Editorials

Wishing Summer? MA, NH Tourism/Travel

3/19/25

By: Davi Nepomuceno, 12

Hey Travellers, summer is almost here! Make New Hampshire and Massachusetts top your choice for 2025, offering the perfect blend of nature and industrial beauty.  

With natural wonders, amusement parks, and seashore, New Hampshire is one of the best places to visit. Plus, it has tax-free shopping! White Mountain region has all the beauty you are looking for, with some waterfalls like Glen Ellis Falls, Cloudland Falls, Basin Cascade Trail, and Arethusa falls. 

With the best summer temperature peaking at 80 degrees Fahrenheit at the peak of July, if you want a place that can mix between big cities and beautiful beaches and islands, this place is for you. 

Boston has everything you'd expect from a major metropolis, from large skyscrapers, restaurants, shops, and museums to great parks and places to connect with nature. For example, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is a great place to visit, and the new ice cream museum will be a great option to cool off and gain knowledge at the same time.

But let's talk about the tropical side of Massachusetts, Cape Cod (Cape for those with more intimacy) has the most beautiful beaches with calm waters that you will enjoy, such as Mayflower Beach and Marconi Beach, which has clear water and an impressive view and sunset.

Martha’s Vineyard is the perfect summer getaway, it's a peaceful escape with charming/attractive towns, fresh and clear beaches, and stunning coast views. Whether you’re exploring Oak Bluffs, with colorful gingerbread cottages (charming houses), or just relaxing at the South Beach, the island has a unique adventure and relaxing vibe. The Vineyard it's also known for its variety of restaurants, seafood, beautiful views to record, making it the best places for families, couples, and solo travelers. 

So, whether you’re hiking the trails of New Hampshire, tanning on Massachusetts' beaches, or exploring the charm of Martha’s Vineyard, The summer of 2025 will be an unforgettable moment of relaxing, adventure, and exploration in New England’s heart.

Should people get paid the minimum wage plus tips? 

11/1/24

By: Kayla Manseau, 11

In the Massachusetts food industry, the hourly pay is about $2.15 dollars. However, Question 5, which was proposed recently is asking voters to either raise the minimum wage to $15.00 for tipped employees, or keep it the same. Voters on November 5 will decide whether they want to enact this change in our state. 

Waitresses are expressing that it’s harder to live when you get paid such a short amount of money a week. However, restaurants are mostly always hiring, but you'll get paid much less than someone who works in an office. 

Then, there's tip pooling. The tip pooling method can be easy and fair in the line of work. It works by taking all the business tips that they make for the day and distributing it all among the workers. It’s most commonly used at bars, hotels, coffee shops and restaurants. Over the course of the month, they can get paid more than 30 dollars. With inflation, that can’t make you survive much longer. 

In 2022, it was reported that the percentage of inflation went up 8% when the average is 1.2 % every year. In 2022, the Covid-19 pandemic has affected most of all restaurants. Many in Massachusetts have been forced to shut down. In the presidential election, let's see if question 5 votes yes in Massachusetts.

The best worst thing, what it means to be bad

10/1/24

By: Evan Cifrino, 9

“The worst” is not a very debated topic, because everyone can agree if something is objectively bad. Everyone will say that death, pain, sorrow, and loss are terrible things. And the best things also aren’t, pets, money, and sweets are great things. Both are popular and everybody has their own answer, but the worst thing is something that no one thinks about, so I will.

For something to be worse, is to be the least liked out of something, but what does it mean for something to be bad? The definition of “bad” is a lot, would something having bad quality make people say it’s bad? No, There are countless old movies that have very old and poor production, but are still better than some newer movies with the latest equipment. To carefully dissect each part of something and consider what parts of it are bad is something not a lot of people do, “bad” is a reaction, if you have to think about it, it’s probably not bad, people will know when something is bad, so trying to examine something done by instinct is pointless.

What can be the best, worst thing? That title is not reserved for an object, it applies to nearly everything. It could be a processed cookie because it tastes good, but it’s bad for your health. It could be waiting in line for a roller coaster because it’s boring, but you know that you will soon have fun. I think for something to be the best worst thing it has to be the one thing that you hate the least, the thing that you consider hated but is not liked enough to be ok.

What I think it is. Because this question is so vague, everyone will have a different opinion. People can like things others hate, so this might not be your answer, but it’s still an answer. Going to bed, I'm not talking about sleeping, nor the action of going into your bed, I’m talking about the idea of ending the day. I will always need to do something, so the action of stopping while I still have plenty of free time is hard, but if I don’t stop I'll lose time the following day. I also love to sleep, and not having to do work is nice, but needing to do work the next day is disappointing. I would say I hate going to bed, but I never think of the fact that I hate it, I hold nothing against it, it’s something I need to do, and the things I bring with it are great. So the best, worst thing is the idea of going to bed.

To think of something you don’t have the answer to is a neat activity. Bad is subjective, and so is the question, what you hate and what you like is hard to pin down, and your definition is your own.

Porsche reveals the all new 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid, Europe's fastest hybrid?10/2/24

By: Ryan Zukowski, 12

Porsche just revealed their all new 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid via livestream to the world from their Headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany.

In the eyes of car enthusiasts, the T-Hybrid could be mocked for its use of electric motors. Yet, when Porsche informed us of the amazing power and torque that single turbo plus electric motor gives us, we were impressed. We’ll let you decide if this Carerra is a mark on the 911’s legacy, or one of the greats. 

From zero to sixty miles per hour in an exhilarating three seconds flat. That's where the legacy of the 911 name is in this car, that raw, torquey feel of a Porsche sports car. Powering that amazing launch is 532 horsepower and 449 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels.

The rear electric motors that make this 911 a hybrid, that's where all that torque is coming from. While car guys aren't often fans of electrification of their beloved car models, the amazing instant-response that electric motors give is winning over the masses. The electric motors also come into play at higher speeds to help cover up the lack of power during gear shifts. 

You may notice a shocking lack of a second turbocharger when you look under the hood of this 911. In fact, every 911 since 1994 has had twin turbos, but when it came to this Hybrid system, they opted to not follow this tradition. Instead of two smaller turbos, Porsche put one massive turbo and mixed it with that electric rear-wheel torque!

