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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

Nina Heller

Nina Heller, Staff Writer

Nina Heller is a senior, and this is her third year on staff for Scot Scoop. She enjoys politics, spending time with her friends, and podcasts, as well as writing for Scotlight and The Highlander. Nina hopes to study journalism in college.

Twitter: @ninahellerr

Portfolio: ninaheller.weebly.com

All content by Nina Heller
During a simulation a few years back at Carlmont, a student was arrested for drunk driving.

During a simulation a few years back at Carlmont, a student was arrested for drunk driving.

Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, said that the United States was in a "constitutional crisis," agreeing with the comments made by Rep. Jerry Nadler, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

Scot Scoop Explains: are we in a ‘constitutional crisis’?

Nina Heller, Staff Writer May 26, 2019

'Welcome to Scot Scoop Explains! Scot Scoop Explains is born out of the drive to inform the general public about the who, what, when, where, why, and how of political topics. Given that very little...

The New York Times published an investigation on Wednesday which showed more than a billion dollars of losses from federal tax records.

ScotSkim: dismay

Nina Heller, Staff Writer May 13, 2019

President Trump's tax records show he lost over a billion dollars A New York Times investigation revealed that President Donald Trump lost $1.17 billion in business losses. The investigation, which involved...

Steve Mnuchin, the treasury secretary, has refused to comply with the request from House Democrats to release President Donald Trump's tax returns.

ScotSkim: resistance

Nina Heller, Staff Writer May 7, 2019

Steve Mnuchin refuses to release Trump's tax returns On Monday, the Treasury Department said that it would not release President Donald Trump's tax returns to Congress; this defies the request made by...

After almost two years of waiting, the investigation conducted by special counsel Robert Mueller has come to a close, resulting in a 448-page report.

Scot Scoop Explains: what we learned from the Mueller report

Nina Heller, Staff Writer April 22, 2019

Welcome to Scot Scoop Explains! Scot Scoop Explains is born out of the drive to inform the general public about the who, what, when, where, why, and how of political topics. Given that very little news...

President Donald J. Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, arrive at the Blue House in Seoul, South Korea on Nov. 7, 2017. Recent talks with Trump and Kim Jong-un have stalled, leaving both sides with nothing.

ScotSkim: defiance

Nina Heller, Staff Writer April 18, 2019

North Korea tests a new weapon According to a report from the country's state media, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected and directed a "new tactical guided weapons firing test" on Wednesday. The...

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris was completed in the 13th Century. On Monday night, the Cathedral went up in flames, with the fire destroying the roof and the spire.

ScotSkim: damage

Nina Heller, Staff Writer April 15, 2019

Notre-Dame Cathedral scarred by extensive fire Notre-Dame Cathedral was heavily damaged by a fire on Monday night that caused part of its delicate spire to collapse, as well as the roof. The fire filled...

Scot Scoop Explains: the Mueller report

Scot Scoop Explains: the Mueller report

Nina Heller, Staff Writer March 24, 2019

Welcome to Scot Scoop Explains! Scot Scoop Explains is born out of the drive to inform the general public about the who, what, when, where, why, and how of political topics. Given that very little news...

ScotSkim: anticipation

ScotSkim: anticipation

Nina Heller, Staff Writer March 23, 2019

Mueller report is complete, findings are still unknown After months of expectation, special counsel Robert S. Mueller III has delivered his report to Attorney General William P. Barr on his investigation...

Beto O'Rourke speaks to potential voters in Wisconsin during a campaign event. O'Rourke received national fame from his Senate campaign against Ted Cruz.

ScotSkim: challengers

Nina Heller, Staff Writer March 19, 2019

Beto O'Rourke joins the presidential race Former congressman and Senate candidate from Texas, Beto O'Rourke, has joined the crowded field of Democrats running for president in 2020. O'Rourke's candidacy...

President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un meet for a social dinner on at the Sofitel Legend Metropole hotel in Hanoi for their second summit meeting.

ScotSkim: reckoning

Nina Heller, Staff Writer March 2, 2019

Michael Cohen testifies in front of Congress Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's former lawyer, testified in front of the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 27. Cohen claimed that Trump...

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Ed Markey introduced the Green New Deal into Congress. Since its introduction, it has faced criticism from both sides of the aisle.

