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View of a part of Kathy Donatello's vineyard in South Windsor.
Growing Threat in South Windsor, Spotted Lanternflies
October 8, 2025
Head librarian Mathew Zuniga helps freshman Ezra Melendez with her malfunctioning Chromebook on Sep. 17. Ever since library clerk Lauren Alindogen's position was cut, Zuniga has been forced to take over the job of fixing and distributing Chromebooks for almost two thousand students, taking his time away from other library duties.
Books on a budget
October 7, 2025
Senior Jahmari Abbott works on an assignment for the TV Production class. Without students livestreaming, the focus of the class has shifted.
AI takes over sports livestreaming
October 7, 2025
A child receives his flu and COVID-19 vaccinations following the release of the new West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) vaccine recommendations. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision to diverge from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s guidance has already seen a significant impact in California, where residents of all ages and risk levels are now being granted broader access to immunization. “We've been through a lot in California, and we're really fortunate to have the strongest laws in the country, but we saw a lot of emotion — anger and concern — from parents. A lot of it comes from fear, and I can empathize with that from when I first vaccinated my little ones because, even back then, there were people suggesting that it was dangerous. So, I get the fear, but I don't get the anger, and I don't get the disregard for science — that's the hard part for me,” said Catherine Flores, the executive director of the California Immunization Coalition.
West Coast states break with CDC on guidelines
October 7, 2025
SB12 alters student-teacher dynamics
SB12 alters student-teacher dynamics
October 7, 2025
“My primary goal when I teach students is to instill the same love of robotics that I have, even more than helping them learn about robotics. I want to make them appreciate what makes robotics such a cool program, and I hope they remember me as a good leader and teacher who helped them discover a passion for robotics and for exploration in general,” senior Mihir Kotbagi said.
Humans of Harker: Inspiring through innovation
October 8, 2025
College Access Coordinator Jasmine Thomas sits with her older sister on the couch. Thomas and her sister are ten years apart, but "extremely close."
The heart behind the college center
October 8, 2025
According to Brown Health, more adolescents die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease combined.
Surviving suicide: The attempt and the aftermath
October 8, 2025
Shoppers look for records at Waterloos new location on 1105 N. Lamar.
Waterloo Records thrives in new location
October 8, 2025
There are currently eight students enrolled in the Geometry in Construction course.
Building solutions: Geometry in Construction
October 8, 2025
The varsity girls volleyball team celebrates a point scored in their last match against Branham High School on Aug. 28. The two teams will face off again on Davis Field this Saturday in lieu of the homecoming football game.
Tradition transformed: Varsity girls volleyball headlines homecoming
October 7, 2025
On the sidelines, Phillips-Worrell gathers the team at the Sept. 12 football game against Junction City.
Coach Phillips-Worrell Brings New Focus and Discipline to LHS Cheer Team
October 7, 2025
For the 2025-26 school year, the volleyball team welcomes assistant coach Ashley Pennington to the Nest. This is Pennington's second stint as a Redhawk, as she played setter for the team from 2015 to 2019.
Once again, on the court as a Redhawk
October 6, 2025
Senior Elayna Marquez (right) tapes senior Joshua Stewart’s (left) left foot in Room 141 after school on Tuesday, Sept. 2.
DID YOU KNOW? Sports medicine internship program allows students to gain hands-on medical training
October 6, 2025
The varsity football team takes the field before their home season opener against BASIS on Sept. 11. Injury concerns due to small roster size pushed Harker to cancel the traditional homecoming football game.
Football game cancellation breaks homecoming tradition
October 3, 2025
Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" (2025)
Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another”
October 8, 2025
Taylor Swift and the Jazz Age imagery the pop star used to promote her recently-released album 'The Life of a Showgirl.' (TAS Management)
‘The Life of a Showgirl’ Review: Taylor Swift Cosplays as Daisy Buchanan on Latest Album
October 7, 2025
Cespedes and Legion members lifted the canvas from the roof.
American Legion Post 716 hosts unveiling for new mural
October 7, 2025
Debra McGuire smiles for a solo shot. Ungerleider said costume design is very important and should be very intentional. "Humans take in things through their eyes, so it's like you're already telling a story about someone by looking at what they're wearing and what their style is," Ungerleider said. Photo courtesy of Debra McGuire
‘Silent storytellers’: The job of a fashion, costume designer for award-winning movies, TV shows
October 7, 2025
A BIGGER PURPOSE. In the children's book "Tiggy the Yarn," Tiggy wants more from life. The book written by senior Ciara Cross is available on Amazon.
Senior turns school project into published children’s book
October 7, 2025
Townsend Harris implements a cellphone ban policy adhering to the new law.
Editorial: though cell phone ban is unnecessary, THHS administration responded with trust in students
October 7, 2025
