By Nico Igarashi ‘26

2025 saw a wide array of new memories and articles added to the CatlinSpeak website. Writers have come and gone, and have covered an extensive list of topics and stories. Instead of scouring the pages upon pages of quality articles provided by our website, consider this very article to point you to a couple of your cherished CatlinSpeak writer’s favorite articles across 2025.

The List will start from the earliest issues of the year, and move to new articles as the year progresses.

February

*Courtesy of Ila Reynolds-Kienbaum ‘27.*

A deep dive into Catlin’s C&C Traditions

By Elise Kim ‘25

Community and Connection (C&C) are spaces that every student at Catlin Gabel School (CGS) will engage in. However, many experience C&C in entirely exclusive and unique manners. Elise Kim ‘25 decided to explore these subsects of students and teachers, finding the eclectic traditions and customs that they practice.

Littered throughout the article were photos of C&C traditions: panini presses and Just Dance competitions; cherishable memories archived in the ever-expanding collection of wondrous articles. Kim was able to showcase these special moments with sincerity and sweetness, giving way to an article which highlighted and strengthened the community.

Recommended by: Evan Zhang ‘26

Dissection of 2024 Fashion Trends

By Andy Han ‘26

Andy Han’s ‘26 lovely examination of the previous year’s fashion trends and movements was an intriguing and comprehensive read. Han left no stone unturned, delving into origins of trends, their appeal, and larger implications of these aforementioned vogues. From the Y2K craze of JNCO jeans and MMA shirts to the rise in selvedge and raw denim, he covered a wide array of micro and macro trends.

Han highlighted larger trends of clothing consumption, and the hope to move away from fast fashion. I enjoyed this positive look, and as a fashionista myself, it was fun to look retrospectively at the unique fads of the year.

Recommended By: Nico Igarashi ‘26

REVIEW: Wicked defies gravity and my expectations

By Evan Zhang ‘26

Evan Zhang’s ‘26 bombastic review of Wicked (2024) is indubitably a vibrant analysis with a unique perspective on the highly popular musical. His extensive exploration into the film’s specifics, from the costume design and ethos of certain characters to the blocking of actors in musical numbers provided a fantastic and inspiring read.

Zhang’s signature balance of humor and thorough analysis throughout shone specifically bright. Krish Caulfield ‘26 even states the raving review as the sole driver which brought him to see the movie. Zhang’s infectious energy is felt throughout the article, and its praise is well deserved.

Recommended by Krish Caulfield ‘26

April

A day in the life of CG jazz band

By Priya Klein ‘26

The only video on this list, and one of two videos produced by Catlin Speak in 2025, this creative work centered the behind the scenes of the Catlin Gabel School (CGS) Jazz Band. Priya Klein’s ‘26 mockumentary style shooting and editing provided a wry yet wholesome story. The precise video effects were tasteful and humorous, giving way to an air of lightness and whimsy.

She was able to capture an honest arc of the Jazz Band’s internal struggle to find enough members for a recital — Klein’s ability to synthesize dynamics and understand conflict, and to orchestrate an intriguing narrative was inspiring.

Recommended by Andy Han ‘26

May

REVIEW: The Best Pizza in Portland

By Theo Butler ‘25

Portland’s pizza scene is surprisingly expansive and contentious. Despite this fact, Theo Butler’s ‘25 review of the best pizza in Portland is concise and clear. Immediately, he narrowed the competition down to three establishments, a smart choice which provided a digestible yet informative read.

As an employee at Hapa myself, his criteria and judgement was fair and professional. What's more, he produced a thoughtful and inclusive conclusion: despite ranking some of the restaurants higher than others, he argued that by no means diminished their value, for each of the pizzerias served different styles and cuisines of pies, something that should be celebrated.

Recommended by Prisha Garg ‘26

The full circle between first-grade and senior buddies

By Erin Chow ‘25

Possibly the most cherished Catlin tradition of all time, graduate Erin Chow ‘25 wrote a touching article on the long-standing history of first-grade and senior buddies. In addition, she highlighted a new change to the tradition: springtime playground dates as a senior privilege.

On top of that, she included two videos; one of the first graders sharing their favorite moments with the senior buddies, and the second of the seniors with their respective first graders. Beyond its immense heartwarming effect, Chow demonstrated a level of care and attention which was highly admirable.

Recommended by Priya Klein ‘26.

The tale of Tony Stocks and Patrick Walsh's friendship

By Violet Daly ‘26

A heartwarming story of a long-standing friendship between cinephiles — Violet Daly’s ‘26 depiction of these two famous teachers was undoubtedly charming. She managed to convey the two’s witty dynamic into the pages, while depicting their favorite activity to partake in: going on weekly excursions to the Hollywood Theater to watch movies (if possible, 1970s Hong Kong Kung Fu films).

Beyond the two’s intriguing relationship, Daly highlighted teacher-to-teacher relations as something that strengthens the community as a whole through its demonstration of a long-standing tradition.

Recommended by Hadley Cress ‘27

November

The community behind the curtain – why people participate in Catlin Gabel’s theater production

By Nico Igarashi ‘26

This article pertained to the rehearsals behind the CGS 2025 fall production. It was largely a mosaic of voices and perspectives participating in theater. Actors, directors, and stage crew were all interviewed to develop a more holistic view of the effort that goes into producing such a lovely piece of art.

