5. Building a Snowman

While when I was a child, I loved building a snowman (thanks Frozen), I now cannot stand the cold and would rather do anything but this. No matter how cute the snowman may turn out, with a top hat and button nose (and two eyes made out of coal?), I just cannot bear to ever have to bundle up like a puffy marshmallow, as I did when I was a toddler, and frolic in the snow. 

4. Fireplace and Hot Chocolate

I cannot lie, I love a sweet treat after a long day, so sitting by my fireplace in the living room with a mug of steaming hot chocolate is the best thing during a cold and snowy evening. Loading the fancy Williams Sonoma hot chocolate (in the flavor of your choice) up with whipped cream—specifically homemade—and marshmallows, and having some Peppermint Bark on the side is truly the dream. The first thing I will do to kick off the winter break this year is settle in for my family’s nightly viewing of Jeopardy with the fireplace blazing, and a steaming mug of hot chocolate in my hand.

3. Going to a Christmas Tree Farm

Now, while my family doesn’t go and cut down a Christmas tree anymore, as my dog is insane and will eat the pine needles when they fall off, going to a Christmas tree farm and smelling the amazing scent of pine and having the crisp air hitting me in the face was so magical as a child. I have so many memories of going and driving out thirty minutes to a farm, helping my dad use the saw to cut the perfect tree down, and then going and buying overpriced hot cocoa from the stalls set up around the farm. My favorite bit was seeing the tree go through that machine that ties it all together; it always looked so cool to me as a kid. Then after the tree was all set up in our house, we’d put some Christmas music on and decorate the tree with many lights and sparkling ornaments. It was so fun!

2. Movies

One of my favorite parts of the Christmas season is the holiday and wintry movies/TV shows. It was always so fun going to my aunt’s apartment and putting on Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer while playing games like UNO and Snakes and Ladders. On Christmas Eve, my family has the tradition of watching Prep and Landing, and I just simply cannot remember a time when that short movie wasn’t a part of my Christmastime. That was my favorite way to ring in Christmas day, and even though my brother and I are older now, we still watch it every year, without fail.

1. Sledding/Tobogganing

While earlier I did mention how playing in the snow is not fun for me anymore, I do love to sled and toboggan. I remember the many times I was taken out to the hillside around the Thornton Park ice rink and had my little green plastic sled, feeling like I just absolutely flew down the hill. Tobogganing is so fun to do, and while I may have not gone in a couple of years, it’s still one of the most fun things to look forward to during the winter season, driving out far just to hit the snowy hills in a super fast ‘sleigh,’ if you will. While many ‘winter’ activities could be done outside of winter (if you’re sane you wouldn’t but still, some people weirdly do), this activity is the most wintry activity one can really achieve. You get the whole vibe of winter and Christmas while out on the snowy hills, seeing the cabins around with smoke floating out of the chimneys, the gutters and doors all decorated with lights, and the smell of firewood and hot cocoa once you go inside for a quick break.

After a full day of school, swim practice, and an improv show, my day was only half over. It was time for the swim team wake-ups. The plan was simple; starting at 1, the seniors would drive around Shaker and wake up the underclassmen. Once everyone was awake, we would take them sledding and wrap up with some breakfast and games at my house. I started preparing at 10 o’clock after I got home from my improv show. I decorated my car with lights, put some sleds in my trunk and started putting out stuff for breakfast. After that was all set, I tried to take a quick nap, but I lost all hope at sleeping when I got a notification announcing the date I would get application results from my top school. So instead of sleeping, I texted my friends who applied to the same school and started freaking out with them about when we’re going to find out. By the time the shock wore off, it was time to get going. I got dressed in my warmest clothes, grabbed my speaker, an energy drink, and a pair of crash cymbals, and I went to go meet up with the other seniors.

The seniors met up in a parking lot to go over our route one more time, as well as discuss strategies to wake people up at about 12:30, and we rolled out at 1 to wake up our first swimmer. We went mostly by class, waking up the juniors first, then the sophomores, and ending with the freshman. We used a variety of methods to wake people up depending on how loud we were allowed to be, but my favorites were how we woke up Theo, Charlie, and Ethan. For Theo, we blasted “Die Young” by Kesha outside his door and then stormed in and started moshing and spraying silly string when the beat dropped. For Charlie, and most of the other freshmen, we ran into his room blasting “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses and started chanting “fresh meat” until he rolled out of bed. For Ethan, we knew he was planning on sleeping until the Michigan State Basketball game later that day, so we came running in blasting the Michigan State fight song and yelling that the game had started and they were losing.

