as raider as it gets

Senior to Senior: Tips for Your Upcoming Senior 

In the upcoming last week of high school for over 300 senior students at North Quincy High School, it signifies a transition for juniors becoming seniors, sophomores becoming juniors, and freshmen becoming sophomores. As a current senior who has experienced all the highs and lows of senior year, here are some tips and tricks for incoming seniors to ensure a successful and memorable senior year! 

Don’t slack off on academics. 

It may feel like a celebration with the end finally in sight as you enter your senior year, but it should not be a time to lose focus on your academics. Maintaining your grades, even in your senior year, is essential not only for graduating on time but also for your college applications and other post-high school opportunities. It's crucial to stay on top of your schoolwork, as colleges will consider your first-semester grades when reviewing your application! 

Start researching. 

Whether you plan to enter college, pursue trades, join the military, or explore other paths, it’s important to start researching your future options. If college is your goal, ensure you conduct thorough research on what you want in a college, such as class sizes, prestige, cost, dining options, location, and more. There’s so much information available, and you owe it to yourself to make sure you choose wisely. 

Stay organized. 

Having a planner, whether physical or digital, will make navigating senior year much easier. With countless senior activities on top of your regular schoolwork and extracurriculars, being able to write down and visualize the week or month ahead is vital for enjoying your senior year. If you're applying to colleges, consider creating a checklist of tasks to complete over the summer to ease your workload during the school year. This could include requesting recommendations if you haven’t already or jotting down ideas for your Common App essay. Stay on top of your applications, as deadlines will come faster than you might expect. 

Ask for help. 

It’s important to remember that you are not alone during this process. The daunting task of completing college applications, alongside schoolwork and applying for scholarships, can feel overwhelming. Many resources are available online or at school from guidance counselors and teachers. Don’t hesitate to ask for help in your senior year, whether you need someone to proofread your college essay, help you make a future plan, or just want to vent about your workload to reduce stress. This is a memorable yet stressful time in your life, so don’t hesitate to reach out for support when you need it. 

Enjoy every moment. 

Make sure to take the time to appreciate every moment. It may feel as though time is moving too slowly and too quickly at the same time. The sense of accomplishment can be tempered by the bittersweet feeling of leaving the comfort of the friends you’ve grown up with. It’s a time to remember, so don’t take it for granted. Try to live in the moment. Be an active participant in your school community and cherish the experiences before they become nostalgic memories. 

~Charlotte L

Media Literacy - Should things matter?

What is Media Literacy

What matters? 

Well to answer that, we have to talk about Evil Media.

AP Tips and Tricks 

~Charlotte L

AP exams are underway for hundreds of students in North Quincy High School. As students prepare weeks and months for these tests, it is a very stressful two weeks. If you have already finished your APs for this year, Congratulations! If you still have APs coming up next week, here are some tips and tricks for your upcoming AP(s). 

1. Make sure to be fully rested. 

On the night before your exam, make sure to be fully rested! Morning exams require students to get to school before 7:30 a.m. Make sure to get to bed before 11pm as being tired on the day of the exam can lead to drowsiness and being unfocused. 

2. Eat a hearty breakfast and bring snacks

A healthy and nutritious breakfast is important to ensure your best performance on these exams. Also, don’t forget to bring a snack as each exam allows a 10 minute break in between sections. Try to bring something nutritious like granola, pretzels, fruit, etc. Some snacks that are labeled “brain food” include dark chocolate, sunflower seeds, blueberries, and more. 

3. Don’t get too stressed

Try to keep calm right before the exam. It can be very stressful for students since they desire the college credits. Being level headed right before the exam is important to not be too overwhelmed and to stay focused. Remember all the studying and hard work you’ve put in all year and trust in your abilities. 

4. Review Past Exams

Alongside reviewing content, make sure to check out past AP exams. This year is the start of hybrid and online exams, which is a complete change from past APs. Try doing as many AP classroom reviews as possible and look at old exams published on the AP website. Past exams will give you the best overview of what the AP exam will look like. It’ll give you an overall idea of the questions, difficulty, and structure of the exam. 

5. Pace Yourself 

The AP exam is a timed, standardized test. Make sure to pace yourself throughout the entire exam to ensure you put in enough time and effort into each question. You don’t want to be scrambling at the last minute. The best way to know how to pace yourself is to take past AP exams and time yourself to see how long you will take on the test. 

Spirit Week: Thursday - Color Wars! 

Today, April 17th, is the final day of NQHS Spirit Week: It’s Color Wars!

Each year has a different color to wear for Color Wars

Seniors - Black

Juniors - Red

Sophomore - Grey

Freshman - White

The Color Wars Rally kicks off at the end of F block, right before last period G block. During the rally, students group by year on the bleachers and floor in the gymnasium to watch the celebration. 

Once everyone was seated, the choir sung the national anthem. From there, Mr. Herlihy welcomed the ROTC in for their performance. Their entire routine was flawless with a steady beat that filled the entire gymnasium. 

After the ROTC performances, Mr. Herlihy ushered contestants up for the mummy wrapping contest, where pairs of students attempt to fully wrap one of the pair in toilet paper. In a close contest, juniors won narrowly followed by the sophomores and freshmen with the seniors in last. 

Next up was Tug-O-War! A game where two groups of students from different grades tug on the rope on opposing sides with the goal of pulling the knot in the center out of the central circle in the gym and towards their team.

First up, the sophomore team won against the freshmen team, followed by the juniors victory over the seniors. To decide the 3rd and 4th place, the freshmen swiftly won against the seniors. The final game was between sophomores and juniors. As the knot creeped towards the side of the sophomores and the juniors appeared strained beyond their limit, the knot steadily moved towards the juniors until the standoff ended with another win for the juniors. 

