Full Print Edition 9/12

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Behind the Scenes with SLS: The Team Bringing Campus Events to Life

Ever wonder who the people behind your favorite events and traditions are? If so, come meet the Student Leadership & Service Office (SLS) team! The SLS Office is located on the second floor of the Cate Center. The SLS team can be found brainstorming, planning and setting the stage for some of the most anticipated campus events and traditions. They are dedicated to building Meredith community, leadership programs, and service initiatives through various opportunities.  

At the heart of the SLS team is the Director of Student Leadership and Service Cheryl Jenkins, along with Assistant Director Student Leadership & Service Kacey Reynolds Schedler. Additionally, they boast a team of passionate students who work to plan, organize, and deliver the campus experience. “I have always enjoyed working with my colleagues in SLS. We have had a love of traditions and events that has always been fun and collaborative,” said Jenkins. “We want students at Meredith to feel a sense of belonging and to take some ownership in our institution by being involved. We also want students to be confident, effective leaders and members of our communities who make a difference.”

SLS is gearing up for a busy start to the semester strong with exciting community events. Upcoming in the breezy month of September is SPLASH into Service which takes place on Saturday, September 13th at Catawba Trail Farm in Durham (2080 Sawmill Creek Pkwy) from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. This hands-on service opportunity is a chance for students to make an impact in the community while connecting with peers. The Meredith Activities Board invites you to mark your calendars for Sizzlin’ September. On Thursday, Sept. 19 from 3 p.m.–7 p.m. at the Chapel Gazebo students can enjoy food trucks, live music and plenty of fun. It’s the perfect way to kick off the semester with friends and Meredith spirit!

“The Office of Student Leadership and Service is here to help all students find a sense of belonging at Meredith,” said Reynolds Schedler. “Using Engage • Lead • Serve as a kind of motto and guide, we offer leadership programs, service opportunities and provide guidance and support to campus organizations and traditions.”

Don’t forget there’s always more on the horizon! Be sure to check out Halo Happenings the weekly newsletter sent straight to your inbox and follow SLS on Instagram @meredithsls or https://www.instagram.com/meredithsls/?hl=en to keep up with the latest events and sign-up details.

Liv Ingram, Contributing Writer

Voices of ‘29: Freshmen Elections

As students settle into the new semester and the Meredith community comes to life, one group is just beginning their college journey. First-year students are preparing to step into leadership roles as freshmen elections are just around the corner, bringing forward the excitement of new voices and new ideas. 

Members of the class of 2029 will soon have the chance to meet the candidates and learn more about their visions during a casual Meet and Greet in front of the Library, with the Cate Center as the rain location. This is a great opportunity to hear directly from those running and begin thinking about who you want to represent your  class for the year ahead. 

Election polling will be held on Sep. 15 and 16, 2025, with tabling events from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. both days in the Cate Center Alcove. Voting will officially open at 8 a.m. on Monday Sep. 15, 2025. Be sure to cast your vote and make your voice heard as voting will close promptly at 4:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Sep 16, 2025!

This season of elections offers a meaningful opportunity for first-year students to shape their classes identity and engage in campus life.  Voting gives a chance for all incoming freshmen to voice their personal concerns. Each vote matters and serves as an opportunity to collaborate in student government that many didn't get the chance to experience in high school due to a period of pandemic related disruptions. This opportunity offers many more positions, and chances to get to know and interact with the people who will be the change you want to see happen around you. Whether you're running for office or showing up to support your peers, this is your moment to get involved! 

By Adilene Vega, Contributing Writer

Education Budget Cuts in NC

6.8 billion federal dollars were put on hold on June 30, 2025 by the Trump administration as part of his overall examination of federal spending through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). President Trump said this auditing of school funds was to check the quality of education in school in reference to DEI policies and any “wild left” teachings.  Withholding school funds is unconstitutional, and 24 states, including NC, along with the National Education Association sued for it. Representatives from both sides of the aisle spoke out on the issue of constitutional legality because Trump didn’t have congressional approval for this freeze, or as some called it, “an attempt to dismantle public education.” 

Schools everywhere in the United States have been impacted. In North Carolina, some public school programs are on hold due to lack of a final state budget, and the possibility of federal education suits from the Trump Administration is increasing. Governor Josh Stein says North Carolina is “taking action to unfreeze funding” because without funding, nearly 1,000 teachers will have their jobs taken from them. This money also provides after-school programs and supports children learning English (DEI protocols). Without these funds, schools will be left "scrambling" as kids return to classrooms. 

