August marks the month of new academic years alongside incredible heat, but despite the admittedly brutal image that draws up, I am unspeakably excited for my last year at Springs. As the Chief Editor, I’d love to supplement this letter with descriptions of Alabama Summers, but for the pretty obvious reason that I am 10,000 miles away, I unfortunately cannot. Taking a wild guess, however, I’d describe it as pretty hot. 

Stuck in the perpetual year-round Summer heat of Singapore, the only object of interest is the advent of the monsoon season, which equates perpetual rainfall and really nothing else. Amidst resulting thunderstorms and Covid restrictions, I’ve unsurprisingly been home a lot. “What have you been doing, Carina?” Thanks for the great question, my dear reader. My answer? Drawing up elaborate but futile schemes for how this new academic year will be completely different. We’ve all been there, and while it certainly does nothing to change how I will act during the academic year, altogether getting rid of this outwardly useless tradition is akin to throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Avoiding this fatal crime of infanticide, I choose instead to burden myself with a light load of resolutions I am resolute not to keep. 

With that in mind, I do still think that there is some semblance of value in these traditions we as students undertake at the start of every new school year, and I do advocate for giving, at the minimum, marginal thought to what you’d like to do this year. Personally, I’d really just like to make it through Senior year. That is my one request to the Gods and Goddesses of Academia. 

Ramblings aside, I’m excited to announce that this issue features poems, personal reflections, documentary highlights, social justice resources, and a special announcement about the introduction of new types of articles to the post. Enjoy some well-written articles, and sign some petitions! I’m looking forward to seeing everyone on campus soon! :)

Yours, 

Carina