Student Opinion

2026 Ins and Outs Predictions - Summary by Jasmine Dorval - Vol. 11

Towards the end of this year we noticed the surge in drop waist dresses. Seen in The Summer I Turned Pretty, on red carpets worn by Doechii and Millie Bobby Brown, and also an upcoming wedding dress style. In stores like American Eagle, Hollister, and Tillys clothing with horizontal stripes and polka dots have been filling the racks for consumers. We also predict 2026 will be an even bigger year for female popstars, considering 2025 introduced and popularized some new artists which will give them time to market themselves in the new year.

To explain our prediction of Saturday Night Live being an “out” this year, in 2025 the live TV show let go of some popular comedians - Heidi Gardener, Bowen Yang, and Ego Nwodum - losing continuity, and we predict this will mean less people will watch due to their favorites leaving. Along with that, with the departure of long lasting cast members could make a gap of comedic footing. So, we hope to see more success with comedians/comedy groups independent of network television, for example, American High or Veronika Slowikowska and her partners.

In film, there were multiple biopics released in 2025, and surprisingly the two most successful both starred Timothee Chalamet (A Complete Unknown and Marty Supreme). But, others like Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere received mild reviews and Christy, starring Sydney Sweeney, had almost no marketing or recognition from the public. This leads us to believe biopics are on the way out.

(List) by Jasmine Dorval and Val Gonzalez

Stranger Things Review - Vol. 11

The fans (including me) had very mixed opinions on the finale, and the season as a whole. The season uncovered some very interesting installments, like the fact that the “Upside Down” was just a wormhole to a different world, in which Vecna had been in hiding along with the Mind Flayer, which became a big part of the story in season three. When it came to the resolution of the show, I was surprised to see how quickly they resolved an issue that they had been working on for such a long time. The battle between Vecna and the rest of the characters, specifically Eleven, was such a minuscule part of the finale, taking them only about five minutes to kill Vecna and return back to Hawkins. However, when they did return to Hawkins, we get a surprising scene of Eleven sacrificing herself to “break the cycle” of the military going after her and trying to produce more children with supernatural abilities like her. After the defeat of Vecna, we get a time jump to eighteen months later, where our core five characters, Dustin, Will, Mike, Lucas, and Max graduate. Dustin received valedictorian and gave a speech that paid tribute to what a character from season four, Eddie Munson, said he was going to do when he finally graduated. The episode ends with the five of them going back to their roots, and playing a game of Dungeons and Dragons, where Mike explains that Eleven might actually be alive, and living happily in a rural town far, far away from the military that might be trying to find her. We then get a scene of Mike’s younger sister Holly, and all of her friends going down to the famous Wheeler basement to begin their game of Dungeons and Dragons, continuing Mike's tradition. All in all, the finale of the show was happy and lighthearted, which of course, it was great to see all the characters finally happy, but in my opinion, a sad, deep ending, would’ve been more true to the original vibe of the show. Despite any negative opinions anyone may have about the way the show ended, it’s very bittersweet to see a show many people grew up on, including myself, end. I know I will miss the show, and all the comfort it brought to me and many others in my generation. At the end of the day, Stranger Things provided a space for people who felt like outsiders, to come together and witness beautiful portrayals of how strong love and acceptance can be.

By Val Gonzalez

Pantone's Color of the Year Analysis - Vol. 11

Since 1999, Pantone has announced a color to represent the year ahead and give insight into what’s going to be trending. They analyze the cultural zeitgeist, specifically in design, and settle on a color family that describes this time, and from there they select the exact color to represent the year. At the end of 2025, they announced that the color for 2026 is going to be Cloud Dancer. Since the beginning of “color of the year,” the announcement of the color of the year has been highly anticipated by many design professionals, and many brands even collaborate with Pantone to create special products in the color of the year. This year Post-It, Play-Doh, and Motorola are making specific products to highlight Cloud Dancer. But what is Cloud Dancer, and why did Pantone choose it specifically for this year?

Cloud Dancer is a mix of cool and warm-toned whites. It’s a very bland and neutral color that Pantone has said can be a canvas for all other colors to shine and is supposed to represent calm in an otherwise chaotic world. However, for some, Cloud Dancer is the representation of everything they fight against.

I also personally believe that bland is not the vibe we should be bringing into the new year. Don’t let big corporations or brands define your year; don’t step into this “trend” of basic and desaturated colors. It’s important, now more than ever, to remember the joys of life. For me, that’s a colorful and whimsical world. Don’t subscribe to a boring world; make each day a vibrant and radiant reminder of who you are and what you want the world to be.