Porsche has shown the world, hell, even if it does have a “Hybrid” badge, Porsches are still built to impress.

Jewelry Preferences for the High and Luxury

10/2/24

By: Anonymous, 9

The choice between its material gold and silver jewelry is a personal one influenced by individual style preferences and budget considerations and the significance of the jewelry piece. Whether opting for the classic sophistication of gold or the sleek charm of silver, both metals offer unique qualities that cater to different tastes and occasions.

Gold jewelry is often favored over silver for various reasons. Golds status as a precious metal gives it a higher value and desirability compared to silver due to its rarity and demand in the market. This inherent value makes gold jewelry a popular choice for those looking to invest in pieces that retain their worth over time.

Moreover, gold exhibits superior chemical properties compared to silver. Gold is less reactive and thus less prone to tarnishing or corrosion, ensuring that gold jewelry maintains its luster and beauty with minimal upkeep. This durability and resistance to tarnish make gold jewelry a practical and long lasting choice for everyday wear.

Beyond its material properties the aesthetic appeal of gold jewelry is another reason for its preference over silver the warm rich hues of gold complement a wide range of skin tones and outfits adding a touch of luxury and elegance to any ensemble the timeless allure of gold color and shine makes it a classic choice for both formal occasions and everyday wear.

In the end whether you choose gold or silver, it all comes down to what makes you feel best and fits your style. Both metals have their own unique charm and can add a special touch to any outfit.

Introduction to Sustainable Fashion

5/1/24

By: Hannah McAlpine, 12

Fast fashion and overconsumption continue to wreak havoc on our planet, filling landfills, perpetuating unethical production, and preventing individuals from exploring the full extent of their individuality and creativity. 

The first step to implementing sustainability into our wardrobes comes with understanding the terminology of “fast” and “slow fashion”. These terms refer to clothing items’ production and longevity–notable, how we view them: do we commit to caring for clothing items in the long term, or do we view them as disposable? Fast fashion refers to the cycle of continuous consumption of new or “trending” items, only to wear them a few times before disposing of them. Typically, fast fashion comes out of brands who are well aware of the relationship we have to their clothing; thus, these pieces are typically cheaply made without longevity in mind. Further, these fast fashion brands–including Old Navy, Target, Shien, Zara, Urban Outfitters, and Uniqlo–often employ highly unethical business practices and rely on exploitation of the socioeconomically disadvantaged working in countries with far fewer regulations in regards to labor rights. Alternatively, slow fashion emphasizes an awareness of the environmental and ethical effects of consumption, lending itself to avoidance or advocacy against fast fashion brands and attention towards increasing pieces’ longevity. Distinguishing this terminology allows us to question our own relationships to our clothing, individuality, morals, and creativity. 

A rather common notion that accompanies sustainability is that lessening our consumption lends itself to a dreadful life of restriction and want. Quite the contrary, sustainability poses a limitation on our lives and wardrobes that opens the door to increased joy and creativity. Fashion has the potential for meaningful individual expression, and when we impose limitations onto it we introduce the necessity for thinking outside the box and realize the joy we can find in doing so. By reducing what we consume, we’re driven to wear existing pieces in previously unconsidered ways and sew and mend our clothes to give them new character and personalized touches that instill a new sense of excitement in our wardrobes. Further, finding new ways to wear our clothes and learning the skills to mend them affords us a sense of accomplishment, and committing to learning about and implementing sustainability in fashion opens us up to connecting with a community of those similarly interested in sharing passion and creative inspiration. 

To successfully implement sustainability, we can engage with various practices that both encourage creativity and lessen unnecessary consumption. Perhaps most well known, thrifting encourages us to purchase pieces second hand to avoid the unnecessary production of new clothing. Even when thrifting, though, it becomes easy to overconsume under the guise of being sustainable, an issue bolstered by social media popularized “hauls” that encourage us to buy en masse. A mindfulness technique that can help us in thrifting and beyond is the consideration when we purchase a new to us piece of whether we are prepared to care for it for the remainder of its life, rather than discard it after minimal wears. This shift in mindset encourages us to view clothing as investments rather than single-use. Further, individuals can orchestrate clothing swaps among their community for folks to pass on clothing they no longer wear and obtain new pieces without producing waste. In terms of creative mending, individuals can mend, sew, or dye their clothing to extend its life and wear it with increased excitement. Sewing and mending can require minimal materials–a needle, scissors, and thread–and possess a host of free internet tutorials. Dying clothing via plant dyes allows us to explore the colors of nature and renew a piece’s possibilities, with a similar plethora of tutorials online.

The world of sustainable fashion is robust and thought-provoking beyond its initial introduction. In this digital age, the internet is full of how-tos and different perspectives on sustainable fashion that can widen our worldview and inspire us to make changes in personal consumption. Books include Make Thrift Mend by Katrina Rodabaugh, Wear Repair Repurpose by Lily Fulop, The Conscious Closet by Elizabeth L. Cline, Fashionopolis by Dana Thomas, and Radical Sewing by Kate Weiss (even better if you purchase them through a small local bookseller!). Social media accounts include thatcurlytop, oh.charlotte.rose, slowstitchclub, visible_creative_mending, fashion revolution, and sustainablebk. You can also search hashtags the likes of “sustainable fashion”, “slow fashion”, “visible creative mending” and “home sewing”. 

Overconsumption–in general, but of clothing in particular–has contributed in large part to the current climate crisis. Quickly purchased and discarded clothing takes up a great deal of space in landfills, with its production demanding unethical labor that exploits those in precarious socioeconomic positions and largely goes unnoticed by consumers. By turning to thrifting, sewing, mending, and upcycling, we open our wardrobes up to limitless joy and creativity.

Christmas Lover? New York City is the most magical place to be

By: Maggie Schlossberg, 10

11/20/23

Attention Christmas lovers, New York City is full to the brim with the most amazing Christmas events from the lighting of the tree on December 1st all through New Year's Day. With so much to do in little time make sure you are prepared to hit as many spots are possible. Let me take you through the top places to be so your Christmas experience is maximized. 

