The best stories being published on the SNO Sites network

Best of SNO

The best stories being published on the SNO Sites network

Best of SNO

The best stories being published on the SNO Sites network

Best of SNO

School vouchers are state-funded scholarships given to parents so they can send their children to private schools. While supporters say vouchers are essential for supporting parental choice, in reality vouchers just subsidize private schools while leaving public schools underfunded.

School vouchers will not solve our public education problems

By Claire Bradford, Bellaire High School April 6, 2023

Gov. Greg Abbott reestablished school vouchers and education savings accounts (ESAs) as a major point for political discussions during the 2022 governor elections in anticipation of the 88th Texas legislature....

Constantly under the light of the public eye, celebrities and influencers feel pressured to fit society’s beauty standards through extreme dieting.

Subpar subsistence: Stringent celebrity diets are an international issue

By Cheyenne Meeks, Pleasant Valley High School - IA April 6, 2023

Food: a basic component of life, necessary for providing humans with the essential nutrients to maintain a healthy, functioning body. Even beyond its functional utility, food is a social activity—people...

Latinas face comments about the way they eat, how much they eat, and their body image.

Being Hispanic Contributed to My Eating Disorder

By Angie Jaramillo, South Broward High School April 6, 2023

When I’ve had a bad day, nothing picks me up better than a perfectly grilled and salted carne asada, served with spicy salsa and soupy black beans over rice. Food is my refuge. It’s where I go when...

For the first time in fashion history, thrift stores have become as essential to the middle class as they are to the impoverished communities they were designed to serve. The potential effects on lower-class communities are worrying. As thrift stores increase prices to meet resellers’ upcharges, the longtime, poorer buyers will be left feeling the effects: thrift store merchandise will not be as accessible or affordable to them. “It’s just going to separate the lower class from [the resources] they [need], and it will separate [the] middle and higher classes. It will make things a lot more difficult,” junior Kristen Skordos said.

Is it worth it?

By Lauren Holcomb, Parkway West High School April 6, 2023

Macklemore may have to update the lyrics to his 2012 hit single “Thrift Shop” soon because as we head into a new era of thrift stores, the line “But it was 99 cents (bag it)” now reads like a cruel...

Florida announced its plan to block the pilot AP African American Studies course from being taught in its high schools. The Sidekick editorial board believes that either the whole course should be provided or it should not be an option statewide. Maya Palavali

Editorial: AP African American Studies curriculum should not be “cherry picked”

By Editorial Board, Coppell High School April 5, 2023

The AP U.S. History course framework mentions the word “African(s)” 21 times, the phrase “African American” four times and the word “Black” once on a 291-page document.  AP World History:...

The layout of the classrooms in B building raises concerns for student safety in the event of an emergency. Glass walls line many of the classrooms in B building, leaving students feeling vulnerable during lockdowns. With limited hiding places and little protection from potential threats, the design of these classrooms highlights the need for schools to prioritize student safety and invest in more secure facilities.

Shooting hoax highlights unsecure B building classrooms

By Lincoln Frank, Altoona Area High School April 5, 2023

On March 29, a false school shooting hoax shook schools across the nation, resulting in lockdowns and an overwhelming sense of panic for students and faculty alike. I found myself trapped in a first-floor...

Pleasant Valley touts excellence in its motto, but minority students feel its anything but.

A Long Way from Excellence

By Tommy Glennon, Pleasant Valley High School - IA April 4, 2023

“Committed to Excellence.” From a student’s first step inside of one of Pleasant Valley Community School District’s eight campuses to their final walk along the stage of the Vibrant Arena on...

Farm subsidies pay farmers part of the cost of producing cash crops.

Farm subsidies are destroying the world

By Rikin Patel and Jennifer Sheng April 4, 2023

Recent Ukraine and COVID-19 supply chain shocks are yet another reminder of the world’s worsening food security crisis. They have brought hunger to millions of people, especially in low-income countries...

228 students shared their opinion on Bellaire adapting the four-day school week.

[EDITORIAL] Give us a break

By TPP Staff, Bellaire High School April 4, 2023

Crosby ISD became the largest school district in Texas to adopt a four-day instructional week on Feb. 28. There are now an estimated 43 districts in Texas aiming to implement the schedule change in the...

