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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

Madilyn Shoop-Gardner

Madilyn Shoop-Gardner, Staff Writer

Maddie (class of 2027) is a sophomore at Carlmont High School and is actively involved in leadership roles both at school and within the equestrian community. When she’s not at the barn, you can find her at a cafe studying with friends. She has a passion for meeting new people and hearing their stories, and she’s thrilled to begin her journey in journalism!

All content by Madilyn Shoop-Gardner
At the Portland-based "Not Alone" conference, Ashlen Hilliard, a former cult member and founder of support group People Leave Cults, presents to a group, sharing words of wisdom and personal accounts of her experience in a high-control group. Supportive conferences like these help former cult members connect through shared experiences and discover new techniques to deal with the mental repercussions of cult involvement.

Unseen stories: the psychology of cults

Ayana Ganjoo and Madilyn Shoop-Gardner March 25, 2025

Everyday life for 8-year-old Dhyana Levey seemed no different from that of her peers. She went to school on the weekdays, played with other kids her age in downtown Santa Barbara, and read books with...

A person holds up a plain white pill bottle marked with a bold question mark, representing the uncertainty of compounded weight-loss drugs. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, compounded drugs should only be used when no FDA-approved option exists, as poor compounding practices can cause contamination or incorrect dosages, posing serious health risks such as injury or death.

Satire: Gambling it all on unapproved weight-loss drugs

Madilyn Shoop-Gardner, Staff Writer March 14, 2025

Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the hottest new spot in town: The Weight-Loss Casino! Here, you don’t need poker skills or luck, just a willingness to roll the dice with your health. Our...

Attendees of the Women’s View art exhibition closely examine a painting, discussing its details and interpretations. “Women have most often been portrayed in art rather than being the ones portraying others," said Cheryl Selman, a featured artist. "While there have been a few famous female artists throughout history, they are relatively rare and usually don't hold the same significance in people's minds as their male counterparts.”

Women’s View Art Exhibition celebrates female creators in San Mateo County

Madilyn Shoop-Gardner, Staff Writer March 11, 2025

Female and nonbinary artists from San Mateo County took center stage at the Women’s View Art Exhibition, a showcase of local talent and creativity held in honor of International Women’s Day. Hosted...

Two children build geometric towers with wooden spheres and white rods, creations they could design and 3D print in the San Carlos Library’s future Makerspace.

San Carlos Library’s makerspace blueprints a future for local creativity

Madilyn Shoop-Gardner, Staff Writer February 13, 2025

The San Carlos Library’s upcoming makerspace aims to give local youth a setting to explore creativity through hands-on innovation.  Currently under construction, the 1,000-square-foot space will...

A young rider with a neuromuscular disability experiences the freedom and excitement of theraputic horseback riding at BOK Ranch.

Harnessing strength through the healing power of horses

Madilyn Shoop-Gardner, Staff Writer January 27, 2025

Stephanie Biscan sits poised in the saddle, her hands firm on the reins, her legs anchoring her seamlessly to the horse’s sides. The horse instantly responds to each precise cue, its movements an effortless...

The Hallmark-Crestview barricade features a gate on the left and a row of rocks on the right, effectively blocking through traffic. "One of the options under study is to replace the gate with a wider gate to allow larger firefighting vehicles to pass through the opening," said Belmont councilmember Thomas McCune. "The current gate will allow the passage of standard fire engines, but not vehicles such as bulldozers that might be needed to fight certain kinds of fires."

Potential wildfire evacuations hit a roadblock at the Crestview-Hallmark barricade

Madilyn Shoop-Gardner, Staff Writer January 22, 2025

A San Mateo County barricade, built to extinguish traffic flow out of local neighborhoods, is now sparking a debate over wildfire evacuation safety. The gate at the Hallmark Drive-Crestview Drive end...

A group of carolers sing to a family along the street. "The carolers add to the magic of shopping during 'Thursday Night Lights,'" said event attendee Kate Elliott. "Normally, I shop online, but experiencing this sense of community and meeting the faces behind these small businesses makes me want to support them more."

Thursday Night Lights illuminates San Carlos small businesses with holiday spirit

Madilyn Shoop-Gardner, Staff Writer November 25, 2024

As the holiday season settles over San Carlos, the downtown streets transform into a festive haven under the glow of Thursday Night Lights, an initiative designed to support local businesses during their...

Sunnyside Elementary School is one of the many SFUSD schools grappling with enrollment decline, resulting in 14,000 empty seats across 106 schools and an anticipated loss of an additional 5,000 students over the next five years.

New SFUSD leadership halts school closure plans amid district crisis

Madilyn Shoop-Gardner, Staff Writer November 6, 2024

In a major shift for San Francisco’s public schools, newly appointed Superintendent Maria Su has announced a halt to San Francisco Unified School District’s (SFUSD) plans to close multiple schools...

A senior from San Mateo County reviews his sample ballot for the first time as a newly turned 18-year-old, preparing for the November 5th election. "I’m excited to finally vote—I've been looking forward to this since I was a kid," he said.

First votes, big impact: schools and communities team up to boost youth voting

Madilyn Shoop-Gardner, Staff Writer October 17, 2024

Organizations and experienced voters are working to ensure eligible high school seniors are fully prepared to cast their first votes and make their voices heard as the election approaches. State, school-led,...

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