Category: Opinion

Review: ‘EX’ proves P1Harmony is ready for a broader stage

by Liddia Waterbury

P1Harmony’s EX hits with a bold pop attitude and unfiltered confidence, pushing their artistry into a more daring era.

P1Harmony’s debut album, Disharmony: Stand out, is edgy, masculine, has a superhero-like concept, and is heavily rap-oriented. Contrastingly, EX explores relatable emotions like self-doubt, empowerment and features strong synth-pop sounds. This album is designed to be catchy and features a more melodic vocal focus.

As P1Harmony’s first full English album, EX is filled with bright energy and excitement. The group shifts from its signature hip-hop edge into pop-rock anthems and electronic vibes, creating a fresh sound. This electronic feel coincides with the retro Game Boy theme of the album.  

An all-English release from this K-pop group isn’t unexpected. The leader, Keeho, is Canadian, and Jiung and Jongseob already speak English fluently. Even members, such as Intak, Theo, and Soul, who are still developing their English skills, have demonstrated strong motivation to continue learning. 

As well as being their first English release, EX is P1Harmony’s ninth mini album, featuring five songs. With this album, the group clearly aims to expand their global audience, connect with international listeners, and highlight their creative growth. 

“EX”, being the first track in EX, is 2 minutes and 53 seconds long and is built around synth-pop and crisp digital sounds. This track blends “80s synth pop” with modern pop elements. It’s a catchy song with a clear message of independence, self-respect, and empowerment, with the lyric, “Every girl deserves to have her exploration, have a little fun without an explanation.” Even though the track has a clean production, it lacks depth or distinctiveness lyrically and melodically.

“EX” also has a Spanish version, which keeps the same upbeat, catchy sound. It doesn’t change the vibe of the original. Hearing it in Spanish makes it feel fresh and exciting. The members handle the language well, and it’s clear they are trying to connect with more fans around the world. It also shows P1Harmony’s creativity, exploring Latin-pop. The track is fun to listen to and a cool choice for Spanish-speaking listeners.

The second track in EX, “Dancing Queen,” is 3 minutes and 31 seconds long. The members deliver strongly with clear vocals, like “their voices soar.” This song is light-hearted, romantic, and is about being captivated by someone dancing. It also tells a simple love story. This shows with the lyrics, “Just keep on dancing queen, you’re so sweet. You put a spell on me.” It sets a fun tone and energy for the album. However, the lyrics are straightforward and kind of familiar.

Similarly, “Night of My Life” has straightforward lyrical content. This song is the fourth track of this album, and it’s approximately 2 minutes and 12 seconds long. It arrives toward the end of the record, functioning as a kind of feel-good, carefree moment. The lyrics are quite simple, though there is variation to the members’ typical vocal roles. It’s about enjoying the night and letting go of tomorrow. The sound is light and energetic, evoking a crowd-friendly feel. Yet, the song sounds like a “less-inspired version” of what P1Harmony can do. 

“Stupid Brain,” the third track in EX, is 4 minutes and 2 seconds long. It has a mellow, reflective sound and captures the frustration of being stuck in your own head. The feeling shows with the lyrics, “Just turn it off, Just for a day, cause I don’t wanna live a life, tryna hold on while it’s slipping away.” The vocals carry emotional weight, allowing listeners to feel the overthinking and unease. This track isn’t flashy, like the big singles, but you can return to it when you’re in a quieter, more meditative mood. So this track is more relaxed than exciting.          

Over the five years of producing music with FNC Entertainment, P1Harmony reached a huge milestone. EX showcases the group’s intent to connect with a global audience and experiment with new genres, including pop-rock and Latin pop influences. EX also serves as a central theme for P1Harmony’s large-scale P1ustage H: Most Wanted world tour. 

With the tour, this album was released in various formats, including mini-album versions, Vinyl versions, and member compact versions. The mini-album versions, In-Game and Game Lovers, are both available for $31.99 each at Target. The Vinyl version can be found at Target for $29.99 and Barnes & Noble for $31.99. The compact CDs have a version of each member and are $19.99 each. All of these items can also be found online on multiple websites. 

EX proves that P1Harmony isn’t afraid to take risks and redefine their sound. Their mix of catchy pop energy and fearless lyrics shows how much they’ve grown as artists. Each track carries a sense of freedom and ambition that matches their bold new direction. With this album, P1Harmony steps confidently into a new chapter, ready to connect with fans around the world. 

