The Scarlet & Black

The Independent Student News Site of Grinnell College
A drone shot of High Street in Grinnell, Iowa, photo taken on September 25, 2024.
Nearly all Grinnell property owners own just one property, yet 15 owners control 15 percent of the city
Liz Rodrigues, organizer, speaks before a crowd of protestors on Thursday, May 1, in Central Park, Grinnell.
Grinnell community joins national May Day Protests
Over 98% of Grinnell employees' political donations in the past decade went to Democrats
Over 98% of Grinnell employees’ political donations in the past decade went to Democrats
100 days in: Trump policies stoke fear in Iowa immigrant communities
100 days in: Trump policies stoke fear in Iowa immigrant communities
Julian Sahlin `28 pictured on Feb. 26, 2025 outside of the Pedal Grinnell church at 1138 Elm Street. Photograph and tag contributed by Jackson Scheer.
“OJALÁ”: Remembering Julian Sahlin `28
Heather Lobban-Viravong and Jan Gross perform at the Grinnell Middle School auditorium.
“Unarmed, carrying the weight of skin”: Across color lines, three women bring racial dialogue to Grinnell
Liz Rodrigues, organizer, speaks before a crowd of protestors on Thursday, May 1, in Central Park, Grinnell.
Grinnell community joins national May Day Protests
Kate Slater, executive director of the Grinnell Housing Authority, poses for a portrait inside of Saint's Rest Coffeehouse
Empowerment Center to open, supporting individuals facing housing insecurity
Crowd of people gather in Grinnell's Central Park protesting against House File 583 (HF583), organized by the Grinnell Organizing Collective.
Mending the social fabric: Community spotlight on the Grinnell Organizing Collective
Tommy Hexter `21 and Jordan Scheibel `10 unloading cabbages inside of Grinnell Farm to Table.
Grinnell Farm to Table adapts and fundraises following LFPA funding cuts
Grinnell College's International Student Organization and Office of International Student Affairs walk down Broad Street on October 5, 2023.
History Takeover: The evolution of Grinnell’s international student programming
Putu Hiranmayena, assistant professor of music, poses in the Bucksbaum Arts Center.
Reflecting on Southeast Asian identity after faculty trip email
Sophia Ramalli `27 poses with a rocket during the high-powered rocket launch in Fort Dodge on Sunday, April 13. Photo contributed by Sophia Ramalli.
Grinnell Rocket Team launches their vision for the future
Isaiah Schlimm `27, a Vivero Digital Fellow, works in Burling basement on Thursday, April 17.
On-campus jobs prepare students for professional life
Will Reyes `25 cuts Gabe Garcia's `27 hair in the Black Cultural Center Salon.
Brows, cuts and nails: student-run beauty businesses
Heather Lobban-Viravong and Jan Gross perform at the Grinnell Middle School auditorium.
“Unarmed, carrying the weight of skin”: Across color lines, three women bring racial dialogue to Grinnell
Emma Schaefer `23 sings songs she wrote during her Watson Fellowship on Sunday, April 20.
Emma Schaefer `23 returns to campus, reflects on the power of music
Livia Stein Freitas `25 reads poems from her new collection.
Livia Stein Freitas debuts poetry collection
Maya Llewellyn `25 sings in Gardner Lounge on Friday, April 18.
“My Best Friend” releases first EP
"Open Minds" by Natalie Sato '27.
BAX Celebrates Student Art
Women's soccer head coach, Kirsten Koester, coaches during a women's soccer game on Sept. 28, 2024 against Lake Forest.
Kirsten Koester’s coaching philosophy
Tolu Johnson `25 stands at the baseline as Dillon Gestring `25 shoots a free throw during an Intramural game on Saturday, April 19.
Intramural basketball gains popularity
Rohan Thota `28 sprints down the pole vault runway at the Grinnell Invitational on Feb. 1, 2025 in the Field House.
Pole vaulting at Grinnell halted due to recent injury
Aman Kothari '28 serves the ball during a home game against Ripon College on Saturday, Apr. 19.
PHOTOS: Men’s Tennis Beats Ripon College 7-0
Utsah Kalra `25 hits a serve during a tennis match against UW Eau Claire on Sunday, Apr. 13.
