Lola Esperian had a way with the community, and all those who walked through the doors of Lola’s Tattoo Shop. Not only was she an exceptional artist, she was a confidante who was willing to share advice with anyone. Now, years later, her artists still keep the shop running — hot and flying. With ceiling-to-floor windows, walls full of colorful flash tattoo art and black and white tiled floors, Lola’s is still a beloved treasure and place of refuge for residents of Bogota, N.J. “The one thing I love about this place, it just has that classic tattoo look,” shared Esperian’s apprentice, Johnny Nukem. “I try to keep it that way, the way Lola had it.” Produced by Leyla Merhi. Adviser: R. Leung (Photo: Leyla Merhi)

Teacher by day, potter by night. What started as a hobby that she picked up to entertain herself during the pandemic has become a major creative outlet for Talia Boado. She began her pottery journey at Artesana Pottery, a small pottery studio in Union City, NJ., and it made her fall in love with the art of pottery. Produced by Nicole Boado. Adviser: R. Leung (Photo: Nicole Boado)

Rock climbing is a sport of extreme dichotomies. Ramapo College students Anthony Simone, RJ McLaughlin and Ryan Garaffa are quite familiar with these dichotomies. As members of the Ramapo College Rock Climbing Club, they brave the dramatic highs and lows of the climb on a weekly basis. Produced by Jacob LoCascio. Adviser: R. Leung (Photo: Jacob LoCascio)

The COVID-19 pandemic left athletes at all levels unable to train or compete in their beloved sport, but this didn’t stop athletes from staying hopeful and continuing to train on their own for the next meet. The Monmouth County Swimming Conference, which is made up of six teams of children ranging from 5 to 18 years old, returned to the pool ready to compete the following summer after a year without swimming. Produced by Kaitlin Balasaygun. Adviser: R. Leung (Photo: Kaitlin Balasaygun)

Most people vacation at Cape May without knowing anything about the location’s history. The Center for Community Arts, a non-profit organization founded by sixth-generation Cape May resident Emily Dempsey, has fought to archive and preserve Cape May’s African-American history. The organization’s book, “Black Voices of Cape May: A Feeling of Community,” is a great source for history buffs, but what’s better than hearing directly from Dempsey herself? Producer: Alexis Jones. Adviser: R. Leung 

Art and culture provides much fun for the public as our reporters go back in time to explore how something old has become something new again. Writers: Olivia O’Keefe, Rylie Klain and Gabriella Fonseca. Adviser: R. Leung