Closing Comments 2025

Abby Jin, Features

When I was recently referred to as a “cool grandmother” by some underclassmen, I realized that it was time for me to retire from Spec and embrace my status as a senior citizen. It’s not truly goodbye, though: I’ll never stop reading our beautiful newspaper. Every Features article I’ve read teaches me something new—whether it’s the backstory of my enigmatic teacher, students’ opinions on PDA, or yet another college-related-thingy (somehow we never run out of those).

Back in my day (four years ago), I remember feeling like a complete failure when my first draft came back littered with cross-outs from the editors, and I wondered how they could be so cruel. But with each draft, I grew more appreciative of every detailed comment. As an editor, I often lost track of time while engrossed in my talented writers’ articles. Spec has taught me how to take criticism productively, which has made Stuy a lot easier for me; I’m grateful to have grown so much as a writer and even as a person. I also send my love to my day one department, Humor—thank you for teaching me that I have absolutely zero talent for writing jokes!

Adam Choi, Web

When I joined The Spectator’s web department as a freshman, I did so with a simple (maybe even too vague) goal: to make something cool. Working on websites wasn’t exactly my dream—honestly, I thought they were kind of boring. But I took a small risk with my time and applied anyway, fully prepared for the possibility that nothing might come of it. 

Stuyvesant itself was a bit of a leap of faith for me. When I got in, I had a choice: attending, with its commute and workload, would mean stepping back from certain responsibilities I had at the time. I thought I could manage both, so I took that risk. 

Looking back on my high school years, I sometimes wonder how things might have turned out if I’d chosen a different path. Would staying in my comfort zone have been easier or even better? Perhaps. But every choice comes with trade-offs, and sometimes we have to let go of one thing to pursue another. One decision I’m sure was the right one, though, was applying to join the Spectator. 

Becoming an editor gave me a deeper insight into how all these departments come together to make something special. From articles that made me laugh at their absurdity (seriously, some of these were too brave) to others that confronted identity and belonging with raw honesty, The Spectator would become a space filled with the voices, quirks, and passions of my peers. 

No one would care about an empty website. It’s the people who fill it with their passion and ideas who make it worth looking at. To everyone who contributed, from writers to editors to readers, thank you for making The Spectator come alive. Thank you for helping make that risk worth it. 

• Adam Choi 

Amaryllis Sun, Opinions

From high peaks of stress upon receiving a letter of critique from a New York Times editor to hours of laughter during FaceTime calls with Ivy, Gulam, and Helen (and now with Myles and Joanne), my journey in The Spectator has been such a roller coaster. I still remember jotting down random thoughts as a freshman in my notes app to prepare for Opinion pasteups, submitting quirky topics regarding sugary cereal dominating supermarkets, and the convenience of using Pinterest. Once becoming an editor and snooping—like all those before me had done—through the Opinions Google Drive, reading the editors’ comments on my pasteups and Editor-in-Training application, I laughed at my realization of the seriousness of Spec. 

Every time I open Google Docs and transition from “Editing” to “Suggestion” mode, I’ll always think of late nights spent editing articles to make it in time for the OSHAE deadline upon first becoming an editor. Now, as a senior, I admittedly finish editing my articles a few days later (senioritis, sorry!). I know that Opinions will continue to thrive after I leave with all the amazing and diverse writers that comprise it, and I can’t wait to scroll through the website in a few years and see the continuities and changes. To my fellow editors, I wish you luck through all the too-soon-resolved comments and chaos of filtering through dozens of applications during recruitment season. 

Much love! 

Andre Wang, Layout

I used to hardly give a second look at the stacks of The Spectator by the scanners when I left the school. It seems harsh, but at the time, I felt no connection to the paper. It was only after I joined the Layout Department in my sophomore year that I realized just how much work went into each issue. Each paper by the scanners is the cumulation of countless discussions, decisions, and hundreds of hours of work that ultimately get assembled by a group of hard-working people.

The Spectator introduced me to many people I would otherwise have never met, nor have had any other connection with. I saw the bad (controversial articles, New York Post shoutouts, and heated debates), but above all, also the good (Fun Fridays, beautiful art, and passionate writing). I finally felt that I had a place within Stuyvesant.

I have completed layouts at late school nights and 5 am while on vacation in Hawaii during the summer right before a flight. Our 2024 Winter Magazine Through the Specades was a true test of my creativity and InDesign skills. I’ll forever treasure my paperback copy. Heck, I might even frame it. I just love it that much.               

Thank you Ankki and Fiona for acting as mentors when I was still an Editor-in-Training and teaching me the ways of Layout. Thank you Elaine and Jasper for never losing steam and still treating our responsibilities with great attention to detail even as we grinded through college application season. To our junior Editors Karen, Anjali, and Isabel, not to mention our younger members, I leave this department in your hands! I look forward to seeing you all grow and bring everyone’s hard work together using the magical tool known as InDesign. Sorry everyone for sometimes conking out before we sent the issues!

Weaving words into wonders,

Andre Wang

Angela Mashuryan, Web

As a curious sophomore, I sought any and every school activity that would satisfy my desire to know and understand the world around me. From debate to art, there seemed to be no limit on environments from which I could learn. At this same time, I joined The Spectator – both the Web and Opinions departments. Combining my growing love for web development and my passion for writing about the causes that matter most to me, I was immensely grateful for and unspeakably impressed by this entirely student-run newspaper.

When I became an editor of the Web Department, that feeling of awe only grew. Taking Spec Class gave me a closer look into The Spectator’s inner workings while simultaneously affording me a personal role within it. I witnessed the collaboration between all departments (at times hectic, but always fascinating), the leadership from every editor (extremely inspiring), and the incredible sense of community permeating our sixth-floor classroom and Slack chat.

If I could go back and change anything about my high school career, I’d love to have joined The Spectator even earlier. Every moment spent being part of this lovely group of people, whether as a member (coder, writer) or editor, has been so rewarding. As I look toward the future, I welcome the uncertainty that awaits me in college and beyond. However, I also know that wherever I go and whatever I choose to do, I will always look for The Spectator in it all, making unconscious comparisons to these most formative years of my life. 

Thank you for everything. Even when it wasn’t easy, it was amazing. I wish us all the very best.

