On March 18th, 2025, acclaimed author Suzanne Collins published Sunrise On The Reaping, the second prequel to her iconic Hunger Games trilogy. This tale, which follows the thrilling journey of Katniss and Peeta’s mentor, Haymitch Abernathy, was met with great fanfare from the dystopian fantasy world. Collins’ new novel rode the wave of momentum from the popular film adaptation of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and quickly became a worldwide success with more than 1.5 million copies sold, as found by Scholastic. After buying, readers were not disappointed. Sunrise on the Reaping delivers an action-packed retelling of the 50th Hunger Games, with Abernathy presented as an unconventional tribute who creates close connections between familiar faces and newly introduced characters and struggles to survive the cruelties of the corrupt nation of Panem. The fast-paced story earned a 4.65/5 rating on Goodreads with raving reviews, an impressive feat. Even though the ending of Abernathy’s games has already been spoiled in the original trilogy, the character development and intricate plotlines leave readers captivated by the connections between past and present worlds, with many going to popular social media sites to share their thoughts. Popular theories and new insights on the original Hunger Games trilogy are trending all over apps like TikTok and Instagram, and for good reason. Collins is known for using her clever and meaningful writing to reflect pressing real-world issues. In Sunrise on the Reaping, she explores the dangers of propaganda and media manipulation, which are becoming increasingly apparent in the polarizing nature of the United States. At just about four hundred pages, Collins’ new book is sure to zoom by for readers, but its unique perspective is likely to linger. A film adaptation is already in the works, and will be making its way to theaters in August 2026 to bring Haymitch’s story to life!
Every October, I tend to grab some stovetop popcorn, snuggle up in a warm comforter, and relish in the joy of watching my comfort show: “Gilmore Girls.” As a devout viewer of the 2000’s based show, I recently restarted Season 1 and watched up to Season 4 over Fall Break. Not only does “Gilmore Girls” hold and teach valuable lessons about resilience, perseverance, and hardship, but the more I watched the show, the more I realized how much it mirrored my own life at NCSSM.
Disclaimer: this article only discusses Seasons 1-4, which is what I felt was relevant to my experience as an NCSSM student.
Season 1
Season 1 starts by introducing the main characters in “Gilmore Girls”: Lorelai and Rory Gilmore. Lorelai, a 32-year-old at the time, had her daughter Rory at just sixteen years old. The clash between Lorelai and her parents, Emily and Richard, is seen early on in the season, as Lorelai goes to ask her parents for tuition money for Rory’s new acceptance into an elite private school, Chilton.
While I had watched “Gilmore Girls” several times, the imposter syndrome Rory experiences in Season 1 resonated with me in my latest rewatch. Coming from a large, mainly sports-oriented public high school, my experience at NCSSM so far has surfaced some of the same feelings Rory encounters in Season 1. With such talented students, Chilton and NCSSM create similar atmospheres. The self-doubt, self-criticism, and fear of failure are feelings both Rory and I have encountered at our new high schools.
Season 2
Season 2reveals the messy reality of adolescence for many individuals, as Jess arrives in town. Jess, a “bad boy,” toys at Rory’s heartstrings, as she struggles to grapple the balance with Dean, her boyfriend at the time, his distaste regarding Jess, and her blooming friendship with Jess. Season 2 reminds viewers of what it means to be a teenager; making a mess and trying to balance schoolwork, family, and friends, all while finding one’s identity.
While NCSSM students live on campus, we can share similar stories. Personally, learning to live and function at a new school while balancing keeping connections with friends and family back home has been daunting. However, after stepping on campus I soon came to realize the friendships, faculty, and staff make any heartache surrounding home worth it.
Season 3
Season 3 starts off on a good note. Rory is accepted into Harvard, Yale, and Princeton University. While there is some unrest in this season when Rory decides which college to commit to, the sheer amount of joy that Season 3 brings to the show is partly the reason I keep coming back to “Gilmore Girls” every October. Later, Rory graduates from Chilton as valedictorian and presents a heartwarming and emotional speech at her ceremony that even I teared up at. Rory truly becomes the pinnacle of a Chilton student here; somebody who is motivated, fierce, and a leader.
Every person I meet at NCSSM exemplifies those same qualities–driven, passionate and lively. Coming from a large high school, I found community in very few people. In contrast, the name itself of being an NCSSM student holds weight, and the pride I have felt to be at this school is unlike any other I have experienced before.
Season 4
To preface, I would like to write that when watching Season 4 for the first time, I was utterly disappointed. Season 4 is littered with Rory’s failures–from rekindling her relationship with her [now married] ex-boyfriend to struggling to navigate her new life in college. Season 4 serves as a sharp contrast to Season 3.
We’ve all heard it: failure is a part of life. However, based on my past month at NCSSM, I have noticed that the concept seems to be less prevalent in most students’ past lives. The last two months of being on campus have provided me with a multitude of obstacles; from managing difficult classes to deciding which extracurriculars to immerse myself into, NCSSM has been incredibly overwhelming. However, I soon realized that NCSSM is the place to fail; I will truly never have such a supportive environment to grow and learn from my mistakes.
“Gilmore Girls” is the show that raised my childhood. I began watching as a timid sixth grader, scared of the at-the-time unknown COVID-19. Following Rory’s educational journey through Chilton was inspiring as “Gilmore Girls” gave me somebody to look up to, even if they were fictional. For this reason, whenever I see the leaves turn orange and the air become crisp, I hope the little girl inside me feels proud as I click play on a new episode.
