Rep. Bryan Cutler and Educational Racism
Last Thursday, I attended a student Zoom meeting to discuss education policy with Speaker of the Pennsylvania State House, Bryan Cutler. Tiyya Geiger and I represented McCaskey, and two Pequea Valley students and one Solanco student were also in attendance. Representative Cutler represents the 100th Legislative District in the PA House, which encompasses part of Lancaster County. Even though his district does not include Lancaster … Continue reading Rep. Bryan Cutler and Educational Racism
Abortion, The Supreme Court, and the Electoral College
In early May, Politico leaked a draft from Justice Samuel Alito on the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, two cases that constitutionally protect the ability to get an abortion. It is the first time in history that a Supreme court draft has been leaked prior to the final decision, and has led to an outcry from pro-choice … Continue reading Abortion, The Supreme Court, and the Electoral College
Burning Glass: A Word from the Editor
Early this year, Mrs. Brumbach, Mr. Coonan, and a rag tag group of students scrambled to get a poster up for the club fair, hoping to revive an old McCaskey magazine to its full potential. With nothing more than an idea of what they wanted, they tackled the task of creating a literary and art magazine from scratch. In a few days, Fig Industries and … Continue reading Burning Glass: A Word from the Editor
Making Learning More Accessible for All Students
One of the biggest challenges I have faced in this classroom, where I am now writing this article, is having to find a way to balance my own needs with the needs of the reader. This same issue of balancing personal teaching style with the needs of students is seen in many classrooms today and has been the cause of many of the miscommunications between … Continue reading Making Learning More Accessible for All Students
3…2…1… Second Time’s the Charm!
Image Credit: Gabrielle Mappone “Listen to the scientists, climate change is real, and you can do anything when you put your mind to it.” That’s the basic gist of the 2022 McCaskey Spring Children’s play, as McCaskey senior Tacura Tobler puts it. The play, titled 3…2…1…. Second To None!, is set in the slowly converging worlds of Planet Zoe and Planet Earth in the year … Continue reading 3…2…1… Second Time’s the Charm!
Weighing Priorities: Defense Design and Homelessness in America
Defense design is a technique that creates unpleasant structures to limit crime, protect property, and order maintenance. The most commonly used form of defense design is uncomfortable benches which restrict resting spots for the homeless. It’s estimated that over half a million homeless people are in the U.S currently, with the limited number of homeless shelters in the country, and this new technique being used … Continue reading Weighing Priorities: Defense Design and Homelessness in America
Ketanji Brown Jackson Will Be First Black Woman on Supreme Court
After facing one obstacle after another, Ketanji Brown Jackson was finally confirmed as the new Supreme Court Justice. This makes her the first-ever Black woman to serve as a Justice on the Supreme Court. Judge Jackson was nominated for the position by President Joe Biden on February 25, 2022. By April 7, 2022, a bipartisan group of senators confirmed the nomination. Judge Jackson has a … Continue reading Ketanji Brown Jackson Will Be First Black Woman on Supreme Court
Ismail Smith Wade-El is Getting More to Give
When national politics are so divisive, it’s easy to forget that local races have a far greater impact on our daily lives and our community. In Lancaster, the primary elections for our state representatives are coming up. While primaries simply determine who the Democratic and Republican candidates will be in the general election in November, Lancaster city is overwhelmingly Democratic, meaning the winner of the … Continue reading Ismail Smith Wade-El is Getting More to Give
“The Giver” reminds us of everything that makes life worth living
Philip Noyce’s 2014 film adaptation of Lois Lowry’s The Giver is a rush of color, beauty, and sound. It is both a depiction of pain and a celebration of life. The Giver takes place in a society devoid of color, emotion, and inequality—conditions which are put in place in order to create maximum human comfort and efficiency for its people. There are no wars, no … Continue reading “The Giver” reminds us of everything that makes life worth living
The Texas-Jerusalem Crossroads: The Greatest Shoegaze Album of All Time
The music underground of the 90’s was defined mainly by the whim of teenagers everywhere. The almost compulsive pull away from the glam rock and hair metal aesthetics of the 80’s created some of the oddest and most ambitious genre mixings to date. The creation of shoegaze fusing sweet, melodic dream-pop and post-rock walls of harsh guitar sound with emotional, lovesick lyrics was a force … Continue reading The Texas-Jerusalem Crossroads: The Greatest Shoegaze Album of All Time
News Isn’t For Everyone
As social media movements progress, there is increasing pressure to be involved in politics—attending protests, signing petitions, reposting information—but this may not be helpful for all involved. There has been much debate recently about the impact of social media on mental health and on how it has simultaneously increased the availability of social justice. It seems almost paradoxical. One would think that an increase in … Continue reading News Isn’t For Everyone
How to Stay Motivated Through the End of the School Year
Image credit: Sujan Upreti As we all eagerly await the end of the school year and the long summer break that is ahead of us, not to mention the warm weather right around the corner, we all need to work to finish out the school year strong. That can seem like a real challenge to some people who may have mentally clocked out of school, … Continue reading How to Stay Motivated Through the End of the School Year
“SWEAT,” by Lynn Nottage, Through My Eyes
I was given the opportunity to watch the Fulton Theatre’s rendition of Sweat, a play written by Lynn Nottage. Although we weren’t presented with the original cast, the Fulton’s production was able to portray the character’ thoughts and feelings in a way that captivated the audience. Ms. Gregory and Mr. White invited students from their American Literature classes to see the play with them … Continue reading “SWEAT,” by Lynn Nottage, Through My Eyes
“Encanto” Presents a New Kind of Children’s Movie
“The stars don’t shine, they burn,” Mirabel Madrigal sings to her family, the sweet melody juxtaposing her family’s once magical home in shambles in front of her. Framing Mirabel’s figure is the beautiful Colombian forest with her Abuela standing next to her, who, moments before, Mirabel had embraced tightly by the river where Abuela first received the miracle that made the now broken house magical … Continue reading “Encanto” Presents a New Kind of Children’s Movie
What’s Up With Rising Prices?
If you have driven past a gas station recently and winced at the price sign, you’re not alone. Many Americans are feeling the strain on their wallets, and the rising gas prices aren’t the only problem. The cost of both buying and renting houses has gone through the roof, and food prices are also on the rise. Eventually, these issues will affect nearly everyone if … Continue reading What’s Up With Rising Prices?