Sincerely,

Angela Mashuryan

Ankita Saha, Web

When people ask me my favorite part of Stuy, I always say the people. Everyone here has so many different fun, smart, and interesting things they're a part of. The Spectator has been one of those places for me.

Stepping into Room 615E for my first spec class two years again has genuinely been a memorable moment. I remember doing my first set of web uploads and feeling so excited. Since then, I have uploaded countless articles and sent numerous emails (trying to make them more fun each time). But more than just the work itself, I have grown and learned from countless peers that made this journey even more meaningful. To my web crew, thank you! From making Canva recruitment posters to scouring through applications, I had a great time working with you guys. And to everyone else, thank you as well! I learned from you guys that The Spectator encompasses more than just writing articles. Whether it be the iconic fun fridays, or karaoke during SING! coverage, or even just uploads at 4AM, I am incredibly grateful for the community Spec has given me. 

Writing this with one more semester left, I realize that I feel this sentiment with Stuy as a whole. So, I encourage you all to find your niches–whether it is in theatre or biology or coding, or literally anything! At the end of the day, as stressful as studying for those Physics exams and finishing club slides felt, they're not what I think about when I look back. Even if they are, it's the collective bond of struggling and working together that I appreciate and remember. Because again, it's the people that made these experiences worth it.

Signing off,

Ankita

Cathleen Xi, Features

What drew me to the Features department was the freedom it offered — I wasn’t bound by certain writing styles or specific topics. When I applied, I remember being so excited to write about African food and restaurants in the city, a topic I never would’ve gotten to talk about in any of my other classes. The first article I wrote was rough. I had never done anything newspaper related before, and I had no idea how to write an article. I loitered around the sophomore bar after school one day, trying to solicit interviews from random passersby. A couple of students even offered to help me by directing me to people who they think would be interested. My adventure ended very quickly when I walked up to Mr. Garfinkel and asked him for an interview — and learned that he was the faculty adviser for The Spectator so he had to turn me down. 

Two years later, I would be editing the articles of other Features writers. In-between classes and before I went to bed, I read through and commented on articles in progress. My favorite thing about Features articles has always been the interviews. Sometimes when I edited an article, I would see a quote from someone I know. It was nice to see a side of people that I otherwise wouldn’t have seen, offered through this lovely medium that we call journalism. I felt a great sense of unity through my time as both a writer and editor, as well as a reader of Spec. I loved to see that there were other students who were just as excited to explore what writing, especially for Features, had to offer. Now that I’m finishing my time as editor, I can say that I’m proud of my growth as a writer. As I leave The Spectator, I hope that those that come after me experience the same fulfillment, discovery, and adventure that this incredible journey has given me.  

Chuer (Cindy) Zhong, Art

I still distinctly remember grabbing my first issue of The Spectator. My friend watched as I flipped all the way to the Sports section (I didn’t have the foresight to just start from the back. Typical freshman…) and lifted the page triumphantly. 

“Look!” I grinned.

She squinted. “Isn’t that just…a logo? Which they could have gotten online?”

She must have realized how quickly I’d deflated, because she followed it up with, “It still looks really good! Seriously, like, um, the actual thing.”

Still, her comment did leave me with questions that day. Why not just take photos online? Why not save the effort of drawing and dash the entire department?

After three-and-something years of being in the department, I think I’ve developed some answers. 

First, the practical one: photos online cost money. Duh. The Spectator is lowkey in shambles right now (thank you Biz for slowly reviving it) and I don’t think we can afford to pay for the rights to photos or art from the Internet.

But the second and more real answer is that our drawings make The Spectator mean something to students, both the ones reading and the ones creating. Even if we had the money to buy other visuals, I think we would still make our own. Our beloved newspaper isn’t just for empowering our student body through spreading awareness about interesting topics or crucial issues, but also empowering ourselves. It’s like asking—why do we need a science section in The Spectator if we can just read science articles from The New York Times? Because our writers will write a science article from the unique perspective of a Stuyvesant student—the unique perspective of an aspiring journalist who can connect what we learn in AP Bio to modern scientific advancements, for example. Why do we need an art department when we can get images from online? Because our artists put a unique Stuyvesant-student-spin on all that we create, and The Spectator is nothing without that special spark.

I wish freshman-year me saw the creative freedom the articles’ art requests gave me instead of worrying about how I might mess up a prompt if I didn’t follow it to a T. After all, a logo isn’t just a logo. Draw it on a banner, paint your best friend holding it, keep the main idea but add your own flair. It’s what makes art so worth it. I’m glad I understand that now.

Thank you, Spec, for everything you've taught me. I know that the future of the art department is in good hands, and I truly can’t wait to see what else you will all create.

Duncan Park, Sports

I can proudly say that no one has had, and ever will have, my Spectator experience. Who else can say that they were a member of three departments (editor of two), on the managing board, got booted from everything for one issue (sorry about changing the passwords), got reinstated with 1.5 issues left (democracy prevails!), went on two trips to Albany, attended an awards conference, and made countless viral TikToks (Kim K. on my back will live on forever)?

As a second-semester senior reflecting on my time, I get a rush of sentimental feelings. I miss the late-night calls with my sports editors, StreamEast on one screen, the Zoom window on the other. I miss chugging bowls of salsa in the back of class, stuffing Jalapeño potato chips in your mouth during Fun Fridays, and laughing about our terrible karaoke skills to equally terrible songs. I miss arguing with Lenny and Emily about things that probably don’t matter that much, yet we still spend hours bickering about.

For anyone wondering if Spec is worth it—it is. Even after countless moments of heartbreak, anger, revenge, and retaliation, I’d do it all over again.

And finally, thank you. To my co-editors—especially Evan and Kaileen, who’ve been with me for over a year: thank you for standing with me when stuff went down, filling out countless half-attempted Immaculate Grids, and making my Spec experience meaningful. To my bosses: thank you for putting up with my antics—see, now we’re all friends! To my department members: thank you for writing each issue, showing up to our hilarious Jeopardy meetings (what’s said in there stays in there), and making our department the best one out there.

My final words: Stay Sporty!

Elaine Liu, Layout

Anxiously crouched over my laptop, I placed and re-placed the same eight articles across three pages, watching the hours slip away until the clock struck midnight. When I finally submitted my layout editor application, I felt nervous yet proud. Simply seeing the final PDF of my work made my mind wander, envisioning it sprawled across a physical copy of The Spectator. The hidden—but not-so-hidden—fruits of my labor: that’s the beauty of Layout. 

