Madison Butchko
Staff Columnist
Madison Butchko is a staff writer for the WKND desk. Madison writes personal essays and exposés that explore new ideas and diverse perspectives. She is originally from Michigan and is in Jonathan Edwards College.
Author Archive
Cold Case: The Frosty Felony

The world had been reset overnight. As I rushed to my 9 a.m.—a feat in itself for someone who is chronically late and in a […]

Beneath the surface

Stop. No. I knew this wasn’t a good idea. But what I knew was not what I wanted. How did I let this happen?   […]

What beauty leaves behind

Content warning: This article contains references to suicide. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to […]

Written in Cards

Happy Birthday! Hope you have the best day!   As I sent the text, the words appeared and disappeared on my screen. Efficient. Immediate. And […]

Madison Butcko
Lessons on pain

"Not again.”  Mustering my energy, I slipped my notebook into my backpack before slipping out of the lecture hall. I couldn't be in class. I couldn't be in my body.

lessons on pain
Writer’s high

There are moments when the body hums with a tension, as if the day itself tightened its grip around one’s shoulders, around one’s mind. This pressure has no form, at least not yet, though I feel it swelling inside, pulsating throughout my body, demanding discharge. I know it well — the accumulation of emotions, unspoken thoughts and the weight of experiences pressed too long against my ribs. I know it must come out. And so I move, instinctively, without thought. Whether it’s my fingers or my legs, I simply move forward. 

Cristina Yang: embracing authentic Asian American representation

Intelligent. Fierce. Ambitious. Cristina Yang, played by actress Sandra Oh, has been one of my favorite fictional television characters from “Grey’s Anatomy,” a medical drama. Set at Seattle Grace Hospital, the show follows the lives of doctors and interns, with Cristina Yang, a standout among them. 

Madison Butchko
WHY WORDS

I have always found words captivating. I’ve always been precise with my words because that is how I convey the meaning of my inner thoughts. […]

Nonfiction Book Reviews

Exploring nonfiction can offer a refreshing break from the rigors of academic reading, providing an accessible dive into diverse topics. While typically favoring lighter reads, […]

Madison Butchko
Spring Break Book Reviews

This spring break I’ve been trying to pick up a book and not my phone. Mindlessly reaching for my phone and getting lost in endless […]

Madison Butchko
Thrills and chills: a book review for The Housemaid Series

Thrillers have always been my go-to genre whenever I fall into the dreaded reading slump. But once I immerse myself in gripping narratives, I know I won’t be able to stop reading. Good thrillers are addictive. Such was my experience with Freida McFadden's widely popular series, "The Housemaid." With three books slated for publication and the third one anticipated later this year, I eagerly dived into the first two installments, and here's what I thought about them.