The top place to be leading up to Christmas in NYC is Rockefeller Center. Located between 48th and 51st Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues, Rockefeller Center is the most magical place from the lighting of the huge and always full Rockefeller tree to Ice skating with the best views at The Rink at Rockefeller Center to maxing out your credit card at the most prestigious and diverse shops in all of New York. From the most expensive designers to the largest children's toy store Rockefeller can fulfill all your shopping needs. 

Just outside of Rockefeller Center is the Radio City Music Hall, where the entertainment is breathtaking, and the Christmas spirit is always at its peak. Radio City Music Hall is home to the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular. This show has been performed at Radio City every year since 1932! Some of the scenes performed even have the same choreography as the shows in the 1900s. After seeing this show and their famous dances, 3 scenes really stuck out to me. The fallen soldier scene where the dancers all line up and fall on top of each other, the reindeer dance, the bus and city scene and all the amazing perfected dance lines. Looking for Christmas related entertainment, The Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular is a great addition to your evening.

Want great food, Holiday related trinkets and a great experience, Bryant located just outside of Times Square. Over 180 Kiosks from chocolate, rainbow grilled cheese and confetti hot cocoa to handmade ornaments and jewelry, Bryant Park is known to raise your holiday spirit. Like Rockefeller Center, there is also an ice skating rink, but they also have bumper boats and ice! So great food, Christmas shopping and icy activities, why wouldn't you want to spend your day at Bryant Park?

Last, but definitely not least, Times Square. Times Square is the definition of lights, camera, action! Bright billboards, awesome restaurants, interesting people, tons of shopping and the most Christmas spirit in all of NY. Times Square is literally its own town, so let me take you through the top places to hit. The m & m store and Hersey's store is a must. The candy and chocolate is great all year long but, during the Holiday season, these stores are at their peak! Along with the normal high-end stores, Times Square is also home to many vendors including bracelets from different cultures, and it's the best place to get a fake designer bag, but I didn't tell you that… Lastly, Times Square is the perfect background for all of your pictures from Christmas cards to just a cute outfit photoshoot. 

Looking to experience Christmas at a whole new level? NYC has it all, the lighting of the tree, ice skating and holiday shopping will surely increase your Christmas spirit.

Why cats make better pets than dogs

5/11/23

By: Maeve Levine, 10

On top of everyday chores and every day “to-do lists” why add more with having a dog as a pet when you can have a very simple cat. 

If you have common sense you know that dogs have more requirements to make them happy and healthy pets than cats do, behind their cute faces comes much more responsibilities than if you had a cat. Dogs need to be walked daily, brought outside multiple times a day to use the bathroom, & need to be fed multiple times a day. But why do all that work when you can have a cat who requires half of the attention and responsibility than a dog. Cats are human minimalists. Cats have much more pros than dogs do. Dogs start out as puppies and as we all know, puppies are much more work than dogs and some people even say puppies are similar to the responsibility of having a new baby except for the fact that they will pee on your rug, eat your shoes, and poop in the corner of your bedroom. Personally, I would not want to deal with that on top of my day-to-day responsibilities. 

Some might argue that you don’t necessarily need to get a puppy, and you can adopt an already grown dog, but even that requires much more than a kitten or full-grown cat. Dogs are cute, but the pain in the butt that they cause you overrule their cuteness. Just imagine you order your favorite pair of sneakers and someone in your family brings your package inside to meet your dog, you then come home to find out that your new dog not only ate the box your shoes were in but ripped up your favorite brand-new pair of sneakers. Again, personally, I would rather not ever have to deal with that. Dogs burn a hole in your wallet, whether it be they’re ruining your new items, eating your actual wallet, or just the necessities they need to be happy healthy pets. And don’t forget a dog can’t fully groom themselves so either you have to deal with a soaking wet dog or pay to have your dog to be cleaned. 

There are certainly benefits to owning a cat that you won't get from owning a dog. I really love cats because you rarely have to deal with a mad wet cat because they groom themselves. Many people think that cats are better than dogs. Cats are easy to care for, quiet, and relatively affordable. If you've ever tried to share a bed with a golden retriever or even a tiny dog, you know they take up a ton of space. Between their size, their love for stretching out into everyone's personal space, the room they need to play and exercise, and their stuff, dogs need a solid amount of room to live a happy, healthy life. Cats, however, don't need a lot of space to thrive. As long as you can fit their essentials, such as litter boxes and food and water dishes, you can pretty much guarantee your kitty will be happy. Plenty of exercise is essential to a dog's health, but getting multiple walks a day can be tough when you have a full time job or even part-time job. Considering the average dog walker charges $15 to $20 for a 20-minute walk, costs can add up quickly. Cats, however, are perfectly content lounging, napping, and playing with their toys at home alone while you work the day away. It's even better if you have two cats, since they'll keep each other entertained.

It has been said that owning a pet can reduce stress and make you live longer, but there are certain health benefits that cats provide to their owners. Purring, for example, may have therapeutic healing capabilities on human muscle and bones. The frequency of the vibrations has been shown to have positive effects on joint mobility after an injury. Cats also improve your physical health. Cats have been known to boost your immune system, reduce the chance of a heart attack, and prevent some young children from developing asthma and allergies. Another similar reason to why cats provide beneficial health improvements is that they also lower anxiety along with stress, reduced loneliness, improve sleep quality, and support recovery from mental illnesses.  Like many other animals cats can also provide support to humans, like dogs who make a job out of supporting humans, cats can do the same. 

Cats provide many similarities as to what dogs and other animals can, but cats are less annoying, quieter, and understand personal space which leads me to believe cats are superior to dogs. 

Could the Tasmanian tiger be brought back from extinction?

3/17/23

By: Kylie Jenkins, 11

In the future, by using gene editing, scientists could be able to bring the Tasmanian tigers back to Australia. Tasmanian tigers, scientifically named Thylacinus cynocephalus, were carnivorous marsupials, and were the biggest marsupial of their time. They were native to Australia and both islands, Tasmania and New Guinea. Its closest relative was the Tasmanian devil. Despite their extinction, there still have been several unconfirmed sightings. 

