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The School Newspaper of Winston Churchill High School.

The Observer

The School Newspaper of Winston Churchill High School.

The Observer

The School Newspaper of Winston Churchill High School.

The Observer

Elyssa Shenker holds a digital meeting of her club, Purposefully Repurposed. Shenker has been forced to adapt to the challenges of virtual school.

WCHS clubs adapt to virtual meetings

By Trevor Gardemal, Social Media Manager November 11, 2020

As of the 2020-2021 school year, there are 157 active clubs at WCHS. Ranging from Kpop Dance Club to Women in Politics, there is truly a fit for every student. In a normal, in-person school year, it is...

Zoom has quickly become one of the most common mediums of online interaction. Colleges are beginning to utilize Zoom for online tours, information sessions, and now online interviews.

Online interviews are less effective than in-person ones

By Andrew Chan, Editor-in-Chief November 11, 2020

With COVID-19 altering the way the world runs, nearly everything around us has changed. Whether it is getting lunch with friends or taking a unit test over Zoom, major aspects of our lives are drastically...

Some key ingredients of what is now known as pumpkin spice were found on ancient Indonesian pottery dating back as far as 3,500 years.

Pumpkin spice products reemerge in annual season craze

By Liam Klein, Assistant Online Editor November 11, 2020

In recent years, pumpkin spice has become somewhat of a holiday tradition. There are seasonal pumpkin spice lattes (PSL) from Starbucks and all things pumpkin-spiced elsewhere, including pumpkin spice...

Senior Alison Kaiser started swimming on her summer pool's team. Now as a senior, she was recruited to Emory for swimming!

Athlete of the Month: Alison Kaiser

By Melissa Redlich, Sports Editor November 9, 2020

Some say that swimming is an individual sport, since it involves just the athlete and the water and success is determined by one’s personal speed. However, to senior Alison Kaiser, captain of the WCHS...

A copy of the official SAT study guide for 2020. Seniors in Montgomery County, Md. can take the test for free in November and December.

Free SAT offerings ensure seniors are given the opportunity to test during COVID-19

By Jeremy Fredricks, Copy Editor and New Staff Liaison November 5, 2020

When the Scholastic Assessment Test was canceled in the spring and summer due to COVID-19, many high school seniors were left with few options. Some had not even taken the test, while others were looking...

Many teachers are stressed about the possibility of returning to in-person learning. MCPS stated the new 45-day warning does not mean school will return in person in 45 days.

45-day notice requirement eases the teachers unions fear of returning back to school

By Jeremy Fredricks, Copy Editor and New Staff Liaison November 5, 2020

Bedrooms became classrooms when COVID-19 forced schools to close last spring. Now, more than six months into virtual-learning, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel. Returning to in-person school...

Junior Bridget Kelly (right) walks into the Potomac Community Center on Oct. 28 for her assignment as a poll worker. Kelly's shift runs from 6 am until 11 pm and consists of setting up the precinct, checking voters in and helping them vote.

Student volunteers gear up for 2020 presidential election

By Maya Bhattiprolu, Online Editor November 1, 2020

As Nov. 3 gets closer, it's not a surprise that this year has provided more challenges than past presidential election years. Election workers, a key but often undervalued group on Election Day, has also...

An offical drop box from the state of Maryland for the 2020 election sits outside the main enterance at Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, Md. on Oct. 18.

Drop boxes provide safe alternative to in-person voting

By Jeremy Fredricks, Copy Editor November 1, 2020

When COVID-19 struck during an election year, the question raised was how would people vote safely. Drop boxes became the answer. These boxes have turned community centers and local high schools, including...

WCHS Senior, Caitlyn McCabe, poses after completing a 60-minute JABS workout class. She punches the air, holding 3 lb weights, a move that she uses during the JABS classes.

Jabs by Gina creates a close community during its virtual workout classes

By Charley Hutton, Advertisements and Subscriptions Manager October 29, 2020

The internet community has gone through its fair share of fitness trends — whether it be taking cycling classes at Soul Cycle, following along as YouTuber Chloe Ting does a 10-minute ab workout or participating...

Solidarity Mask team members and students Meredith Eby, Lily Geshelin, Sofía Noguera and Carolina Noguera have all been working together to run the non-profit since May of 2020.

Solidarity Masks promotes safety and social justice

By Olivia Yasharoff, Arts Editor October 28, 2020

For those tired of wearing blue surgical masks and looking for a more sustainable, impactful and trendy option, Solidarity Masks is the answer. Solidarity Masks, co-founded by WCHS junior Carolina Noguera,...

Gym classes are still a great way for students to get moving after long class periods of sitting down. Through videos and demonstrations, students have been able to get some of the gym experience during this period of distance learning.

Virtual art and gym classes adopt new techniques

By Emily Zhang, Features Editor October 28, 2020

With in-person school closed, art and gym teachers especially have had to adapt and adjust this school year. From curriculum changes and connections issues, it has been a whirlwind of new experiences....

Due to the sudden switch to distance learning, teachers have had to adjust how to teach their lessons during the pandemic.

WCHS teachers battle anxiety during virtual learning

By Sylvia Thomson, Assistant Social Media Manager October 28, 2020

No one was prepared for the extreme set of obstacles that the pandemic hurled at us. Teachers were especially taken aback in the spring by the switch to distance-learning, scrambling to modify their classes...

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