The Wake County School Board approved a $2.3 billion operating budget for the upcoming year. To balance the budget, the Board plans to make about $20 million in cuts—despite pushback from teachers, parents, and students. Ironically, the budget vote fell on Teacher Appreciation Week. Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) administrators say the cuts are necessary because ongoing federal funding for the public is uncertain and underfunding at the state level is consistent. Wake County typically steps up to fill the schools system's budget gap, but this year’s economic turmoil leaves them less able to do so. Three school board members, Cherly Caulfield, Wing Ng, and newcomer Christina Gordon voted to not approve the budget. The remaining six board members who voted for it said they weren’t happy about the cuts. The school system’s budget, which is requesting a $40.3 million increase in local funding, now moves to the Wake County Board of Commissioners for approval. That board has its own cost-cutting concerns in regards to inflation and financial uncertainty to consider, so the school budget won’t be finalized until later this summer. 

Abigail Barlett, Contributing Writer

Judge Declares National Guard Deployment Unconstitutional; Trump Intends to Continue Deployments

On Aug. 11, President Donald J. Trump declared a “crime emergency” in D.C. and deployed the National Guard to assist federal and local law enforcement, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. President Trump claimed that the expanded law enforcement presence was because D.C. had been “overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged out maniacs and homeless people." Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson stated in a meeting with the Pentagon press corps on Aug. 14, “I think there’s no more important job for this department than to stand alongside federal law enforcement partners and local police in securing our nation’s capital… As the White House and the president have said, it is disgraceful that we have allowed D.C. to become so incredibly dangerous.” The claim comes despite MPDC statistics reporting that all crime was down 15% in 2024 from 2023, and as of Sept. 2, crime is down an additional 8%. PolitiFact further debunked President Trump’s claims that D.C. has a higher homicide rate than “the worst countries on Earth,” finding that the district’s murder rate was 27.3 per 100,000 people, down from 39.4 per 100,000 people in 2023, as well as that D.C. has only the fourth highest murder after St. Louis, New Orleans and Detroit. Mayor Muriel Bower of D.C. responded to the claims on Aug. 10, stating that violent crime in the capitol was down 26% from last year.

Donald Trump has previously deployed troops to Los Angeles to deal with protests against an increased enforcement of immigration law. L.A. Mayor Karen Bass called the eventual departure of troops “another win for Los Angeles” on X (formerly Twitter), and several local leaders opposed the presence, blaming the military presence for “inflaming tensions in the regions,” according to the AP. 

As D.C. does not have statehood, the National Guard does not answer to any state governor, but directly to the president, according to NPR. Historically, the National Guard are present during times of crisis, such as catastrophic weather events, riots or coronavirus pandemic fallout. The deployment of the National Guard has gone poorly in the past, though. For example, on May 4, 1970, the Ohio National Guard opened fire on a group of Kent State University Students protesting the Vietnam War, killing four and wounding nine students. 

Alana Wise of NPR claims that experts believe that the National Guard is not equipped to deal with law enforcement on such a “wide scale.” Mark Cancian, a retired Marine Corps colonel and senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said that “Although [the National Guard] have the mission of domestic disturbances, they don't get a lot of training in it, and they certainly don't get the extensive training and the nuances that, for example, the police get." Under the Posse Comitatus Act, Congress is permitted to authorize the use of the militia “to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions,” although the Army or Air Force are prohibited from executing the law unless expressly authorized by an act of Congress or the Constitution. However, Army Senior Master Sgt. Craig Clapper told NPR on Aug. 17 that “Guard members may be armed consistent with their mission and training.” “That would make me extremely nervous,” Cancian said, “because the police are trained at length about when they can use deadly force, and even then they get it wrong."

On Sept. 2, Trump indicated to a reporter during an Oval Office event that he intends to send the National Guard to Chicago, according to CBS. “We’re going in. I didn’t say when, we’re going in,” Trump stated. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker called the comments “unhinged” and stated that his administration is “ready to fight troop deployments in court.”

A federal judge in California ruled that the deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles was illegal on Sept. 2, in violation of the Posse Comitatus Act. The ruling comes in light of the continuing presence of troops in D.C. and the potential deployment of troops to Chicago, according to the BBC. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said that the ruling was only “a rogue judge” attempting to “usurp the authority of the Commander-in-Chief to protect American cities from violence and destruction.” The ruling is on hold until Sept. 12, and is likely to be appealed by the Trump administration.

By Lola Mestas, Associate Editor

Summer Media Recap

Summer 2025 brought a variety of new movies, music, television shows and more. The Herald presents this collection as a guide to what was released this summer. 

Movies

Over the last few months, the big screen featured some of this year's biggest releases in pop culture, including a new “Jurassic World” film and a few new superhero movies. 