Op-Ed: Donating things is NOT donating time

By Cindy Cui, Carnegie Vanguard High School April 4, 2023

Sometimes, it is a little more than irksome to see that the ten hours I spent in the Houston heat cutting down invasive tree species at Discovery Green is found to be equivalent to some kid bringing in...

Protect our transgender youth

By Pathfinder Editorial Board, Parkway West High School April 4, 2023

Living one's truth is a fundamental right, but for many transgender youths in our community, this prerogative is becoming a privilege. Stigma, unsupportive families and hate crimes are already significant...

Made in Canva, this graphic shows the silhouette of an oil pump. Oil pumps are a common sight atop oil deposits, which may soon happen at the  Alaskan Slope. This drilling in Alaska is what companies call the Willow Project, which could damage one of the last remaining natural wildlife habitats.

Column: Willow Project to accelerate climate change, environmental degradation

By Lauren Clayton, Prosper High School April 3, 2023

The Willow Project, also called the Willow Oil Project, is a project in which oil will be pumped from Alaska’s North Slope in mass amounts. It is estimated that at its peak, the project could produce...

Recently, the Florida House of Representatives introduced HB 1423, which aims to ban children from attending drag performances. The GOPs political agenda is built around make-believe problems, conveniently ignoring real issues, like mental health and gun control.

It’s no longer ‘Don’t Say Gay’ in Florida—it’s don’t be gay

By Skyler Glenn, Hagerty High School March 31, 2023

The first time I saw a drag performance, it was at Hamburger Mary’s in Orlando. I was 12 years old, and when the dancers came to my table, I smiled and clapped. I did not question my beliefs, my sexuality,...

The Jewish Journals story on the Shalhevet-Buena Park game had consequences that made matters worse.

EDITORIAL: When journalism goes wrong

By The Boiling Point Editorial Board, Shalhevet High School March 30, 2023

“Antisemitic Incident Reported at Shalhevet Girls Basketball Game” was the headline attached to an article published by the Jewish Journal, a Los Angeles-based Jewish newspaper with a large website...

An exhausted service worker awkwardly awaits as a customer is deciding how much to tip — or if to tip at all.

Tipping culture has reached its tipping point

By Sam Sarma, Lynbrook High School - CA March 28, 2023

“One latte. That’ll be $5.45,” the cashier says. She turns the register screen around to face you, and so the internal monologue begins. The numbers stare you down, 10%? 15%? 20%? How much is appropriate?...

Women often feel compelled to get rid of certain linguistic tendencies and phrases to talk more like men

Stop policing how women talk

By Sarah Liu, Monta Vista High School March 28, 2023

It was like Grammarly with a twist. A few months ago, during my usual routine of falling into a zombie-like state while mindlessly scrolling through TikTok on a Saturday afternoon, I stumbled across...

AI has been shown to have gender bias, likely due to a lack of female representation in the technology industry and its use of biased resources.

Bias in AI could accentuate sexism

By Reese Duncan, Lincoln High School March 28, 2023

As Women’s History Month moves along, so does the development and the expanding influence of artificial intelligence technology. From ChatGPT to search engines, the world has become increasingly reliant,...

People commonly use the phrase “born in the wrong generation” in reference to music of past generations, but when the past is glamorized and taken out of its context, the phrase grows problematic.

Where “born in the wrong generation” grows problematic

By Shobini Iyer, Pleasant Valley High School - IA March 28, 2023

“I was born in the wrong generation.” This phrase is uttered by people of all ages, perhaps with a hint of nostalgia for a certain fashion trend or a longing for a time when life was simpler without...

SRVUSD needs to protect their students rather than ignore them.

SRVUSD’s sexual abuse records infected with lies and misconduct.

By Nishita Mukherjee, Dougherty Valley High School March 27, 2023

 In sixth grade, my favorite teacher was my math teacher. He was so sweet with me, I thought. He would make jokes, give me candy whenever I wanted and would listen to all of my middle school drama. ...

Hookup culture is defined as a culture that encourages hooking up which entails brief, uncommitted sexual encounters between two people who are not in a romantic relationship.

Hookup Culture harms physical and mental health

By Nolan Sargent, Southern Lehigh Senior High School March 24, 2023

Content warning: sex, sexual assault, rape culture We live in an era of extensive sexual liberation. With loosening social norms and advanced communication technology, it’s easier than ever to find...

An oil drilling and natural gas station is shown positioned in the ocean currently gathering resources that can be used as energy in the future. This is one of the 17 primary oil companies within Alaska.

