What’s Trending?: Fall From Stardom

by Irene, 12th grade

In light of the Internet’s obsession with true crime podcasts and television series, 32-year-old Gypsy-Rose Blanchard’s Dec. 28, 2023 release from the Chillicothe Correctional Center sparked the media’s latest short-lived sensation. Recognized as one of the most notorious cases of Munchausen syndrome by proxy — a form of abuse in which a caretaker fabricates or induces symptoms of various medical illnesses — Blanchard’s upbringing was distinctly characterized by years of medical mistreatment coordinated by her mother. After undergoing years of such abuse, in 2015, Blanchard and her then-boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn, orchestrated the murder of her mother, landing her a 10-year sentence in prison.

With numerous adaptations of Blanchard’s infamous story, like the 2019 Hulu mini-series, The Act, and the 2017 HBO documentary, Mommy Dead and Dearest, TikTok memes and content further heightened the public’s interest in the case. Just days ahead of her release, millions of fans took to social media in support of the figure. The social media “icon” now celebrates a combined 18-million fanbase across TikTok and Instagram and was featured on various news outlets where she shared insights into her newly-found freedom alongside her husband, Ryan Anderson, whom she met during her time in prison.

Praised for empowering victims of domestic abuse and adored for her witty social media posts, Blanchard became an instant cultural sensation. But as rapidly as she ascended to stardom, her fall from fame because of her relationship with her new husband was marked with even greater speed.

The convict-to-pop culture icon pipeline poses a moral dilemma for viewers who hope to address Blanchard’s role in her mother’s death. Can an individual convicted of second-degree murder possibly maintain their “influencer” status? How does social media affect our perception of true crime cases? This malicious media cycle of glorifying and then canceling sensational personalities highlights the folly and danger of idolizing non-celebrities.

Values We Uphold: Cleanliness on Campus

by Marcella, 6th grade

As students walk around the school campus, they are confronted with a disheartening sight–a school marred with litter and neglect. The cause? Countless students thoughtlessly abandon their trash, leaving the responsibility of cleanup to others, be it a janitor, another student, or even a squirrel.

“It is pitiful to see the student body litter the campus daily without thinking twice or about how it affects these men [the custodians/janitors]. The custodians linger in the shadows of our everyday lives. And just as we spend our teenage livelihood in classrooms, they spend theirs cleaning up our messes,” writes Mohammed Syed in his article “Students Unaware of Trash Problem They Create” in The Californian Paper, an award-winning student newspaper of California High School.

When people do not clean up after themselves, it is disrespectful to the planet and the teachers, principals, parents, other students, and janitors. When students neglect to dispose of their trash, they burden the janitor with an additional task that could have easily been managed if the student had taken responsibility. A janitor’s job is tough and important, and without them, the school would be left in a sorry state. A janitor has to clean the bathrooms, classrooms, halls, lunch tables, and school grounds. Additionally, they have to clean a student’s mess that could have been easily taken care of by that student. That’s not fair. We all need to step up and clean up after ourselves; it is just a basic responsibility.

College Applications: Lessons Learned

by Francine, 12th grade

Embarking on the college application journey is both exciting and daunting. There were many things that I wish I had known before. For example, even when my GPA should already be impressive, it is important to know as early as before enrolling in high school that a student must be thoughtful in course selection because this can impact a student’s GPA and class rank, which are typically required when filling out application forms. Some courses have more weight. These are the honors or AP/IB courses. So, even though you may get an A, you may end up having a lower GPA and class rank due to the weighted grading system.

Beyond the grades, the choice of courses also impacts a student’s admission chance. The courses, both academic and electives, and extra-curricular activities should align with the student’s chosen pathway in college. While most universities are test optional for the incoming freshmen in Fall 2024, it is worth preparing and taking the SAT/ACT as early as Spring because there is the likelihood that colleges might begin requiring these again. Just last week, Dartmouth was the first Ivy League to announce they will again require SAT/ACT for incoming freshmen in Fall 2025.