I truly believe that joining Spec was what enabled me to pursue so many of my other passions. When you pick up the school newspaper, your goal might be to pass time or simply admire the work of your peers. But that could be you too! I’m not just talking about Spec, but anything you find even a tad bit interesting. Don’t limit yourself to what you think you excel at—your high school years are the best time to venture outside your comfort zone. Even if you come out unvictorious, there is always a valuable lesson to take away from it. In other words: experience everything with no regret. 

It’s natural to compare yourself to others, but trust me—comparison is the thief of joy. Focus on improving your own craft. Whether that means expanding your network of friends, sampling every caffeinated beverage available to stay awake (only to discover you can’t even drink caffeine), or becoming an InDesign wizard, your life is yours to live—always.

Thank you, Spec, for all the unforgettable memories you have given me. I hope that all those who follow will cherish these fleeting moments as much as I have. 

Emily Ryu, Editor-in-Chief (Features)

When I think of my time in The Spectator, I feel both pride and gratitude, yet at the same time, I can't help but want to curl up in embarrassment. But I suppose that's high school journalism.

The doubts and regrets scattered throughout my editorship has helped me grow as a person, and I've learned so much more about myself and being part of a community as a result of it. Any and all of my accomplishments as Editor-in-Chief has been a direct result of the hard work of our community—including our writers and Editorial Board. Even in the odd hours of the night, as I’m editing articles, I’m consistently amazed by the thoughtfulness, creativity, and depth of research that shines through the articles. It's been a privilege to learn about people's passions and their stories. 

Of course, as for our Editorial Board, who has been with me and Khush through all our rocky moments, external and internal, all I really have to say is thank you. And also that I think you all are uniquely talented, kind people. Seriously—I could write a paragraph about each editor and what I admire about them. Thank you for being there through my mistakes and flaws. Thank you for making each issue something I am absolutely proud of. You all are great writers and editors but more importantly great people that I have much more to learn from. Spec may have ended, but I earnestly hope our friendship extends to years and years in the future. 

Bye Spec! You're in good hands.

Evan Wong, Sports

I started as an editor in the spring semester of my junior year—relatively late compared to most of my peers. I remember walking up to Spec class the first day of the new semester, nervous about being the odd one out. Duncan, being his typical unserious self, reassured me by saying, “Don’t worry, Spec class isn’t a real class.” I quickly realized that he was right, but in all the best ways possible. 

From weak Immaculate Grid attempts to rotisserie chicken feasts in the back of the room, Spec class has always embodied the warm and tight-knit community of The Spectator for me. While some of the requirements may have felt like chores in the moment, looking back, I now realize that many of those experiences became my most valued memories at Stuy. Whether it was skipping school to visit Albany or sitting in the front row during SING, I am forever grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given and the friendships I’ve formed. I wouldn’t trade them for the world. 

Reflecting on my time in The Spectator, I realize how the time really does pass too quickly. The excitement that I felt when I was accepted into the Sports Department is still vivid in my head, the image of me smiling ear-to-ear as I read that first email. I remember my first meeting, being the nervous freshman in the back of the class with limited football knowledge, trying my best to make a respectable SuperBowl prediction. Those chaotic cheers from sports writers during Jeopardy will always stick with me. What I thought was just a platform to submit sports articles became so much more—a caring, passionate community that I am glad to have surrounded myself in. 

Evan Wong

 

Geoffrey Huang, Photos

It feels like yesterday when I stood in the cafeteria, surrounded by dozens of other freshmen, listening to each department speak and then lining up to fill out their interest forms. Fast forward a few years, and I can’t believe that my time at the Spectator is coming to an end. 

My time as a photographer with the Spectator will be one that I will forever cherish and never forget. To say that this experience was fun would be an understatement. Nothing will ever beat the opportunities of getting free tickets to the school performances (especially SING!) and running around all night taking pictures among the audience and behind the scenes. 

But, working at the Spectator also gave my photography meaning. It gave me specific stories to tell and a medium for which to share them with the whole school. 

Becoming an editor was something I strived for since my start here, and it’s a role that I’ve really taken to heart. To me, running the “eyes of the student body” meant creating an inclusive space for students to express their thoughts and creativity. I think it’s fair to say we’ve progressed towards this as a department through our many spreads and photo essays, along with the “Beauty Within the Beast” photo contest. 

The Spectator would be incomplete without its talented staff. I want to thank every member of the photo department for their commitment and enthusiasm towards their work. None of our progress would be possible without each of you. The Editorial Board has also been nothing but a welcoming and open community. Spec Class will always be a place where ideas flourish and conversation thrives, and I hope that the friendships developed here will last a lifetime. Last but not least, the photo department’s success would not be possible without my fellow editors. Honora and Ibtida have worked wonders by bringing their talents, ideas, and dedication to every issue and meeting. Eva will be the one to continue our legacy, and I can’t wait to see what she will do during my remaining time at Stuyvesant. 

Though my work here is done, I really do believe that the projects completed and changes made over this last year will have positive implications on the Spectator for volumes to come.

Helen Mancini, Opinions

In the time it took for all the writers, artists, and editors of The Spectator to put together Issue 9 of Volume 115, 40,000 acres of Los Angeles burned, Israel and Hamas reached a cease-fire after over a year of war, TikTok was banned and unbanned for over 170 million American users, and a new president took office and signed more than 40 executive orders, ranging from leasing Alaskan lands for drilling to outlawing transgender identity. 

In opinions-editor fashion, my parting advice to Stuyvesant is to have an opinion! While it may not seem like it with so many tests and projects looming, the world is going on all around you. You can only shape it if you’re paying attention. Read, listen, think, protest (if that’s your thing), attend public hearings, meet your local electeds, interview people you want to learn from, and after that, write! Write more than 280 characters of a tweet. Take time to craft an argument, complete with research, counterpoints, and call to action (see the Opinions Department’s masterful How To Opinions document for tips…). Let your understanding deepen with each sentence; write to find out, as James Balwin once said!

What better place to share and preserve your ideas than The Spectator? Behind every article is an eager team of your peers (editors, fact-checkers, and formatters alike!) organizing each issue through a maze of Google Drive folders and many passionate (albeit circular, sorry Phoebe) Spec class discussions. I’ve loved my time as an writer and editor, and I cannot recommend it enough. Thank you Gulam, Ivy, Amaryllis, Myles, Joanne, Laughing Man Cafe, Emily, Khush, Lenny, Seth, Mr. Garfinkel, and everyone else.