The rally continued with the learning center 3-point special and a rubix cube solving competition, which was quickly won by Mike Zheng. The last competition was Hungry Hungry Hippos. Contestants work in pairs of two with one pair from each year; one lays on their stomach and rolls around with a basket to collect plastic balls while the other holds their feet and directs the pair’s momentum. This time around the juniors took a major lead with their initial grab at the central area where the plastic balls begin, eventually winning the juniors first place. 

The lasts of the events was the National Honors Society pieing. Mr. Innis and Ms. O’Donnell each donned a black trash bag in preparation for the pieing. One student was called up each pie, and a splash-zone was set up for the collateral. 

That’s all for the Color Wars Rally! 

Happy April Break!!!

Spirit Week: Wednesday - Adam Sandler Day

TODAY IS ADAM SANDLER DAY—and NQHS really went hard on the spirit today! Today is the first day that has had a lot of people dress up for spirit week, and boy are we glad they did! Everyone has been rocking ‘fits featuring baggy basketball shorts and t-shirts, as well as backwards baseball caps and sunglasses. Let’s cover what Adam Sandler day is—so you can take part in it next year—and go over some of the best outfits we’ve seen yet! 

If you aren’t aware what Adam Sandler day is, it's a day dedicated to dressing like the celebrity Adam Sandler, who is known for his signature style featuring oversized EVERYTHING, comfy footwear, and mismatched, bold, random color palettes—even on the red carpet! A key point of his style lies in the way he doesn’t care about fashion and expresses it through his famously casual outfits, a vibe people love and strive to emulate, as evidenced by the theme for today centered around his style! 

Now that we know what the theme entails, let's look at some of our students shining in their Sandlerwear!

Spirit Week: Tuesday- Cultural Day

This Tuesday, the 15th of April was cultural day here at North Quincy High School! It was a huge success with lots of different countries to see and learn about. The event was held in the gymnasium and many teachers brought their classes down to visit and be a part of this big day. Each country had a few students representing their own country they chose to cover and all of the countries were presented on big poster boards on tables. Each poster was super well done and had interesting information to learn about the history, culture and facts of said country. 

Many of the countries also had food you could try from the native cuisine and that was a big hit with the students visiting. The students representing the countries were all very friendly and you could tell they were very educated on the facts and culture of the country they were representing. They were also very well dressed, wearing clothing that represented their country in one way or another. 

I really enjoyed how there was a broad range of countries and just super famous tourist countries. A few examples of countries that I knew pretty much nothing about were Bangladesh, Venezuela, and Honduras, but after visiting I gained a new respect, appreciation and insight for them. 

There were a lot of fun facts that stuck with me too, for example learning that the Philippines is the only country in Asia in which Christianity is the national religion. The atmosphere was very upbeat in the gymnasium and the presenters, visiting students and teachers all enjoyed themselves. I'm sorry if you missed out on this day because it was a great time for everyone!

~Marshall G

Spirit Week: Monday - Boston Pride

Today is the first day of NQHS Spirit Week! Monday’s theme is Boston Pride! 

To start off this week loud, let’s kick off by wearing Boston Pride colors! Wearing clothes colored in Boston Pride is one of the main methods to lift up the Raider spirit. From one of the announcements - in case you didn’t know- the colors that are usually paired are yellow and blue; green, blue, and red; & yellow and black. 

 For big sports fans, wearing jerseys for the day. You can ask a relative for their jerseys, or dress up your pet in their little outfit. Even if you don’t own a jersey, you can wear the colors of the sports team. White, blue, and red for Red Socks and New England Patriots; green, black, and white for Boston Celtics; and Black and yellow for Boston Bruins. Cheering and watching your favorite teams play off against the opposing team. WIth friends, you can play basketball in the gym to get adrenaline pumping. Baseball and football are thrilling to play outdoors and to crash into each other! You can make-shift hockey like what Riley from Inside Out did either indoors or outdoors. Though soccer teams in Massachusetts aren't popular, soccer is another amusing activity that you don’t need much other than a ball.

For those needing community service, Quincy Baseball Buddy is back for May 2025! 2025 registration is now open. Games are in Sundays at 1pm, and they are located either in Mitchell-McCoy Field or O’Rourke Field. For more information, please head to the website: quincyyouthbasebaseballandsoftball.com. 

~Francesca L

Are You Ready for Spirit Week??

What’s going on with the US Department of Education?!?

Trump just made an executive order to effectively dismantle the Department of Education. 

After a month-long freeze following his inauguration into office, Trump’s order calls upon Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education.”

By cutting funds, resources, and power from the Dept. of Education, states will inherit responsibility over funding and education. Trump states that cutting out bureaucracy and allocating taxpayer money are his primary motives. 

He cites his frustration with America’s “historic lows” on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) despite the billions spent on Federal aid following the COVID-19 Pandemic.

But Trump cannot dismantle a Federal department created by Congress;he needs to win the supermajority vote of 60 in Congress, which would require 7 Democrats to vote in support, and he needs to deal with multiple lawsuits.

In response to Trump’s executive order, teacher unions, 21 attorney generals, and the NAACP (in addition to multiple education organizations) have filed major lawsuits against Linda McMahon, the Department of Education, and President Donald Trump. 

What does the US Department of Education do?

They’re the smallest cabinet, spending only around $263Billion or 4% of the US budget in 2024.

• Establish schools & colleges

• Determine requirements for enrollment & graduation

• Assists States and their communities in supporting students

• Major center for education research and data, experimentation, and development (National Center for Educational Statistics roughly 3/100 employees left)

• Distributes and regulates federal funds for disadvantaged students (low-income, disabilities, discrimination, etc.)

• Student loans, IDEA funding, REAP and Title I

• Awarding Pell Grants, TEACH, FSEOG, etc.

Functions still maintained:

Trump & McMahon have promised that Pell Grants, student loans, IDEA funding, and Title I will remain effective, although multiple lawsuits contend this claim. 

