Ethan Kula ’24 explores the bridge between East and West laid down by fortune cookies from Sadler Center Court. Even though their fortunes are meant to be a comforting act of trust in one’s future told from the East, he discovers that the Western mindset towards the future has seeped into the heart of the fortune cookie, betraying any pretense of its Asian origin.

I have aphantasia, the complete inability to visualize.

When imagining the dining options at our very ample selection of dining halls (yes, all three), what comes to mind? Probably not vegetarian options — while the typical William and Mary food, which, for the purpose of this article we can abbreviate to TWAMF, does not leave much room for clear vegetarian-based options, they do exist if you know where to find them. Prestin Tran ’26 explores how and where students can find options suitable for a vegetarian diet both in and beyond campus dining halls.

In this semester’s staff-curated playlist, we’re celebrating all that is reflection. The following is a collection of songs that make us think, evoke nostalgia, relive moments, and see things from new perspectives. Join Flat Hat Magazine staff in our trip down memory lane by scanning the code below.

After spending my freshman year at the College of William and Mary, I uprooted myself from my new family and moved across the Atlantic — 3,537 miles away — to Scotland. When I applied to the Joint Degree Programme with the University of St Andrews, I knew it was going to be an amazing adventure: two years at two separate universities, two distinctly different college experiences merged into a singular degree. In this coastal oasis, I have found another community that I can honestly call home.

We are our own worst critics. Join Emma Henry ’25 as she discusses her journey with trichotillomania, a compulsive hair-pulling disorder.

Think back to any major moment in your life and, chances are, there is at least one song that you can tie to it. Mary Beth Bauermann ’24 traces the evolution of music technology and playlisting practices, both of which provide a lens through which we can analyze music and the ways it complements memory.

**Warning: this article may induce feelings of existential dread, melancholy, or wanderlust. Proceed at your own risk.**

This semester, Flat Hat Magazine held its third short story contest open to all students at the College of William and Mary. Participants were asked to write a short story based on the song “Reflection” from Disney’s Mulan. Katie Kauppi ’23 and Mateus Dutra ’23 wrote stories incorporating literal and metaphorical reflections on the self. Kauppi evokes nostalgic simplicity in her story of a young adult reflecting on life through the lenses of a father’s sunglasses, while Dutra examines the experience of self-reflection at a pond. Congratulations to our winners, and thank you to everyone who submitted!

Coffee in hand, Georgia Thoms ’23 sat down with student entrepreneur Celeste Phillips ’24, owner of The Crochet Chameleon, a small business that sells crochet plushies and patterns. The quiet chatter of students in Earl Gregg Swem Library provided the backdrop to Phillips’ story about her business journey from small-time seller to friends and family to business owner of a popular Etsy store with over 36,000 Instagram followers and 2,600 sales. This conversation has been edited for concision and clarity.

As part of our “Reflection” theme, we wanted to take a closer look at the increasingly popular return of Y2K fashion. As if we’ve traveled back in time to the early 2000s, our daily wardrobes are populated with low-rise jeans, tracksuits, tiny sunglasses, chunky shoes, and more. We wanted to capture current interpretations of Y2K style by Gen Z in this photoshoot, so we incorporated iconic cultural staples, including the Burn Book from Mean Girls, a flip phone, and a Juicy Couture purse. Because Y2K is not solely an American or Western tradition, we wanted to portray cultural diversity in our representation of Y2K and thus incorporated jhumka earrings as a way to recognize the presence of heritage and tradition in an individual’s style — mainstream media often westernizes Y2K fashion, erasing the multicultural backgrounds of the individuals wearing these clothes. The bright colors, funky patterns, and blast-from-the-past outfits that we pieced together served as a fun way of depicting an aesthetic that is both modern and nostalgic, reflecting the evolution of fashion trends and culture.

Our “Reflections” shoot was an incredible day of exploring perspective. We captured the models’ reflections on a grand piano, which, given their clothes, makeup, and poses, fashioned an elevated elegance. We assembled three outfits, each giving off similar, yet unique auras, ranging from sophisticated and simple to dramatic and glamorous, from Taylor Swift’s “reputation era” to New Year’s Eve style. Each look was classy in its own way, embodying society’s understanding of beauty and formal attire, important given the theme, as most people try to reflect the best version of themselves — physically and intellectually — when presenting themselves to the world.

The College of William and Mary boasts the prestigious reputation of being a “public Ivy” and the “Alma Mater of the Nation.” The College, though, is also the alma mater of thousands of alumni from across the globe, as well as a current home away from home for hundreds of international students, of which there were 567 on campus during the 2021-2022 year.

In this “Alter Egos” shoot, multiple versions of each person represent alternate personas, showing how self-complexity is reflected not only through style but also through art.

It’s time. I’m finally owning up to my identity as a frequent shopper and supporter of Trader Joe’s — or, in more succinct terms, a “Trader Hoe.” Come with me as I both explore the nationally adored cultural mainstay that Trader Joe’s has become and feed into pernicious cycles of capitalism by offering my favorite, yet underrated, Trader Joe’s products that I believe you should try. However, test at your own risk — you too just might be initiated into the Trader Hoe army after a sample taste.

Meet Brandon and Hannah Wagster, the husband-and-wife team working to make Williamsburg magical. Together, they own the Wagsters Magic Theatre — Williamsburg’s one and only magic venue on Olde Town Road — that has captivated thousands since it opened in June 2022. Continue reading to learn about the Wagsters’ journey to magic, Williamsburg, and each other.

Complaints about the College of William and Mary’s food are as much a part of campus life as academics, but what does eating here actually look like for students? Dig into some of the perspectives of on-campus diners about what it’s like to grab a bite at the College.

The most recent installation on the College of William and Mary’s campus is an unpopular one. Students most certainly have some opinions about the fence.

Cultural cuisine in Williamsburg is limited, so when a new Asian restaurant popped up, foodie Arianna Stewart ’24 had to try it. Continue reading to learn how it compares to other Asian restaurants in the area.

Forget Monty Python’s quest for the Holy Grail — what Flat Hat Magazine staff cares about is edible food (which, as @wm_dining_ would suggest, is certainly not to be found on this campus). Join us for a tour of our favorite restaurants in Williamsburg, where we blow our budgets and gobble up food like Om-Nom from Cut the Rope (this is our nostalgia-core issue; don’t judge us. You probably played it too).