ScotSkim: new beginnings

Nina Heller, Staff Writer February 26, 2019

North Carolina officials order new House election Following strong evidence of election fraud, the North Carolina Board of Elections voted unanimously to hold a new election in North Carolina's 9th Congressional...

Gage Skidmore, CC-BY-SA 2.0

Scot Scoop Explains: Impeachment

Nina Heller, Staff Writer February 8, 2019

Welcome to Scot Scoop Explains! Scot Scoop Explains is born out of the drive to inform the general public about the who, what, when, where, why, and how of political topics in order to help our readers...

Kirsten Gillibrand announced her entry into the 2020 presidential race on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, targeting a specific group of potential voters.

Opinion: Turn on post notifications for 2020

Nina Heller, Staff Writer January 29, 2019

Every week, thousands of people log onto Instagram to watch a Congresswoman cook dinner. Instant mac and cheese and tofu curry are only a few of the things she has made on her livestreams. She may not...

Gift giving to charitable organizations increases during the holiday season. However, this surge of giving does not last throughout the rest of the year.

Opinion: the spirit of giving should extend beyond the holidays

Nina Heller, Staff Writer December 11, 2018

‘Tis the season for gifts. Whether giving them or receiving them, November through January has become the time of the year most known for present exchanges as several holidays within the time-frame...

Citizens in Redwood City joined protesters across the nation calling for protection for the Mueller investigation.

[Photo] ‘Nobody is Above the Law’ protesters demand accountability

Nina Heller, Staff Writer November 9, 2018

Citizens in Redwood City joined protesters across the nation calling for protection for the Mueller investigation.

Protesting is a way for many Americans to voice their opinions about the government.

Opinion: Limiting protests conflicts with American principles

Nina Heller, Staff Writer October 21, 2018

What’s more American than apple pie? Protesting. From the Boston Tea Party to boycotts of the Stamp Act, the United States was founded on the basis of protesting. But this could change. The...

Many people can be seen publicly expressing their support for Christine Blasey Ford. Ford's allegations against Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh resulted in her testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee, with Kavanaugh testifying as well.

Opinion: Brett Kavanaugh is not the victim

Nina Heller, Staff Writer September 27, 2018

“I am not here because I want to be.” These were the words spoken by Christine Blasey Ford in her opening statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee about her allegations of sexual assault against...

According to Pew Research, only 56 percent of eligible voters voted in the 2016 presidential election. Making election day a national holiday would increase voter turnout and restore the process of civic engagement.

Opinion: Election Day should be a national holiday

Nina Heller, Staff Writer September 18, 2018

Only 56 percent of eligible voters cast ballots in the 2016 election, according to Pew Research. What happened to the other 44 percent? Where did they go? While some may have missed the deadlines...

Teenagers have been told their whole lives that they are special. However, being special just isn't special.

You still aren’t special: reflections from a senior

Nina Heller, Staff Writer September 5, 2018

“You’re not special.” Many of us at Carlmont were welcomed into high school at the beginning of our freshman year with this mantra: You’re not special. I’m now at the beginning of my senior...

By 2020, all new homes in California will be required to have solar panels on them.

California takes steps to require solar panels on all new homes

Nina Heller, Staff Writer May 19, 2018

New refrigerator? Check. New couch? Check. New solar panels? Potentially. On Wed. May 8, the California Energy Commission (CEC) voted 5-0 to recommend energy efficiency standards to the state...

In many places across the country, schools have old and outdated textbooks due to lack of available funds. Eliminating school vouchers would allow for more public funding in schools.

School vouchers ignore the existing issues of public education

Nina Heller, Staff Writer April 30, 2018

In the U.S., every child has the right to a public education. Tuition isn’t paid in order to attend public schools, but schools are funded by taxpayers. What else is funded by taxpayers? Diverting...

At the 2017 Earth Day Celebration,  a variety of different booths educated people on how to better help the environment.

[Photo] 2018 Earth Day Celebration approaches

Justin Som, Staff Writer April 19, 2018

At the 2017 Earth Day Celebration, a variety of different booths educated people on how to better help the environment.

Jessica Cramer, a senior, calls 911 in a panic during the drunk-driving car crash simulation on April 15.

[Photo] Sober Prom aims to stop drunk driving

Kylie Lin, Scotlight Editor-in-Chief April 19, 2018

Fire trucks arrive on the scene of the Sober Prom demonstration.

On March 14, 2018, Carlmont students walked out of class in solidarity with gun violence victims and survivors.

