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

Editorial Staff

Editorial Staff

The Scot Scoop Editorial Staff strives to maintain reliable reporting while covering the hard-hitting topics that interest our community. Content on Scot Scoop is managed, reviewed, and maintained by the editorial staff using various tools and methods to produce, edit, and publish content daily. Editorial Staff members are Gabrielle Shore, Myles HuErik ChengAnnabel ChiaAimee TeyssierUrvi KulkarniEvan LeongUjala ChauhanCharlotte GordonAlexander MenchtchikovBen RomanowskyJackson SneeringerArianna ZhuEmma GoldmanElizabeth CruzAudrey Finigan, Rachel Alcazar, and Alessandra Tremulis.

All content by Editorial Staff
Carlmont should return to its old bell schedule.

Editorial: We should revert to the old bell schedule

Editorial Staff March 6, 2024

In the 2021-2022 school year, Carlmont students without a seventh period started at 8:57 a.m., and students with a seventh period began at 8 a.m. No one left school at 3:45 p.m.; everyone would end simultaneously...

Stanford University is a prestigious university located in the Bay Area. The prospect of earning a spot this institution is a factor which exacerbates the competitive nature of Bay Area high schools.

Editorial: Student discourse surrounding college decisions is toxic

Editorial Staff March 6, 2024

Throughout March and April, seniors will receive most of their decisions from the colleges they applied to. Theoretically, everyone should be excited and supportive of each other as we are all ready to...

The rise of artificial intelligence has many questioning the viability it has in the journalism industry. While it can streamline the reporting process, some worry about the effects it has on the livelihood of staff and the ethical dilemmas that it can create.

Editorial: Modern journalism must ethically utilize AI

Editorial Staff February 28, 2024

Artificial intelligence must be carefully integrated into journalism to keep up with the modern world.  Dating back thousands of years, reporting the latest information is nothing new to humans. From...

While there seem to be endless amounts of Valentines Day cards geared towards heterosexual couples, same-sex couples struggle to be represented.

Editorial: Profit-hungry corporations are to blame for Valentine’s Day’s heteronormative nature

Editorial Staff February 7, 2024

“Buy her roses.” “Buy her jewelry." What about him or them? According to Brittanica, the initial origins of Valentine’s Day begin with Valentinus receiving a death sentence and being imprisoned...

The 2016 presidential election is the most recent example of when the electoral vote winner did not garner the most popular votes. This election saw Donald Trump win with 304 electoral votes and 46.1% of the popular vote, according to the Cable News Network (CNN). (Electoral college map for the 2016 United States presidential election / Gage / 2012 Electoral College map / CC BY-SA 4.0)

Editorial: We need to abolish the Electoral College

Editorial Staff December 9, 2023

The Electoral College is over 235 years old, and a makeover is long overdue. Shortly after gaining independence from Great Britain, politicians in the United States realized the Articles of Confederation,...

With rising prices on everything, college seems like the only option to survive in California. Yet, success comes in many forms and there is no definitive path of life.

Editorial: College is not the only option

Editorial Staff November 30, 2023

There will always be a set of guidelines we are presupposed to follow, whether from parents, peers, or society. Don’t wear that, don’t flaunt wealth, don’t smoke, and smile when you talk, to name...

Euthanasia and Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) spark many debates among medical ethicists. Although many argue against it, for terminally ill patients, having the right to choose when and how they die is important and should be supported.

Editorial: Defending the right to die with dignity

Editorial Staff November 30, 2023

“It’s murder.” “They’re just giving up.” “Doctors are helping them commit suicide.” Euthanasia, the practice of ending a patient’s life to limit their suffering, is a widely...

Land acknowledgements, which have gained popularity in recent years as they are increasingly used by institutions and at public events, aim to pay respect and honor the heritage of Indigenous peoples. However, beyond the acknowledgement, institutions often neglect taking concrete and effective action to support the Indigenous peoples they are acknowledging.

Editorial: We need to take action beyond land acknowledgements

Editorial Staff November 22, 2023

"Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge that Carlmont High School sits on the traditional lands of the Ramaytush Ohlone People... and honor and respect the many diverse indigenous people connected to this...

Currently, athletes are given graduation credit for their participation in school sports, while thespians are not recognized for their participation in school productions. To value equity, the Sequoia Union High School District (SUHSD) must even the playing field and credit the time and effort actors put into their work.

Editorial: Equity for extracurriculars

Editorial Staff November 22, 2023

After a long day of school, a student has a few moments to shove food in their mouth before heading off to warmups. Despite the immense time and energy, practice is rewarding. It's dark outside when they...