We managed to wake everyone up without to many hiccups, but we did have one kid who was still awake playing video games when we were going to pick him up, so we had to wait until he went to bed before we could get him. After everyone was up, we took them to a sledding hill just off Shaker Boulevard by Mercer. It was such a blast, the snow was perfect and the hill was secluded from the nearby houses so we didn’t have to worry about waking up the neighbors. After several runs down the hill, trying to hit a jump, and a brief snowball fight, the team had worked up an appetite and was ready for breakfast. We made our way to my house where we served eggs, sausage, donuts, muffins, yogurt, fruit, and of course some choccy milk. As people were eating we played a few rounds of Quiplash, which mostly consisted of people throwing shade at the seniors, and then a round of Mafia. At that point, people were struggling to stay awake during Mafia, so we wrapped up and started taking people home.

After everyone made it home I was ready for a nap, but my friends had other plans. As soon as my head hit the pillow, my phone started ringing. At first, I was worried it was one of the parents whose kid lost something at wakeups, but instead it was my friend who was living abroad calling to give me all the tea from Atlantic crossing, so naturally I had to answer. After hearing all of the drama happening on her boat, I had to drag myself out of bed and go to a basketball game for some of my best friends. Despite having been awake for 36 hours and the fact that I’ve never been to a basketball game before, it was a lot of fun. I even got to see one of my friends make her second career 3 pointer! After the game, I went to pick up some food and dog sit for my cousin’s puppy, who is an absolute handful. Needless to say, by the time I was done with everything, I was exhausted. I had been up from 6am Friday until 10pm Sunday, or about 40 hours. As soon as I got into bed I was out like a light. I might’ve regretted being awake that long the next day, but looking back it was so much fun and totally worth it.

Shameless plug: go check out the swimming Instagram @shakerswim, there’s a highlight reel from wakeups that’s really good.

About a week ago, on a random Saturday night, me and two of my friends were sitting around trying to figure out what to do when someone suggested going to a Christmas light display. I’ll be honest, the idea sounded kind of boring to me. But both of my friends lit up at the suggestion, and their excitement made me want to go along with it, so I agreed.

 

After searching around, my friend found a drive-through display at Lake Metroparks Farmpark in Kirtland. It was about forty minutes away, which added to the adventure. We grabbed hot chocolate and snacks, turned on some Christmas music, and started the drive.

 

The second we pulled up to the entrance, we were amazed. I had completely underestimated how beautiful it’d be. The whole place was glowing. I admired the trees wrapped in bright colors, and giant displays that looked like they had taken forever to set up. There were barely any cars there, so we could take our time driving through. It felt peaceful, like we had the whole place to ourselves. I liked it so much more than I expected. Honestly, I would recommend it to anyone.

 

Afterwards, we were still in the Christmas-lights mood, so we just drove around surrounding towns looking at people’s personal displays. Overall, it was such a simple night, but it’s stuck with me. If you ever get the chance to take a spontaneous Christmas-light drive with your friends, I definitely recommend it. You never know which random idea might turn into one of your favorite memories.

 

Through The Storm:  This is a story about the time my father and I rode a bike to Boulevard Elementary school when I was in 4th grade

 

The falling snow weighs me down, with each pedal turn demanding more strength than the last.  My staggered breath comes in sharp bursts with clouds of condensation vanishing into the blinding white around me. The snow swallows the nearby surroundings, only leaving the faint silhouette of my dad pedaling ahead of me.  He rides through the deep snow with ease, only leaving clean tracks behind. He cuts through the thick drifts, glancing over his shoulder every now and then, making sure I wasn’t taken by the snow.  

“Are you sure you want to do this?” said my dad.

I had been sure of my decision –  before the snow blurred the world into nothingness and definitely before my legs ached from pushing through the resistance I never anticipated.  But up ahead, barely visible through the storm, my school flickers like a mirage, a distant goal and I refuse to surrender.  Like a lodestone, it lured me in, reminding me that I was the one who chose this.  The coldness seeps into my gloves, coat, and boots.  We’re lost in the middle of nowhere, and even though every second felt like an eternity, I was happy I spent that time with my dad.

And yet, I push forward.