Honora Muratori, Photos

The Stuyvesant photography department was one of the first clubs I joined. As a freshman that heavily relied on portrait mode, I knew little about photography. The upperclassmen taught me how to use manual settings, led collaborations with other clubs, and shared their editing advice. I have always strived to achieve their level of confidence, expertise, and generosity. 

Throughout my four years in the department, I have made connections through my assignments. Messaging captains of sports teams, emailing teachers, and going to school performances, taking pictures for the department has truly brought me closer to the amazing students and faculty at Stuy. I love reading the article that is paired with my picture because I get to learn the story behind the image I have taken. 

Becoming an editor was an adjustment as I learned to oversee department members and organize assignments. I was blessed to have two amazing co-editors and the support of all of the editors in the other departments, as well as the editors in chief. We took a department trip to the Apple Store, had photo competitions, and meetings in the park. Getting to hear member ideas for photo spreads and creative projects was one of the best parts of being an editor. 

I will wholeheartedly miss The Spectator when I go to college. From the SING! edition to The Spooktator, there is no other entity that so perfectly encompasses Stuyvesant. Goodbye and good luck! 

Ibtida Khurshed, Photos

My first time doing photography was only during the summer before freshman year: I got accepted into an introductory photography program, receiving my first digital camera. I was immediately intrigued and my artistic passion and creativity bloomed. I knew I had to continue taking photos in high school. When I heard about our esteemed, student-published newspaper, I was excited to hear there was a photography department. As a small, wide-eyed freshman, I was scared to join my first extracurricular at Stuy, especially as an amateur photographer, but I knew this would be the perfect opportunity to put my skills to use. I am now happy to say that stepping out of my comfort zone to join Spec Photos was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Immediately after my first Spec meeting and seeing my super-cool editors, I knew I wanted to be one just like them. Although it was a bumpy ride with three application processes and not becoming an editor-in-training until late my junior year, the experience taught me about dedication and pursuing what you love. Being a part of The Spectator isn’t just about writing pieces on current events, but helping showcase the Stuy community. I’m glad to have added a voice and story behind our school and its students through photography. From bringing life to articles by collaborating with the writing departments to publishing photo spreads on various themes, we learned never to stop photographing. 

Thank you to my lovely co-editors and our EiT for being so willing to pick up the extra work for your fellow struggling senior editors. And lastly, thank you to my Spec editorial board family and fellow Stuy photographers. You guys truly made my high school career unforgettable. XOXO.

Jaden Bae, Art

I remember when I was freshman, I picked up the newspaper and read words of wisdom from closing comments by other Spectator editors. This year it is my turn to do the same and offer short words of wisdom for everyone.

Do get to know more people outside of your comfort zone, they will be happy to get to know you better, share a bit of yourself to everyone. 

Maybe try out new clubs and interests you never got a chance to, you never know if you find spark of passion inside (or not!). Four years is too short to worry and waste time on small things, like quizzes or tests.

Always find joy in small moments, cramming foreign language vocabularies on the way to school or staying up all night for a project might be stressful, but looking back in future, you will give yourself a pat to yourself for getting through and make a little smile on your face.

You don’t need to have everything figured out instantly. Think of it as if you were slowly walking on endless stairs. It’s okay if you fall in a way of doing so. You will eventually learn to enjoy the process of climbing stairs.

Farewell, Spec Art & The Spectator!

Jasper Yu-Dawidowicz, Layout

When I walked into the cafeteria for Spectator recruitments my freshman year, I wasn’t sure what I was looking for. I had been surrounded by journalism from the day I was born. As a kid, I would press my ear against the door to my mom’s office as she interviewed women athletes like Suni Lee and Carissa Moore. I’d listen closely, fascinated by how she crafted her questions and pieced them together into incredible stories. In 5th grade, I tried my hand at journalism and put together a magazine with articles ranging from an interview with the director of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to how to build benches out of eco-bricks. At recruitments, I knew I wanted to be involved with The Spectator, but I still wasn’t sure how. 

Fast forward almost four years and countless issues later, and I can say that my Spectator experience has been a highlight of my time at Stuy, even with its rollercoaster of highs and lows. I’ve had the privilege of interviewing Drew Neiporent, the founder of the Nobu restaurant chain, alongside Christopher in the hallway outside of Spec Class. I poured my heart into designing The Specades, putting my InDesign skills to the dest to create the best sections in the magazine—1970s and 1990s. And even ordinary issue cycles came with a sense of accomplishment, like putting together a late night 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle. 

But it wasn’t all fun and games. I still remember myself hunched over in the backseat of my car, driving back to New York from Vermont during regents week, desperately trying to fix all the critiques on my first layout as an editor-in-training before sending. It wasn’t even my first time trying to figure out how InDesign worked. On my very first layout assignment, I spent the entirety of a six-hour car drive moving text boxes from one side of the screen to the other, asking my brother “how does this look” over and over again.

Through all the ups and downs, though, I’m glad I had all of my friends on the editorial board behind me. And thank you to Andre and Elaine for always stepping in to fix my pdfs after I went to bed at 10pm. Karen, Isabel and Anjali, enjoy the next 17 issues of late night layout parties and sends!

Kaileen So, Sports

One of the most memorable experiences from my freshman year came when I received the email with the subject line, “Welcome to the Sports Department!” At the time, I viewed that simple message as one of my proudest accomplishments, signaling that I was worthy enough to be accepted into a publication as professional as The Spectator. Three years later, I have found that publishing the paper not only takes the effort of hundreds of individuals, but also comes with countless moments of laughter, chaos, and everything in between.

As an editor, seeing the behind-the-scenes process has shown me that it is not nearly as stressful or intense as I thought it would be. Instead, I have found numerous unexpected, but also enjoyable, moments. I’ve loved the long department planning calls that always seemed to veer off track, staying up late watching sports while editing articles I’d remember to do last minute, and putting together Jeopardy games for our monthly meetings, even if they were often finished mere minutes before the start of the meeting. 