Candidates for the 2024 presidential election appear monolithic, preventing diverse options from being available to voters.

Editorial: Homogeneity in politics is a cry for diverse representation

Editorial Staff November 15, 2023

In the upcoming presidential election, Americans find themselves navigating a political landscape that seems eerily homogeneous. The lack of diverse options for voters raises questions about the authenticity...

The Israel-Hamas war has resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians. As the Israeli government continues to combat Hamas militants, support for humanitarian aid continues to grow, along with calls for peace.

Editorial: There should only be one focus in Gaza

Editorial Staff November 9, 2023

Hamas executed a sudden insurrection of Israel on Oct. 7, with militants storming blockaded areas of the Gaza Strip as they shot people in small towns and communities. The attack culminated in more than...

Teens on average spend about nine hours using electronic devices per day, reducing the hours they have to develop social skills and go outside. With short-form video content on the rise, it is becoming easier for teens to spend more and more time scrolling through social media.

Editorial: We should stop ignoring the side effects of screen time

Editorial Staff October 25, 2023

Sure, we’ve all heard that we should reduce the amount of time we spend on TikTok and Instagram. Parents try to intervene often or have already given up on telling us to put our phones away, arguing...

A school bus cement truck attempts to pave the way to success but leaves cracks in its wake.

Editorial: Unhappiness paves the road to educational success

Editorial Staff October 21, 2023

In the Bay Area, there's an unmistakable fervor surrounding education. While there's no denying the importance of education, the extreme emphasis on being a high-achieving student often comes at a significant...

President Joe Biden approaches former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy before the 2023 State of the Union Address. Many have questioned Bidens ability to serve as president due to his age, while the House of Representatives just voted to oust McCarthy as Speaker on Oct. 3.

Editorial: America needs younger, more compatible politicians

Editorial Staff October 12, 2023

The American government is amid significant political turmoil, with Senator Dianne Feinstein’s death and Kevin McCarthy’s ouster as Speaker of the House shaking up Congress. These events and the upcoming...

Most people dont pay attention to the caffeine level of their drink. The majority of caffeinated drinks have more than the recommended amount for teenagers, but we drink them anyway.

Editorial: We need to be conscious about our caffeine consumption

Editorial Staff October 4, 2023

“I need caffeine to get through my day” is a sentence uttered by students all over the globe. No one's surprised when you walk around campus and see a cup of coffee in someone’s hand or an energy...

On Sept. 21, the Air Quality Index (AQI) soared to 150, according to the PurpleAir sensor near Carlmont – a level that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies as unhealthy.

Editorial: Poor air quality is a call to action against climate change

Editorial Staff September 26, 2023

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...

Writers stand in unity on a strike in New York City. Outside on location of the Marvel Studios Disney+ TV show, they demand basic compensation and rights to their creative property from studios.

Editorial: We need to stand in solidarity with writers

Editorial Staff September 19, 2023

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...

Instead of setting the example for how the judicial system should be run, the Supreme Court is pushing a conservative agenda, sparking controversy and protests across the nation.

Editorial: The Supreme Court is abusing its power

Editorial Staff September 13, 2023

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...

With the release of smart home appliances such as Samsungs Family Hub refrigerators that can connect to the internet, we must proceed with caution to ensure these appliances do not rule our lives.

Editorial: Smart homes make us unintelligent

Editorial Staff September 13, 2023

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...

Students from low-income families do not have an equal opportunity to succeed in college admissions because of the high cost of things like AP tests, college counselors, and research programs.

Editorial: Affirmative action should be based on socioeconomic status

Editorial Staff and Myles Hu April 25, 2023

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...

Schools need to adapt to ChatGPT instead of shoving it aside.

Editorial: Carlmont shouldn’t pull the plug on ChatGPT

Editorial Staff April 18, 2023

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...

A Carlmont student completes work for in-person learning at home.

Editorial: California should re-mandate districts to offer independent study

Editorial Staff and Kiana Hinkson April 9, 2023

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...

Considering how little recycling actually gets recycled, many dont know the real environmental impact of recycling.

Editorial: Recycling is a farce, the real problem is overconsumption

Editorial Staff March 30, 2023

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...

In the United States, around 6.3 million pets enter animal shelters every year and about 4.1 million of them are adopted.

Editorial: You should adopt, not shop for your pets

Editorial Staff and Soleil Dam March 22, 2023

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...

Kids should have access to digital literacy classes to gain crucial skills necessary to become mindful internet consumers.

Editorial: We need to implement digital literacy classes

Editorial Staff and Annabel Chia March 15, 2023

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...

Teen vaping has popularized over the last decade, reaching epidemic proportions.

