Math Tracks in School, And Optimizing Student Success

Hayoon Song

In 2021, high school students in the United States were declared third place in math and science competitions. However, in a recent international exam, the US ranked 31st out of the 79 countries that participated. So, what was the reason behind such a big difference in performance?

The Impact of Music

Sofia Angileri

“Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife.” -Kahlil Gibran. When we put in our earbuds and pull up Spotify, we submit to the influence of music and the magic that it is. The lyrics and the rhythm entrance us, and take us somewhere abstract.

Android vs Iphone

Arushi Garud

In today’s world, over 66% of people own smartphones. That amounts to a total of 5.22 billion people. Of this number, there are 3 billion Android users, and 900 million iPhone users. In the United States, there are currently more than 113 million iPhone users, and a grand total of 133.4 million Android users. Both phones are popular and have many loyal users. And both phones have their pros and cons to owning and using them. Which begs the question; which type of smartphone is better, Android or iPhone? 

Rise of Thrifting

Manasi Sugath

Thrifting has quickly become one of the most popular activities for teens to partake in with their friends. The idea of getting cheap, lightly used clothes has progressively become more and more mainstream. With the amount of shoppers calling out different companies and brands for their usage of child labor and their contribution to fast fashion, people are eager to find more sustainable alternatives for their shopping needs that not only are better for the environment but are also preferable for those against the employees of these companies being overworked and underpaid. Places like Savers, Crossroads, and Plato’s Closet are becoming very well-known as the interest in thrifting increases.

Our Society Is Prejudiced – And We’re To Blame

Natalie Bachman

If anything, history has proven time and time again that the human race is prejudiced. Whether it be racism, sexism, religious hatred, or homophobia, many people express unwarranted hate toward those who are different from themselves. Prejudice, although rooted in psychological phenomena, has evolved in its delivery over the years, and it is more important than ever that we educate ourselves to prevent the spread of dangerous ideals.

Mental Health: Being Happy Teenagers vs Stressed

Krishna Nidhin

When people think about high school, they tend to think of exciting, energetic, teenage years. But, some also start to think of stress, worry, and degrading mental health. That’s because, despite all of the fun that high school can bring, many people are not in a good state of mental health due to all of the pressures and stress high school causes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey, “more than 1 in 3 high school students had experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2019, a 40 percent increase since 2009.”  

Quizlet Is No Longer Free…Here’s Some Alternatives

Haley Lee

Quizlet, unarguably the most prominent of all study websites, recently moved half of their features to their premium subscription, named Quizlet Plus. We’ve always known Quizlet Plus was the realistic way for Quizlet to earn a decent income. We’ve also dealt with the bright ads that, ever so often, avert our attention from the learning for the sake of keeping the features we have free. But Quizlet has gone too far in their recent update just last August of 2022, when they drastically limited access to two of their four total features: “Test” and “Learn.”

Navratri

Anu Venkatesh

Over the past two years, many things have been put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic: traveling, hosting parties, spending time with friends and family, to name a few. To add to the already long list, Navratri, one of the largest and most popular festivals in India, has faced many changes in the way it has been celebrated. 

Reflections With Mrs. Butler

Maitreyi Bharath and Noya Chirashnya

Mrs. Butler has accepted a new position at the district office starting next year. In this podcast, two of our staff writers – Maitreyi and Noya – interview her about her experiences at Leigh.

Please note that the transcription beneath this podcast has been edited for length, clarity, and grammar.

The Power Of Yoga

Anne Kearns

As students, it can seem like we are constantly stressed and tense with anxiety about homework, tests, friendships, and countless other things. Luckily, there is an easy and efficient way to decrease stress and improve overall well being: yoga.