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Layla Handy

Bio: Layla is an intern at NYCTastemakers and a current college freshman majoring in English. She has a strong passion for writing and enjoys reading in her free time. Layla also values spending quality time with her family.
Sports

One Step for U.S., Three Steps Back for Men’s Hockey

If it were a week ago, I could confidently say that hockey is just on a positive winning streak in the past couple of months.  With the rising popularity of the new television show, “Heated Rivalry,” that had everyone talking, bringing new and positive representation to the LGBTQ+ Community, hockey seems to ...

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Music

New Album from Bruno Mars

Mark your calendars, people, because on Feb. 27, 2026, Bruno Mars is coming out with a brand-new album!  Titled The Romantic, Mars announced the new upcoming album on Jan. 7, 2026, and as the release date nears, the excitement and anticipation grow among the fans. Surprisingly debuting as his fourth solo ...

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Sports

Laila Edwards: Winner!

Add this one to the history books, ladies and gentlemen!  Following the well-deserved victory of the Women’s USA hockey team at the 2026 Winter Olympics, we additionally celebrate another win and the success of one of the members of the hockey team!  Team USA defender, Laila Edwards, won a gold medal along ...

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Theater

The Beauty of a Live Performance

Don’t get me wrong.  I love going to the theater to watch new movies.  With a tub of salty popcorn, holding a refreshing cup of soda, as I stare up at the big screen as the film begins, I will drop almost everything and anything to go to my local ...

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TV

Why No Lesbian Love?

Thanks to the surprising success of the new show “Heated Rivalry,” many people are applauding and praising the show for its beautiful representation of the LGBTQ+ community.  Showcasing the love between two male hockey players, the show has received positive praise and recognition for advancing and representing the LGBTQ+ community.  ...

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Movies

Sexism in Supergirl

Just last year, “Superman” (2025) directed by James Gunn flew across our screens and left us wanting more of the super sage.  But just before we fans had time to take to Twitter and demand a sequel to the summer blockbuster, the ending of “Superman” concluded with a promise to ...

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Music

Bad Bunny Makes Waves

It happened, people!  Last night on February 8, 2026, the Super Bowl Performance of a lifetime finally happened, which is sure to go down in the history books not only in football history but the musical industry as well.  When it was announced that Puerto Rican singer and rapper, Bad Bunny, real name Benito Antonio ...

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Books

Red, White & Royal Blue: Why the Book Is Better

If you are on BookTok, then you definitely have seen the book, “Red, White & Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston.  Written originally in May of 2019, the book quickly became popular among the young adult community, praised for its beautiful writing, captivating story, and deep characters you love to follow.  ...

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Politics

Student Walkout

‘Melt the ICE!’  ‘No one is illegal on stolen land!’  ‘ICE is better crushed!’  ‘ICE out of schools!’  Such words were plastered all over the signs and shouted in the streets by hundreds and hundreds of students based in the Seattle area as they demanded that ICE leave.  Following the ...

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Health and Wellness

Student Destress

I think that we can all agree that being a student is not easy.  Whether you’re in middle school, high school, college, or at another level of higher education, being a student presents many challenges that don’t really come with an instruction manual on how to navigate.  Instead, you’re presented ...

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Sports

WWE Is Not a Sport but a Performance

When you think of professional sports, what comes to mind?  Football?  Tennis?  Basketball? Maybe even rugby?  When one watches professional sports, one intends to see trained and practiced men and women work themselves to the extreme to engage in an activity with the intent to win the game in which ...

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Food

Comfort Foodie

Ah, as January has come and gone, we make way and welcome February with everything it has to offer.  With more cold, blistering weather, early sunsets, and slush, February as a month welcomes…. Nothing new when compared to January…  Actually, that is not completely true as February welcomes the warmth and personal intimacy ...

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