Being part of The Spectator has definitely been intertwined with my entire high school experience. I have many core friendships and memories to dedicate to Spec, even if they’re not directly related. Thank you to the entire Spectator community, especially the Sports Department and my co-editors for being there to share my love for sports. It’s hard to believe that my time on Spec has come to an end, and soon my time in high school will too, but I’m grateful for the journey and all the experiences this paper has given me. 

Khush Wadhwa, Editor-in-Chief (Sports)

I remember my first recruitments, surrounded by a sea of freshmen and sophomores anxiously clawing their way through tables of departments to reach the popular ones. There were lines wrapping around the News and Opinions tables, but few eagerly waiting to sign up for sportswriting. Matt, Sam, Krish, and Shafiul—the sports editors at the time, greeted me warmly and that’s how it all began.

I joined because I was too small to play; I loved sports and grew up watching and learning every analytical detail from my father and grandfather. To me, The Spectator was just an avenue for my expression of love for sports, my means of finding a community of people who loved the world of athletics like me. Where we could abandon the complexities of our lives and stand behind athletes giving it their all wearing a shirt bearing our city’s name. It felt like the most unity the world could ever afford us. I wanted to tell the stories of those people and their games, the stories of the sacrifices they made to bring us glory. 

We played Jeopardy, argued over every outcome to every big sporting event, and hyped up our student athletes. And we wrote. We travelled across the city to home and away games that few others would visit both to chronicle the proceedings and to appreciate the hard work put in by our athletes. I’ll never forget the time I bought a drum to beat along the sidelines for our boys’ soccer semifinals or randomly made a best friend as we co-covered our girls’ basketball team’s playoff run in Harlem. 

I became an editor quickly; I wanted to give more to Sports but I ended up learning how much deeper journalism ran. Before I knew it we were making videos and podcasts, covering SING!, and appreciating the Stuy community beyond just sports. It was through this that I learned what it meant to be a journalist—there were implicit professional standards that we were just writing through out of passion and love. And when we overstepped those, we could apply our creativity to the projects that went beyond journalism. Of course, we weren’t perfect and we learned from each other—some of those projects bursted up in flames while others became massively successful, but all of them were fun to synthesize.

And then, as editor-in-chief, I found out how large The Spectator truly is. That’s what truly makes us special: all of you. Everyone who faithfully contributes to and reads this publication makes every minute of work worthwhile. I’ve sat on three editorial boards, each with its own unique character and goals, and yet every single editor always had a creative vision for the grand project that is our newspaper. I’m most thankful to have worked alongside all these creative geniuses and savvy writers; you’re the ones whose texts and images brightened up by laptop screen.

One final message for all those still discovering their skillset, start with what you love. Do what you love, interact with it, and you will find ways to give back to your hobbies in a way that makes the most of your skillset. And you will learn a million more skills that may completely change your interests. And of course, they’ll be accompanied by more random fun things! Every now and then you might pick up some spare copies and create a suit of armor out of them or end up playing hide and seek in a huge abandoned park in Albany after campaigning for student journalism in the Capitol. With all of this, even if you gave me the choice a million years over, I still would have chosen The Spectator, and I still would have chosen Sports. I’ll never forget where I started. Stay Sporty, always and forever. 

Lenny Metlitsky, Web

Over the last 3.5 years, The Spectator and its editors have made a home for me at Stuy. From the moment I walked into my first Web meeting in a dimly lit room on the third floor, I had found a community full of unapologetic nerds and upperclassmen who took me under their belt as we waged war on the buggy, old Spectator website. I’m forever thankful to my old Web editors David Chen, Samantha Hua, Theo Yochum, and Andrey Sokolov for allowing me to rewrite the entire Spectator site and apply my passion for web development. It took roughly 2 years and a few hundred thousand lines of code, but today I look back on those late nights spent coding and don’t regret them one bit. 

Around the same time that I launched The Spectator’s new website, I joined the editorial board as a young Web editor. I will forever remember my first semester in Spec class — the often circular staff-ed discussions that devolved into heated arguments (see Duncan’s comment) and multi-day issue critiques showed me what it meant to really participate in an editorial board. I’m most grateful for a complete accident — one day, a news writer was sick and could not cover the Black History Month dinner happening the same day, so former News editor Sarah Diaz asked Spec class if anyone would be free to cover it. Nobody was, so I decided to wing it and cover the dinner with zero experience writing an article or conducting an interview. With some help from Ivy and Kevin and Sarah’s thorough D1 edits, I somehow figured it out. Since then, I’ve discovered that I really do find student journalism fulfilling — nothing has been more satisfying than seeing one of my articles or special issues that I worked tirelessly to create be published. 

I’ve grown to love the spirit of everything that this paper does — I’ve written more than 30 articles across every writing department, launched countless projects (The Lens Podcast, the Demographics Survey, interviews with 90-something year old alums, and more), covered the impacts of the war in Gaza on our student body, documented record-breaking climate marches led by a Stuy student (aka Spec Opinions Editor Helen), talked with historian Alan Lichtman about his (now incorrect) presidential election predictions, wrote feature pieces about dope guest speakers, and I’ve participated in many more opportunities that our paper had to offer. I’ve had the luxury of working with and learning from each and every amazing editor within The Spectator, and I will miss you all dearly. (Thank you everyone, but especially Phoebe, Rebecca, Sarah, Dalia, Kevin, Helen, Seth, Khush, and Emily).

Looking back on my experience at Stuy as a whole, the many activities I’ve participated in have truly made my time here worthwhile. Whether that’s The Spectator, the CS Dojo, or the Weightlifting Club, I’ve found new communities and mentors that have helped me discover “me.” However, as a Freshman I never imagined myself doing any of these activities, much less having very active roles in them. So, if you need a sign to try something completely new this year, have this be your sign.

Madeline Hutchinson, Arts & Entertainment

A Eulogy Comprised Of My Favorite Song Lyrics, Edited, Arts-&-Entertainment-style: 

I've written enough melodramatic music reviews, obscure jeopardy questions, and comic-sans-ridden A&E emails of my own now. Instead of writing about music, as I have for the past four years, I’ll let the music do the writing. 

Arts & Entertainment— and by extension, the Spectator— has followed me since my first semester of Freshman year. In that way, we are “intertwined, sewn together” (Adrianne Lenker, “not a lot just forever”). I know that my time engaging with the Spectator —Spec class Fun Fridays, rigging the vote in favor of “Paper Planes” for the recruitment video (it's time to come clean), Hide-and-seek in Albany —will linger forever in me; I will “let me hold it close and keep it here with me” (Neutral Milk Hotel, “In The Aeroplane Over The Sea”). I have learned so much about the world, writing, and myself.