The Tasmanian tiger went extinct almost a century ago. The last one died on September 7th, 1936 in captivity, this was only two months after they got protected status. Benjamin, the last of its species, died at Beaumaris Zoo in Hobart, Tasmania. It became extinct due to human hunters and species that were non-native to their habitats. 

Researchers for this collaborated with the University of Melbourne and Colossal Biosciences in Dallas, a genetic engineering company. Using gene editing and a process called de-extinction, there is the possibility that Tasmanian tigers could be back in the wild within a decade. This would help to bring back the unbalanced ecosystems in Australia.

People are questioning the morals of this as well as if spending time bringing back a specie that’s already extinct, rather than species that are close to extinction, is worth it. There are several endangered animals that are continuing to lessen in population due to factors like hunting and climate change. Scientists also claim that it can be unethical to bring animals back when their ecosystem no longer exists. Is it the right decision to bring the Tasmanian tiger and other extinct species back?

What overthinking, anxiety really is: Explained

2/9/23

By: Sunni Fritz, 12

Overthinking can ruin your whole day in 10 seconds. Picture this: you walk into a public place and seeing people look at you, your mind may go through so many things at once. The little voice in the back of your head may say, "Is there something on my pants?" "Is there something on my face?" "Is it the way I look?" Sometimes, a full panic attack could kick in just because you walked into the mall and one person looks at you wrong. Someone says, "Hi" to you the wrong way, one may overthink that the person hates them. This all comes from overthinking. 

Overthinking is thinking about something too much or for too long in immense detail. Overthinking and anxiety come from the same bus, they both cause you stress and second guess yourself. Sometimes, the two can overpower your mind and lead you to a messy place. 

Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. When one gets nervous or feels like they have a lot of pressure on themselves, some may get hot flashes. This means that a heat wave goes through your body and makes you sweat, and your face turns bright red. An everyday task like grocery shopping can become something that is so unbearable for those who have anxiety. Waiting for your turn to order food at a restaurant, in front of others, can become socially draining. 

Anxiety and overthinking have a lot of similarities in different ways. For example, if overthinking happened in the past, you start worrying about it, then that leads you to overthink. Several people who struggle with anxiety do this, and this can lead to a lot of stress and burn out in your mind and body. Next time you do this, ask yourself, "if it's in the past, why does it matter?"

For many, wanting to be independent and having anxiety is an important thing to learn and manage. Many people who struggle with this want to do things on their own, but the little voice in your brain doesn't allow you to. You should never assume of one's circumstances when it comes to anxiety and overthinking, as several people may struggle with this. The bottom line is, just know you are not alone. 

Climate change will affect our world

2/6/23

By: Maddox Jank, 10

For years, we humans have been slowly polluting our earth, and the effects are starting to show. The air, oceans, forests, and beaches are becoming covered with litter and harmful microplastics. Humans have begun to combat pollution with electric cars, solar panels, and community service by cleaning up trash. However, we, unfortunately, can’t keep up with the rate at which we put out waste.

It's not just everyday people that are the major cause of today's pollution. Big companies that pollute the air with factories, planes, cars, and jets are a major cause of a ton of pollution. Polluting the air in combination with the amount of deforestation going on is a destructive combination. There simply aren't enough trees to take in all the carbon dioxide.

The destruction of plant life not only harms natural habitats for animals. But worsens this issue even further, which leads to the destruction of the ozone layer and global temperature. With all the greenhouse gasses produced by basically every vehicle on earth. Over time, we have been slowly heating our environment.

 As our environment grows hotter and hotter, glaciers in Antarctica are melting, and our winter seasons are slowly getting warmer. Not to mention how much trash is in our oceans, which is messing with our ecosystems. The amount of our pollution on earth is throwing off the entire cycle of its temperature, which is bizarre. Global warming doesn't just affect us, but it affects the plants, animals, and the earth. Fundraisers and some programs for picking up trash won’t solve the problem. 

We have one planet, which we all share. If we want anything to change, we all have to do our part.

Dogs are better companions than cats

2/6/23

By: Grace Avery, 11

Dogs and humans have been around for the same amount of time. As we look back into history, we see that many humans didn’t do anything unless they had their dog by their side. In more recent years, dogs have even been used to help track down missing people, take down suspects, and find illegal contraband. On the other side, dogs have also been used for therapy in hospitals. They have shown how compassionate they can be. 

Throughout history, humans have appeared with a dog by their side. Humans and dogs have done everything together. To this day, dogs have gone hunting with their owner. Now more than ever, they go on walks together.

 In recent times, dogs have been used to find missing people, track down suspects, and find illegal substances. Dogs continue to amaze us with what they can learn and find out. 

Dogs have also been used on happier parts. They have been used as therapy dogs in hospitals and schools. Patients in hospitals tend to become more relaxed when a smiling dog waltzes into their room. In schools, dogs have been known to help relieve the stress of a day's work. 

Dogs have also helped people become more active. People who have a dog become more active because they know that dogs can’t last inside all day. Dogs also force their owners more and more to play with them, which helps lead to a healthy routine.

 Dogs will continue to amaze us with their intelligence and compassion. They will always be by your side. 

Why Americans Drink Coffee 

1/12/23

By: Caitlyn Gallagher, 12

Americans take their coffee in many different ways. There's regular coffee, cold brews, lattes, americanos, espressos, cappuccinos, you name it. They can also get these drinks hot, iced, or frozen.

The consumption of coffee became popularized in the late 1700s after the Boston Tea Party. Since then, the rate of consumption has continued to grow. Studies have shown that 75% of Americans drink coffee, and 53% drink at least one cup of coffee per day.

People drink coffee for many different reasons. First, people drink it for the caffeine. The caffeine in coffee helps the blood in the body move, and it makes people feel more energized. This is why many people drink coffee when they wake up, or when they start to feel tired in the afternoon.

Another reason people reach for a cup of coffee is that they are addicted. Coffee has many chemicals in it that lead people to become addicted. Caffeine withdrawals include headaches and irritability. Some people chose to avoid these symptoms by just continuing to drink coffee.

