One of the best things about IB classes is that they tend to favor meaningful essays and projects over the nightly “busywork” that many students are accustomed to. But one of the worst things about IB classes is that they swamp students with these essays and projects, seemingly with littleContinue Reading

As the four-day weekend approaches, students are finding more to look forward to: football games, warm pumpkin pie, buttery mashed potatoes and of course, the highly anticipated annual turkey dinner. Thanksgiving has been a long-standing American tradition, so let’s take a moment to think about how it all began: It’sContinue Reading

The annoying thing about writing about Robin Thicke is that it gives him exactly what he wants: more publicity. When Diane Martel, director of the “Blurred Lines” video (as well as the video for Miley Cyrus’s “We Can’t Stop”) was asked where she came up with the concept for “BlurredContinue Reading

At the 2008 Emmy awards, Tina Fey introduces the glowing and then-pregnant Poehler with “when are you due?” Poehler jokingly responds: “How dare you, I’ve gained weight for a role.” Five years later, the punch line is still hard-hitting. Actors continue to gain and lose tremendous amounts of weight inContinue Reading

About four days before Statesman Start this summer, I got a phone call from my counselor. The problem, she explained, was that one of my classes didn’t fit into my schedule. But when she told me which class, I realized it wasn’t actually a class I’d signed up for. ItContinue Reading

Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg’s book Lean In has held the top of the nonfiction bestseller list for eight consecutive weeks. Her treatise on modern feminism is being read and discussed everywhere.

Through personal anecdotes and scientific research, Sandberg supports her argument for increased female engagement in the workforce. While her stories and research enlighten, her arguments can feel a bit cliché, a bit vague. Her titular recommendation to “lean in” is the vaguest recommendation of all.

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Imagine spring break in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Sandy beaches, beautiful sunsets and endless sight-seeing. The reality: conference rooms, crisp collars, notepads, pens and lectures. I was gifted with the most eye-opening and unexpected trip of a lifetime.

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A few weeks ago some students were with me after school completing an essay. When finished, one student expressed dismay at how far Marshall High School has dropped in the U.S. News and World Report rankings. In 2012 Marshall was ranked #3 in Virginia and #55 nationally, Gold Medal status.Continue Reading