Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Merritt Hughes

Merritt Hughes, Opinion Co-Editor

Latest from Merritt Hughes
President Bernhardt speaks out on Town Hall and first year at Emerson

President Bernhardt speaks out on Town Hall and first year at Emerson

By Merritt Hughes, Opinion Co-Editor / May 6, 2024

Early Monday morning, President Jay Bernhardt shared a “Letter to the Community” addressing the April 29 Town Hall and his first year at Emerson.  Bernhardt...

Photos of arrests of 118 protesters at Emerson College

Emerson Staff Union releases statement on April 25 arrests

By Merritt Hughes, Opinion Co-Editor / May 2, 2024

Following the arrest of 118 protesters on April 25, the Emerson Staff Union (SEIU888) condemned the violent police response, calling it “unacceptable.”  “Emerson...

Eric Alexander, chair of the Board of Trustees, yells “Back the fuck up” at Bryan Edouard, a student speaker at the town hall, on Monday, April 29, 2024. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff)

‘History will remember where you stand’: Students, faculty, staff testify at town hall regarding April 25 arrests

Members of the Emerson community gathered in the Semel Theater in the Tufte Building for a moderated town hall Monday morning to discuss the events...

Boston Police Officers gathered in the Massachusetts Transportation Building on Thursday, April 25. (Nick Peace for the Beacon)

DEVELOPING STORY: The latest on 2 Boylston Place ‘Popular University Encampment’

June 18 at 2:17 p.m. - College announces future faculty and staff layoffs due to enrollment decline it says is linked to campus protests Emerson...

Photo Merritt Hughes

Being a lesbian is easier in Boston

By Merritt Hughes, Opinion Co-Editor / April 17, 2024

Opinion editors are not responsible for agreeing or disagreeing with their writers but rather elevate each individual’s specific voice.  I had a...

He ran the Boston Marathon. His wife found a unique way to support him.

He ran the Boston Marathon. His wife found a unique way to support him.

By Merritt Hughes, Opinion Co-Editor / April 17, 2024

While thousands of runners ran the Boston Marathon on Monday, devoted wife Suzzanne Bright competed in her own race through the city’s side roads and...

Sophomores Ashley Bradshaw, left, and Kayla Nuehlen, middle, interview Elle Baray-Forgét, right, for their podcast, ShutUp! on Sunday, April 7, 2024. (Naia Driscoll/Beacon Correspondent)

Sophmore duo launches weekly podcast to talk about topics they ‘can’t shut up about’

By Merritt Hughes, Opinion Co-Editor / April 10, 2024

Whether it’s talking about their time abroad at Emerson’s Kasteel Well or obsession with the TV show “NCIS,” Ashley Bradshaw and Kayla Nuehlen...

Illustration Kellyn Taylor

Class of 2028, this one’s for you

By Merritt Hughes and Ella Duggan / April 10, 2024

Opinion editors are not responsible for agreeing or disagreeing with their writers but rather elevate each individual’s specific voice.  We’re...

Illustration Kellyn Taylor

From dead moms to Dan Schneider: Hollywood’s exploitation of child actors

By Merritt Hughes, Opinion Co-Editor / April 10, 2024

Opinion editors are not responsible for agreeing or disagreeing with their writers but rather elevate each individual’s specific voice.  I read Jennette...

Why college students should buy plants

Why college students should buy plants

By Merritt Hughes, Opinion Co-Editor / April 1, 2024
College can be a rough transition period for a lot of new freshmen—myself included—especially if you are a plane ride away from home.
Sophomore guard Bri Frongillo shoots over her defender as the Lions take on the Lesley Lynx on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023.

Emerson Women’s Basketball Bri Frongillo named to All-Conference First Team

By Merritt Hughes, Opinion Co-Editor / March 6, 2024

Sophomore Bri Frongillo, who sports #2 for Emerson Women's Basketball team, earned the #1 postseason honor this past week when she was named to the NEWMAC...

Illustration Rachel Choi

A Southern lesbian’s search for representation inspired by Jade West

By Merritt Hughes, Opinion Co-Editor / February 28, 2024

Opinion editors are not responsible for agreeing or disagreeing with their writers but rather elevate each individual’s specific voice. Back when...

Illustration Kellyn Taylor

Guide to a successful single Valentine’s Day

By Merritt Hughes, Opinion Co-Editor / February 7, 2024

Opinion editors are not responsible for agreeing or disagreeing with their writers but rather elevate each individual’s specific voice. We’re a...

