Don’t Be Like Hogan

by Aidan Trump ’21 The 2020 presidential election looms large as Americans begin to cast their ballots. The vast majority have either voted for President Donald Trump or for former Vice President Joe Biden, but this is not the case when it comes to Republican Gov. Larry Hogan. Hogan told The Washington Post that he wrote in the name Ronald … Read More

U.S. Climate Migration is Inevitable

by Jay Joseph ’22 For years, Americans have ignored the impending–no, current–effects of climate migration in our nation. Political debates that challenge the existence of climate change and the idea that money can absolve the damage from it desensitize us from its irreversible impacts. Americans continue developing coastlines while rising sea levels and more severe hurricanes threaten the shore. Nevada’s … Read More

Masks Essential in Drive-Throughs

by Riley Sandoval ‘22 Using drive-throughs and ordering food for pickup has become more common while indoor seating is restricted due to Covid-19. Most people remove their masks when they get in their cars. However, many people do not recognize the need to wear a mask in a drive-through. Whether you are getting food through your car window or placed … Read More

Congruence is Key

by Victoria Martinez ‘23 This school year started quite differently than ever before due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. While I am able to understand and empathize with teachers and students who are doing their best during these difficult times to adjust to the new online learning environment, I believe it would be exceedingly useful and helpful for students and teachers … Read More

The Horror of Breakout Rooms

by Emory Gun ’22 Throughout online school teachers have been working hard to keep students engaged and collaborating. While it is understandable that teachers want students to work together and cooperate with each other, the least effective Zoom feature teachers have used so far is the breakout room. Normally, working with others is an ordinary aspect of school, but of … Read More

Taylor Swift: the Artist of the Decade

by Jenna Bloom ’21 From country, to pop, to indie, one artist has mastered countless genres and produced No. 1 hits across the board. Taylor Swift, who signed her first record deal in 2006, has proved herself to the music industry album after album. Despite being publicly embarrassed by Kanye West at the 2009 VMAs and confronting misogyny her entire … Read More

Voting Isn’t the Only Way

by Sydney Wiser ’23 For many students across the country, watching this electoral process unfurl has been frustrating. How can we change our country when we don’t even have a direct say in who gets elected? There are well-known youth advocates like Emma Gonzalez and Greta Thunberg who have spearheaded their issues at a national level, but you don’t have … Read More

Stop saying ‘Fake News’

by Jimmy Yates ´21 Recently, the New York Times released information regarding President Trump’s shockingly low $750 income taxes in past years. He responded with one of his most common defenses: “Fake News,” with no further explanation other than the argument that the New York Times and the media is out to get him. Trump has repeatedly labeled any information … Read More

MAP Tests are Detrimental in 2020

by Colin Horan ‘21 The MAP, or Measure of Academic Progress, is an assessment that is designed to measure a student’s growth over the course of an academic year. The test is divided into two sections, math and reading, and the tests are normally administered during the spring and fall. The intention of MAP is to provide crucial insight into … Read More

Wish We Still Had Google Classroom

by Katelynn Diuguid ’22 With the start of the 2020-2021 school year occurring virtually, teachers have had to adapt their teaching to the land of the Internet. This meant MCPS Administration had to come up with an infrastructure for teachers to use to keep students’ classes consistent and all in one place. They settled on the use of Synergy for … Read More