It’s officially that time of year! This month, The Papyrus likes to celebrate Taft’s most eligible bachelors and bachelorettes in hopes of sparking up some new relationships in this month full of love! Without further ado, here are this year’s Heartthrobs of Taft!
JT Rothstein ‘26
Are you tired? Because you’ve been skating through JT Rothstein’s mind all day! Introducing Jason “JT” Rothstein—a laid-back, funny, and caring upper-mid who believes life is better with good vibes, great playlists, and a Christmas tree that goes up way before Thanksgiving. His dream date involves grabbing pizzas or tacos and hanging out somewhere chill. JT’s ideal match is someone who’s down-to-earth, easy to talk to, and kind—bonus points if you’re into hockey (or can at least tolerate it). Fun fact: JT is the guy to call when you need a killer warm-up playlist! In 10 years, he’ll still be chasing his passions, cracking jokes with friends, and (probably) still trying to prove that the NHL draft is rigged. Shoot your shot—it’s a power play you don’t want to miss!
Denzel Seetso ‘25
His name is Denzel, but you can call him… anytime. This ambitious, slow-
walking optimist is juggling his way through life (seriously, he can juggle) and searching for someone to join the ride. He’s ambitious but a little confused (aren’t we all?), which is why he’s on the lookout for someone smart, kind, and maybe a math whiz. His dream date? A hot air balloon ride where the only thing higher than the altitude is the fun. When he’s not watching Pirates of the Caribbean (the first three, obviously), he’s bringing good vibes and a positive outlook to every situation. Ready to juggle life together? Denzel’s waiting for you.
Huck Griswold ‘25
Looking for excitement, adventure, and someone who totally rocks at Block Blast? Meet Huck Griswold. This cool, fun, and nice guy has big plans—like zip-lining on a date, grabbing Mexican food, and someday settling out West in Wyoming or Colorado. Huck’s a dog lover (Golden Retrievers are a must), an animal enthusiast who’s had six different types of pets, and a firm believer that Mattress Firm is definitely up to something shady. His favorite movies are Inception and Shutter Island, so he’s no stranger to a good mystery—or a good conversation. What does Huck bring to the table? Excitement, adventure, and a willingness to try just about anything. If you’re a dog person with a taste for thrills, Huck might just be your perfect match.
Vivi Halbower ‘25
Are you a piece of steak? Because Vivi thinks you’ve been looking pretty well done!
This spontaneous, optimistic, and charming adventurer is ready to live her best life—preferably on a yacht in the Greek islands with a guy who’s fun, easygoing, and full of personality. Vivi’s life is full of excitement—she’s had a near-death experience involving a flying frog (don’t ask… actually, do) and a suspicious three-year streak of knives mysteriously almost dropping on her foot every New Year’s Eve. Coincidence? She’s not so sure anymore. With a love for the movie Just Go With It, Vivi knows how to balance humor and charm. She’s got big dreams for the next ten years and is all about giving great life advice, doing spontaneous backflips, and spreading good vibes wherever she goes. If you’re ready for a fun and unforgettable connection, Vivi’s your girl!
Lucy Ryan ‘26
Lucy Ryan’s the kind of girl who loves a challenge—she’s looking for someone with a few ‘issues’ (don’t worry, she can fix them). And she’s got some impressive credentials too—at 6 years old, she performed at Carnegie Hall as an angel in a Christmas Special (but we’ll pretend that’s not the most important thing about her). In ten years, her dream is to be living on a yacht in the French Riviera with her husband—who just so happens to be royalty (no pressure, boys). Lucy’s got a keen sense for chemistry (both in relationships and in science) and loves playing Seterra—specifically Europe, where she’s probably already memorized every country. So, do you think you can be the one to charm her off her feet? I say, go for it!
