Preparing for finals is key to reducing stress
By Mayeli Vivaldo, Editor in chief
December 11, 2017
Final exams can be a stressful and anxious week, especially for students who are experiencing them for the first time. Finals are broken up into three days. The finals for first, second, and third periods take place on Dec. 20. Finals for fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth periods ar...
A letter to my grandparents: “Thank you, but please forgive me”
By Ariana Alcantar, Multimedia Editor
November 21, 2017
I consider myself very lucky to have had, who I consider, the most generous and loving grandparents. I was 6 months old when I was put on a plane and sent to Mexico to live with my grandparents. I was the second, and last, generation they raised. When I was 9, my grandma passed away and at the age of 1...
A belated “thank you”
By Mayeli Vivaldo, Editor in chief
November 21, 2017
Life is extremely difficult at times. I have had my fair share of hardships and challenges thrown at me by life or people. During those times, it seemed like the world was coming to an end. I truly struggled. My motivation and determination were drained out of me and there were times when I nearly gave up, when...
A coming out story, alternatively titled, it does get better.
By Grace Schumann, Reporter
October 18, 2017
In honor of National Coming Out Day, Oct. 11, here is my story. It was the morning of June 25, 2016. It was a sunny Monday morning, the week after Father’s Day. The sun hadn’t quite come up yet and the heat of the day hadn’t quite set in yet. My morning started out hopeful, with a news alert th...
Taking out the saint from St. Patrick’s Day
By Mayeli Vivaldo, Perspectives/Lifestyles Editor
March 15, 2017
St. Patrick's Day in America is a celebration of alcohol, the color green, and awful Irish accents. Is that really a proper celebration? According to Time, the holiday was created in 1631 to celebrate the priest St. Patrick who, according to legend, had a lot of luck converting pagans to Christiani...
Trump utilizes Hitler’s fascist tactics
By Emily Wissemes, Editor in Chief
February 27, 2017
Mark Twain once said, "History doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes." Donald Trump and Adolf Hitler may not be exact replicas of one another, but they sure do rhyme. But both Trump and Hitler's rhetorical marginalization of groups, lifestyles, and political beliefs correlate in a way. ...
Don’t let Valentine’s Day get you down
By Mayeli Vivaldo, Perspectives Editor
February 6, 2017
Love has a very complex definition. According to science, love is a happy chemical party that occurs in our brains. It is the activation of various parts in our cerebrum as well. But, according to others, this definition does not truly describe or define the feeling of love. Some might even s...
Laws in 2017 aim for equality and protection
By Emily Wissemes, Editor in Chief
January 5, 2017
Hundreds of new laws are set to go into effect in Illinois in 2017, but two especially stood out. Finally, after years of going to Walgreens and spending $25 for two boxes of feminine hygiene products, the elimination of taxes on those commodities has been lifted. According to WGN, an update t...
Guest Column: A letter to my immigrant parents
By Angeles Coss
December 2, 2016
A Letter to My Immigrant Parents Dear Mom and Dad, I don’t blame you for anything that you’ve done. Leaving everything behind, family, loved ones and friends. You two left everything behind for us, your kids. You guys both came to a country, a country that was a stranger to you both; a count...
Gender stereotypes: Why are they still here?
By Mayeli Vivaldo, Perspectives Editor
September 21, 2016
Women can vote, but they cannot be masculine. Men can cook, but they cannot be feminine. It is 2016, so why do these stereotypes still exist? Gender stereotypes have existed for a long time. They are like any racial or religious stereotypes, hurtful and not at all accurate. “Gender stereotype...
Brock Turner released early from jail after sexual assault
By Emily Wissemes, Editor in Chief
September 13, 2016
Brock Turner, the Stanford rapist, who was only required to serve three out of his six month sentence after being found guilty of brutally assaulting a woman behind a Dumpster, was released recently because of “good behavior.” Turner was arrested Jan. 18 after two male students came across him on top of...
Gender neutral bathrooms raise controversy
By Emily Wissemes, Reporter
May 17, 2016
The Obama administration ordered every public school in the United States to allow transgender students to use whatever bathroom matches their chosen gender identity. North Carolina has tried to pass House Bill 2 which, according to CNN, is a statewide policy banning individuals from using public ba...