Where is the money going? The federal employees? The power?

It’s unclear where Trump intends to utilize the money saved. With so many federal employees left in limbo and state organizations scrambling to pick up the pace of the Department of Education, the benefit remains to be seen. The downturn of the Office of Civil Rights, management of student loans and essential functions, and the gutting of the department’s research signals an utter disregard for both students and science.

Trump’s initiative to bring power to parents also remains shrouded in mystery. Despite his confidence, the transfer of power from federal to state does not necessarily lead to greater parental power. And other news reports that student loans may be managed by a new financial entity, along with the Treasury being considered for overtaking financial functions.

As multiple legal complaints contend, Trump’s actions are politically charged, with his decision to dismantle the Department of Education being highly supported among Conservative homeschooling groups like Moms for Liberty as well as other Conservative and Republican officials. 

Click Here for In-Depth Info on the Lawsuits and McMahon’s statements!!!

Sources: 

Executive Order (3/20/25)

whitehouse.gov(Order), whitehouse.gov(Factsheet), ed.gov(Statement), ed.gov (Final Mission), cbsnews.com, nbcnews.com, Cnn.com, nytimes.com, NCES.ed.gov, 

CA et al. v. Department of Education et al. (Filed 3/6/25)

clearinghouse.net (summary), clearinghouse.net (filing)

AFT v. ED (Filed 2/25/25)

democracyforward.org, ed.gov (2/14/25 letter)

AFT v. ED (Filed 3/18/24)

aft.org (Press Release), protectborrowers.org (FactSheet), protectborrowers.org (Lawsuit Complaint), wyden.senate.gov, 

HEROES Act

Congress.go

NY et al. v. US Dept. Education et al. (Filed 3/13/25)

news10.com, mass.gov (Filing), mass.gov (Press Release), abcnews.com, Propublica.org 

NAACP et al. v. Dept Education et al. (Filed 3/24/25) 

edlawcenter.org (Filing), edlawcenter.org (Press Release), 

AFT Mass v. Dept. Education et al. (Filed 3/24/25)

ma.aft.org (Filing), ma.aft.org (Press Release) 

Additional Resources:

Trump’s previous actions regarding the US Dept. Education

brookings.edu (2018), americanprogress.org (2017), 

Biden v. Nebraska and the SAVE Program (2/28/23)

theconstitution.org, supremecourt.gov, law.cornell.edu, 

NASFAA.org, ecf.ca8.uscourts.gov, 

NPR.org Info on NCES workers

Department of Education Spending USAfacts.org 

Recent News recaps nbcnews.com, politico.com

~Tyler Z

Could AI replace Translators? - (Opinions with an Anonymous Expert)

More About Christina

The advent of ChatGPT and DeepSeek poses a serious question for the translation industry: Could AI replace translators? In order to get the full picture, our anonymous interpreter, referred to as Christina in this article, will help guide us through the incoming onslaught of AI language models. 

Meet our Interpreter: “Christina” 

Christina works on high-profile jobs; she interprets & translates for public officials, city & state governments, corporate events, school committee meetings, and at courts & hospitals. Christina also teaches as an interpreting coach: classes include legal, medical, immigration, public services, and translation workshops. 

But first, Let’s talk about the Industry

Christina puts it plainly: “Few people are able to make a living purely off of interpreting and translation.” Most work part-time or freelance as a gig because they’re often homemakers and don’t spend enough time honing their skills, so their general level of skill can be low or otherwise mediocre. Christina attributes these difficulties to the maintenance required to learning and retaining vocab combined with the interpersonal, social, and language skills. 

Individuals who want to live off this career face a lot of challenges. Firstly, interpreting or translation alone cannot pay the bills. Even then, only a combination of taking more profitable, high-profile jobs and the prestige to raise prices and still receive an influx of jobs can allow someone to live a middle class life. 

Post-Pandemic Change

Following the pandemic, Zoom added interpreting features that allows the set up of different language channels, which lets people who need language services choose the volume of the original speaker relative to the interpreter. This change has revolutionized the use of video call interpreting. Christina also credits Mayor Wu for the increase in the volume of work opportunities, noting an increase in jobs for school meetings, public events, and FAFSAs (federal student aid). 

ChatGPT & Other Language Models 

Everyone’s afraid that ChatGPT or other deep learning AI models will replace translators. Christina herself has been using google translate for at least a few years now. Like a lot of industry professionals, Christina sees google translate and ChatGPT as tools for efficiency rather than anything close to a replacement. Google translate tends to be inaccurate and fails to capture a lot of nuances in language. In that regard, ChatGPT has been a significant improvement, but language learning models have a different problem, “hallucination.” AI language models predict the results that you want, so, without good parameters, an AI model will start spouting random nonsense. 

But ChatGPT is not useless and it IS taking away jobs from translators. Medical records and school IEPs are good examples of documents that models like ChatGPT excel at translating. Since there’s often little room for interpretation in these documents, ChatGPT is able to accurately translate them. Issue is, translation jobs for medical records pay a lot due to the difficult vocabulary, importance of the documents, and the monotonous nature of the work. 

So is AI good?

In some ways yes but mostly no. Language access is still an insurmountable issue globally. ChatGPT streamlines the translation process by allowing translators to first run documents through ChatGPT and then review and edit the rough translation. The issue is, ChatGPT is ultimately a product with a prompt limit and a premium version. In many ways ChatGPT perpetuates inequity within the translation industry.

Then there’s interpreting, something that current forms of AI can’t really compete at. Although Yang Yu, a prominent orator on the field of interpreting, boasts of how 500/2,000 simultaneous interpreting events in 2023 were done by machine translators, Christina believes that influential corporations value quality interpreters over frugal gains. In other scenarios, like the medical field, Christina joked that “AI can’t be expected to be involved in a patient’s life,” pointing out the human connection that interpreters bring to a space. In interpreting, Christina speculates that tech issues may be too frustrating to justify a lower price.

