“Education is not a problem. Education is an opportunity.” -President Lyndon B. Johnson. In order to make this statement true, we need to work on fixing the major issues in the American education system. Twenty to forty percent of middle and high school students have symptoms of depression. After discussing how school impacts the mental health of my peers, I have come to the conclusion … Continue reading How School Impacts Mental Health
The idea to interview Rose Carlson came from a joke. “What if I interviewed my editor in chief? Could you believe it?” But the stranger the idea the more intrigued I became; I began to think that getting to know her might be a worthy endeavor for the both of us. One ten minute interview over and I had a new found respect for Carlson, … Continue reading All Hail the Chief! (An Interview with Rose Carlson)
Note: The above image is an edited photo of Mr. Nelson, made by a student as part of a halloween project in fall 2021. Art shapes McCaskey in so many ways, whether that be performance arts such as theater and music, or visual arts like drawing and painting. Mr. Nelson is one of the few visual art teachers at McCaskey. He teaches Drawing and Painting … Continue reading Mr. Nelson Teaches Confidence Through Art
Left to right: Julio Morales, Diego David, and Jadyn Torres before a performance of Newsies. (Image credit: Rose Carlson) The hundreds of community members who came to see McCaskey’s production of Newsies gave it nothing but glowing reviews. After two years of upheaval and pandemic-induced cancellations, the show was a jubilant symbol of our celebrated music program’s rebirth. Everyone was captivated by the performance of … Continue reading Jadyn Torres on Music and the Strength of the McCaskey Community
Image credit: Rose Carlson For some, spending all day working in the library might be boring, but Ms. Blessing-Hartley, known to many simply as Ms. Blessing, loves her job. She is one of several friendly faces at the front desk of JP’s IMC. Although many initially assume that she is a librarian, Ms. Blessing describes her role as the library’s para-professional. “The librarians are the … Continue reading Melissa Blessing-Hartley, Caretaker of the JP IMC Safe Haven
Image credit: Tim Mercandetti When he was a senior at JP McCaskey High School, Angel Gonzalez made a promise to himself. “I said, ‘you know what, the goal is not to come back, it’s to go off to something else.’” Angel shared. “And then I came right back – and I think it was perfect.” Angel’s biggest dream in high school was to become a … Continue reading No Place Like Home: Angel Gonzalez’s Inevitable Return to McCaskey
Image credit: MSC Photographer Michael Eby-Good is one of the Art Systems Technicians at McCaskey Campus. He spends most of his day with staff helping to plan out the details of any events, and his last period assisting students in the Stage and Design Production class in the JP Auditorium. Like art does with communities, he acts as a glue, connecting a variety of people. … Continue reading Michael Eby-Good: Bridging the Gap Between Math and Art
Image credit: Tim Mercandetti As a student who tries to steer clear of the school administrators, my original feelings on interviewing one were somewhat mixed. The constant negative mindset I wrap myself in when arriving at school every day is not unique to Wyatt Potter, as much as I wish that were the case. It’s much easier to present yourself as an uncaring enigma than … Continue reading Hope, Kindness, and Teaching: A Conversation with Mr. Hanson
When schools shut down on March 13, 2020, not very many people predicted the ongoing pandemic that upended almost every facet of life. The two weeks off school turned into a month, into two, until school was moved online for the next school year as well. The past two years were characterized by masks, discussions of ‘flattening the curve’, and exasperating Zoom calls that never … Continue reading Four Perspectives on Surviving School During a Pandemic
For the longest time, I was adamant about not making any new friends, and keeping to myself. I don’t know what changed that, but it started with my interest in a person in my World Cultures class. I wasn’t really sure about how to approach this, so one day I just asked to sit next to them. Since that day, we’ve been friends ever since. … Continue reading Kai Rowe: The Power of Friendship and Food
During the week of March 14, McCaskey’s performing arts department, under the direction of Reynolds Middle School Teacher Kristin Wolanin, will be presenting Disney’s Newsies. “Preparing this show has been such an amazing experience,” said senior Jadyn Torres, who plays the lead role of Jack Kelly along with Zachary White. “Our cast is filled with the most insanely talented kids and I’m so excited for … Continue reading And the World Will Know: “Newsies” Brings Musical Theater Back to McCaskey
There’s a fine line between humor and harassment. Because the internet allows for instantaneous dissemination of information, often anonymously and with no fact-checking, there is great potential for abuses of power. And when these abuses are excused as “funny,” it’s even more difficult to enforce accountability for perpetrators. The recent controversy between Kanye West and Kim Kardashian exemplifies this problem of the digital age. Although … Continue reading From Kanye to McCaskey: The Line Between Humor and Harassment
Recently, McCaskey High School began playing the pledge of allegiance every morning on its announcements. “It mocks our ancestor’s cries and screams: their terror,” shared Essence Winters. “What justice has America shown?” she asked. “Black people still haven’t received reparations.” “Not saying it is disrespectful to those who have died. We should honor it, value it, and be fair to it,” said Sujan Upreti. These … Continue reading We Should Talk About the Pledge
You are holding back tears in a classroom, triggered by some unknowingly hurtful statement made by the teacher. You’re mad at the teacher, despite her not knowing she was causing you pain. You want to fight, or leave; that is if you could get unstuck from the prick of survival response, your brain snagged like a loose thread on the oversized sweater you wish you … Continue reading We Need Sensory Rooms
From 7:50 to 8:49 on every full day of school, 20 McCaskey students produce, write, film, edit, and livestream the WMCC Tornado Alert Morning Show, which features everything from campus sports news and information about upcoming events to current events reports and special videos. “It’s a lot,” said Tacura Tobler, a senior who’s been in the class for a year and a half. Since late … Continue reading WMCC: The Story of a Morning Show
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