“The gray area, the place between black and white – that’s the place where life happens.”

– Justin Timberlake

It goes without saying that 2020 has been a very tumultuous year. With crises ranging from the looming threat of the coronavirus to the intensity of the current U.S. election cycle to the countless humanitarian issues both stateside and abroad, it seems like we are experiencing one of the most exhausting years of our lives, easily putting previous years, notably 2012 and 2016, to shame. Many people are looking for help in these trying times, and in that case, I am more than happy to act as some sort of tour guide to this pandemonium.

For those at home, which I assume is most of you, I want to introduce myself. My name is Grayson Catlett, two-time runner-up for class president and brother of Digest editor Blake Catlett. Unlike some of my colleagues, this is my first year writing for the Digest. I am enamored in the worlds of music, film, and politics, and I like to observe the interactions between the three.

I would like for this column to be, at least in part, a navigation of the problems and questions that are plaguing both students and adults this year. Are we returning to a full schedule? Is prom still a possibility? What are the consequences of this year’s election? There is a lot to cover this year, and I will try my best to condense these immense topics into little fun bite-sized stories every week.

Welcome to the Gray Area, the column between black and white. The column where life happens.