Let’s Be Honest…

No one really knows how AI will affect the future. As a part of the interview, I read Middlebury Institute’s review of a notable panel called “AI and the Future of Translation and Interpretation.” While I was troubled and surprised by the article's blatant fear, mixed with hope and oddly pro-AI rhetoric, Christina had found much of the article amusing. “Middlebury Institute is one of the most renowned interpreting schools,” meaning that the panel’s conflicted messaging arose from a need to comfort and reassure students, warn them, and to advertise their own alternative courses.

When I asked Christina what she believed would happen to the translation industry, she contemplated for a moment before telling me forthright, “Dunno.”

 She says that it’s intimidating. Talking about her own fear, Christina said “maybe I got it from somebody else.” It seems like everyone wants to ask her the same question, and she simply doesn’t have an answer. Even so, Christina finds a silver lining: “it motivates me to excel; otherwise, I’ll be replaced.”

What are Interpreting & Translation?

From medical, law, and education to tour guides and corporate meetings, interpreters inform and lend their voice to break linguistic barriers. Translators expand the reach of texts; they translate everything, from medical records and government documents to a TV show or novel. 

Multiple different types of interpreting exist! 

2 Main Types

• Simultaneous Interpreting - directly after a speaker talks.

• Consecutive Interpreting - speakers take turns & talk in short segments

Other Types of Interpreting & Translation

• Sight Translation - Translation done as the translator reads

• Telephonic - Interpreting done over the phone, typically with 3 groups or more

• Whispered/Chuchotage - A type of interpreting that occurs when there is a lack of equipment &/or a small group of people who require interpreting services, typically used in court settings

• Video - With the advent of zoom, video calls offer unique convenience despite technical issues

** ASL & other forms of sign language interpreting as well as deaf translators use visual and manual forms.

Interpreting Agencies

Agencies connect interpreters and/or translators with either individual clients, private (typically corporate-level) jobs, or government (like municipal or state-level jobs). Agencies bid for jobs, often using the resumes of their most accomplished interpreters to gain job opportunities. Using said jobs, agencies can enlist the work of new interpreters and expand their business in both clientele and potential workforce (remember that many interpreters work freelance or part-time, meaning that they will often speak with multiple agencies at once). 

When it comes to government jobs, Christina says that “CIC State & city government likes to spread business” by paying multiple different agencies to maintain fairness. For translation, the state and municipal agencies pay better, but interpreting rate is sometimes lower than the private market, especially in the Massachusetts court system. Different agencies have different goals: some will almost only hire experienced and acclaimed interpreters in order to attain a wealth of high profile jobs and thereby connections: others hire a variety of skill levels and provide a variety of job opportunities at multiple levels. Above all, Christina emphasizes that agencies provide “reliable jobs” that, generally, have consistent pay. 

Christina’s Perspective on Interpreting

Christina says that interpretation is “...a challenge. You’ll need to keep learning forever,” but she cherishes the opportunities to meet brilliant people like mayors, Harvard professors, lawyers, billionaires, and knowledgeable tour guides. Christina loves learning valuable health information and has also been enjoying learning about AI on the job.  Interpreting is not just the transfer of words; it's an unending effort to learn and understand each other and the world around us. 

Additional Resources:

ITI, Jltr, Middlebury, NILservices, OHR, NPR, Techtarget, Slator, Najit, Migrationpolicy, NLM, TheNationsHealth, TheHastingsCenter, ATA, ATA, Justice, Harvard 

~ Tyler Z

Escaping Seasonal Depression

Winter is almost over, but seasonal depression is still affecting countless people everywhere, including many students of NQHS. We asked students if seasonal depression has affected them, how they coped with it, and how they plan to escape it.

Ever since the groundhog declared winter would last six more weeks, many students have really started feeling the dreary slump that comes with the cold winter months. The promise of the end is tantalizing, and hangs just out of reach, making the last weeks of winter feel even longer. A phenomenon many students struggle with is seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is a type of depression that occurs regularly during certain seasons of the year, typically in the fall and winter months. People are often more sluggish, drowsy, and tired when affected by SAD, and cases often vary from minor depression to symptoms that prevent the afflicted from behaving as they usually do. Feeling the effects of SAD can drastically alter a student’s performance in school and in their out-of-school activities.

One student shared that they have been heavily feeling the effects of SAD, often struggling to stay awake in class due to drowsiness. The temperature that varies from sweltering to freezing in some classrooms has only made it more difficult for them to focus. They admitted that their homework completion rate is dropping, and they miss the warmth of summer to motivate them. To cope, they have been making an effort to spend time with friends and family, and will seize any opportunity to go outside when the sun is out. As spring approaches, they look forward to going on more walks and enjoy the improving weather to help lift their spirits!

Another student explained that while they have mostly stayed on track, they felt the weight of the weather the most during the especially cold and dark days. Luckily, as the sun sets later and the temperatures begin to rise, they have been feeling their mood improve! Playing sports outside with their siblings has helped them stay active and hopeful for the coming months. They also try to encourage their friends who are struggling with SAD. Looking ahead, they are excited for summer, and are looking forward to traveling, swimming, and going to the beach—activities that bring them joy and energy.

A third student described feeling unmotivated and frequently sad, finding it difficult to sleep at night and experiencing changes in appetite. They often remain indoors, and struggle with socializing when the weather is dreary. However, they are hopeful that spring will bring relief. In the meantime, they have sought professional help and have been taking medication to manage their symptoms. Their friends and family have been supportive, encouraging them to go outside and engage in activities. They look forward to spring, when they can once again enjoy their favorite activities, such as running and playing tennis.

