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Dominion Energy’s electrical substation in Brambleton is one of the many substations located in Loudoun County to power transmission lines. Residents feel threatened by the proximity of the proposed power lines. “Many students and I attend school for eight to ten hours, so it's scary that a big corporation will have the power to put dangerous power lines so close to our school,” Leana Paradkar said.
High Voltage, Higher Stakes: Residents Protest Dominion Energy’s Power Expansion
May 2, 2025
By Birth or By Blood
By Birth or By Blood
May 2, 2025
LGBTQ books restricted at elementary schools
LGBTQ books restricted at elementary schools
May 2, 2025
A Theogony investigation found that ACPS spent $145,000 on a K-8 analysis but ultimately didn't choose any of the options from the analysis report — contradicting messaging in multiple public presentations.
Inside the Tumultuous Vote to Eliminate K-8 Schools
May 2, 2025
Joshua Friedlander pictured with his jams in Miles Farmers Market. Photo taken by Lisa Friedlander and provided by Joshua Friedlander.
SHS student expands his self-owned business “Jam by Josh”
May 2, 2025
The popularity of catfish is clear statewide, but does its appeal carry over to MSMS and MUW students who eat it at Hogarth?
Giesen: At MSMS, Catfish Friday is more than just a meal
May 2, 2025
David Conrads, director of the Iowa Raptor Project Shows one of the projects Red Tailed Hawks, Hercules. Hercules is famous for soaring over Kinnick Stadium before Iowa Hawkeye football games.
Bigger than birds
May 2, 2025
San José and the larger San Francisco Bay Area are home to a variety of native species such as the California poppy, owl’s clover and lupine.
The Bay Area’s complex web of native and invasive wildlife
May 2, 2025
In the home of 2011 WHS graduate Lauren Astley’s father and founder of the Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Fund Malcom Astley sit photos of L. Astley, along with a stuffed dog. M. Astley thinks that loss is something that children should be learning how to cope with from a young age, as well as acknowledging that grief and loss doesn’t only come from human death. “Another is acknowledging the phenomenon of loss, which a breakup is,” M. Astley said. “Training early on around the silliest of things. You remember that first stuffed animal that you had, and if you lost it or left it at home when the family went on a trip and you went out of your mind as a four year old. The first goldfish that died, another pet, and the progression, which is inevitable, and we don't, we're not open about it.”
More than just a statistic: The role of education in combating domestic violence
May 2, 2025
The buildings of Oracle Corporation in Redwood Shores stand imposingly against a blue sky. With 40% of the company’s total employees working at the Redwood Shores campus, it is a huge contributor to the Silicon Valley ecosystem, which is characterized by its competitiveness, fluidity, community, and inequality.
Climbing the ladder
May 2, 2025
Freshman overcomes brain cancer to skate
Freshman overcomes brain cancer to skate
May 2, 2025
Senior Krish Khanna, a varsity tennis co-captain, leads his team with passion and sportsmanship. His love for tennis started at age 6 and continues to shape his high school experience.
Senior Krish Khanna finds purpose through tennis, leadership
May 2, 2025
If the new policy is implemented, many no cut sports, such as track and field, may see an increase in athletes who only want to get out of a PE class.
Prioritizing the ‘athlete’ in student athlete
May 2, 2025
Senior Carter Stover pitches ball during a game against Liberty April 8 at home.
Carter Stover’s 12-Year Road Through a Stellar Baseball Career
May 2, 2025
Noah Wolff ’25 gets ready to hit a forehand. Photo contributed by Noah Wolff.
Underhanded, undeterred; Wolff turns setback into success
April 30, 2025
Styles of Styluses
Styles of Styluses
May 2, 2025
A group of survivors, led by Smoke, prepares for battle against vampires. | Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Studios
‘Sinners’ is stylish, sexy and seething with culture
May 2, 2025
“Mickey 17,” an original film from filmmaker Bong Joon-Ho, did not make money at the box office despite the movement for original films taking place during its theatrical window. Promotional photo used with permission from Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Does anyone actually want original movies?
May 2, 2025
Francisco Aragón ’84 poses for a photo with his poetry book, “After Ruben.”
Poet takes time to share rhymes
May 2, 2025
Senior directors Reyn Linder, Will Sims and Larsen Krell introduce the fashion show to the audience on the second performance of the show on Sunday.
Senior director Linder takes the lead
May 2, 2025
The Speak Your Mind Challenge involves participants dumping a bucket of ice water over their head, then posting the act to Instagram with links for donations and mental health resources.
Missing the Point
May 2, 2025
Driven by the false belief that ADHD medication guarantees academic success, pressured students resort to using drugs in pursuit of social recognition.
Teens fake symptoms for drug prescriptions that lead to an illusion of success
May 2, 2025
Board members debated several issues during the Monday meeting, including the availability of documents to parents.
Why Our Leaders Are Failing Us
May 2, 2025
Bullet by Bullet
Bullet by Bullet
May 2, 2025
Pop star Katy Perry comes out of the capsule in which she, journalists Gayle King, Lauren Sanchez, who is also billionaire Jeff Bezos' fiance and other participants, landed back on earth after blasting off into space on a Blue Origin rocket, as part of the New Shepard Mission NS-31, marking the first all-female flight crew in more than six decades, in West Texas, Texas, U.S., April 14, 2025, in this screen grab taken from a video. Blue Origin/Handout via REUTERS