It's through efforts such as these, where we as CatlinSpeak writers get the privilege to highlight and showcase the special events, people, and programs at CGS, because as journalists, we are nothing without our communities. We have the opportunity to celebrate and publicize the overwhelming amount of effort and love that members of the community contribute.

Recommended by Ariana Bajaj ‘26

The trials and tribulations of the lost and found email chains

By Priya Klein ‘26

The infamous email chain has long had mysterious origins. Detective Priya Klein ‘26 did extensive investigative work, resulting in a comprehensive history of the chain's usage. From lost laptops to political campaigns, she explored every avenue, even interviewing the alumnus who started it.

Klein’s exhaustive research was apparent, despite the article's concision and to-the-point nature. In spite of this, her charm still shone through, with quippy remarks sprinkled throughout. Lastly, her conclusion about community norms and principles was insightful, and tied everything together satisfyingly.

Recommended by Maddie Snyder ‘26

January

A look into the desks of Catlin Teachers

By Krish Caulfield ‘26

Have you ever pondered what your favorite Upper School (US) teacher’s workspace looks like? Well, Krish Caulfield ‘26 set out to answer this very question. Along the journey, he interviewed the likes of science teacher Becky Wynne, English teacher Cristy Vo, and history teacher Peter Shulman; all of which had different opinions on what constitutes a good desk.

Caulfield’s writing style is instantly engaging; he has an exceptional ability to employ words with conviction and purpose. The first line, “Overcast light punches through the grid of single-paned windows in Darwin…illuminating an ecosystem of personal objects” instantly hooks the reader, and proves Caulfield's proficiency in the field. If that wasn’t enough, he’s also a skilled photographer, single-handedly producing all of the professional and high-grade imagery in the article — what can’t he do?

Recommended by August Walrod ‘26 & Meret Pajkic ‘26

OPINION: Quick fix or hidden risk? Why students should stop drinking energy drinks

By Luna Flores ‘26

Possibly the biggest vice that plagues people today — especially those at CGS — is caffeinated energy drinks. Luna Flores ‘26 set out to dispel students from poisoning their youthful bodies and minds through these dubious cans of carcinogens. Her mix of extensive applied research and statistics on the numerous harmful chemicals in energy drinks, and persuasive tones and poignant writing style will surely make you question your reliance on these drinks.

Flores brought up a topic that is hardly discussed at school, and opened up audiences to reflect on dangerous habits, and encouraged them to seek healthier, better alternatives.

Recommended by Eliana Yoken ‘26

OPINION: The myth of the matcha man — why you should stop calling men performative

By Nico Igarashi ‘26

Amidst a time of cultural upheaval and shifts in gender norms, the article seeks to defend a subgroup of men who faced a particularly strong amount of backlash this year: performative men. The article talked about the problem with the term, and opened up a space to create a discussion and dialogue for this contentious topic.

Through the making of this article I observed firsthand the immense effort and care that each writer puts in each issue. Every class, I always find a new way to be inspired or learn from my peers; their sheer amount of devotion and dedication to producing high quality and interesting articles is something that has constantly emboldened me.

Recommended by Lucia Alvarez ‘26

OPINION: We need to stop comparing US History/English 11 and American Studies

By Maddie Snyder ‘26

Maddie Snyder’s ‘26 poignant opinion on the comparisons between US History and English 11 as opposed to American Studies and suffering culture at CGS was a personal favorite. Tackling the momentous task of representing two polarized sides of a heated debate, Snyder did so with integrity and objectivity. Moreover, her analysis was impressively comprehensive and reflective of larger social themes and trends at Catlin.

Snyder’s genuine opinion was impactful, accompanied by her acknowledgement of biases as a US History student herself. Rather than indulging in the fruitless debate of which is better, Snyder introspectively reasoned that comparisons between the two were meaningless. She stated that CGS has a large culture of “[quantifying] academic achievement with academic suffering,” something I agree with wholeheartedly.

Recommended By Luna Flores ‘26

Closing Thoughts

Hopefully, through this article, you’ve found a few articles to start your CatlinSpeak craze. Or, maybe you’ve reminisced on the year, and remembered all of the lovely pieces of work produced.

Across all these articles, one throughline is clear: each and every writer has poured their heart into delivering pieces of journalism that serve to connect the community as a whole.

At its core, CatlinSpeak is dedicated to the students, parents, alumni, faculty, and teachers of the school. So, I offer a final praise to both the writers and the readers.

To the writers: your commitment to always producing the best work possible; your constant enthusiasm and energy; your inclusivity and positive environment have shaped me into the journalist I am today. A majority of your work goes unrecognized in relation to your effort, but, regardless, you show up every day and continue to endlessly inspire me.

To the readers: the trust and time that you place in us is what makes our work meaningful. Your support helps sustain the vital role that journalism plays in our community — so thank you for caring, for engaging, and for being an active member in the ongoing conversation. We don’t take your attention for granted, and we are grateful you’re here.

REVIEW: Your favorite writers' favorite article of 2025