For those experiencing seasonal depression, it is important to stay strong and persevere. Checking in on friends and family who may also be struggling can make a big difference. Spending time outside and soaking up sunlight, even in small amounts, can help improve mood and energy levels. For those in need of additional support, seeking professional help is always a good option, and your guidance counselors and teachers are always there to lend an ear. The good news is that spring is just around the corner- the days are getting longer, the weather is warming up, and brighter days are ahead. Hang in there- spring is coming!

~Audrey A

College Board is Corrupt.

What is College Board?

Well as College Board says, “College Board reaches more than 7 million students a year, helping them navigate the path from high school to college and career. Our not-for-profit membership organization was founded more than 120 years ago. We pioneered programs like the SAT and AP to expand opportunities for students and help them develop the skills they need. Our BigFuture program helps students plan for college, pay for college, and explore careers. . .”

Fun Fact! 

• A nonprofit organization has to prioritize their welfare mission; not-for-profit organizations, on the other hand, tend to funnel funds directly back to themselves.

Not So Fun Fact!

• College Board uses a 501c(3) when filing taxes, a filing exclusive to nonprofits. 

Despite the fact College Board is a private organization managed by trustees, despite their influence on public policy, and despite their own description of the corporation as a “not-for-profit membership organization,” College Board somehow still qualifies as a nonprofit organization.

They create tests like the 

• SAT

• PSAT (“Pre-SAT”)

• over 30 AP exams

• And the vast majority of K-12 standardized testing

What’s wrong with College Board

The College Board continues to prioritize money and power over the implementation of equitable services.  

Lack of Purpose & Inequity

As Nate Bowling from GrowBeyondGrades argues, the function of the College Board as a middleman between standardized testing, schools, and students is an accident of history. 

Others points out the diminishing value of the SAT as a predictive value for how well students will do in college. By making the SAT focus greater on past curriculum, the SAT stresses academic merit, which puts students who attend less academically rigorous schools at a disadvantage. In 2007, Fairtest analyzed the data following the decision of various colleges and universities dropping their test score requirements. Rather than the SAT, factors like class rank and high school grades predicted a student’s performance in college with better accuracy. 

AP exam prices and the costs associated with the SAT are the most obvious examples of inequity. Students pay $98 USD to take an AP exam, $68 USD to register for the SAT, and ~$14 USD for each SAT score report that exceeds 4. Although fee reductions are available, these high prices pose a major issue to disadvantaged students who come from underfunded districts with low income. 

Controversies

•  Confucian College Board

A September 2020 report by the National Association of Scholars details the College Board’s corruption by Chinese influences, notably Hanban (now known as the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation) which previously owned the Confucius Institute. The report states that “The Chinese Guest Teacher Program” helped China gain intel on the American K-12 curriculum, and that College Board made deliberate efforts to change historical curriculum in favor of China. The NAS also criticizes the monopoly that College Board has on high school teaching, stating that it has “proven itself unworthy of such power” (Peterson 34). 

• AP African American Studies

College Board buckled under pressure from Florida governor Ron DeSantis after he criticized the implementation of an AP course on African American studies as “woke indoctrination.” Issues arose when College Board’s quick fix came at the expense of their academic integrity. While College Board put out a statement reassuring that proper procedures were completed, chief executive officer Frazier, who worked on the aspects of the curriculum that were changed, wrote in an email that “We all know this is a blatant lie.” She explained how she had not been informed or consulted about the changes made to the curriculum; instead, these changes were rushed through revisions with little regard for academic integrity. As H. Holden Thorp of Science sees it, “The College Board can no longer be trusted to defend any discipline.” Their interests lie in profits and power, not academia. 

• John Doe v. The College Board et al. (Aug. 30, 2018)

In 2018, College Board was sued for negligence following the scandal of the August 2018 SAT: the SAT that reused an old exam international exam given in October 2017, thereby giving an unfair advantage to students who actively searched for said old exam questions. College Board made this decision following a scoring scandal regarding the June 2018 SAT which had been criticized for its scoring curve. 

• New York v. The College Board et al. (Feb. 13, 2024)

The College Board illegally collected student data using their Student Search Service and sold said data to colleges, scholarship programs, and other “various entities.” In the year 2019, more than 237,000 New York students had their data licensed away to search clients and were flooded with College Board's promotional material. In response, College Board agreed to a $750,000 settlement. 

Verdict

There isn’t much that students can do to protest & protect themselves from College Board. While criticisms pile, College Board maintains a monopoly that requires government action to combat, which could possibly involve either a federalization of the standardized testing industry or the implementation of strong antitrust laws. 

Sources: GrowBeyondGrades, AEI,  HumanRestorationProject, FairTest, Science, NAS,  EdWeek, ILFPS, ClassAction, StudentPrivacyMatters, FordhamLawArchive, NonpartisanEducation, NewYorkAttorneyGeneral

Citations: Propublica2023, Propublica2022, StudentPrivacyMatters

by: Tyler Z

QNQ Jazz Ensembles earn Bronze & Gold!

The QNQ JV/ Varsity Jazz Ensembles participated in a MAJE competition at Oliver Ames high school last night Thursday 2/27/25. 

Our JV Jazz Ensemble led by Ms. Emily Maynard scored a Bronze medal with outstanding musician awards going to Soren Hickman- QHS, Andrew Guimaraes- Central Middle School, & Avyanna Garcia-Pizarro QHS. This is the first time our school system has ever sent out a JV jazz ensemble to a competition!

The Varsity Jazz Ensemble led by Mr. Matt Cavanaugh scored a gold medal and receiving an invitation to the MAJE state finals on Saturday March 22nd. Outstanding musician awards were given to Nathan Aronoff QHS, Dave Jean-Philippe QHS, & Johnny Chen NQHS. 

We are so proud of both of our QNQ Jazz ensembles. Good luck at the next competition at Reading high on March 5th!

