Picture of Meredith Hall

Meredith Hall

Bio: Meredith is a graduate from Skidmore college with a passion for creative writing and poetry. Viewing the medium as an emotional outlet, her earliest works were short-stories and mysteries. Her professional writings have focused on positive youth development in efforts to reform New England's public policy. These were generally grant letters on early childhood education. Yet ultimately, Meredith aims to empower New Yorker's through the written word on topics ranging from politics to theatre.
Movies

Oscar Nominations: Impact of Los Angeles Fires

The January 6th Los Angeles wildfires have caused widespread devastation to residents and surrounding communities. Spanning numerous locations throughout Los Angeles County, the unexpected blaze resulted in five confirmed deaths and the destruction of over 1,000 structures. These wildfires also prompted the cancellation of the highly anticipated Oscars Nominations announcement. ...

Read More
Food

2025: Reshaping Food Systems

Food systems are crucial to human health- allowing for food harvesting, packaging and consumption. Without it, children and families are prone towards malnutrition and a subsequent failure to thrive. Food systems have additionally threatened our national ecosystems and often operate in a vicious cycle. Industrial food production results in a ...

Read More
Books

Blacklisted Books of 2024: PEN America’s Perspective

From outdated social ideals to contentious coming of age narratives, debates over book bans have intensified. Educators and psychologists have subsequently expressed concerns about their effects on young readers. PEN America, a non-profit dedicated to free expression, has documented an alarming 8,232 book bans in states like Iowa and Florida. ...

Read More
Food

2025: A Decline in the Chain Restaurant Industry?

The chain restaurant industry has faced significant challenges, with 2024 marking a year of steep decline. A staggering 649 locations declared bankruptcy, leaving Americans grappling with both economic and emotional repercussions. This trend has disproportionately impacted working-class communities, particularly in regions such as Chicago, Illinois, Texas, and Washington. Iconic brands ...

Read More
Books

2025’s Must Reads for College Students

From increasing student loans to caffeine-free all nighters, one’s college experience is often considered a pivotal experience. Students may subsequently sacrifice their mental health and find themselves within “The Unachievable Goal” Paradox. Doing so may result in mindless scrolling and a lack of slow-reading. Rather than leaving their bookshelves barren, college ...

Read More
Music

Lin Manuel Miranda’s Off-Broadway Musical: A Cult Classic?

Hamilton creator and Manhattan resident Lin-Manuel Miranda has returned to the limelight with the release of his concept album on October 18th. A one-sitting listen, Miranda’s work serves as an homage to the 1979 cult-classic film The Warriors. The Pulitzer Prize-winning artist hopes the album will offer listeners both nostalgia ...

Read More
Politics

Biden Defense Bill: An Attack on Military Families?

President Biden’s December 23 defense bill has sparked debate over its impact on military families and the transgender community. While the bill enforces pay raises for junior enlisted service members and boosts the military budget to $895 billion, it has raised concerns about health care access and inclusivity. The bill’s ...

Read More
Books

 2025’s Must Reads for College Students

    From increasing student loans to caffeine-free all nighters, one’s college experience is often considered a pivotal experience. Students may subsequently sacrifice their mental health and find themselves within “The Unachievable Goal” Paradox. Doing so may result in mindless scrolling and a lack of slow-reading. Rather than leaving their bookshelves barren, college ...

Read More
Politics

Trump and Alaska: Gas and Oil Dispute

     Devastations to Alaska’s ecosystem have sparked controversy between the Trump administration and 2018 Alaskan governor-elect, Mike Dunleavy. To restore the region’s natural habitat, Dunleavy advocates for oil and gas exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Dunleavy seeks both a state-specific executive order and formation of a Cabinet-level task ...

Read More
Movies

Soundtrack and Screenplay: The Graduate’s Path to $104.9 Million Revenue

Photo Credit: Robert Sunnes Starring renowned retired actor Mike Nichols, the 1967 film The Graduate highlights issues from family dynamics to infidelity. The Graduate has amassed $104.9 million in revenue and recognition along the U.S. National Film Registry. A household name, audiences may attribute this to the film’s technical elements. ...

Read More

Hey! Are you enjoying NYCTastemakers? Make sure to join our mailing list for NYCTM and never miss the chance to read all of our articles!