Swimming for McCaskey as a Freshman during COVID-19
On Tuesday January 12, the McCaskey swim team had our first meet of the season. As a freshman and a beginner in the sport, I was nervous. The idea of being on a swim team never crossed my mind until I was convinced to join, but it has been a truly great experience. Because this is my first year on the swim team, I have … Continue reading Swimming for McCaskey as a Freshman during COVID-19
Why Did This Happen?: The Psychology of the Capitol Riot
On Wednesday, January 6, 2021, as Congress performed the perfunctory procedure of certifying the electoral college votes that would confirm Joseph Biden as President-elect, an armed mob of thousands of Trump supporters who believed the President’s false claims that he won an election he decisively lost invaded the Capitol building. They were state legislators, veterans, conspiracy theorists, and members of dangerous, far-right organizations such as … Continue reading Why Did This Happen?: The Psychology of the Capitol Riot
It’s Official: We’re Going Back
The School district of Lancaster board meeting on Tuesday, January 12, lasted for nearly five hours. The overwhelming majority of public comments, from teachers, parents, and administrators, and students alike, voiced the opinion that kids need to be back in school for academic, social, and economic reasons. Many invoked the theme of equity: if other schools are in-person, what does it say about us if … Continue reading It’s Official: We’re Going Back
Democratic Victories at the Georgia Senate Runoff Elections
A lot of big events took place the week of January 4, 2021. Among them were the Georgia Senate Runoff elections, which occurred because neither candidate in the Senate race received more than 50% of the votes cast. In the running for the one of the two senate seats available was democratic candidate Jon Ossoff, who faced off against Republican incumbent Senator David Perdue. The … Continue reading Democratic Victories at the Georgia Senate Runoff Elections
All About the Sunrise Movement and How You Can Get Involved
Gen-Z is, without a doubt, the activist generation. You see it on your Instagram, where your friends and peers repost in support of Black Lives Matter and educate their followers on everything from Roe Vs. Wade to The Paris Climate Accords. You see it in the streets, too, according to Business Insider, nearly 77% of our generation participated in a protest this summer after the … Continue reading All About the Sunrise Movement and How You Can Get Involved
The Case for Prison Abolition
As a teenager, Brandon Bernard fell in with the wrong crowd, and at 18, he was an accomplice in the murder of two youth ministers, Todd and Stacey Bagley, setting fire to their car and possibly killing Stacey. Brandon’s age made him eligible for the death penalty, and he remained in a 6-by-8 foot cell on death row for 23 years, praying, crocheting, and playing … Continue reading The Case for Prison Abolition
Generation Click
Our generation has been turned into instant gratification junkies, with social media becoming our drug of choice. We all know the feeling of scrolling aimlessly for hours, whether it be through Tik Tok videos, instagram posts or Snapchat stories. But how did we get here, and how can we fix this problem. Social media companies make money off of clicks and views. Social Media is … Continue reading Generation Click
Lack of Motivation: Virtual Learning’s Biggest Hurdle
In the state of Pennsylvania alone, over 12,000 people have died due to COVID-19. The nation’s death toll has exceeded 300,000. Since March 13, schools across the country have been forced to operate in completely virtual environments, bearing the brunt of responsibility while a majority of businesses and establishments are permitted to fully reopen. Many McCaskey students have not set foot in the building since … Continue reading Lack of Motivation: Virtual Learning’s Biggest Hurdle
The Pandemic is Back, Now Stronger Than Ever
At this point, there is not a doubt in anyone’s mind that the Covid 19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the year 2020. It has affected nearly every aspect of our lives. From grocery shopping, to travel, to work, school, and relationships, nothing feels normal. Schools closed and went online, businesses shut down, and some countries went into strict lockdowns. COVID-19 subsided somewhat … Continue reading The Pandemic is Back, Now Stronger Than Ever
Lancastrians Gather to Protest Voter Suppression, Celebrate Election Results
On Wednesday, November 4, as Americans waited anxiously for election results, hundreds of Lancastrians congregated at Penn Square, protesting the two Republican County Commissioners’ decision to delay counting mail-in ballots. Many attendees wore sweatshirts, beanies, and masks reading “Count Every Vote.” Nearly all of the eight speakers, who consisted of local clergy, politicians, and organizers, decried voter suppression and excoriated what they saw as local … Continue reading Lancastrians Gather to Protest Voter Suppression, Celebrate Election Results
School board: Elementary Schools return to virtual for remainder of 2nd marking period
“These are some of the most difficult decisions that I’ve ever had to make in my life,” said Board President Dr. Edie Gallagher at the November 17 School District of Lancaster board meeting. “We receive tons of letters from parents who want their kids to be in school, and from parents who don’t want their kids to be in school. And from teachers who think … Continue reading School board: Elementary Schools return to virtual for remainder of 2nd marking period
A Second Wave of Covid Canvassing in Lancaster City
“Lesson for next time: bring tape.” It is 11 AM on Saturday, November 14th, and Lancaster Mayor Danene Sorace is attempting to affix a COVID-19 awareness poster to the front door of Kiammy’s Grocery + Deli at 76 Howard Avenue. As part of a continued effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and promote awareness amid an alarming fall increase in cases, the City of … Continue reading A Second Wave of Covid Canvassing in Lancaster City
McCaskey Students Present Before City Council
“We are a dedicated group of young adults working to improve our community and learning how to be successful citizens; teaching that all people, no matter how young, have roles to play in leading the community.” These words, spoken by McCaskey Junior Destiny Ponce at the November 10 Lancaster City Council meeting, perfectly sum up the mission and purpose of the McCaskey Neighborhood Leaders Academy. … Continue reading McCaskey Students Present Before City Council
Gentrified? The Ethics of Thrifting
Have you ever found the most amazing winter jacket at a thrift store? Have you ever taken the time to consider the impact of that action? You may have taken a jacket away from someone in need, but you also could have prevented it from going to the landfill. Thrifting has become a trend for many, but others rely on it to survive. The argument … Continue reading Gentrified? The Ethics of Thrifting
The Queen’s Gambit – Making Chess Cool
When an older friend recommended I watch “The Queen’s Gambit,” the recent seven-episode Netflix series about a troubled female chess prodigy, I was skeptical. Chess? It sounded esoteric, boring. But I ended up bingeing the entire series in one weekend. I never expected a show about chess to be so utterly compelling. Set in the 1960s, the show revolves around Beth Harmon – played by … Continue reading The Queen’s Gambit – Making Chess Cool
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