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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

Rei Baxter

Rei Baxter, Staff Writer

Rei Baxter is a senior (2025) at Carlmont and they are excited to edit for the Highlander again this year. They love to explore different forms of media. Outside of the classroom, you can find them playing the cello, hanging out with friends, or cuddling with their two cats!

To check out their journalism portfolio, click here.

All content by Rei Baxter
A homeless encampment sits on the side of a tunnel. In California, plenty of homeless encampments are seen in tunnels, underpasses, on city blocks, and other places.

Opinion: It’s time to prioritize homelessness

Rei Baxter, Staff Writer May 19, 2024

Not even one minute into the city of San Francisco lies a homeless encampment. Drive for a few more minutes, and countless more are revealed. It seems as if homelessness in California is a never-ending...

Playing music with a guided therapy session helps to heal the mind. Music therapy ranges from listening to playing music with a licensed therapist to help a patient achieve their goal.

Opinion: Music is the new medicine

Rei Baxter, Staff Writer April 28, 2024

A quick pluck of a string goes so far that its sound waves unravel the tight chains that mental disorders use to suppress brain stimulation.  Music therapy can solve neurological disorders, maybe even...

America becomes Trump's chessboard. If Trump wins the 2024 presidential election, he will inevitably abandon our democracy and control society like pieces on a chessboard.

Opinion: Trump says farewell to democracy

Rei Baxter, Staff Writer March 31, 2024

If Donald Trump wins the 2024 presidential election, we can say farewell to our beloved democracy and the freedom we pride ourselves on. The 2024 presidential primaries are not quite over, yet Trump...

Many people blame women for being sexually assaulted because of their clothing. Oftentimes, reason for the assault is pinned on the revealing clothing worn by the victim.

Opinion: Clothing is not an excuse to victim blame

Rei Baxter, Staff Writer March 12, 2024

She asked for it. This phrase is commonly uttered toward women who are victims of sexual assault.  The very prospect of blaming a woman for being a trauma survivor seems absurd, yet, somehow, misogyny...

Social media plagues kids and tricks them into following trends. One of these trends includes using face cream made with retinol, which is not for young skin.

Opinion: Social media is ruining Generation Alpha

Rei Baxter, Staff Writer February 12, 2024

Social media is ruining the younger generations and stripping them of their childhood. The same unrealistic social and beauty standards teenagers face have reached Generation Alpha.  As a kid, I remember...

The price one must pay to get an "A" is far too high. When debating spending your rest and stability for the grades, let the idea of an "A" burn.

Opinion: Self-care is more important than academic achievement

Rei Baxter, Staff Writer January 19, 2024

The desire to thrive and succeed is assuredly a universal experience. As a high school student, success is validated by grades, assignments, and college acceptances. However, there is a point when attempting...

Joe Biden and Xi Jinping sign their names and messages in their native languages. Their writing was separated from the regular guest book and is now available for people to see at Filoli, just outside of the Ballroom.

[Photo] Breaking News: Cañada Road closed for Biden, Xi meeting at Filoli

Rei Baxter, Staff Writer November 15, 2023

Joe Biden and Xi Jinping sign their names and messages in their native languages. Their writing was separated from the regular guest book and is now available for people to see at Filoli, just outside...

Some people watch the moon from afar and admire its bright qualities.

[Photo] Humanity reaches beyond the stars

Rei Baxter, Staff Writer December 2, 2023

Some people watch the moon from afar and admire its bright qualities.

The United States House of Representatives passed Rep. Mike Johnson's legislative plan to continue government funding. The House's decision avoided a last-minute shutdown that would cause all government fundings to cease.

Breaking News: House passes bill to avoid government shutdown

Rei Baxter, Staff Writer November 14, 2023

The United States House of Representatives passed a bill to keep the government funded, narrowly avoiding a last-minute shutdown. The role of the House of Representatives is to make and pass federal...

The Reading Bug puts out its new Christmas stuffed toys and other items every November, and this year is no exception. Most stores tend to begin decorating and selling Christmas products in early November.

Businesses deck the halls early for Christmas

Rei Baxter, Staff Writer November 10, 2023

'Tis the season for Christmas to find its way into stores. Businesses commonly put out decorations and products for Christmas around November, a month before the winter holidays start. "We put up...

Emily Song talks about coach Julie Meade after her passing during the Carlmont homecoming assembly. She is alongside Marina Mendez and their fellow cheerleaders.

Breaking News: Longtime Carlmont coach Julie Meade dies unexpectedly

Rei Baxter, Staff Writer October 5, 2023

Julie Meade, the Carlmont High School cross-country, track and field, and girls junior varsity basketball coach unexpectedly passed away on Oct. 4. Meade was a Carlmont alumni and was a part of the...

Amidst the shadows, teens struggling with suicidal thoughts report feeling trapped in despair.

The unseen epidemic: teens struggle in the face of suicide

Rei Baxter, Staff Writer September 6, 2023

The Bendis family from Beachwood, Ohio, lost 16-year-old Abigail Bendis to suicide in 2017. Jamie Smith*, a local student and teenager, won her battle against suicidal thoughts. Two seemingly different...

ChiChai Mateo visits the San Carlos Library to host an activity to make a paper bouquet of Filipino florals.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month unites the community

Rei Baxter, Staff Writer May 13, 2023

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month occurs every May. The month is filled with plenty of opportunities to learn about the different cultures of Asia, the Pacific Islands, and Hawaii...

A digital drawing depicts how psychedelics help "give color" or heal one's mind.

Psychedelic therapy offers an alternative to anti-depressants

Rei Baxter, Staff Writer April 17, 2023

Psychedelics, while long since banned, make their way to the medical market for critically unmet needs for mental health. Psychedelics are a class of psychoactive substances that produce changes in...

Electric cars charge in a parking garage.

Electric car companies melt away concerns of freezing batteries

Rei Baxter, Staff Writer February 20, 2023

The energy of lithium-ion batteries, the most commonly used batteries in electric cars, is similar to how bodies function. If humans get too cold for a prolonged time and have nothing to warm themselves...

Maricris Hansen works on a painting in her studio.

Lark paints the way for local artists

Rei Baxter, Staff Writer January 29, 2023

Cheese boards, gold jewelry, and paintings are only a few of the unique art pieces that can be found at Lark, a new gift boutique in downtown San Carlos. Lark opened on Oct. 28, 2022, taking the place...

Soapy snow falls on the audience at the Night of Holiday Lights.

San Carlos spreads the joy of the holidays

Rei Baxter, Staff Writer December 4, 2022

The Night of Holiday Lights in San Carlos kicks off the winter holidays with its 12th annual festival. Every year, San Carlos hosts the Night of Holiday Lights, which has family-fun activities, vendor...

Tara Krishnan, a sophomore at Carlmont High School, asks for accomodations on her reading assignment in chemistry.

Local educational community reflects on the importance of self-advocacy

Rei Baxter, Staff Writer November 3, 2022

Students, especially those in their teen years, often find they need accommodations to get them through school successfully. Some must advocate for themselves if they want those accommodations. However,...

Participants and their dogs line up, waiting for the FIDO mile run to start.

Water Dog Run brings community together

Rei Baxter, Staff Writer October 9, 2022

The 5th annual Belmont Water Dog Run took place this Saturday morning, attracting people from all over Belmont and neighboring towns.  This year, the event took place in Twin Pines Park from 7 a.m....

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