Of course, my editorship not only changed the structure of my writing—I understand how to use semicolons (thank you, Stuyle Guide!), and I know that a music review should never be written track-by-track (thank you, Levi Simon)— but it also affirmed my place and position as a writer. Very few high school students have the privilege of being published, especially in print. Seeing my name in all-caps, first alongside the articles I wrote and then on the masthead, solidified this idea that my words held weight, our words hold weight. “Suddenly now, I know where I belong” (Vashti Bunyan, “Train Song”).

I am so grateful to have been a part of this 110 year legacy. I know that “when I come back you’ll still be here / when you come back I’ll still be here”  (Car Seat Headrest, “Twin Fantasy”). I’m so excited to see where Hifza and Myles take the Spectator in the upcoming year, and how it continues to grow outside of us. I wish so much “success for my buddies, success for my friends,” (Alex G, “Harvey”) and success for the incoming editorial board. 

Above all, thank you to the outgoing editorial board, especially my fellow A&E editors: Benson, Emile, Santino, and Zoë. “We’ll all float on okay” (Modest Mouse, “Float On”). 

Michelle Huang, Humor

If you were to ask someone what humor means, they might cite the Merriam-Webster dictionary’s definition of humor as “that quality which appeals to a sense of the ludicrous or absurdly incongruous”, or the Oxford Language dictionary’s definition of “the quality of being amusing or comic”. To me, however, humor is so much more than that. 

Humor is the recurring motif of my four years of high school, from when I was a wee freshman cooking up the name Donald McRadical for an article (a choice I regret to this day), to when I was absolutely crashing out on caffeine junior year leaving block comments on articles at 1 A.M. and taking notes on Senior and Sophfrosh SING! solely to dunk on them, to now, first semester senior year, handing in my closing comments late because I procrastinated doing it until the last minute (sorry, Copy). 

Humor is a creative outlet to be yourself. In my time in the Humor department, I’ve made Principal Yu out to be an alcoholic, clowned on capitalism, approved and edited articles depicting the vice president of our country as a sensual couch-lover, and predicted Sophfrosh SING!’s win in 2023 (I WROTE THAT ARTICLE DRAFT BEFORE THE RESULTS CAME OUT this is my greatest accomplishment ever). We advertise ourselves as the department offering the most creative freedom, and I’ve truly enjoyed taking advantage of that and writing whatever I wanted, even if I may have ruined my digital footprint. Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned the articles I wrote in my college applications…

Most importantly, humor is a way to reach people. From old friends and classmates talking to me because they thought the article I wrote was funny, to my parents yelling at me because they thought the article I wrote wasn’t funny, to even David Coleman, the CEO of the College Board, whom I’ve been told has read the article I wrote in sophomore year insulting him and yet has graciously continued to give me fives on my AP exams, so many more people have entered into my life or had a conversation with me because of Humor. As an editor, my connections only grew as I bonded with others on the Editorial Board, wrote articles for other departments, and found myself a place in the Spec and Stuyvesant community. 

Speaking of the people, I have a few to thank. Thank you to my writers for making my time editing so enjoyable. I hope you guys continue to get the same joy out of writing silly goofy Humor articles as I have, and I hope I’ve been able to help you in that process in some way. As always, happy writing!

Thank you to the Humor soon-to-be-editors, Alexis and Selina, for stepping up to kill me replace me when I retire. I know the Humor department is in good hands, and I can’t wait to see where you take it next. 

Thank you to my co-editor, Munem, for being the other half of M&M from day one. Working with you has been a blast, and I hope that both your sense of humor and time in the Humor department stays with you wherever you go next. Stay furry!

And finally, to YOU, dear Spec reader: thank you for sticking with me through these years and for giving the Humor department an audience. I hope that we’ve been able to make your day just a little bit better, just as Humor has done a million times over for me.

Now watch me whip, watch me nae nae away.

Michelle Ng, Science

I used to naively think that science writing had to be about the big—a cure for cancer, life found on Mars, or a newly discovered element. Science was something that only researchers or people with fancy PhDs could understand. But when I read one of The Spectator’s articles on why we should continue handwriting notes, I realized how some of the most interesting science comes from the things closest to me. I joined Science so I could figure out just that, from writing about why I’m so addicted to music to eventually editing articles on why my taste buds react differently to the same foods over time.

Science gave me a way to learn about the things I encounter in my everyday life, but at a much more microscopic level. It helped me realize the importance of the why? and how? of often overlooked things, shaping how I’ve grown to appreciate my seemingly simple surroundings. 

It’s also been the people who inspire me, like the writers who geek out over linguistic patterns or the ones who are caught up with every astronomical invention. And of course, my co-editor Ryan, who somehow always edits his articles before I do. They remind me that we write to share this excitement, and that purpose will stick with me forever. D2—wait no—the next VOLUME under the new Science editors is due soon! I look forward to reading it!

Munem Tajwar, Humor

The ending is usually the hardest part of the article. One paragraph, one sentence even, to summarize a plethora of thoughts and tangents. In Humor, it’s a punchline. The conclusion of one big joke that’s been told throughout the entire story. A three-sided die is rolled to receive a “HA,” an “Uhh,” or an “Oh.”

I was an editor of the Spectator for only two semesters, but at the end of every deadline, issue, or Spec class, I felt all three of these reactions. Joy and laughter, confusion, and the ever so unfortunate indifference. I felt all these in a different pattern each and everyday. That’s what the Spectator was, a mix of everything for everyone: writing, layoutting, copying, photographing, drawing. The Stuyvesant Spectator is a whole of all its parts. 

I cherish the memories of recruitments, lobbying in Albany, and the Friday Spec parties we participated in. I cherish the unnecessary stress writing articles gave me before I became an editor. I cherish the lack of stress writing articles gave me after I became an editor. I cherish each of the fallen (Rest in Peace) editors that came before me in Humor (shoutout Oliver, Erica, and Finn!!) and what they taught me about satirical and creative writing. 