Editorial: We need to clear the air on teen vaping

Editorial Staff February 3, 2023

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...

As local news sources are declining in number, it has become more important than ever before to support local sources.

Editorial: Local news is worth saving

Editorial Staff December 15, 2022

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...

People gather to vote in the elections, though prisoners cannot do the same in a majority of states.

Editorial: Give back voting rights

Editorial Staff and Sophie Gurdus December 5, 2022

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...

A press conference is one of the many ways a journalist can get information, but the person being interviewed should not be the only source of information.

Editorial: Journalists need to do better

Editorial Staff November 29, 2022

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...

Large news publications like the New York Times often publish discriminatory things that would be unacceptable for smaller, less influential news outlets to publish. It is time they were all held to the same standard and larger publications were held accountable for the ways in which they use their power and influence.

Editorial: Big news publications need to be criticized fairly

Editorial Staff and Ujala Chauhan November 28, 2022

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...

Relying on a credit card and living paycheck to paycheck are two ways younger adults quickly fall into substantial debt.

Editorial: High schoolers aren’t prepared for financial freedom after graduation

Editorial Staff November 18, 2022

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...

Students should have a voice in the discussion of what books are assigned for class.

Editorial: We need to turn the page on assigned readings

Gabrielle Shore and Editorial Staff November 9, 2022

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...

A member of the public researches online sources at a local library.

Editorial: There should be a government organization responsible for streamlining academia

Editorial Staff November 1, 2022

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...

Anxiety continues to be a topic of concern for health agencies nationwide.

Editorial: Screening kids for anxiety is not enough

Editorial Staff and Marrisa Chow October 19, 2022

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...

Voting is available through mail or many choose to visit polling stations.

Editorial: We need to engage in local elections

Editorial Staff and Annabel Chia October 11, 2022

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...

The tipping screen at a local boba shop that is takeout only.

Editorial: Tipping on takeout needs to become the norm

Editorial Staff October 6, 2022

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...

A student-created poster recognizes Suicide Prevention Awareness Month near the quad.

Editorial: Suicide Prevention Awareness Month deserves greater recognition

Editorial Staff September 27, 2022

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...

Many high school seniors are left with many questions about where to attend school.

Editorial: We need to destigmatize getting an associate’s degree

Editorial Staff September 20, 2022

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...

People protest for their safety in school.

Editorial: Lives of United States citizens are worth more than a gun

Editorial Staff and Julia Roseborough May 31, 2022

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...

Amber Heard accompanies Johnny Depp to the Black Mass premiere while they were married.

Editorial: The narrative needs to change

Editorial Staff and Lindsay Augustine May 24, 2022

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...

A fentanyl patch lays opened on the pavement and serves as a reminder of the prevalence of the substance in cities across the U.S.

Editorial: We can be the solution to the fentanyl crisis

Editorial Staff and Hudson Fox May 18, 2022

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...

The United States ranks third in countries with the highest yearly food waste.

Editorial: We need to stop wasting so much produce

Editorial Staff April 28, 2022

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...

Students participate in the 2018 National School Walkout, two months after the Parkland shooting, to protest gun violence and call for federal action.

Editorial: Gun violence is still an issue

Editorial Staff April 20, 2022

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...

Students are constantly exhausted due to copious amounts of homework.

Editorial: Teachers should implement work periods

Editorial Staff April 11, 2022

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,...

Protests for changing the way education funding works have become commonplace in American society.

Editorial: Funding for education in California favors the wealthy

Editorial Staff and Andrew Tolu April 4, 2022

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...

Employees working in a Carlmont Village Shopping Center restaurant wear masks while they take orders and prepare food.

Editorial: Food service workers should continue wearing masks

Editorial Staff March 21, 2022

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...

Damian Lillard, a point guard for the Portland Trailblazers, chose to wear “How Many More” while playing in the NBA Bubble.

Editorial: The NFL and NBA aren’t doing enough for racial equality

Editorial Staff and Soleil Dam March 8, 2022

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...

While Ukraine has been attacked by Russian President Vladimir Putin and his army, numerous insensitive memes, TikToks, and tweets have surfaced.  Image Credit: A Ukrainian Army [...] during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM / LCPL Andrew Williams, USMC / National Archives Catalog / Public Domain

Editorial: We need to be wary of what we post during world crises

Editorial Staff March 1, 2022

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...

Fewer students are getting to appreciate the fun in childhood. They are instead being forced to focus on education, especially in the Bay Area.

Editorial: Students need a childhood

Editorial Staff and Lindsay Augustine February 28, 2022

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...

ShaCarri Richardson was unable to compete in the Tokyo Games alongside her competitors.

