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The student news site of Brimmer and May School | Chestnut Hill, MA

The Gator
A screenshot of the teacher login page to Veracross, which is Web-based, unlike the previous student information system.
Q&A: New Information System for New School Year
September 27, 2023
Middle School English and Drama teacher Caitlin Johnson demonstrates how to use Apple Classroom (photo illustration).
Middle School’s New iPad Monitoring Policy Sparks Controversy
September 27, 2023
Stephanie Altschul 25, Eli Lewis 25, and Abigail Jacobs 25 gather at a designated peer tutoring table to review material.
Juniors Revive Peer Tutoring Program
September 26, 2023
New Science Teacher Nia Gipson teaches AP Biology.
New Faculty Profile: Nia Gipson, Science Teacher
September 19, 2023
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Middle Schoolers Spread Environmental Awareness
May 11, 2023
Community Reflects on Lasting Pandemic Changes
Community Reflects on Lasting Pandemic Changes
January 5, 2023
Zak Adler 23, who recently recovered from COVID-19, returns to school with a mask on. Masks are more a common sight in the hallways this week.
‘Alive and Well in the Community’: COVID-19 Cases Continue
September 22, 2022
Prices have fluctuated on online shopping sites like Amazon. Photo purchased at BigStock.com
Op-Ed: The Supply Chain Crisis is Not Over
June 3, 2022
School Nurse Beth Escobar takes care of students and adults alike here. She hands a COVID-19 test to second grade teacher Angela Park.
School Sees Uptick in COVID-19 Cases
May 2, 2022
Zak Adler 23 and Alison Rimas 23 walk down a one-way hallway last year, one of many health restrictions we have moved past since the start of the pandemic.
March 12: A Day to Define Our Generation
March 12, 2022
Xavier Claiborne 24 attempts to intercept a pass at Homecoming last year against Landmark. Photo courtesy of David Barron.
Optimism for A Fresh Boys’ Soccer Team
September 26, 2023
Teachers and administrators recently announced the closure of the solarium, after repeated warnings to students to keep the space neat and clean during Upper School lunch.  
Closed: Solarium Left a Mess
May 15, 2023
A display of past yearbooks supplied by the School.
What Happened to Desktop Publishing?
May 11, 2023
The Summer Reading bracket outside the library.
Students to Choose Summer Reading
April 12, 2023
A model of the set for the US Musical. Photo by Evan Michaeli
Get Tickets for Upper School Musical
February 22, 2023
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrants enjoy mooncake.
Op-Ed: The Mid-Autumn Festival’s Ties of Love and Longing
September 29, 2023
Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3 after the explosion. Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Op-Ed: Tackling Japan’s Radioactive Water Release Disaster
September 21, 2023
Rubble from the earthquake in Morocco on September 8, 2023. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Op-Ed: Aid Over Disagreements
September 20, 2023
Summer in Newport attracts several boaters in the waters of Brenton Cove. Photo Courtesy of Evan Michaeli.
Op-Ed: Top Uncommon U.S. Summer Vacations
June 1, 2023
Former President Donald Trump meets with Governor DeSantis in the White House.
Op-Ed: Republican Hypocrisy at All-Time High
May 31, 2023
Lower School students created a pride flag collage for Pride Month this year.
Editorial: In Support of Northwest High School’s Newspaper
September 23, 2022
Zak Adler 23 and Alison Rimas 23 walk down a one-way hallway last year, one of many health restrictions we have moved past since the start of the pandemic.
March 12: A Day to Define Our Generation
March 12, 2022
Editorial: School Deserves Praise for Community Uplift
Editorial: School Deserves Praise for Community Uplift
December 14, 2021
The Editorial Board strongly encourages all members of the School community who are eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as they can.
Editorial: Students, Get Your COVID-19 Vaccine
April 20, 2021
Gator Announces Next Years Leadership
Gator Announces Next Year’s Leadership
March 31, 2021
Temperatures dipped below 10 °F on campus today. Faculty and staff are encouraged to keep windows open to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Comic: It’s Cold Inside
January 11, 2022
Comic: Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas
Comic: Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas
December 17, 2021
The U.S. Justice Department recently filed a lawsuit against Texas over curbing voting by mail.
Comic: Justice Dept. Sues Texas Over Voting Restrictions
November 5, 2021
Comic: Wanna Be My Friend?
Comic: Wanna Be My Friend?
November 3, 2021
Comic: Get Your Booster Shot
Comic: Get Your Booster Shot
October 26, 2021
The Statue of Liberty represents the melting pot of America through immigration. Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Immigration Stories at School
September 14, 2023
IMOCA Boats lined up at the dock in Newport, Rhode Island during the stopover for The Ocean Race. Photo Courtesy of Evan Michaeli.
The Ocean Race: Sailing Toward a Greener Future
May 30, 2023
People ride in the underground in Boston, commonly refereed to as the T. The metro Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) operates heavy-rail, light-rail and bus transit services in the Boston metropolitan area.
