Full Print Edition 11/7

Features: Student Listening Sessions Recap

On Oct. 28, 2025, Meredith’s Strategic Planning Committee hosted their first of three Student Listening Sessions. These sessions were focused on hearing what students had to say; then, the committee can tailor their plan to better address student needs and concerns over the next five years. Each session was recorded in order to allow the team to accurately synthesize feedback from faculty, staff and students to incorporate into the plan.

Over the hour-long session the following six questions were covered:

1. When you think about Meredith’s mission and values, how do you see them reflected in your experience as a student?

2. What aspects of your academic or campus life make you feel most supported and inspired to succeed?

3. How can Meredith strengthen your sense of belonging and connection across campus, inside and outside the classroom?

4. What programs, activities, or resources could better prepare you for your future goals and careers?

5. How can communication between students and campus offices be improved to ensure you feel informed and included in decision-making?

6. Imagine Meredith in 2030, what should stay the same, and what new ideas or experiences would make the College even stronger for future generations?

Overall, most of the student feedback was pretty positive, paying particular attention to the unconditional support they have received from faculty, as well as Meredith’s encouragement of student leadership. Because of the smaller class sizes, students noted they feel close with their professors as they know students by name and encourage their goals. Many people noted the critical role Meredith’s faculty have played in their life inside and outside of the classroom by providing academic, professional and personal support. This helps cultivate the welcoming culture that Meredith prides itself on.

Additionally, it was noted that Meredith’s culture is especially conducive to building strong leaders. One student noted that “I want to pursue [leadership roles] in order to better myself alongside my fellow students.” While the opportunity to build leadership skills was well appreciated by the group, it was noted that there could be better communication/advertising from student leaders.

Some students noted that they have lasting questions about who to go to when they have concerns to share. The Student Life Concerns form, available through Halo Happenings, was said to have gone under multiple student’s radar, with the hope that such forums to voice their opinions would be better advertised. When looking forward to the best future for Meredith, students emphasized the want for clearer communication about college proceedings as well as better advertisement for resources available to them.

Smaller Focus Group opportunities will be implemented in the near future to give voices to specific communities such as first generation college students, student athletes, resident students and more. Be on the lookout for these opportunities to get involved; your voice matters and deserves to be heard.

By Grayson Morris, EIC

Features: Providing Support and Care to Angels in Need

Are you looking for an opportunity to help children in need? Do you or your family have any books you would like to get rid of or donate? Look no further. Meredith College is pairing up with Myra’s Angels Foundation, a non-profit organization based out of Wake Forest, to donate and assemble Angel Care Packages for foster care children who are facing housing insecurity and homelessness within Wake County. 

Myra’s Angels was founded by Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and Public-School Health Nurse, Myra John. Their mission is to support children who are in foster care and who experience homelessness by providing them with essential resources and advocacy. Their “Angels,” are the children that they reach and provide for; the Angel Care Packages that they supply are carefully constructed with these Angels in mind, and are filled with gender and age specific toiletries, clothes, undergarments, blankets, toys and school supplies, per Myra’s Angels website.

Want to get involved? There are many ways you can help the Angels. 

Through the Foundation: You can find resources on how to donate to the foundation directly on their website; here, you can donate money, a specially crafted Angel Care Kit or supplies. 

Through Meredith College: To help on Meredith’s campus, you can sign up and volunteer at a packing event that will be hosted on Nov. 18, 2025 from 4-5p.m. in 2nd Cate. At the event, volunteers will help package Angel Care Kits for children in need. This is an amazing service opportunity for students that will serve children in our community. 

Want to help but are unable to donate your time? No problem! Myra’s Angels are accepting donations of gently used and loved books on campus. Drop off books appropriate for children aged 4-14 to Jones Chapel or the SLS Office before Nov. 18 at 3p.m. 

Angels stick together; if you are able, please consider helping or donating and provide these children with the love and support they need. After all, we all have wings.

By Noelle Lowery, A&E and Features Editor

News: No Kings Protest

On Oct. 18 2025, thousands took to the streets across the US to partake in the No Kings protest. According to TIME Magazine, an estimated 7 million people participated in the protest making it one of the largest movements in recent years. Signs carried through the streets read phrases such as “We the People" and “Protect Democracy.” 

