This was one of my most meaningful articles, not only because of the work I've put in, but because the lesson I learned while writing this. I completed this article on an April evening of my junior year after reading The Great Gatsby for English class. Only after reading the novel did I realize how much that lesson applies to me. Throughout my life, I've been inspired by American films and modern media to the point where I was obsessed with the perfection of the American Dream -- which was often perceived as living in big houses, mowing green lawns, and living in suburban neighborhoods. When writing this article, I realized I've fallen into a big trap: I've let this "American Dream" guide my life to the point where I've already determined my future, the rest of my life. This article serves as a reflection on how pursuing this dream can interfere with how I pursue my own life goals -- which might not necessarily follow the norms of this American Dream, and how readers, too, can let go of this societal norm.

After multiple near-misses occurred with passenger jets in late 2023, travelers began questioning the true safety of air travel. Is it still safe to fly? Is the aviation industry reaching its tipping point? I addressed these questions by analyzing the history of aviation in the United States. I used a new approach in this article by viewing both sides of the issue -- both how aviation's safety has declined, and how it has increased over the past decades. Now that these questions of aviation safety have become increasingly relevant, I still refer to this article to emphasize the safety of flying, and how such aviation incidents are extremely rare occurrences. 

After school, I was among tens of Newton South students who would spend their afternoons in the Newton Free Library. However, I saw a trend where almost nobody would ever borrow books or other resources -- it was merely a peaceful study spot where students could complete their work faster. Do libraries still retain the same purpose as it has in the past, or have they moved to a stage where websites and digital media have taken over?

While I was deep into my photography obsession, I addressed the rising stigma against art electives at Newton South. While passionate artists often choose an art elective more than once in their high school careers, students who don't pursue art find these courses at burdens. Through the eyes of two school photographers, Justin and Tae, and the photography teacher, Laura Penney, I explored how photography provides an exclusive opportunity to explore how everyday moments define both our lives and society around us.