Editorial: Athletic drug regulations need reform

Editorial Staff February 21, 2022

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...

Pedestrians and bicyclists utilize the walking paths in front of the U.S. Capitol building.

Editorial: Democracy ‘trumps’ partisanship

Editorial Staff February 15, 2022

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...

Black patients often  experience disproportionate health care in comparison to their white counterparts.

Editorial: We need to address inequality in our healthcare system

Editorial Staff February 9, 2022

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...

The booming big tech industry is contributing to a rise in information and data theft that leaves consumers worried for their privacy.

Editorial: Surveillance technology is putting your privacy at risk

Editorial Staff January 28, 2022

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...

Carlmont students returned to school on Jan. 4. A significant number of students soon tested positive for COVID-19.

Editorial: SUHSD has failed to mount an adequate response to the Omicron variant

Editorial Staff January 11, 2022

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...

Security guards stand outside of the U.S. Supreme Court building.

Editorial: The Supreme Court’s legitimacy teeters on a precipice

Editorial Staff December 19, 2021

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 Crame is leaving Carlmont at the end of the semester.

Editorial: Carlmont’s new principal should be receptive to students

Editorial Staff December 7, 2021

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...

Women often fall victim to the phenomenon imposter syndrome as a result of systemic discrimination.

Editorial: Call ‘imposter syndrome’ what it is: systemic oppression

Editorial Staff December 6, 2021

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...

Americans consistently let reprehensible behavior for their own partys politicians slide. This needs to stop.

Editorial: Americans need to start holding their own party’s politicians accountable

Editorial Staff November 15, 2021

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...

Prominent news organizations are straying further and further from fair, neutral reporting. Many news organizations are coloring their coverage of events with political biases.

Editorial: Objectivity is dying in journalism

Editorial Staff November 8, 2021

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...

People experiencing an undiagnosed common cold or flu should not attend school if there is a potential of a COVID-19 illness. For the safety of others, students must be able to complete school work from home.

Editorial: Carlmont staff needs to accommodate student sickness

Editorial Staff November 1, 2021

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...

A Christmas-themed display sits in a local Target during October.

Editorial: Premature marketing for holidays encourages overconsumption

Editorial Staff October 28, 2021

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...

With the growing usage of social media platforms, being conscious of your digital footprint is important.

Editorial: Being conscious of your digital footprint is more important than ever

Editorial Staff October 19, 2021

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 in this photo is part of the traditional territory of the Ramaytush Ohlone people.

Editorial: Learn the history of the land you stand on

Editorial Staff October 11, 2021

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...

Allies unite and protest in solidarity with the black community fighting police brutality. This is an example of meaningful action.

Editorial: We must be mindful of our activism

Editorial Staff October 3, 2021

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,...

Throughout the course of the 2021 California recall election, the state has become a battleground for Republicans and Democrats to clash political views.

Editorial: Two party system leads to propaganda

Editorial Staff September 29, 2021

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,...

Many students suffer from mental health issues that can be exacerbated by triggers.

Editorial: Trigger warnings should be added to school content

Editorial Staff September 22, 2021

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...

Protestors in Texas rally together to stand against the passage of the anti-abortion and voting restriction laws HB2 and SB1.

Editorial: America is regressing

Editorial Staff September 12, 2021

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....

Social media has allowed widespread thought and discussion on current issues, but it’s essential to make your own opinion instead of adopting someone else’s.

Editorial: We need to form our own opinions

Editorial Staff September 7, 2021

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...

High school is more about the academics, but also the social skills you learn along the way.

Editorial: An ode to high school

Editorial Staff May 25, 2021

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...

Accounts that share political information and activism have become increasingly popular. Many of these accounts, however, lack completely accurate information.

Editorial: Check for yourself

Editorial Staff May 4, 2021

“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...

People prepare care kits for the homeless community members of the Bay Area.

Editorial: Volunteers are essential during the pandemic

Editorial Staff and Julia Roseborough April 27, 2021

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...

Millions of students across the country may process information differently because of learning disabilities.

Editorial: Destigmatizing learning disabilities is crucial

Editorial Staff April 11, 2021

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...

Discrimination against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community has increased in recent years, but it has been around for centuries.

Editorial: The AAPI community deserves better

Editorial Staff March 18, 2021

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...

Some teachers have been using their positions as influential figures to persuade students to remain at home rather than return to in-person learning.

Editorial: Teachers shouldn’t use their power to influence students regarding reopening

Editorial Staff March 15, 2021

“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...

Virtual learning has exposed the gaps in the patchwork curriculums teachers have had to cobble together to adapt to distance learning; with the system in place for nearly a year, it is long past time for students to be able to give input back on how this curriculum has been working.

