Opinion Writing


Women’s erasure from history hinders of women’s emancipation


“Woman is the Other; she is defined and differentiated with reference to man and not he with reference to her ” said Simone de Beauvoir, in “The Second Sex”. Throughout history, women’s stories have been told with very apparent undertones of insignificance, women’s place and role as historical figures has always been demerited in some way or another, by simply being reduced to placeholders for male achievement. The purposeful ignoring of women as a whole, and to disregard them of any actual significance has opened up a space and initiated a pattern of patriarchal storytelling, furtherly embedding sexism into our culture, and more importantly history.

This cycle of erasure continues to haunt our culture and can be seen through the misattribution of accomplishments, as was the case for Sofonisba Anguissola, one of the most astonishing Italian renaissance painters whose work got …
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Why sunscreen is so important in preventing skin diseases


Wearing sunscreen is crucial when trying to maintain your skin’s health. Just applying the recommended amount of at least one ounce of sunscreen covering your body from head to toe, according to the FDA, by applying every two hours can help prevent long-term damage. Sunscreen serves as a barrier that absorbs harmful UV rays. By wearing sunscreen, you reduce your risks of sun damage significantly. 

Sunscreen also helps prevent sunburns which increases the risk of developing skin cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. When it comes to maintaining your  health, it’s so important, not just for your insides but for the overall health of your skin as well. 

Some of sunscreen’s  other benefits are that it helps with hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and even helps prevent crepey skin. The sun may also promote …
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Unleash your inner cat whisperer: The purr-fectly strange secrets to attracting feline friends


By Devin Hodge

If you’re a cat  lover and want to attract these adorable feline creatures towards you just read this and you’ll be a master cat whisperer. There are tons of ways to help create an incredible environment for those fuzzy creatures. While cats have their own unique personalities and preferences , here is some general information to 100% attract them.

Give the feline some food and water because cats are naturally drawn to places where they can find any substances like chicken nuggets. From my experiences with attracting wild cats I’ve used McDonalds chicken nuggets and it never fails. Multiple times me and my friend would walk down the streets with chicken nuggets and all the cats in the area would follow us. Just the smell of one nugget is enough to encounter at least three cats.

Devin Hodge …
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Being famous is NOT a talent


In the era of Kim Kardashian, Trisha Paytas, and Alix Earle, many celebrities these days are simply famous for being famous, no talent required. But why is this now getting normalized to not only adults, but kids as well. Being famous is not a talent, and being famous for being famous is ridiculous.

First, it sets an unbalanced standard. When fame prioritizes notoriety over accomplishment, it sends a message that anyone can be admired, regardless of what they contribute. This overshadows the hard work and dedication of those who earn recognition through genuine talent or acts of service. Especially with the introduction of reality TV shows like “Jersey Shore” or “Love Island.” Although those shows may be entertaining, the “stars” gained their fame for being ridiculous.

Second, momentary fame can be a recipe for disaster. People’s image of fame can crumble quickly …
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Physical books offer a more personalized experience than eBooks


The debate between physical books and eBooks has gone on for years since the first e-reader came out in 1998, however, it has never come to a clear answer as to which one is truly the better choice. Books have been around for centuries and have only evolved more and more from when they were being printed onto rocks.

Personally, physical books are much more appealing than the alternate choice. They have many more advantages than eBooks do in several ways. 

In a study posted in The Guardian, they found that “readers using a kindle were significantly worse than paperback readers at recalling which events occurred in a mystery story.” As well, an article in Classical Conversations reported that physical books will more likely train you in the skill of deeper reading, giving them an upper hand to eBooks. 

While owning physical copies …
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“American Scar” showcases stark ecocide behind U.S.-Mexico border wall


Bright blue sky. Blustering wind. Beautiful Arizona desert. And an explosion,

ripping up through the land above. The sight is so absurd it could be mistaken for CGI, but none of what you’re about to see is fake; far from it. 

“American Scar” is a mini documentary just over 13 minutes long. Released on April 30, 2022 and directed by Daniel Lombroso, it details just how bad Trump’s wall is for the wildlife living there. Testimony from conservationists is interspaced with drone footage from photographer John Kurc, and the film bears witness to the natural beauty marred by the 458-foot-long, 30-foot-tall wall of steel bollards. 

A frame from “American Scar”. It depicts the wall, and the canyon blasted into the mountain for its path.

More than seventy different species of animals and plants are endangered by this wall. In the film, there’s …
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Fast fashion is too good to be true


Fast fashion isn’t what it seems to be. The Center for Biological Diversity stated that the fast fashion industry is responsible for as much as 10% of global carbon dioxide emissions. This fact is honestly ridiculous to me. No matter what way people will try to twist it, possibly arguing the cost efficiency, the numbers are still insanely high. No price tag should be worth the slow demise of our earth; especially because it’s polluting the oxygen we breathe.

Fast fashion affects even those who don’t indulge in it. The effects of fast fashion are linked to habitat degradation, climate change, and impacts on terrestrial and aquatic environments. The atmosphere is 62 miles above us, how are we affecting somewhere that far up?  It honestly baffles me that we can be so destructive to the point of destroying a place only …
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Gen-Z has dominated the English language: We have gyatt to do something!


What the sigma is going on? From Baby Boomers to Gen-Alpha, the English language has expanded, but not in ways that are thought. The recent generations of Gen-Z and Gen-Alpha have added new words to their vocabulary. Some of these words include gyatt, sigma, skibidi toilet, fanum tax, rizz, sus and cap. The list goes on forever.

The latest slang has many people confused and curious. Where did this come from? Where did my child learn this? According to the LA Times, “ because of the development of the internet, and especially social media platforms like Twitter and TikTok, we are suddenly exposed to an unprecedented variety of linguistic variation.” Social Media has had an extreme impact on the recent generations especially in how they speak. They do and say what they see online. It’s addicting and causes an influence on …
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Documentary “Puffling” for those braving the uncertain


Birta, a teenager in Vestmannaeyjar, prepares to hunt for lost pufflings. Jessica Bishopp documented her dedication in this hopeful, reflective short film.

A teenager wielding a cardboard box, out in the dark hours of the night, eyes surveying the darkness under the nebulous glow of a yellow street light.

I recently watched “Puffling,” a short film by Jessica Bishopp that deals with coming of age and the theme of uncertainty, which, as a rising senior in high school, deeply resonated with me. 

The documentary follows two teens, Birta and Selma, on their mission to save baby puffins in Vestmannaeyjar, an archipelago in Iceland. Pufflings use moonlight to find their way to the ocean, however, as more city lights appear, an increasing number of fledglings have mistakenly landed in an urban jungle. Thus, venturing out into the city, scouting for lost pufflings, …
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School system creates mental health concerns


by Molly Mullen

When it comes to the causes of mental illness in today’s age, social media is the first thing that gets blamed. Yes, it can lead to illness due to the effects of comparison, editing apps, and more, however there are even more causes right in our backyard.

Senior Maya Collins at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy stresses over a summer assignment in the Indiana University commons area. Photo by Molly Mullen.

High schools have been persistently adding more and more pressure on students, sometimes without even realizing it. Advisors push resume building, perfect grades, volunteering and extracurriculars, which is helpful to some students. However, these constant suggestions can add on to already full schedules for students. Especially with the environment commonly referred to as a “pressure cooker” at Holy Trinity, there is constant stress on every student to attend …
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