Editorial: Progress or publicity? Our stance on the star-studded all-female Blue Origin flight
May 2, 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
Student journalists in the age of the Trump Administration
Student journalists in the age of the Trump Administration
May 2, 2025
If you could do high school all over again what would you do differently? Why? How? In this episode senior journalists and podcasters Kate Saussele and Mia Kirsch share 5 pieces of advice.
Episode 19 – 5 things we wish we knew before starting high school
April 30, 2025
SF's Cherry Blossom Festival
SF’s Cherry Blossom Festival
April 29, 2025
Anti-Elon Musk protestors continue their push to raise awareness about their opinions and beliefs.
Local Tesla Protests
April 29, 2025
Student journalists in the age of the Trump Administration
Student journalists in the age of the Trump Administration
May 2, 2025
If you could do high school all over again what would you do differently? Why? How? In this episode senior journalists and podcasters Kate Saussele and Mia Kirsch share 5 pieces of advice.
Episode 19 – 5 things we wish we knew before starting high school
April 30, 2025
Junior Dakoda Dement competes in the shot put at the Caney Creek meet. He screamed toward his teammates when he realized he had thrown a personal record.
Dakoda Dement sets new record, chases bigger goals
April 15, 2025
PODCAST Luca Akin cogitates on long-term finance internship
PODCAST Luca Akin cogitates on long-term finance internship
April 2, 2025
Shepherd Perkins: A Peek Into a Budding Artist’s Album
March 27, 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
REACHING FOR THE STARS: Junior Zane Shieh sings an original song while playing the guitar with his band, Spiral Maze, at the Battle of the Bands last Thursday. He sings the long note of his band’s original song entitled “Reach,” a part of a new album coming soon. “This is my second year doing Battle of the Bands and with Spiral Maze,” Shieh said. “We had a pretty tight set, but I think it went really well, and the crowd liked us a good bit.” Shieh said his excitement toward playing at the Battle of the Bands this year was being able to showcase his band’s new music. “My favorite part was performing our new song, and playing for a bunch of my friends was super sick,” Shieh said. “It was stressful at first—like a little nervous—but it all cleared up right after the first song, and the atmosphere was very chill.” While it was not his band’s first time performing in front of a crowd, Shieh said he loves playing music at his own school and performing original music. “We’ve played at the Austin Rodeo two times and a few restaurants like Tamale House and Freddo’s ATX,” Shieh said. Shieh and his band will be back performing at school at the upcoming first annual McCallum Art Party fundraiser on Feb. 22. Caption by Nate Williams.
Battle of the Bands brings Mac musicians together
April 10, 2025
Junior Paige Mitchell leaps during group performance for Blue Brigade's annual show-off held last Wednesday commencing the contest season.
Twirl, leap and spin into contest season
April 4, 2025
UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT: Senior Sasha Grapko is highlighted on stage by a spotlight during the McCallum Youth Dance Company show this past Thursday and Friday at the AISD PAC. The company put in tireless efforts to make the show a reality with late rehearsals and all-day preparations at the PAC in the days leading up to the show. The show was unique with multiple ensembles performing throughout the night. Since the company consists of students ranging from their freshmen to senior years, the dances vary in complexity which created a balance throughout the program over the two days. Overall, the efforts of the dancers and choreographers paid off, and the show was a success. As Grapko is shining above, every McCallum dancer was able to highlight their commitment to the program with their performances. Caption by Arwen Petellier. Photo by Adele Seeboth
McCallum Youth Dance Company delivers ‘moving’ showcase
March 27, 2025
Cassidy Vallin (Left) and Bryan Connolly (Right) from Circus Foundry dance as a part of their show during the opening ceremony of Conifer High School’s 9th annual Peace Day. Circus Foundry is a Denver-based contemporary circus that formed to share their art, help others in the process, and support local under-represented demographics in community gatherings. “Our main goal with your show was to be able to share the excitement of what the circus brings to people throughout the world,” Vallin said.
Kaleidoscope of Perspective
March 12, 2025
SF's Cherry Blossom Festival
SF’s Cherry Blossom Festival
April 29, 2025
Anti-Elon Musk protestors continue their push to raise awareness about their opinions and beliefs.
Local Tesla Protests
April 29, 2025
Spring Break Trip to Belize
April 22, 2025
Scrambling for eggs? Not here: A looking inside the Masters Dining Hall
April 17, 2025
Theater Students Dress Up for Annual Special Olympics
Theater Students Dress Up for Annual Special Olympics
April 17, 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

Inside the Tumultuous Vote to Eliminate K-8 Schools

ACPS descriptions of conversion plans for weeks leading up to the vote contradicted information in a $145,000 analysis report, a Theogony investigation has found.
By James Libresco, Noah Sternberg, and Isabel Shultz • May 2, 2025
Isabel Shultz
A Theogony investigation found that ACPS spent $145,000 on a K-8 analysis but ultimately didn’t choose any of the options from the analysis report — contradicting messaging in multiple public presentations.
This story contains an alternate format that can only be viewed on the original site. View this story on Theogony. It was originally published on April 25, 2025.

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