By Sadie Bengston

Wicked: For Good Review - Vol. 10

On November 21st I had the joy of watching Wicked: For Good. I had seen the first movie in theaters when it came out and absolutely KNEW I needed to watch the second part. The movie begins with a scene of all the munchkins from munchkin land building the famous yellow brick road. We see a scene of animals and munchkins, being mistreated, which is a common theme throughout the film. Elphaba’s goal in the movie is to reveal the secrets of the wizard and for all the citizens to be equals, including the animals. She struggles with the fact that she is in love with her best friend's fiancé, Fiyero, who is also the general in charge of locating and executing her. Her friendship with Glinda also causes some bumps in her final goal. Her and Glinda have a beautiful friendship that depicts when a relationship changes you for good, hence the title of the movie. Seeing this movie was a highlight of my month. It was truly touching to witness two people have such a strong friendship, wanting such different things, and supporting each other no matter what. Overall, I thought this movie was amazing and the lead actors, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, and Michelle Yeoh, did a phenomenal job at bringing the critically acclaimed Broadway musical to the big screen.

By Valentina Gonzalez

Review of Nuremberg - Vol. 9

Looking for a post-WWII psychological drama? Nuremberg, a new release, takes place in 1945 Southwest Germany, around 6 months after the Nazi Regime ended. Douglas Kelley is called in to serve as a prison psychiatrist for high ranking Nazi leaders, who are awaiting trial for war crimes the rebuilt prison Nuremberg. Russell Crowe delivered an intriguing performance depicting the narcissistic, iniquitous and ingenious Hermann Göring, with Rami Malek performing a convincingly emotional and curious character. This movie is very timely and a compelling piece of work that, although slow paced at times, conveys a powerful message that evil can prevail disguised as ideology, and how it can quickly rise in ordinary people.

By Zadie Taylor

Most Popular Thanksgiving Side Dish - Vol. 9

By Jasmine Dorval

Pumpkin Cream Alani Review - Vol. 6

With autumn just around the corner, the leaves already starting to grace the Earth after their reach to the heavens, people all through the nation are excited for the Fall flavors of their favorite drinks. I was a part of this demographic; last year I loved the Witch’s Brew Alani and was ready for the new flavor: Pumpkin Cream. After looking and looking, my friend had finally gotten their hands on two. I was ecstatic, standing in my New Hampshire Ecology classroom and cracking the can open. My friend and I took a whiff, and immediately we both knew this was not going to live up to our high expectations. Now more reserved, I slowly brought the can to my mouth. It tasted like real pumpkin, which might be the only compliment I could give. It almost tasted nice, but it had spices which did not mix well with the sparkling nature of the drink. The cream part of the pumpkin CREAM was also very lacking. Overall, I would not recommend this drink, especially with the hassle that comes with getting your hands on one.

By Sadie Bengtson

Review of The Summer Hikaru Died - Vol. 6

Though the final works are unfinished, symbolism in the plot-line is large and meaningful in ‘The Summer Hikaru Died’. The monster that lives within the new Hikaru is a threat to everyone, yet he is too blinded by ‘its’ effect on others to be afraid of himself. The author creates a child-like wonder in the new Hikaru’s vision for life- Hikaru has died and come back revived now with new ideals and thoughts on how to live. This sacrificial death is seen as an outrage and disgrace, but will this monster hurt who he loves most underneath the pressure of hatred? A metaphorical drama novel, translated from Japanese, is an easy read for people who enjoy sentimental content and the super-natural.

By Lucy Beitler

Library or Store Bought? - Vol. 4

Out of the 77 people surveyed, when asked, the majority of people voted they would rather own a book than borrow it. A common theme was that people like to not worry about return dates, and the state of the book.

By Jasmine Dorval

Review of Gibson's Bookstore - Vol. 3

Can you spend hours, lost in the pages of a new story? Gibson's Books Store on main street is the perfect place to find that new book. the have a vast array for you pick from, from young adult, romance, fantasy and everything in between. not only that, they have a whole separate section laid out for children!

One of the best parts about Gibson’s is the staff. everybody there is more than willing to put in all the effort to help you. whether its finding a book in store or online, or just talking about your favorite characters.

Gibson’s even has a cafe! it may not be as impressive as Starbucks or Dunkin’s, but it has all the options you could want. And what's better than getting a new book and they snuggling up with a warm cup of hot chocolate?

By Gabriel Patterson

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