Album Review Chart

Album Title: EX

Artist: P1Harmony  

Released: Sept. 26, 2025

Number of Songs: 5

My Grade:  B

by jhshyphen

Review: Atmospheric pop meets honest storytelling in MUNA’s debut

by Chloe Newton 

MUNA’s debut album About U, released in 2017, is a neon-lit diary of heartbreak, self-discovery, and resilience. It doesn’t feel like just discovering an album; it feels like a moment in time, like standing on a city rooftop at midnight, overwhelmed by possibilities.

MUNA is an American indie-pop trio formed at the University of Southern California. The members Katie Gavin, Naomi McPherson, and Josette Maskin combine shimmering synth-pop production with deeply emotional lyrics, often exploring LGBTQ+ identity, trauma, and empowerment. Their music exists in a bittersweet space between crying on the floor and dancing through the pain.

The opening track, “So Special,” immediately sets the emotional tone with a questioning vulnerability — “Now I know I’m not so special,” a line that conveys a sense of genuineness and rawness, leaving listeners feeling seen. 

Graphic by Chloe Newton.

“I Know a Place” rises like an anthem for belonging: the powerful and hopeful chorus “I know a place we can go/Where everyone’s gonna lay down their weapons” sounds like an offering of safety and strength. In early 2018, MUNA released some acoustic versions of their songs, including “I Know a Place.” The shift was not just musical – it was political and emotional. The United States was coming out of the second month of Donald Trump’s first term in office, a time when fears around LGBTQ+ rights, immigration, and civil liberties were heightened. 

Many queer people and allies felt a renewed urgency to protect one another and speak out. In this acoustic version, it carries a sharp accusatory tone: “Even if our skin or our gods look different/I believe all human life is significant/I throw my arms open wide in resistance/He’s not my leader even if he’s my president.” The adjustment is powerful, and instead of focusing on harm already done, the new line turns toward collective resistance and resilience. This version also stripped away the glittery pop polish of the original. What remained was raw voice, raw emotion, and raw community, almost like a rally cry whispered directly into the listener’s ear. Releasing this version when they did made the song feel like a response to the moment one of MUNA’s first moments, where they leaned into visibility, encouraging their listeners to stay loud. 

Meanwhile, “Winterbreak” is icy, aching, and melodic; it captures the sting of someone who lingers in memory like cold air through a cracked window. The repeated confession “This is the love that we won’t get right”  feels painfully honest to listeners.

The standout emotional knockout comes in “If U Love Me Now”, where the lyrics depict a painful struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts, when MUNA is questioning if they are “deserving” of love and expressing a desire for their partner to leave, as heard in the line “If you love me now/ You should just let me leave.” This gives the song intimacy and a heavy feeling, but ultimately a very hopeful and important message on the exploration of mental health within a relationship.

This album to me felt like peeling back the layers of some heavy emotions- the songs explore uncovering pieces of identity, vulnerability, and power. They move between quiet introspective thoughts to glittering liberation, a duality that makes the listening experience personal and immersive. 

Some production elements blur together mid-album, creating moments where tracks sound sonically similar. However, the emotional clarity and lyrical depth keep the record grounded. 

Available on streaming platforms; physical CD copies generally retail around $10-$15 USD depending on the store and edition. 

This album discusses trauma, heartbreak, queer identity, and emotional vulnerability. The suggested sensitivity rating is PG-13 for emotional intensity and mature themes.

About U stands out with sincerity-an electrified love letter to survival, vulnerability, and chosen identity. A debut that does merely introduce MUNA, but invites listeners into a shimmering, earnest world of healing.

by jhshyphen

Review: Texas Roadhouse sets the stage with southern style

by Cherish Brown and Kaylin Bowman

“Legendary food, legendary service.”

This is the motto of a restaurant that most definitely blew us away with its Texas-themed atmosphere and incredibly delicious food. Texas Roadhouse! Texas Roadhouse is one of the great restaurants out there. Its first location opened in Clarksville, Indiana, in 1993 by Kent Taylor. The vision for Texas Roadhouse began with a dream sketched on a cocktail napkin, a dream that was soon turned into the reality that we are reviewing today.

The Texas Roadhouse we visited was 757 Lewis and Clark Parkway, Clarksville, IN. Let’s start with the looks. This restaurant is Texas-themed, and they definitely rose to the occasion. With country music in the background and an armadillo for a mascot, we’d say this is the most southern place we’ve been to.