Tackling Public Transit in Massachusetts
May 25, 2023
History teacher Ted Barker-Hook engaging with his students. Photo by David Barron.
World History II Explores the Purpose of Education
May 24, 2023
Fans unfurl a Boston Strong banner during the 2013 Red Sox World Series Parade. Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Ten Years Later, We Remain Boston Strong
April 19, 2023
GNN: From Classroom to Campfire
GNN: From Classroom to Campfire
September 19, 2023
Live: Opening Convocation
Live: Opening Convocation
September 11, 2023
Live: Honors Convocation
Live: Honors Convocation
June 9, 2023
Live: Commencement 2023
Live: Commencement 2023
June 2, 2023
Photos: Week of May 25
May 31, 2023
GNN: From Classroom to Campfire
GNN: From Classroom to Campfire
September 19, 2023
Live: Opening Convocation
Live: Opening Convocation
September 11, 2023
Live: Honors Convocation
Live: Honors Convocation
June 9, 2023
Live: Commencement 2023
Live: Commencement 2023
June 2, 2023
Class of 1973 Embarks on Nostalgic Campus Tour
Class of 1973 Embarks on Nostalgic Campus Tour
May 24, 2023
Photos: Week of May 25
May 31, 2023
Madeleine Pogoda, 25, works on her Journalism article.
Photos: Week of May 4
May 18, 2023
Sophia Bruno 23 discusses her schedule with Mr. Szwartz.
Photos: Week of Apr. 3
April 19, 2023
Audrey Pontiff 24 working on her Science homework.
Photos: Week of Mar. 27
April 4, 2023
Photos: Backstage Memories at Something Rotten
Photos: Backstage Memories at ‘Something Rotten’
March 11, 2023
In the woods, first-place finisher and league MVP Brian Gamble 23 takes a commanding lead at the 2022 league championships.
Podcast: XC Star Brian Gamble ’23 on Running, School, Life
November 17, 2022
“The middle school gardening club and these awesome radishes we grew.” — Jared Smith
Podcast: (Almost) Anything Goes with Jared Smith
April 11, 2022
Photo courtesy of Greg Lewis.
Podcast: Former NBC Olympic Broadcaster, Greg Lewis
February 16, 2022
Digital illustration by Edan Zinn 23.
Podcast: Mahlet Woldemariam ’95 on Vaccine Development
April 7, 2021
Digital illustration by Edan Zinn 23.
Podcast: Fighting the Pandemic with Dr. Kathy Taylor
March 31, 2021
The team gears up for one of its first games last season.
Varsity Volleyball Starts Off Strong
September 26, 2023
Xavier Claiborne 24 attempts to intercept a pass at Homecoming last year against Landmark. Photo courtesy of David Barron.
Optimism for A Fresh Boys’ Soccer Team
September 26, 2023
Tom Brady points during a preseason game versus Washington. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
End of an Era: Tom Brady Hangs up His Helmet
September 21, 2023
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson poses for a promotional video after being drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft with the Texas Longhorns logo superposed in the background. Design by Evan Michaeli. Photos Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Fantasy Football’s Best Running Back Hasn’t Played a Snap Yet
September 6, 2023
Athletic Director Brett Kelly leads the fall commitment ceremony for students.
Q&A: Brett Kelly Reflects on First Year as Athletic Director
May 23, 2023
Mary Wang 26 performs a scene with the cast and dancers of The Night of Dunhuang.
Op-Ed: My Journey with Theater
September 21, 2023
Aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013. Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Netflix Docuseries Captures Boston Marathon Manhunt
May 23, 2023
Evil Dead Rise: is Horror on the Brink of Artistic Standstill?
Evil Dead Rise: is Horror on the Brink of Artistic Standstill?
May 18, 2023
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
The New Winnie-the-Pooh Horror Movie is Horrendous
May 2, 2023
A poster for thee Super Mario Bros. Movie. Photo provided by Wikimedia Commons.
Super Mario Movie Smashes Expectations
April 19, 2023
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
“A Little Life” by Hanya Yanagihara: A Profound Exploration of Human Existence and Friendship
September 28, 2023
Movie Review: Red, White, and Royal Blue
Movie Review: Red, White, and Royal Blue
September 28, 2023
Aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013. Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Netflix Docuseries Captures Boston Marathon Manhunt
May 23, 2023
A poster for thee Super Mario Bros. Movie. Photo provided by Wikimedia Commons.
Super Mario Movie Smashes Expectations
April 19, 2023
Album cover courtesy of Apple Records.
Album Review: The Beatles’ ‘Let It Be’
February 23, 2023
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
“A Little Life” by Hanya Yanagihara: A Profound Exploration of Human Existence and Friendship
September 28, 2023
Movie Review: Red, White, and Royal Blue
Movie Review: Red, White, and Royal Blue
September 28, 2023
GNN: Fantasy Football Frenzies
GNN: Fantasy Football Frenzies
September 26, 2023
Karl Lagerfields designs on display by the windows of a Berlin shop. Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Op-Ed: Outfits Are the Cat’s Meow at the Met Gala
May 31, 2023
Photos Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Poll: Which Cat Outfit at the Met Gala was Better?
May 3, 2023
Share your voice
  • We love student guest contributions! Contact Editor-in-Chief Amelia Bowman for more information and how to begin.
The student news site of Brimmer and May School | Chestnut Hill, MA