Hours earlier, I had woken up to my mother’s gentle voice.  “Wake up, you have school today”.  She gently tapped my shoulder and pointed towards the window. I rub my eyes, confused.  But then I saw it – sheets of fresh snow blanketed the world in untouched white.  I jumped out of bed excited and wanted a closer look.  My breath fogged up the glass as I pressed my face closer.  I stared with my eyes wide because this meant that there was a possibility for an adventure.  Knowing my mom prepared breakfast, I rushed to the dining room bumping into the nearby walls to find my 2 older brothers had already beat me to it.  But I had no time for food – I had a plan.  I turned to my dad with my heart pounding with anticipation.  

“Can we ride bikes to school?”

His fork paused mid-air.  He reluctantly turned to my mom for backup.  She smirked and turned away, leaving him stranded knowing he wouldn’t be able to turn me down.  Hesitation presented itself as my dad slowly turned to and asked.

“Are you sure?”

I nodded.

A long pause.  Then, finally – “Get ready”.

As my dad and I step into the garage, I wave my mom and brothers bye, ready to embark on this snowy journey.  The cold metal of my bike’s handlebars sends a tingling sensation through my fingers, but excitement keeps me warm.  My dad takes the lead, his tires carving a clean path through the untouched snow.  I follow, my bike sliding down the driveway before I drift around the corner, with the thrill of the challenge making my pulse quicken.  

The journey is grueling and with every push on the pedal, the snow restricts us more and more.  We pause every now and then, standing in the silence of the storm, catching our breaths.  The world is eerily still – just us, the snow, and the long empty road ahead.  About halfway through, doubt creeps in, but my dad pushes me to finish the trek.  I chose this.  I won’t give up.   

And then–Finally–we arrive.

The school stands untouched by the storm, presenting itself to us as its reward.  Its foundation is firm against the swirling chaos.  We dismount, climbing the steep incline to the bike rack, where mine is the only one.  Students hurry past, shielding themselves to shelter, unaware of the battle my dad and I fought together just to get here.  My dad crouches down to help lock up my bike, and for a brief moment, he just looks at me.

“You know I’m proud of you, right?”  

 I nod, unable to find the words.  The cold no longer bites as much and my exhaustion starts to fade.  All that remains is a quiet sense of accomplishment–and a warm hug from my dad.

Moments like these don’t happen often.  But when they do, they remind me why I keep moving forward–why, even through the storm, I choose the adventure, because my dad is always there beside me.

I hope you liked reading this story! Thank you.

Sixteen was the perfect age, the age we fought over when playing house or imagined while fantasizing about teen-hood. It was old enough to be independent, but still comfortably young. Seventeen, on the other hand, was something else entirely: an almost-grown-up.

When I was little, The Sound of Music was one of those movies that lived in the background of my life. If anyone were to ask me anything about the plot or characters, I would be lost, but my mom loves it (like really loves it) so it became a family classic. When I try my very best to dig deep and recall the story, the scene where Liesl twirls around singing “Sixteen going on Seventeen” plays in my head.

At the time, I don’t think I understood anything about romance, independence, or the world she felt herself stepping into. I just knew she seemed older. Her confidence inspired my vision of the kind of girl I imagined becoming someday.

And now, here I am, sixteen going on seventeen, but not in some magical, cinematic performance choreographed and sung in a gazebo. I remember recreating this scene with my friend, twirling each other around and singing in unison. The reality felt lifetimes away. But growing up doesn’t display itself in a big musical number; there’s no warning, one day it just happens.

This December, with my birthday mixed in with the blur of the holiday season, it feels even more symbolic. This transition is wrapped in nostalgia since it is my last birthday and Christmas before becoming an adult. To some, this milestone may not hold great significance, but to me, this is a huge deal.

So maybe the best thing I can do is step into seventeen with a new perspective and a little hope for whatever comes next.

#5. Fries

This may seem like a boring pick, but as someone who HATES potatoes and 9 times out of 10 will reject an offer of fries, these fries are insanely good. I don’t know what makes them more appealing to me than other places’ fries, but they seriously are incredible.

#4. Buffalo Chicken Salad

This salad is seriously so good. The chicken is perfectly crispy and the lettuce is always super fresh. Though it’s not the most original thing in the world, it’s very very good and always refreshing.

#3. Smash Burger

OK, if you asked just about anyone that’s been into Crowley’s, they would say that this is ranked way too low. Our burger is our top selling item, and usually what people come in to get. On average, I get 3-4 takeout orders just for smash burgers. As someone who doesn’t typically like burgers, I can confidently say that this one is pretty solid. Though it isn’t my go to post-shift meal, I do recommend it to just about everyone who comes in.

