Mia Li ’28, Commentary Writer Elizabeth Schlatter ‘28 and Pia Padavano ‘28 on Halloween. (Photo courtesy of Newark Academy)  Halloween is a unique holiday that embodies a blend of spookiness and fun, with celebrations marked by both joyous laughter and scary memories. For some children, Halloween presents the opportunity to dress up in elaborate costumes,…

Alexis Zhang ’26, Commentary Editor Club leaders at the club fair. Courtesy of Newark Academy Instagram As students return to Newark Academy each fall, they are introduced to a wide range of clubs that they can join, from Ultimate Frisbee Club to Film Appreciation Club. With over 50 options, NA clubs allow students to explore…

Leah Gershgorin ’27, Commentary Writer NA Students on the 2024 France Immersion trip. (Photo courtesy of Ms. McNeilly-Anta) Every so-called “mandatory” school task — whether it be community service, IB Diploma (if one decides to pursue it), or the Immersion Experiences requirements — can feel like just another item to check off a list. Personally,…

By Allie Chevance-Singh ‘25, Commentary Editor Lawn Signs Endorsing Presidential Candidates “Kamala” and “Trump”, Courtesy of The Blue Deal and Republican Nations As the presidential race enters its final months, prospective voters have been inundated with commercials, lawn signs, bumper stickers, and merchandise promoting the two candidates. Trump/Vance and Harris/Walz advertisements seem to be equally…

By Alexis Zhang ‘26, Commentary Editor Examples of Summer Homework Assigned at Newark Academy (Photo courtesy of Alexis Zhang 26’)  As school approached, Newark Academy students savored the last moments of summer vacation — breezy beaches, lazy afternoons, and exciting adventures stretched endlessly. Yet as the days flew by, a familiar disruption loomed. The unsuspecting…

By Allie Chevance-Singh ‘25, Commentary Editor Multi-Factor Authentication Hinders Cyber Attacks on Schools, Courtesy of Blackbaud At the start of each school day, Newark Academy students log in to their MyNA accounts to read emails, view their schedule for the day, and review homework assignments. Now, when logging into our accounts, we need to enter…

By Sanjita Tumu ‘27, Commentary Staff Writer A picture of iPads, specifically the iPad Air generations. (Credits to Apple) Technology is incorporated into our daily lives in many ways whether through smartphones, handheld tablets, gaming devices, or smart watches. Mobile technology has crept into our lives and held us captive; we are constantly glued to…

By Alexis Zhang ‘26, Commentary Staff Writer Picture of footwear left at the doorstep. (Image courtesy of realtors.com) “Hey, come on in! By the way, would you mind taking off your shoes before entering?” In a rising number of households around the globe, the ritual of removing shoes at the door has become pervasive. From…

By Sophie Hu ‘26, Commentary Writer A bowl of dates. (枣 zǎo in Mandarin) (Photo courtesy of Healthline) 囫囵吞枣(húlún tūnzǎo): To swallow a date whole. To accept without thinking. The story goes that a young guest was eating pears and dates. His host warned him about eating too many pears, which, while good for the…

by Anika Lippke ‘24, Commentary Editor The first post-prison selfie tweeted by Gypsy Rose Blanchard @GypsyRose_B on X. Remember when Britney Spears went bald?  I do, and I’m definitely not alone in thinking that’s off-putting. Spears shaved her head in a fit of mania after succumbing to the pressures of being constantly subjected to the…