I never would have thought that doom scrolling at 2 a.m. would lead me to a Desk Editor position on The Montclarion, a network of incredible writers and creators and a portfolio of 32 published articles—all in just two short years. If I took the time to thank everyone who helped me get here, I’d probably recreate the 3-hour-long commencement...

Continue →

Balancing a full-time student schedule, internships and multiple club leadership positions is hard enough, so how did Damian Cacciato, a Montclair State University senior, find the time to launch a successful hospitality business? According to Cacciato, the answer comes down to sacrifice and leverage. “There are people that do and people that talk about doing,” Cacciato explains, referring to his...

Continue →

Oh, why did I start a band to begin with? I should never start anything. I’m terrible with commitments. Now I’ve got no job, no money and no more opportunities. My new friends are still letting me crash on their couch, but I’m not sure how much longer they’ll let me just be a deadbeat. I do everything on impulse....

Continue →

The most remarkable encounters surface when they are least likely to happen. Emily Beauchamp experienced this fact to her delight. This fateful episode surfaced during what began as a dull as dishwater study night at Montclair State University’s Sprague Library. Emily shuffled into the library’s first floor quiet room for some serious studying. The Simone Beauvoir look-alike knew it was...

Continue →

We always said it would only take the two of us and the moon. It took more than that. That night, the meat-hooked stars tittered in the sky, all shimmer and deceit. The wind curdled into our skin, winded our hair into coils. Our overlaid hands were the only spot of warmth in the crisp night. That night we wore...

Continue →

Lonely unloved spirits run for shelter under cover of a woodland escape. Free from all convictions and their destructive addictions, they found glorious peace. Painters, poets, singers and starving artists found a creative refuge for their creative souls. The cruel indifference of this world and the ice-cold flaming rage from one man to another cannot penetrate the walls of mighty...

Continue →

The human mind is allegedly the most complex organ in the human body, perhaps to some, but I use mine all the time. Its mystique is rivaled only by a slinky that got tangled up and that thing where someone makes it look like they’re pulling their thumb off their hand with their other hand but really it’s just tucked...

Continue →

I always wanted a love like I’ve seen in the movies Or in the cringey romance novels, which I refused to read for ages, Eyes caught on someone across the room, Seeing them walk towards you, And wanting them to stay as soon as they arrive. Holding hands at the movies, It’s cheesy, but who said that’s bad? 'I love...

Continue →

The burn of the wind on my neck from forgetting a scarfTrudging through the melting snow in my bootsDespite the blisters and marks that ariseLight shining, sun in my eyes,Looking out at the skyline on the horizon,Masked by the clouds, yet still visible,Opportunity, great expectations, the unknownI used to look out at the Philly skyline from my small little window,Climbing...

Continue →

I’d like to go to the moon one dayFar, far away from all the problems of silly earthlingsIn a future bound by love, progress, community, belonging, kindness,Where character and actions matter most. But we’re on this earth togetherGiven the gift of lifeA planet full of people, of plants, of progressYet sometimes it feels like the clock moves in reverse. I’m...

Continue →