#2. Chicken Parm

For quite some time, this was my favorite item on the menu. A chicken parm sandwich is pretty difficult to mess up, but most of the ones that I’ve had are of similar quality. This meant that when I ordered this, I wasn’t expecting it to be as good as it was. I genuinely was taken aback by how much I enjoyed this, solid 10/10.

#1. Wings 

Our wings are genuinely excellent. Now the wings are of pretty average quality, they don’t really stand out compared to other wings that I’ve had, but the sauces are actually insane. We have in total 36 sauces, which seems a bit excessive, but I can say with confidence that at least 90% of them are very good. My personal favorite is the Goose sauce. Its flavor is inexplicable but it does taste very good. 

 

All in all, Crowley’s has very solid food and everyone should come and try it out, specifically on Monday and Wednesday nights so that they can visit me while I’m working!

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about finals week at Shaker, and I’m not entirely convinced it’s necessary. While people may differ on the issue, most of what I’ve heard from students has been overwhelmingly negative, and even some teachers seem unsure about why we’re doing this. Yes, we get a week to “review” after winter break, but only one. And as someone who gets stressed about tests, it’s hard to fully unwind over break knowing that finals are waiting for us as soon as we’re back. I understand the idea that this is supposed to “prepare” us for college, but we’ll all face real college finals soon enough; and for those who aren’t, I don’t think freshmen need to simulate that experience in their very first year of high school. 

On top of that, most teachers don’t seem to weigh their finals as 20%, (and don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining about that), but this whole system just honestly feels inconsistent and unnecessary. Regular tests and assessments already measure what we’ve learned just fine; suddenly attaching a huge percentage to a single exam adds pressure without adding value. 

And for seniors, the timing truly couldn’t be worse. With January 1st deadlines and admissions decisions coming out, this is already one of the most stressful points of the year. Adding finals on top of college stress feels unrealistic and honestly out of touch with what students are juggling. 

If anything, finals would make far more sense before winter break. Finishing exams and then actually getting to relax for two weeks over break would benefit everyone. After all, colleges schedule their finals before break, so this would be even more realistic to what being in college will feel like, if that’s what the goal is. And mirroring that would create a natural end to the semester. In my opinion, starting our second semester at the beginning of a new calendar year just feels right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calling myself an expert might be a bit of a stretch, but I would like to note that I am very experienced in the realm of crafting “beautiful” gingerbread houses (examples are pictured above).

Every year, my family and I look forward to one of our favorite on-going holiday traditions during the month of December: building gingerbread houses with our family friends. The tradition started when my sister and I, as well as the other family’s children, were very young and did not grasp how a gingerbread house should even be built. Instead, we ran around playing tag and hide-and-seek, while we “kind-of” watched our parents finish putting together our houses. After 15 years, we’ve clearly evolved, and I like to say it’s from the tricks we’ve learned along the way.

So, I am here to offer these small, but clever tricks to you!

1. Do NOT buy a gingerbread house that you actually have to build: You might think this is crazy, but pre-built gingerbread houses are 100% the way to go. Yes, everyone needs to get the experience of lining up the walls of a gingerbread house, carefully pasting them together with frosting, and then watching the house fall apart every second. But, if you want to be successful, and actually have a gingerbread house that lasts a long period of time, just give in and buy the pre-built one. This way you avoid the inevitable “hot glue situation” that results from the fact frosting is just not built to hold a masterpiece together.  
2. Use extra frosting to decorate A LOT: Now, here’s the beauty of the pre-built house; you have so much more frosting to decorate with! You can make the house look like you built it by lining the sides already pasted together with new frosting (which honestly just looks cleaner). Then, with your extra frosting, you can surround the house with “snow” or create a little walkway. Trust me, having extra frosting is a game changer.
3. Have a statement piece: From someone who makes gingerbread house building a serious task every year, you have to have your signature addition. For example, every year I like to add lights on the sides of the roof of my gingerbread house, and a wreath above the front door. These small, repetitive patterns are memorable and make it obvious which gingerbread house is yours. But, of course, it’s important to switch it up and find what signature look fits you best. That’s where the most important trick comes in…
4. DECORATIONS: I put this one last because this is where you make or break your gingerbread house. It seems so basic, but we don’t want traditional decorations (snowflake sprinkles, gum drops, and candy canes). We want UNIQUE. Some of the best creations that my family and our friends have discovered during the process (including ginormous, marshmallow snowmen) have come from food pulled from the kitchen pantry. Notable choices include, Hershey’s chocolate, jumbo marshmallows, m&m’s, ice cream cones, and oddly enough, pretzels. It’s important to think outside of the box, literally. They put so few decorations in gingerbread house making kits, it’s crucial that you have other decoration ideas in mind.

