The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University

The Vanderbilt Hustler
The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University since 1888
Memorial Magic is back! Read more about the men's revamped roster and women's experienced team.
The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University

The Vanderbilt Hustler
The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University since 1888
Memorial Magic is back! Read more about the men's revamped roster and women's experienced team.
The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University

The Vanderbilt Hustler
The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University
Memorial Magic is back! Read more about the men's revamped roster and women's experienced team.
Sofia El-Shammaa

Sofia El-Shammaa, Staff Writer and Photographer, Data and Graphics Staffer

Sofia El-Shammaa (‘27) is majoring in political science and communication studies in the College of Arts and Science. When they’re not writing or making graphics, you can find them with their cat, Mochi, watching bad movies or reading good books. You can reach them at [email protected].

All content by Sofia El-Shammaa
Kemper Robinson has been one of Vanderbilt's main keys to success this season. (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa)

[Photo] Kemper Robinson: The Destined Commodore

By David Hernandez, Lead Sports Analyst
Apr 10, 2024
The facade of the Margaret Cuninggim Women's Center, as photographed on Jan. 17, 2024. (Hustler Multimedia/Abby Hoelscher)

‘Celebrating women, empowering all’: Student organizations and Women’s Center honor Women’s History Month

By Sofia El-Shammaa, Staff Writer
Apr 6, 2024
A graphic depicting several concert and music posters. (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa)

[Photo] April concert cheat sheet

By Chloe Whalen, Deputy Life Editor
Mar 28, 2024
Graphic depicting senior Cory Wurtenberger with “on air” in the background. (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa)

[Photo] On-Air: An interview with ‘Big Brother’s’ Cory Wurtenberger

By Abigail Delattre, Staff Writer
Mar 24, 2024
Graphic of an annotated black-and-white photograph of East Hall in the past. (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa)

[Photo] Behind the blueprints: Vanderbilt’s buildings past to present

By George Albu, Staff Writer and Photographer
Mar 24, 2024
A graphic depicting a woman in a mirror (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shamma)

[Photo] JOHNSON: Navigating my racial identity at Vanderbilt

By TaMyra Johnson, Staff Writer
Mar 24, 2024
graphic depicting a computer screen with a financial aid offer, two people on computers and textbooks (Hustler Multimedia / Sofia El-Shammaa)

[Photo] CONNELL: Other colleges should learn from Vanderbilt’s new financial aid policy

By Kate Connell, Managing Editor
Mar 22, 2024
Graphic depicting a golden trophy in front of a roll of film. (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa)

[Photo] The Academy Awards Best Picture nominees, ranked

By Nate Downey, Staff Writer
Mar 8, 2024
Graphic depicting a girl deciding between taking ADHD medication or not (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa)

[Photo] MADDEN: Our education system fails students with ADHD

By Arden Madden, Staffer-in-Training
Mar 1, 2024
Blue background with Vanderbilt logo surrounded by seven pastel painted doors. (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa)

[Photo] FAWCETT: Why Vanderbilt?

By Jorie Fawcett, Editor-in-Chief
Feb 28, 2024
Graphic depicting a couple at a fine dining restaurant with a waiter taking their order (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa)

[Photo] Taste the crème de la crème: A Nashville guide to fine dining

By George Albu, Staff Writer and Photographer
Feb 27, 2024
Graphic depicting the percentage of college students who did not vote in the 2020 election, and the common reasonings behind the lack of participation (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa)

[Photo] How, why and where to vote in the primary election

By Lindsay Cohen, Staff Writer
Feb 23, 2024
Caption: Graphic depicting a residence hall surrounded by housing process-related terms. (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa)

[Photo] SAK: Vanderbilt, fix your housing process

By Daniel Sak, Staff Writer
Feb 18, 2024
Part two of a two-part series on Vanderbilt Bowling senior Caroline Thesier. (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa)

[Photo] The Noble Prodigy: Caroline Thesier Pt. 2

By Jayce Pollard, Assistant Sports Specialist
Feb 15, 2024
Graphic depicting a romantic couple holding a heart while surrounded by smaller hearts. (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa)