Joe McBride ‘26
He’s chill, loose, clutch-gened, and loves a good time—he’s the one and only Joe
McBride! Joe is an upper middler hailing from the great state of Illinois, and the only thing that he is better at than lacrosse (he’s committed to the University of Michigan—take note, ladies!) is his ability to untangle wired earbuds—certainly not an “average Joe.” Also a man of great taste, Joe’s favorite song is “Redneck Love Song” by Morgan Wallen; allow him to serenade you over an affordable dinner, where he proves to you why the Earth is flat (he’s so charming that your Taft education will fall right out of your head!). It doesn’t get much better than this vibrant and dedicated community member, but he needs someone to match his energy, which is why only “10’s” need apply. Here at the Pap, we believe that Joe deserves nothing but the best. One day a lucky girl will get to be his (Mc)bride, but until then, we compel you to purposely tangle your earbuds and play the damsel in distress…Joe might be able to save you!
George Sullivan ‘25
Quick! What’s your favorite dinosaur? George Sullivan, a senior from New Jersey, is dying to know. George is a kind and funny guy who’s just looking for a nice girl to settle down, move to the suburbs, and start a family with. Nothing crazy, although said girl and house must be alright with Craig, George’s pet opossum that is currently living under his bed in CPT. Continuing to look ahead to his future, in ten years George predicts that he will have climbed the ladder all the way up to a corner office where he will no doubt be bumping “Gangnam Style.” George will be a man who provides, but in the meantime, he can also provide you with entertainment—he is quite proficient with a yo-yo, dare I say a virtuoso. George is also an intellectual; if you get him talking about why he thinks Andrew Pepper ‘25 and our very own Izzy Read ‘25 are members of the infamous Bohemian Grove “cult,” you might be left questioning the order of the world itself. George is a catch if we’ve ever seen one, but unfortunately, we all might have no chance…well, unless you are Emma Watson’s Hermione Granger from the fifth Harry Potter movie—then you might have a chance.
Jasleena Thind ‘26
Looking for a lovely lady who used to know how to knit during COVID but forgot?
Then the awesome, great, and amazing Jasleena Thind might be your girl! The key to winning her over? A classy dinner for two on the beach, and being kind, funny, cool, and tall certainly help your chances. ( Jasleena would also be able to return the favor for your culinary escapade—she loves to bake!! Just don’t ask her to cook…totally different situation. It also might help to know that her favorite song right now is “Modern Jam” by Travis Scott (we think she has a good ear). Being the smart cookie that she is, in ten years Jasleena will undoubtedly be at the top of her class in grad school, changing the world with her beautiful smile and mind. By the way, did you know that Michael Jackson might have faked his death? Just ask Jasleena—apparently he isn’t the only celebrity to have potentially “died.” Gather up the courage to talk to Jasleena…she would like to take you to the movies, but unfortunately, she can’t because she wouldn’t be allowed to bring you as her snack.
Sam Richard ‘25
Picture this: a small coastal home with a garden and a rock wall, a boat, two cats, and a dog. The best part of this picture-perfect future? Sam Richard is in it—in ten years, that will be her life. To be a part of it, we hope that you can make her laugh, and are as thoughtful as they come. Sam is that special and adventurous kind of person who embraces life wholeheartedly—she tries her best, can participate in any random activity, and most likely ends up having fun, and is particularly adept at recreating things she sees off of Pinterest. If that isn’t true talent, we don’t know what is, but what is even more impressive than that is that Sam can fall asleep in under three minutes. Three. Minutes. Sam, teach us melatonin users your ways. Sam also has a particularly refined taste in music AND TV, as her favorite TV shows are Law and Order and Criminal Minds, and the song that she always comes back to is “Whats Luv?” Truly superb. Whoever manages to land a date with Sam (make sure to grab some good food!) should consider themselves the luckiest person on Earth, so much so that we should be asking you if you have recently seen a bunch of red cars in a row—Sam herself believes that seeing this means that something good is coming.
