MCPS Bathroom Policy Fails

by Audrey Farris ‘25 After many parents came out with concerns about student drug use in the bathrooms, MCPS implemented new steps to ensure bathrooms are being used only for their intended purpose. MCPS explained that restrooms will be checked regularly and monitored throughout the day and that during unstructured periods of time, like before school and during lunch, schools … Read More

Big Oil Should Give Back

by Payton Seppala ‘23 In 2022, oil companies reported record profits due to a combination of the sanctions over the Russian-Ukrainian war and the post-pandemic recovery economy. Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Exxon and Shell have made a combined $1 trillion in a year, prompting questions about the ethics of making so much money while the global population has suffered from record high … Read More

TikTok Limit Protects Youth

by Timaya Pulliam ‘23 The social platform TikTok is creating a new default setting for users under 18 years old, where there will be a one-hour daily screen time maximum. The company worked with the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital to create the limit. The restriction is being introduced to stop young people from nonstop scrolling. Setting these … Read More

Don’t Forgive Debt

by Anna Haas ‘23 Last summer, President Biden announced his student loan forgiveness plan, to the delight and relief of many facing student debt. The plan stated that more than 40 million federal student loan borrowers could be eligible for up to $20,000 in debt forgiveness. However, the Supreme Court must first rule that the plan is allowed to move … Read More

Keep Employees Home

by Alex Braun ‘23 When the Coronavirus struck, the workforce was changed tremendously. Offices shut down and almost everything went online, with employees having to adapt and work from home. However, as we get further from the pandemic and go back to “normal”, several large companies such as Disney, Goldman Sachs, and JP Morgan have begun issuing deadlines for their … Read More

Tate Should be Tossed Aside

by Alexis Booker ‘23 Former professional kickboxer turned social media personality, Andrew Tate, has recently landed in hot water with Romanian police officials after being arrested in his Romania estate on December 29 for human trafficking allegations. Prior to Tate’s arrest, he had left the country after similar allegations and went on to gain traction with male adolescents and men … Read More

Defending AI Artwork

by Genevieve Mayle ‘23 Jason M. Allen’s “Théâtre D’opéra Spatial,” an artificial intelligence (AI) generated art piece, won first place in the Colorado State Fair’s annual digital art competition, sparking outrage from artists who claimed he cheated. Digital artists primarily create art using programs such as Photoshop and Clip Studio Paint. The applications of these programs and AI art generators … Read More

Keep the Statues

by Anna Haas ‘23 Last May, five graduate students at Princeton circulated a petition for the removal of a statue of John Witherspoon. Princeton’s sixth president, Witherspoon was an influential figure in the American Revolution as well as the only clergyman and college president to sign the Declaration of Independence. Despite his influence and legacy as a patriot, Princeton wants … Read More

Trades Must be Promoted

by Payton Seppala ‘23 For many students, college is promoted as the only real gateway to a successful career, and fewer students are entering trade schools or joining the workforce in skilled jobs. Because of this, the US Chamber of Commerce reports a “massive shortage of skilled workers” for this year, which, left unchecked, will cause detrimental effects for the … Read More

History Repeats Itself, Again

by Lauren Frank ‘23 Two years have passed since the January 6 insurrection, and unfortunately identical events have unfolded elsewhere. On January 8, hundreds of violent, right-wing Brazilian protestors who support President Jair Bolsonaro stormed Congress and other government buildings, in retaliation against opposing presidential candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s victory. Many parallels are seen between the events in … Read More