Willow Project Achieves Total Climate Chaos

By Georgia Scherrer, Sage Creek High School March 24, 2023

Originally proposed in 2020 by the Trump administration, the Willow Project is a drilling venture set to last 30 years in Alaska’s North Slope Petroleum Reserve. This drilling project is proposed to...

Del Vals parking lot will need charing stations for electric vehicles after New Jersey takes aim at limiting carbon emissions in 2035.

Governor Murphy makes ‘electrifying’ announcement

By Ellen Jordan, Delaware Valley Regional High School March 24, 2023

On Wednesday, Feb. 15, New Jersey governor Phil Murphy rolled out an ambitious, environmentally-focused plan for the Garden State. His proposal has been met with much criticism, but it is a step in the...

Many American schools continue to use ineffective tactics to teach students to read, causing them to develop bad reading habits such as relying excessively on context provided by pictures to understand a book.

Opinion: Schools are failing young readers

By Isabella Zarzar, Carlmont High School March 23, 2023

Two-thirds of fourth graders in the United States struggle to read, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Nationwide, the average reading score on NAEP fell three points...

The climb towards racial equality is overshadowed by inter-minority racism and infighting.

Minorities … can be racist too?

By Myles Kim and Timothy Kim March 22, 2023

The evening news crackles in the background as a family eats their dinner. Is it another mass shooting? A brutal police killing of a minority? An uncomfortable conversation ensues; the father, a first...

The residential sector accounts for roughly 15% of natural gas consumption. As Gov. Tina Kotek has called for 36,000 new houses to be built each year, it’s vital for Oregon to move towards more sustainable energy sources in the face of climate change.

Sourcing sustainable housing

By Kaelyn Jones, West Linn High School March 22, 2023

As dozens of species go extinct each year, destructive weather strikes cities, and dire droughts impact thousands, climate change seems to constantly populate news cycles and social media feeds. But, as...

Despite being one of the wealthiest nations in the world, the United States is notorious for providing subpar provisions and unaffordable health care for its elderly population.

Abandoned and alone: America’s senior citizens failed by an unsympathetic system

By Leila Assadi, Pleasant Valley High School - IA March 22, 2023

“I feel like the only solution is pretty clear. In the end, isn’t it mass suicide of the elderly?” Yale University professor Yusuke Narita sparked outrage after this suggestion, beliving that...

For decades, school cafeterias have offered milk as the main beverage at lunch time

Intolerance beyond just lactose: how dietary racism shapes school lunches

By Janjabill Tahsin and Leila Hewitt March 21, 2023

The alarm rang in my ears as I struggled to rise from bed. I picked up my phone from under the pillow, and my eyes widened at the sight of the time displayed on the faded black background. It was 7:20,...

Chess tournaments are competitive and demand a high level of physical strength from the player as they can last upwards of nine hours. Chess should be categorized as a sport due to its intensity and the stamina players must have.

Settling the Debate: Chess Should Be Considered a Legitimate Sport

By Aditi Salunkhe, Portola High School March 20, 2023

Several of society’s debates are destined to continue forever. Among these is the controversial debate of whether or not chess should be categorized as a sport. Chess is undoubtedly a sport as it requires...

In recent decades, there have undoubtedly been marked strides in advancing women’s rights. Even so, gender discrepancies in wages persist and is indicative of entrenched sexism.

Wage gap epitomizes stagnation in gender equality efforts

By Grace Hamilton, The American School in London March 17, 2023

A few weeks ago, an email dropped in my inbox with the long-awaited, “It is with great pleasure we offer you a position for the 2023 summer season.” In my offer letter, I received a base rate of $18...

Kids should have access to digital literacy classes to gain crucial skills necessary to become mindful internet consumers.

Editorial: We need to implement digital literacy classes

By Editorial Staff and Annabel Chia March 17, 2023

The internet is always right. Most people have heard this phrase tossed around before in their lives. The speaker might have jokingly tossed this remark around, but a certain danger arises when the...

Seniors Kirsten Linton (left) and Grace Quinones show off their respective Cars and Paw Patrol backpacks. As part of the recent inner child trend, seniors nationwide are choosing to sport elementary-school backpacks to celebrate their nostalgic childhoods.

Exploring the childishness of today’s teens

By Wren Bulawin, Ruben S. Ayala High School March 17, 2023

High school and late adolescence is a time of great maturity. From learning to withstand peer pressure to applying for part-time jobs and colleges, students are expected to shed their childish, immature...