A girl sits lost in thought, not able to identify the cultural items of her Korean root. The heavily Western focused education she received interfered with her understanding of her very own nation's traditions.
Western-focused education sidelines Korean history and culture
September 30, 2025
A pharmacist displaying Narcan availability at the CVS Pharmacy at 5644 Mayfield Rd.
Narcan Can Saves Lives
September 29, 2025
Gables' initiatives aim to reverse statewide decline in reading and math proficiency among the lowest quartile of students.
The Bottom 25%: How Cavaliers Close the Gap
September 26, 2025
Items left by family and friends at Jayson Cooke's memorial on Percival Road.
How many more?
September 26, 2025
The issue with gun violence coverage
The issue with gun violence coverage
October 8, 2025
VIDEO SPOTLIGHT: The Young Journalists Initiative
October 8, 2025
Meet MHS: Siddhartha Subbella Practices Origami to Relieve Stress
Meet MHS: Siddhartha Subbella Practices Origami to Relieve Stress
October 7, 2025
This episode of The Oracle focuses on Del Val's Film and Literature class.
The Oracle: ‘What is Film and Literature?’
October 7, 2025
The Viper Club Spotlight is a new podcast giving insight into all the clubs at school. Photo by Jacob Ceron.
Viper Club Cast: Forensics
October 6, 2025
The issue with gun violence coverage
The issue with gun violence coverage
October 8, 2025
This episode of The Oracle focuses on Del Val's Film and Literature class.
The Oracle: ‘What is Film and Literature?’
October 7, 2025
The Viper Club Spotlight is a new podcast giving insight into all the clubs at school. Photo by Jacob Ceron.
Viper Club Cast: Forensics
October 6, 2025
The impact of school shootings, safety in America
The impact of school shootings, safety in America
October 1, 2025
Gator Tales: Xavier theology teachers’ take on Labubus
October 1, 2025
Sophomore Daniel Papp lines up at wingback during West Chicago’s 66–20 win over Ridgewood on Sept. 19 at Memorial Field. Papp also plays cornerback for the Wildcats.
[PHOTO ESSAY] Rain, cheers, and grit: Wildcats bounce back against Ridgewood
September 26, 2025
Protesters gathered in downtown West Chicago earlier this week following raids from Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
[PHOTO ESSAY] WEGO residents march towards freedom in anti-ICE protests
September 23, 2025
GRAND REVEAL: Sophomore Cruz Gonzales performs alongside the other baritone saxophone players during Bandapalooza on Aug 22. Bandapalooza allowed the band to perform what they’ve been practicing during the summer to an audience full of friends and family. While this wasn’t the band’s first full run through, it was their first in front of an audience. “I feel like we’ve done better in rehearsals, and due to the pressure and other things, it hindered our performance a little bit, but I was still proud,” Gonzales said. One thing that Gonzales pointed out that the band needs to work on in the future is making sure everybody knows exactly where they’re supposed to be and knows the repetition. This performance also allowed the band to introduce their new theme of Gothic Renaissance to their audience. “This year’s costumes are totally different,” Gonzales said. “We have hip capes and shako hats, which is a big change from last year.” Looking towards the future and big pictures, Gonzales wants the band to have a successful season and make state. “Considering how close it was last year, we were pretty bummed,” he said. “So this year, I think everybody is really trying to work harder to get there and make state again.” Caption by Maya Tackett. Photo by Wren Vanderford.
Bandapalooza marches into new year
September 16, 2025
LOVELY RITA: Senior designer Rita Hagerty was the lucky winner of the 2025 show. Hagerty participated in the show for her second year. “Rita has incredible dedication and her eye for detail is incredible," one of Hagerty's designer peers said. "I'm glad her hard work paid off.” Each designer put countless hours into the show, sacrificing sleep and free time for the opportunity to share their work with the community. For some of these young designers it may have been their first time participating, some say that the hardest part was finding the time to dedicate to the competition. “Of course, designing the clothes was challenging, but that's what I was expecting," first-year sophomore designer Tallulah McAuliffe said. "It was really hard to find the time to put it all together though. Between school, homework and friends. The show was always following me.” Caption by Isa Truan.
Braving the ‘Wilderness’ together
May 7, 2025
Sophomore Clare Colburn draws a henna design on a child's hand. Henna designing was one of the activities for guests, and art students were able to sign up for different activities they could do during the art show. “One of my favorite activities was Henna because it's a really cool craft and art form that is interesting,” Colburn said. 
Pyramid art show expresses creativity of students
May 2, 2025
VIDEO SPOTLIGHT: The Young Journalists Initiative
October 8, 2025
Meet MHS: Siddhartha Subbella Practices Origami to Relieve Stress
Meet MHS: Siddhartha Subbella Practices Origami to Relieve Stress
October 7, 2025
Jeremiah Cox in the action at his Tech Internship
On-campus internships fosters real-world learning
October 6, 2025
The Trump Protests in Palo Alto
The Trump Protests in Palo Alto
September 30, 2025
How the phone ban has impacted students
How the phone ban has impacted students
September 26, 2025
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

New student teachers

By Rowan Meyer, Hayden Strine, Adelyn Van Essen, and Landen Swift • February 7, 2025

This story was originally published on The Catalyst on February 3, 2025.

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