Dear Wheaton,
For six days, we experienced a rare collective pause on campus.
Classes moved online, meetings vanished, and the most pressing question shifted from “When is this due?” to “Is the sidewalk actually walkable?” Suddenly, the familiar rhythm of Wheaton life—walking briskly to class, grabbing coffee between meetings, promising ourselves we would finally catch up this weekend—stopped.
The blizzard arrived inconveniently, dramatically, and perhaps at exactly the right moment. Just as senioritis began its annual creep into our psyche, we were forced into stillness, conversely reminding us of everything we love about being out and about on campus at Wheaton.
Nothing reveals a community’s character like a crisis. In Emerson Feminist Perspectives House—home to both my co-editor-in-chief, Moira, and me—house members huddled in the common room, sharing meals as supplies ran low and coordinating group orders when deliveries became possible again. (A massive shoutout to Katelyn Spader ’27 and Amelia Davis ’27, who shoveled the path that kept us fed.) It reminded me of why theme houses are such an essential, beloved part of campus life at Wheaton: they are ecosystems of care and belonging where community is practiced, not just advertised.
To the facilities staff who worked through freezing nights, the professors who adapted course schedules in real time, and the Chase dining staff who worked overtime—thank you for keeping us functional. To me, and many others, the blizzard revealed Wheaton at its collective best: resilient, kind, and somehow, still very spirited.
Am I being too sentimental? I’ll admit, the nostalgia is hitting hard. Approaching graduation while freshman memories still feel like yesterday is surreal. While cleaning during the storm, I found a first-year paper of mine—a time capsule eliciting equal parts wistfulness and mild embarrassment. (It makes me wonder what I’ll think of my current writing in five years.)
The blizzard also provided a much-needed moment to reflect on our editorial mission, reminding me of why I committed to a permanent column, “World Affairs, Student Stakes” this semester. These global events are never truly distant, nor disconnected from campus life. With the recent military escalation in Iran, alongside ongoing violence impacting Pakistani and Afghan communities, we extend our care and compassion to members of the Wheaton community whose families, friends, or homes are affected directly or indirectly by these conflicts, and acknowledge the weight many carry quietly while far from home. The Wheaton Wire condemns the targeting and harming of civilians, whether intentional or through negligence, and all other war crimes and crimes of aggression.
Moreover, as we consume news, I encourage us all to pause before forming opinions or reposting. Verify sources. Understand context. Use content warnings where appropriate. Use your voice with care and responsibility.
Speaking of responsibility, SGA elections and club renewals are approaching. If you’re interested in stepping up for a leadership role next year, now is the time to start thinking about it. But even if you can’t commit to larger responsibilities, remember you don’t need a title to influence change, and you don’t need to be on staff to write for The Wire. These platforms exist for public discourse; use them to the fullest.
Despite the blizzard’s chaos, our team worked tirelessly to bring you this issue. Inside, you’ll find everything from updates on GPA requirements for SGA members and the plague of campus spam emails, to coverage of some incredible campus events like the MLK Legacy programming, Battle of the Bands, and Dancefest. Another reminder of the sheer vibrancy of Wheaton!
Lastly, I would like to thank the students, staff, faculty, and broader audience, who consistently read, engage, and occasionally write back to The Wire. Your curiosity, feedback, and conversation are what make our work feel worthwhile.
As we head into Spring Break, I hope everyone finds time to truly reset. The semester will accelerate soon enough. For now, take the pause when it appears—even if it arrives disguised as a snowstorm.
Warmly,
Khushi Parikh ‘26
Co-editor-in-chief
P.S. Do you love the new layout? We’re experimenting with five columns. We apologize for the lack of color inside the pages; the printer is undergoing repairs.