Why AI is Totally #NotHot (For Dummies)

By Sophia L

There’s an epidemic at North. Everywhere you look, kids are nose-deep in their chromebooks. Now, us as a generation, we’re used to playing Tetris and Snake while our teachers lecture about various topics that we probably should be paying more attention to. However, as the years pass, tabs have been switching from innocent online games to a potential global threat. Let me tell you why using ChatGPT to write your notes for you is actually not as innocent as you make it seem. 

Celebrating February Birthdays with Important American Figures 

by: Leah H

February is filled with birthdays of important figures who have shaped our lives and left an impact on the world. Wether you’re looking for your birthday twin or enjoy learning about influential figures, February is definitely a month to celebrate.

Here are some of the most famous figures born in February, whose achievements continue to inspire us today.

1. Rosa Parks (February 4, 1913)

• Who She Was: A civil rights activist, Rosa Parks is best known for her courageous act of refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955. This simple yet powerful act became a trigger for the Civil Rights Movement in the United States.

• Why She Matters: Parks' bravery helped spark a nationwide movement for equality and justice, allowing others to follow her footstep for their own justice. Alongside with 17,000 black citizens, they launched the Montgomery Bus Boycott. 

2.  Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809)

• Who He Was: The 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln led the country through the Civil War and worked to abolish slavery with his historic Emancipation Proclamation.

• Why He Matters: Lincoln's leadership, vision, and commitment to justice changed the course of American history. Despite the hate he recieved during the time, he was persistent. Lincoln is still regarded as one of the greatest U.S. presidents.

3. Charles Dickens (February 7, 1812)

• Who He Was: A beloved English novelist, Charles Dickens is known for his works like A Tale of Two Cities, Oliver Twist, and Great Expectations.

• Why He Matters: Dickens' insightful critique of social issues, his vivid characters, and his storytelling genius had inspire readers worldwide. 

4. Galileo Galilei (February 15, 1564)

• Who He Was: An Italian astronomer, physicist, and engineer, Galileo is widely regarded as the father of modern science.

• Why He Matters: Galileo's work laid the groundwork for the scientific revolution, particularly through his improvements to the telescope and his observation for the celestial bodies. 

5. Michael Jordan (February 17, 1963)

• Who He Was: Considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Michael Jordan is an NBA legend with six championships and numerous achievements.

• Why He Matters: Beyond his on-court success, he is also the face for the Jordan Brand and remains an influential figure in sports culture.

February Break Plans 

It's a cold morning and you’ve just woken up after sleeping in. You just remembered you're on vacation and can do whatever you want without school being in the way, but you don't know how to spend your day. This list of 15 fun ideas will give you some inspiration on how to spend your long awaited break!

1.Have A Movie Marathon 

This is a perfect activity to do when you don't feel like going outside and just want to spend a cozy day by yourself. Invest your time in watching a great movie you never got to see growing up or one you hear about everywhere. Grab your favorite snack and drink and treat yourself with a relaxing film!

2. Go To the Gym 

Since the new year has begun what's a better way to start this year then starting a new workout routine! Going to the gym not only benefits your mental health,but your physical health as well and makes for a great pastime. You can either grab a friend and hit the gym or put in your airpods and enjoy an independent workout.

3. Bake 

You don't have to be Gordan Ramsey to whip up something delicious, you just need a good recipe. Maybe there's a dessert or treat you've been wanting to try. What better time to test your cooking skills than over break! Treat yourself to a special treat made by yours truly!

4. Go into Boston

Grab some of your favorite people and hit the streets of Boston whether it be The Commons,Newbury street, or a place to eat. Boston has plenty of cool places that are bound to meet your interests!

5. Go Shopping

A new year means a new wardrobe. This break maybe you can become your own stylist and create a new wardrobe for yourself,so you can step into the new year with a new look. Treat yourself to a day of retail therapy and self care!

6. Go Out To Lunch/Dinner/Breakfast

The perfect place for a good conversation is over a good plate of your favorite food. A perfect pastime for you and your friends is to go out to your favorite restaurant for your favorite food and enjoy your favorite meal.

7. Try To Learn A New Skill

Everyone has something they'd like to improve or try going into this new year. What a better time to get a head start on your goal than over break. Dedicate some time to try either a new sport,hobby,or routine!

8. Plan A Themed Party

Any excuse for you to get dressed up and have fun with your favorite people is a good time. You can make it decade specific, movie themed, or even music themed. Have fun with planning your own personal party to your fancy.

9.Try An Escape Room

Everyone loves a fun activity. Explore hidden mysteries while trying to escape a fun themed escape room. These can be a perfect brain puzzle as well as a great pastime activity perfect for friends or family.

10. Plan  A Trip

Need a getaway? Book a place and go on an adventure in a new area! Hotels, Airbnbs, or rentals are perfect places to book with friends or family for a vacation.  You can go out to eat,plan fun activities,and most importantly bond with your favorite people.

11. Read a Book

Ever get tired of staring at your screen? A book is not only great for your mind and eyes,but can also be a great way to expand your vocabulary and writing skills. There are so many different genres to choose from as well as so many authors. You can take a visit to your local library or listen to an audio book of your choice.

12. Go Ice Skating/Skiing

It's finally cold outside and what better time to enjoy the cold than when you're outside skiing or ice skating! This is not only perfect for the cold season,but a great way to be active while having fun.

13.Go To A Museum or Aquarium

A perfect peaceful way to enjoy your afternoon can be spent at a local aquarium or museum either enjoying the lovely art or many colorful species of fish. A nice relaxing site seeing activity!

14. Have A Sleepover 

If you have nowhere to go the next day a sleepover is a great idea to have when having fun with friends. You can spend the whole day and night with your friends and have a great time catching up.

15. Play  A Board Game

The perfect way to bond with family and friends over an old fashioned board game. A fun way to connect with people and enjoy a good laugh.

