Hopkins School Features The Razor

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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:

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.