Editorial: Students should be able to evaluate teachers

Editorial Staff March 8, 2021

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,...

Although numerous obstacles stand in their way, student journalists continue to report on issues that matter to their communities.

Editorial: Student journalists persist against the odds

Editorial Staff February 25, 2021

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,...

Therapy can be beneficial to everyone, even if they dont have a mental illness.

Editorial: Normalize regular mental health checkups

Editorial Staff February 9, 2021

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...

Linguistic diversity is threatened by the lack of support for minority languages.

Editorial: Linguistic minorities deserve more recognition

Editorial Staff January 25, 2021

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...

Indifference has been the cause of rising white supremacy throughout history.

Editorial: Yes, this is the America we know

Editorial Staff January 10, 2021

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...

Due to COVID-19, quad games like this one from 2019 likely will not happen this year. If student-athletes are to play, guidance from the California Department of Public Health is necessary.

Editorial: More guidance is needed for high school sports

Editorial Staff December 13, 2020

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...

Take a break from the screen and make time to relax this season.

Editorial: Give yourselves a break

Editorial Staff December 6, 2020

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...

People continuously become less aware of the  worth of simple social interaction.

Editorial: The youth of the Bay Area have lost the meaning of human interaction

Editorial Staff and Julia Roseborough November 29, 2020

"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...

During the COVID-19 pandemic, internet access is more vital than ever to communicate with others. The internet is essential to share and receive ideas in the modern world and people should have the right to access it.

Editorial: Internet access is a human right

Editorial Staff November 23, 2020

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...

In many classes, such as choir, students feel pressured to submit their best work due to modifications made to adapt to an online environment.

Editorial: Online education perpetuates perfectionism

Editorial Staff November 19, 2020

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...

A student holds a sign to protest centuries of Native American oppression.

Editorial: Native people deserve more than an apology

Editorial Staff November 10, 2020

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...

The wardrobe of many American consumers is composed of clothes made in blatantly unjust conditions.

Editorial: Fast fashion fuels consumerism

Editorial Staff November 5, 2020

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...

Students often struggle to balance different aspects of life and school during distance learning.

Editorial: Students shouldn’t be held to the same standards amidst a pandemic

Editorial Staff October 25, 2020

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...

Students often measure their academic ability through standardized and subject-specific test scores; however, this pattern of thought is detrimental for students.

Editorial: Being bad at school doesn’t mean you aren’t smart

Editorial Staff October 22, 2020

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....

Hyper-partisanship is on the rise, further separating the citizens of the U.S., most of which are Democratic or Republican.

Editorial: The presidential debate heightened extreme partisanship

Editorial Staff October 15, 2020

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...

When an artist creates art, they use their personal views to influence it; this makes it so no one can separate them from their art.

Editorial: Artists cannot be separated from their work

Editorial Staff October 5, 2020

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...

A teenager scrolls through his Instagram feed.

Editorial: We need to be more aware of the damaging nature of social media

Editorial Staff September 30, 2020

 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...

Queer coding villains is often used to create fear by playing off unconscious bias.

Editorial: Diversity isn’t what queer people should want

Editorial Staff September 20, 2020

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...

For many, a simple mistake can haunt them for the rest of their life.

Editorial: Growth needs to be normalized

Editorial Staff September 13, 2020

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...

Envisioning a better future is important during this difficult time.

Editorial: Utopian fiction is needed during this dystopian time

Editorial Staff September 8, 2020

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...

Police brutality is a nationwide dilemma, of which the Bay Area is not exempt.

Editorial: It is our responsibility to combat injustice

Editorial Staff and Zachary Khouri August 30, 2020

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,...

Many students are feeling an increase in stress with the obstacles presented by COVID-19.

Editorial: Students need to stop stressing about college in the midst of COVID-19

Editorial Staff April 26, 2020

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,...

Although they are not working on the front lines of the pandemic, journalists have an equally important role in stopping the spread of COVID-19.

Editorial: Ethical journalism is part of the cure for COVID-19

Editorial Staff April 13, 2020

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...

From March 16 to March 27, students will be engaging in distance learning. On April 3, families will be notified as to whether school will continue through distance learning or not.

Editorial: Don’t hate on distance learning

Editorial Staff March 22, 2020

 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...

Expensive colleges like USC are making improvements to their financial aid programs.

Editorial: Free college tuition is too ambiguous

Editorial Staff March 1, 2020

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...

As the presidential election nears, some high school students are preparing to vote.

Editorial: Teens need educational tools to fuel political duties

Editorial Staff February 23, 2020

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...

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