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The student voice of Sycamore High School in Cincinnati, Ohio

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

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

The Leaf
Serene Tarabishi

Serene Tarabishi, Media Director

Hello all, this is Serene Tarabishi, a constantly-in-need-of-caffeine senior and returning writer for the Leaf. This is officially my third year here at the Leaf and I am currently in the position of Media Director. As a cynical political enthusiast, I have always had a passion for writing about and debating various political issues. And two years ago I joined the Leaf to do just that. Feel free to check out my writing to find out what sort of political debate I have found myself consumed with for the moment. I have spent my time here writing about varying international and domestic crises along with a healthy dose of art and baking to lighten an unfortunately serious mood. With politics being a major passion of mine, I can confidently say that I am aiming toward a career involved in government and international affairs, hopefully in the realm of diplomacy or foreign policy. While I do spend a great deal of my time debating varyingly dumb or serious topics, I also like to supplement this oftentimes depressing diet with comedy and satire, typically in the form of late-night to lighten my mood. You can often find me laughing at John Oliver’s new shenanigans while learning about some new obscure new subject on a weekly basis. When I’m not watching or writing about political satire you can often find me binging some new historical fiction drama series, playing with swords in fencing club, listening to some gruesome psychological horror podcasts while taking pleasant evening walks, or throwing myself into some new artistic project. All in all, I’d consider myself a pretty chill human being who’s curious about anything and everything pertaining to the world around me and more than willing to learn more. Hopefully, this will be another intriguing (and hopefully not disastrous) year of watching and discussing the world and its many issues around me and finding new ways to do my part to hopefully change it for the better.

All content by Serene Tarabishi
RUSSO-UKRAINIAN WAR. In the days after the outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian War, people around the world are quickly responding, protesting the invasion and demanding the end to Russian advances. Protests occurred outside major capitals like London, Berlin, and even St. Petersburg as citizens urge their leaders to respond to the attack and to stop the war in Ukraine altogether.

So, Russia Has Invaded Ukraine

What you need to know
Serene Tarabishi, Media Director
March 2, 2022
SPOTIFY WRAPPED. Another year, another Spotify Wrapped. However this year, it seems to be filled with controversy as to the accuracy of the rankings. Virtually every person that uses Spotify has some issue with their list, whether it is disbelief over their most listened artist or confusion about missing favorites.

[Photo] Wrapping Up Another Year

Ermaan Srivastava, Staff Writer
December 10, 2021
Black Friday. This infamous day that happens once a year has a buzz around its reputation. The rush around these deal breakers is loved by many people in America.  As soon as the Thanksgiving day meal and traditions are over, many people hurry to their local shopping centers and let the spree commence. But, it does not have to be this way for all that want a piece of the action. 

[Photo] Navigating Black Friday

Hannah Peri, Staff Writer
November 25, 2021
Graphic via Canva/Serene Tarabishi

[Photo] You Love ‘Em Right?

Anna Wegener, Staff Writer
November 24, 2021
GUILTY. On April 20, 2021, the nation watched with bated breath as the jury’s verdict in the case of State v. Derek Chauvin was read out to a silent courtroom. Learn more about the charges brought against him and the aftermath of the trial at the link below.

“We the Jury Find the Defendant Guilty”

The aftermath of the Chauvin trial verdict
Serene Tarabishi, Media Director
April 23, 2021
THE THIRD STIMULUS PACKAGE. Over a year has passed since the COVID-19 pandemic first reached American soil, and since then, economic havoc has been wrought over us all. Now, almost two months into the Biden administration, the nation is watching as the campaign promise of another round of aid is reaching Congressional floors. On February 27, 2021, the House of Representatives passed a $1.9 trillion stimulus package, voting on close party lines at 219-212 in the favor of Democrats in order to pass the controversial bill. Now we wait as the legislation enters the Senate chambers, and the future of the stimulus package is decided. Learn more about the actual contents of the package, when we might see it pass, the minimum wage deal tied alongside the ordeal, and more below!

The Third Stimulus Package

The who, what, when, where, and why?
Serene Tarabishi, Copy Editor
March 2, 2021
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.

What Happens Next?

Breaking down the question of another impeachment.
Serene Tarabishi, Copy Editor
January 12, 2021
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.

Our Notorious R.B.G.

