Fyre Festival proves duality of internet
April 4, 2019
Filed under Observer Opinion
It all started with a video shoot—Big name supermodels, including Bella Hadid and other models represented by her agency, ran around on a beach formerly owned by an associate of Pablo Escobar to promote a new, luxury, all-inclusive music festival that was billed by the organizers as being “a once i...
Guns in the hands of teachers don’t lead to safety
By Andrew Chan, Assistant Sports Editor
April 1, 2019
Filed under Observer Opinion, Opinions
Imagine turning in a paper and seeing a gun on your teacher’s desk, or running to your next class and accidentally bumping into a police officer carrying a loaded gun. Due to the many incidents involving gun violence in schools, these frightening scenarios may soon become a reality. Recently, in Balt...
Emphasis on STEM hinders creativity
By Laura Sneller, Arts Editor
March 7, 2019
Filed under Observer Opinion, Opinions
WCHS offers a variety of interesting and creative electives. However, despite these courses catering to almost every interest, not many WCHS students decide to enroll in them. The highly-competitive environment at WCHS causes students to believe that only core curriculum classes are important, and electi...
MCPS school buses need to install seat belts
By Miranda Chung, Assistant Opinions Editor
December 21, 2018
Filed under Observer Opinion
The Oct. 8 limo crash in New York is considered to be the deadliest U.S. car accident in nine years according to the New York Times. After killing 20 people, including the driver of the vehicle and two pedestrians, the horrifying incident directed much needed attention on transportation safety. ...
Moments of silence allow communities to heal
By Benjamin Pham, Advertising & Subscriptions Manager
December 21, 2018
Filed under Observer Opinion
Around the world, the moment of silence is practiced when a tragic event occurs as a way for communities to come together, mourn the loss of loved ones and provide support to all who were impacted by the tragedy. The shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Fla., the Capital Gazette i...
College acceptance videos create stress
By Nora Holland, Opinions Editor
December 20, 2018
Filed under Observer Opinion
As the student opens his application portal and types in his password, a swarm of his friends watch intently with looks of worry written all over their faces. After a seemingly infinite stretch of silence, screams erupt from everyone as the room turns into a mosh pit. He got in. This is a description...
CHS, reevaluate make-up work policy
May 9, 2018
Filed under Observer Opinion, Opinions
Have you ever missed one day of school and felt like you have to spend the next week making up all the quizzes, tests and worksheets you missed? The CHS makeup policy is supposed to help students handle this extra work, while still balancing their current school work. The current policy is that a...
Parkland brings out Gen Z’s activism
March 7, 2018
Filed under Observer Opinion, Opinions, Top Stories
We’ve heard it all before. Regardless of the era, the youth generation always ends up garnering the same stereotypes -- lazy, ignorant and apathetic. Back in the 60’s, the hippies were regarded as jobless and out of touch with reality. Since then, there has been Generation X, angsty 90’s teens,...
MCPS must mend mental health
January 10, 2018
Filed under Observer Opinion, Opinions, Top Stories
“I don't wanna be alive, I don't wanna be alive, I just wanna die today, I just wanna die.” These words, written by Grammy-nominated rapper and MCPS native Logic, have tragically proven to ring true for many MCPS students. In light of the tragic suicides at Walter Johnson and Walt Whitman High...
MCPS, give students, staff a break
November 21, 2017
Filed under Observer Opinion, Opinions, Top Stories
Once again, the MCPS school board is altering the school year schedule. For the 2018-19 year, election day and Jewish holidays cut into the schedule. In response, there were five schedule proposals created. The chosen model only has two professional days and shortens spring break to a mere four days...
CHS, stop undermining mental illness
October 24, 2017
Filed under Observer Opinion, Opinions
Mental illnesses: serious, yet stigmatized conditions that impact countless members of the CHS community. But when those conditions are stereotyped or referenced in casual context, it completely undermines the severity of mental health disorders. Despite the rise of mental health issues in America,...
MCPS grading changes prove overwhelming and confusing for students and parents
October 4, 2017
Filed under Observer Opinion, Online Exclusives, Opinions, Top Stories
The idea that change is a good thing is a well known concept, however MCPS really took that saying to heart. Ending the use of Edline as a way for students to check grades is only the most recent of many changes that MCPS has sprung on the students and staff, leaving us bewildered and overwhelmed. The...