PHOTOS: Women’s tennis beats University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire 7-0
Horoscope: Which childhood book series are you?
Horoscope: Which childhood book series are you?
Horoscope: What D-Hall fry iteration are you?
Horoscope: What D-Hall fry iteration are you?
Horoscope: What BRAT song are you?
Horoscope: What BRAT song are you?
Horoscope: Which federally recognized Midwestern state are you?
Horoscope: Which federally recognized Midwestern state are you?
Horoscope: Which practical mode of transportation are you?
Horoscope: Which practical mode of transportation are you?
Isaiah Schlimm `27 poses in the HSSC as he thinks about having a nemesis.
Opinion: Why you need a nemesis
Eva Kapoor `28 poses with her face partially obscured by a sheet of prompts to generate an AI version of herself.
Opinion: How can anyone bear to make art anymore?
From left: Thai Theodoro `27 and Karla Breed have a conversation at the Mayflower Community.
Opinion: A love letter to Karla
From left: Samridh Dev Singh Chib `25 and Parikshit Roychowdhury `26 pose above the Spencer Grill on April 18, 2025.
Opinion: The meaning of “South Asian,” a double op-ed
From left: Alex Smith and Peyton Williams, both `27, pose in Burling Library on April 18, 2025.
Opinion: Why Grinnellians should start investing, and how to do it without losing your mind
Letter to the Editor: All I need to say
Letter to the Editor: All I need to say
Isaiah Schlimm `27 poses in the HSSC as he thinks about having a nemesis.
Opinion: Why you need a nemesis
Sage & Blunt: Diffident Daydreamer
Sage & Blunt: Diffident Daydreamer
Eva Kapoor `28 poses with her face partially obscured by a sheet of prompts to generate an AI version of herself.
Opinion: How can anyone bear to make art anymore?
From left: Thai Theodoro `27 and Karla Breed have a conversation at the Mayflower Community.
Opinion: A love letter to Karla
Scarlet Sessions: E the profit
Scarlet Sessions: Meet My Best Friend
Scarlet Sessions: My Best Friend
Student-Run Beauty Businesses
Play nine holes with the Grinnell women's golf team
Play nine holes with the Grinnell women’s golf team
Letter to the Editor: All I need to say
Letter to the Editor: All I need to say
Letter to the Editor: Required Meal Plans
Letter to the Editor: Required Meal Plans
Sharyn Obsatz `93 is a journalism professor at Santa Monica College.
Letter to the Editor: Support The S&B
Jay Dick `93 works as Sr. Director of Advocacy and Partnerships at Americans for the Arts.
Letter to the Editor: The Vanishing of Printed Student Media?
Sasha Aslanian `90 is a member of the Grinnell College Alumni Council.
Letter to the Editor: Physical papers have pull on Grinnell campus
Aman Kothari '28 serves the ball during a home game against Ripon College on Saturday, Apr. 19.
PHOTOS: Men’s Tennis Beats Ripon College 7-0
Utsah Kalra `25 hits a serve during a tennis match against UW Eau Claire on Sunday, Apr. 13.
PHOTOS: Women’s tennis beats University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire 7-0
Lindsey Schultz (11) focuses on the pitcher's throw during a game against Lake Forest on Saturday, Apr. 5.
PHOTOS: Grinnell softball plays Lake Forest and Beloit
Jakob Runkel (39) pitches the ball in a game against Monmouth on April 5, 2025.
PHOTOS: Baseball sets new school records
A student grabs fruit from the platters offered at the event.
Photo Series: Student Athletes Leading Social Change hosts Fruit with the Faculty event
Comic: False Spring
Comic: False Spring
Comic: You Are What You Eat
Comic: You Are What You Eat
Comic: Ambroos and Wilhelmina van Buskirk the Tulip Fairies
Comic: Ambroos and Wilhelmina van Buskirk the Tulip Fairies
Comic: Spring Break Expectation vs. Reality
Comic: Spring Break Expectation vs. Reality
Comic: The Scariest Things on Halloween in Grinnell
Comic: The Scariest Things on Halloween in Grinnell
Princess Joseph
Princess Joseph
Anastasia Rompi `25.
Anastasia Rompi
Alex Carlon
Alex Carlon
Agatha Fusco
Agatha Fusco
Zeineb Mezghanni `25
Zeineb Mezghanni