In America, coffee consumption starts at an early age. 36% of coffee drinkers say they didn't start drinking it regularly until about 21 years old. 47% of coffee drinkers aged 19-29 say that they started drinking coffee regularly before the age of 16. It appears that upcoming generations start consuming coffee at a younger age than older generations did.

Most coffee drinkers believe it is beneficial to their health. Along with this belief and all the options for coffee out there today, there is no sign of coffee consumption slowing down.

ADHD In Women: Signs that are often ignored during childhood

12/1/22

By: Sophia Barry, 10

As of 2022, women have been starting to get diagnosed or find different ways to manage their Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, otherwise known as ADHD, later on in their lives. Many psychiatrists and parents have a tendency to overlook these signs when younger girls may express these similar traits rooted in ADHD. 

ADHD is a neuro behavioral disorder that normally starts earlier on in life, during childhood. It’s growing more and more common to get a delayed diagnosis later on in adulthood. There was an analysis being taken of ADHD in adult cases, which has doubled between 2007-2016. Not everyone who has this experiences living with this disorder the same as compared to other people with it. Younger girls with the neurological disorder are likely to be distracted rather than hyperactive and impulsive, but these symptoms could still show up in some girls, but they mostly don’t turn up.   

There’s been a national shortage of Adderall, which can treat people with this disorder. Because there’s not enough of this medicine, there’s been concern for more of these medications that can treat it, but mostly for women. 

According to TikTok, there have been many videos that give people false information about ADHD. Most of these videos are listed under “Signs You Might Have ADHD.” Generally people will show things that are common for most people, like show-off their messy room, share how they forget to do things and claim that this is what it’s like to have ADHD. These videos are more well-known with women. Searching #ADHDinwomen on TikTok has around 2.3 billion views. On the other hand, with #ADHDinmen, it has just 8.3 million views. A handful of these social media influencers claim they aren’t doctors, but it’s clear now that these videos resonate more with women as opposed to men. 

To top it all off, grown women encourage ADHD experts if they need treatment. Untreated ADHD can have serious risks attached to whoever needs help managing their potential illness. These include: Substance abuse, car accidents, eating disorders, or divorce to name a few. So it’s important that if someone has unmentioned ADHD, they should seek treatment immediately before things escalate.  

Bring back banned books

10/11/22

By: Samantha Kuhn, 12

Attempts at book banning have grown significantly in the past few years. This is the newest issue being brought forward in America. Books are being banned from classrooms, school districts, and state governments. But what is the cause for these bans? Books are banned for including writings about sexual identity, racism, violence, etc. According to the New York Times, this issue got tremendously extreme in the Fall of 2021, when a Republican Representative from Texas pushed to ban 850 books that included the reasons above. People were outraged, explaining that schools should not determine what kids can and cannot read. 

However, some parents are standing with the bans. Parents have stated that this is a positive thing, and they will be able to teach topics such as LGBTQ+, race or gender, to their children on their terms. But most believe book banning is becoming a political issue more than a personal preference. A real-life example of these book bans? In Virginia Beach, a local politician sued a Barnes & Noble for containing books called "Gender Queer" and "A Court of Mist and Fury". The politician believes these books should not be sold to minors. The suit will most likely not succeed. Additionally, librarians are not fond of these ideas. Many have quit their job after being forced to ban certain books. With the newest school year just arriving, and midterm elections coming up, we will see this issue arise again, maybe worse than ever.

Students and teachers are becoming desensitized to school shootings in America

10/14/22

By: Elizabeth Chelmo, 12

In 2022 alone, there have been about 300 school shootings in the U.S. and people have become desensitized to the issue. The school shooting rate post Covid-19 has increased and people aren’t finding solutions to fix the problem. Guns are the leading cause of death among American children and teens. 

The earliest school shooting in the U.S. was at the Enoch Brown’s school massacre in 1764 and horrifically about 10 died. This shooting started the discussion about mental health and gun control. This shooting was all over the news and was talked about for years. This response is incredibly different to the response to the newer shootings. Now people are just scrolling past these sad stories and they aren’t as affected by the news like they once were. 

The deadliest school shooting in the U.S. was at Virginia Tech in 2007. Sadly 32 people passed away and 17 were injured. It was a horrific event with many memorials and tributes to those who passed. For years people brought up this tragedy because it was sad and caught our attention. Even though everyone agrees that this is a horrible tragedy, there have been hundreds of more shootings since that day. 

Over these years there have been hundreds of shootings that people are becoming less responsive and concerned about. Since people get their news from their phones and social media it gets surrounded with other news about celebrities, sport, and entertainment. The other news makes it so people forget about the sad news they just saw. Even when it does catch our attention it has become less surprising as more stories are released.  

It isn’t surprising anymore when we hear a story about a shooting because it is just another day in America. We are constantly hearing stories about violence and death, so now when we hear these stories it doesn’t shock us like it once did. These violent acts are being vastly overlooked which can be sad for the victims and their families. 

The desensitization of news like school shootings is becoming more common and expected which can be a good thing because we aren’t scared to go to school every day. Otherwise, if we don’t understand the things that families and people around these shootings go through traumatizing events and need support. 

When we don’t give these tragedies the attention they deserve, it prevents us from helping the issue of mental health, bullying, and suicidal thoughts that shooters go through. If we don't change how we respond to these situations, then the same response continues to occur. 

Pros & Cons: Chromebooks

9/20/22

By: Madison Pina, 12

In our school, and many schools in the country, high school students rely on chromebooks to do their daily assignments and tests both in the classroom and at home. Most kids today, from kindergarten up to high school, use chromebooks and other electronic devices to do their work. Specifically, high school students use this tool way more than paper or hands on activities on a daily basis, especially during and after online school due to covid. There are many pros and cons to this and each affects every student differently.

Some pros that come from chromebooks are that they provide almost everything a student needs, and you don't have to worry about buying as much school supplies. As many people know, school supplies can be extremely expensive. The different array of pens and pencils, the color coded folders and binders, a lot of that is going away. This can be a positive because it saves a ton of money. Chromebooks are usually provided by the schools and take the place of the folders and binders and do not require pencils. Along with this, it can help students stay more organized. The stacks of folders and binders can sometimes be too much for some students to handle and they become very unorganized. This can eventually lead to poor grades and a lot of stress. With the chromebook, it is just one thing you need to carry around and all of your work is on there. 

