How to support the Black Lives Matter movement
By Maya Bhattiprolu, Online Editor
June 26, 2020
The murder of George Floyd and thousands of other innocent lives has sparked a worldwide revolution against police brutality. There are so many different ways to support the Black Lives Matter movement, from peaceful protesting, to educating yourself on racism. However, some of these options may not b...
Black Lives Matter is not an Instagram trend
By Ela Jalil, News Editor
June 26, 2020
Last month, Instagram feeds were flooded with black squares on posts and stories. In some of the stories, users would use the hashtag “BlackLivesMatter” and then tag three more people to repost the same message on their own stories. This trend was meant to bring awareness to the important issu...
WCHS teens give back with student-run organizations
By Olivia Yasharoff, Arts Editor
June 25, 2020
Toke Ibraheem, a rising junior and Black Lives Matter activist, is one of many WCHS students who, during this time of quarantine and social distancing, have taken it upon themselves to start helping the community in its time of need. From selling baked goods and delivering groceries, to making masks and ...
Climate change disproportionately discriminates against racial minorities
By Quinn Cook, News Editor
June 23, 2020
In a time of increased awareness in America surrounding the abhorrently unjust conditions of systemic and institutionalized racism, it is important to shine light on the many issues that disproportionately affect the African American community and are not getting the attention they deserve. This article seek...
“The Hate U Give” is a must see to understand white privilege
By Aliki Dimitoglou and Ari Dimitoglou
June 22, 2020
NAACP Image Award-Winning drama for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture, “The Hate U Give,” starring Amandla Stenberg, offers its audience a more realistic perspective as to how white privilege is prevalent in the United States, and how staying silent only worsens the results of oppression. ...
Educate yourself using these anti-racism resources: movies, shows, books and more
By Olivia Yasharoff and Melissa Redlich
June 18, 2020
As the WCHS community joins the rest of the country in searching for ways to help others during Black Lives Matter protests, The Observer is here to help. These movies, TV shows, books and podcasts can help those who want to find resources learn more about the history of racism in America and how to...
Official response to Black Lives Matter movement
June 18, 2020
Dear Churchill community, As your school newspaper, we have an obligation to take a stand on current issues. We want to make it explicitly clear that The Observer supports the Black Lives Matter movement. While many are unable to attend protests due to health and safety concerns, there are actions that can ...
Netflix’s “Outer Banks” almost hits the jackpot
By Maya Bhattiprolu, Online Editor
June 1, 2020
The Outer Banks. Paradise on Earth. Love, guns and war between two social classes. And $400 million worth of undiscovered gold. Set in North Carolina, Netflix’s “Outer Banks” follows John B (Chase Stokes) and his crew: JJ (Rudy Pankow), the abused teen always down for an adventure; Pope (...
Seniors mourn loss of final spring season
By Maya Bhattiprolu, Online Editor
May 30, 2020
Prom, graduation, beach week. Seniors have lost multiple important milestones this year. For senior athletes, they’re missing out on something else too: their final season. “I was really disappointed when I heard it was cancelled,” cross country and track co-captain Jessica Bowen said. “I wanted t...
WCHS English teacher wins MCCPTA Teacher of the Year
By Melissa Redlich, Sports Editor
May 29, 2020
Need Grant Goodman in a nutshell? Read his last name: good man. WCHS’s very own Grant Goodman became the first teacher to get the Montgomery County Council Of Parent-Teacher Associations (MCCPTA) Teacher of the Year Award. According to Daria Daniel, the MCCPTA Awards Committee Chair, MCPS teachers and ...
Zoom meetings connect Principal Heckert and students
By Jeremy Fredricks, Copy Editor
May 29, 2020
Three months ago, Zoom was a virtually unknown app. Now, it is being used to host events and meetings throughout the world. It has become so popular that Principal Brandice Heckert is using it to reconnect with WCHS students and staff in grade-level meetings. These half-hour sessions include Principal H...
WCHS students stay active during quarantine
By Ela Jalil, News Editor
May 29, 2020
Amidst this crazy time of the coronavirus quarantine, many people have stayed in their homes for months now. Schools were not the only thing that were shut down on March 15. Some spring sports never even got to begin their season, or just got two weeks of games and practices before school was cancelled. ...