The School of Rock School Support Center team came together to share their five-star favorites—from music and books to tools, recipes, experiences, and more—creating a thoughtful collection that highlights what resonated most with our team in 2025.
FAVORITE Apps
Calm
Recommended by Lisa M., this app plays sleep stories that are helpful to listen to when you can't fall asleep. Lisa's favorite is the story Dream With Me, narrated by Harry Styles.
Portal
Adam C. found this immersive nature app for focus and sleep very helpful for staying focused at work. Rather than using white noise or LoFi beats, this app transforms your desktop (or mobile) into an instant escape complete with non-looping spatial audio.
FAVORITE BOOKS
Unbreakable Rhythm - Frank Zummo
Inspired by Frank Zummo's partnership with School of Rock and having had the pleasure to help coordinate some events together, Alex K. read this novel to learn more about the man behind the drum kit. Alex found reading more on his personal story that includes an entire chapter on School of Rock complete with interview from School of Rock President Stacey Ryan to be an extremely rewarding read.
Verity - Colleen Hoover
If you're a fan of thrillers, Valerie S. highly recommends this novel! She loved that this book kept her on the edge of her seat with a top-notch fear factor and compelling cliffhanger to finish. Soon to be a movie starring Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson, this one will leave you asking, "What actually happened?".
Zeitoun - Dave Eggers
School of Rock President Stacey Ryan's top book of the year is one that will leave you inspired and infuriated all at once. This post-Hurrican Katrina and post-9/11 nonfiction novel tells the story of Abdulrahman Zeitoun, the Syrian-American owner of a painting and contracting company in New Orleans, Louisiana, who chose to ride out Hurricane Katrina in his Uptown home.
Graphic Novels & Comic Books
Chris F. found a great way to escape the difficult moments in life - diving in to graphic novels and comic books! Here are a few that he recommends:
- Strikeforce: Morituri - a Marvel series
- Walking Dead comics
- Criminal - a series by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, which is soon to be on Amazon Prime.
Chris also recommends anything by Ed Brubaker & Sean Phillips, noting they are "worth a read... SERIOUSLY!".
Events
louder than life music festival
Lauren S. reflects on how there was no better way to kick of turning 30 than with her first multi-day out-of-state music festival experience with her fiancé, best friend, and bestie's husband. Held in Louisville, Kentucky over four full-sun, over 90 degree days, some of her statistics include: 87,093 steps (42.5 miles), over 1000oz of water, over 50 bands, 0 pairs of earplugs lost, and countless memories made. Some of the best performances of the weekend (according to her) include: Trivium (whom she saw live three times in 2025), Stone Temple Pilots, Three Days Grace, Snuffed on Sight, PeelingFlesh, Cypress Hill, Alestorm, Fear Factory, and Insane Clown Posse.
Food & Recipes
This year, Valerie S. discovered a love for cooking. Check out two of her favorite recipes below for a high protein vegetarian meal packed with flavor, salt, acid, heat, and fat that anyone will enjoy.
Vegan Burgers
Ingredients:
- 2-3 sweet potatoes
- 1 can black beans
- panko breadcrumbs
- seasoning (she recommends cumin, black pepper, and paprika)
Steps:
- Instead of poking holes in the sweet potato, take a knife and cut around the middle of the sweet potato in a circle so it makes one complete slit. This will give you the most caramelized potatoes.
- Bake at 400 for 50-60 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Scoop out the potato, add to a large mixing bowl with a can of black beans.
- Add seasonings, mix all together by hand or in a mixer.
- Use your hands and a spoon to form into patty-shapes.
- Roast in the air fryer for 15 minutes on 375, or pan fry with olive oil.
Mediterranean Salad
Ingredients:
- cucumber
- tomato
- kalamata olives
- one block of feta
- organic parsley
- organic mint
- olive oil
- lemon
- minced garlic
- salt & pepper
- Options: chickpeas or black beans, fine bulgar or quinoa or orzo.
Steps:
- Dice the cucumber and tomatoes, finely chop parsley and mint.
- Add to a mixing bowl with olives, crumbled feta, 2 tbs olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper.
- Roll out your lemon with your hands and a counter (this will make the juice worth the squeeze), cut the lemon in half and squeeze over all ingredients.
- Add beans and bulgar/quinoa/ozro as you wish!
Hobbies & Activities
Reconnecting with art
Sean W. shared an amazing note about reconnecting with his love of art. He not only took a stained glass class, but had two paintings featured in two separate art shows. He spoke about receiving encouragement from his family and support from his partner, which helped Sean reconnect with creating and displaying his artistic talents. He and his partner even drove three hours to see one of his paintings featured in an art gallery, surrounded by supportive members of her family.
Family Camping
Sam D. and his family discovered a love for camping in 2025! Noting it as an inexpensive vacation, some of Sam's favorite things about camping with his family were that is is a great way to get to know your area & get lots of time outside, and the perfect way to disconnect from devices and screens.
Observing the Lunar Eclipse
Using an entry-level telescope that allows photos to be taken via cell phone, Andy L. had a fun, peaceful night waiting for and watching the eclipse. Check out the cool shot he took!
Memories
The Largest Urban Bat Colony in North America
2025 got a little batty for Valerie S. - she observed the largest urban bat colony in North America! There are over 1.3 million bats that live under a bridge in Austin, Texas, and they all emerge right at sunset to being their evening flight for tasty mosquito snacks. Valerie observed with hundreds of people as the phenomenon began, noting that the sounds and movements were unlike anything she'd ever seen before. The entire experience lasted about 20 minutes and was absolutely unforgettable. Rather than sharing photos, Valerie encourages you to experience this yourself!