When we got inside. It was quite busy. There were people in almost every booth. We walked through the sea of customers and got to the line to get our seats. Cherish gave them her number, and we waited for a text to let us know we could proceed to our seat. We waited and walked around the mall for about 45 minutes, and then we finally got the text. That was actually pretty good for the large number of people there.  

When we got to our table, they started us off with our drinks and asked if we wanted any appetizers. When our waiter arrived, he was very energetic and full of joy to be serving his customers, and it was a pleasure to have him as our waiter. When our waiter first came to our table, he complimented Cherish’s hair and made us laugh a lot. We had a great time with him and the other waiters in the restaurant.

We both got our drinks, Cherish got a lemonade, and Kaylin got a Dr Pepper. They were both about 4 dollars. They offer many different drinks, including Coke products, lemonade, sweet tea, and water. Ages 21+ can hang out in the bar, where they have margaritas, cocktails, beer, wine, and their famous margarita “The Legend.”

They started us off with complimentary rolls and peanuts as soon as we arrived at our table. The rolls were nice and fresh and came with two types of butter, regular and cinnamon. When Cherish bit into the roll, it burned her mouth because the rolls were so hot, but overall, they were really amazing.

When our food came to the table, it was nice and hot as well. Kaylin got the Chicken Critter dinner for $14.49, and Cherish got a kids’ mac-n-cheese for $5.99. According to Kaylin, the chicken was crispy, juicy, and flavorful, and Cherish’s mac-n-cheese was cheesy and rich,  surprisingly good for a kids’ meal. We both had fries as one of our sides, and Kaylin had corn, too. The fries were so hot they burned our mouths, but they were nicely seasoned.

Overall, the food was really good, the rolls were amazing, and we enjoyed our stay there. When it was time to pay, we both paid half; Kaylin paid with a card, while Cherish paid the rest with cash. Everything was excellent. The staff was nice, the food was spectacular, and the atmosphere was amazing. The only complaint we had was that the floors were a little dirty. Other than that, we had a great time with Texas Roadhouse’s legendary food and legendary service.

Restaurant Report Card:

The Place: Texas Roadhouse

Address: 757 Lewis and Clark Parkway, Clarksville, IN

Phone: # 812-280-1103

Hours: Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri-Sun 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m

Reservations: https://www.texasroadhouse.com/order/action/waitlist 

Food: A+

Service:  A++

Accessibility: A

Our Grade: A+

by jhshyphen

Review: ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ is a great, sad movie

by Gabriella Kraft

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a very emotionally intelligent movie. You need that emotional intelligence to fully understand the movie and grasp what’s happening as the movie gets more intense.

This film is a single movie with no sequel. It follows Charlie, played by Logan Lerman, who is going through a lot as a freshman, suddenly being befriended by two outgoing seniors, played by Emma Watson and Ezra Miller, who begin teaching him what life is really about.

Director Stephen Chbosky has a habit of making emotionally intense movies; for example: Wonder, Nona, Dear Evan Hansen, Rent, and the live-action Beauty and the Beast. These are all very emotional, high-tension movies.

The film is set in a Pittsburgh suburb in Pennsylvania and cost $13 million. The musical score of the film goes perfectly with the movie; all the song choices fit very nicely. I liked how well they show Charlie’s anxiety, PTSD, and his slowly coming out of his shell and back into it. However, I disliked how they are seniors, and he’s a freshman; it feels like they are grooming him, especially in certain scenes.

It’s a very popular movie with a motion picture and sensitivity rating of PG-13. To showcase how popular it is, some reviews from Rotten Tomatoes say, “I think for the first film this guy who wrote the book and has adapted it for the screen has done a terrific job, and I really found these characters sympathetic.”

“The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a heavy, heavy book. It contains some of the hardest moments that teenagers face,” stated another critic. “I also think that there’s something so incredibly special about this book that every adult can understand.” 

There were some bad reviews, but “some” as in 2 or 3. There are a rare few who don’t like this movie, and I think it’s because they don’t fully understand it. They may have watched it too young, or they simply think it’s too heavy a topic to be in a movie. Either way, it’s a great movie to watch if you need a good cry or if you just need a really good sad movie.

