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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

Freshman Sofia Moreno sings the national anthem at the Austin FC game on July 29, 2024 against LA Galaxy. Photo provided by Moreno.

Freshman finds her voice

By Maya Tackett, McCallum High School May 21, 2025

The minute freshman Sofia Moreno started talking, she has been singing. When she was 2, she would sing along to Roy Orbison in her car seat; at 5, she started taking piano lessons; and at 12, she started...

Senior Victoria Garcia de Leaniz Hernandez is this year's TFS pick for Musician of the Year.

TFS 2025 Musician of the Year: Victoria Garcia de Leaniz Hernandez

By Kallista Schneiderman, Lake Forest High School May 21, 2025

Senior Victoria Garcia de Leaniz Hernandez has what her friend senior Nicholas Pizzo describes as a “semi-ironic” intent to construct a boat in her time at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology...

Sophomore Kyla Rocha poses with her chamber group from AFA. The group was preparing for a performance at the Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.

Strings of the heart

By Cindy Tint, Bellaire High School May 19, 2025

Tick. Tick. Tick. It’s driving her insane. To sophomore Kyla Rocha, there is nothing more “lonely” than the constant click of the metronome, her only companion during hours-long solo practices. “I...

Senior Henry Auxenfans began taking violin lessons at 5 years old, and dedicated the next 13 years of his life to it.

Keeping time: Senior Henry Auxenfans finds discipline in violin

By Kabir Joshi, University of Chicago Laboratory High School May 19, 2025

Standing under the lights, violin to his neck, senior Henry Auxenfans stares at the conductor, waiting for his cue. He gazes down at the audience, hundreds of people looking at him. Then it starts....

Trauma center doctors Jae-won Yang (Played by Youngwoo Choo) and Gang-hyeok Baek (Played by Ji-hoon Ju) take a well-deserved break, worn out by the intense day of work.

Beyond the drama – Code Blue for nation’s ER system

By Anna Yoon, Daegu International School May 19, 2025

“The Trauma Code,” a newly released Netflix drama, introduces Korea’s own fictional superhero, Gang-hyeok Baek. This figure doesn’t fight villains, but rather an endless battle between life and...

Nearly every composer has their own meticulous process they use to create a composition, and Micah Ballard is no exception. "I actually have a whole 40-page document write-up that I’ve made over the years of everything I do when I compose," Ballard said. "It’s just all my inspirations, the things I like to do with melody, how I like to develop my harmony, and there’s diagrams."

Creative composing

By Anushka Goel, Walnut Hills High School May 19, 2025

As notes rapidly flow through Micah Ballard’s brain, measures spill from his hand into his computer, and a whole new composition is created. Recently, the class of 2020 alumnus won the 2024 Dolphy Prize...

Kelly performs alongside Lake District at The Rialto Theater.

Freshman starts band, contributes to music community

By Rin Lam, Revere High School May 19, 2025

Beneath the radiant spotlight’s glow and before the crowds’ curious gaze stands freshman Myles Kelly, singing and strumming along to the tune of his band’s new song Clear Lake. Over the last several...

Computer graphic arts and digital photographer teacher Jennifer Bible poses with a Super Bowl poster. She designed this and many other graphics while working with the NFL.

Graphic designer turns teacher

By Kavin Jain, California High School – CA May 14, 2025

For any sports fan, seeing your work dispalyed at Super Bowls, Major League Baseball games, NBA All-Star games or the College Football Bowl Championship Series would be a dream come true. But for Cal...

Crawford’s design, titled “No Bad Ideas.” He was awarded a Scholastic Gold Key, an award given to young artists. The piece is currently being judged for national awards.

No Bad Ideas

By Ben Lehman, Lydia Greves, and Lily Brodsky May 14, 2025

When Sean Crawford (11) recalls was a 5-year-old, he curiously walks through the airport. He isn’t looking at the creepy gargoyles staged throughout the airport. He’s not watching planes take off....