~Alex G

Title: 5 Influential Black Figures From Today

When Black History Month rolls around many people hear about Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, and many other famous influential figures. However, there are many Black activists and public figures today who use their platforms to inspire, uplift, and advocate for change.

Rihanna, RuPaul, George M. Johnson, LeBron James, and Michael B. Jordan represents the power of using influence for the greater good. Whether through philanthropy, activism, or advocacy, they continue to break barriers and inspire change in today’s world. As we celebrate Black History Month, it is important to recognize not just past leaders but also those shaping the future for us.

Fun and Fascinating Facts about February

     With February being the shortest month, it’s certainly not short on excitement. The month is packed with many celebrations and historical events. Whether you’re looking to learn something new or just enjoy a fun fact or two, here are a few highlights for the month of February.

 1. The Shortest Month of the Year

Starting with the obvious, February is the shortest month with less than 30 days yearly. 28 days in common years and 29 in leap years. The reason behind this dates back to ancient Roman times when the calendars were synced with the lunar cycle. 

2. Leap Year

Every four years, February gets an extra day – February 29th, also known as Leap Day. People born on Leap Day, affectionately called “leaplings,” technically only celebrate their birthdays once every four years! The tradition of adding a leap day to the calendar was established by Julius Caesar in 45 B.C. 

3. Groundhog Day

On February 2nd, Punxsutawney Phil, a groundhog in Pennsylvania, comes out of his burrow to predict the weather. If he sees his shadow, six more weeks of winter are ahead. If not, an early spring is on the way. This tradition has been part of American culture for over 130 years, and crowds gather to witness the prediction each year.

4. Black History Month: Honoring African American Achievements

February is also recognized as Black History Month, an important observance to celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of African Americans. The month-long celebration was started in 1926 by historian Carter G. Woodson and was officially expanded to a month in 1976. 

5. National Pancake Day

On February’s Shrove Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday), many people indulge in pancakes, a tradition called Pancake Day. The practice dates back to the Middle Ages as a way of using up eggs, milk, and butter before the fasting season of Lent. Today, many restaurants, such as IHOP, offer free pancakes in exchange for charitable donations.

6. The Birth of the Internet

On February 12, 1993, the world saw the launch of Mosaic, the first web browser available to the public. This invention sparked the rapid expansion of the internet, which has since revolutionized how we communicate, shop, and entertain ourselves.

7. Famous February Birthdays

February also shares the birthdays of many iconic figures:

• Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809): U.S. president who abolished slavery.

• George Washington (February 22, 1732): First U.S. president and Founding Father.

• Charles Dickens (February 7, 1812): Famous author of works like Great Expectations and A Christmas Carol. 

Whether you're marking Valentine's Day with your loved ones, keeping an eye on Punxsutawney Phil’s weather forecast, or reflecting on the legacy of African Americans during Black History Month, February is a month rich with history, tradition, and celebrations.

~Leah H

Congratulations are in Order!

North Quincy High School’s Art department is thrilled to share that the following students have each had  their artwork recognized by the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, the nation’s longest running and most prestigious art awards for teen artists:

• Lily Chen, grade 11, Silver Key, Honorable Mention

• Sophie Jiang, grade 12,Honorable Mentions

• Vivian Walker, grade 11, 3 Honorable Mentions

• Zhixi Xu, grade 12, Gold Key

• Elizabeth Evans, grade 11, Honorable Mention

• Maggie Chen, grade 12, Gold Key

• Jinger Wu, grade 12, Honorable Mention

• Rida Fatima, grade 11, Honorable Mention

Entries that win a Gold Key are automatically considered for National Awards, including Gold Medal, Silver Medal, and scholarship awards. Regional, national, and traveling exhibitions showcase selections of award-winning student work each year. Selections of student work are highlighted in the annual art catalog and writing anthology publications. Outstanding work by each of these students and their dedicated teachers!

Images of student work can be seen below!

Congratulations to the NQHS Quiz Bowl Team!!

17 Massachusetts High Schools to Compete on Season 16 of 

High School Quiz Show 

Boston, Mass. - (Nov. 25, 2024) – High School Quiz Show, GBH’s Emmy award-winning academic tournament for Massachusetts high schools, has announced the 17 teams that will compete on Season 16. The top 17 teams earned the highest scores on a written quiz at High School Quiz Show’s Super Sunday qualifying events at GBH in Brighton on Nov. 17 and on Nov. 18 at GBH’s sister station, New England Public Media in Springfield. A total of 65 high school teams from across the Commonwealth competed for a chance to join the High School Quiz Show bracket. 

Defending their title from last season, Lexington High School (Season 7 and 8 winner) will return after winning Season 15 in a final against Cambridge’s Buckingham Browne & Nichols School (Season 14 winner), which is also back this season. Joining them are Acton-Boxborough Regional High School (Season 5 winner), Andover High School (Season 9 winner), and North Quincy High School (Season 4 and 13 winner). Four schools will make their High School Quiz Show debut, including Deerfield Academy, Maimonides School, Milton Academy, and St. John’s Prep.

“Congratulations to all of the teams joining the Season 16 bracket for High School Quiz Show, and thank you to all of the schools who joined us for Super Sunday,” said GBH Executive Producer and Director of Youth Media Hillary Wells. “High School Quiz Show remains a celebrated showcase for academic talent from all across the state. We look forward to watching these 17 teams, from returning victors to first-time competitors, represent their schools and vie for the title of High School Quiz Show State Champion.” 

The top 15 teams with the highest scores earned an automatic spot in the competition bracket. Two additional teams, representing high-scoring schools that have not previously been on the show or have not competed in five or more years, will face off in a Wild Card match for the 16th and final spot on the bracket. This season, those teams are Deerfield Academy and Milton Academy.