Some of my favorite quotes from the movie are “We accept the love we think we deserve”, “Things change. Friends leave. Life doesn’t stop for anybody”, “ And in that moment, I swear we were infinite”, and “I would die for you. But I won’t live for you” I feel like quotes really grasp what this movie is trying to convey and just how heartfelt it really is.

I watched this movie at a young age, when I couldn’t fully understand what was going on. But as I rewatch it when I’m older, I fully grasp what’s happening now. It’s such a good movie that I feel like everybody should watch it at least once in their life. It’s crazy what age can do to someone’s understanding of certain subjects.

Movie Review Chart 

Movie Title: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Starring: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller

Director: Stephen Chbosky

Writers: Stephen Chbosky

Rated: PG-13

My Grade: A

by jhshyphen

Column: Recent government shutdown harmed students and families

by Tyler Conley

In the United States, a government shutdown occurs when Congress cannot reach a deal to pass a funding bill before the deadline. After the deadline, the government shuts down, and some federal employees are laid off, while others work without pay. 

This may not seem detrimental to students and families, but the 2025 Government Shutdown, the longest ever at 43 days, put a hold on many necessities. 

The Trump Administration planned for mass firings, despite the illegality in doing so, mainly for governmental positions; the firings were planned to be permanent even after the shutdown ends. Over 900,000 federal employees were laid off, and another 2 million worked for 43 days without pay. The Trump Administration stated their goal was to downsize the government and cut costs, but what isn’t taken into consideration is that many families lost their only income.

The government also funds food programs, such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), commonly known as food stamps. These programs are protected by contingency plans, but those become strained in later stages of a government shutdown, and even afterwards. Benefits do not come back immediately.

On Oct. 24, Brooke Rollins, The U.S Secretary of Agriculture, claimed in a memo circulated through the Department of Agriculture, that the contingency funds for SNAP are for natural disasters and not for government shutdowns. This put over 42 million Americans at risk of losing their benefits during the shutdown.

National school lunch and breakfast programs will suffer a similar fate, as they are on contingency plans as well. This will affect anyone who needs government assistance for food, and will leave many families hungry through any shutdown.

“A shutdown is more than just a disagreement on funding. It’s an emergency that needs proper attention and action taken.”

In addition to SNAP losing funding, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children will also be in trouble, even with the attempts from the Trump Administration to keep it afloat. This will put over 7 million pregnant women and new mothers in danger of not being able to feed their infants and buy necessities for their families.

The longer a shutdown lasts, the more programs that the nation relies on will fall. The Trump administration did the bare minimum to keep funds for necessary programs, and flat out refused to work with Democrats to fix this issue. They also didn’t tap into contingency funds to help keep food aid for millions of families. 

A shutdown is more than just a disagreement on funding. It’s an emergency that needs proper attention and action taken. Some people live off the programs that were and still are currently at stake, and as President, Trump needed to address the issue before it’s too late.

The Trump Administration came to an agreement to pay active military personnel, but still did not find a way to feed people who cannot eat. The priorities of the Trump Administration do not align with the problems that we as people are facing. 

I personally have family members who work in government who are struggling financially because they had to work without pay. Making people work normal hours and maintain the same level of integrity even while receiving nothing in return is disrespectful.

Even after the government shutdown has ended, the aftermath still lingers. SNAP funding is slowly making a return, but not in a timely fashion. Funding is still going to suffer long-term and families will still experience issues at the end of the year.

Republicans claimed that the shutdown is due to democrats wanting to protest against republicans instead of making a compromise with them. This is simply just false. Now that an agreement has been reached to end the shutdown, it’s very clear that the democrats were being as cooperative as possible without hurting the needs of families. 

Republicans planned on cutting funding for certain programs, including health care. They say the subsidies for the Affordable Care Act should not be tied to the immediate funding bill, and should be discussed later. However, Democrats were not being uncooperative as a power play. This was a move to try and save millions of families and give them the life they deserve.

by jhshyphen

Column: Immigration policies hurt people contributing to our nation

by Dana Romero Regalado

It’s Nov. 5, 2024, and to many, that day was a countdown to tragedies for many immigrant families. 

I come from an immigrant family, like many children in America. Many come to America because it’s known as “The Land Of The Free.” They leave everything they know behind, everyone they love, their homes, and their culture for a better future for themselves or their children. 

“I kept thinking: this is for my baby. This is for my family. I want to help them live a smoother life,” stated a Filipino woman in a 2025 Reuters report.

