Favorite Vacation: 

A. Beach Day      B. Mountains     C. Shopping spree   D. Sports Camp   E. Touring Europe 

Who do you get advice from?

A. My Parents     B. My Friends      C. Myself     D. My Coach   E. My Teacher 

What is your favorite way to spend your time? 

A. Reading  B. Playing Sports  C. Listening to Music   D. Crafting   E. Performing Musicals

What is your go-to color?

A. Purple   B. Blue    C. Green   D. Red  E. Pink

Which side character was your favorite?

A. Taylor   B. Coach Bolton  C. Martha  D. Zeke  E. Ms. Darbus 

What is your favorite article of clothing?

A. Sneakers  B. Jeans  C. Polo Shirt  D. Jersey  E. Dress

What is your favorite Disney Channel Original Movie? 

A. Lemonade Mouth   B. Camp Rock   C. Zombies   D. Starstruck   E. Teen Beach Movie 

This article initially appeared in a print issue of the Monitor published 31 Oct. 2025.

It’s officially the end of October which means the spooky season is upon us. Street decor is littered with witches, ghouls and, of course, ghosts, but this is all just decoration… right? There has been a prolonged debate throughout history about whether ghosts exist or are simply figments of people’s imagination. Ancient texts suggest that ghost stories have been told since the time of Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt, where there was a belief that spirits lived after death and moved on to the afterlife. In Greece and Rome there are letters that suggest some people believed in ghosts as spirits that stayed in their resting place after death. 

Moving to the present day, society typically understands ghosts through pop culture references. Movies, such as “The Conjuring” and “Beetlejuice”, depict ghosts as spirits that either have unfinished business or are seeking revenge. The plots of these stories follow the same general message, where ghosts are something that should be continuously feared. However, I believe the historical examples of ghosts are more accurate to what these spirits, if they do indeed surround us, are like.

I have mixed feelings about ghosts. If ghosts do indeed exist, my idea of them doesn’t necessarily align with the pop-culture ghost. I would hope that they more resemble spirits of past loved ones looking over their living relatives. A few religions, such as Christianity, see ghosts as almost a guide throughout everyday life. In Christianity the Holy Ghost is meant to steer people down the path of righteousness and lead them out of the dark. I think this image of spirits and ghosts is beautiful because it depicts them as guides and caregivers. There are passed members of my family that I miss, and there is something comforting about the idea of them looking over me in spirit. This, to me, paints a more realistic picture of what ghosts are meant to be: spirits who protect and guide the living. 

Now, this description of ghosts probably isn’t what you were thinking when you decided to break out your jack-o-lanterns and costumes, but I feel it gives meaning behind the symbol we see so often around Halloween. The idea of a ghost doesn’t have to be an image that strikes fear into kids and horror movie fans alike; instead it can be a reminder of loved ones lost. The Day of the Dead, or Dia De Los Muertos, is a holiday celebrated across Latin America where the living reunite with the dead. Through offerings and decorated altars, family members can encourage those who have passed to come visit them in the land of the living. This belief that spirits come back and can see their loved ones, even for just a night, is a twist on how modern horror culture views spirits. 

At the end of the day, I don’t know if ghosts are real and I don’t think I’ll ever truly find out. However, what I do know is that if ghosts are more like our loved ones and less likeThe Conjuring’s Bathsheba, it makes my Halloween a little less terrifying.

Pop and football fans alike were in for the shock of a lifetime last month when the nation’s sweethearts, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, announced that they were officially engaged. The creative caption used to encapsulate this moment was: your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married, and honestly, everybody was ecstatic. The relationship between the football star and the pop star began in the summer of 2023 and took the world by storm. 

Their romance began, as explained on the Travis’ and his brother, Jason, podcast New Heights, when the football player insisted on seeing Taylor at one of her concerts simply because he wanted to meet her. The original plan was for Travis to pass off a signature friendship bracelet, a tradition that became popular at Swift concerts, but instead he walked away with more than just a bracelet. According to Swift on the New Heights Podcast, the football star was enchanted to meet her and blurted out, “I want to date you,” and the rest was history.

