The digital-first, student-run magazine of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Journalism Department

Amherst Wire
The digital-first, student-run magazine of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Journalism Department

Amherst Wire
The digital-first, student-run magazine of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Journalism Department

Amherst Wire
Brian Choquet

Brian Choquet, Campus News Editor

“The hero of my tale–whom I love with all the power of my soul, whom I have tried to portray in all its beauty, who has been, is, and always will be beautiful–is Truth,” Leo Tolstoy. Email Brian at [email protected] or tweet @brianshowket

All content by Brian Choquet
Introspective Ramblings: "peasant burning weeds AT A PARTY"

Introspective Ramblings: “peasant burning weeds AT A PARTY”

Brian Choquet, contributor
April 21, 2020
(Patrick Kline/ Amherst Wire)

34 of top paid state employees employed by UMass Amherst

Brian Choquet, Campus News Editor
January 14, 2020
(Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

“I’m Still Whole:” A rape survivor’s journey of healing

Brian Choquet, Campus News Editor
December 11, 2019
(Patrick Kline/ Amherst Wire)

Tweet like a First Lady: Former press secretary of Michelle Obama, Kelsey Donohue, speaks on White House experiences

Brian Choquet, Campus News Editor
November 20, 2019
"I think the most vital fact that people need to remember is that we have a climate emergency," said CEPA’s co-campaign coordinator, Barkha Bhandari, at a demonstration against UMass Amherst's use of single-use, plastic bottles on Nov. 18, 2019. "The most marginalized and vulnerable communities in our society are being affected by the climate crisis a lot more adversely than we are right now." (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

Students hold demonstration for ban on plastic bottles

Caeli Chesin and Brian Choquet
November 19, 2019
YKCC spreads awareness on Southeast Asian deportation

YKCC spreads awareness on Southeast Asian deportation

Brian Choquet, Campus News Editor
November 18, 2019
(Photo courtesy of USRJ)

Nostras Voces begins planning for 2020 show

Brian Choquet, News Editor
November 10, 2019
GoFundMe created for recently passed UMass student, Erick Kang'Ethe

GoFundMe created for recently passed UMass student, Erick Kang’Ethe

Brian Choquet, News Editor
November 1, 2019
UMass People Finder to add pronouns to honor International Pronouns Day

UMass People Finder to add pronouns to honor International Pronouns Day

Brian Choquet, News Editor
October 17, 2019
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg sits on stage with Amherst College President Carolyn “Biddy” Martin on Oct. 3, 2019.

“I would be a great diva!”: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg brings laughs and inspiration to Amherst College

Caeli Chesin and Brian Choquet
October 4, 2019
Clutch campus bathrooms when you have a shy bladder

Clutch campus bathrooms when you have a shy bladder

Brian Choquet, Campus News Editor
September 19, 2019
(Photo is a screenshot of a video courtesy of Alyssa Cochran-Caggiano)

Economy housing expands into multi-year dorms

Brian Choquet, Campus News Editor
August 30, 2019
(Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

UMass students hold sit-in at State House

Brian Choquet, Campus News Editor
May 18, 2019
"Coca Cola Soda" by JeepersMedia is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Why does UMass love Coke? Students question pouring rights at flagship campus

Brian Choquet, Campus News Editor
May 12, 2019
(Photo courtesy of "Booksmart's" Facebook page)

Olivia Wilde’s “Booksmart” is funny, but is it Gen Z’s “generational anthem?”

Brian Choquet, Campus News Editor
April 26, 2019
From left: Chris Chiang, Dan Wu, and Sazan Dauto are framed by their notes as they work on their app late into Saturday night at the fourth annual HackUMass on Oct. 8, 2016.

Diversifying hackathons: UMass students put a spin on the popular tech event

Brian Choquet, Campus News Editor
April 10, 2019
NAACP member Brie Bristol leads a talk on why voting matters the groups general body meeting on Feb. 28, 2019. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

UMass NAACP becomes only active college chapter in New England, still seeks RSO status

Brian Choquet, Campus News Editor
March 22, 2019
(Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

What made you smile today?

Brian Choquet, Campus News Editor
February 22, 2019
(Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

Seven important points discussed at “Women Leading Western Mass”

Brian Choquet, Campus News Editor
January 30, 2019
The sign that hung from junior Nicole Parsons' window in Baker Hall. (Photo courtesy of Nicole Parsons)

UMass denounces Resident Director’s email accused of advocating for inclusiveness towards Nazis

Brian Choquet, Campus News Editor
December 24, 2018
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Five holiday songs you’ve probably had enough of

Brian Choquet, News Editor
December 19, 2018
(Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

Julie Rosier, a manager of academic programs for the Labor Center at UMass, hypes up a crowd of spectators and chants, "El Pueblo unido jemas sera vencido," at a walkout against fascism on Nov. 7, 2018. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

(Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

(Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

(Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

(Isabel Fowler/ Amherst Wire)

Top five: Cute date spots at UMass

Isabel Fowler and Brian Choquet
November 1, 2018
A man in a Red Sox jersey was one of the first to jump off a pole near John Quincy Adams Hall around 11:40 p.m. after the Red Sox won the 2018 World Series. (Brian Choquet/Amherst Wire)

In photos: Thousands gather in Southwest to celebrate Red Sox winning World Series

Brian Choquet, Photo/Video Editor
October 29, 2018
Police stand in Southwest as they wait for students to funnel out of the celebration area. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