Remembering a feminist icon, a role model, and a true American hero
Serene Tarabishi, Copy Editor and Design Editor
September 22, 2020
Bread baking may seem like a daunting task, but in all honesty it’s a pretty simple formula. As the quarantine stretches on, bakers across the country are taking shelter in the comfort provided by a warm loaf of fresh bread.

Explaining the recent bread craze

A recipe for bakers and an explanation for others
Serene Tarabishi, Staff Writer
April 24, 2020
PARTISANSHIP IN A CRISIS. These days, as the nation tests its ability to withstand a crisis, people across all party lines are coming together to help each other. During this strenuous time, many also hope that our split government will follow its constituents' example. To some extent, it has. Whether it is individual governors stepping up to aid their states, or the representatives within our Congress coming together to provide aid to their people, our government is trying to temporarily pause the blocking bureaucracy and party stalling to instead work together.

Crossing the Aisle in a Crisis

How our politics are changing with the COVID-19 virus
Serene Tarabishi , Staff Writer
March 31, 2020
VOTE. On March 17, 2020, the Ohio Democratic Primaries will be held to vote on the Democratic nominee to represent the party in the November presidential elections. The primaries are held in all 50 states across the U.S., and are divided between the two major parties, the Republian primaries and the Democratic primaries. The process is used to allow party members to decide who, out of a broad variety of candidates, will best represent their party as a presidential nominee.

Breaking Down the Presidential Primaries

An explanation for all those who don’t know what on Earth is going on.
Serene Tarabishi, Staff Writer
March 9, 2020
PAINTINGS. This water bottle was painted by Lakota East sophomore Zane Charif, a painting hobbyist who asserts that painting brings her joy and lets her express her creativity in her everyday life. She says that she discovered a new world in social media art that inspires her to paint things she never thought she could before.

Paint Your Heart Out. Or Your Water Bottle.

Serene Tarabishi, Staff Writer
February 21, 2020
PFAS are among other toxins being found nationwide in our tap water, contaminating countless waterways. Currently, Cincinnati is among many other cities who tested positive in a study on PFA pollution, containing 11.2 parts per trillion PFAS within. Studies are still being done on the effects of PFAS pollution.

How Long Will Chemicals Be in our Drinking Water? Apparently Forever.

Serene Tarabishi, Staff Writer
February 13, 2020
A rather infamous part of Australia’s bizarre fauna, the koala population of Australia is at grave risk during these fires. The creatures are slow-moving and find it hard to escape from oncoming flames. In New South Wales, the home of thousands of koalas, an estimated 8,000 bears have been lost to the blaze. Australia’s environmental minister, Sussan Ley explains that “It may well be up to 30 percent of the population in that region [was killed], because up to 30 percent of their habitat has been destroyed.”

#AustraliaIsBurning

Serene Tarabishi, Staff Writer
February 4, 2020
COFFEE ADDICT. This coffee cup may look innocent enough, but one 8 ounce cup like this contains almost 200 milligrams of caffeine, double the amount of caffeine a teen should be consuming daily. This addictive drink has become the vice of countless teenagers over the years, and only more are joining the group. “I rely on it [coffee] to sustain me and it’s just a part of my schedule now, as it’s been since the sixth grade,” says Hager Hamed, a senior who admits to being an avid coffee lover.

Wake Up and Smell the Coffee

Teens are Getting Addicted to Caffeine at Unprecedented Rates
Serene Tarabishi, Staff Writer
December 4, 2019
PROTEST. Lebanese demonstrators carry flags and signs while marching through the streets, demanding an end to their injustice. Thousands of people have shown up to march in the streets for weeks now, whether in Lebanon or around the world, to protest their treatment by the government. “This may be the biggest achievement for my generation, winning in a clash of this level with our politicians," said one protestor, said Balil. a young Lebanese engineer.

What is going on in Lebanon?

Serene Tarabishi, Staff Writer
November 12, 2019
A recently painted mural decorates the window of a counseling office, painted by a volunteer student artist.

Making School Beautiful

Serene Tarabishi, Staff Writer
October 28, 2019
The British flag waves beside the flag of the European Union in the United Kingdom.

Breaking down Brexit

Serene Tarabishi, Staff Writer
October 18, 2019
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Serene Tarabishi