“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so,” claims Hamlet, in Act II of what is arguably Shakespeare’s best-written work. I've learned to approach winters at Groton with this mentality: though the unforgiving chills of New England winters are a formidable foe, these months also bring some of the most cherished moments of the year.
The Circle kicked off 2023 with the raving bacchanal known as Winter Formal, which returned this year after weeks of hilarious, charming, and enthusiastic proposals at Roll Call—ranging from puns scribbled on posters to serenades played by entire ensembles! It was a fun evening of photos, snacks, and dancing (you’ll always be shocked by how well some of your classmates can bust out some moves at these events). It’s challenging to capture the spirit of the night in a few sentences, so I’ll let the pictures attached speak for themselves.
Later in January, in a display of Groton’s commitment to ideological diversity and fostering meaningful discourse, I had the pleasure of leading Groton’s Young Republicans in co-hosting Dr. Daniel Drezner alongside the Young Democrats. Dr. Drezner, a professor of political science at Tufts University, spoke on the evolving nature and role of globalism amid shifting geopolitical dynamics. It was a fascinating and insightful discussion, which was enhanced by the thought-provoking questions my peers brought up afterward.
I also had the opportunity to witness live-action politics in-person at the beginning of January, when I was invited to the Pennsylvania State Capitol to watch the Swearing-in ceremony for members of both chambers of the Pennsylvania State Legislature. Despite a brief snafu involving the selection of the House Speaker (which was later resolved by a bipartisan vote), it was an exciting few hours, and I was able to meet with a handful of legislators who are on the front lines of policymaking innovation, including Reps. Kristin Marcell (R-178) and Gina H. Curry (D-164).