Author: Elisabeth Palacios

2025-2026, Arts & Culture, Campus Life, Uncategorized

The Behind the Scenes of McCaskey’s Stage Crew!

McCaskey’s fall play and spring musicals are always amazing productions because of our extremely talented directors and cast. But when they bring the talent, who brings the set, the lights, the props, the stage? Obviously, it’s our stage crew in McCaskey’s stage design and production class. But what does the whole process look like, and what do we actually do for our biggest production of … Continue reading The Behind the Scenes of McCaskey’s Stage Crew!

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2025-2026, Uncategorized

PA Budget Withheld: What About McCaskey?

The Pennsylvania State Budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year is being withheld due to an impasse—meaning that the state government was unable to finalize and agree on a budget plan by July 1st. This has caused a plethora of problems statewide, and education was no exception. PA’s public schools have missed out on $3.76 billion in payments just in the span of three months (July, … Continue reading PA Budget Withheld: What About McCaskey?

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2025-2026, Campus Life

Learn more about McCaskey’s 2025-26 Homecoming Court!

By Elisabeth Palacios This year’s homecoming court was an amazing group of students that are involved all across McCaskey, and if we could crown each one of them Homecoming King & Queen, we would! These students include: Benjamin High, Gregory Medina, Zayd Mattar, Darrian Rom, Aaron Canestrare, Rameer Jackson, Shawn Mapp, Gilliana “Gigi” Ortiz, Danaj Kellum, Saniya Cruz, Dymazhia Lavender-Gray, Yakima Citron Cruz, Janeva Hicks, … Continue reading Learn more about McCaskey’s 2025-26 Homecoming Court!

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News, Politics

What will happen if Trump eliminates the Department of Education?

By Elisabeth Palacios The U.S Department of Education has been a part of the federal government since 1980, serving about 50 million students in America. President Donald Trump plans to get rid of it, as many from the Republican Party have tried to in the past. The Department of Education (ED) is “the agency of the federal government that establishes policy for, administers and coordinates … Continue reading What will happen if Trump eliminates the Department of Education?

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News

Killing of United Healthcare CEO sparks intense debate about the US healthcare system

By Elisabeth Palacios Wednesday, December 4th, United Healthcare (the largest health insurance company in the U.S) CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in a sudden attack in Midtown, Manhattan. New York police urgently hunted down the man responsible, and successfully arrested the ‘strong suspect of interest’ in Pennsylvania after five days.  Thompson was on his way to an investor’s conference when the incident happened … Continue reading Killing of United Healthcare CEO sparks intense debate about the US healthcare system

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Campus Life

Annual ‘Pic Your Path’ event highlights McCaskey’s numerous course offerings

By Elisabeth Palacios From November 5th to 8th, McCaskey had its annual round of ‘Pic Your Path’ for 8th and 10th graders, the overview of McCaskey’s classes and programs by students, for students. Pic Your Path is a great opportunity for 10th graders to expand their horizons their junior and senior year, because it is where they learn about the paths that become available to … Continue reading Annual ‘Pic Your Path’ event highlights McCaskey’s numerous course offerings

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Campus Life

From McCaskey Student to Principal Resident: Meet Ms. V

By Elisabeth Palacios She went from a proud J.P McCaskey graduate, to cheer coach, to now principal resident and aspiring principal. Ms. Veitia–best known as “Ms. V”–has had a long journey at McCaskey. More specifically, she has been in the School District of Lancaster for all her life, and her time here doesn’t seem to be ending anytime soon. Ms. V started her education at … Continue reading From McCaskey Student to Principal Resident: Meet Ms. V

Unknown's avatarElisabeth Palacios
News, Politics

Trump holds campaign event at Lancaster County Convention Center

By Elisabeth Palacios Sunday, October 20th, at 5 PM, presidential candidate Donald Trump had a rally right here in the heart of Lancaster.  The town hall was full of hundreds of supporters by the time the doors opened at 2:30, and the line of people that were waiting wrapped around a whole block.   Trump reiterated the main points of his campaign like in many of … Continue reading Trump holds campaign event at Lancaster County Convention Center

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Arts & Culture, Campus Life

Don’t Miss McCaskey’s Rendition of the Classic Musical Anything Goes

By Elisabeth Palacios The McCaskey musical of the 2023-24 school year is the updated version of Anything Goes written by Cole Porter. The story takes place during the 1930s-1940s, overseas aboard the “S.S American.” It follows charismatic nightclub singer Reno Sweeney (Annika Locke), pining businessman Billy Crocker (Jared Groff), and sly gangster “Moonface” Martin (Keagen Laureano-Roman) accompanied by his conspicuous partner-in-crime, Erma Latour (Celia Keener). … Continue reading Don’t Miss McCaskey’s Rendition of the Classic Musical Anything Goes

Unknown's avatarElisabeth Palacios
Opinion, Politics

Conservative Attacks On Education Harm Students

By Elisabeth Palacios Education has always been a huge concern in the U.S, and rightfully so. Our education system tries to be the best it can be so that our youth grows up to be well-educated citizens. Individually, schools want to be the best environment a student can learn in, so they can feel as safe and comfortable as possible.  There has been controversy over … Continue reading Conservative Attacks On Education Harm Students

Unknown's avatarElisabeth Palacios
Opinion

America’s Unhealthy Consumerist Culture

By Elisabeth Palacios Since the 1920s, consumerism in America has increasingly defined both our economy and culture–whether we can afford it or not. In the last year, credit card debt was the highest it has ever been. According to a recent report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, it surpassed $1.08 trillion. “We are still largely a paycheck-to-paycheck nation,” based on the words … Continue reading America’s Unhealthy Consumerist Culture

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Campus Life, Opinion

Could a Four-Day School Week Work at McCaskey?

By Elisabeth Palacios More and more school districts across the U.S. have been implementing four-day school weeks and three-day weekends. This could be great for teachers and students, as they’d have less stress, be given more leisure time, and be able to have a better work-life balance. However, what are the other consequences of students having less educational time during a standard week? Will the … Continue reading Could a Four-Day School Week Work at McCaskey?

Unknown's avatarElisabeth Palacios