As the semester comes to a close, we asked staff and contributing photographers to share moments of celebration, from observing holidays to honoring sports victories.
Azelin Chen, Contributing Photographer
As I got closer to Chinatown on one of my usual after-class strolls, I began to see smoke, then children running toward it, then confetti and Silly String. While I had received Lunar New Year texts from family that morning, I did not expect a full-fledged celebration on a weekday. I gladly put away my AirPods, took out my Canon PowerShot and immersed myself in the noise.
John Bush, Deputy Magazine Editor
New Yorkers’ love for the Knicks may only be matched by their collective disdain for the Atlanta Hawks. After a 113-102 win in the first game of a best-of-four playoff matchup, Knicks fans expressed their joy by chugging honey and screaming into microphones outside Madison Square Garden.
Hanni Wang, Contributing Photographer
Hundreds gathered at Washington Square Park on International Workers’ Day for a spirited New York City May Day rally that felt like a party. Union banners from United Auto Workers and Contract Faculty United filled the arch’s shadow as speakers brought the crowd to life, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYU’s own professor Elisabeth Fay, whose presence felt like a reminder of how close the labor movement runs to campus life.
Neil Tawney, Photo Editor
There is nothing like the holiday season in New York City. While NYU students are drowning in finals, the city is flooded with tourists celebrating festivities. In the dark, cold winter, the bright Christmas trees around Manhattan become beacons of celebration.
Krish Dev, Digital Director
As LGBTQ+ rights are under assault, it’s worth remembering that celebrations like the annual Pride Parade in San Francisco have always been acts of courage. What began in 1970 with a few dozen people marching through the city — followed by a 200-person demonstration that ended in a police raid — has since grown into a joyful act of solidarity attended by hundreds of thousands.
Rhea Kohli, Fine Arts Editor
This photo was taken at my best friend’s graduation party. It was early August and I had just finished giving her a sappy speech about how much I’d miss her when she went off to college. Right after I was done talking, she and the rest of our friends came up to give me a hug. It was a testament to our enduring love for each other, creating a moment I’ll always look back on as a celebration of our friendship.
Kiran Komanduri, Sports Editor
Covering the highs and lows of NYU Athletics means seeing a lot of celebrations. By far my favorite ones are when our teams come out to support each other. In this photo, men’s basketball senior Bryan Moussako cheers on the women’s basketball team in Pittsburgh as the Violets fought to break the Division III streak record with their 82nd consecutive win.
Suditi Sircar, Illustration Editor
NYU is not the first school that comes to mind as I think of school spirit. However, when I had the opportunity to take photos at the Violet Ball, I was so happy to see both undergraduate and graduate students get together and celebrate as one. It was truly a night to remember.
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