Vol. CXXXII · October 10, 2026
American high-speed rail (HSR) has been notoriously expensive and slow to develop. Compared with its European counterparts, America ranked as the sixth most expensive country to build HSR. Currently, only a handful of HSRs operate in the U.S., with the most famous being Amtrak’s Acela corridor connecting Boston, Massachusetts, to Washington, D.C., and Brightline’s regional network connecting Miami to Orlando, Florida.
Research-intensive universities provide crucial support for STEM innovation by attracting top scholars and supporting their scientific discoveries and core technological breakthroughs. Those breakthroughs then promote the creation of new fields and drive technological and economic development. In fact, a 2023 study by Scientometrics found that among winners of the Nobel Prize in the natural sciences, research universities accounted for over 60% of the institutions affiliated with scientists and over 70% of the individual laureates. With one of the largest education systems in the world, China boasts around 1,308 research universities as of June 2024. In addition, China’s research capacity has grown at an unprecedented pace, with Research and Development (R&D) investments surging dramatically to around a trillion dollars, surpassing American federal investments by around 20 billion dollars. In addition, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Global Innovation Index ranked China 10th globally in terms of innovation capabilities in 2025. Nevertheless, reforms to university evaluation systems and even more support for specialized research universities are crucial to cultivating innovative talent and supporting scientific breakthroughs.
In our digital world, reading for fun across all ages is fading rapidly. According to a study conducted by University College London and the University of Florida found that, in the last twenty years, the share of Americans who read for pleasure fell by 40%. For teens in particular, while technology certainly plays a negative role, we often overlook another prominent cause: schoolwork. With after-school commitments and hours of homework piling on top of extracurricular activities, many students simply do not have the time or mental energy to read for enjoyment. As Anna Avdiu ‘29 puts it, “I really love reading, but with after-school commitments and homework, I don’t have as much time to pick up a book.”
As an international student in a foreign country, hearing someone converse with me in my native language is a small yet deeply impactful experience. It instantly brings me closer to home and evokes a sense of belonging and connection to the culture that I hold dear. Making language study a mandatory requirement for graduation in more high schools would add a skillset to a student’s toolbox in preparation for interactions in diverse workplaces and a globalized world.
For my sophomore courses, my selections were relatively simple: I filled my schedule to fulfill my graduation requirements. But starting in junior year, and most definitely senior year, these course options will expand by a very large degree. Each choice you make regarding your courses will have to be made with careful thought. In fact, my junior and senior course decisions will shape not only my schedule but my entire academic experience.