As positive of a resource that chromebooks can be, they have many negatives that come along with them as well. On top of kids already being on their phones for hours throughout the day, or watching tv before and after school, they are also staring at a chromebook for the majority of their day at school. This can lead to many negative things, but specifically, it limits the students creativity and socialization. Chromebooks also take away from hands-on activities, which a ton of students learn best with. Sometimes having to sit in front of a screen for hours can make the students get tired, drained, and distracted more easily. They aren't connecting with other students or their teacher, which is something that hands on activities provides. 

Using technology in school is something that will not go away, and school will probably just get more technology based as years go by. Who knows what school will really look like in the future. 

Halloween should be a holiday! 

9/20/22

By: Lainey Berry, 10

Do you love spending your halloween night out late, getting candy and hanging out with your friends? It usually gets ruined when you realize you can’t stay out late because you have school the next morning at 7 am. In my opinion we should have the day after Halloween off to be able to enjoy ourselves no matter what age you are.

According to History.com “Halloween originated over 2,000 years ago.” This tradition has been celebrated all over the world and extremely popular in the United States. This holiday started when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. Fast forward to 2022, people are still wearing costumes and looking forward to being something else for one night. 

Having this day off makes a big difference to adults too! Many adults work constantly to pay for their bills, possible children, groceries, and other necessities. If you are a parent, you may want to use this opportunity to spend time with their kids. Making Halloween a holiday relieves the stress of parents so they can relax the next day. Halloween benefits the adults to have a day off from work to focus on chores, their children, and other daily tasks. The day off benefits children too, so they can eat all the candy they want! 

Another reason we should have the day off after Halloween is it is a big advantage to young adults. These are typically your high schoolers and college students. People may think that just because we are getting older and more mature that we don’t want to dress up or celebrate Halloween anymore, but I feel the complete opposite. Many young adults love to throw costume parties. Halloween is a great way to express ourselves and the type of characters or things that we love.

How old are you based on your pencil? 

9/16/22

By: Tyler Welsh, 10

Although there are many pencils you can choose, the three most popular are Papermate, BIC Mechanical, and Dixon Ticonderoga. Out of these three, let's see where you fall. 

Let's start young! The pencil that is the most suitable for people still in K-12 students would be Papermate. Its cool looking, it comes in different colors, has a good grip, and they’re very common to see in any class.

For students in college, a BIC mechanical pencil is the only pencil you should have. This pencil is cheap, comes in a large variety pack, and is durable. BIC pencils are most college students' 18-24 personal favorites because you can find them at almost any store you go to. It is very convenient for college students to get access to and use. 

Last but not least let's get to the older generation. Honestly any traditional wooden pencil would work for them. But if you are 50+ years old and looking for an all-around solid wooden pencil, the best on the market is the Dixon Ticonderoga. This pencil is very traditional, cheap, and durable. These pencils are on almost every old teacher's desk in school. This is still a very solid pencil choice, however it’s just a bit outdated to 2022. Which pencil do you fall under?

The great classics are slowly disappearing 

4/13/22

By: Beth Pennington, 12

A new controversy has occurred over banned books.  There is freedom in the books that we read in school!  Teachers assign reading on classic books that have strong life lessons and messages in them.  Some teachers may even give a choice on a book of your interest. Now those classic common books that your parents might have read as a kid are now banned in many schools.  Books like The Great Gatsby and To Kill a Mockingbird are common examples that are being taken off some states curriculum because of certain state's strict values.  Most recently, Texas has banned a graphic novel titled Maus which is about the Holocaust.  Books are being banned for topics that seem controversial like, race and sexulality.   However, this leads to blocking out certain author perspectives.  Books serve as an escape.  Students can relate to the characters in their book as they look to navigate through tough obstacles in their lives.  Banned books are a statement.  They serve as a movement.  Schools are honoring banned books for their messages as they have been taught in schools for decades.  Students should be able to be taught about common issues and perspectives of the world through classic, well written books. 

5 Things I learned in High School

3/31/22

By: Rachel Silva, 12

High School is a big part of the teenage experience, and in those four years, you learn many lessons you will take with you for the rest of your life. Here are my biggest takeaways:

1. You don’t need a huge friend group

It may be hard to believe, but it’s in your best interest to keep your circle small. I have learned this from my own personal experience. Usually the bigger the friend group you have comes with the more drama you will have to deal with. People always talk, but you will grow to see your real friends, the ones that stick by you. 

2. One bad grade is not the end of your life

Many students tend to freak out once they see they get a low grade. I’m not going to lie, I have had my fair share of “F’s”. However, I still got into many good colleges, and so will you. You will still finish with a good grade in the class. More importantly, you won't remember that grade 5 years from now. 

3. You will always get through it

Whether it's all the homework you have, a bad week, whatever it is, I promise there is a light at the end of the tunnel. You will learn that working through it pushes you to be a better person. You learn many lessons with all that you accomplish. It may seem hard, but you are capable of more than you think. 

4. Be involved

This is a very important thing I had to learn throughout high school. Go to your school events (sports games, dances, proms) these are memories you won't forget. Join clubs, they look good and you help the EB community. You won’t regret doing it I promise. It expands many opportunities for you. 

5. Other’s opinions of you does not matter

Take a look around at those who judge you. You won't see most of these people after high school anyways. It is so important to be you, it will make you a happier person. Also, you only live once, if people judge you they are not people who are meant to be in your life.

How to Build the Right Mindset as a Freshman to Get Through High School

3/29/22

By: Jake Brady, 12

Gaining a good mindset as a freshman might make the rest of highschool more manageable.  As for most seniors, I’m sure we can all say there are multiple things we wish we knew going into highschool.  Whether it was learning better habits, taking certain subjects more seriously, not over thinking as much, etc.  All these things come down to our mindset.  But how much does our attitude towards things affect the outcome?  For example, overthinking about school and thinking it’s more than we can handle may set us up to fail.  At least more than we think.  There’s no need to make school harder than it is.  You might even find using that mindset will be helpful in more things than just school.  That’s one thing I wish I knew going into highschool.  Doing all you're capable of, while not getting overly stressed, might make you more successful.  