A study done by the National Library of Medicine shows that 80% of women face an unmet need for feminine hygiene products and a high risk of pregnancy complications.

Pregnancy, Periods, and Prison

By Ava DiGiacomo, North Allegheny Senior High School March 15, 2023

The issue of the treatment of women in prisons is one that affects many, yet is often not talked about enough. Reproductive health is neglected on a social and legal scale. In the past 50 years, the number...

OUT OF THIS WORLD OIL. ConocoPhillips’ long-pursued The Willow Project, was approved by the Biden administration today. This project aims to drill for a projected 180,000 barrels of oil every day. To put this into perspective there are 20 gallons of gas per barrel. An American car averages 24.6 miles per gallon which equates to 492 miles per barrel. So 180,00 barrels per day multiplied by 492 miles per barrel is approx 88.6 million miles produced per day. The moon is 238,900 miles from earth. Meaning that each day an individual could drive to the moon and back 372 times.

Biden trades the planet for oil by approving Willow Project

By Evan Morris, St. Paul Academy and Summit School March 15, 2023

Allowing The Willow Project to go forward will result in the extraction of a staggering amount of oil from Alaska’s north slope which will only serve to exacerbate the already dire climate crisis. Biden’s...

In addition to using phones at home, teens today constantly work on homework, assignments and tests on their school chromebooks. While technology has made it easier for teachers to share content, push out assignments and receive student’s work, this time quickly adds up to hours upon hours every day.

Dark sides of blue light

By Julia Mielczarek and Leila Rexhepi March 15, 2023

In this day and age, it is no secret that screens have become a significant part of our lives. From school assignments to keeping up on social media, communicating with family and friends and more, we...

Organic brown carton of eggs from Wegmans, sourced from local farms

Egg prices in the US rise to egg-straordinary highs

By Alex Vaccaro, Bernards High School March 15, 2023

Over the past few months, grocery shoppers across America have cringed amidst their strolls to the dairy aisle as a result of the exceptionally apparent incline in egg prices. Where egg consumers could...

Prince Harry’s memoir “Spare” has undermined the monarchy’s role of providing stability. “Spare” has become the fastest-selling non-fiction book of all time.

‘Spare’ by Prince Harry undermines role of monarchy

By Rahil Punshi, The American School in London March 14, 2023

Prince Harry’s much anticipated “Spare,” a personal memoir, has become the fastest-selling non-fiction book of all time, according to Forbes. “Spare” explores Prince Harry’s personal experiences,...

The missed diagnoses of ADHD have a disproportionate effect on young women.

Misunderstood and Misdiagnosed: The Long-Term Effects of ADHD in Women

By Ruby Batcheller, La Salle Catholic Preparatory High School March 13, 2023

Around 5.6% of women and girls are impacted by attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), however this is only the percentage of those who have been diagnosed. The frequent underdiagnosis of ADHD...

Photo of Clayton high School student and Globe reporter, Aylah Hooper posed in the studio.

Being Black Where Black Feels Unwanted

By Aylah Hopper, Clayton High School March 13, 2023

The School District of Clayton prides itself on being a,“Place for Everyone in Head and Heart.” However, in my 12 years as a Black student in the District, I have found that it has been hard...

Nepotism exists far beyond celebrity circles, outlining the future of academia and politics alike.

Opinion: Admitted since Birth

By Aris Pastor, North Allegheny Senior High School March 10, 2023

In 2022, Lily-Rose Depp, daughter of famous actor Johnny Depp and actress Vanessa Paradis, told Elle, “If somebody’s mom or dad is a doctor, and then the kid becomes a doctor, you’re not going to...

Menstrual products like these are widely available in Manuals bathrooms. Photo by Isabella Edghill.

OPINION: Kentucky schools should provide menstrual products, period

By Isabella Edghill, duPont Manual High School March 8, 2023

While many adults may look back on their adolescent years with a sense of nostalgia, the daily grind of high school often chips away at developing teens. Many are navigating friendships, forging through...

A female Mallard duck scavenges alongside several others on a hotel-owned Lake Michigan beach in Traverse City, Michigan. These ducks, like many birds in North America, lively closely with humans, sometimes putting the birds at higher risk of human-caused death. According to the American Bird Conservancy, domestic cats kill around 2.4 billion birds in North America per year, making cats the biggest human-made threat to birds. Many of these deaths can be prevented by keeping cats indoors.