Illustration Rachel Choi

New Year’s resolutions suck

By Merritt Hughes, Opinion Co-Editor / January 24, 2024

Opinion editors are not responsible for agreeing or disagreeing with their writers but rather elevate each individual’s specific voice. It’s the...

Courtesy Merritt Hughes

Christmas on a budget

By Merritt Hughes, Opinion Co-Editor / December 13, 2023

Christmas and the holiday season can be one of the happiest times of the year. Well, Christmas Day can be.  The weeks between Black Friday and Dec....

Senior midfielder Simone Barragan-Shaw (16) scores the game-winning goal against Coast Guard in the 2023 NEWMAC Semifinals.

Senior spotlights: Women’s soccer seniors were “iconic” and shaped the program

By Merritt Hughes, Opinion Co-Editor / November 15, 2023

This year’s women’s soccer graduating seniors have it all: All-Conference players, bass-shredders, and karaoke stars. They made it to the quarterfinals...

Illustration by Kellyn Taylor.

Growing up with the Gilmore Girls

By Merritt Hughes, Opinion Co-Editor / November 15, 2023

I am younger than Amy Sherman-Palladino’s show “Gilmore Girls,” which first premiered in October 2000. I did not grow up watching it on The WB (now...

Protesters chant against Kamala Harris outside the Ritz-Carlton hotel during the vice presidents visit to Boston on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023. (Ashlyn Wang/Beacon Staff)

Inside and Outside the Ritz Carlton: Kamala Harris’ Boston Visit

By Merritt Hughes and Sam Lawrence / November 14, 2023

Vice President Kamala Harris visited Boston on Nov. 9 to speak at Pipefitters Local 537, highlighting the importance of apprenticeship programs and union...

Illustration: Rachel Choi

Picking Up After College Kids: Environmental Sustainability Efforts at Emerson

By Merritt Hughes, Opinion Co-Editor / November 8, 2023

From move-in to move-out, the average college student is going to produce over 600 pounds of waste and trash.  At Emerson College, we have cut that...

Womens basketball guard Bri Frongillo transferred to Emerson from Div. I Bryant University.

Women’s basketball D1 transfer puts the ‘student’ back in student-athlete

By Merritt Hughes, Opinion Co-Editor / November 8, 2023

While it is becoming more common for Division 1 athletes to transfer between universities, it is unusual for a D1 athlete to transfer to a D3 school like...

The Emerson womens volleyball team celebrating senior captain Caroliine Daviss 1,000th career dig. (Photo courtesy of Ben Read)

Caroline Davis, Senior Volleyball Captain, joins 1,000 dig/kill & 2,500 assists club

By Merritt Hughes, Opinion Co-Editor / October 26, 2023

Imagine doing something you love by helping a “team,” whether that's your family, friends, or an actual sports team. This could be anything, from playing...

Illustration by Merritt Hughes.

Your ‘Roman Empire’ is Not Mine

By Merritt Hughes, Opinion Co-Editor / October 18, 2023

Princess Diana. The Eras Tour. The War of 1812. Big Trucks. These are all things to think about that are not the Roman Empire—so why do men apparently...

Emerson mens soccer midfielder Evan Lee plays against Suffolk on Sept. 9.

Men’s soccer team looks forward after 3-0 loss to Babson

By Merritt Hughes, Opinion Co-Editor / October 4, 2023

Rotch Field was the scene for a hard-fought Saturday game between the No. 18 Babson Beavers and the unranked Emerson Lions.  The Lions ultimately struggled...

The Emerson womens volleyball team after their 3-0 win over UMass-Dartmouth.

Women’s volleyball wins 7th annual “You Can Play” Game

By Merritt Hughes, Opinion Co-Editor / September 28, 2023

The Emerson women’s volleyball team beat UMass Dartmouth in a colorful three sets on Saturday, Sept. 23, in their annual “You Can Play” game. LGBTQ+...

Illustration by Kellyn Taylor

‘Y’all means all’: a Southern queer kid’s take on Dylan Mulvaney’s talk

By Merritt Hughes, Opinion Co-Editor / September 20, 2023

After a 27-hour-car ride from Louisiana, my first steps onto Emerson’s campus three weeks ago were in a rush to meet my roommate for the first time....