It was not just the stress of tests or the excitement for the upcoming weekend that filled Carlmont’s atmosphere last week; it was the poor air quality. As confirmed by the Bay Area Air Quality Management...

When prompted to generate a movie script, ChatGPT produced the following: "Title: 'Marshmallow Mayhem' INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT SUSAN screams as marshmallows grow and giggle menacingly. EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD...

The Supreme Court, in the case Marbury v. Madison, gave itself the power to conduct judicial review or to declare certain legislation unconstitutional. Recently, however, the court has used this power...

Further integrating the internet into our homes robs our human autonomy. The internet has become a basic necessity for our daily lives. Since its birth in the 1980s, it has become a valuable resource...

Affirmative action's future is in jeopardy, as the Supreme Court is expected to rule on its legality in the coming months. While race-based affirmative action has proven controversial among the American...

Capable of writing essays, solving complex math problems, producing computer code, and more, ChatGPT is truly a renaissance… bot. While powerful, the chatbot is highly polarizing, especially in educational...

COVID-19 forced innovation in many aspects of our educational system. From teachers figuring out the potential of Zoom for lesson plans to students doing what they could to focus while their parents talked...

Recycling has long been touted as a solution to our planet's growing waste problem, but as markets for used paper and plastics have dried up, overconsumption looms as something problematic. According to...

The term “pandemic pet” may sound familiar to many people who have recently brought an animal into their home. According to a Rover survey conducted in January 2021, almost half of Americans said they...

The internet is always right.  Most people have heard this phrase tossed around before in their lives. The speaker might have jokingly tossed this remark around, but a certain danger arises when the...

Vaping, while initially developed to deter adults from conventional smoking, has become an accessory of teenage life. Since 2014, vape pens have been the most commonly used tobacco product among middle...

Recently, the town I live in, San Mateo, was left without a mayor. I discovered this almost by accident when, while scrolling on Instagram, I saw a post from a local politician I follow demanding that...

The United States is a proud beacon of freedom, of justice, of democracy. We wave our flag high and proud, especially come election time. And when you’ve walked out of that poll booth, donning your “I...

Warning: Article contains links to vulgar content that may be distressing for some readers. Fake news is everywhere. It is the disappointing reality of our society.  Not every news outlet spreads...

You’re asked, “Hey, did you read the news?” as you’re taking a sip of your morning coffee. “Yeah,” you respond because you have. You briefly skimmed through the New York Times’ front-page...

While reaching adulthood, often synonymous with graduating high school, comes with new freedoms, it also comes with new responsibilities, especially financially. Having financial freedom, and freedom...

Books are portals to fictional worlds. In flipping through their pages, one can traverse the galaxy with The Little Prince, gaze out to sea alongside Santiago, or enjoy breakfast with the March sisters.  For...

The internet has become a hub for all types of information as 46% of Americans use internet searches to inform their decisions. However, since not all internet sources are created equal, information inequity...

Earlier this week, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, a government-appointed health panel, posted their final recommendation that kids ages eight and up should be screened for anxiety. While...

Casting a voice is a demonstration of democracy– a practice utilized by Americans for centuries. Although the notion of democracy has faltered a couple of times in history, the system is still essential...

Tipping when ordering takeout or getting a coffee was considered a perhaps unnecessary nicety prior to COVID-19; now employees rely on takeout tips. While it has long been the case that diners tip on a...

Outside of Carlmont High School, a flashing message has appeared on the electronic announcement board for almost a month: "September is Attendance Awareness Month." But there has been no mention of...

When many students graduate from high school, they are often already committed to a 4-year college or university that they plan to attend. A lot of high school graduates don't consider attending a community...

Today is day 148 of 2022. In 148 days, the United States has experienced 214 mass shootings. A mass shooting occurs when four or more people are shot, not including the shooter. With more than half of...

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. Once a glamorous couple driving around in a red, vintage car, they are now fighting in court over allegations of domestic abuse. The court case began in 2016, when Heard...

