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The student news site of Carlmont High School in Belmont, California.

Scot Scoop News

The student news site of Carlmont High School in Belmont, California.

Scot Scoop News

The student news site of Carlmont High School in Belmont, California.

Scot Scoop News

The committee plans to increase youth voting engagement across the county. "The committee’s primary goal is to increase civic engagement among high school students by educating them about the electoral process, the importance of voting, and their role in the democratic process," said Assistant Chief Elections Officer Jim Irizarry.
San Mateo County looks to students to increase youth voting
Michelle Chen, Staff Writer • January 17, 2025

In an effort to increase youth voting rates, San Mateo County officials are forming the Youth Voting Advisory Committee. The committee will...

Kumiko Morimoto, a calligraphy instructor, demonstrates the basic strokes of traditional Japanese calligraphy to create Kakizome for the new year. Kakizome is a traditional calligraphy writing that is practice during the new year season. "In the Bay Area, there are so many people who do Kakizome in their own homes with their own family," Morimoto said.
Japantown hosts kakizome calligraphy workshop to ring in the new year
Ami Dong, Staff Writer • January 14, 2025

In light of the new year, Japantown San Francisco hosted their first calligraphy writing workshop, where participants practiced kakizome. “Kakizome...

As of Jan. 1, 2025, vehicles can no longer park within 20 feet in front of a crosswalk and 15 feet in front of those with a curb extension, according to Assembly Bill 413. Law enforcement officers can cite and fine vehicles violating this law; however, due to the newness of the bill, cities like Belmont are providing the public with a citation-free adjustment period. "Right now, no citations have been issued. We are still in the warning phase of enforcement and will not transition to citing drivers for some time. If a driver is cited for parking in an illegal spot, they could be looking at a fine of $40," said Daniel Matthews, an Assistant Civil Engineer for Belmont.
New law aims to increase pedestrian safety 
Claire Kornberg, Staff Writer • January 13, 2025

To increase pedestrian safety around crosswalks, the City of Belmont implements Assembly Bill 413 (AB 413) through social media outreach, strategizing...

Zak Ibsen leads a team discussion, giving his advice to young athletes right before a high-level soccer game. A former professional soccer player and Olympian, Ibsen now uses his experience to mentor the next generation in MLS Next, the top level of U.S. youth soccer. “Part of his role as a coach is to develop the whole person, not just the player. Zak does a great job of helping kids learn from situations, whether they’re good or bad, and believes failure is a good chance to learn a lesson,” said Andrew Ziemer, one of Ibsen's coaching assistants.
Falling from glory, rising from ashes
Sean Zhang, Staff Writer • January 14, 2025

Sweat dripped down his forehead as he watched his soccer team put their all into the game, each sound of the ball echoing memories of his past...

Juan "Wonway Posibul" Amador gets into the jazz of his nightly music set. Amador broadcasts diverse genres on the radio every weeknight.
Behind a radio host’s microphone
Anna Ypodimatopoulou, Staff Writer • January 13, 2025

The car is freezing, your backpack is comically heavy, and you tune into the pop station with the jingle you memorized at 10 and never forgot....

Youth activism has been prominent especially in modern times with youth being a driving force behind movements advocating for things like climate change.
Creating the future
Miranda Wacker, Staff Writer • January 10, 2025

Nikki Donovan boards a flight to Washington every year. She isn't there to visit. She is there to fight.  Her flight touches down in Washington,...

A viewer selects the second season of "Squid Game" to watch within Netflix's Squid Game Collection. The highly-anticipated second season has dominated Netflix's Top 10 charts since its release on Dec. 26. "Season 2 is a lot more unpredictable than Season 1," said Katelyn Yee, a sophomore at Carlmont. "Unlike the first season, you can't really tell who's going to die and who's going to survive."
‘Squid Game’ Season 2 tops charts with global impact
Chloe Chu, Staff Writer • January 13, 2025
Students showcase their 2024 Spotify Wrapped, comparing vibrant visuals and personalized summaries. This year’s AI-driven features sparked mixed reactions, fueling conversations about music trends and listening habits.
Students share their take on this year’s Spotify Wrapped
Shreya Parmar, Staff Writer • December 16, 2024
The original cover of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" depicts the Grinch stealing a Christmas tree. "I grew up on the original,"  Oey said.
Childhood Christmas movies make an impact on generations
Piper Nguyen, Staff Writer • December 16, 2024
After years of rumors of a TikTok ban from U.S. officials, the Supreme Court has decided to go through with the ban unless the app is sold to an approved buyer. Members of the Supreme Court claim the ban is to protect the safety of U.S. citizens using the app. Meanwhile, however, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that content moderation policies on Facebook and Instagram will be loosened to a community-based moderation system. Though TikTok and Meta are unsafe in different ways, they should still be held to the same standard. If user safety is the U.S. government’s issue, Meta shouldn’t be allowed to loosen their restrictions protecting their users from misinformation.
Cartoon: Rollercoaster rules
Julia Cline, Staff Writer • January 16, 2025
A study done by Pew Research shows that across most ages, races, and genders, people are more likely to learn about personal finances from their family and friends than they are from school. This creates a problem, because it means that children who come from families with poor income and poor financial knowledge will grow up with the same tendencies when it comes to money and pass them on to their own children. It's important for schools to do their part to ensure that everyone gets the financial education they need.
Cartoon: Money cycle
Keira Sarmiento, Staff Writer • December 16, 2024
President Joe Biden has faced a lot of backlash for pardoning his son, Hunter Biden, from his convictions on felony tax offenses as well as misdemeanor tax offenses. According to a study by NORC at the University of Chicago, 51% of adults disapprove of Biden's decision. A poll by Monmouth University confirms this trend, stating 58% percent of Americans disapprove. This situation is complicated because back in June of this year, Biden swore that he would not pardon him. However, Biden claims that the justice system has failed his son and treated him harshly because of his ties to the president. While, Biden's actions does make him less trustworthy, he did the right thing because at the end of the day, it is family who matters the most. Biden said in a statement on December 1, "I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision."
Cartoon: A father first
Keira Sarmiento, Staff Writer • December 16, 2024
Crossword: Game Time!
Crossword: Game Time!
Wesley Kron, Staff Writer • January 17, 2025
Crossword: Palindromes
January 16, 2025
Crossword: Apps
January 14, 2025
Trivia: Squid Game
January 13, 2025
Students often struggle to stay motivated in school as they begin the second semester. “By the second semester, everyone’s dreading that they have to deal with school all over again for another few months. I think it’s because we’re all so drained from getting through first semester,” said junior Jolie Zheng.
Second semester pushes limits and tests resilience
Ashlyn Wong, Staff Writer • January 15, 2025
French Club leaders serve students crepes in the quad. "During the club fair, we had a crepe station where people go to decorate their crepes," Skaf said.
French Club fosters culture and connections
Olivia Wang, Staff Writer • December 17, 2024
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The practice of students focusing their college essays on personal trauma has been referred to as “trauma dumping.” As college admissions continue to become more competitive, the pressure to trauma dump rises, for students feel the need to offer a narrative that is dramatic and evocative to admissions officers.
Editorial: Students need to stop exploiting their trauma in college applications
Editorial Staff December 11, 2024

Scots Media (@scot.scoop) • Instagram photos and videos

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