The Catalyst

OPINION: Cig Chi: Cigarette Party Culture at CC

“Cigarette smoking has reached its lowest usage in 60 years, yet overall to***co use is offset by a 7.2 million increase in people who exclusively use e-cigarettes/vapes. For those in the age bracket of 18-24, exclusive cigarette smoking has fallen to just 1.2%, while e-cigarette use rose to 10.3%. Can the same trend be said for Colorado College? On a brisk Friday night, I set out to see what those who were going out thought about smoking culture at CC. 

Outside of Sigma Chi, many were willing to share their opinions, though for the sake of the subject, they asked to remain anonymous. One opinion rose above the rest: CC is definitely a cigarette school. But why?
For one, smoking is a social activity. 

“It’s one of the most bonding things that you can do outside of a Sig Chi party. You meet so many people bumming a cigarette, smoking a cigarette, someone asking you for a cigarette. Cigarette culture is what makes you friends at this school,” said one student.
The social culture of smoke circles was also cited. “I think, especially for, like, in the colder weather, it brings people outside to talk with people that they’ve never talked to beforehand.”

Others agreed that there is a difference between smoking at parties and in personal life. The idea that “drunk cigs don’t count” was vehemently agreed upon.”

📲 Link in bio for full story 
✍️ Story by Abigail Hill ‘29
🎨 Ellie Schwab ‘26

A&E: Gillian Welch & David Rawlings Make
 Red Rocks Feel Small

“Gillian Welch and David Rawlings performed at Red Rocks Amphitheater on May 2, with a setup that barely filled the stage: two microphones, a handful of instruments and an old patterned rug. Compared to the venue’s scale—9,500 seats terraced into ancient sandstone—the arrangement was markedly spare. Two voices in close harmony, moving with absolute coordination, transformed the amphitheater’s vast space into something unexpectedly intimate. 

The duo kicked off a double bill with Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. As the blue sky faded to twilight, their guitar lines and voices weaved around each other like the swallows catching insects above the stage. Rawlings felt his way through solos that danced up and down the fretboard, shaking flawless runs out of his guitar between phrases of harmony. By the fifth song, Welch had played the banjo and italicized the wistfulness of “Wayside/Back in Time” with harmonica, much to the crowd’s delight. 

When the song ended, Rawlings joked that they’d used up all their tricks. “You might take off your jacket,” Welch quipped with a smile.”

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✍️ Story by Asa Gartell ‘26
📸 Asa Gartell ‘26

FEATURES: A Reflection on Sophomore Year: Side Quests and Slumps

“Sophomore year is one of those in-between years. You have your friends, and yet social dynamics are still shifting. You know the campus, but maybe you haven’t found where you want to dedicate your time. You know what parties you enjoy attending, and yet you still might drink too much alcohol, doomed to spend your night over a trash can. 

In the name of honesty, I fell into a bit of a sophomore slump. However, I was not alone in facing this classic and well-known phenomenon. Many of my friends in my year also fell into this slump at least once. In part, I think it’s because the shiny, exciting atmosphere of freshman year is wearing off. I could list all the reasons why it was a hard year and sit in the slums of my emotions, but I’ve decided to shift the focus and change the narrative. When I look back on this year, the moments I remember are the random side quests, escapes off campus and the reminders that there was more to my year than the slump itself.

This year at CC began in its usual fashion. Classes started, time was spent reuniting with friends, and the leaves were a deep, gorgeous green. It was an early September weekend when my friends and I packed up the car and headed to the Union Peak Festival at Copper Mountain. It was chilly for camping, in the way it tends to be as summer comes to a close. And yet, the spot we found offered some much-needed solace away from campus.”

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✍️ Story by Megan Neton ‘28
📸 Megan Neton ‘28

SPORTS: Four Tiger Hockey Players Enter the Transfer Portal

“The Tiger players who have entered the transfer portal and signed with other colleges are forward Gavin Lindberg ‘28, defender Matteo Mann ‘29, forward Merril Steenari ‘29 and forward Shane Kozlina ‘29. Three have already committed to other college programs. 
Lindberg has been a crucial part of the team in his two years with the program. In his freshman year, he appeared in all 37 games and put up 5 goals and 5 assists. Lindberg was also eighth in the NCHC in faceoff percentage at 55.6% in the 24-25 season. He was also named a Distinguished Scholar-Athlete by the NCHC and a member of the all-academic team. In his sophomore year, he doubled his points, reaching his career high of 21 points with 6 goals and 15 assists.

Lindberg was seeking a fresh start when he entered the transfer portal.”

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✍️ Story by Celeste Hammer ‘27
📸 Benji Rosenblum ‘28

NEWS: The Best of The Catalyst 2025-26
“ As we conclude the 2025-26 academic year, The Catalyst would like to recognize the best of our Colorado College community. Over the past week, we invited students to nominate their favorite businesses, clubs, organizations and places, concluding final voting based on the initial nominations.”