The Gator
The student news site of Brimmer and May School | Chestnut Hill, MA

The Gator
Madeleine Pogoda

Madeleine Pogoda, Arts Editor

Madeleine has been at Brimmer since 2019 and she joined The Gator in 2021. In her free time, she likes to play guitar, listen to music, read, and drink tea. She likes to write op-eds, reviews, and debate tea.

All content by Madeleine Pogoda
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

The New Winnie-the-Pooh Horror Movie is Horrendous

Madeleine Pogoda, Arts Editor
May 2, 2023
Skip this misguided attempt to combine a slasher movie with a beloved children’s character.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Op-Ed: Florida’s Bills are Unacceptable

Madeleine Pogoda, Arts Editor
April 21, 2023
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is supporting a number of harmful bills, attacking education, civility, and equality.
Nolan Suraci 26 anchors Souper Delicious, a new Soup review series.

Souper Delicious: School Lunch Reviews

Nolan Suraci, Caleb Meranus, Cole Thompson, Nikka Souza, and Madeleine Pogoda
February 15, 2023
Nolan Suraci '26 recently launched Souper Delicious, a new Soup review series of school lunches
Photo courtesy of BigStock.com

Poll: ‘Hay Day’ or ‘Township’

Madeleine Pogoda, Arts Editor
February 7, 2023
What's the better farming simulator game: 'Hay Day' or 'Township?'
The faculty pose at Commencement last year. Photo courtesy of David Barron.

GNN: The Education of Our Educators

Nolan Suraci, Nikka Souza, Caleb Meranus, Cole Thompson, and Madeleine Pogoda
February 1, 2023
This new video series aims to investigate the formative educational experiences of School faculty members.
Photo illustration purchased from BigStock.com.

Op-Ed: The Pros and Cons of TikTok

Madeleine Pogoda, Arts Editor
January 23, 2023
TikTok can be a fun and entertaining way to connect with others, but you should always consider the risks.
Album cover courtesy of Warner Records Inc.

Song Analysis: The Walters’ ‘I Love You So’

Madeleine Pogoda, Arts Editor
December 1, 2022
If you’re on the TikTok app, you’re probably familiar with this catchy song.
Poster courtesy of NBC Studios.

TV Review: Let’s ‘BeReal’ About SNL Season 48

Madeleine Pogoda, Arts Editor
October 31, 2022
Saturday Night Live's most recent season touches on 'Top-Gun,' the BeReal app, and toilet paper—and it does a great job at it.
J. K. Rowling has been the source of recent controversy for her comments on gender identity.

Op-Ed: You Can’t Separate the Art from the Artist

Madeleine Pogoda, Arts Editor
October 31, 2022
If you consume art or content from a problematic person, understand what they did wrong and hold them accountable for it.
West performs at the Museum of Modern Art in 2011. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Op-Ed: Kanye West’s Antisemitism Makes Headlines

Madeleine Pogoda, Arts Editor
October 24, 2022
West's antisemitism is incredibly dangerous, considering the size and scope of his dedicated fanbase.
Digital illustration by Madeleine Pogoda 25.

