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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

Lara Ibasco

Lara Ibasco, Staff Writer

Lara Ibasco (Class of 2026) is a senior at Carlmont High School and this is her third year in journalism. She is also an editor for the Highlander, and enjoys sharing stories about her community and connecting with people. Outside of school, Lara enjoys cooking, baking, traveling, and shopping with friends. You can view her portfolio here.

All content by Lara Ibasco
A student scrambles to get to the graduation cap on the top of a mountain made of money, illustrating how the cost of getting a degree comes at a large price. According to the Education Data Initiative, the total federal student loan debt has reached approximately $1.83 trillion in 2026, demonstrating how higher education can come with financial burdens that impact many students across the country.

Opinion: College should not cost a fortune

Lara Ibasco, Staff Writer March 4, 2026

Imagine that all the hard work of keeping good grades, staying involved in extracurriculars, and writing good essays paid off, and you got accepted into your dream school. But one obstacle remains. The...

Riven, a sexualized character from League of Legends, captures a player’s attention by fighting enemies in a playboy bunny costume. According to the Geena Davis Institute, female characters are 10 times more likely to be shown in revealing clothing than male characters, emphasizing how much women are objectified in video games.

Sexism: The final boss

Lara Ibasco and Keira Sarmiento November 14, 2025

Skin-tight latex suits, bikini shorts, and stilettos. Not the ideal combat outfit. Unfortunately, this is common in many video games. Over 80% of female characters are portrayed as sexual, scantily...

A factory explodes and bursts into flames, leaving no survivors. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 5,283 fatal work injuries as employees were on the job in 2023, demonstrating how, even in modern times, there are still high risks of danger.

Opinion: Factories need stricter regulations

Lara Ibasco, Staff Writer October 22, 2025

A manufacturing plant exploded and left 16 workers dead in Bucksnort, Tenn., on Oct. 10, 2025, devastating families and communities while simultaneously raising concerns about safe work conditions. The...

A sign outside the Belmont Library shows when it will close and where visitors can go while it is closed for the next few months. Many students from schools nearby often go to the library as a place to relax and study.

The Belmont Library closes for a remodeling

Lara Ibasco, Staff Writer March 11, 2025

Less than a quarter of a mile from Carlmont High School resides the Belmont Public Library, a primary spot for students to study and for others to hang out with friends. However, the library will close...

A guest wants to find something new to explore and experience at Disneyland. Mickey Mouse presents the plan for the Disneyland expansion.

Disney plans for a magical comeback

Lara Ibasco, Staff Writer May 24, 2024

A scorching summer day in "The Happiest Place on Earth" could never be better. Various attractions are temporarily closed, wait times are at an all-time high, and you want the Mickey ice cream bar. But...

Sadie, one of the dogs that came to the quad, licks an ASB student's face. Sadie and the fellow dogs bring joy to the stressed students.

Dogs in the Quad help relieve student stress

Lara Ibasco, Staff Writer May 2, 2024

As Advanced Placement (AP) exams start taking place and finals week approaches, students feel a heavy weight on their shoulders. The therapy dogs that visited have helped relieve such stress.  The...

Participants of the Carlmont Dance Day perform a series of leaps and turns across the dance studio. Members of Carlmont’s intermediate and advanced dance teams instruct the participants and demonstrate how to perform various moves.

Dancing with the Scots

Lara Ibasco, Staff Writer February 18, 2024

Turns, leaps, and seamless transitions. These are only some of the motions taught during the Carlmont Dance Day. From contemporary to hip-hop, middle and high school participants learned various dance...

A group watches “Friends” on the iconic couch of the show in a room resembling “Central Perk,” the coffee shop that is frequently visited by the main cast of the show.

Pop culture forms connections through screens

Lara Ibasco, Staff Writer February 12, 2024

Ninety-seven billion minutes in viewing, and still increasing.   According to Nielsen, that's how many people watched a sitcom that changed their lives. A single sitcom that received 62 Emmy nominations...

Peer Tutoring Club member Cecilia Baranzini teaches calculus to her friend after school. The Peer Tutoring Club has tutors for the majority of the subjects taught at Carlmont.

Peer Tutoring Club powers student success

Lara Ibasco, Staff Writer January 25, 2024

With the second semester in full swing, students are beginning to adjust to the daily routine of school and homework. However, some students have already started to feel overwhelmed by the amount of homework...

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