An American flag waves over the crowd of celebrators. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

A man in a Red Sox jersey was one of the first to jump off a pole near John Quincy Adams Hall around 11:40 p.m. after the Red Sox won the 2018 World Series. (Brian Choquet/Amherst Wire)

[Photo] Amherst Wire’s 2018 in review

Henry Brechter, Editor-in-Chief
December 30, 2018
(Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

Onlookers watch the celebration from a distance on a ramp near John Adams Hall. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

After playing around in the puddle, the man faces his friends and generates cheers from the crowd. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

A directory sign near a campus entrance reads "Mount Ida," with the word "college" scraped off. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

Inside Mount Ida's Center for Veterinary Technology, a stuffed bear lays in the lobby. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

(Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

A cart of veterinary books sits behind the front desk at Wadsworth library. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

Pens repping the "UMass Amherst" logo sit in a pen holder in Wadsworth Library. According to librarian Ilse Allen, Mount Ida is currently going through a "rebranding" phase. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

A bulletin board reads "WELCOME" on the first floor of New Hall (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire).

Inside New Hall, an unfinished puzzles sits on a table in an empty first floor common area. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

A car parked at Mount Ida displays the message, "Never Give Up Mount Ida College." (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

Mount Ida's dining area shares many similarities with those at UMass, including the signature "Fresh Hot Pizza" box. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

Two UMass Dining workers prepare for the opening of Mount Ida's dining area. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

A chained-up gate blocks Holbrook Hall, which once held many of Mount Ida College’s administrative offices. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

Sean Tousey-Pfarrer, a senior sustainable food and farming major at UMass Amherst, holds up a flyer while CEPA staff member, Isa Leonard-Rose, speaks at the STOP Kavanaugh rally held Oct. 2, 2018. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

UMass alumna Meghan Lemay, who graduated with a master’s degree in health policy and management, reads notes off her phone as she leads the STOP Kavanaugh rally. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

Amherst resident, Alla Estuary, holds a sign almost half their size and chants "this is what democracy looks like." "The Democrats strategy is not enough," she said. "The FBI is not on our side. We must mass mobilize." (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

UMass alumna Meghan Lemay, who graduated with a master’s degree in health policy and management, reads notes off her phone as she leads the STOP Kavanaugh rally. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

CEPA staff member and sophomore social thought and political economy major, Isa Leonard-Rose, receives a round of applause after she finishes speaking at the STOP Kavanaugh rally. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

Women of all different skin tones were portrayed in over 40 paintings created at "Expressions: Paint and Chip" on Sept. 28. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

Students of color unwind after racist incidents at UMass

Brian Choquet, Photo Editor
October 1, 2018
Jones begins to paint the hair on his portrait. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

Jones, a UMass Amherst alumnus, gives one-on-one instructions to sophomore Yeccel Rodriguez. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

(Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

[Photo] UMass employees showcase their artwork at Building Bridges gallery

Olivia Amato, Contributor
September 28, 2018
Performers, musicians and parade-goers create a colorful spectacle as they dance and sing along North Pleasant Street. (Maria Manning/ Amherst Wire)

In photos: XTCA Art Parade brings life to streets of Amherst

Maria Manning and Brian Choquet
September 25, 2018
As the festivities wind down just before 5 p.m., TheatreTruck performer Linda Tardif goofs around with fellow performer, Christina Beam. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

UMass students wait as police block off traffic at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and North Pleasant Street for the XTCA Art Parade. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

A boy measures the distance between bocce balls. The court, made by Gary Orlinsky, was one of the four attractions parade-goers could interact with when the XTCA Art Parade ended at Kendrick Park. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

A live performance, titled "Water the Trees," was held in Kendrick Park as part of the parade. The performance utilized Harold Grinspoon's “Family Reunion,” which is part of the XTCA: Cross Town Contemporary Art exhibition. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

A woman attempts to take a picture of two performers as they dance on stilts. Performers and parade-goers had the chance to dance together once the parade reached Kendrick Park. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

A parade attendee plays with Erika Zekos's "Common Surrounding." The piece was one of four public art installations at Kendrick Park to be part of the XTCA: Cross Town Contemporary Art exhibition. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

A performer plays with Erika Zekos's "Common Surrounding." The art installation is usually not on display but it is reinstalled for special occasions such as the XTCA Art Parade. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

A performer hypes up the crowd, chanting and rapidly dancing while the parade makes its way up Massachusetts Avenue. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

Two men excitingly walk through the parade as marchers make their way up Massachusetts Avenue. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

A performer stands and laughs as she cheers on participants in the XTCA Art Parade. Throughout the parade, four performers were stationed at various art displays and joined in the parade as it passed by. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

A woman gazes at a flag she is holding while participating in the XTCA Art Parade. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

A performer entices the crowd to follow her as the XTCA Art Parade begins outside of the UMass Fine Arts Center. (Brian Choquet/ Amherst Wire)

Pi Kappa Alpha is located on the corner of Fearing Street and North Pleasant Street.

[Photo] UMass fraternity charged with hazing and liquor violations

September 21, 2018
Four quality shows to watch on Hulu if you're new to the game

Four quality shows to watch on Hulu if you’re new to the game

Brian Choquet, Photo Editor
September 15, 2018
ValleyBike

[Photo] UMass updates: 5 things you missed over the summer

September 10, 2018
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