Readers’ pick: Nevel from iCarly as an IA major

Students love nothing more than associating our campus’ geographical location with the presence of high-profile political figures. That’s why it’s no surprise this year’s best meme goes to Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., riding the Mount Vernon Express for an 8 a.m. class on the Mount Vernon Campus. 

The mashup of the Vermont senator participating in a freshman rite of passage is a part of a larger trend surrounding the internet’s obsession with the now-infamous photo of Sanders at President Joe Biden’s inauguration. 

There’s nothing spectacular about the picture, which shows the senator wearing oversized mittens sitting with his legs crossed, socially distanced and hiding behind a surgical mask. But social media users have already deemed the politician to be quite meme-able, whether he’s asking for political donations or running to catch the train. 

In the days following the inauguration, Twitter feeds were flooded with pictures of the senator Photoshopped into the most-renowned art pieces and movie scenes, and students were quick to contribute with their own creations.

“I am once again asking you to name five brothers,” wrote one contributor as her caption on a picture of Sanders seated on Sigma Chi’s bench. In another post, Sanders sits with George Washington on the Kogan Plaza bench. 

But nothing captures such a typical “only at GW” moment like Sanders’ demeanor on an early-morning Vex ride: exhaustion and disdain knowing you could’ve gotten 30 more minutes of sleep if your class wasn’t halfway across the city. 

Sanders memes aside, this past year presented several worthy contenders, like the Class of 2020 showing up to graduation at the National Mall in hazmat suits or an Elliott School of International Affairs student embodied as Nevel from “iCarly.”

But given that most of us are salty that we weren’t in D.C. to experience Biden’s inauguration, it makes sense that this year’s best meme commemorates that day.