Hosted by Joe Hanson, the 16-round academic tournament will feature teams of four students competing head-to-head, with the winners advancing through each round until the final two teams face off for the State Championship. High School Quiz Show Season 16 will premiere on GBH 2 and the High School Quiz Show YouTube channel on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 6 pm ET. 

The full list of teams competing for the title of Season 16 High School Quiz Show State Champion is as follows: 

• Acton-Boxborough Regional High School

• Andover High School

• Belmont High School

• Buckingham Browne & Nichols School (Cambridge)

• Deerfield Academy

• Hopkinton High School

• Lexington High School

• Maimonides School (Brookline)

• Mansfield High School

• Milton Academy

• North Quincy High School

• Saint John’s High School (Shrewsbury)

• St. John’s Prep (Danvers)

• Sharon High School

• Somerville High School

• South High Community School (Worcester)

• Weston High School

Major funding for High School Quiz Show is provided by Safety Insurance. Additional funding is provided by the Museum of Science, Massachusetts Teachers Association, Xfinity, UMass Amherst, and Subaru of New England. High School Quiz Show is endorsed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education and the Massachusetts PTA.

For more information, visit highschoolquizshow.org and follow the show on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.

About GBH

GBH is the leading multiplatform creator for public media in America. As the largest producer of content for PBS and partner to NPR and PRX, GBH delivers compelling experiences, stories and information to audiences wherever they are. GBH produces digital and broadcast programming that engages, illuminates and inspires, through drama and science, history, arts, culture and journalism. It is the creator of such signature programs as MASTERPIECE, ANTIQUES ROADSHOW, FRONTLINE, NOVA, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, ARTHUR and MOLLY OF DENALI and a catalog of streaming series, podcasts and on-demand video. GBH’s television channels include GBH 2, GBH 44, GBH Kids and national services WORLD and Create. With studios and a newsroom headquartered in Boston, GBH reaches across New England with GBH 89.7, Boston’s Local NPR; CRB Classical 99.5; and CAI, the Cape and Islands NPR station. Dedicated to making media accessible to and inclusive of our diverse culture, GBH is a pioneer in delivering media to those who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind and visually impaired. GBH creates curriculum-based digital content for educators nationwide with PBS LearningMedia and has been recognized with hundreds of the nation’s premier broadcast, digital and journalism awards. Find more information at gbh.org.

Check out the spirited staff and students celebrating Halloween at school today!

Tips to Avoid AP Stress

By: Caroline P

It’s the beginning of the school year, and for some juniors and seniors that means AP Classes are in full swing! For juniors and seniors who are taking AP Classes, you might already be overwhelmed by the workload that’s in front of you. Here are some tips to hopefully help manage the anxiety and also to get things done better and faster!

1. Don’t procrastinate!

It’s impossible to emphasize how important this is. You may have been doing this for the past couple of school years because you know that it works, that you get your homework done on time and then everything is alright until your next assignment’s deadline. And it could work this year too, but staying on top of your work and building healthy habits that carry over into university is also important as well. It will make the workloads seem less burdensome when you aren’t rushed, and you’ll do it better, especially if you get more sleep (this can be done by not procrastinating)! To also note, AP workload might be light for now, but only since it’s October, it’s going to take a big incline soon, especially if you’re taking multiple AP classes.

2. Do work early.

After completing another week of school, you might have the desire to go home and play videogames for your two-day weekend, but if you do other assignments in advance, it will be more beneficial. It’ll ease up your workload for certain classes and allow you to divide up your time for other classes easier. Not to mention, if something suddenly shows up on your schedule, you won’t have to fret about completing homework, since you’ll already have done it. Students who have taken AP classes recommend that you do your work sometimes a week in advance.

3. Make a list.

If you have a bunch of assignments to complete, create a list of your work that you must accomplish and start with the easier tasks first. An anonymous junior shared her insights on this topic and recommended other students should start with the easier, quicker tasks, then jump to the more troubling assignments. “If you finish the easy things first, you’ll feel more productive and motivated to do more.” This also practices time management!

4. Go outside or do exercise at home. 

If you have even a moment of free time, you should take a breather! Go outside and walk for even half an hour, flip on a YouTube video and do some exercises. Exercising will not only improve your mood by creating dopamine hormones (the happy hormone) but will also improve your blood flow, and will not only make you feel more alert, but contributes to better sleep and productivity. The silent killer of today’s society is sitting down— humans are not meant to sit down for hours at a time— people are meant to be up on their feet. 

5. Find effective ways to study.

Reading outlines may not be as effective as the recall study method for example. Finding your own way of studying not only will make your studying more efficient, but will also help build healthy study habits for college. There are many study methods such as the active recall, spaced repetition, self-testing, and many more! 

6. Consider taking a nap break. 

While your brain is at rest, it processes the information that you have taken in for the day, removes harmful or useless material, and strengthens connections and habits. Taking a 30 minute nap has so many benefits, such as improving memory, reaction time, and ease stress. It’s important not to overdo these naps though, as if you nap too often, it’ll become a part of your sleeping schedule, and you don’t want to depend on naps all the time. If you also find yourself awake at around midnight cramming in studying, you should get some rest! It doesn’t make any sense to drop what you’re doing when it’s urgent, but if you sleep early and wake up earlier, you’ll still have enough time to finish whatever you need to do. Taking that nap break will energize you and make your work more efficient.

7. Find balance.

Life is definitely work, but your work should not be your life. Despite all the pressures from family, friends, and yourself, it’s important to realize that you come first before anything else— in other words, prioritize yourself over anything else. You might be aspiring to be a lawyer, engineer, marine biologist, or anesthesiologist… but that can’t be done well if you’re struggling with yourself constantly. If you aren’t in a good shape, your work isn’t going to be in good shape. Ask yourself if the workload you bring upon yourself is worth all the stress and trouble, especially if you are already struggling. You want to have enough time to enjoy life when you’re still young and you don’t have many burdens yet.