The student voice of Sycamore High School in Cincinnati, Ohio

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Why I Am So Grateful to be Bilingual

To Gaby Pereda,12, the front door of her household provides a sturdy barrier between the two divisive aspects of her identity. On one side, Spanish is spoken to preserve her Venezuelan roots, yet on the other, the Spanish language rolls off her tongue as she steps into an English-speaking community. In her most recent article, Pereda elaborates on some of the hardships Latinx parents have faced when it comes to deciding whether or not to teach their children Spanish. In addition, she reflects on why she believes she would not be the person she is today without her ability to speak Spanish and English fluently.
A look into the power of language
January 21, 2021

The front door of my family’s house provides a sturdy barrier between the two divisive aspects of our identity. On one side, Spanish is spoken to preserve our Venezuelan roots, yet on the other, the...

What Happens Next?

WHAT’S NEXT? Only a few days after the riots on Capitol Hill on January 6, 2021, the United States Congress is growing increasingly more concerned about what their future will look like, with many different untravelled roads ahead. The question of whether to blame President Donald Trump for inciting the attacks and leading the country down the long road of a possible impeachment or removal looms ahead as the country holds its breath for Inauguration day on January 20, 2021. Whether to reprimand or punish the president or let him be. Whether to pursue another impeachment or just give him a slap on the wrist. All questions our Congress will soon face as the motions for different governmental actions begin and the clock ticks closer to the beginning of a new administration in a few short days. Read the full story at the link in our bio.
Breaking down the question of another impeachment.
January 12, 2021

   It has been six days since the storming of the Capitol rocked the nation on January 6, 2021.     And it’s been a rough couple of days, to say the least.     Only a few days after...

No motivation for virtual school: now what?

STAY FOCUSED. Is sitting in your house all day making you tired, yet you still have to go to class soon? The truth is, motivation can be hard when we aren't able to interact with our friends and move around from class to class each day. The build up on work may be hard, but we have got to push through the week.
December 2, 2020

     I have no motivation this morning and I really just don’t want to join any calls today. This might be the mindset of lots of students while doing virtual schools. Never leaving their rooms and...

Virtual Learning in College from the Perspectives of SHS Alumni

MISSING OUT. At present, many university students are spending little time on campus as some facilities remain closed or require limited occupancy. Many have opted, or are required, to attend virtual classes from home, and others remain in the confines of their dorm rooms.
December 2, 2020

  This year, virtual learning has been put in place for not only high schools, but universities around the nation. From self-paced, asynchronous modules to flipped class structures, college students...

What It’s Like to be Quarantined

QUARANTINED. Two weeks ago I was taken out of class and told that I had been in close contact with someone who recently tested positive for the coronavirus. Thus began two weeks of experiencing high school from behind a screen, and they were not at all what I was expecting.
November 13, 2020

   Two Mondays ago I was taken out of my fourth bell class and told that I had been in close contact with someone who recently tested positive for the coronavirus. This meant that for the next two weeks...

Soft Cliques

CAFETERIA CROWDS. In the SHS lunch room, you’re probably not going to find designated tables for the jocks, goody goodies, and the popular kids like in many teen movies. Instead, the lines are blurred as students have mainly become more accepting of other students’ differences. This acceptance of others is “what makes for a good atmosphere at school,” said Andrew Sulfsted, 12.
Cliques and exclusivity in high school
November 4, 2020

  The jocks. The nerds. The band kids. The goth kids. The stoners. The theatre kids. The loners.   Those are just some of the many stereotypical cliques portrayed in teen movies. But at Sycamore...

If I could vote…

VOTE. November 3, is a monumental election for the United States. Lots of Americans are heading to the polls or voted by absentee ballots prior to election day. This election is not only for the President of the United States but also for Congress, Senate, and many state level positions.
A Personal Essay
November 2, 2020

   If I could vote. If I could vote, would my vote change the outcome of the election? If I could vote, would things really be different? No.    Even though my contribution would not flip the...

TikTok remains inaccessible for deaf and hard of hearing users

October 7, 2020

   Picture this: you get home from a long day of school, and pull out your phone. You sit on the couch and open TikTok, laughing as you scroll through the entertaining videos.      Now...

Ted Lasso Review: The Power of Positivity

GOAAALLL! As American football coach Ted Lasso crosses the Atlantic to coach soccer he finds himself with stern opposition, due to the fact that he's never played nor coached the game. The Apple TV+ series
October 2, 2020

   In a year where enduring optimism may seem futile, the surprising arrival of “Ted Lasso” saved my faith in positivity. The Apple tv + show “Ted Lasso” follows American football coach Ted Lasso...

Nature Improves Homework and Health

NEW OFFICE To get a change of scenery, take advantage of the weather, and spend some much needed time outside after sitting in the same spot for six hours, junior staff member Charlotte Weiss has started to do her homework outside. Spending time outside has numerous health benefits including lowering blood pressure and stress levels. Creating a comfortable workspace that is beneficial to one’s learning is extremely important during these seemingly lonely times. Try going for a walk or doing homework outside if you need a change of pace or breath of fresh air.
The benefits of working outside
September 24, 2020

The four walls of my so-called workspace seem to get closer and closer every class while my brain gets more and more tired. As a virtual student, I have found it difficult at times to begin my homework...

Our Notorious R.B.G.

NOTORIOUS R.B.G. On Friday, September 18, 2020, we lost Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the second woman to ever be appointed to the United States Supreme Court bench and most recently a pop-culture icon among feminists and liberals alike. Thousands have already come together across the country to honor her memory in vigils and memorials, and yet thousands more are sharing their favorite quotes or memories of the wise woman herself. As we take the time to acknowledge her determination to fight for what she believed in on the Supreme Court and throughout her career, we will also dive into what’s happening next and the political turmoil her open seat has now left behind.
Remembering a feminist icon, a role model, and a true American hero
September 22, 2020

On Friday, September 18, 2020, America lost one of the most prominent Supreme Court Justices we have ever had. We lost a trailblazer in feminist work for equality, a role model for young women across the...

History repeats itself

HISTORY REPEATS. This was not the first time the U.S has invaded the personal freedoms of american citizens during a crisis for the “greater good.” How has this compared to previous instances of civil liberty violation and how has this extended quarantine affected the workforce?
May 4, 2020

   In our country's history in times of crisis, we have often given up personal freedoms in order to serve the greater good. This has happened before and it is happening now.    In 1942 during...

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The student voice of Sycamore High School in Cincinnati, Ohio
Opinion