The No Kings protest movement began as a response to concerns about threats to democracy and political authoritarianism. Protesters use the phrase “No Kings” as a reference to the belief that no political leader should hold unchecked power, emphasizing the importance of equality and collaborative governance. Many participants also took the opportunity to highlight other global and domestic issues that have been occurring. Medical services protested recent Medicaid cuts, which they say have blocked their clients from having access to vital support. Others marched to raise awareness about the recent climate crisis, ongoing humanitarian crises and various social justice causes. 

The protests have gained a wide range of reactions from different political leaders. According to CNN, President Trump has responded to the protests calling them “very ineffective.” In addition to this the White House has also shared an AI generated photo of Trump wearing a crown with a caption saying “Long Live The King.” According to Politico, House Speaker Mike Johnson also criticized the protests, describing them as “hate america” and “pro hamas” gatherings. 

While the protests began as a reaction to what could be perceived as threats to democratic institutions, they could impact the country’s political culture in the future. At its core the No Kings movement is a reminder of America's founding ideals. Ultimately the No Kings Protests could mark the beginning of a new era of civic engagement. 

Adilene Vega, Contributing Writer 

News: Journalists Protest New Pentagon Restrictions

The Trump administration recently introduced new rules for journalists covering the Pentagon. Per the Associated Press, these guidelines restrict physical access to the Pentagon without an escort. It also prohibits the publishing of stories without the Department of Defense’s authorization under threat of “expulsion”. 

These restrictions were concerning to many journalists on the Pentagon press team, leading to clashes in the lead up to the October 15 approval deadline. The Associated Press reported that on that date, between 40 and 50 journalists turned in their press badges and left the Pentagon in protest. They specifically waited until after 4 pm, when they would have been expected to sign onto the restrictions.

Haidyn Scott, Contributing Writer

A&E: Holiday Art Sale

Artists' Alliance and Kappa Pi will be holding Meredith’s annual Holiday Art Sale Nov. 6-8. Any student who has taken an art class at Meredith College, art students, art faculty, and Meredith art alumnae can contribute their work for the rest of campus to enjoy. There will be a wide range of artwork available from drawings, fibers, painting, printmaking and more! The art sale is the perfect place to get a unique gift for friends, family or yourself.

The available work’s prices will range anywhere from $1-150, making the sale affordable for any budget. According to the Artists’ Alliance instagram, @artistsalliancemc, a percentage of the sales will go to fundraising the MASS Grant, a grant that helps art students buy supplies for projects or attend workshops. 

The Art Sale will take place inside Gaddy Hammrick at the following times:

Thursday, Nov. 6 from 3-7p.m.

Friday, Nov. 7 from 11a.m.-6p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 8 from 11a.m.-6p.m.

Perla Casiano-Pineda ‘26, complimented that “Meredith's art community fosters creativity and an environment open to all students. Thanks to our amazing, supportive art professors, students excel in their area of interest and are always there to help in any kind of way.” Additionally, she notes that the art sale is “an exciting time of the semester knowing people buy our work and give it a forever home.” Make sure to stop by to support our incredibly talented art community. 

By Grayson Morris, EIC

A&E: Raleigh Concert Round-up

Calling all music lovers! The Triangle has been a hotspot for concerts this last month. Let's take a look at what musical performances have been put on in Raleigh recently and what to look forward to this month.

Starting the month off strong, on Oct. 1, Alex Warren had a heartfelt and energetic performance at The Red Hat Amphitheater. After that, NC State hosted Chris Brown at Carter Finley Stadium on Oct. 14, causing major traffic issues in the Raleigh area. Then that same week, Billie Eilish performed two sold-out nights at the Lenovo Center, and it was absolutely amazing; A performance that had the crowd on its feet, singing and dancing, as well as crying to those slower, sad songs. That weekend, the Triangle also had Gigi Perez at The Ritz on Oct.17, and Alex Warren, a free concert presented by the Hub at The Ritz on Oct. 18. Both performances were intimate and moving with songs about loss and love. The following weekend, Oct. 25 and 26, included NBA Youngboy and Tate McRae at the Lenovo Center, Lee Brice and Chase Atlantic at The Red Hat Amphitheater, Jensen McRae at Cat’s Cradle and Pierce the Veil at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek.. The Jonas Brothers at the Lenovo Center on Oct. 29 and John Legend at The Red Hat Amphitheater on Oct. 30 end of our October concerts round-up in the Triangle area. 