I cherish the time I spent in Zoom calls with my co-Crossword Goblins Kyle Hon Chan (miss you big bro) and Virgenya Zhu. Each and every one of our AMAZING crossword designs and clues will stay in my heart forever. There’s no other group of people I’d spend hours creating boxes with. 

I cherish my co-editor Mike, who dealt with way more of my shenanigans and bullshit than any person should. So I am thankful to have had you as my co-editor throughout the last year, and I forever apologize for all the wolf photos I’ve sent you. 

I cherish my up and coming editors Alexis and Selina, because you guys #got this. I’ve never been more confident in a pair of people to succeed me in my years in leadership positions. I think you guys are destined to take Spec Humor to new heights. 

This is the end of my time as an official editor of the Spectator, and it’s nearly the end of my time as a high school student as well, and in all honesty, I don’t know if this is the perfect ending. But like all things humorous, I’ve come to learn that it doesn’t matter. If there’s one thing to do before the end, the Spectator taught me that it was this:

Keep trying, and keep laughing!

Niamh Werner, Copy

I first started working at The Spectator in the second semester of my freshman year and to be honest, copy seemed boring. I had originally joined humor, but quickly realized that I had no passion for writing about the 11th floor gym. Knowing that I enjoyed correcting grammar, it seemed like a worthwhile commitment. 

Joining the Editorial Board only furthered this love of reading and editing. Though I have learned an unnecessary amount about Kevin De Bruyne and the Mets, it’s been an incredible experience to discover all of the different topics that people are passionate about. From horrifyingly detailed Luigi Mangione fan fiction (I’m scarred for life ❤️) to three articles about the Yankees in one issue, Spec has been a roller coaster of trials and triumph. 

If there is one lesson I could point to from all this, it would probably be flexibility. Changing deadlines, quick turnaround times, and new projects made it so that cooperation was necessary above all. The collaboration and teamwork that each issue takes might not be visible from the final product, but the new ideas and writing people read every other week is the culmination of over 300 people’s hard work and dedication. I’m so proud of the seniors this year and know that the next era of Spec is going to be incredible. I can’t wait to see how everyone changes the world. 

Ryan Lin, Science

The first time I applied to The Spectator, it was to the Copy department. Fortunately, I was rejected. I say “fortunately” because it is this rejection that redirected me to the Science department, my home in The Spectator for the following years. While I did reapply to Copy the following year and was accepted, I will jokingly say it was out of spite.

I’ve learned so much over these four years, both as a writer and editor. During my time as a writer, I’ve grown to appreciate what science journalism is truly about. My articles about technological advancements, such as lab-grown blood and robotic surgery, were my attempts to bridge the gap between complex scientific topics and the general public. I appreciate the previous editors for pushing us to write about more than the importance of sleep or the effects of caffeine. I can’t forget how I wrote every article at the very last minute without failure, just as I’m doing right now, and opening my edited D1 document to an unfathomable number of comments. 

Being an editor has taught me that science isn’t one-dimensional. There is nuance to a lot of the innovations the world is producing, from AI art to CRISPR, and it is our job as scientific communicators to ensure all sides are being captured. I’ve also read so many fun and lighthearted articles: “Decoding Deliciousness: The Science Behind Flavor” and “Horror Movies: More Than Just Scary,” just to name a few. Thank you to my writers for doing an amazing job and following the tight deadlines! 

My Spectator experience would not have been complete without being part of Spec class. When the opportunity to take it presented itself senior year, I knew I had to, and I don’t regret it one bit. I had an amazing time working on the project/magazine and catching up on important news that I wouldn’t have seen on TikTok.

Thank you to my co-editor, Michelle, and the future generation, Sonya and Aarya (YaYa). Thank you to the entire editorial board, even if I haven’t gotten the chance to talk to all of you. Thank you Khush and Emily. And thank you The Spectator! You have all played an important role in my high school journey. Keep being incredible!

Ryan Park, Copy

Copy editing is knowing what to change and what to keep. That’s the fundamental question behind each decision we make as copy editors: weighing the tradeoff between technical perfection and the quirks of writing that make it unique.

High school is a time of change. We entered as 14-year-olds coming back to school for the first time since seventh grade, and we’ve changed since then. But I think it’s equally important to know what we should try our best to keep—our individuality and sense of self.

Thank you, RRaNTS, NERRd, KARREN, the rest of PaPa Leerner, and all of our copy members. We’ve changed, but we’ve also stayed the same; we will change, but we will also stay the same.

Santino Suarez, Arts & Entertainment

Despite this message being scrawled out on a Google doc by fingers scuttling away on a keyboard, leaving A&E and The Spectator as a whole is making me emotional. Maybe it’s because I’ve been here since my freshman fall, and this parting is another reminder of me growing old, growing out, growing into adulthood, college, and life outside of ten floors of classes, lockers, deadlines, and peers. It’s strange. Like when you wake up one day and realize your favorite pair of shoes doesn’t fit anymore, and you’re not sure if you’ve outgrown them or if they’ve just been worn to death. This has been four years, and they’ve flown by in a big whoosh and I’m at the edge of the cliff, feeling the wind rush in my face.

Thank you to all of my fellow A&E editors and writers, both current and former, who have turned this section into the brilliant machine it is. Thank you for brainstorming articles, decorating artist-themed pasteups, showing up to the meetings, devouring cookies, singing, sitting through my overly enthusiastic rounds of A&E Jeopardy, and for the endless laughter, insight, and joy you’ve brought into my life. You’ve become my collaborators, my confidants, and my close friends. I am forever grateful.

Here’s my unsolicited advice:

Go to club meetings, even the ones that seem pointless or intimidating. Put in your best effort to meet new people. Don’t be a stranger. Go on walks outdoors to clear your head. Look at people’s dogs and try to imagine what kind of person they’d be if they were human. Peek into windows of restaurants and imagine the food. Take the long route from time to time. Be yourself. Like yourself. Like what you like, not what you think you should be liking. Write your own reviews. Care about things. Make your own playlists. Make lists of things you’ve enjoyed. Make lists, in general.

Try new foods! They’re all great! Don’t be afraid to suck at something. Laugh a lot. Love living. Love loving, and trust that you will be loved in return.

I don’t think I’m going to be one of those peaked-in-high-school people that return to Stuy every few months to check on what has slightly changed. Maybe in a few years. But I will remember each and every one of you. Thank you Spec!! I know you’re in good hands.

