May is a month of memories and with flowers in full bloom, students are taking in every minute before the conclusion of the semester. A mix of local and student musicians and bands including Big Time Gush, 400 Bluegrass Unit, Brisa Azul, and Autobody rocked the afternoon before headliners DJ Amplitude, Armani White, and Daya concluded a memorable Floralia. With another Floralia in the books and the last day of classes finished, the beginning of the end of the school year feels closer than ever. Mixed feelings of final exam stress, excitement over the completion of the semester, and bittersweet heartfulness lingers among seniors and the student body.
A few of these graduating seniors are featured in a feature of the Langer Scholars, a distinction awarded to seniors with grade point averages in the top three percent of the graduating class. Featured Langer Scholars provide advice, how they found their academic interests, and their future plans among other answers. Another senior, student commencement speaker Zoe Watts ‘26, is interviewed by Co-Editor in Chief Mia Penasa, to learn more about her story and inspiration for becoming commencement speaker.
Also in News, News Editor Landen Ellsworth writes about the troubling closure of Hampshire College, a small but nationally recognized alternative liberal arts college located in Amherst, MA. Ellsworth highlights how Hampshire’s closure is reflective of the growing financial concerns which small colleges, like Connecticut College, currently face.
Change is inevitable and in the Opinions sector, Opinions Editor Mia Whipple offers input on changing the Oasis menu to bring in new additions to make Oasis more enjoyable for students. Sports Editor Ellis Iurilli-Hough shares his recent interest in birding. In his Opinions piece, he highlights the birding community at the College through interviews with avid bird enthusiast and wildlife photographer, James Tornetta ‘29 and Goodwin-Niering Center Director Jennifer Pagach Lamb, and offers his opinions on why more people should take up birding.
In Arts, Arts Editor Elaine Sandoval Carrasco features artist Sarah Goodman Duffy ‘26, who is highlighted for her interest to use art to understand people and currently has her artwork on display at Washington Street Coffee House.
In Sports, Sports Editor Josh Barzilai profiles Elliot Spatz ‘26, a graduating senior on the men’s soccer team who will be playing semi-professional soccer for Ballard FC this summer and plans on pursuing a career in professional soccer. Another student-athlete is featured in the recurring Camel of the Edition column. Iurilli-Hough features Kiera Tallas ‘27 as Camel of the Edition for her recent contributions to the Women’s Track and Field team’s victory at the DIII New England Championships and her recent track accomplishments which have placed her eighth in the nation in the 3000m Steeplechase event. Athletes are not the only feature in the Sports section. Managing Editor Lilla Kate Tucker features Ivan Asikainen, a member of the Connecticut College sports medicine team who has had an immeasurable impact on Tucker and many other varsity athletes on campus. Columnist Garett Clar provides his predictions on the NBA playoffs prior to the beginning of the playoffs as the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder hope to defend their title.
In Entertainment, Cruciverbalist Sarah Ludwigson provides a tricky crossword puzzle for students titled “Congrats.”
This edition marks the last of the spring semester. As a four-year member of The College Voice and two-year Co-Editor in Chief, I have had the immense privilege and pleasure of being a member of the student newspaper. Although being on the staff of The College Voice was a completely voluntary experience and took up countless hours, I was granted the opportunity to learn a considerable amount from those I have worked with. Those driven by a passion to present informative, trustworthy news to the College community and to prevent gaps in news coverage from occurring. I would like to thank the Co-Editor’s in Chief I have the honor of overlapping with during my time. Thank you to Catja Christensen ‘22 and Sam Maidenberg ‘22, for showing me how to effectively run and manage a student newspaper and to Fritz Baldauf ‘24 and Adrien Landen ‘25, for whom I served as a Managing Editor for, for helping me learn how to lead a student newspaper. Thank you to all who I have had the honor of working on staff alongside for the support, encouragement, and learning I have experienced. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this community and hope that I have helped improve The Voice during my time here. I deeply encourage all students interested to get involved!
With love,
Kevin Lieue
Co-Editor in Chief