“Jurassic World: Rebirth” was released in theaters on July 2, 2025, by Universal Studios. According to IMDb, the movie starred actors Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Jonathan Bailey. This movie included the expected action-packed plot that is familiar to any Jurassic World fan. It also shared an alternate reality where dinosaurs walking down Main Street is a part of any typical day. 

Warner Bros and DC Studios released “Superman” to theaters on July 11, 2025. The movie starred Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, and a new version of the famous hero, played by David Corenswet, per IMDb. Director James Gunn brought his signature style of deep-cut characters, funky music and interesting camera angles to this reimagined superhero classic. 

Is the modern age of MCU really fantastic? Audiences got to find out in “Fantastic Four: First Steps.” Released July 25, 2025 in theaters by Marvel Studios and Disney, this movie was directed by Matt Shakan and starred Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and “The Bear”'s Ebon Moss-Bachrach, per IMDB. 

Television Shows

Streaming services also saw big releases this summer, especially Netflix, who broadcasted the second seasons of many popular originals and brought some new popular shows!

The third season of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” began to be released in installments on Amazon Prime Video on July 16, 2025. This season “follows the ongoing love triangle between Belly (Lola Tung) and brothers Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) as they navigate life, growing pains and one immeasurable loss,” according to USA Today. Per Slash Film, this will be the final season of the show as creator and writer, Jenny Han, moves on to other projects. 

The second season of “Wednesday” was released on Netflix in two parts. The first dropped on Aug. 6, 2025, and the second dropped on Sep. 3, 2025, according to The Wrap. According to Rotten Tomatoes, this season picks up where the first season left off, as Wednesday Addams“attempts to master her emerging psychic ability, thwart a killing spree and solve the mystery that embroiled her parents 25 years ago.” 

The second season of “My Life with the Walter Boys” was also released on Netflix Aug. 28, 2025, according to Cosmopolitan. Per Screen Rant, “The teen drama focuses on Jackie Howard, a 15-year-old girl taken in by the Walter family of seven sons and one daughter.” Season two follows Howard’s growing connections with the Walter sons and expands on the development of other characters. 

Music 

Pop music dominated the summer charts with these recent releases.

Lorde reemerged with her fourth studio album, “Virgin,” which was released on June 27, 2025, per Billboard. According to Spotify, the album features eleven tracks, including the first single “Man of the Year,” which was released in May 2025.

The ninth studio album by Tyler, The Creator, titled “DON’T TAP THE GLASS,” was released on July 21, 2025. According to Spotify, the album consists of ten tracks, including the title song “Don’t Tap That Glass/Tweakin,” and singles “Ring Ring Ring” and “Sugar on My Tongue.”

The second studio album by up-and-coming artist Reneé Rapp was released on Aug. 1, 2025, per Variety. The new album, titled “BITE ME,” follows the prior released singles “Leave Me Alone,” “Mad” and “Why Is She Still Here?,” according to Genius. The full album includes twelve tracks. 

Earlier this summer, the lead single of pop star Sabrina Carpenter's new album was released on June 5, 2025. The full and highly anticipated album, titled “Man’s Best Friend,” was then released on Aug. 29, 2025. According to Spotify, the full album includes twelve tracks, including lead single “Manchild.”

The Favors first single, “The Little Mess You Made,” from their upcoming album, “The Dream.” was released on June 6, 2025, according to Rolling Stone. This will be the first album from the new duo, consisting of singer-songwriters Finneas and Ashe. According to Genius, the new album is expected to be released on Sep. 19, 2025, and consists of twelve tracks. 

Listen to our recent episode of Angels After Hours where The Herald members share their opinions of this summer media recap here. 

By Kailey Wurr, Staff Writer/Podcast Director

The Next Royal Wedding will not be at Buckingham Palace

It’s a love story, baby, and she said YES. It's official! On Tuesday, Aug. 26th, superstar sensation Taylor Swift and Kansas City Tight End Travis Kelce announced their engagement on Instagram. The singer made sure all of her viewers felt “So High School,” by captioning the post, “Your english teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.” The post, shared by both Swift and Kelce, consisted of a collection of photos from their fairytale-like engagement; it garnered millions of likes and shares within mere hours of its publication. 

It has been a long time coming as the American sweethearts have reportedly been together for two years. Their love story began when Travis Kelce attended Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour concert in Kansas City, MI, during the Summer of 2023, Vogue. Weeks later, Swift was seen hand in hand with Kelce leaving a Chiefs football game at Arrowhead Stadium, and well, the rest is history, Vogue. While privacy is usually an integral part of Swift's romantic relationships, the pair have publicly showered one another with high praise on multiple occasions. The pop singer has been discussed in multiple episodes of Kelce’s podcast, New Heights, and Swift even mentioned Kelce in one of her acceptance speeches at last year's MTV VMAs, Vogue.