Being nice to people won’t stop school shootings

Nina Heller, Staff Writer April 5, 2018

What do a smile, a wave, a "hello," and an offer to be someone's partner in a group project all have in common? None of them have ever stopped a school shooting from occurring. After the shooting...

Shortly after pre-registering to vote, Californians will receive a post card in the mail confirming their registration, as well as to verify their information.

California enacts automatic voter pre-registration

Nina Heller, Staff Writer March 22, 2018

Governor Jerry Brown has recently signed into law a bill that automatically pre-registers all voting-eligible 16 and 17-year-olds to vote when they receive a California Driver’s License or California...

Senator Diane Feinstein meets with Donald Trump to discuss gun control, one of the issues she is most outspoken about. While she supports items such as gun control, she often is more centrist than some of her Democratic colleagues.

Senator Dianne Feinstein lacks support of California Democratic Party in re-election

Nina Heller, Staff Writer March 7, 2018

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein is seeking re-election to her fifth term in the U.S. Senate, but this time, she lacks the support of the California Democratic Party. At the annual convention of the California...

Heritage Fair shows off Carlmont’s cultures

Nina Heller, Staff Writer March 2, 2018

While the rain pounded down outside, students crowded into the gym as the Heritage Fair began, eager to learn about their classmate's cultures. The Heritage Fair takes place each year and showcases...

After the death of Ed Lee, the President of the Board of Supervisors, London Breed, became the acting mayor. Since then, Breed has been replaced with District 2 supervisor Mark Ferrell.

Replacement of San Francisco Mayor sparks outrage

Nina Heller, Staff Writer February 6, 2018

After the unexpected death of San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee on Dec. 12, 2017, the President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, London Breed became the acting mayor. However, not more than two...

Tens of thousands of people are estimated to have taken to the streets on Jan. 20 in San Francisco. The marchers stretched on for blocks with no end in sight to their numbers.

San Francisco Women’s March returns with a path to the ballot

Nina Heller, Staff Writer January 21, 2018

They rose. They resisted. And most notably, they repeated. On Saturday, Jan. 20, the women of San Francisco took to the streets one year after the Women’s March on Washington with a powerful message:...

The Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Boutique attracted many people, and began the holiday season for the community.

Belmont Christmas tree lighting rings in the holiday season

Nina Heller, Staff Writer November 27, 2017

No sooner did the red and orange Thanksgiving decorations come down, did the green and red Christmas decorations come up. On Monday, Nov. 27, the Carlmont Village Shopping Center hosted the Belmont...

Patrons of the San Mateo County Library System can bring in donations of non-perishable items instead of paying any fees they may have.

Food For Fines puts a new spin on holiday giving

Nina Heller, Staff Writer November 16, 2017

Books and beans: an unlikely combination. However, with the San Mateo County Library's newest holiday initiative, Food for Fines, library fines will be waived with the donation of food, excluding fees...

Seniors Jason Lloyd, Jackson Velschow, and Josef Gonzalez get ready to play in Carlmont Cup.

[Photo] Assembly reveals homecoming’s true colors

Sam Hanlon, Staff Writer October 27, 2017

Seniors Jason Lloyd, Jackson Velschow, and Josef Gonzalez get ready to play in Carlmont Cup.

The junior team gathers for a huddle during the Powderpuff game this year against the seniors.

Powderpuff doesn’t help feminism’s cause

Nina Heller, Staff Writer October 26, 2017

Fall is here, which means pumpkin spice, comfy sweaters, and homecoming. And homecoming means Powderpuff. However, powderpuff is a step backward for women. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary,...

S.O.S coordinator Shelley Bustamante works on a presentation for S.O.S. These presentations are shared with freshman every Tuesday during their World Studies class.

[Photo] S.O.S creates support for students

Maya Benjamin, Staff Writer October 9, 2017

S.O.S coordinator Shelley Bustamante works on a presentation for S.O.S. These presentations are shared with freshman every Tuesday during their World Studies class.

The Art and Wine Faire stretched throughout downtown San Carlos, drawing big crowds amidst the high temperatures of the weekend.

San Carlos Art and Wine Faire celebrates its 27th year

Nina Heller, Staff Writer October 8, 2017

With fall arriving, community members braved the heat to attend the San Carlos Art and Wine Faire from Oct. 7-8 in downtown San Carlos. The Art and Wine Faire occurs every fall and is sponsored by the...

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