Almost a week ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a preliminary report that revealed a sobering statistic: 107,622 deaths in 2021 were the result of drug overdoses. This...

Every year, 60 million tons of produce in the United States is thrown away. That’s $160 billion worth of fresh fruits and vegetables that end up in landfills, wasted.  Do you ever wonder why almost...

Twenty-three years ago, Columbine High School became a global name. Twenty-three years ago, 12 students and one teacher were killed. Twenty-three years ago, school shootings became a national reality. And...

High school students are chronically stressed, and it doesn’t take a genius to see why.  Students sprint through jam-packed schedules stocked to the brim with homework, sports practices, test prep,...

Schools in California are chronically underfunded. As of the 2016 -17 school year, California’s yearly amount spent per student was $2,410 below the national average once adjusted for the cost of...

When we go out for a snack, a drink, or for a meal- there’s an expectation of cleanliness. We expect our food to not only be well-made but to be free of any bad bacteria, mold, flies, and hair. Restaurants...

Colin Kaepernick kneeled in solidarity with police brutality victims. Soon after, he lost his job as an NFL quarterback. As Black Lives Matter became a national movement in June 2020, the NFL apologized to...

The eyes of the world are on Ukraine after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an attack on the nation. People are constantly glued to their news feeds and TV screens, watching for updates as missiles...

Columbia. Harvard. Yale.  Household names, and names needed to get a household.  Education now defines a person’s worth and success. This is especially true in the Bay Area, where high costs...

She was known throughout the skating world as "Miss Perfect," due to her flawless routines and gravity-defying jumps. At only 15 years old, Kamila Valieva, a Russian figure skater, had solidified herself...

Glass shatters as representatives quickly evacuate the House. Ushered away, the same people that represent the pinnacle of American democracy hide from a mob of insurrectionists who sought to “stop the...

Racism permeates every aspect of our society. May 2020 saw an explosion of protests, riots, and anger towards the injustice that individuals like George Floyd experienced because they were a shade darker...

Ever since you were little, your parents have likely instructed you to look both ways before crossing the street. At first, you may have been hesitant to heed their instructions, for what could be so dangerous...

Classes have swaths of empty seats. Teachers and students alike are continuing to test positive for COVID-19. Rumors are flying through the halls of Carlmont.  Are there over 600 positive cases in...

In the wake of recent arguments in the Texas and Mississippi abortion cases, critics of the U.S. Supreme Court have publicly questioned its legitimacy as its members consider overturning long-standing...

Principal Ralph Crame announced that he will be stepping down at the end of the semester in an email sent to the student body on Nov. 10.  After 15 years at Carlmont and seven years as principal, Crame...

If you’ve been around corporate America any time in the past decade, you might’ve heard the term “imposter syndrome” floating around. It’s a pop-psychology diagnosis that leaves the people affected...

Chants of “I’m with her,” “Love Trumps hate,” and “P-ssy grabs back” rang out across the country as millions of people took to the streets in bright pink beanies in protest of the inauguration...

Go on The New York Post's website and scroll through the headlines. Click on a few articles and read through them. Then do the same for MSNBC. For coverage of the same events, the content produced is drastically...

A year and a half of virtual school may not seem that long, but it will be a time that is never forgotten for too many high school students. Carlmont High School is now back in person! Shouldn't students...

It might seem fun to start your holiday shopping months in advance, but there are downsides to this activity. When businesses display holiday-related goods early, consumers are likely to buy more goods...

Our digital footprints are becoming more important now than ever, and many people, especially adolescents, are refusing to heed the warnings. The recent demise of Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden...

The land we stand on is stolen land. It was never ours to begin with. It was stolen from the Indigenous peoples that had lived on it for centuries before European explorers arrived and forcibly displaced...

Giving a voice to the unheard sounds great on paper but fails to be as black and white when put to the test. Oftentimes when those coming from privileged positions act on behalf of marginalized communities,...

Whether you were closely following the California recall election that ended Sept. 14 or not, you likely saw at least one advertisement for it while using your streaming services.  Throughout California,...