Nashville artist Sawyer Utah is navigating the music industry while building his talent. He uses modern-day marketing tactics, such as social media, to build his platform, teasing and releasing his new songs on his platforms. He recently released a brand new single “tears and wishes.” (Photo courtesy of Sawyer Utah)

Pop artist Sawyer Utah establishes himself amidst evolving music industry

By Chloe Fitzsimmons, Starr’s Mill High School May 14, 2025

Sawyer Utah is a 24-year-old artist whose music, a dreamy indie-pop incorporating western and hip-hop elements, is climbing in streams as he establishes his place in the industry. Utah showed remarkable...

Senior AP Studio Art student Miranda Guss holds "Greed," her favorite of the 15 pieces of her AP Art portfolio submission.

Painting with Purpose

By Malac Al-shadod, Hancock High School – MO May 14, 2025

For most students, AP classes are full of studying and memorizing. However, for HHS senior Miranda Guss, AP Art is about expressing who she is through her artwork. It’s a class that takes time, creativity,...

Solomons performs throughout her high school career at numerous school events. Photo provided by Rebecca Solomons

Beyond the spotlight

By Ava Alkhamis, Londonderry High School May 14, 2025

The sound system hums through the stadium as the crowd settles in, waiting. Backstage, a young singer prepares to step into the spotlight. She runs through the opening note of the National Anthem—sharp,...

Coppell High School senior Pavithra Vijaykumar serves as the president of Coppell Band. Vijaykumar has been a member of Coppell Band for four years, leading through determination and dedication.

Crescendoing to the coda

By Ishana Sharma, Coppell High School May 7, 2025

Music is a layered art, the sounds of various instruments blending together to weave into a song. These instrumental layers fascinate senior band president Pavithra Vijaykumar not just in her favorite...

Finishing her night out after attending a local concert, senior Grace Sauers smiles at the camera. She recently started a business, PrettySick, that takes photos as well as sells merch at local concert venues. Next year, she will attend Columbia Chicago College majoring in Graphic Design. “There's such a good communal scene because there [are] great venues in Austin,” Sauers said. “I'm gonna miss it in Austin, but I do know Chicago is good, it's not like I'm going to the middle of nowhere. I just have to find my footing again.” Photo Courtesy of Grace Sauers.

Moments Between The Music

By Heidi Williams, Cedar Park High School May 7, 2025

Lights flash, the ground shakes and everyone shouts in unison. Hands are thrown in the air as the sound of drums, guitars, singers and all other forms of instruments echo throughout the venue. A photographer...

Sophomore Brianna Belanger shows sophomore Linq Kaelin how to start a chain during their weekly crochet club, hosted every Tuesday in the library.

Making impact one stitch at a time, crochet club hooks community together

By Amy Zhang, Algonquin Regional High School May 7, 2025

While quarantine left many students feeling unmotivated, sophomore Brianna Belanger used the pandemic as an opportunity to find a new passion for crochet, which she now shares with others through the recently-formed...

Painting a Difference: Student’s nonprofit recognized at Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards, continues to raise awareness for disabilities

Painting a Difference: Student’s nonprofit recognized at Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards, continues to raise awareness for disabilities

By Lourdes Hernandez Peraza, Vandegrift High School May 7, 2025

The noise of a regular household filled the air, joined by the subtle noise of paint brushes grazing easels. Paint of all kinds colored the blank background. Each brush stroke adds to a canvas for a cause....

A documentary about Tyler Slippy by Tyrone alum Jeremy Byers will premiere on YouTube on Monday, April 5.

Giving Tyler a Voice: Tyrone Alum Produces Film Honoring Teacher’s Son

By Elexis Hess, Tyrone Area High School May 7, 2025

Tragedy struck Tyrone High School English teacher Kathy Beigle and her family in November 2020 when her 27-year-old son, Tyler Slippy, was stabbed to death in his Hollidaysburg apartment. Beigle, Tyler’s...

Styles of Styluses

Styles of Styluses

By Colin Nichols, Francis Howell Central High School May 2, 2025

Paintbrush in hand, senior Aubrey Simpson, planning to eventually be an art teacher and inspire kids the same way her teachers have inspired her, adds life to a blank canvas, visualizing a whole world...

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

By Sagnik Nag Chowdhury, Monta Vista High School May 2, 2025

After two largely successful comic book adaptations and carrying on the “Rocky” franchise, director Ryan Coogler worked with actor Michael B. Jordan to direct his first original film, the vampire thriller...