Their relationship immediately after the concert took over social media and NFL coverage alike with Swifties losing their minds every time the two were spotted in public. Fast-forward two years after their first meeting and the fan-based dream came true. The proposal took place in a beautiful garden located in Lee’s Summit, Missouri and looked as dreamy as one of Taylor’s Eras Tour performances. Flowers surrounded the couple as Travis got on one knee and popped the question. 

The antique ring was an elongated cushion-cut diamond and was handcrafted in 18k gold. No official price for the ring has been discussed, but in an article published by author Brides Benjamin Khordipou, at Estate Diamond Jewellery, estimated the piece to be around $550,000. This ring was just the beginning of the world’s speculations about the wedding. The theories for the wedding dresses, bridesmaids and future drama are the hot topic of gossip sites, even though the couple hasn’t even been engaged a full month.

The leading theory is that the couple will participate in an intimate ceremony with the hopes of not drawing attention. However the question remains: will this be possible with the wedding being the most anticipated event of the year? Many are beginning to refer to it as the American version of a royal wedding, and it doesn’t seem too far from the truth. As Swifit’s song is titled, this relationship is truly “So Highschool” in the sense that it’s a classic love story from start to finish, and fans can’t wait to see what happens next. 

Have you spent the past few weeks wrapped up in Cousins Beach? If you answered yes then you and a majority of Gen-Z have something in common. The Summer I Turned Pretty has taken over the end of summer by storm, and the battle between Team Jermiah and Team Conrad is getting more intense by the minute. However, this exciting classic didn’t start on the screen; it began as a book series written by Jenny Han. The books are what originally began this beloved series, but I think it’s safe to say that the show has proven to be a better platform for the story. 

 The books begin similarly to the show as the main character, Belly, is excited for summer to begin. Belly spends every summer at Cousins Beach with the Fisher family, specifically brothers Jeremiah and Conrad. The story in both plotlines follows her throughout her choice between the two boys as she completes side quests along the way. However, the way this plot is conveyed between the two platforms is vastly different. In the show, the story is engaging and keeps the viewer on the edge of their seats. The audience is able to follow the fast yet concise episodes with ease and is still left wanting more. The book, on the other hand, is a completely different story (no pun intended). 

The first book in the series is hectic and doesn’t allow the reader to get to know the characters well. In the show, the viewer is introduced to Belly’s brother, her best friend, her mom and Susannah the mother of the Fisher boys. Whereas in the book, it glosses over Belly’s relationship with almost anyone who isn’t Jermiah or Conrad. This doesn’t leave much room for character development or story progression as the series continues. Following this, there are plot holes throughout the first book as the reader struggles to connect dots. At one point in the book, Jeremiah confesses his feelings to Belly, and she isn’t sure how to feel about it at the time. Then the book fast forwards through important details only for it to end abruptly to make room for a second book. 

The novel seems more focused on finishing the story then actually taking the time to build a connection with the reader. Therefore, the show seems like a do-over where Jenny Han was able to develop her story into what it was meant to be originally. The show takes the opportunity to engage the reader on a personal level by allowing them to participate in the story arc as it plays out. You are sad when Belly’s sad, and you’re frustrated when she is making difficult decisions. All in all, you can see the process of the story take form in a brighter light with the show’s storyline as opposed to the books’. 

For the reader and viewer’s sake, the better storyline can be found in the critically acclaimed show. Not only is there a visible emotional connection between the characters, but the story takes its time to progress and blossom into something beautiful. As the last couple episodes are released in the coming weeks, audiences will be kept wondering what will happen next and if the right choice will be made. There’s only a little bit of summer left in Cousins and it’s time to see where Belly’s heart truly lies.