Ny’Ana Hauser ‘25
Her favorite player is J-…Ronaldo, but with you she’d like to get Messi. She’s smart,
funny, pretty, and brings “the pants” to the relationship. She’s Ny’Ana Hauser, a senior from Westport, CT, and she is the definition of a catch. Need any more proof? She has a trampoline in her cozy USGD room (how fun and cool!) and can recite the Declaration of Independence from memory (such intelligence!). Aside from the Declaration of Independence, she has also been known to spit out lines from Hamilton word for word. Her memory is top-tier, and so is she, so naturally her standards are as well. It might be pretty hard to woo Ny’Ana if you aren’t tan, captain of the soccer team, from the Dominican Republic, and preferably have a name that starts with the letter “J”—sorry folks, that’s just the way it is. Being a forward-thinking person with such respectable standards, Ny’Ana is willing to do the necessary “Work” (the name of her favorite song by Rhianna) to get to her dream future, which is to be happily married with three kids in the Dominican Republic (are we sensing a pattern here?). Ny’Ana is a by-the-book heartthrob, and whoever is lucky enough to have her should remember to thank Beyoncé for her blessing.
Lia Arnold ‘25
Do you have a map? Because we keep getting lost in Lia Arnold’s eyes. This passionate, kind and loyal heartthrob is the perfect blend of ambition and charm, with a knack for making any moment feel like a scene from The Notebook (which happens to be her favorite movie). Her dream date is a romantic dinner on the beach with someone who’s tall, funny, and smart enough to keep up with her quick wit. Lia’s got big plans for the future but for now, she’s embracing life’s adventures (including that time in third grade when someone threw a dart into her leg – don’t worry, she’s fine!). A firm believer in the Inverted Qualia theory (look it up), Lia brings fun, support, and just the right amount of mystery to any relationship. Hidden talent? She can do a split, both literally and metaphorically, balancing life with grace and style. Ready to take the leap? Lia’s waiting.
Serena Patel ‘25
Serena Patel is the kind of person who could take you bungee jumping or to a
pottery class, depending on the mood. Spontaneous, thoughtful, and loyal, she grew up by the beach in Florida, which explains her obsession with warm weather and adventure, not quite how we’d describe Watertown, CT. She’s looking for someone funny, up for anything, and with an elite snack game. Fun fact: she can name all the U.S. Presidents in order, an utterly useless talent courtesy of her second-grade teacher. Her favorite movies? Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (for the vibes) and The Talented Mr. Ripley (for the chaos). In ten years, she’ll be on a yacht far from her problems, curating a playlist, and probably still paying for Doordash Premium.
Meredith Werblow ‘25
Are you a beaver? Because daaaaamn, Meredith Werblow is the full package. This effervescent, laugh-inducing humanitarian has a knack for making even an 8-hour court hearing feel like light work (yes, she’s watched one and wasn’t bored). Her dream date? Cracking the case in a murder escape room, followed by a picnic on the beach to debrief over snacks and sunshine. She’s missing an organ, but don’t worry, she’s still at 100%, fueled by her love for Red (Taylor’s Version), the color pink, and finding megalodon shark teeth like it’s no big deal. Meredith embodies “non ut sibi,” serving warmth, wit, and maybe a few conspiracy theories (ask her about the secret Taft pool). By the way, if you’re Ross Lynch in a sparkly pink cowboy hat, she’s already in love.
Joanne Akhibi ‘26
Joanne Akhibi is funny, authentic, and curious, basically, the person you want
around whether you’re deep in conversation or arguing about the use of syrup on hash browns. She’s looking for someone who can make her laugh until she cries, ideally over a thoughtfully planned dinner date. Her playlist is a mix of Clouded by Brent Faiyaz, Controlla by Drake, and about five other genres she cycles through daily. In another universe, her doppelgänger probably agrees. Joanne brings communication, comfort, and the underrated talent of demolishing an entire pizza pie in one sitting, though she swears that’s not her only party trick.