By: Lauren Kremer

As a freshman at  John Marshall, my yearbook cost $93.  I was used to a middle school  yearbook that cost half as much, so this was a shocking discovery. Through some online research, I found two recurring themes: either like the wolf packet.org, sites that think that the yearbook cost makes sense as they are made of thick paper and require lots of ink, or as according to the article by Josh Chang on the PawPrint website, which is a site that students of Irvington High School use to express their opinions state, “(yearbooks) likely costs less than ten dollars to print each 176-page full color book, and shipping is maybe a dollar or two per book.”  The one thing that all sites can agree on is that schools with expensive yearbooks tend to have bad deals with publishing companies.

I thought that the logical next step knowing this information would be to talk to the Yearbook advisor at John Marshall. Throughout my interview with Ms. Welsh, she talked about her experience running the yearbook club over the past two years, and how she had run a digital media class for about eleven years. The yearbook pages are on topics mostly picked by students, with a few mandatory pages like the football team. Based on my research, some sites believe that the yearbook price makes sense, because of materials, and this is very true for John Marshall. High school yearbooks aren’t made the same as middle school ones. John Marshall yearbooks have hardcovers and glossy pages. John Marshall also acknowledges that not all students can afford a yearbook. As Welsh stated, “last year 15 yearbooks were given out to students that wouldn’t be able to buy one.”

While John Marshall does profit from yearbooks, this money goes back into the club. This helps afford things like cameras. Welsh stated that low end cameras can cost $1000, and their few higher end ones closer to $5000. Of course, not all this money is from yearbook sales, a good chunk of it is from sponsorships.

Although we cannot control how much prices rise due to inflation, we can have joy in the fact that the yearbook plans to have many exciting and cultural pages. We can also be grateful that there are sponsors to cover equipment, which will hopefully keep the price manageable.

By: Lucy Evans

In recent years, mental health awareness has become increasingly prominent, and for good reason. While it may seem like just another trend, the truth is that mental health awareness can have a profound impact on individuals and society as a whole.

Breaking down the stigma surrounding mental illness is a crucial aspect of mental health awareness. By challenging stereotypes and misconceptions, we can create a more supportive and inclusive environment for those struggling with mental health issues. This shift in attitude can encourage individuals to seek help without fear of judgment.

Moreover, mental health awareness campaigns play a vital role in educating the public about the prevalence and impact of mental illness. By raising awareness about common mental health conditions and available resources for support and treatment, we empower individuals to take control of their mental health and seek help when needed.

In addition to individual well-being, mental health awareness also addresses broader societal factors that influence mental health outcomes. Many people's efforts seek to improve access to mental health care, promote policies that support mental wellness, and challenge societal norms that contribute to stress and discrimination.

While talking about mental health may still be uncomfortable for some, it's a conversation that needs to happen. By breaking the silence and sharing our experiences, we can create a culture of openness and support where everyone feels comfortable seeking help and support when needed. So let's keep the conversation going and continue to raise awareness about the importance of mental health in our lives.

By: Lucy Evans

Every year on March 17th, people around the world wear their greenest attire, adorn themselves with shamrocks, and participate in festivities to honor St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. But how did this cultural celebration evolve from its religious roots to become the widely recognized holiday we know today?

The history of St. Patrick's Day traces back to the late 4th century with the birth of St. Patrick in Roman Britain. At the age of 16, Patrick was kidnapped and taken to Ireland as a slave. After escaping his captivity, he returned to Ireland around 432 CE with a mission to spread Christianity. By the time of his death on March 17, 461, Patrick had established monasteries, churches, and schools, leaving a lasting legacy on the Emerald Isle.

Legend has it that St. Patrick performed miracles, including driving snakes out of Ireland and using the shamrock to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity. Over time, these stories became intertwined with the celebration of his feast day.