Another thing I wish I knew is that freshman year is more important than you think.  In a way, it sets you up for the rest of highschool.  Most adults will tell you that once you’re in your junior and senior year, you need to take school very seriously.  The reasoning for this is usually that colleges will pay more attention to these years.  However, if you do poorly or mediocre in freshman year you may have a harder time getting those honors or Advanced Placement (AP) credits by the time you graduate.  What I mean by this is that if you are in College Prep (CP) classes, you’ll have to request to be in certain honors classes next year.  This could become a cycle of not being able to advance from certain cp or honors classes.  Be aware of how you're doing and fix areas that need to be improved will work out in your favor.  Learning to care about how you’re doing in school, without it consuming you, could result in getting into those honors and AP classes in the near future.  Making these little changes to your mindset and habits will make a surprising impact on the rest of your years in highschool.  

Reading makes you smarter 

3/24/22

By: Aidan Purcell, 12

Anyone who wants to improve themselves at any time, anywhere, can simply read a book. Obviously, you want to experience as many different things in your life as possible. However, there’s only so much you can do with the amount of time you have. However, you can make up for this by reading. You’ll be able to learn some of the experiences and perspectives from others that you may have otherwise never known yourself. And if you didn’t already know, books make you smarter! According to scientists, there are three different types of intelligence: emotional fluid, and crystallized. Reading can foster and improve all three categories. Reading is also one of the most stress-relieving activities that you can do. Reading causes you to “enter an altered state of consciousness.” When you get lost in a book, your mind is taken away from your wild, fast-paced life and you begin to use your imagination. It is also true that “self-help” books actually help. The University of Manchester released research on how self-help books have a major positive impact on people who suffer from depression. Psychologists call this “bibliotherapy.” Overall, it is a no brainer to go to your local library and pick up a book to start reading. 

Is “Senioritis” Tougher in 2022?

2/16/22

By: Morgan Tiro, 12

The East Bridgewater senior class hasn’t had a “normal” school year since their sophomore year. Going remote, then hybrid, being in and out of school for some time, and now having to wear masks in school for over a year has made it a challenge for students to want to come to school. Due to this, most seniors have completely checked out of the school mentality and are struggling to find motivation to get their schoolwork done in these final months of their high school careers. A large number of seniors battle the urge to shut off their alarm clocks in the morning, to just go back to sleep. When they finally do find the courage to roll out of bed, most come to school without bothering to even change out of their pajamas. Students are used to being able to do their school work at home and majority, in bed. Although students have many tardies this year, the motivation to get the actual schoolwork done is even worse. No one seems to want to do their homework and grades keep dropping. Seniors are tired of the same routine that they have been doing for four years now and just want a break. The wait for end of the year events and graduation is just about intolerable. Hopefully this year’s seniors will be able to push through to the end and finally be given the credit they deserve for all of their hard work.

Opinion: Holistic? Or Acquisitive?

11/17/21

By: Molly Fay, 12

Holistic, an adjective. A term in the Cambridge English Dictionary that's defined as “dealing with or treating the whole of something or someone and not just a part.” It’s a concept that’s emerged and been favored by college admissions boards in these past few years that has led some students to think they will have a better chance of admission to an institution because colleges assure that they will not weigh one part of their application over another, specifically in the part of their application with standardized test scores or the mystified legacy relations questions. 

Columbia University’s website for undergraduate admissions even promises prospective students that “every part of the application matters to help inform our (Columbia's) judgment." Those parts of the application that determine admission into the Ivy League Institution are based on the following: character, circumstances, extracurriculars, teacher recommendations, along with grades and rigor of course selection in high school. Seems promising, right? Of course, it does. Most rational people would think so. The website displays a whole flashy page where Columbia highlights the supposedly fair and unbiased nature of its admissions process. However,  after only a few clicks on the same website, hidden under a few tabs so that it's not the first thing to be viewed, the Frequently Asked Questions page of the website holds the statement that legacy students (or students who have had parents attend the institution) may have a “slight advantage” when applying to Columbia. Many other Ivy League universities like Dartmouth, Yale, Harvard, and Princeton all have similar statements hidden within the fine print of some of their websites.

After seeing that statement, the next logical question would be: “How much of an advantage is slight in the mind of an Ivy League school admissions board?” The Ivy League definition of ‘slight’ is quite different from the one that you and I possess. Naviance, a software company that assists with learning and tracks student success rates, suggests from their 2014-2017 database storage that the percentage for legacy applications to get into a college is approximately 31% higher than the published acceptance rate for all other students who do not have a legacy connection. 

This warped message of holisticity that the colleges and universities convey is not only untrue, but it also goes against all of the statements of the promotions of diversity that have been made in the face of many racial awakenings that have occurred within the past few years. This, we can conclude, is also not entirely true as the priorities of these top universities lie in enrolling the children of the wealthy and white elitists who have previously attended and donated large sums of money to the schools.

How sad books affect feelings and the brain

10/15/21

By: Madison Wosny, 9

Reading sad stories helps us understand how we feel in certain situations. Many people when asked to read a new book respond in “is it sad?” Reading is supposed to be a relaxing, and enjoyable hobby, why would I want to cry? Sad books take us on a journey with our emotions. Books and movies let us live through a different reality, and also let us escape from our own. 

Many times, people read only for entertainment and pleasure. Although, reading can be more than just that. Books can let us experience sadness, and suffering before we have to go through it in real life. Books can let you be prepared for grief. We can also gain and develop empathy and compassion for others. Storylines that authors create help us to put ourselves in the character’s shoes, and make us experience someone else’s life, from the easier side of it all. We also sometimes cry when reading if something the author has written reminds us of an experience in our life. Oftentimes, authors try to relate to the age groups that will read their stories, and try to grasp their attention with that. Everyone’s brain and life experiences are different, but all of us have something in common, which is the feeling of sadness. 

