Isabella McAllister, Newspaper Editor-In-Chief

For as long as I can remember I have had a problem with how much I weighed, what I looked like, and how other people saw me.  Beauty standards in today’s world are nothing less than harsh. They tell young boys and girls what being masculine and feminine is. They tell you what beautiful looks like in skin and bones and obsessions over losing weight. We are told mental health is a taboo thing. Girls in magazines are gorgeous as ever, and here we all are dreaming of the impossible because it is all photoshop and editing. It has never been easy being a woman either. We are told to look, act, and feel a certain way. But why do we strive to look like that? None of it is real. Why do we try to be perfect? PERFECT DOES NOT EXIST. When I was in kindergarten, I remember one thing that my classmates said that stuck with me forever. We were talking about walruses and the extra blubber that they have to keep warm. She said and pointed at my thighs, “your thighs are pudgy.” Pudgy was one...

Maxie Eller, Newspaper Managing-Editor

Last week was a nightmare. It’s only in my worst dreams that even the idea of someone storming the United States Capitol Building could have happened. Yet, on Jan. 6, supporters from the Trump rally marched to the Capitol Building. The rioters breached the building, destroyed government property, and caused mass terror across Washington DC. These actions were completely unnecessary, utterly immature, and a disgrace to the United States.  It’s hard to believe that the police and security forces weren’t aware that there was a possibility of violence. The Trump rally was scheduled in advance and the President himself had been advertising the assembly, encouraging people to come and join him. Yet, when the rioters turned their sights toward the Capitol, security forces were unprepared and overwhelmed. They should have been better prepared to defend the members of Congress from any sort of attack. Still, no one thought that anyone would actually storm the building. It’s never happened...

Liam Smith, Writer

Video games in 2020 are an odd sort. It’s arguably one of the biggest years for video games since 2013 with the release of a new generation of consoles, yet somehow it feels as though the entire industry has hit a rut. The industry as a whole raked in a little over thirty-five billion dollars last year, but this year only a measly three billion. It’s important to note that I’m writing this before the release of Cyberpunk 2077 or the yearly Game Awards, so everything I’m stating about the state of the industry could change rapidly in the weeks after I write this. However, as it currently stands, even if Cyberpunk was akin to the second coming of Christ it couldn’t stop the extreme lack of financial gain that is plaguing the industry.  This downturn has been many years in the making. Year after year, developers and publishers have slowly been growing more distant and relations between them have gotten rougher. More and more we’re seeing games get rushed to meet deadlines...

Lily Johnson, Writer

January 20, 2021

Music has evolved throughout the decades and has become an essential part of life. It can be heard in your home, local grocery store, mall, or restaurants. It’s everywhere, and it’s part of us. Each person has their own tastes in music. It can help stress, motivate us, and control the way we dress. But, how do people feel about it? 45 Heritage students filled out a survey discussing their music tastes. Pop, rap, and classic rock were the top three genre choices among our students. Everyone expressed their love for their particular taste, and why they enjoy it. “I like the music because a lot of times, the melodies are just so soothing,” Caleb Hall (12) said. “It honestly feels like it’s food for my soul.” The power of music is strong. The effect it has on the mind is incredible, as it also boosts the immune system, and can relieve pain, in a way. Each genre has a different effect on people. Heavy metal and rap can be relaxing for one person but stimulating for another....

Isabella McAllister, Newspaper Editor-In-Chief

January 13, 2021

The games were windy and cold with temperatures in the 40s. The girls put up a hard fight and continue to run across the field, despite being tired. Whistles blow and fans shout to their players. But, as the days go on the weather clears up and the players get more motivated and finish with a final win.  The varsity girl’s soccer team competed in the Waxahachie Tournament on Jan. 7-9. The girl’s team went 3-0 and ended up winning all of their games. Despite it being cold and windy the girls continued to play.  “One thing we did really well on is increasing our possession and unselfishness with the ball,” Paisley Mabra (9) said. The girls use opportunities like these to improve together as a team.  “Though we definitely make lots of shot opportunities for ourselves, actually capitalizing and making our shots is one this we could improve on,” Brynn Pollock (11) said. Even though the varsity team played and is currently doing really well, they always believe...

James Hoekstra, Writer

January 12, 2021

There are Confederates in the Capitol. I repeat, Confederates in the Capitol. On Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, the Capitol Building was overrun by Trump supporters, many carrying anti-American symbols such as the Confederate flag. The rioters killed Brian D. Sicknick, a Capitol officer. He was one of five deaths including an Air Force veteran. At some point on Wednesday, these rioters had left two pipe bombs in the building. Thankfully, the police recovered them safely. And Heritage has strong opinions on the matter. “These people are absolutely childish, rioting because they didn't win and get what they want,” Natalie Redhair (12) said. “I was just dumbfounded that Americans would be stupid enough to do this.” When looking for the cause of these shocking and deadly riots, many a finger point to the president. “This happened because Trump’s followers insist he won and he adds fuel to the fire,” Paige Issacs (10) said. “Trump kept egging on his followers until the...