Start Early:

The cardinal rule of college applications is to start early. The process can be overwhelming, and beginning well in advance allows ample time for research, self-reflection, and the crafting of compelling personal statements. The SAT/ACT testing begins in February 2024. During my application journey, it was hard to start early due to my numerous commitments in school and extra-curricular activities, so I went through the same hardship as those who worked on their application close to the deadlines. The UCs and CSUs deadline is November 30th, and almost all universities are on January 1st, so unless you are fine with working through the Thanksgiving and Holiday breaks, you might want to work on your applications way before these due dates.

Research Thoroughly:

Each college is unique, with distinct programs, cultures, and values. Take the time to delve into each institution’s offerings, faculty, and campus life. My application process involved creating a detailed spreadsheet with essential information for each college, ensuring I could make informed decisions tailored to my academic and personal goals. Also, college application questions tend to ask about how their program suits you.

Stay Organized:

With multiple deadlines and requirements, staying organized is paramount. Utilize calendars, checklists, or organizational apps to keep track of deadlines, submission requirements, and communication with prospective colleges. Staying organized ensures that you don’t miss a crucial step in the application process.

Balance Ambition with Realism:

While reaching for the stars is admirable, balance ambition with realism. Apply to a mix of reach (a.k.a. “beyond your reach”), match, and safety schools to ensure a well-rounded list that aligns with your academic profile. Reflecting on my experience, maintaining this balance eased the pressure and provided a range of potential opportunities.

The college application journey is undoubtedly challenging, but with careful planning, authenticity, and a commitment to self-reflection, it can also be an immensely rewarding experience. My journey taught me that each element of the application process contributes to the bigger picture of who you are. Embrace the process, and remember that the right fit is not just about impressing colleges but finding a place where you can thrive personally and academically.

National Observances: Darwin Day, February 12

by Mateo, 10th grade

There have been many influential scientists in recent history who have changed the way we think about our world. Isaac Newton discovered and established the laws of motion and gravity. Albert Einstein, one of the most famous physicists of all time, developed theories regarding special and general relativity that still aid astronomers in their studies today. Nikola Tesla invented the alternating current and made many breakthroughs in the field of electricity. Another scientist whose incredible work makes him one of the greatest of all time is Charles Darwin, whose research on evolution and natural history reshaped our thoughts on life as we know it.

Darwin was born in 1809 in Shrewsbury, England, a small market town located in the country’s western portion. He was an extremely bright and intelligent child, and at sixteen, he enrolled at Edinburgh University in Scotland, where he would study medicine briefly until deciding to switch gears and study theology at Cambridge instead.

In 1831, Darwin began a five-year voyage to South America as a naturalist, working to study and chart the continent’s coastlines. While there, the young scientist collected samples of plants, animals, and fossils in Brazil, Argentina, the Galápagos Islands, and many other regions in the area. Upon his return home in 1836, he began carefully studying these samples to make better sense of them.

Darwin’s research of these South American samples led him to establish the theory of natural selection–that is, organisms that are better adapted to their environment produce more offspring than other organisms of the same species, therefore increasing the chances of certain beneficial traits becoming more widespread and potentially resulting in the formation of a new species. Darwin published his book On the Origin of Species in 1859, claiming that all species on Earth originate from a common ancestor and that species can change over extremely long periods. Many scientists rejected his theories when they were first published, but as technology advanced further and DNA research became easier to conduct, more and more evidence arose to back them up. So, eventually, scientists collectively agreed to accept them.

Although Charles Darwin died in 1882, his influence is still felt by many scientists around the world. Darwin Day is celebrated worldwide every year on his birthday, February 12th, to honor the famed naturalist. It is not just a commemoration of his life achievements and breakthroughs, but more so a day that serves to encourage people everywhere to reflect on the beauty of science and how it has impacted our understanding of the world we live in today.

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