me.

 My tiny baby pillow that was handcrafted for me by my mom is white, with a yellow ribbon that borders the bottom, it meant so much to me as a little girl.  It has A stitched at the top left corner, B stitched on the top right corner, C stitched on the bottom left corner, D stitched on the bottom right corner and a yellow silk bear in the middle and it still means so much to me as an adult. It still smells like my mom’s perfume after all these years, even after numerous washes. I think I will keep this little pillow forever and hope that my daughter does as well, after I pass it on to her.

I have kept that tiny baby pillow since my mom gave it to me when I became an adult. I did not use it for that many years and when I had outgrown it, my mom stored it away for me for safekeeping. When she gave it to me, in my mid-twenties, I used it to just place it on shelves, like a knick-knack. I have used it for my little baby nieces and nephews over the years, I have used it for my pets, and I now have given it to my own daughter who now uses it too. I had offered my pillow to comfort them with something soft and little to lay their heads on. It comforted me for a few years when I was young and just knowing that it was made of love by my mom, made it even more special for me. I was thrilled to share it with the ones I loved, whether it be humans or animals. I could tell when they were using that tiny pillow that it comforted them. They would have their little mouths turn up just a notch while they slept. I think I know what they were dreaming, and I believe that pillow aided that. I can’t help but wonder if my mom’s scent and smell did the same to them as it had done to me: comfort them.

 I remember when I was very young and still using that baby pillow handcrafted for me by my mom and how I could smell my mom’s perfume on it. I remember when it started to become too small for me, and I wanted a bigger pillow instead, how I felt like I was becoming a big kid. I used to drag it around the house with it in one hand and my dolly in the other, just in case I needed to lay down for a nap because I played so hard that I would just nap right there where I had gotten tired. One time, I took it outside and dropped it in a mud puddle and I got upset by this because I thought it was ruined, and I may have to throw it away. But my mom assured me that it was okay and just needed a thorough wash. I used to have tea parties with my dollies and bring my baby pillow to them because it was just the right size for them and they smiled back at me with their frozen smiles, I knew they loved my pillow too.

 Every time I see, touch, or smell that baby pillow that my mom handcrafted for me, I think about the times she sat next to my bed reading a book at night before going to sleep, or how she told me wonderful stories as my imagination ran wild trying to visualize the story in my head. I felt comforted because I had my head on that pillow while listening to her beautiful voice that only belonged to her. Even though now that I am much older and middle-aged, when I look at that tiny baby pillow, I can still smell my mom’s scent, and I can still hear her beautiful voice. The pillow is a little more worn now, but it’s still well loved and still in use by my daughter, who I hope will someday pass it along to her children. I read to her and tell bedtime stories as she lays her head on that pillow. It fills my heart with so much joy and love that my heart feels so full and content. Sometimes when I also lay my head next to my daughter and catch the whiff of that perfume, the smell of mom, a tear will roll down my cheek and make me miss my mom so much and wish to go back to much simpler times; like when mom would sit in her chair and crochet for hours while I used her feet to place my pillow on and lay my head while listening to her telling me stories or humming a song. I hope that my daughter will hang onto this pillow and share these memories as she grows. Even if she doesn’t have children, she can smell that pillow and hopefully be left with such loving and fond memories such as I have. 

  It might just be a cute little pillow that does not mean anything to anyone else, or maybe they didn’t have someone to handcraft such treasures and memories that they could take with them, in which they would not understand how I feel or what I’m describe. To me, that baby pillow that my mom handcrafted for me forty years ago still lives on in her memory and is very much a big presence in my life to this day. I hope that one day many generations down the line, that little pillow will still be doing what it does best—giving love and comfort to many, many tiny little heads, whether that be an animal or human.

By Owen  Belcher of The Pathfinder

Sept. 21, 2025

A Sudden and Violent End

The political world was rocked on September 10, 2025, when conservative activist and media personality Charlie Kirk was fatally shot during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah. He was 31 years old. Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, had built a reputation as one of the most prominent conservative voices of his generation. The shooting, which occurred just minutes into his prepared remarks before a crowd of several thousand students and community members, is being widely described as a political assassination. The event, part of Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour,” was intended to energize college students with conservative ideas. Instead, it ended in tragedy, sparking national debate about free speech, political polarization, and the growing specter of violence in American civic life.

What Happened at UVU

Witnesses say the event began in typical fashion, with Kirk addressing the audience under a large outdoor tent set up near UVU’s Losee Center. Roughly 20 minutes into his remarks, a single gunshot rang out. According to law enforcement reports, the shot was fired from a considerable distance, striking Kirk in the neck. Video from the scene shows him stumbling before collapsing as security personnel rushed to his aid. Students screamed and scrambled for safety as police began locking down the campus. Kirk was transported to Timpanogos Regional Hospital but was later pronounced dead. Officials recovered a .30-06 bolt-action rifle in a wooded area near the campus.

