Students, teachers take side on later school start time debate
By Jeremy Fredricks and Ari Dimitoglou
November 15, 2019
For students in California public high schools, start time will be later beginning in the 2022-2023 school year. After Governor Gavin Newson signed a law for later start times, California will become the first state to legislative start times for public schools with high schools starting at 8:30 AM. ...
Administration & MCPS don’t see eye to eye on no zero policy
By Jeremy Fredricks, Assistant Opinions Editor
October 21, 2019
For a brief period in the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year, WCHS had a policy where students could earn a minimum grade of 50%, not 0%. The policy would have applied to students who submitted nothing, had cheated or committed plagiarism (and still receive half credit). Aside from its intentions, it contradicted M...
WCHS drivers stressed by parking dilemma
By Austin Vinner, Photo Manager
October 17, 2019
With hundreds of cars, many of which being driven by inexperienced student drivers, the WCHS parking lot can be a dangerous place. The fewer car accidents are thanks to the security and police officers that help with the school’s pickup and drop off procedures, as well as overall parking procedures. ...
WCHS graduation festivities begin for the Class of 2019
By Cherri Tung, Arts Editor
June 4, 2019
It’s the time of year. seniors are finally ready to graduate and head into summer before embarking on their next chapter. But before they go, WCHS had planned many events for the seniors such as the senior banquet, senior breakfast and so much more. “Looking back though, WCHS provided as much...
High school graduation rates decline rapidly
By Hannah Zozobrado, Arts Editor
June 4, 2019
For the past 3 years, graduation rates among Montgomery County Public Schools have experienced a gradual decline. The statistics in the 2017-2018 school year have decreased to 88.4%, the lowest in graduation rates since the class of 2013. The public education throughout Montgomery County high schools...
Elections offer new opportunities for WCHS students
By Charley Hutton, Advertising & Subscription Manager
June 4, 2019
“Do More Than Vote”, and get paid while doing it. Teens are constantly being urged to get involved in the community, and becoming an Election Worker is a great way to do so. With the close proximity to D.C, WCHS students are right near the heart of politics. What students may not know is that...
Speak Up inspires WCHS to stand up to bullies
By Ava Freeman, Features Editor
May 10, 2019
Teasing is an inevitable part of growing up: almost everyone goes through it. However, when this teasing becomes repetitive with the intent to hurt someone, it becomes a more serious issue. According to the National Bullying Prevention Center, over one in five children and teenagers report to have...
Md. Minimum wage increases beginning 2020
By Brandon Li, Senior Writer
May 9, 2019
When looking for a part time job, most will value salary over enjoyment and experience. However, with the new increase in minimum wage, that tradeoff may not exist anymore. The Maryland General Assembly (MGA) approved a bill March 20 that would increase the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour over...
Scholars go for gold in Russian Olympiada in Baltimore
By Victoria Park, Opinions Editor
May 9, 2019
Zdrastvuyte! That is Russian for “hello,” and if you think that is difficult to pronounce, just ask one of the many WCHS students taking Russian to help you. Their skills were recently tested on Apr. 2, when 11 students participated in the Olympiada of Spoken Russian at the Friends School of Baltimore. The...
MCPS redistricting considered to quell inequity issues
By Fatima Yazdi, Editor-in-Chief
May 8, 2019
Montgomery County Public Schools such as WCHS have consistently ranked among the best in the country and are growing at high speeds, though a great divide exists between schools in wealthy areas and schools in less wealthy ones. Recently, this divide has sparked debate over whether or not Montgomery...
Administration attempts to puff out vaping
By Bryan Fletcher and Benjamin Pham
May 8, 2019
Following recent, notable events at school involving THC addictions and the use of vape pens, the WCHS administration is looking into new policies restricting the presence of drugs on school grounds and in classrooms. With now being a better time than ever to initiate discussions about the hazards...
New Ride On bus initiative to transport students for free
By Max Kandel, News Editor
April 1, 2019
As of now, the Montgomery County Council has a plan in place to expand the Kids Ride Free program. However, they must wait to see if Montgomery County allocated enough money to allow expansion. Currently, the Kids Ride Free program allows students 18 and under to ride the Ride On buses for free with...