You are a force like Victoria Falls,
Named for the Queen, yet more aptly,
Called Mosi-oa-Tunya, “The Smoke that Thunders.”
Read moreOde to a Natural Wonder
Glass Beach, California, during midday. Image courtesy of Medium.
Diving into Skidmore: A Newcomer's Take on Traditions, Values, and Vibes
Image courtesy of Emrah Jusufoski '28.
If you told me a year ago that I’d be getting my first real taste of Skidmore College through a summer academic institute, I’d have laughed. But here I am, fresh off the plane from North Macedonia, basking in the energy of this campus I’ve dreamed about for months. This article isn’t just a love letter to my future alma mater; it’s an exploration of what Skidmore represents.
Read moreThe Future of Education After the Apalachee School Shooting
Image courtesy of The New York Times.
On September 4th, 2024, tragedy struck at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. 14-year-old Colt Gray left his algebra class and returned moments later. When he knocked at the door, a classmate of his looked through the glass to see who it was. She saw that he had a gun and backed away from the door. Gray turned to another classroom and opened fire, shooting 10-15 rounds, according to students.
Read more"Perfecting Progress" - Skidmore Men's Soccer's Positive Mentality as They Begin Liberty League Play
Colin Goodhines ‘27 dribbles through two Utica defenders. Image courtesy of Matt Milless Photography.
The Skidmore Men’s Soccer Team drew with SUNY Oswego this past Saturday, September 21, by a score of 1-1. After a back-and-forth match throughout, Skidmore notched the first goal of the game in the 83rd minute off a beautiful finish from Junior Midfielder Tobias Catizone.
Read moreResponse: Wesley Yang Withdraws from "Are We All Fundamentalists?" Conference
Earlier today, The Skidmore News reported that Wesley Yang, an outspoken transphobe, was scheduled to speak at “Are We All Fundamentalists?” a conference being held to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Salmagundi magazine. Following a number of appeals to involved parties, including the Salmagundi editorial board and President Conner, we have received confirmation as of 5:00 pm that Mr. Yang has withdrawn from the conference.
Read moreThe Anti-Transgender Extremist on Campus this Weekend
The entrance to the Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery. Image courtesy of Peter Olsen, Saratoga Living.
“Are We All Fundamentalists?” is a conference being held at the Tang from September 27 to 29 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Salmagundi magazine. Those in attendance includes Wesley Yang. Mr. Yang is a writer, columnist, and editor currently working for Tablet Magazine and Esquire. He is also an extreme, vicious, obsessive, and myopic anti-transgender extremist.
Read moreThe Cultural Resurgence of Metal Music
Soviet rock fans celebrating at the Monsters of Rock concert in Moscow, 1991. Image courtesy of Rare Historical Pictures.
To witness the height of influence metal had in the world, one only needs to look at the Monsters of Rock show in Moscow right before the fall of the Soviet Union. After this pinnacle, there began a slight decline, but within the last 5-8 years, metal seems to be reemerging. What bands and reasons are contributing to this?
Read moreTyre Nichols and the Continued Relevance of Police Brutality
Image courtesy of NBC Bay Area.
On January 7th, 2023, what should have been nothing more than a routine traffic stop turned violent when 29-year-old Tyre Nichols, a black man, was pulled over by Memphis police officers. Body camera footage showed that Nichols was pulled out of his vehicle, held down, and pepper sprayed.
Read moreAn Introduction from SGA President Josh Maxwell
Dear Skidmore community,
My name is Josh Maxwell, and I have the honor of serving as the president of Skidmore’s Student Government Association (SGA) this year. I am entering my junior year at Skidmore, as well as my third year serving in the SGA.
Read moreRiding the Wave: A Spectacular Resurgence in Women’s Sports
The past year has seen a dramatic uptick in women’s sports viewership. Even in 2019, excitement and passion around the women’s world cup was only at around 34% globally. In just four years, this number jumped to 41% of the global population being excited about the game. These numbers increase even more when looking at 2024. The rise is partly due to the exciting NCAA women's basketball season that just wrapped up.