“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?

By Jesse Shalev, Green Hope High School May 2, 2025

How far down does one have to go on the list of highest grossing movies of 2024 before they find an original Hollywood film? 29 movies down on the list, John Krasinski’s film “IF” stands as the only...

Francisco Aragón ’84 poses for a photo with his poetry book, “After Ruben.”

Poet takes time to share rhymes

By Catherine Hansen ‘25, ARCHBISHOP RIORDAN HIGH SCHOOL May 2, 2025

On April 11, Francisco Aragón ’84, esteemed poet and author of “After Ruben,” made his second visit to Riordan to share his work with Michael Vezzali-Pascual’s eager AP Literature class. Aragón’s...

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

By Tallulah McAuliffe, McCallum High School May 2, 2025

Senior Reyn Linder began sewing at the age of 8 after her grandma bought her a sewing machine for her birthday, her very first project being a My Little Pony nightgown. Ever since Linder has had a passion...

Dancers attend many dress rehearsals to adjust to a new setting and perform flawlessly during show days. With performance stress, peer pressure, and many other stress factors, negative mental and physical health remains prominent in dance environments.

Looking beyond presumed perfection

By Jessica Sun, Carlmont High School April 30, 2025

Many ballerinas ignore warning signs from their bodies, knowing that taking a single day off can cost them the performance roles they fought for strenuously in their competitive dance surroundings. The...

“I already love guitar so much, and it will be something I always have. In general, it’s made me more open. I used to be scared to try anything new, but guitar was my first demonstration that trying something new was good," senior Shivraj Panja said.

Humans of Harker: Playing with pluck

By Jeremy Peng, The Harker School April 30, 2025

Few people in the world can play an eight-string guitar — senior Shivraj Panja is one of them. Although Shivraj has been playing the standard six-string for over a decade, he started to learn the more...

Multilingual student Melany Cristobal blends memories of Guatemala, a passion for art, and her own version of the American dream in her crochet business.

Breaking Barriers: Made by Melany

By RUBY MCELHENNY, Gloucester High School – MA April 30, 2025

Nestled on her soft brown couch with bright red, pink and yellow spools of yarn scattered around her, Melany Cristobal is in her element. A Spanish language show blares on the TV across from her, younger...

Lalithambika Geethu Jayadev, freshman, steps into the Meramec River as she records an Instagram reel at the Castlewood State Park.

Bharatanatyam Breakthrough

By Siya Taneja, Marquette High School April 29, 2025

With nearly 36K followers on Instagram, Lalithambika Geethu Jayadev, freshman, is oftentimes treated like a celebrity. She is recognized as a Bharatanatyam dancer. “Other people I don't know know...

From silence to song: Caleb Colton performs despite executive order

From silence to song: Caleb Colton performs despite executive order

By Nabeeha Qadri, St. Paul Academy and Summit School April 29, 2025

When freshman percussionist Caleb Colton auditioned to play with "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, he thought the most challenging part would be perfecting his music. He did not expect a...

Representation Made Real

Representation Made Real

By Karl Loiseau, Trinity Preparatory School April 29, 2025

Disney has been, albeit very gradually, making progress in representing all peoples through their princesses. We did get a fish before an Indigenous princess, or Black princess, or an East Asian princess,...

"Shots" Unraveled

“Shots” Unraveled

By Fay Zhao, Trinity Preparatory School April 29, 2025

Kristin Durfee comes home at night after a long day at work, sits down at her desk — an organized chaos of handwritten notes — and opens her laptop. She is quickly immersed in a world of mystery, surrounded...

Mike Wang and Stephen Curry, a NBA basketball player, posing for a picture

Mike Wang: NBA 2K Developer and PCHS Alumnus

By Julia Enz, Parkway Central High School April 22, 2025

Mike Wang, a Parkway Central High School alumnus, has become a leading figure in the world of video games as the Gameplay Director for Visual Concepts, a leading video game development company known for...

Original composition by senior Freya Girard.

Student Composers

By Channing Morse, Lawrence High School April 22, 2025

Music is a universal language, an aspect of life that people of all ages participate in. What do Lawrence High students do with music? How does it impact them? Most students listen to music, but some also...