Although many of us don’t enjoy the initial feeling of hardship and sadness when reading, the aftermath of crying and suffering causes us to be emotionally attached to the many pieces of paper that we hold in our hands. This explains why authors write precisely and formate different ways to make us sad. Whether it's heartbreak, betrayal, or even grief, the human species all goes through the same sorrow feeling in sadness. 

Cheerleading is more than just standing on the sidelines 

10/14/21

By: Natalie West, 10

4 months of Work for 2 Minutes and 30 Seconds on the Mat. When people hear the word cheerleading what comes to mind? 15-20 girls or boys standing on the sidelines cheering on the football team. That is what cheerleading may seem to be, but behind the scenes, there is a lot more work that is put into it all.

Cheerleading is more than just chanting and cheering at games. Cheerleaders work for months on a routine that lasts about 2 minutes and 30 seconds. There are many different components to a cheer routine. There is tumbling, jumps, stunting, dancing, and motions. That is not all though, there are different parts to these components. Tumbling can be standing or running, while stunting consists of individual stunts and the pyramid.

 All of this work put into a short routine can really take a toll on the body. Next to football cheerleading is the sport where most athletes get concussions. Most of the injuries happen while stunting. Lifting someone 5 feet above your head is really dangerous. When a flyer falls it is the base's and the backspot's job to catch them so they do not get hurt. Most of the time it ends up being one of the people catching the flyer that gets hurt. 

Tumbling is also a dangerous part of cheerleading. They flip their bodies around in ways it probably shouldn’t be. If you land the wrong way while tumbling it can result in concussions, torn ligaments, and sometimes spinal cord injuries. Like most sports cheer is a team sport, but when someone gets hurt in cheerleading it is a lot harder to replace someone. Most teams have players that can just go right into the game. However, in cheerleading, this one person had to learn the injured person's whole routine. That is why injuries can be devastating to a cheer team as a whole and not just the injured person. 

Cheer is one of the most overlooked sports. It is overlooked by schools, communities, and people in general. The facts show that in EBJSHS, cheerleading has won the most state titles. Everyone on and off the mat puts in so much effort to make this short routine happen. 2 minutes and 30 seconds is all they have to show for the long practices they have for months. Cheerleaders have one shot. That is it.  To show everyone why they deserve to win.

Naruto Anime Review 

10/4/21

By: Danny Steele

Are you looking for a new show to watch?  Well, Naruto is the one for you.  Let's look at the popular manga-made hit Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto.  At first watch, viewers may not think they will be interested in a story about an orphan boy learning how to become a ninja.  However, by episode twenty-one you'll already be tearing up. You'll quickly realize the powers of this show and Naruto's dream to become the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village.  The storyline is iconic and inspirational.  Naruto has action, adventure, friendship, battles, romance, and deep themes that can connect to any viewer who watches.  Although there are over seven hundred, 23-minute episodes, you will for sure get hooked!

How Anxiety Affects Teenagers

10/4/21

By: Olivia Forgit, 10 

Anxiety can affect and change people's day-to-day life. A lot of people think that anxiety only truly affects adults, but that is completely false. Anxiety can affect anyone no matter their age. A very common thing that a lot of people get are anxiety attacks. A majority of teens get anxiety attacks in public and/or crowded places from claustrophobia, feeling like everyone is looking at you, laughing at you with their friends, or silently judging you.

Anxiety attacks are usually caused by built-up stress, fear, or they just happen out of nowhere and unexpectedly with no reason at all. Some people think that when you get older, that anxiety just ends up going away, but it never actually goes away, you just learn to control it and help it over years of practice. A lot of teenagers develop anxiety from trauma but you can have a perfectly fine and good life and have anxiety. Anxiety affects a lot of teenagers and it can prevent them from focusing on school. A lot of teens dread going to school and it causes more and more of them to gain more missing work and even more stress. The mix of waking up early for school and sitting for almost six hours a day, straining your mind, and forcing yourself to focus takes a lot of work. This causes most teens to not do their homework because they are unmotivated and physically/mentally exhausted by the end of the day.

What a lot of teachers don't realize is that getting angry at a teen for not doing their work and calling them lazy is not always the right thing. They don't understand that some of these kids aren't actually lazy; they just have absolutely no energy to do the work they were told to. “I know this is no excuse but these kids need a break every once and a while.” Most teenagers end up getting to the point where they are so overwhelmed by everything that their mental health gets worse and it can cause them to start doing bad things to cope such as alcohol, drugs, vaping/smoking, and even harm to themselves or others. Overall schools need to have more options for the kids that are struggling.

High School has become the training session for Adulthood 

9/27/21

By: Beth Pennington 

Many adults and teachers have come to believe that teenagers have it easy, little do they realize that being a teenager is a full-time job. Between the ages of 15 and 18 high school students start to discover who they are and who they want to be. On top of their eight classes, sports and or extracurricular involvement, and sometimes even a part-time job, many already use their application of adult skills to get them through the long days. Recently, teenagers have been tasked with the pressure of having to grow up a little too fast now that the Pandemic has become a little more manageable and responsibilities have become a little more demanding. Some parents argue that their students are irresponsible and have no sense of time management,  but it is a lot more complicated than that. Just sitting in a class all day for 6 hours can be hard for a student who has trouble sitting still or a topic that may not interest them. Yes that is part of learning how to be mature, but we still are young and crave social interactions. The day of a high school student is more complicated than we think, which is why when a parent asks how the day was, many answers with a simple fine.

The typical schedule starts with the student waking up anywhere between 6 and 7 to try to be on time for the 7:30 start time. Their responsibility starts right away, as some have to get siblings ready for school and remember everything they need for their school day as well. Then they sit through classes and are given homework in almost every class, sometimes up to two assignments, averaging at about 4-8 assignments in just a few days. Many students take some form of rigorous classes. A college student has about 4 classes a semester when a high school student can have up to 8. After sitting in classes all day then comes the after-school help, sports clubs, jobs, some students fall into every category. A lot of the break we get is taking time to eat and the things we enjoy doing, but it is still constant movement from one to the next.