Update: Suspect in Custody

On September 12, authorities confirmed that Tyler James Robinson, 22, has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk. The arrest took place around 10 p.m. MT on September 11 after Robinson’s family alerted law enforcement. Robinson is now jailed without bail, facing multiple felony charges: aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily harm, and obstruction of justice. Investigators believe Robinson acted alone. According to court documents, evidence includes Discord messages in which Robinson referenced retrieving a rifle, bullet casings at the scene bearing inscriptions, surveillance images placing him near the area, and a positive identification from his father after the FBI released suspect photos.

Authorities say the rifle was recovered in a wooded area near the campus, wrapped in a camouflage tarp. Ballistics testing linked the weapon to the bullet that struck Kirk. “This was a targeted act of political violence,” said Utah Governor Spencer Cox. “We are grateful to law enforcement for moving quickly to bring this suspect into custody.”

Who Charlie Kirk Was

Born in 1993 in Arlington Heights, Illinois, Charlie Kirk rose to national prominence in 2012 when he co-founded Turning Point USA (TPUSA) at the age of 18. The organization’s mission was to mobilize conservative youth on college campuses, and under Kirk’s leadership it grew into one of the most influential right-wing activist groups in the nation.

Kirk became a frequent speaker at conservative conferences, authored several books, and launched The Charlie Kirk Show, a podcast and radio program with millions of listeners. His outspoken support for former President Donald Trump and sharp criticisms of progressive politics made him a polarizing figure. Admirers saw him as a courageous voice for traditional values, while critics accused him of spreading misinformation and fueling division.

Beyond politics, Kirk was also a family man. He is survived by his wife, Erika Frantzve, and their two young children—a three-year-old daughter and a one-year-old son.

National Reactions

Reaction to Kirk’s death has been swift and emotional across the political spectrum.

- Former President Donald Trump called Kirk “a legendary fighter for freedom” and announced that he would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.

- Utah officials, including Gov. Cox and Orem Mayor David Young, condemned the shooting as a “heinous act” and vowed full cooperation with federal investigators.

- Leaders from both parties in Congress issued statements of sympathy, though partisan undertones quickly emerged as debates about political rhetoric intensified.

Even some of Kirk’s sharpest critics expressed grief. “No matter our disagreements, no American deserves to die for their beliefs,” said Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in a statement.

Implications for Campus Free Speech

The killing raises urgent questions about campus security and free expression. Universities have long been battlegrounds for cultural and political debates. In recent years, controversies over speaker invitations, student protests, and security costs have become commonplace.

At UVU, Kirk’s event did not require metal detectors, and security was relatively light for a crowd of nearly 3,000 people. Now, higher education leaders are reconsidering how to balance free expression with the responsibility to protect both speakers and audiences.

Violence and Polarization

Kirk’s death comes at a moment of escalating political tensions in the United States. This summer saw heated clashes at campaign rallies, online threats against public officials, and a broader sense of instability leading into the 2026 midterm elections. For many, the killing has become a symbol of how dangerously polarized American society has become.

“Violence has no place in politics,” said Senator Mitt Romney of Utah. “But when rhetoric constantly dehumanizes opponents, we should not be surprised that someone acts out in the worst possible way.” Social media platforms have been flooded with both heartfelt tributes and toxic commentary, highlighting the dual role of online spaces as forums for mourning and battlegrounds for ideological warfare.

The Human Side of Loss

Amid the political fallout, it is important to remember the personal tragedy. Kirk’s widow, Erika, released a brief statement: “My husband devoted his life to what he believed in. Today, I grieve not just for a leader lost, but for the father of my children. I ask for prayers, and for grace, as our family navigates this unimaginable pain.”

Supporters of Kirk have held vigils in Arizona, Illinois, and Washington, D.C., lighting candles and leaving flowers outside TPUSA headquarters.

Looking Ahead

As the legal process unfolds, authorities are expected to release more details about Robinson’s alleged motive and planning. Prosecutors have said they will consider seeking the death penalty, citing the “politically motivated and premeditated” nature of the crime.

Meanwhile, universities nationwide are likely to reassess event protocols, potentially leading to stricter security and more cautious approaches to inviting controversial figures. Some worry that could chill open dialogue on campuses; others argue that without stronger safety measures, more tragedies are inevitable.

