Mac Fleming IV, Writer

Politics are in every facet of our lives, whether we like it or not, either consciously or subconsciously influencing the world around us. Politics affects many aspects of our society even when there is no direct correlation. What we’re taught, what we learn, why do we learn it? These things directly affect how we feel about things and how we view the world. It influences and can even change the way we think. Art is nothing more than our thoughts and feelings put into the creative medium of our choice to reflect our own reality in some facet. Art is just our mind channeling what we know and what we feel into another space for a different interpretation, which is why art and pieces of art can mean many different things to many different people. It reflects what you have lived and why you lived that way. Art has always been a reflection of the artist's reality, even ancient cave paintings can tell us that much. Unlike those cave paintings, modern lives are not only infinitely complicated...

Lily Johnson, Writer

Obviously, anxiety has increased in all of us during the pandemic. Isolation, limited things to do, and virtual adaptations to work have stressed us out. I take medication for anxiety, and I’ll admit that I had to go up on my dose a couple of times. Mental health is a very important subject that cannot be looked over but often is. It’s serious and too relevant to just push to the side. Mental health issues show physically as well. It has an impact on our bodies. Grief has made a mark on my body during this past year. Most of the time can tell when someone isn’t okay, so you should always help when you do notice it. Many people have lost loved ones due to the virus, and other health issues as well. Suicide and domestic abuse rates have sadly increased during the pandemic. Your friend might need help, and maybe your sibling too. Talk to your mom or dad, because they have feelings too… they may need your help. We all do. So many people have lost loved ones over the past year, but...

Maxie Eller, Newspaper Editor-In-Chief

2If this year has taught me anything, it’s that the media is fueling the fire of political polarization in America. Watching the news, all I hear is “we” or “them” in accusatory tones laced with malice. This year has been a trying time for American democracy, and even as the country pushes for unification and justice, our politics grow further and further apart. It’s awful and needs to stop. More people, especially those in power, need to take responsibility for their actions. All politicians do is deflect. The blame for their actions either falls completely on someone else or on an opposing party. It’s completely the Democrats’ fault. Or maybe it’s all the Republicans’ fault. Not all Republicans are the same. The same can be said about Democrats. Political parties were created to give people with similar (NOT the exact same) ideals a place to collaborate and express their thoughts. They weren’t created to be separate armies on a political battlefield.  George...

Marco Villarreal, Writer

October 14, 2021

The existence of types of men such as a lone wolf type like Sigma Males has proven to be a highly controversial topic among Heritage High School students. Differing opinions on the usefulness and morality of this classification system emerged from students, illuminating the intriguing and debated nature of this strange system. “I do not agree with the premise of male types,” Sterling Martinez (12) said. “While most archetypes apply to classic depictions of men in media, they fail to hold up in real life. They have little to no real nuance, representing no one in any meaningful sense.” Men in western society have adopted terms used by scientists for wolves like ¨alpha¨, ¨beta¨, and many others. Although the idea of wolves having set roles and attitudes that can be easily classified has been demystified and debunked, the prevalence of male roles and types in American society has persevered and evolved. ¨Most males could be categorized into a half dozen types,¨ Cooper...

Maxie Eller, Newspaper Editor-In-Chief

October 7, 2021

Paper flowers hypnotize in a vibrant display, their colors dazzling passing onlookers. Women in traditional gowns smile and twist their skirts in an elaborate dance. A band in the background plays lively music on guitars, trumpets, and violins. Sept. 15 marked the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month: a month that, according to the Library of Congress, is for celebrating the “the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.” “Hispanic Heritage Month means that we, as a nation, have the opportunity to celebrate the contributions that Hispanics have made in this country,” Spanish teacher Cristina Gomez-Jiminez said. “I have always valued my culture and my traditions, which is why I celebrate being a Latina every day.” The tradition first began in 1968 in California as Hispanic Heritage Week to commemorate the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. Since then,...

Julia Alley, Newspaper Managing Editor

October 6, 2021

Stirring up discussion all across the internet, Gabby Petito’s disappearance has created a public outcry, taking the nation by storm. On Sept. 11, 22-year-old blogger Gabby Petito was reported missing after not returning home from a several month long cross-country road trip. The trip was planned and carried out with her fiance Brian Laundrie, who returned home alone and has now disappeared as well. The case is now classified as a homicide after the remains of Petito were found in Grand Teton. “I think the case became so popular online because she was already a blogger,” Evelyn Smith (11) said. “Knowing that she died and then looking at her social media from days before makes it really interesting.” Speculation surrounding Brian Laundrie and his current missing status is also prevalent. It’s unconfirmed whether or not he may have been involved with her death, but police currently describe him as a “person of interest.” “I definitely think it’s a little bit...