Op-Ed: The ‘Nevermind’ Baby’s Lawsuit is Childish

Madeleine Pogoda, Arts Editor
September 21, 2022
Spencer Elden, the nude baby on the cover of Nirvana's album, is filing a lawsuit without merit. This seems like a publicity stunt.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Op-Ed: We Need to Boycott Spotify, Now

Madeleine Pogoda, Arts Editor
September 12, 2022
Spotify has fueled Joe Rogan's hateful comments for years. We need to address the harm he has caused.
Robb Elementary School in Uvalde Texas, 2015. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Op-Ed: Action, Not Just ‘Thoughts and Prayers,’ After Uvalde Shooting

Madeleine Pogoda, Arts Editor
May 27, 2022
We need to stop just feeling bad about gun violence—we must take action so it does not happen again.
Screenshot courtesy of Netflix.

Song Analysis: ‘That Funny Feeling’ by Bo Burnham

Madeleine Pogoda, Arts Editor
May 23, 2022
Bo Burnham's hit original song, written for his 2021 Netflix special 'Inside,' has gained 38 million streams on Spotify. Learn why.
Photo courtesy of Netflix Studios.

‘Heartstopper’ Connects With Queer Youth

Madeleine Pogoda, Arts Editor
May 11, 2022

In 2015, Alice Oseman published a novel titled Nick and Charlie, and in 2018, she released a graphic novel called Heartstopper, following the same characters. On April 22, Netflix released a new show based...

Photo courtesy of Netflix Studios.

Review: Two Perspectives on Netflix’s ‘Heartstopper’

Lily Goodman and Madeleine Pogoda
May 9, 2022
Lily Goodman '22 and Madeleine Pogoda '25 reviewed the new Heartstopper series on Netflix.
Poster courtesy of Paramount Pictures.

Movie Review: ‘1408,’ A Psychological Horror Hit

Madeleine Pogoda, Arts Editor
April 25, 2022
The 2007 classic remains one of the best horror films I've seen, with the perfect mix of suspense and fear.

Culture: Tea Gossip Sparks Debate On Campus

Amelia Bowman and Madeleine Pogoda
April 13, 2022
How long do you steep your tea? A heated debate has sparked on campus.
Promotional photo courtesy of FilmNation.

Movie Review: Channing Tatum’s ‘Dog’ is Wholesome, Outstanding

Amelia Bowman and Madeleine Pogoda
February 28, 2022
If you enjoy wholesome dog movies, you will love Channing Tatum’s new film, 'Dog.'
Poster courtesy of New Line Cinema.

Movie Review: ‘Final Destination’ Series To Return

Madeleine Pogoda, Arts Editor
February 17, 2022
You won't be able to get the 'Final Destination' movies out of your head. HBO Max will release the latest installment later this year.
A neopronoun flag. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Op-Ed: Respect Neopronouns

Madeleine Pogoda, Arts Editor
February 14, 2022
She, he, and they are not the only pronouns that people can use. Learn about neopronouns, which are often disrespected by transphobic people.
Cartoon by Jackson Ostrowski 22.

Op-Ed: COVID-19 and My Mental Health

Madeleine Pogoda, Arts Editor
February 4, 2022
From doing remote learning to attending school in person during the pandemic, I have learned how to cope with my mental health.
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Game Review: ‘Wordle’

Madeleine Pogoda, Arts Editor
February 3, 2022
Explore 'Wordle,' a challenging word puzzle that has taken the internet by storm.
In the Middle and Upper School Library here, books about social justice issues are shown on display.

Op-Ed: Texas Lawmakers, Let Kids Read Diverse Books

Madeleine Pogoda, Arts Editor
January 14, 2022
Texas state reps want to ban books about sex education, racism, and LGBTQ+ topics in public schools. The effects of the ban would be catastrophic.
Poster courtesy of Universal Content Productions.

TV Review: Child’s Play’ Returns With ‘Chucky’ Series

Madeleine Pogoda, Arts Editor
November 5, 2021
Each episode of this horror series has the perfect mix of sad, funny, scary, and gory moments.
The original North Korean poster for the hit Netflix show.

TV Review: ‘Squid Game,’ Your Next Netflix Binge

Madeleine Pogoda, Arts Editor
October 19, 2021
The South Korean show is one of the best thrillers of the last decade.
Photo illustration purchased from BigStock.com

Movie Review: Bo Burnham’s ‘Inside’

Madeleine Pogoda, Arts Editor
September 30, 2021
Bo Burnham has created a sweeping masterpiece of musical-comedy, made alone, to an audience of no one.
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The student news site of Brimmer and May School | Chestnut Hill, MA
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The student news site of Brimmer and May School | Chestnut Hill, MA
Madeleine Pogoda