While the concert scene this November will not be as prominent as it was in October, it still had some amazing acts and many more to come. This includes Sam Barber with a moving and story-like performance at The Ritz on Nov. 1, Bryan Adams with some old school rock songs at the Lenovo Center, and Vincent Lima with a performance that will have listeners feeling like they are in a different universe at Cats Cradle, both on Nov. 5. Then, coming soon, the Triangle will have Playboi Carti at the Lenovo Center on Nov.13, Watchhouse at Cats Cradle both Nov. 14 and 15. Leon Thomas at The Ritz on Nov. 15, and Yung Gravvy on Nov.16 at The Ritz as well. Rounding up the end of the month before the holidays is Jake Minch on Nov. 17 at Mototco Music Hall, and Sydney Rose at Cats Cradle on Nov. 24.  

By Ella Sabroski, Contributing Writer 

OPINION: Please Sir, May I Have My Ring?

In spring 2024, I was getting excited for my upcoming ring dinner. I ordered my onyx during an in-person event Balfour hosted on campus that April, but I ultimately fell short of the 60 credit hours needed to have the ring produced. Over the next several months, the order-tracking page never updated, and I didn’t receive any information aside from a mass email to my class listserv about pickup times, so I presumed the order was on hold until I completed the remaining credits. I took a leave of absence for the following fall semester and reached 60 credit hours this past spring. 

Time continued to pass without any updates regarding my ring, and by the end of August, I was fairly sure there was an issue with the order. I contacted Balfour customer service and was told my ring had shipped in October 2024. Having never received it, this response was confusing, and alumni relations was as confused as I was. I was told it should have shipped with the rest of the class of 2026 rings regardless of my number of credits, but that they did not have it.  They contacted Meredith’s Balfour representative and had not heard back a week later, at which point I went to the alumni house in person. I got a call back later that day and was told my ring would be remade and shipped with the ring dinner order the next month. 

When I went to ring distribution during ring week, though, I found that it was not there, and the Balfour representatives did not have any information until later that afternoon, when they called to let me know the replacement ring was not ready yet and to keep checking in. As of writing this article, the order tracking page has yet to be updated from “order placed.” 

Even taking into account my apparent incorrect assumption about my order status, I have grown increasingly frustrated by the situation. Like many students, the cost of my onyx was significant and required a good deal of planning, making the idea that it was simply lost particularly angering. I can only hope to fully resolve the situation and receive my ring sooner rather than later.

By: Haidyn Scott, Contributing Writer

OPINION: The Flop of a Showgirl: an Album Review

On Oct. 3, Taylor Swift released her twelfth album, the supposedly burlesque-inspired and theoretically glitzy “Life of a Showgirl,” to mixed reviews. Swift’s vast career has culminated in an economy-breaking tour and her engagement, and Swift said regarding the new album that “I want to be as proud of an album as I am of the Eras Tour, and for the same reasons.” After a career as huge as Swift’s, surely she has some interesting reflections about it, right? According to Cat Zhang at The Cut, “The BBC called it a “triumphant pop victory lap” where Swift “hits all her marks.” USA Today claims that “Taylor Swift ups her game again.” With an astonishing perfect score from Rolling Stones and a 5.9 from Pitchfork, all amidst controversy and confusion from Swifties and non-Swifties alike, it raises the question: what the hell is this album even about?

Musically, this album doesn’t bring anything unique from “The Tortured Poet’s Department” or “Midnights” to the table. As one Twitter user put it, “The life of a showgirl is as if Dubai, matcha, pistachio chocolate, colleen hoover books, and labubus all had a baby with AI.” Anna Gaca of Pitchfork points out that “Wood” is quite similar to the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back” and “Actually Romantic” sounds “uncannily” like the Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind?” and Weezer’s “Say It Ain’t So.” Additionally, Swift has several tracks that sound like less successful versions of her own hits, like how “CANCELLED!” reads like the first, scrapped draft of “Look What You Made Me Do” off of “Reputation.” Even to a non-Swiftie, this album is filled with reheated nachos–both Swift’s and other artists’.

