The structure of Virginia Standards of Learning exams forces counties to stress state-mandated testing in unhealthy ways. All classes in FCPS are required to partake in these tests at the end of the year until the necessary credits are verified, despite a multitude of valid exceptions. The Virginia Department ofContinue Reading

Social media influences the public, especially in this election, and the online presence of a candidate is now a factor that younger voters consider before casting their vote. Popular social networking sites and mainstream media trends spread quickly and to a large audience, making it an ideal platform for politicalContinue Reading

It’s not news that Northern Virginia harbors a competitive atmosphere for high school students. Fairfax County is rated among the top school districts in the country and Marshall has been ranked one of the top three public high schools in the state according to websites like Niche and U.S. News,Continue Reading

Spraining my ankle was the worst thing to ever happen to me. Being taken out of soccer season for five weeks was heartbreaking news. There is nothing more painful than realizing that you are going to miss half the season because of an injury. The timing was unfortunate because IContinue Reading

Whenever a new movie release garners at least a semblance of anticipation, the first place that the populace turns to is not the theater anymore, it is the reviews. As more and more media platforms allow us access to instantaneous information on any given topic, forming one’s own opinion outsideContinue Reading

April is Animal Cruelty Awareness month, and the charities that focus on the prevention of that issue range from all-encompassing organizations such as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to more focused groups like Bat Conservation International. Animal cruelty prevention groups share a few core sentiments.Continue Reading

While freedom of speech exists in countries all across the world, few things are more emblematic of American society than the right of citizens to openly criticize even the most powerful politicians without fear of retribution. The libel laws that protect journalists, however, have come under fire in the presidentialContinue Reading

My time in Government was never really an enjoyable experience, stemming mostly from the fact that I often followed news and politics and felt like I generally knew the content that was being taught. However, the last time I took a Government course was in sophomore year, which was twoContinue Reading

I’ve never quite understood the idea of the proverbial rain cloud that takes residence over the head of anyone in a bad mood. In fact, it seems as though the vast majority of media portrays the occasional downpour as a negative thing, constantly associating it with bad luck or depression.Continue Reading

While class participation grades intend to raise incentive, they often promote conversations that aren’t constructive. Participation may not be the most accurate reflection of a student’s ability to absorb and comprehend material. Remarks made by students can be perceived as not meant to further the discussion, but simply to meetContinue Reading