The engagement, while exciting on its own, followed an even more remarkable announcement made by Swift this August. Not only will Swifties nationwide be listening out for church bells in the coming months, they are also gearing up for Taylor’s 12th studio album: The Life of a Show Girl, set to release on Oct. 3rd. 

A heartfelt congratulations to the happy couple! 

See you next era. 

By Noelle Lowery, Staff Writer and A&E Editor

Welcoming the World (Importance of DEI)

Every August, as the North Carolina summer heat still lingers in the air, Meredith College prepares for its most meaningful tradition: the arrival of its international students. Behind the doors of the Office of International Programs, a schedule is carefully pieced together to guide students from large and distant parts of the world, working in unison. What may look like a list of tasks to do, lingo to learn, and coffee breaks is, in fact, a first step toward belonging to something bigger. 

For many, the journey begins long before arrival. It starts in a crowded airport, with documents clutched tightly in hand, carrying heavy bags but a heavier heart. Students arrive as orientation opens gently. The first morning, coffee brews in Harris, now encompassing people it’s yet to learn the names of. Cookies and pastries sit waiting as students file in, sleepy, jetlagged and curious. Although all faces are unfamiliar, each one carries the excitement of a new beginning. Soon, the room is filled with voices, and it is here that the first connections are made. Conversations build from visas and work opportunities, to finding healthcare in a new country, and learning the bus routes that wind through Raleigh. Each step reminds us that life in a new country is more layered than we could have imagined. 

The Afternoon is when the fun begins! Everyone spills into exploration when OIP reveals a scavenger hunt in the heart of the city—it's downtown. Students step off campus into the streets of Raleigh and wander a new city that will soon become familiar. A checklist of stops such as new cafés, clothing stores and the Union Station, is all explored. A quiet realization that this city will hold every student’s next chapter dawns on them. For those who choose to stay late, a dinner is hosted downtown that helps break the ice among students, getting to know each other. Keeping the same tempo, the second day dives deeper. In a session called Crossing Cultures, students share the joys and challenges of navigating a country that suddenly feels both vast and intimate. Tit-bits of their culture are woven into these conversations as we all find out what makes us similar. Later, senior international students who act as ambassadors sit across the table and offer what they wish someone had told them: that it’s okay to feel homesick and the world is willing to help. There are harder conversations, too, about immigration headlines and politics, but these are softened as well by the knowledge that no one is facing them alone.

These yearly orientations have felt more than a run-through of logistics. They exist to remind us why diversity, equity, and inclusion matter. As an international student myself, the world often feels rife and like it is made with the intent of division. But Meredith’s welcome stands out as a silver lining in the storm. Each of us arrives carrying pieces of home, and here, those pieces are treasured. DEI is often talked about in terms of representation or fairness, but sometimes it’s much simpler than that. Sometimes it’s just about acknowledging that people, unlike you, exist. They are important, and they are valued. And their worth is never a label to be stamped on their forehead. The true welcome is what gives international students the first stepping stone toward success. Welcoming international students is, at its heart, an act of hospitality. It is the college saying: come as you are, bring what you carry, and we will make space for you here. 

Meghana Chebbi, Contributing Writer

Letter From the Editor

Dear reader,

Welcome to the first print edition of the school year! As your new editor-in-chief, I am beyond excited to introduce you to our team of enthusiastic staff writers and editors. This year, we hope to build something really special for everyone to be a part of.  

I fell into The Herald my freshman year and it has been one of the most defining parts of my time here at Meredith. It’s exciting, intimidating, stressful and exhilarating to step up and lead the publication that has given me more opportunities than I ever imagined I could have. I can’t wait to see what all our new writers have to say, and welcome any and everyone interested to stop by a meeting. 

I greatly admire everyone involved with the various clubs, programs, honor societies, student government branches and more across campus. Everyone here contributes to the magic of Meredith, and I hope to highlight as many students, faculty and staff as possible so we can all get to know the names and faces behind what makes Meredith strong. 

One of my biggest passions is bringing people together and sharing our individual strengths, quirks and interests. The Herald is so special because it is the perfect landing pad for all student ideas. I hope to build a strong staff and readership to encourage everyone to lean further into their strengths. 

The Herald wouldn’t be possible without the support of our readers, follow along on Instagram @meredith_herald where you can see the latest articles, events and more from us!

Grayson Morris, Editor-in-Chief