BY MERYL PHAIR ’21
On Monday, Sept. 17 at 3:30 p.m., Cayley Evans ’20 was making her way along the wooded path off the Upper Lake loop at Mount Holyoke College, concentrating on an observation lab for her biology class. She was passing through a ferny area by a stream when a loud crashing noise caused her to temporarily lose her bearings.
BY ALLYSON HUNTOON ’19
“She believed she could, so she did!” This was the quote painted in gold letters on Mika McKinney ’18’s graduation cap last spring. Despite the many challenges she faced, this phrase became representative of the way Mika lived her life as her resilience and strength inspired those around her.
BY FIONA HINDS ’22
Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Residential Life Rachel Alldis introduced a new meal plan as an option for juniors and seniors in an email to seniors on Sept. 20. As opposed to the original meal plan available for all students, which has unlimited swipes, 30 Dining Dollars and three guest swipes, the new plan would give upperclassmen 19 swipes per week with 200 Dining Dollars with the three standard guest swipes.
BY EMMA RUBIN ’20
Mount Holyoke students, faculty, staff and neighboring community members gathered in Chapin Auditorium on Sept. 25 for a conversation between former secretary of state and Massachusetts senator John Kerry and Dean of Faculty Jon Western. Western facilitated a relaxed discussion with Kerry about his new autobiography, “Every Day is Extra.”
BY MELISSA JOHNSON ’20
South Hadley is one of 22 local communities to which the Massachusetts Department of Transportation has awarded funding to be part of the Complete Streets Program. According to the Massachusetts government website, “a Complete Street is one that provides safe and accessible options for all modes of transportation — walking, biking, transit and vehicles — for people of all ages and abilities.”
BY MERYL PHAIR ’21
On Wednesday, Sept. 5 at 2:50 p.m., smoke rose from beneath the elevator door in Shattuck Hall. The smoke triggered a fire alarm and Campus Police arrived on the scene. When the reporting officers entered the elevator machine room, located to the right of the elevator door on the ground floor of Shattuck, they noticed something that concerned them on many levels, according to Director of Facilities Management and Planning Paul Breen.
BY ANNA HASSON ’21 AND ANNA SHORTRIDGE ’19
Senate confirmation hearings for Brett Kavanaugh concluded on Friday, Sept. 7. Several activist groups protested the event; the groups opposed his nomination for a variety of reasons. Many Republicans, however, are hoping to confirm his nomination as soon as possible.
BY EMMA RUBIN ’20
The 2018 election cycle has been known for its almost unprecedented number of women running for office at all levels of government. This year, women have appeared on the ballot in record- breaking numbers, according to Time. Several record-breaking women who filed candidacy in races across the country are Mount Holyoke alumnae.
BY ANNA SHORTRIDGE ’19 AND ALLYSON HUNTOON ’19
The Rao’s Coffee Shop located inside Williston Library closed their doors indefinitely on Monday, Sept. 17. The disruption of service is due to an alleged incident in which the cafe’s manager used racially insensitive language when speaking to cafe employees.