“I have so much strength inside of me. You have no idea. I have a love in my life. It makes me stronger than anything you can imagine. I would say that’s that.” —Punch-Drunk Love (2002)

Seth Fenton, News

Spec has been one of the single most impactful experiences of my life, full stop. From dealing with anonymous articles and New York Post induced crises to writing over 50 articles, I’ve run the gauntlet of experiences that a Spec editor could have. I’ve undergone many sleepless nights and many 14 hour weeks to ensure my Spec work was complete and that I had the most positive influence on the paper possible. These hell weeks seemed to have a habit of coming at the worst possible times in the school schedule as well, occasionally helping to plunge me into lack of sleep induced mental health crises. 

Yet despite it all I’m going to miss this place, not as a consequence of the writing and editing work, though it was occasionally fun, but as a consequence of the other people on the board. You guys made this experience meaningful. So thank you, thank you to Khush and Emily for being the best EICs I could’ve ever imagined working under and for being incredible friends. Thank you Phoebe and Rebecca for being pretty great too. Thank you Myles and Hifza for being fantastic editors these past couple issues, I know you guys will do a fantastic job as EICs. Thank you Talia, Zoey, Lauren and Brendan for being great coeditors. I know News has a bright future under Lauren and Brendan’s leadership. Thank you Helen for incredible in class discussions. Above all others, thank you Lenny and Khush (yes I’m thanking you again). Hang outs with you guys have gotten me through some incredibly tough times, and without your support I think I’d be a much sadder, lonelier person. It’s kind of hard to express how thankful I am to you guys, especially with a lack of expletives, but just know I’m truly going to miss you.

With that, I bid the Spectator farewell. I can’t say it’s always been easy, I can’t say it’s always been joyful and I can’t say it’s always been fun, that would be dishonest. What I can say is that it’s always mattered, and that despite all of the negative things I’ve said about my experience with it in this letter, I wouldn’t have traded it for the world.

Thanks, Seth

Stacey Chen, Art

Though I don’t remember how or why I ended up there, I remember stumbling upon the Spectator website in eighth grade(it was probably the quarantine boredom getting to me…). Right in the center of the page, there was a really striking portrait of Rina Sawayama. I recognized the name of the artist as an alum of my middle school because a few weeks prior, my English teacher had shown our class an essay they wrote as a model. ‘What a weird coincidence’ was my initial reaction, but at the same time, I was intrigued. I never thought there would be an art department in a school newspaper. After clicking around the site and seeing the artwork created for other articles, I knew that it was something I wanted to be a part of. Now, almost four years later, here I am writing a closing comment as a Spectator art editor. It honestly feels unreal.

Being a part of the Spectator has allowed me to make connections with people I wouldn’t have met otherwise. It was truly an honor to work with such a great and passionate department and co-editors(shoutout to Cindy, Jaden, and Rhea!). I will miss the fun art game meetings and seeing all of the art roll in during the late hours of the night but I also look forward to what this new chapter will bring! I remember being hesitant to apply to be an art editor, but now looking back, I’m glad I did. It definitely took some stepping out of my comfort zone, but stepping outside of my comfort zone is what gave me the chance to grow and have experiences I wouldn’t have had otherwise, and so I do recommend it. Strike up a conversation with the people around you, take interesting electives (even if they drop your GPA), try out new clubs (I’ve heard the Spectator Art department is pretty cool)! You never know what you’ll end up discovering. 

Zoë Feigelson, Arts & Entertainment

Mr. Dupont pulled me aside after fourth grade music class because I was slacking off on the xylophone. We sat down on the linoleum, his bug-eyes grew under the fluorescence, and he pulled out a DOE Chromebook to set me straight. He played me “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 1” by the Flaming Lips, my first favorite song. 

There's some Japanese babble, a synth burble, and then:

Her name is Yoshimi. 

She's a blackbelt in Karate. 

Working for the city, 

She has to discipline her body.

Cuz she knows that 

it’s demanding 

to defeat those evil machines. 

I know she can beat them. 

Oh Yoshimi 

they don’t believe me 

but you won't let those robots eat me.  

Those evil natured robots. 

They’re programmed to destroy us. 

She’s gotta be strong to fight them 

so she’s taking lots of vitamins. 

Cuz she knows that it'd be tragic if those evil robots win. 

I was listening to this album on the walk home after finals when I realized it doubles as a Stuyvesant student anthem. If our school is one of these huge pink robots, the mob on Chambers street in the morning is a Yoshimi Karate army, fueling up on Kanye or Death Grips or BlackPink (“vitamins”) before the battle. My advice? To listen to music in the mornings, and not some Elliot-Smith-Silver-Jews-type self-flagellatory sop. To go gallery hopping and punk-show-moshing. To hit the Film Forum reruns and the annual zine fair and watch any play Mr. Sandler can find. To get the free food at MoMa teen Thursdays, free admission to the Whitney on the second Sunday of the month and bike to the Noguchi Garden to think.  

My fourth grade music teacher was using Yoshimi to tell me that good art (s and entertainment) is what keeps you from zoning out on the xylophone. This is still true for me; I loved editing articles about great culture because they kept me focused and thinking during monotonous work weeks. I imagine the writers in A&E as little Yoshimis, writing beautifully against the “machine.”

Zoey Marcus, News

Things I have to say:

• It’s really hard to get to know someone when they’re wearing a mask and they have homework to worry about and they aren’t used to being known. When I joined The Spectator it was to have a reason to ask more questions and be brave enough to do so. 
• This publication became something else entirely when I understood how it worked from the inside; I love Google Drive. 
• The power trip of suggesting something in Spec class and seeing it on the stands the next week was wild. Here’s to having actionable ideas and acting upon them. Yes. Here’s to journalism, here’s to Fun Fridays and News Brief and The Spec News Dance and finding your voice as a member of a board of powerful creative genius children what the heck. 
• I’m so excited to see where the next gen takes this bad boy
• Everyone stop procrastinating now!!!! Be the first to write in the empty doc. It takes everything out of you, it takes you and you become the work that you create and that becomes something you apply to your Whole Life. GO GO GO
• Wake up everyday and listen to what your own head is asking of you and then go and do it please

And now, the end of To Myself by Franz Wright:

everything’s going to be fine

I will whisper.

It won’t always be like this.

I am going to buy you a sandwich.