In Ireland, St. Patrick's Day was marked with religious services and feasts. However, it was the Irish emigrants, particularly those in the United States, who transformed the holiday into a secular affair filled with revelry and celebration of Irish culture.

Cities with significant Irish immigrant populations, such as Boston and New York City, began staging elaborate parades as early as the 18th century. Boston held its inaugural St. Patrick's Day parade in 1737, followed by New York City in 1762. In a tradition that started in 1962, Chicago colors its river green to mark the occasion.

While blue was traditionally associated with St. Patrick, green has become the dominant color synonymous with the holiday. The "wearing of the green" became a widespread custom, with both Irish and non-Irish participants sporting green attire or shamrocks.

Corned beef and cabbage, along with green-dyed beer, became culinary staples of St. Patrick's Day celebrations, though these practices were initially more popular among Irish Americans than in Ireland itself.

Over time, many of these customs were adopted by the Irish, often to cater to the influx of tourists seeking an authentic St. Patrick's Day experience.

Today, St. Patrick's Day is celebrated with parades, concerts, dances, and other festivities in cities across the globe, showcasing the enduring influence of Irish culture and the enduring legacy of St. Patrick himself. From its humble beginnings as a religious meal day to its current status as a day of widespread celebration, St. Patrick's Day continues to unite people of all backgrounds in celebration of the Emerald Isle's rich heritage.

By: Lucy Evans

Amidst the ever-growing influence of smartphones in our daily lives, the debate surrounding phone use has recently been addressed here at JM. At school, many students seem to grapple with the challenges posed by phones, the question of how to effectively regulate phone use has become a pressing concern and therefore the people in charge have recently instigated some new phone policies. In this article, I will attempt to address and raise questions on some of the feedback from anonymous students on the subject. 

While some students appreciate the focus the policy brings to the classroom, others question its necessity. One student emphasizes, "If the kids don't want to pay attention in class, they won't, and taking away their phones does nothing but make more of a distraction for the kids who do want to learn." This sentiment reflects a skepticism about the policy's effectiveness in addressing underlying issues.

In contrast, another student takes a different stance, urging peers to adapt to the changing rules: "People need to stop overreacting. It’s a part of life to let go of the chokehold technology has on us." The comment reflects another side of what many students think. Many believe that if students just accept the new rules and stop making a fuss, things would be a lot better and everything would be fine.

Many students argue that while school may have been boring before, the restriction on activities like listening to music during work time or using phones when work is completed is particularly bothersome. For them, these were valuable outlets that helped alleviate the monotony of certain classes. "It's frustrating not being able to have some control over how we use our time, especially when we already understand the concepts being taught," expressed one student.

Another student points out, "My classes are a lot louder and more distracting (to me personally) because they are conversing with the people around them and ignoring the teacher instead of just being on their phones and quiet." These show how students are unhappy. Many students find that their teachers drone on and on, wasting work time. Often they over-explain assignments or they simply rant about random things that don’t always pertain to class.

Many students also had more positive views, saying things along the lines of “In most classes, with new policies, students seem more focused and present.” This does add a layer of confusion, however. It’s both interesting and odd how there are such different views on the new policy. I noticed, as I was going through, that the freshmen answers were more likely to be positive than the upperclassmen. This, at least for me,  raises the question of why.  Do freshmen have a better grasp on their phone use? Or do they understand the teachers' views more?

There was another fairly common theme where many students felt teachers weren’t doing a good job of instigating and enforcing the new rules. Students say that the phone policy would be good if staff enforced it properly. Many students still sneak their phones and others notice them on their phones all the time. For many students, teachers are creating the issues they are complaining about. Teachers might want to keep this in mind as they take this criticism. 

In conclusion, the introduction of the new phone policy is provoking a range of responses. While some students appreciate the heightened focus and reduced disruptions, others feel that the restrictions are stifling their engagement and overall interest in school. The ongoing debate highlights the need for educators to carefully consider the impact of such policies on students' learning experiences.