Content warning: this editorial discusses topics that may be triggering to certain readers.  Messages with warnings about subject matter within posts, movies, shows, and more have been popping up on...

Vigorous attacks on affordable healthcare and environmental protections. Justifications and sympathy for white supremacy by our nation's former leader. A riot at the capitol building. The list goes on....

In an age where each like, comment, and repost is public, people feel more and more pressure to assimilate into the majority. At the same time, the issues we contemplate are simultaneously being reduced...

As AP testing nears its final weeks and graduation is just around the corner, it’s impossible not to reflect on what high school truly means. There’s, of course, the dictionary definition: a period...

“On October of 2019, Daunte Wright, who was a child, smoked a single joint of weed and was given a ticket for it. It was a petty misdemeanor […] if anybody tells you ‘he had warrants,’ this is...

Amidst the pandemic, people are told to put their lives on hold, stay home, and take care of themselves. For many in the Bay Area, this idea has been logical; however, some continue to struggle, as they...

Go to school. Get a job. Be successful. “Good morning!” It’s the Monday back from Spring Break for a classroom of kindergarteners. The teacher greets all of the students as they enter the...

On March 17, 2020, CBS correspondent Weijia Jiang tweeted that a White House official discussing COVID-19 called it the “Kung-Flu,” a derogatory term mocking the virus’s inception in China. While...

“It’s putting my life in danger.” “This should never have happened.” “No one should want to go back.” The reopening of schools amidst the pandemic has been a source of discord among...

As we approach a full year into distance learning, the current situation has exacerbated the barely-hidden problems with the schooling system. According to EdSource, a Californian education non-profit,...

The third annual Student Press Freedom Day is on Feb. 26. Its theme, “Journalism Against the Odds,” is quite fitting when applied to current events in the world of student journalism. Recently,...

People schedule regular doctor appointments, even if they aren’t sick. People go to the dentist regularly, even if they don’t have cavities. People schedule regular optometry appointments, even if...

People speak over 7,000 distinct languages globally, but at least a third of these are considered endangered because of their decreasing numbers of native speakers. A minority language is any language...

When rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday to overturn the results of the 2020 election, there was an outpouring of shock, anger, and sadness. Many accurately noted that while the police employed...

With California’s COVID-19 cases only rising, the state is left with the decision of how to ensure its high school student-athletes get to play. Although full practices were scheduled to start for Season...

Carlmont students can feel the pressure weighing down on them. Between finals season, college applications for seniors, and pandemic isolation, the end of 2020 isn’t going to be easy. However, it’s...

"There's nothing to do here." "I'm bored of doing the same things." These statements represent quotidian thoughts in the lives of most teenagers and young adults from the Bay Area. Common places...

The internet provides a vast amount of information and gives many a way to connect with people worldwide. Over 4.5 billion people, or about 59% of the world’s population, are active internet users. Open...

The transition to distance learning forced teachers to adjust their teaching styles to suit an online environment. Many of them adapted by trading classwork for graded assignments and increasing the number...

Over 20 million dead. Over 1.5 billion acres of land taken. Less than 7 million left nationwide. Propelled by racist sentiments and the glorious ideals of "liberty, freedom, and equality," Native Americans...

Adidas, Victoria’s Secret, Disney, UNIQLO, Forever 21, GAP, H&M, Urban Outfitters, Ralph Lauren, Target, Billabong, Lorna Jane, Top Shop. If you wear clothes from any of these brands, there’s...

COVID-19 has changed the lives of many. It’s devastated the economy, cost thousands of lives and led to an overall sense of unrest in the world.  Perhaps one of the most drastic changes caused by...

When our daily lives revolve around education, one of the most prized traits is "smartness." Getting high grades, doing well on tests, and grasping the material quickly is paramount to being a good student....

Chaotic. Child-like. Pain-inducing. Those are just a few of the myriad words one could use to describe the first presidential debate of 2020 on Sept. 29. Behind the bickering were political stances...

It can be frustrating to learn that an influential person in society has become a bad example for others to follow. However, as people are discovering that some of their role models have said or done inexcusable...