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✍️ Story by Lilly Asano ‘27
📸 Benji Rosenblum ‘29

NEWS: Perspectives: In Their Own Words

“ As Co Editor-in-Chief of the Catalyst, I’ve spent the last year and a half reading hundreds of news articles. Some have been about Colorado College, surrounding topics like enrollment, housing and school leadership. Some have been about local politics and propositions, and some have given perspective on overarching federal policies. 

In this edition, our news section will look slightly different. For one, because there isn’t any blaring hard news to report. We are also bringing back an old Catalyst tradition, “Perspectives: In Their Own Words.” This series was once a way to spotlight various members of the CC community. It has since been lost in lieu of other columns and traditions within our paper. But, since this is our very last edition as co-editors-in–chief, my partner, Lilly Asano ‘27, and I thought it would be appropriate to reanimate this series.”

📲Link in bio for full story 
✍️ Story by Lilly Asano & Tessa Frantz ‘27
📸 Brett Levan ‘26

OPINION: The Case Against Snapchat

“Nothing makes me feel older and out of touch than seeing people use Snapchat. The strange avatars, the red and blue squares or arrows next to everyone’s name. Despite having a Snapchat account and, for a time, using it heavily, it feels like a disconnected world to me. I feel like a grandparent asking their grandkids about that new-fangled app. I have all but abandoned the app, but I still see how people use it as a web of interconnectedness, of which I am not a part. I’m not trying to be the ‘fun police,’ as some have called me on Yik Yak. While I’ve criticized platforms like Yik Yak and find them repulsive, my issues with Snapchat are different, and I’m not completely opposed.”

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✍️ Story by Grant Loui ‘28
🎨 Ellie Schwab ‘26

A&E: ‘The Great Divide:’ A Melancholy Ode to Friends, Family and Loss

“Taken as a whole, this album masterfully combines the gut-wrenching lyrics that Kahan is known for, with unique and engaging folk guitar melodies. And while much of the album focuses on a devastating sense of loneliness, songs like “Dan,” “American Cars” and “Paid Time Off” provide a sense of hope for the listener.

Kahan uses non-musical sound throughout the album. The opening track, “End of August,” begins with the sound of cicadas, making you feel like you are sitting on a front porch at dusk. He also has ad-libs at the beginning and end of some songs, reminding the listener that, behind the music and fame, Noah is earnestly human.
Ultimately, in The Great Divide, Noah Kahan tells a story of love, loss and enduring hope, creating a beautiful addition to his discography.”

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✍️ Story by Margaret Freeman ‘28
🎨 Callie Dickman ‘28

FEATURES: The Judiciary: Two Life-Changing Weeks in San Francisco

“The Block Plan is undoubtedly an alluring quality of Colorado College. The small class sizes, quality classroom time and in-depth exploration into a topic at hand are all afforded by the structure of our school. It is at least a factor in the decision many students, including myself, make when coming here.
Yet when I committed to CC in 2023, never did I envision a group of eighteen students returning to my hometown of San Francisco, Calif. for two weeks to attend court hearings, tour law schools, meet with assistant district attorneys and public defenders, tour the county jail and form the closest bond I have ever had with classmates.

The Judiciary, a 300-level political science course, is part of the Career Catalyst Program that CC began in 2023, with a half-block class taught in Los Angeles, Calif. at the toy manufacturing company Mattel. During the 2025-26 academic year, Career Catalyst courses have brought students to National Geographic and the Aspen Institute in Washington, D.C. and Colorado Firecamp near Salida, Colo.

Taught by political science professor Doug Edlin and coordinated by pre-law advisor Gretchen Wardell, the course sought to examine the courts as legal and governmental institutions.”

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✍️ Story by Fiona Frankel ‘28
📸 Fiona Frankel ‘28

SPORTS: Radio Rahim on Campus for 2nd Week

“Radio Rahim is a broadcast journalist and a ringside reporter for Seconds Out Live. He also has a podcast, “Til This Day,” named after a viral meme between Rahim and boxer Deontay Wilder. His podcast delves into the compelling life chapters and lessons of many influential figures. Rahim’s career has been covered in media publications including Access Hollywood, People and Forbes. 

Some of the most notable parts of Rahim’s career include hosting a sold out Crypto.com Arena for the broadcast of KSI vs Logan Paul, guest-starring on Joe Rogan’s podcast to tell the story of his own podcast and a critically acclaimed interview with Bob Saget. He has also become a regular on Dave Chappelle’s “The Midnight Miracle” and has appeared on “Impaulsive,” Logan Paul’s podcast. 
When Rahim interviewed the world heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder, the interview became a huge viral moment and shook the world. This was one of the many parts of his career that created waves and made history.”

📲 Link in bio for full story 
✍️ Story by Celeste Hammer ‘26
📸 Tessa Frantz ‘28