Opinion

You don’t have to understand art for it to be good art

“To call a work of art bad because it does not elicit that initial reaction, it only means you must look deeper within the piece and yourself. I invite you to do so in 2026.”

A message to seniors

“No matter who you are, there is something to be done before we are out of time.”

On student government

“My first thought — lackluster. Instead of students participating in the fruits of democracy, the ‘election’ was a coronation.”

Notre Dame dining hall mushroom meat faces opposition

“MUSHROOMS?! AH YA FREAKIN’ KIDDIN’ ME?! MUSHROOMS?!”

Don’t invite Trump to speak at commencement

“The 2025 graduates don’t deserve their commencement to be turned into a battleground for political protest and unproductive dialogue. They deserve so much more.”

Finding home away from home

“We can be both, we can be many and we can be whole. And that, more than anything, is something worth celebrating.”

Giving winter a chance

“If it’s going to be winter anyways, I’d rather choose to enjoy it. I hope you do too.”

The importance of sometimes being earnest

“How should we engage with each other? The problem only grows when the president is no example for us.”

Where are the Catholics?

Where is the Catholic outrage when children are torn from their parents? When the immigration system operates with brutal efficiency?

In defense of ‘Cowboy Carter’ winning album of the year

“Cowboy Carter” is an emblem of America’s original sin: racism.

Response to coffee shop courtesy

“Do you care more about your boss (who is probably the one that pays you badly enough that you believe people should tip you for doing your job) than your fellow man?”

Walking alone with my wrist

“Walking with a cane is walking with your wrists, it's tiring. Walking alone is beauty, power, joy and gratitude.”

Hellos and goodbyes: feeling homesick in college

“Saying goodbye to my parents at Welcome Weekend in August was one of the most challenging and emotional things I have ever had to do.”

Observer Election Endorsement: Abstain, then abolish StuGov

At the red light

“I love to drive, but I need the windows down. Mine in the driver’s seat rolled all the way down or just a crack in the backseat. Whichever window, I need the air.”

A lens into our football season

I outline the spectacular highs and crushing lows of photographing a large portion of the 2024 Notre Dame college football season.

Normal gossip

"Your mother might’ve told you to never gossip, but let me be the one to tell you otherwise."

Car on campus: worth the drive?

"You’re going to love the freedom and occasional break from the ND bubble; as soon as my car is ready, I know I will."

My reflections as an American in Rome

After two weeks abroad in Rome, I offer my reflections on Italian life as a consummate American.

Open letter to Fr. Dowd

“For the past two weeks, I have walked the grounds from Flaherty Hall to the Grotto to Stinson Remick to Haggar Hall and have felt fear brewing inside me.”