The Scarlet & Black

The Scarlet & Black
Nick El Hajj

Nick El Hajj, Editor in Chief

Nick El Hajj, hailing from Beirut, Lebanon, is a fourth-year political science and economics major. In his free time, Nick enjoys delving into a good book, embarking on scenic drives and indulging in random documentaries. You’ll frequently find Nick waking up way too early to enjoy a peaceful morning of fishing at Arbor Lake.

All content by Nick El Hajj
Workers repair roofs after a hailstorm in May 2023.

[Photo] Grinnell College reduces carbon footprint, increases climate research

Bea Crist, Staff Writer
December 9, 2024
Nick El Hajj, Editor in Chief

Nick El Hajj, Editor in Chief

Nick El Hajj, Editor in Chief
May 6, 2024
Nick El Hajj `24 is the Editor-in-Chief of The Scarlet & Black.

Op-Ed: Grinnell is on a crash course

Nick El Hajj, Editor in Chief
April 22, 2024
Ivan Kwei `24 stands in front of two of his screen print pieces, “Gaze I” and “Gaze II,” from his collection “Neo Noir,” showing at the Edith Renfrow Smith `37 Student Art Gallery until Saturday, March 2.

Ivan Kwei `24’s “Neo Noir”: A reimagining of Blackness at the Smith Gallery

Nick El Hajj, Editor in Chief
February 26, 2024
A Trump caucus captain and another volunteer check voter registration sheets at the Brooklyn Precinct. In Brooklyn, Trump received 60 votes, followed by DeSantis with 17, Haley with 16, Ramaswamy with 6, Binkley with 1 and Chris Christie with 1.

Photo Series: Iowa caucus-goers cast their ballots in Poweshiek County

Sarah Evans, Zach Spindler-Krage, and Nick El Hajj
January 16, 2024
Back-to-back severe weather, including significant snowfall on Tuesday and a blizzard on Friday, have blanketed parts of Iowa with over a foot of snow. Transformed into a wintry expanse, the Grinnell landscape has proven challenging but not deterring to the local fauna.

Photo Series: Grinnell, a snow-swept vista

Nick El Hajj, Editor-in-Chief
January 13, 2024
Ron DeSantis leans in to hear a reporter’s question in Ames on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. Desantis, the current Florida Governor, is battling former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley for second place in the Iowa Caucuses, which take place on Monday, Jan. 15.

Photo Series: DeSantis has fiery encounter with protesters in Ames, Iowa

Zach Spindler-Krage and Nick El Hajj
January 12, 2024
Nikki Haley speaks before a crowd of 200 in Ankeny on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. Haley, a former South Carolina Governor, is battling current Florida Governor Ron Desantis for second place in the Iowa Caucuses, which take place on Monday, Jan. 15.

Photos Series: Haley keeps things short, no audience questions in Ankeny, Iowa

Zach Spindler-Krage and Nick El Hajj
January 12, 2024
A Tuesday snowstorm brought about 13 inches of snow to Grinnell.  As presidential candidates reassess their political strategies, temperatures are expected to drop to a low of 16 below zero in Grinnell on Monday, Iowa Caucus Day.

