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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

Erin Kee

Erin Kee, Staff Writer

Erin Kee is a senior in high school. She's excited to be working in the world of publications as an editor for the Highlander magazine as well as a writer for Scot Scoop. To check out her portfolio, click here.

Twitter: @erinnkee4

All content by Erin Kee
Pictured on the left side is the original cover published in 1952 designed by E. McKnight Kauffer. On the right side is my cover design.

Pictured on the left side is the original cover published in 1952 designed by E. McKnight Kauffer. On the right side is my cover design.

Pictured on the left side is the original cover published in 1977 by Quintin Blake. On the right side is my cover design.

Pictured on the left side is the original cover published in 1977 by Quintin Blake. On the right side is my cover design.

Pictured on the left side is the original cover published in 1915. On the right side is my cover design.

Pictured on the left side is the original cover published in 1915. On the right side is my cover design.

Pictured on the left side is the original cover of "To Kill A Mockingbird," designed by Shirley Smith. On the right side is my cover design.

Reimagining stories through their covers: ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’

Erin Kee, Staff Writer March 16, 2022

“Don’t judge a book by its cover.” But you do, don’t you? Subconsciously or not, you probably look at a cover's colors, fonts, images, and aesthetics before you pick it up and decide to read...

Numerous books like the ones above have been banned from classrooms throughout America.

Banned books open conversation surrounding censorship

Erin Kee, Staff Writer February 21, 2022

“To Kill A Mockingbird.” “Brave New World.” “Captain Underpants.” “Where’s Waldo.” These are four out of thousands of banned books in schools and libraries throughout America.  It...

People search for a tree through monitored and cultivated Christmas trees farm.

O Christmas tree thy leaves disappearing

Erin Kee, Staff Writer December 1, 2021

ICU beds, ventilators, computer chips, diapers, sour patch kids, and boba. With the holiday season around the corner, we can add Christmas trees to the list of shortages this year.  With the culmination...

City lights create a skyglow, which blots out the night sky.

If only you knew the power of the dark side

Erin Kee, Staff Writer November 9, 2021

The sight of city lights can be beautiful, but it masks a grander, more elusive view: the night sky.  There are little to no places on Earth that aren’t affected by light pollution. According to...

Perceived as cheap and disposable, Halloween costumes have become unsustainable. "The mindset that comes with Halloween in terms of costumes is not good for the environment," Daniel Arakaki said.

Fast fashion haunts Halloween

Erin Kee, Staff Writer October 21, 2021

Halloween is a time to choose a costume, buy the costume, and wear the costume for what is most likely the only time you’ll ever wear it again. And nothing haunts more than the carbon footprint people...

Attendees set up their own blankets and chairs in preparation for the movie.

‘Movies in the Park’ cultivates community and fun

Erin Kee, Staff Writer September 28, 2021

The San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Department concluded their "Movies in the Park" with the new Disney movie, "Cruella," as summer came to a close.  On Sept. 24, the showing of "Cruella" in...

The Japantown Peace Plaza is a cultural hub for San Francisco's Japanese community.

Keeping Japantown alive

Erin Kee, Staff Writer September 8, 2021

In 1906, San Francisco established the first Japantown. As Japanese immigration peaked in the early 1900s, Japanese communities began to blossom all over the United States of America. Yet today, only three...

Graduates sport their future plans, including colleges, on the back of their graduation caps.

[Photo] Graduates celebrate achievements during in person ceremony

Kaylene Lin, Podcast Managing Editor June 7, 2021

Graduates sport their future plans, including colleges, on the back of their graduation caps.

America’s rising political division has created animosity between parties based on their preconceived notions of each other.

Opinion: Don’t judge a person by their political party

Erin Kee, Staff Writer May 11, 2021

In a time of serious political strain, it often feels hard to be heard by those in a different political party. It feels like people are against each other just for being a Republican or Democratic rather...

Inspirational speaker Keith Hawkins shares his message with students on the football field.

Freshman Assembly motivates, inspires students

Erin Kee, Staff Writer April 21, 2021

After a year of adjusting to COVID-19 procedures and distance learning, Carlmont brought back some normalcy and tradition for the Class of 2024. The Freshman Assembly, traditionally known as the Welcome...

