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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

Niamh Marren

Niamh Marren, Staff Writer

Niamh Marren, a current senior, is in her second year of Journalism at Carlmont High School. She is excited to write for the student body and inform others and herself of the ever-changing world around her. She plays softball for both her school and her club team during her free time and enjoys spending time with her friends and family. To check out her portfolio, click here.

Twitter: @marren_niamh

All content by Niamh Marren
Apple promotes privacy through a video advertisement. Photo illustration by Josh Barde, original image, Privacy on iPhone / Apple/ youtube.com/apple / CCS-BY-SA

Apple gets to the core of privacy rights

Niamh Marren and Josh Barde January 18, 2022

Every 10 seconds, a report of child abuse is made. Apple has now recently introduced new child safety features to stop the spread of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) in hopes of creating an environment...

Even though SAT for some colleges is test optional, it still has a significant impact on college admissions.

Opinion: SAT test-optional is not really optional

Niamh Marren and Josh Barde May 7, 2021

The University of California Board of Regents voted to make the ACT and SAT optional in May of 2020. Now a year later, the entire UC system has decided they will no longer accept SAT scores for fall 2022...

Administration begins planning for upcoming school year

Administration begins planning for upcoming school year

Niamh Marren, Staff Writer April 15, 2021

With Carlmont implementing the hybrid model and students rolling back into school, the administrators plan for a smooth transition into the 2021-2022 school year. With the uncertainty surrounding...

In previous years, posters and decorations would fill the hallways during ASB election season.

Online ASB elections challenge candidates

Niamh Marren, Staff Writer March 12, 2021

With the new school year around the corner and the return to in-person school on the near horizon, the importance of the student body leaders and Associated Student Body (ASB) elections has never been...

The football field used to be packed with excitement (right), but now sits empty (left).

Students struggle to acquire necessary credits admist pandemic

Niamh Marren, Staff Writer February 11, 2021

With the pandemic temporarily stopping all of last year's spring sports and continuing the termination this year, many students are missing the necessary Physical Education (PE) credits they need to graduate. Each...

The administrators at Carlmont face challenges to ensure the safe return of students and teachers to in-person learning.

Administration aims for efficient return to in-person learning

Niamh Marren, Staff Writer January 21, 2021

Students and teachers have widely adapted to technology during distance learning, which will ultimately change the way school functions in the future. At the start of distance learning, much of the...

The TownePlace Suites is one of the hotels purchased by Project Homekey and plans to provide housing for seniors.

Project Homekey provides senior citizens with two hotels for housing

Niamh Marren, Staff Writer November 28, 2020

The Board of Supervisors of San Mateo County voted to utilize $33 million granted by the state to provide 170 rooms to low-income, homeless, or medically frail senior citizens on Nov. 5.  The Board...

There are myriad problems that come with social media's intensifying influence on society.

Behind the screen

Josh Barde and Niamh Marren November 17, 2020

Over the past decades, social media has exponentially grown to create a world where over half the population are connected through a screen.  However, this has created many societal problems, which...

The Rotary Club of Foster City adjusts to the current pandemic and provides the public with their first virtual Health and Aging Educational Day event.

The Rotary Club of Foster City holds their first virtual webinar with Health and Aging Education Day

Niamh Marren, Staff Writer November 10, 2020

The Rotary Club of Foster City continued to provide the public with Health and Aging Education Day for the third consecutive year to help local communities learn more about their health. Due to the...

A customer buys local produce from a vegetable stand at the Belmont Farmers' Market.

Belmont farmers market thrives as customers buy local produce

Niamh Marren, Staff Writer October 15, 2020

Although smaller businesses are suffering during this time, the Belmont farmers market is prospering as customers continue to buy local produce.  Since the community is eating less at restaurants...

A customer buys local produce from a vegetable stand at the Belmont Farmers' Market.

[Photo]

Niamh Marren, Staff Writer December 31, 1969

A customer buys local produce from a vegetable stand at the Belmont Farmers' Market.

Carlmont makes significant strides to increase the safety of teachers and students during future in-person learning.

The possible return of in-person learning presents new challenges for students and staff to face

Niamh Marren, Staff Writer October 5, 2020

If Carlmont chooses to return to in-person learning, administrators and teachers must solve the never-ending challenges the current pandemic presents. Before the pandemic, the Carlmont Academic Foundation...

Instructional vice principal Gay Buckland-Murray checks attendance in her office.

Gay Buckland-Murray joins the administration

Niamh Marren, Staff Writer September 21, 2020

Carlmont High School’s administrative team has selected Gay Buckland-Murray to become the new instructional vice principal. The position's opening tasked Carlmont with finding someone fit to fill...

Carlmont High School has now become a ghost town due to online school.

Online learning forces the administration to rewrite a master schedule

Niamh Marren, Staff Writer September 7, 2020

The rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic shifted the U.S.'s educational system to online learning, forcing schools' administrations to rethink their bell schedules. The introduction of new guidelines...

