My Articles

Here you can find all the articles I have written across multiple publications, including The Daily Orange, Baked Magazine, Her Campus, and The Universe. As a Creative Writing major, I have extensive experience in article writing and fact-checking.

Meet the plastics: FYP’s ‘Mean Girls’ unites cast with lighthearted comedy

Pink decorations and costumes filled First Year Players’ musical production of “Mean Girls” this past weekend. Carmen Nold played Karen Smith, Angelina Brennen played Regina George and Téa Sedlarcik played Gretchen Wieners.
Zoe Xixis | Asst. Photo Editor
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On Oct. 31, First Year Players announced its switch from performing “Heathers: The Musical” to “Mean Girls” due to a denial of rig...

Danielle Brooks reflects on empowering career, uplifts aspiring artists

In collaboration with University Union and The Office of Belonging and Student Success, actress Danielle Brooks made her way to Goldstein Auditorium to provide exclusive advice on Hollywood. Brooks shared that it was important for Black actresses to be their authentic selves, something she had learned from her fellow actresses.
Zoe Xixis | Asst. Photo Editor
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Syracuse University grad...

I Drank Tea Everyday for 3 Weeks

A personal essay by Milena Chiari


Growing up, I had always been told to drink tea, especially when I was sick. My mother would give me a cup of green tea, in which I would add spoonfuls of honey to hide the bitter taste. I hated drinking tea. The thought of steeping leaves in a cup of water and drinking it disgusted me.


As I got older, I heard about the benefits of drinking tea through social media, family, and friends. I would hear people say they drank tea every day and felt their lives...

Student voices, live music kick off 100th year of Black History Month at SU

The “Live and Loud: Black History Month Kickoff” featured testaments to the importance of celebrating Black History Month and live music from local jazz band Claymation Music and Entertainment. The band played songs from black artists, such as “All of Me” from John Legend.
Milena Chiari │ Contributing Writer
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For Syracuse University junior Za’Mani Pierre-Louis, celebrating Black Hist...

Has Dubai Chocolate Gone Too Far?

By Milena Chiari


It’s the green, crunchy filling that swept TikTok off its feet in 2023. Now, it’s become one of the most popular desserts around the world. The question remains: has it gone too far?


I remember when I first tried Dubai chocolate in early 2024, just a few weeks after TikTok creator Maria Vehera’s video went viral. Vehera’s video sparked a worldwide craze, with millions of people scrambling to get their hands on the dessert.


The original treat was created by the Dubai-bas...

‘Music matters’: Resilience-themed Hendricks concert marks 37th Remembrance Week

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Hendricks Chapel was filled with the voices of students singing and instruments strumming as the Syracuse University community, marking the beginning of Remembrance Week. Some audience members were moved to tears as the music played.
“Music has the power to express emotion and meaning that words alone cannot,” John Warren, director of the Setnor School of Music, said. “We are happy to contribute to thi...

Fall is Coming: Your Guide to the Best Fall Foods

By Milena Chiari


Fall is here, and some businesses, such as Starbucks and Trader Joe’s, have already started their fall product lineups. Some of the best fall foods include pumpkins, apples, squash, and sweet potatoes. Recipes vary from pumpkin spice lattes, homemade butternut squash soup, and apple pie. The options are endless in fall cooking, so keep reading to hear how you can ring in the season with some of the best recipes.


Recipe credit to Allrecipes

A simple, yet classic dish is a...

Record-high 34 wiener dogs face off in annual Harvey’s Garden Oktoberfest race

Dog owners and onlookers cheered on the wiener dogs as they completed for glory in this year’s dachshund race at Harvey’s Garden.
Madison Cox | Contributing Photographer
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For each round of dachshund races, Harvey’s Garden owner Michael Greene would count down from 10 before the wiener dogs were off. Each owner found ways to encourage their dog to the finish line – some holding treats...

Danceworks Dreamscapes Behind-the-Scenes Look — The Universe

Article By Milena Chiari, University Union Editorial BoardSocial Media Liaison | Photos By Kelsey Quinn LearyDanceworks is one of the most anticipated shows on Syracuse University’s campus, with students lining up in Schine Student Center hours early to watch their friends perform. Two nights of shows display roughly two hours of dance, but what the audience doesn’t see are the months of hard work, trial and error, and logistics that go into creating a piece.Shaina Lieberman is the choreographer...

Danceworks Dreamscapes Behind-the-Scenes Look — The Universe

Article By Milena Chiari, University Union Editorial BoardSocial Media Liaison | Photos By Kelsey Quinn LearyDanceworks is one of the most anticipated shows on Syracuse University’s campus, with students lining up in Schine Student Center hours early to watch their friends perform. Two nights of shows display roughly two hours of dance, but what the audience doesn’t see are the months of hard work, trial and error, and logistics that go into creating a piece.Shaina Lieberman is the choreographer...

An Interview with Syracuse Band Mimicking Mars — The Universe

Article By Milena Chiari, University Union Editorial BoardSocial Media Liaison | Photo By Kylie RaineSyracuse is home to many young artists, each with their own style and story. One band in particular, Mimicking Mars, is making their mark in Syracuse’s growing music scene. Composed of James Dawson, Jeremy Lanuti, Josh LeVisuer, and Bobby Malone, they have a unique story as one of the only bands writing and performing original songs. Their story starts back in high school, where Lanuti and Dawson...

It's Time to Talk Social Media

Social Media is the most influential tool in our lives today. If you looked around outside, I guarantee you would see someone walking with their head in their phone, most likely looking at Instagram or scrolling on TikTok. We have all been guilty of this. But what has made us so addicted to our phones?Ever since reading about the TikTok ban, I began to think about how this would impact our world. As someone who uses TikTok every day, I was angry, as I wouldn’t be able to catch up on the latest t...

The BEST Date Ideas For This Holiday Season

‘Tis the season for love! The holidays are here, and it’s time to spark some romance in our lives. I believe the holidays are the best time for love, and allow for the best dates. Here are some date ideas you should try with your partner this holiday season:Get cozy with your loved one and fire up the oven! Head to the store grab your favorite baked goods ingredients, and get cooking. You can even do a “bake-off”, and make your own dessert to compete against each other for the best item! Don’t b...

Halloween Costumes We NEEDED To See This Year

Halloween is the one day a year when we get to show out and show off our best outfits. Here were some of the most anticipated costumes this year:This costume has been all over TikTok and is one I am most excited to see. Whether you choose to do this as a solo costume or with your best friends, there are so many ways to play with this costume and make it unique to you. These animals include bears, lions, and even giraffes. Complete this look with the special TY tag, and you are set!Have you tried...

Top 5 MUST-HAVE Advice for Syracuse Freshmen

Going to college can be extremely stressful for many people. I remember moving into college last year and being so clueless, which added to the stress of transitioning into my new chapter of life. Being away from your parents, hometown, and friends can be tough, but you will get through it! Here is my top advice to get settled into college and ready to start your first semester on campus.This was the most common piece of advice I received coming into college. Everyone told me to keep my door ope...