Movies
Frankenstein
For Drea A., this movie topped her charts in 2025 for the the collision of beauty, horror and tragedy as only Guillermo del Toro could convey. She notes that the practical effects, acting directing, and costumes were all perfection, and believes Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein, would be pleased with this adaptation.
Jean-Jacques Beineix's Diva
Having watched over 100 movies in 2025, cinephile Josh W. notes this film from 1981 as his favorite watch of the year. In the vein of Cohen Brothers' movies like the Big Lebowski, where misunderstandings result in a tangled web of scenarios, this crime thriller/comedy won the best foreign language Academy Award in 1982. Josh notes Diva as a poignant movie, especially for music lovers, and feels more relevant than ever due to today's culture of para-social relationships with artists and the ever-changing landscape of the music business.
Two for one: Sinners & One Battle after another
Toby M. couldn't fairly pick one favorite for 2025 - so why not both! He loved everything about Sinners - from the social commentary to its underlying theme of the power of music, he notes it as incredible. Having recently watched One Battle After Another and noting that he was still processing it at the time of writing his review, he calls it one of the weirdest yet most entertaining movies he has ever seen. It was very original, and was able to malke him mad & laugh multiple times.
Music
Cenotaph - Ghost
Eric B.'s connection to this catchy song goes beyond the music. He notes that the lyrics focus on loss and remembrance, feeling like a wistful tribute to the kind of everlasting love that endures beyond death. This year, this song became an important lifelong core memory between Eric and his daughter. She has loved this song since first hearing it, and won't let Eric leave her room at night until he sings it to her (at least once). Now, every time he hears it, he thinks of her!
Big Talk - Couch
One of Todd S.' favorite albums this year comes from Couch, a band that features School of Rock alumni, and his favorite song from this album is On the Wire. Todd notes that Couch are awesome musicians with a great album release, and he even got to see them live in Portland!
Sway - Lucinda Williams & Chrissie Hynde
This immediate ear worm wiggled it's way into Molly S.' favorite of the year. Molly notes this Rolling Stones cover as haunting and beautiful.
(Introducing) The Gnomes
Rick C. introduces us to the Gnomes with the debut album by these 19 year old Austrailian Rockers. The Gnomes mix Mersey Beat, Garage, and Psych sounds with strong harmonies and great playing. All of their songs are written, produced, and recorded by frontman Jay Millar. These timeless tunes give Rick hope that kids are returning to organic instruments played by humans!
Big City Life - Smerz
One of Duncan C.'s favorite albums of the year. It made him realize how much cool music is being made out there that we probably haven't heard of.
Mend - Eidola
Eidola has been one of Jeremy D.'s favorite bands for the last few years. Mend is their sixth album, and it concludes a story that spans their entire discography and acts as a sister album to a previous release, Eviscerate, which is Jeremy's favorite. When Mend was released, the band did a live-stream listening party where they broke down each song, had a general Q&A, and raffled off prizes. Jeremy won a one-on-one virtual lesson with their front man, where together they went over music production and guitar tips. It was an unforgettable experience for Jeremy!
The Pavilion Of Dreams - Nailah Hunter, Alia
This recording of a harp and theremin duo performance that Jordan H. attended live conjures up memories of a concert outside in a field under a tree through beautiful music.
Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You - Ethel Cain
Underneath his tough heavy metal exterior, there is a sensitive side to Jim L., and Ethel Cain hits right in those deep-down feels. Noting her as "Taylor Swift's traumatized dark side", Jim enjoys Cain's incredible songwriting, lyrics, melodies, and sonic landscapes capable of piercing your soul. He also enjoyed this album's predecessor, Preacher's Daughter, to which this new album is a prequel storywise. Jim got to see Ethel Cain live this year, and lists it as an top ten all-time show.
Sports
Los Angeles Dodgers' World Series Win
For Dodgers fan Kevin H., the sports highlight of 2025 was by far the World Series. Kevin notes it as incredible to watch the forced game seven after being down 3-2 in a best-of-seven series again the Blue Jays. Kevin will argue this was the best game seven in world series history! The Dodgers were losing early in the game, but kept it close and chipped away at the score. In the bottom of the ninth inning, two outs away from losing it all, an improbably player tied the score with a home run. In the extremely tense next two innings, the Dodgers rallied and eventually prevailed, defending their 2024 World Series title!
Travel
Visiting Ceará, Brazil
In April, Todd S. experienced South America and Brazil for the first time with local friends from São Paulo. He enjoyed a local experience with amazing food, incredible beaches, and great cultural inclusion in a new part of the world, exploring the state of Ceará. Todd is grateful to his friends from Brazil for showing him a part of the world he could not have accessed otherwise.
Trip to Thailand
In April of 2025, Demi I. visited Khao Lak and Bangkok, Thailand, creating an unforgettable experience that left a lasting impression. Immersing herself in the Thai culture that she calls truly special, Demi took a traditional Thai cooking class, making yellow curry from scratch, spent time volunteering at an elephant sanctuary, and took part in the Thai New Year Water Festival, Songkran. Throughout her journey, she met many kind, welcoming people who made the trip even more meaningful. Her experiences on this trip deepened her appreciation for the culture, traditions, and sense of community in Thailand.
From music and books to tools, recipes, and experiences, these five-star favorites offer a glimpse into what inspired, energized, and brought joy to our team this year. We hope you discover something new to add to your own list—and maybe a few favorites of your own along the way.