Students arrive at Carlmont after more than an hour-long bus ride from East Palo Alto at 7:30 a.m.

Policy change results in lack of diversity

Niamh Marren and Savannah Velschow May 17, 2020

When most people hear the word diversity, many think about different racial ethnicities. One thing that is often talked about but never changed is how certain privileges or disadvantages are based...

The ability to speak two or more languages has favorable advantages towards one's brain.

Benefits of Being Bilingual: Advances for the brain

Niamh Marren, Staff Writer May 7, 2020

Despite knowing some benefits of being multilingual, many are unaware of the positive effects it can have on mental health.   For most, the reason behind learning new languages is to communicate with...

There are many benefits to being able to speak multiple languages when it comes to adulthood.

Benefits of Being Bilingual: The advantages in adulthood

Niamh Marren, Staff Writer April 30, 2020

More students today can speak multiple languages, making the ability to be bi- or multilingual the new norm. Though many students take language classes to get through their years in high school, studies...

With a new grading system, some students will not manage their time, affecting them for the upcoming years.

Procrastination Leads to Unnecessary Stress: Grading system change may affect the upcoming year

Niamh Marren, Staff Writer April 24, 2020

The Sequoia Union High School District has recently made the difficult decision to modify the grading system for the spring semester. To assist the needs of those who aren't well equipped for online...

A student's mindset is negatively affected with social isolation.

Procrastination Leads to Unnecessary Stress: Social isolation negatively affects students

Niamh Marren, Staff Writer April 16, 2020

With students currently isolated because of COVID-19, stress levels are at an all-time high.  Self-isolation can be very damaging to a young individual's mind, as humans need social contact to grow...

Students procrastinate with their phones during distance learning.

Procrastination Leads to Unnecessary Stress: Phones cause the ‘I will do it later’ mindset

Niamh Marren, Staff Writer April 10, 2020

Students have adjusted to distance learning throughout this pandemic. Being at home for countless hours, we are easily distracted because of the extra time on our hands. For some, it may seem that the...

Even after a full day of school, ASB continues to handle responsibilities behind the scenes.

Class officers handle the difficulties of preparation for the upcoming year

Niamh Marren, Staff Writer March 20, 2020

Many are oblivious to the responsibilities and duties that the Associated Student Body (ASB) class presidents tackle. Though Carlmont High School has closed due to safety measures, ASB continues to...

The Wednesday block schedule has been drastically modified due to survey responses from the students and staff.

Negative feedback prompts a bell schedule rewrite

Niamh Marren, Staff Writer February 29, 2020

Due to the negative responses from the block schedule survey for the second semester, the administration and Bell Schedule Committee came to the consensus that they would change the bell schedule for Wednesdays. Much...

Parent volunteers assist students with checking in coats and other valuables during the Winter Formal.

Carlmont’s staff and adult volunteers play a crucial role at Winter Formal

Niamh Marren, Staff Writer January 29, 2020

Countless hours of tedious and time-consuming work goes into implementing the safety and security of the student body at Carlmont's Winter Formal. Over 1000 students attend this dance each year, and,...

Principal Crame is leaving Carlmont at the end of the semester.

[Photo] Editorial: Carlmont's new principal should be receptive to students

December 7, 2021

Principal Crame is leaving Carlmont at the end of the semester.

"I think [practice over break] is a good way to make sure no one gets super rusty and it keeps people in shape," said Gabriel Anson, a senior and varsity boys soccer player.

[Photo] Soccer players’ calendars are booked for the holidays

Lexi Romanowsky, Staff Writer December 11, 2019

"I think [practice over break] is a good way to make sure no one gets super rusty and it keeps people in shape," said Gabriel Anson, a senior and varsity boys soccer player.

Atheeshwaran Durairaj and Arthur Goncalves play against each other during a scrimmage

Boys varsity soccer players put their best foot forward at tryouts

Niamh Marren and Joley Bove November 8, 2019

This winter season, tensions were high at the 2019 boys varsity soccer tryouts with 43 boys trying out, and only 26 of them making the team.  The overarching goal of tryouts is to assess the player's...

Carlmont's offensive sets up to score a touchdown.

Carlmont varsity football barely loses to San Mateo in overtime

Niamh Marren and Joley Bove October 20, 2019

In their head-to-head game against San Mateo, Carlmont varsity football lost during overtime in just a matter of seconds. Coming into this game, the Scots knew that San Mateo was an ever-improving...

Nicole Olazar, a junior, and Valentina Yudin-Baehrle, a senior, block a hit from Terra Nova.

Carlmont girls varsity volleyball walks away victorious against Terra Nova

Joley Bove and Niamh Marren September 25, 2019

In just three sets, the Carlmont girl's varsity volleyball team fiercely won against Terra Nova. Although the Scots dominated the Tigers, the Carlmont players felt as though they did not play to their...

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