Seniors Aditya Parikh and Pranith Surapaneni practice playing the violin and the guitar for the Melodies for Memories club they founded. Parikh said he has been able to make connections through music and hopes to inspire the same in nursing homes. “Everyone has listened to some sort of music in their life and can connect to a live performance,” Parikh said, “That is a big part of why we created the organization because we wanted to share what we found with others.”

A timeless connection

By Ruby Halverson and Madison Kraft April 22, 2025

The final note of “The Lord of the Rings” theme song reverberates as senior Aditya Parikh finishes the last stroke of his violin bow. His friend and fellow senior Pranith Surapaneni applauds from the...

Junior Cyrus Froozan practices guitar with his local church band. Froozan plays in his free time and during church gatherings. Oftentimes, the church sees audiences of up to 200 people.

Music and medals: Cyrus Froozan shoots for the stars

By Ben Goodstein, Walter Johnson High School April 22, 2025

Boasting musical talent and military achievement, junior Cyrus Froozan has a uniquely impressive resume. Not many high school students have the courage to play music in front of an audience of hundreds...

Michelle Peng sketches a dollar bill in her notebook, a symbolic reflection of the financial struggles artists face. For many, low wages and economic uncertainty cast a shadow over creative careers. Yet, with each confident stroke of her pencil, Peng confronts these challenges head-on, transforming her worries into art. Above her, images of her past creations float like a constellation of inspiration, each piece reflecting the drive and creativity that propel her forward, proving her passion can overcome any obstacle in her path.

Doodles to dollars

By Rachel Hong, Carlmont High School April 17, 2025

Forty-four million. That is the number of artists who walked away from their careers in 2023. The path of an artist is anything but easy. The art world, shaped by unpredictable demand and changing...

From left to right, seniors Terry Chang, Tanya Clemens, Caroline Lou, Sophia Wang and Alex Qi perform a dance at the end of the first set of Sachem's Haunted Coffeehouse on Oct. 17.

Silk Motion’s smooth moves show passion

By Danica Bai, Algonquin Regional High School April 17, 2025

With their flowing costumes and stunning maneuvers, East Asian dance group Silk Motion shares their culture with the world and builds community through dance. Silk Motion was formed over a year ago...

Edward Ter-Hovhannisyan, senior, films Yvette Yaroshenko, sophomore, for an Instagram reel that will be posted on the Tri-M Music Honors Society's Instagram page.

MHS Clubs Create Instagram Reels to Advertise

By Siya Taneja, Marquette High School April 17, 2025

As Edward Ter-Hovhannisyan, senior, scrolled through his Instagram feed, he noticed that many school clubs have started Instagram accounts, posting reels to advertise at their school.  Ter-Hovhannisyan...

Senior Bailey Goldstein's guinea pig Apple poses with an earring. "I just think earrings so versatile," Bailey said. "And you can dress them down or up, and they're so fun to collect, and they're an easy birthday gift."

‘Kooky’ character

By Emma Xiao, Bellaire High School April 15, 2025

Moo Deng. Mother Goose. Snowman. Gummy bear. No, these are not part of a Connections category. These are just some of senior Bailey Goldstein’s “30-or-so” collection of self-proclaimed “kooky”...

A player's handbook sits beneath dice surrounded by candles. DMs usually have a physical copy of the handbook on hand during sessions. Photo l Dee Floyd.

On a roll

By Holly Smyers, Hagerty High School April 15, 2025

You’re sitting around a campfire when one of your friends smacks into you. When you ask them what their problem is, they claim a nearby bush had pushed them. Usually, that sort of exchange would end...

Yadav takes up tasha with local Indian musical group

Yadav takes up tasha with local Indian musical group

By Jay Vernekar, Coppell High School April 10, 2025

Enthralling clashes of sounds vibrate through American Airlines Center as performers with bright uniforms jump in unison on the Dallas Mavericks basketball court. The sounds did not come from a Mavericks...

Freshman Paige Giglione sings in the School of Rock "Performance" and "House Band" bands. Photo contributed by Pete Giglione.

For those about to rock

By Ethan Green and Madison Hamilton April 10, 2025

Two years ago, senior Addison Giglione played on a side stage at Lollapalooza in Chicago, one of the largest music festivals in the world, as a member of the School of Rock “AllStars” band. “We...