Therefore, with all of these tips in mind, good luck building your next gingerbread house! 

Merry Christmas! No boyfriend this year? Why aren’t you wearing the sweater I got you? Have you picked a college yet?

Nothing gets me into the holiday spirit like being bombarded with personal questions, unsolicited advice, and a few minor criticisms.

I truly love spending Christmas with my family, but as the holiday approaches, more and more nervous sweat is starting to coat my palms. As I’ve gotten older, it’s become increasingly difficult to slip into the background of my very large family gatherings. Unfortunately, I’ve surpassed the age where it is socially acceptable to disappear to play Minecraft, or escape to go choreograph a dance to Justin Bieber’s “That Should Be Me” (the greatest hit of all time, according to my cousins and I). 

I’ve come to accept the new awkwardness that comes along with the lovely company of my family. Now that I’m reaching the last couple years of my high school career, my pending future has suddenly become the hot topic at the Morris Family dinner table. 

So, I feel inspired to share a list of the ten most uncomfortable questions I am not particularly looking forward to at Christmas Dinner, rated most to least painful. 

1.So, no boyfriend?

A classic, usually repeated a few times until every possible family member gets the memo.

2. Are you going to give me grandkids one day?

It always seems a little early for this one. Especially considering question number one, and that I’m seventeen.

3. What college are you thinking about?

Uhhhhhhh…

4. Why does everyone keep saying six seven? Does it mean something bad?

I think this one speaks for itself.

5. Do you know what you’ll major in?

Uhhhhhhh…

6. How will you use that degree, isn’t AI just going to take your job anyway?

Uhhhhhhh…

7. Why aren’t you eating more of the casserole I brought?

Personally, I love mystery casserole, but I’m somehow always too full.

8. How are your grades?

My grades are definitely grades!

9. What’s a chatsnap?

Snapchat, Uncle David. It’s Snapchat.

10. Is this Facebook photo real or AI?

Can real cats usually bake a cake?

As much as I complain about my family, and their prying questions, I’m grateful to have people that care to the point of making me slightly uncomfortable. This Christmas, I’m looking forward to unwrapping gifts, watching Elf, and checking questions off my list.

 

A legendary interview dropped roughly two weeks ago on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Michelle Yeoh talked about her role in both the first and second Wicked movies, and with this she uttered arguably the most influential words to close out 2025. “Madame Morible: MM, flip it around, Wicked Witch!”

 

What????

 

Now if you’re confused, it’s rightfully so, because I was too when I first heard it. Unfortunately this is not the first nonsensical phrase that has come out of the Wicked press tour (see: “holding space”). But this one, when you really get into it, holds much more significance than meets the eye.

Madame Morrible starts off as a mentor figure to Elphaba, who because of her unnatural green skin is treated as an outcast. Elphaba holds insane raw power, but has absolutely no control over it, which is where Madame Morrible steps in. In her lessons with Elphaba, she gives her helpful tidbits and life lessons, which eventually lead to Elphaba’s chance to meet her idol, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

 

Though Oz is not as it seems, which Elphaba uncovers when she finally meets the Wizard. He is a fraud, a man who keeps his acclaim and power by placing blame onto the innocent animals of Oz. The same animals who Elphaba now has a desire to care for after her favorite teacher Dr. Dillmond—an anthropomorphic goat—is fired due to anti-animal laws.

 

Elphaba has been deceived and betrayed, by not only the Wizard but her mentor who is revealed to be working at his right hand—Madame Morrible. While they call Elphaba the “Wicked Witch of the West”, it’s Morrible herself who devices her, sides with the Wizard, and tears Elphaba and Glinda apart. She hides under the guise of a friend, but betrays Elphaba in the end. 

 

So, Madame Morrible, whose initials are MM, in a clever trick of wordplay and the creation of the ambigram, can be flipped around to reveal her true intentions, making Michelle’s character the true “Wicked Witch”.

 

Why she didn’t just say that I’m not exactly sure, but that long of an explanation definitely isn’t as catchy. Besides, it really is clever, and something I definitely wouldn’t have figured out myself. While that is far from Wicked’s first iconic moment, it sure won’t be its last.

 

SWC, scramble the letters, Coolest Students Welcome? I think that might need a little work.