[Photo] Respark your romance: A Nashville guide to budget-friendly dating

By George Albu, Staff Writer and Photographer
Feb 9, 2024
Caroline Thesier steps up to bowl. (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa)

[Photo] The Creation Myth: Caroline Thesier Pt. 1

By Jayce Pollard, Assistant Sports Specialist
Feb 9, 2024
Graphic depicting four silhouettes in the colors of Black History Month: yellow, green, black and red. (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa)

[Photo] Celebrating Black History Month in Music City

By Taylor McKinnon, Staffer-in-Training
Feb 1, 2024
A frowning groundhog sits in a blizzard while his shadow sports an evil grin. (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa)

[Photo] SAK: I hate Groundhog Day

By Daniel Sak, Staff Writer
Jan 31, 2024
Graphic depicting a NYT Mini Crossword on a laptop. (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa)

[Photo] The NYT games craze: How ‘The Mini’ and other puzzles have taken college campuses by storm

By Daniela Aguilar, Staff Writer
Jan 26, 2024
A fleet of Lightning ZEV4 VandyRide shuttles charging at VUPD headquarters, as photographed on Nov. 04, 2023. (Hustler Multimedia/Royce Yang)

Vanderbilt Director of Mobility and Transportation joins mayor’s office

By Arman Amin and Sofia El-Shammaa
Jan 26, 2024
A watercolor snapshot of a cozy room while a winter storm brews outside. (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa)

A Winter Watchlist: 8 films that capture the magic of the season

By Sofia El-Shammaa, Staff Writer and Photographer, Data and Graphics Staffer
Jan 25, 2024
With his freshman season coming to a close, Jack DesRoches still has plenty of time left at Vanderbilt. He's not wasting any of it. (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa)

[Photo] Grit: Retracing the steps of Jack DesRoches

By Jayce Pollard, Assistant Sports Specialist
Nov 8, 2023
Students lounging on Alumni Lawn, as photographed on Nov. 4, 2023. (Hustler Multimedia/Laura Vaughan)

Class of 2027: The First Year Survey

By Katherine Oung, Subha Mostafiz, Rhea Patney, Sofia El-Shammaa, Jacob Stoebner, Aaditi Lele, Sofia El-Shammaa, Brina Ratangee, Chloe Whalen and Eleni Zerie
Jan 21, 2024
A scrapbook-style graphic of various coffee items and the Suzie's sun logo. (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shamma)

[Photo] ‘A labor of love’: Suzie’s Cafes celebrate 30 years at Vanderbilt

By Isabella Bautista and Jorie Fawcett
Jan 19, 2024
Khamil Pierre goes for a layup against Florida on Jan. 7, 2024. (Hustler Multimedia/Shammaa)

[Photo] Falling into place: Khamil Pierre’s immediate impact on Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball

By Grace Hall, Assistant Sports Specialist
Jan 19, 2024
Graphic depicting an open diary with several doodles and the words, "'Dore Diaries Year Two with Kate Connell and Anastasia Thumser." (Hustler Multimedia/ Sofia El-Shammaa)

[Photo] Dore Diaries: Year Two – Let’s take a break

By Kate Connell and Anastasia Thumser
Dec 6, 2023
A graphic depicting a Monopoly board featuring locations from Vanderbilt University. (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa)

[Photo] SAK: Trapped in the Vanderbilt monopoly

By Daniel Sak, Staff Writer
Nov 30, 2023
Graphic depicting an overwhelmed international student surrounded by college application buzzwords. (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa)

[Photo] KOH: Vanderbilt doesn’t want international students

By Rachel Koh, Staffer-In-Training
Nov 25, 2023
Graphic depicting Fall 2023 fashion trends. (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa)

[Photo] Cherry red and your grandma’s old pleated clothes: This fall’s hottest fashion trends

By Julia Lvovsky, Staff Writer and Photographer
Nov 13, 2023
Graphic depicting people working out. (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa)

[Photo] Guide to workouts within walking distance

By Hannah Clatworthy and Emily Wiley
Nov 13, 2023
Graphic of a stellar resume and various awards. (Hustler Multimedia/Sophia El-Shammaa).