Conclusion

Charlie Kirk’s life ended violently on a university campus, the very environment where he spent much of his career urging young people to get involved in politics. His death is both a personal tragedy and a national turning point. The value of free speech and the necessity of civil discourse are more important than ever, especially in times of division. Whether one agreed with Kirk or not, his death is a sobering reminder of the stakes involved when rhetoric crosses into violence. As the nation reflects on what was lost, America will be asked to model a better way forward, one that honors open debate, respects human dignity, and rejects the politics of fear and hate.

By Shaunasy Pashby of The Pathfinder

September 21, 2025

     Jurassic Park premiered on June 9, 1993, and rapidly became a fan favorite. It’s still in the top 100 most popular movies according to IMDb and boasts a solid 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes. While the animatronics left a little to be desired and the plot definitely strayed from Michael Crichton’s novel, it was still a solid movie.

     Since then, six more films have been released, along with a whole slew of non-movie canon. The special effects and animatronics have generally improved with each installment—or at least trended upward. The first three movies followed a clear concept and direction, but by the third Jurassic Park movie, the plot was already becoming predictable. The second movie’s Rotten Tomatoes score dropped to 52%, and the third fell further to 49%. It felt like the right time to wrap things up.

     Then came Jurassic World in July 2015. Personally, I liked this one. It felt like a revival of the old story, with some great callbacks to the original trilogy and enough new twists to keep things interesting. The effects were leagues ahead of the '90s—goodbye retro animatronics, hello 21st-century CGI! It honestly would’ve been a satisfying place to end the story again.

     Of course, that didn’t happen.

     The fifth and sixth movies continued to stretch the storyline. While they introduced some new concepts, they featured fewer and fewer actual dinosaurs, and the plot got increasingly far from what made the originals compelling. Throw in the other canon material—books, TV shows, shorts, and even four in-universe websites—and the franchise now includes over 20 pieces of content.

      Which brings us to the latest film: Jurassic World Rebirth.

     I have mixed feelings about this one. On the one hand, it’s a cool movie. It introduces some new characters that I personally think are great additions—Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Jonathan Bailey all give strong performances. In some ways, their characters mirror the original trio, giving a sense of return to the roots of the franchise. It’s also worth noting that this movie lands 32 years after the original film, and 35 years after the book that started it all. With that much time passed, the animatronics are hyper-realistic, and our understanding of dinosaurs has come a long way. That translates to better dinos and more believable action. Visually, it’s impressive.

     So what’s the downside? Why did this movie only land a 52% on Rotten Tomatoes, and why are so many fans upset?

     I think it comes down to three major issues:

     1. The Civilians

     There’s a group of civilians in the film who just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. While they offer a way to explore more of the island and interact with more dinosaurs, they don’t really add to the story. Instead, they end up distracting from the main characters and the core mission. Their screen time feels excessive, and it pulls attention away from what really matters.

     2. Too Many Callbacks

     While I love the occasional nod to earlier films or the original book, Rebirth is full of them. Almost every scene seems to be a direct reference to something we’ve already seen—just with different characters or slightly altered circumstances. This made the movie feel predictable and, at times, more like fan fiction or a parody than an original addition to the series.

     3. Franchise Overload

     Let’s be honest: there are a lot of these movies now. I’ve heard people joke that Jurassic Park is going the way of Fast & Furious—a franchise that just keeps going, with increasingly unbelievable plotlines, all in the name of keeping the brand alive. I worry that Jurassic Park is already there. Instead of creating a meaningful continuation, it’s starting to feel like the story is being stretched thin for the sake of profits.

     Overall, Jurassic World Rebirth is a good watch. It has cool effects, some exciting new dinosaurs, and a strong cast. But it’s also another Jurassic Park movie—and from a story and originality standpoint, it’s a bit lacking. If you’re a longtime fan or just love dinosaurs, you’ll probably still enjoy it. But if you're hoping for something fresh or groundbreaking, you might walk away feeling a little let down.

By Shaunasy Pashby of The Pathfinder

September 21, 2025

     Lets talk for just a second about live action remakes. It seems like a lot of movies in recent years are remakes of beloved childhood favorites. From Mulan and Little Mermaid to the new Lilo and Stitch and the topic of this review: How to Train Your Dragon. Whether you did or didn’t like the Disney remakes, one thing is for sure. They are not really the same movie as their animated counterpart we all watched in our childhood. It's difficult to see with any kind of certainty if that makes them better or worse– though many people would argue the latter. It is hard to live up to the legacy the original films left. 

     The best analogy I have heard for these adaptations is that they are not new movies, they are cosplays. As many people in today's age are familiar, cosplays are when a person dresses up as a character from a game, movie, book, or other piece of fiction. While there are some amazing cosplays out there, and some that live a lot to desire, they can never be the thing they imitate. These movies very much do the same. They are imitations of the originals, some good, some bad but at the end of the day they are still movies wearing other movies as a costume. 