Iowa snowstorm sets a slippery stage for Republican Caucus showdown

Nick El Hajj, Editor-in-Chief
January 10, 2024
Grinnell lowered flags in mourning as Perry, another small Iowan community, grieves a school shooting that claimed the life of a sixth-grader and injured five others.

Grinnell College, presidential candidates weigh in on Perry, Iowa school shooting

Nick El Hajj, Editor-in-Chief
January 5, 2024
Three years of President Harris culminate in Grinnell College’s 'Knowledge into Action' 2030 plan

Three years of President Harris culminate in Grinnell College’s ‘Knowledge into Action’ 2030 plan

Nick El Hajj, Editor in Chief
November 19, 2023
Photo illustration: Grinnell College students can now use their Pioneer One-Card in select businesses downtown.

[Photo] Dining dollars expand to downtown Grinnell businesses

Allison Moore, Staff Writer
November 11, 2023
Workers replace the damaged roofing of a house on High Street.

Roofing: A lucrative business in storm-stricken small-town Iowa

Nick El Hajj, Editor-in-Chief
October 30, 2023
Grinnell-Newburg High School's mascot strutting down 4th Avenue.

Photo Series: Grinnell-Newburg High School holds Homecoming Parade

Nick El Hajj, Editor in Chief
October 6, 2023
The Grinnell College Garden hosted a harvest and work session for students, faculty, and staff on Tue, Sept. 26.

Grinnell Garden blossoms into action for harvest season

Nick El Hajj, Editor-in-Chief
September 30, 2023
Students Speak: Summer Spotlight

Students Speak: Summer Spotlight

Nick El Hajj, Editor in Chief
September 11, 2023
Two Democrats and Grinnell residents, Sam Cox (left) and Sarah Smith (center), are running for state legislative positions.

[Photo] Grinnell residents turned state legislative candidates speak at open panel hosted by Campus Democrats

Conrad Dahm, Staff Writer
September 26, 2022
Students foraged for "wild edibles" on a trip to CERA.

[Photo] Center of Prairie Studies continues to grow

Jane Hoffman, Staff Writer
October 31, 2022
“This is exhausting, I just want it to be over,” first-year student speaks about misinformation circulating on social media

“This is exhausting, I just want it to be over,” first-year student speaks about misinformation circulating on social media

Nick El Hajj, News Editor
November 14, 2022
14 vehicles vandalized among a series of other recent racist incidents in Grinnell

14 vehicles vandalized among a series of other recent racist incidents in Grinnell

Nick El Hajj, News Editor
October 13, 2022
“How are we going to recover from this?” Students alarmed as floods ravage Pakistan

“How are we going to recover from this?” Students alarmed as floods ravage Pakistan

Nick El-Hajj, News Editor
September 12, 2022
Photo by Ariel Richards.

Elizabeth Wong

Nick El Hajj
May 8, 2022
Students will be able to access a new bike share program with the newly passed SGA referendum. Photo by Ariel Richards.

SGA referendum passes to bring bike sharing back to campus

Nick El Hajj
April 26, 2022
Photo by Isabel Torrence.

Students display tech projects at GrinTECH exhibition

Nick El Hajj
April 11, 2022
Graphic by Qingshuo Du.

“I feel like I’m on the way to losing my home:” Grinnell students face fear and uncertainty as Russia attacks Ukraine

Nick El Hajj
February 24, 2022
Art Cullen answers question from Grinnell students after Storm Lake showing. Photo by Ariel Richards.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Art Cullen visits Grinnell

Nick El Hajj
February 21, 2022
Grinnell Artists: Hannah Givler

Grinnell Artists: Hannah Givler

Nick El Hajj
February 13, 2022
Graphic by Elisa Carrasco Lanusse.

Community members unite to help Afghan refugees resettle

Nick El Hajj
February 6, 2022
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