As for the highlights, “The Fate of Ophelia,” “Opalite,” “Honey,” and “Ruin the Friendship” are perhaps the most tolerable tracks, dubious interpretations of Shakespeare aside. All of these are centered around Swift’s romance with football player Travis Kelce and are straightforward love songs about how happy Swift is in love. They’re charming and sweet, and potentially the top tracks of the album. Amanda Petrusich of The New Yorker describes “Honey” as “arch, delicate, lovely” in her review. “Wi$h Li$T” (yes it does in fact have the dollar signs in the title) is similar, although executed with less success. In “Wi$h Li$T,” Swift rejects the glitzy, glamorous superstar life for a suburban fantasy, which almost seems to reject the other eleven albums of Swift’s. Perhaps this is simply Swift’s musings on stepping back from the spotlight after a two-decade career in the limelight, but it stands out amidst this celebration of Swift’s success as she becomes one of the most influential female artists of the twenty-first century. 

Swift, in addition to being one of the most successful pop stars in the world right now, is also one of the richest, and this album isn’t afraid to flaunt that. Between “Elizabeth Taylor's” line “Babe, I would trade the Cartier for someone to trust (Just kidding)” and name-dropping brands in “Wi$h Li$T,” Swift makes it abundantly clear that she is successful while pretending to be just another underdog scrapping for a shred of attention. In “Elizabeth Taylor” and “Honey,” Swift makes several references to how much everyone hates her and how she’s “bad news,” which doesn’t exactly hit when you’re, you know, Taylor Swift. After twelve albums and a record-breaking international tour, Swift still appears to be cosplaying as a poor little victim of the Media and the “Haters,” and now, it just feels shallow. Petrusich commented that she finds that “Swift has been slow to abandon the underdog mentality she developed as an upstart. What she does for a living is surely gruelling, but relentlessly pointing out how fame is poisonous and burdensome isn’t exactly revelatory,” and “Why does Taylor Swift think she’s cursed?” “Actually Romantic” is similar in that it’s a half-baked retort to the “Haters” (and potentially CharliXCX, for some reason?) when Swift was literally raking in millions of dollars before the album was even released. As Gaca put it in her review, “Even before it came out, The Life of a Showgirl was already the biggest pop album of the year.” “Actually Romantic” brings to mind that P.T. Barnum quote: “All press is good press.” It spells danger ahead for Swift; as long as she’s bringing in money and attention hand over fist, criticism will not be heeded, even when it might be needed. 

There were a handful of tracks that were completely lacking in Swift’s characteristic charm. “Eldest Daughter” and “Wood” were two of the biggest perpetrators, with so many questionable lyrics that it puts the line about living in the 1830s “without all the racists” off of her last album to shame. “Wood” is vulgar without the audacity to utter anything more scandalous than “b*tchin’”, a faux attempt to be edgy and sexy that is neither titillating nor raunchy, but simply uncomfortable. “CANCELLED!” has a similar problem, trying to frame Swift as a counter-cultural rebel despite her being, again, Taylor Swift. The song sounds as though it should be in the background of an Instagram reel of a 45-year-old adult pretending like they’re starting a revolution and sticking it to “the man” by refusing the COVID vaccine and taking horse medicine instead. Several tracks reek of tone-deafness, which might be an issue when one of the draws of an artist’s music is its relatability.

“The Life of a Showgirl” shows the cracks in Swift’s brand: when you’ve built your whole career on being a relatable girl-next-door and best friend, what do you do when you’re almost a decade older than your target audience and one of the wealthiest women in the world? Swift’s controversies undermine this, too. When you release twelve identical variations of the same album on release day, have your own Target exclusives, and your lyric videos are being shown in full-on movie theaters, it’s hard to pretend that you’re the everywoman. Kristen S. Hé of NME puts it best: “‘The Life of a Showgirl’ sees Swift not catalyzed into artistic growth by love, but merely comfortably secured by it.” Swift is a phenomenon, but she’s also stagnant. This album offers nothing new musically, apart from a handful of love songs about her fiancé. Authenticity can’t be faked into eternity, and Swift’s new album reflects that. If a thirteenth album is in the cards for Swift, going back to the basics might not be the best move for her–especially after this dubiously successful attempt to recreate the magic of her previous albums.

By Lola Mestas, Associate Editor