Across the globe, music is used as a form of communication, bringing together cultures and societies.

Music: a uniting force

Erin Kee and Kaylene Lin April 1, 2021

Behind every era of history are thousands of styles and genres of music that have shaped the world into what it is today. Likewise to our earth’s millions of cultures, every style of music is unique...

Gifts were given out to seniors by a drive-thru in the quad. "The PTSA [Parent Teacher Student Association] is proud to be able to help support and celebrate our senior class," said Michelle Kelley, the president of the PTSA.

PTSA, ASB celebrate the Class of 2021

Erin Kee, Staff Writer March 17, 2021

Despite having to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day under COVID-19 restrictions for the second year in a row, Carlmont's Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) and Associated Student Body (ASB) teamed...

Meals are given out via a drive-thru system at the Central Kitchen District Office.

District food services support students, families

Erin Kee, Staff Writer March 5, 2021

The Sequoia Union High School District (SUHSD) has provided food services for its community since the beginning of the school year to help those heavily affected by the pandemic. Currently, meals are...

Even though college fairs are virtual, they are still helping students learn about their options for college. “Students can benefit from the information they will learn about colleges during a college fair,” said Nina Rasor, the College and Career assistant.

Online college fairs provide guidance for students

Erin Kee, Staff Writer February 5, 2021

Deciding where to go to college looms over many high school students as their next big step in life. There are thousands of colleges, and they are all different from one another. One way students can prepare...

Students approach reading differently based on the purpose of why they’re reading.

Opinion: Students benefit from different types of reading

Erin Kee, Staff Writer January 16, 2021

"Harry Potter," "Lord of the Rings," and "Charlie and The Chocolate Factory" are popular classics that almost everyone reads. However, "The Great Gatsby," "The Catcher in the Rye," and "Romeo and Juliet"...

The widely controversial topic of capital punishment is weighed by its varying ethics.

A matter of life and death

Erin Kee, Staff Writer December 27, 2020

Content warning: this article depicts certain graphic events that some may find triggering. On the news, people heard about a case where a man would kidnap, rape, kill, and then decapitate young women....

Although they’re not always obvious, cults have a large influence on the world’s beliefs and people. “We live in a very polarizing time and I think cultic thinking breaks people down from recognizing the humanity of other people,” Bill Goldberg said.

Cult culture: understanding deception

Erin Kee, Staff Writer November 28, 2020

A woman gives you a flower at the airport. It seems like a nice gesture, but she’s trying to recruit you to the Hare Krishna group. A man arrives in your small town preaching on the topic of UFOs....

Dance manages to maintain a large online presence in response to COVID-19.

Dancers continue their passion despite COVID-19

Erin Kee and Kaylene Lin April 26, 2020

Empty streets, closed businesses, quiet neighborhoods. Sometimes, it feels like the entire world is just...paused. But, despite a global pandemic, the world hasn't stopped moving. Dance teachers across...

Evolution has become a standardized concept in California's science curriculum.

Opinion: Evolution shouldn’t be taught as a fact

Erin Kee, Staff Writer April 21, 2020

Despite evolution's widespread acceptance by the general public, evolution is not a fact; it has never been one, and shouldn't be taught as one. As students, we're required to take biology, in which...

Some teachers made virtual websites to substitute the open house. “I think canceling the open house was the responsible thing for the school to do,” said Mindy Chiang, the Chinese teacher.

COVID-19 issues cancel open house despite its importance

Erin Kee, Staff Writer March 24, 2020

Open house is an event where parents can see their student's work and progress throughout the school year. This year, the opportunity wasn't available. Due to the spreading coronavirus (COVID-19), open...

Many are familiar with the infamous Girl Scout cookies that are sold each year.

Behind the badges

Kaylene Lin, Clarisse Bell, Erin Kee, and Ruya Yaman March 9, 2020

When compared to the price of a car or a college student’s financial debt, $5 is relatively small. But, to an 8-year-old girl with two bags of Thin Mints, Trefoils, and Samoas, $5 can go a long way. After...