Cats are the Single Greatest Threat to Migrating Birds. Keep Them Indoors.

By Carly Philpott, Cherry Creek High School March 8, 2023

When I was in elementary school, my dad’s greatest mortal enemy was a cat called Salem. My dad has never been a cat person, but Salem was possibly the animal he hated most. He would spot Salem in...

Turf grass on the campus of Clover Hill High School.

Obsession with lawns harms environment for sake of vanity

By Jackson Lair, Clover Hill High School March 3, 2023

In a time of rampant habitat destruction and starvation, America continues to waste precious land and resources. America’s communities are surrounded by empty, dead space. The land is cleared of its...

The battle of ingratiating Black history into the mainstream has been arduous, especially with the media’s capitalization on villainizing Black history. Underneath this vilification lies a history that is abundant in culture and has impacted America more than it is typically credited with. “Representation is [a] really big [deal], and people want to do things that they can see themselves being represented in. I think that a lot of African Americans — and a lot of students in general — don’t know how rich the history of Black [people] is in America,” senior and Black Student Union president Lauren McLeod said.

The vilification of Black history is exactly why we need it

By Elizabeth Franklin, Parkway West High School March 2, 2023

In August 2022, as part of a new law that banned "sexually explicit" content in schools, nearly 300 books were pulled off the shelves in Missouri. Across the nation, schools and districts everywhere went...

Historically, photography has long been biased toward lighter skin tones. Over the years and over many different photography companies, students like junior Elizabeth Franklin have begun to see this bias seep into their school pictures. “It’s disappointing that each year, my school photos looked wildly different. Some have glares, and some are completely oversaturated,” Franklin said. “They don’t look like me and they don’t really represent me.”

Photography through a racial lens

By Serena Liu, Parkway West High School February 24, 2023

A photographer peers through their viewfinder. The subject smiles. A camera flashes. Every photo captures a moment in time. But for many people of color, pictures rarely capture authentic skin tones. Whitewashing...

A political cartoon depicting the shortcomings of philanthropy and its implications on society.

Philanthropy won’t save us. Here’s why.

By Myles Kim and Calvin Zhou February 23, 2023

Every year, countless stories praise one billionaire or another’s selflessness and altruism for their donations to charity. Yet each year, more bad actors use philanthropy more as a public relations...

Austins Net Zero plan seeks to create renewable energy solutions and eliminate carbon emissions through new infrastructure, but in reality these policies push for more urbanization and grant developers tax breaks.

Hidden in plain sight

By Evie Barnard, McCallum High School February 22, 2023

Austin’s growth is inevitable. Over the past decade it has consistently been ranked by publications such as U.S. News and World Report as one of the "best places to live." It is home to many of the...

Volunteer group Team TLC NYC is one of the many initiatives serving a wide range of migrants.

How Masters’ NYC neighbors are aiding incoming asylum seekers

By Alexa Murphy and Lydia Ettinger February 22, 2023

At Port Authority Bus Station in Manhattan, New York, barricades surround the waiting area, lined with soldiers deployed from the National Guard. Lines form in front of tables where just a few volunteers...

Nearly every day of the year is linked to its own holiday or remembrance. National Gorgeous Grandma Day, celebrated on July 23, is when people tell their grandmas how gorgeous they really are.

Obscure holidays are worth celebrating

By Indra Deshmukh, Dougherty Valley High School February 20, 2023

Ever heard of Elm Farm Ollie? On Feb. 18, 1930, this Guernsey cow was milked midair on the 72-mile flight from Bismarck, North Dakota to St. Louis, Missouri. Ollie had been selected for a scientific study...

Since affirmative action was first established there has been controversy surrounding whether colleges should factor in race when considering applicants for admission.

We still need affirmative action

By Claire Bradford and Haset Mekuria February 20, 2023

Affirmative action, a policy that has been in place for 61 years, is now threatened in light of the 2014 Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College lawsuit which reached the...

PV students struggle to hold on to complex texts as new legislation threatens to take them away.

Iowa governor Kim Reynolds mounts attack on education

By Josh Thomas, Pleasant Valley High School - IA February 16, 2023

On Thursday, Feb. 3, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds spoke out against students’ freedom of access to books at a Moms for Liberty event. Reynolds stated she believes that if a book is banned from one Iowa...

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