The term girl’s girl is growing in popularity on social media. According to Glamour magazine, it’s used to describe a woman who uplifts other girls instead of competing with them.

Community considers impact of girl’s girl trend, debates performative feminism

By Amelia Bassi, The American School in London April 10, 2025

For Leyla Bilha Tepekoylu (’28), emerging girl’s girl trends on social media serve as a refreshing break from the constant stream of negativity women experience online. “As women, we should push...

During the "Songs for the People" choral concert on Oct. 22, music teacher and concert director Olivia Goliger directs the concert choir.

Choir director brings choral opportunities to students

By Izzie Gaskamp, Algonquin Regional High School April 10, 2025

Choir director Olivia Goliger is not just a teacher; she’s a world-class performer who brings the opportunities of professional critiques and performing in a master’s recital to her students. Goliger...

Keyboards and pipes — Bondi’s organ playing

Keyboards and pipes — Bondi’s organ playing

By Evan Easley, White Station High School April 8, 2025

Worshippers enter the church interior, the pastor makes a call to worship and they introduce the service’s opening hymn. Striking yet warm sound engulfs the church as the organist begins to play, stretching...

The Bald Eagles take flight

The Bald Eagles take flight

By Ellie Kenny, Liv Lutter, and Viswak Adelli April 4, 2025

“Music can certainly be so great in that it transports you into another place and mood,” said English teacher and Bald Eagles’ drummer Gregg Greentree. “Sometimes when you need it the most.” Greentree,...

Junior Adam Tapper has found a passion for writing literary translations, from Yiddish and German, two languages to which he feels a deep connection due to his family’s heritage.

Lost words, new voices: Junior Adam Tapper works to preserve and share minority languages

By Caroline Skelly, University of Chicago Laboratory High School April 4, 2025

Only about 3% of the books published in America are works of translation. Through his role as editor-in-chief of the Ouroboros literary translation journal, junior Adam Tapper is hoping to change that.  Since...

Cataloging Assistant Martha Waters explores unrequited love and high-society courtship in her five-book historical romance series, “Regency Vows.” Waters began working at the school Jan. 20.

Martha Waters embraces ‘deeply chaotic’ writing process behind bestselling novels

By Zoe Karibian, The American School in London April 4, 2025

Cataloging Assistant and author Martha Waters said her passion for writing began at the age of 6, when she wrote a simple declaration in crayon: “I’m going to be a writer.” That sentence, penned...

"The Gunslinger" is a new musical written, composed and directed by Ben Demase, set to be performed May 23 and 24. (Above design created by Ben Demase.)

Behind the Curtain of Ben Demase’s Original Musical, “The Gunslinger”

By Ash Woerner, Loudoun Valley High School April 4, 2025

The description of the senior CAS project is simple: develop a plan for an activity that allows for creativity, activity and community service. Nearly every senior chooses to do a CAS project, many seeing...

Coppell High School junior Chloe Vigue works on a sketchbook piece in the E102 Drawing Studio. Vigue’s passion for visual media is evident through her commitment to growing as an artist both in and out of school.

“I can’t see myself going any other direction”

By Marli Field, Coppell High School April 1, 2025

Coppell High School junior Chloe Vigue may not be the first student to catch your attention when walking into a classroom with her shy demeanor and focused attitude. However, within her passion for...

Photos combined by students at Dallastown who have contributed to the rising trend. Dallastown 2025 Mini-Thon even got a bit of the spotlight.

(Photos by Carter Lewis, Zen Avery Garcia, Graphic by Jade Bradenbaugh)

The Digital Camera Craze

By Jade Bradenbaugh, Dallastown Area High School April 1, 2025

Fashion trends are recycled every 10 to 15 years. The fashion of the 2000s is coming back in the 2020s, and it’s fascinating to discover what else was brought back with low-rise jeans and yoga pants. A...

"Snow White"

“Snow White”: A Whimsical Yet Flawed Live-Action Retelling

By Rocco Awad, Lakewood High School April 1, 2025

Disney has many classic stories and is no stranger to turning these classic animated tales into often mediocre live-action movies. The most recent film added to this collection is the 2025 live-action...

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