[Photo] SAK: I wrote this article to pad my resume

By Daniel Sak, Staff Writer
Oct 31, 2023
A graphic depicting different ghosts hanging out at a drive-in (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa)

What should you watch on your Halloween movie night

By Sofia El-Shammaa, Staff Writer
Oct 27, 2023
Graphic depicting Halloween costumes and decorations. (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa

[Photo] Five Halloween costume ideas for pop culture fans

By Mariana Bernardez, Staffer-in-Training
Oct 23, 2023
Briston Maroney plays his guitar during his set at Brooklyn Bowl, as photographed on Oct. 14, 2023 (Hustler Multimedia/Sara West)

IN PHOTOS: Nashville visited ‘Paradise’ with Briston Maroney

By Sofia El-Shammaa, Staff Writer and Photographer
Oct 21, 2023
Munchie Mart in Commons, as photographed on Oct. 4, 2023. (Hustler Multimedia/Lana English)

Campus Dining launches Get Well Meals program for text-based meal pickup

By Zarrin Zahid and Sofia El-Shammaa
Oct 15, 2023
Photo of Vanderbilt Posse Scholars. (Photo courtesy of Anisa Utilla)

Vanderbilt expands partnership with Posse Foundation

By Sofia El-Shammaa, Staff Writer
Oct 13, 2023
A graphic depicting icons from the “Friday the 13th” franchise (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa)

A spoiler-free guide to the ‘Friday the 13th’ franchise

By Sofia El-Shammaa, Staff Writer
Oct 13, 2023
Blakemore House, as photographed on Sept. 3, 2020. (Hustler Multimedia/Hallie Williams)

Blakemore resident access to Hendrix Room continues for 2023-24 academic year after temporary removal

By Sofia El-Shammaa, Staffer-in-Training
Sep 22, 2023
Graphic depicting Vanderbilt senior Cory Wurtenberger, current contestant on season 25 of “Big Brother.” (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa)

[Photo] Previously on ‘Big Brother’: Vanderbilt senior Cory Wurtenberger

By Marissa Tessier, Staff Writer
Sep 18, 2023
Album art for “the dog bit at such an angle” (Photo courtesy of Alana Kneesaw)

Vanderbilt alumna June Rosewell releases second EP

By Sofia El-Shammaa, Staffer-in-Training
Sep 12, 2023
Junior forward Rachel Deresky is back to her goal-scoring ways following a devastating ACL injury less than a year ago (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa).

[Photo] Rachel Deresky: Back to her goal-scoring ways

By Frankie Sheehy, Deputy Sports Editor
Sep 13, 2023
Graphic depicting scales of justice. (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa)

Graphic depicting actors in 1970s wear with a floral background. (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa)

[Photo] ‘Much Ado’ about the 35th season of summer Shakespeare

By Bella Guzman, Staffer-in-Training
Sep 11, 2023
Graphic depicting textbooks and school supplies. (Hustler Multimedia/Sofia El-Shammaa)

[Photo] A guide to locating affordable college textbooks

By Marques Watson, Staff Writer
Sep 10, 2023
A rooftop view of Vanderbilt’s campus, as photographed on Nov. 11, 2022. (Hustler Multimedia/Anseley Philippe)

[Data] Vanderbilt ranks first in Princeton Review’s best quality of life, drops in other categories

By Swarada Kulkarni, Staffer-in-Training
Sep 8, 2023
VSG President Samuel Sliman and Vice President Kendelle Grubbs smile as they hear the 2023 VSG election results, as photographed on March 29, 2023. (Hustler Multimedia/Narenkumar Thirmiya)

[Data] Top Golf outings, $1.6k board dinners and $10k merchandise: A breakdown of VSG’s expenditures since August 2020

By Rhea Patney, Multimedia Copy Editor
Sep 6, 2023
Zerfoss Student Health Center, as photographed on Sept. 25, 2019. (Hustler Multimedia/Emily Gonçalves)

[Data] SHIP to include dental and vision coverage starting this fall

By Gabriel Loewenson, Staff Writer
Sep 3, 2023
Greek row, as photographed on Aug. 28, 2020. (Hustler Multimedia/Alex Venero)

Christian fraternity Beta Upsilon Chi joins Interfraternity Council

By Sofia El-Shammaa, Staffer-in-Training
Aug 24, 2023