List of 20 news stories.

• Flames, Fumes, and Follies: The HARPS Lab Explosion

  Elona Spiewak ’26 Assistant Features Editor
  Since 2016, the Hopkins Authentic Research Programs in Science (HARPS) has given qualifying Hopkins students hands-on experience in a lab while simultaneously continuing their studies in the sciences. For almost a decade, dozens of students have been able to conduct their own experiments and research, both within

  and outside of Hopkins. This unique opportunity, however, was nearly extinguished.
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  Free Block Freedom with Friends

  Veena Scholand ’26 Assistant Features Editor
  Don’t know where to go during your free block? Hopkins students have varying opinions on the best place to hang out during their free blocks. Students’ opinions range from those who prefer to lounge on the couches in Upper Heath to those who play sports in the Athletic Center, and some even prefer the outdoors.

• Paper vs. Digital: The Battle for Notetaking Supremacy

  Abby Rakotomavo ’26 Features Editor
  In an era where pirated online textbooks replace traditional ones and SMART boards overtake chalkboards, the age-old question persists: What is the superior method of note-taking? Hopkins students remain divided on this issue, with some defending the classic paper-and-pen experience and others arguing that digital notes are better.
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  A Cornucopia of Fall Flavors: Students Reflect on Food Traditions

  Sarvin Bhagwagar’24 Features Editor Rania Das’26 Assistant Features Editor
  With the sweltering summer days behind us, the arrival of fall is a welcome one — a lingering chill, showers of red and gold fluttering down from the trees, the crunch of leaves underfoot — autumn is in the air.
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  Hottest Takes on the Hill: Agree or Disagree?

  Mira Krichavsky ’24 Features Editor Eric Roberts ’25 Assistant Features Editor
  When asked to share its controversial opinions, known as “hot takes,” the Hopkins community jumped at the chance. A school survey polled students on hot takes ranging from dessert and dining hall snacks to Taylor Swift and fashion.

• Navigating the College Application Process

  Anika Madan ’24 Lead Features Editor
  Fall has officially arrived on the hill: afternoon highs in the mid-60s, apple cider donuts in the cafe — and college applications for seniors. For insight and advice into the fall application experience, the Razor reached out to members of the Class of ’24 and Hopkins College Counseling Office.
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  Welcome, New Hopkins Faculty!

  Welcome, New Hopkins Faculty!
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  HangTime at Hop: Budding Community Service Initiative

  Mira Krichavsky ’24 Features Editor Rania Das ’26 Assistant Features Editor
  With Spring Service Week completed, the Hopkins community shifted its focus to alternate forms of community service. Students, parents, and faculty have been contributing to the work of HangTime, an organization based in Bridgeport that helps reintegrate formerly incarcerated people back into society.
  
  
  
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  Senior Spotlight: Senior Projects Fair

  Anika Madan ’24 Lead Features Editor Eric Roberts ’25 Assistant Features Editor
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  Books on The Hill: Students Reflect on Their Reading Habits

  Anika Madan ’24 Lead Features Editor, Eric Roberts ’25 Assistant Features Editor
  On April 23, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized World Book Day.
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  Checkmate For Charity: Maroon Key Board Hosts Tournament

  Sarvin Bhagwagar ’24 Features Editor, Rania Das ’25 Assistant Features Editor
  A recent Washington Post article proclaimed that “Teachers nationwide are flummoxed by students’ new chess obsession.”
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  Hopkins Students Name 2023 Women of Distinction

  Mira Krichavsky ’24 Features Editor
  The month of March commemorates women’s history in the United States, and this year Hopkins began a new tradition in celebration of women.
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  Hanna en France: Disgraced Expat Returns Home!

  Hanna Jennings ’24
  I’ve been preparing myself to experience culture shock ever since I accepted my admissions decision to SYA France last March. Sitting here almost a year after I clicked that “YES” button, I can confidently say that my planning was way off.
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  Introducing...The Hopkins Grammy Awards!

  Results compiled by Amelia Hudonogov-Foster ’26.
  The Hopkins Grammys consisted of two Google Forms sent to the student body. The first form allowed students to nominate candidates for various categories and then the results were compiled into a second survey where students voted in a runoff.  The survey focused on five categories: Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Artist, Best New Artist, and Best Genre. Below are the results of the second survey.
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  Yellow Bands and Instagrams: Seniors Share College Decisions

  Eric Roberts ’25
  As the 2022-23 college application season comes to a close, many Hopkins seniors have already received their early application decisions. Students now face the difficult question: Should I share these decisions with my peers?
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  A Twist on Turkey: Different Cultures Celebrate Thanksgiving

  Layla Kenkare ’25 and Asher Joseph ’25
  Thanksgiving is a holiday that has become synonymous with family, feasting, and gratitude, but people across different cultures have created new ways to incorporate their own heritage into the festivities. The Razor explored how members of the Hopkins community celebrate Thanksgiving within their own cultures.
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  An Ongoing Battle: Hilltoppers vs. Hornets

  Vivian Wang ‘23 and Megan Davis’23
  Along the walls of the Walter Camp Athletic Center’s gym, a dozen colorful flags display the names and emblems of the other FAA schools that Hopkins competes against in various sports. One of the flags hanging in the athletic hub belongs to Hamden Hall Country Day School, Hopkins’s long-standing athletic and academic rival. The Razor asked members of the Hopkins community about their thoughts on Hopkins’ relationship with the Hamden private school and its impact on athletics, team morale, and the overall attitude on campus.

   
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  Writings from Rennes: La Nouvelle Normalité

  Hanna Jennings ’24
  As I currently sit on my bed staring at a blank Google Doc, I am fully at a loss for how to start this article.

• You Had Me at the First Line: College Essay Hooks

  As early decision and early action colleges begin to release decisions, The Razor asked the Class of 2023 to share the first sentence of their personal statement, a 650-word essay that gets sent to all the schools they apply to through the Common App. Here are some of their actual college essay hooks:

   
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  Alumni Interviews: A Chat with Dr. Jean Bennett ’72

  Asher Joseph ’25
  As scientists continue to expand the boundaries of technology, gene modification has become an increasingly common solution to diseases and medical conditions. Dr. Jean Bennett ’72 is a molecular geneticist who studies ophthalmological gene therapy at the University of Pennsylvania, where the impact of her work extends outside of the lab.