     Which brings us to the new How To Train Your Dragon. On June 13 of this year the movie hit theaters barely more than 15 years after its animated original from DreamWorks. The live-action How to Train Your Dragon sticks closely to the original plot that fans know and love: a young Viking named Hiccup, who befriends the last of a fierce dragon species, Toothless, and ultimately learns to lead his people by bridging the gap between dragons and humans. Both movies are directed by Dean DeBlois and even share many of the same cast members. DreamWorks promised a “shot for shot remake” and for the most part they really delivered. The essence of the story translated well from animation to live action and the same scenes helped bring back the feelings as if watching the original. 

     Now, as stated before, this is a cosplay, which means there were some changes. While 90

 percent of the movie was frame to frame, shot to shot the same, there was two scenes that didn't make the cut. Firstly, and I apologize for the spoilers, there is no more dragon nip. In the original Toothless crash-lands into a field of tall grass where he rolls in it and generally does cat like things, Hiccup later uses a handful of this plant to subdue a Groncle. The live action took fan suggestions that dragons are not cats and changed the plants to dandelions, causing dragons to sneeze vigorously and become incapacitated. While this was a subtle change it held a little bit different weight. Secondly, and with far more weight, there is no Terrible Terror scene. The scene when Toothless and Hiccup are watching the sunset and a Terrible Terror tries to steal food resulting in the epiphany that dragons “are not so fireproof on the inside” never happens. This has an impact being removed and breaks the foreshadowing of the movie's finale. There were also a few small things added, for example, we see a relationship between Snoutlout and his father that we never had previously. I personally liked the added dynamic. 

     As far as actors go, I have heard a lot of complaints about Astrid’s character being played by Nico Parker among complaints about the twins not being twins. To that I have two points. First, they are not twins and the jokes they make did not land well because of it. I agree, it was not great. The complaints about Nico Parker, I find a harder time with. The biggest issue people have is that she is not the blonde-hair-blue-eyed Viking we all know. I have heard countless statements that Vikings are supposed to look like that and that she should not be playing one because she doesn’t. To this I raise: Hiccup is not blonde, neither is Snotlout, or many other characters in the animated film and Vikings are explorers. Vikings historically are defined as seafaring and mismatched groups. In the live action movie Stoic clears this up as well, he rallies his people for one last voyage but pointing out where they came from, “We are all descendants of the greatest dragon fighters from everywhere Vikings ever traveled.” He calls out specific examples from the crowd as well and really clears up what many call “forced diversity” in the film. For Nico Parker to play Astrid worked because the story supported it. 

     I would argue Nico Parker made an awesome Astrid and stuck well to her role. Similarly we saw Gerard Butler, the original Voice Actor for Stoic return. Many of the other actors were new and people, including myself, had mixed feelings. Some good, some that didn’t seem to quite match the characters we all loved. It was new, a little different, but still worth the watch. 

    Finally, the CGI. Let's be real, CGI is insane, but dragons insane? While it was very good, many of the dragon designs worked wonders and made the dragons come to life, it was CGI. Which means it had a potential for holes. There were three scenes I could count while watching where a CGI creature moved through a real structure or person. All three were microseconds you could have missed where a wingtip slipped through someone's arm or similar but they were still there. Could this have been fixed? I honestly don’t know, I am not a CGI expert by any means. 

    Overall, the movie was great. I think it was absolutely worth watching and would recommend seeing it. Just keep in mind, its a cosplay, it will never be the original perfectly. With the announcement of Hidden World coming out in 2027 I am excited to see what improvements they make and feel a How To Train Your Dragon marathon coming up. 

By Rejoice Denhere of The Pathfinder

August 25, 2025

When I have money

When I have money,

Mmm I want to congratulate myself 

Before I make it 

I want to ululate 

On behalf of my upcoming success 

Because it is now closer than I thought 

I want to give praise 

To The One 

Who is paving the way 

In ways I understand not.  

An ordinary person like me

 To be able to do 

Things which were said 

Not to be deserved by me 

Are now things 

Which will be viable to me 

To better the lives of those who are being told 

‘’NO”, “NOT YOUR KIND” , 

“ IT IS IMPOSSIBLE! ” 

When I have money… 

I ask for those familiar to me 

And those estranged to my 

Soul to remind me how to 

Laugh with simplicity 

To engulf small gifts 

With gratitude 

To embrace those without  

The way I would those 

With it all 

Success and failure I have  

Journeyed with both 

But.. 

Failure to success 

A destiny 

None can withhold !