Mental Health

Editor: Grace Corey


This year the lip dub ends perfectly with a scene of the 2021-2022 seniors tossing their graduation caps while singing “22” by Taylor Swift!Photo by Tanya Hannaford

MVHS student body takes on lip dub

Following a tradition that Mount Vernon High School has established over the years, the MVHS student body recently participated in the 2021-2022 school year lip dub. For many students, the concept of the lip dub was a new idea that many were unfamiliar with. Luckily with some insight from MVHS National Honor Society adviser Dusty Killingsworth and students participating in the event themselves, it’s hopefully an activity that can now take place more annually.

The lip dub has become a somewhat makeshift tribute to a multitude of senior classes. The fun, music-filled atmosphere commemorates students' high school careers and sends them off with a memorable video. From a display of clubs assembling in the hallways, to the MVHS band playing at the beginning, the lip dub is a time capsule of memories. This year the lip dub was also presented during MVHS’s week of recognizing mental health. During a week of wearing certain colors to support certain mental illnesses and discussing them through the announcements, the lip dub was an encouraging activity for students to join together and create something great.

FFA members display their banner in the hall in hopes of making a grand appearance in the lip dub. Photo by Tanya Hannaford
FCCLA leader Ms. Reach and members Brooke Loftus, Alina Grigoruta, and Jolie Prescott (left to right) pose in the hall with a homemade banner. Photo by Tanya Hannaford
The MVHS baseball team goes all out for the lip dub stunting uniforms, bats, and gloves. Photo by Tanya Hannaford

Achieving a successful lip dub is no easy task, however. Coach Killingsworth gives his input into who and what goes into planning the fun event mentioning “We [Coach Killingsworth and multiple students] couldn't have done it without the staff and administration being okay with such a chaotic day. A lot of hours were spent, but the fun we hope the school had during the day made it all worth it.”

Coach Killingsworth also explained just how much goes into the lip dub from tiring music planning, organizing performers, and simply hoping that everything goes according to plan, but he gladly said that the process is all worth it. For students to be able to be a part of something that they can look back on for years to come is truly something special.


Essentially, though the lip dub might be something that some MVHS students view as meaningless, the intentions behind the event are entirely pure: a setting full of homemade club banners and extracurricular activities arranged to form the most perfect archive of youth and high school achievements. An archive of the high school career.

In order to successfully film the lip dub, Becca Davis (in wheelchair) holds the camera in order to get the best angles. Photo by Tanya Hannaford
Coach Killingsworth aims the camera at the MVHS student body in order to score the perfect ending scene for the lip dub. Photo by Tanya Hannaford
Social media can have an adverse effect on people of all ages with the spread of negativity that often follows the comments people receive. Photo courtesy of Dailyillini.com

Social media isn't all it's cracked up to be

By Izzy Rutherford

It’s easy enough to understand the psychological effects that occur when one takes part in social media. Recurring effects often mentioned include internet addiction, depression, lack of sleep, anxiety, and negative interactions online with others. These, however, are not the only problems that arise with the use of social media.

Some find that it often leads to a more negative self-image and unnecessary comparisons between themselves and others. Whether intentional or not, the spread of hopelessness that follows these encounters is enough of a danger as is. Overuse of social media creates a barrier between people, limiting the face-to-face interactions that people should be taking part in for online interactions.


There’s nothing wrong with creating a personal space online to express yourself, especially with the anonymity that it allows. The negative side of this, however, is that anyone is allowed to add their own crude remarks to the work that you’ve put forth, turning that once positive post into one the creator takes negatively to heart.


People have no qualms when it comes to bashing others, taking joy in the chaos that comes with picking fights with someone they may never actually meet. It’s easier to ignore the consequences of one's actions when they know that they will not face any actual backlash in their personal life.


While some sites allow you to customize who is allowed to view a personal profile, not all social media sites function in this way. People have realized that not much can be done to stop the content that they’re putting out and, in turn, take pride in hurting others. It’s important to be cautious when posting something online for all to see when we live in a world that takes joy in putting down others.