 In a society where social media is so prevalent, it's surprising that many are unaware of the mentally devastating impacts it can have on teens. If we wish to fix this, we need to further educate ourselves...

Villains can be some of the most memorable characters in the media that we consume. Done right, they can evoke a blend of fear, anger, and awe from an audience member. But too often, writers and producers...

We will always be growing and changing as we continue our journeys through life. In the same way, we’ll still be learning new things. Everyone is ever-changing for better or for worse throughout our...

While growing up, dystopian fiction was a large part of our childhoods, whether it was novels like "The Hunger Games," "Divergent," or "The Giver,"  or T.V. series like "The Twilight Zone" or "Stranger...

When Jacob Blake was shot by police officers last week, his name resonated throughout Kenosha, WI.  Blake was unarmed and trying to break-up a fight, yet he was shot seven times. And despite all odds,...

The modern school system that we take part in has put a significant emphasis on working towards one specific goal throughout our high school career: college.  As students, we are told to work hard,...

In times of crisis, it is more important than ever that people are well-informed in order to take the appropriate precautions and stay calm. However, the media can either be a help or a hindrance. The...

 It's March 16, the Monday after Carlmont's administration announced that its campus would be closed and that school will continue through distance learning. Students wake up at around 10 a.m., smiling...

When choosing which colleges to apply to, many factors come into play. For example, you may turn away from some of the U.S.'s top universities solely because of the very high and often unreasonable tuition. These...

Alexander Hamilton was the first secretary of the United States Treasury. Franklin Roosevelt implemented the First New Deal of 1933. The Marshall Plan was created by Americans to rebuild Europe after World...

By now, a majority of students and faculty know that the second semester's pilot bell schedule has run its course. Due to widespread dissatisfaction with the elimination of late start, implementation of...

"This is a lockdown drill for an active shooter on campus. Please follow the lockdown drill procedures." As the announcement ends, students get up and barricade the classroom door with their desks....

When we think of Valentine’s Day, the first things that come to mind are often boxes of chocolates, roses, cards, or even heart-shaped candies. For many, Valentine’s Day is viewed as a simple Hallmark...

Each individual student has their own interests and areas of strengths and weaknesses, but their goal tends to be similar: to graduate Carlmont with all the credits they need. The outlined requirements...

"Please take out your cell phones." As the minute bell echoed through the halls of Carlmont High School on the first day back to school, teachers were already asking students to have their devices on-hand....

Whether it comes to the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), the Equality Act, or movements such as Black Lives Matter, minority Americans will not be silenced. It’s been 96 years since the ERA was first...

“Fat is bad for you.” We hear it every day. Whether we’re told by society or by our parents, it’s a never-ending cycle meant to instill fear of fat and a desire to avoid it at all costs in us....

Less than a year ago, fires blazed through California, prompting Carlmont to shut down for safety measures due to unhealthy air quality. Once more, with yet another set of wildfires scorching through the...

Before the week of May 6, students in Advanced Placement (AP) classes rush to study all of the course's material in preparation for the big AP exam. AP tests assess the student's knowledge on the subject...

Several days ago, an Instagram account containing hate speech material towards a Carlmont staff member was discovered. Among its posts include racist and anti-semitic content. In an email to Scot Scoop,...

In an age where young girls and women are more vocal than ever, there's an area for them to speak up once again: the clothing industry. This is nothing new. Change is already in progress due to women...

We seniors have waited for months in anticipation of April 1. Before that, we were writing about our life stories and passions. Even before that, we were working as hard as we possibly could to set ourselves...

Black Friday used to be a one-day event where shoppers would rush into stores to buy as many discounted items as possible within the 24 hours. Now, most stores give shoppers the luxury to start shopping...

“If your friends jumped off a bridge, would you?” This is the typical response of a parent when their child asks if they can do something because all of their friends are provoking annoyance and...

If you have ever studied any type of history, chances are that you will come across a figure named Adolf Hitler. Yes. That Adolf Hitler. And if you look a bit closer, you may find that Hitler was, as...