Read moreSaratoga Horse Racing: Crown Jewel or Cruel Tradition
Horse racing writ large is an abusive practice. Jockeys whip horses repeatedly in an environment where a single fall could mean the death of the horse. Onlookers watch, bet, and cheer as money changes hands. Families attend a spectacle of what seems to be an innocent sport that unites people and animals. In truth, horse racing is steeped in abuse, medical neglect, and debt. Can it really be a sport if it rests upon a structure of exploitation?
Read moreA Night with Lizzie No: Singer-Songwriter Takes Center Stage at Caffe Lena
Image credits to the Lincoln Center.
At the end of March, genre-defying singer-songwriter Lizzie No performed at Caffe Lena, a historic folk venue just off North Broadway. Lizzie performed with a guitarist and a keyboard player, and showcased her skills on the harp for a few songs.
Read moreReforestation: How Local Communities Come Together to Protect An Endangered Ecosystem
SIT Study Abroad students and TREAT members prepare for planting.
TREAT was founded with the aim of creating corridors between remnants of rainforest. The Wet Tropics, in which TREAT operates, is a diverse ecosystem that is home to many endemic species that only occur within the bioregion. When these forests are fragmented by agriculture and development, organisms are unable to move safely between patches. Some animals cannot leave their habitat at all, while others can but are threatened by cars, people, dogs, and cats when traveling between forests. When these organisms are restricted to smaller and smaller tracts of forest, they become more susceptible to disturbances that occur within the area, and the habitat they can escape into decreases as well.
Read more“Once in a Lifetime”: Skidmore Students Celebrate Near-Total Solar Eclipse
Image credits to Robin Glass.
In Saratoga Springs, residents can expect the sun to rise and set each morning and evening without fail. A recent celestial event, however, interrupted this normal routine, capturing the attention and excitement of the town and its college students alike.
Read moreThe Tortured Poets Department is “One Hell of a Drug”
When Taylor Swift changed her social media profile pictures to black and white and wore long black gloves at the 66th Annual Grammy awards, everyone expected Taylor Swift to announce the release of Reputation, her 2017 album. Swift has been rerecording her albums after manager Scooter Braun claimed rights to them in 2019, so this was the next logical step for her career. When the beloved artist mounted the stage, onlookers in the audience and at home held their breaths in anticipation of the news.
College Can Be Ruff: A Spotlight on Skidmore’s Therapy Dogs
I miss my dog, and I bet you do, too. At the start of each semester, college students must tragically leave their family pets at home and return to dog-less dorms or apartments.
Read moreThe Great American Musical: Gatsby Comes to Broadway
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel, The Great Gatsby, is a cautionary tale of glamor and debauchery. Set in the vibrant 1920s in New York City, the tale has become emblematic of early twentieth-century America and the subject of countless reproductions.
Read moreCreativity at its Pinnacle: 2024 Senior Coda in Dance
The Skidmore College Dance Department's annual Senior Coda showcase premieres on Saturday, March 30, and Saturday, April 6. The Senior Coda is a course available to all performance- and choreography-track and research-track majors, offered annually by the department. The class and participation in the showcase are prerequisites to earn honors. The class is taught by Jason Ohlberg, Associate Chair of the Dance Department, but the semester is primarily student-led. Professor Ohlberg’s teaching philosophy is giving the class independence and autonomy in the process of producing their first concert.
Read more96th Academy Awards Best Picture Roundup
On March 10, the 96th Academy Awards (Oscars) will take place, honoring the best films of 2023. As usual, the public eye is primarily focused on the prestigious Best Picture award, which has attracted additional attention due to a particularly strong crop of films.
Read moreStanley Cup Consumerism: The Rise of the “Must-Have” and the Fall of Personal Style
In a world that is increasingly online, consumerism has reached an all-time high due to internet-crazed trends and an influx in online services. Products peddled by influencers come in and out of trend faster than ever, as the internet puts an overwhelming emphasis on “aesthetics” over personal and timeless style. Terms like “Amazon must-haves” and “old-money aesthetic” compel us to purchase unnecessary and unsustainable items. All because influencers — that are paid to sell these products — are doing everything in their power to make us believe that we just have to have the “next best thing.” It’s fun to buy trending products and get excited about new releases, especially if you’re going to continuously use them for years to come. However, it might be necessary to discuss the pitfalls of excessive buying and the need to have everything, not to mention in every color.
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