May Edition
Letter from the Editors:
Gooood morning Needham High! It's your 2021-2022 editors-in-chief here: Bayley Basson (tomato enthusiast), Talia Bloom (sleeps two hours a night), and Alex Goodale (sleeps ten hours a night). Congratulations to everyone for making it this far through the year, especially the seniors (and a special shoutout to our Hilltopper seniors!!!). In the last edition of the year (we know, tragic), you can learn about the sexism of the @NHS_StudentSection Instagram page, how students are advocating for a solar canopy (gotta save the Earth!), the outrage surrounding the NHS prom guest restrictions, and more. While it certainly is sad that the Hilltopper's year is coming to an end, we will be sure to update you all on any important events this summer, and we're excited to keep producing quality content next year. As every fifth grader writes in yearbooks, H.A.G.S.!
xoxo,
Alex, Bayley, and Talia
@NHS_StudentSection and Sexism in Needham High Sports
By Evie Lockwood Mullaney
On the surface, the account seems to offer fairly equal representation for both boys and girls sports. However, with a closer look, it can be seen that posts for girls’ sports are only 5 of the 92 posts, with the rest updating the student body on boys’ sports.
Needham Solar Canopy Project
By Christine Mittaz
With the climate crisis becoming increasingly more concerning, schools in the surrounding towns have found creative ways to implement more sustainable systems. One common proposal is a solar canopy.
NHS Prom Movement
By Dillon Cooney
What’s the Point of the Oscars?
By Nick George
Even with all the politics, questionable decisions, and changes that DO absolutely need to be made, it is still vital that we continue to appreciate movies and the people that make them happen, no matter how crazy the world gets.
Environmental Impact of the Coronavirus: The Good and the Bad
By Sophia D’Amelio
We went into our interview with Mr. Sicotte tasked with finding out the answers to some questions that our lovely Hilltopper supporters asked us over @hilltoppernhs on Instagram.
Person to Know: Lee Harkin Tran
By Nicole Allen and Eleanor Mackey
Lee Harking Tran was the Needham Facebook Group’s sole admin and moderator for over a decade after she founded it back in 2008. You may see her calming down debates, posting important reminders, or (if you’re one of those argumentative facebookers) maybe even in your DM’s giving you a warning.
Interview with Nikhil Ahn, president of the new NHS Food Security Club!
By Rena Hneidi
The NHS Food Security Club helps to spread awareness and actively combat food insecurity in our area. As a club, we focus on ways to support those suffering from food insecurity. From organizing our own food drives to creating a club-run food pantry at a Boston school, our club will be dedicated to making a difference in our community.
Is a 14-Day Quarantine Sufficient?
By Rachel Talcoff
Throughout the school year, many students and staff have been told to remain at home under preventative measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. But is this quarantining period, specifically in length, sufficient enough to stop the spread? Are some people being placed into quarantine when it is not necessary?
How Mental Health Facilities Are Handling the Covid Crisis
By Alex Goodale
With the rapidly declining mental health for many, psychiatric facilities have faced an overwhelming number of adolescents needing to enter these programs. Since the pandemic, all levels of psychiatric care have been drastically changed to ensure the physical health of staff and patients. Unfortunately, these changes have made already challenging facilities to be even more difficult to bear.
Picture This: Chalk it Up 2021