Alyse Murray, a junior and co-captain of the JV softball team, winds up to hit the ball.

[Photo] JV Softball surprises Mountain View with staggering loss

Kaylene Lin, Podcast Managing Editor March 8, 2020

Alyse Murray, a junior and co-captain of the JV softball team, winds up to hit the ball.

“Initially, we want to make sure that people will stay put because we don’t want a false exodus for false alarms, especially if they’ll be walking towards a dangerous spot,” Gregg Patner said.

False fire alarms are not a drill

Erin Kee, Staff Writer March 4, 2020

Early Monday morning on Feb. 24, just back from mid-winter break, the fire alarms went off at 8:30 a.m. And then again one minute later. And again… seven more times.  An announcement followed soon...

Lead Rory McGann, a junior, performs the famous number from "Singin' in the Rain."

Power outage shocks audience with blackouts during ‘Singin’ in the Rain’

Erin Kee, Kaylene Lin, and Ruya Yaman February 14, 2020

Rick Reynolds, this year's conductor for "Singin' in the Rain," raised his baton as the lights dimmed in Carlmont's Performing Arts Center (PAC). The audience immediately quieted as they eagerly awaited...

Angelina Colombo, a sophomore, works on homework during her free time in the booth.

Musical cast and crew gain invaluable experience at a cost

Erin Kee, Staff Writer February 6, 2020

Over the span of more than 85 hours in the past two weeks, students have worked tirelessly to prepare for Carlmont's upcoming musical, "Singin' in the Rain." According to many of the students who took...

“I believe people’s lives are undoubtedly changed by their fears, but not always limited," said Mira Wakefield, a sophomore. However, it is quite possible for one to be consumed by what they fear, inhibiting them from taking action.

The roots of fears

Erin Kee, Staff Writer January 29, 2020

It isn't abnormal to wake up with a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. Perhaps it's due to the math test you have during second period or the obtrusive spider you see crawling along the...

Students list their accomplishments for college applications, one possibly being the title of club president.

The impacts of the college application process on clubs

Erin Kee, Staff Writer January 15, 2020

Every year the list of new clubs seems to grow, and with it, the level of competition regarding the college application process. As students approach the end of high school, many begin to cram in as...

The 1500 block of Chula Vista Drive is taped off while officials investigate the cause of the fire.

Breaking News: Community reacts to a smoky disturbance on Chula Vista Drive

Erin Kee, Allison Raisner, and Ruya Yaman December 17, 2019

Following the evacuation and extinguishing of flames at a local house, the 1500 block of Chula Vista Drive was shut down as a crime scene. The house fire was reported at 3:06 p.m. on Dec. 17. Within...

A dog dressed as Superman walks the catwalk for YAP'S halloween costume contest.

Dogs serve tricks and treats at costume contest

Kaylene Lin and Erin Kee October 29, 2019

Ears up, tails wagging, and costumes on.  That's one small step for dog, one giant leap for dog-kind.  Or at least it was to the crowd that had gathered at Ghirardelli Square to witness YAP's first...

Small businesses in Half Moon Bay began opening up again on Oct. 12.

PG&E restores power but not reliability in Half Moon Bay

Kaylene Lin and Erin Kee October 14, 2019

The power outages conducted by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company have caused many customers in the Half Moon Bay area to rethink their relationship with PG&E. Due to predicted winds, PG&E...

An attendee enjoys fresh produce early Sunday morning at the San Carlos farmers' market.

Decline in San Carlos market shines light on active community

Kaylene Lin and Erin Kee September 24, 2019

Despite the San Carlos farmers' market being open year-round, rain or shine, fewer people are showing up, according to vendors. The San Carlos farmers’ market features locally grown food, downtown...

Attendee enjoys fresh produce early Sunday morning.

Attendee enjoys fresh produce early Sunday morning.

Stan Erhart plays his electric guitar alongside his band for attendees of the farmers’ market.

Stan Erhart plays his electric guitar alongside his band for attendees of the farmers’ market.

Not only does the farmers’ market have vendors, but also food trucks.

Not only does the farmers’ market have vendors, but also food trucks.

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