“Aliens,” that’s what they’re called. Living human people, no green skin, just people who look different and have a different shade than the “American Ideal.” However, these “aliens” have significantly contributed to the U.S. through science, business, and culture, supported by studies on their economic and educational impact.

Graphic by Dana Romero Regalado.

For example, immigrants are highly represented in STEM fields, with 86.5% holding at least a bachelor’s degree in 2019, compared to 67.3% of U.S.-born STEM workers. Data also shows that immigrant-founded companies, such as Google, and 40% of Fortune 500 companies, were founded by immigrants, highlighting their entrepreneurial drive.

“The high-skilled immigrants we have in the U.S. are incredibly productive and innovative, and they’re disproportionately contributing to innovation in our society,” said Larry Diamond, a professor of economics at Stanford Graduate School of Business and senior fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR).

Being born as a Gen Z has helped me see how cruel the world is if you don’t fit the “ideal” image in America. I remember being terrified that I would go to school like any other day and come to find out that my mother was taken away — a hardworking woman who has her own business, hardworking employees by her side, and most importantly, a woman who would do anything for her two kids. 

To many children, that has become a reality. In 2018, it was estimated that 4.4 million U.S. citizen children were living with at least one undocumented parent. A significant number of these citizen children have been separated from a parent due to detention or deportation. A 2025 American Immigration Council report highlighted that nearly half a million U.S. citizens under 18 had at least one parent deported between 2011 and 2013.

“Government, please show some heart, let my parent be free with everybody else, please…” she said through sobs. “…My dad didn’t do nothing. He’s not a criminal,” stated 11-year-old Magdalena Gomez Gregorio, who tearfully begged for her father’s release. 

Many say that politics shouldn’t be part of conversations, that they shouldn’t be talked about because it doesn’t affect “anyone.” That’s beyond the truth; it just doesn’t affect them. Politics isn’t just about what you believe is “right” or should be “done.” It directly affects people and their lives.

Politics has a huge impact on immigrants and their everyday lives. The laws and policies created by political leaders often decide whether immigrants feel accepted and safe, or isolated and unwanted. Immigration policies can determine who gets the chance to build a better life, reunite with family, or even stay in the country they now call home. 

When political debates turn harsh or unfair, immigrants often become targets of discrimination and fear, even though most of them are just trying to work hard and create a future for themselves and their families. 

The system is failing the people they swore to protect, holding people illegally, and for a sum of money. Even local law enforcement officials, including Clark County Sheriff Scottie Maples, are holding ICE detainees at the Clark County jail.

So yes, who you support or follow does matter to me because it affects a community that is close to my heart, and it directly reflects the person you are and your morals. If the roles were reversed, would you still believe in your morals? Would you still say or think that they deserve this if they were your family? Or if they were your kids?

“Our attitude towards immigration reflects our faith in the American ideal. We have always believed it possible for men and women who start at the bottom to rise as far as the talent and energy allow. Neither race nor place of birth should affect their chances.”

Senator Robert F. Kennedy

by jhshyphen

Column: Public transportation can improve the beauty of our communities

by Rain Gresham

In this day and age, all we focus on is ourselves. But if you just took the time to stop and look around, you would see the beauty of people. The beauty of community. 

An estimated 28 million people use public transportation. That’s roughly 8% of the U.S. population and despite this, mass transit is in danger of losing its footing. 

During the pandemic, when people stopped using federal transportation and other infrastructure of economic importance the government put the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (or CARES Act) into place in March of 2020. 

Graphic by Rain Gresham.

This act was a 2.2 trillion economic stimulus, and 25 billion of that was allocated to the protection of public transportation; it was followed by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act later in the same year with 14 billion more dollars.

Then in March of the following year the “American Rescue Plan Act of 2021” was put into effect via a giant 30.5 billion dollar relief fund to the same cause.

Though over the four years since this, that 69.5 billion has been exhausted. It wouldn’t necessarily be a problem except for the fact that they never truly recovered from the pandemic rider-ship wise. Without the funding it is truly impossible for public transit to continue running effectively and fruitfully.   

I’m sure you’re wondering “Why should I care?” I mean we go everywhere with our parents, we have our own cars. What does public transportation have to do with us?

Everything, because public transportation isn’t just about buses or trains; it’s about the people.

The dad going home to his kids, the nurse on her way back from a long shift, the student just trying to get home early enough to eat dinner with her family. Without these little things, these quiet connections that bring us together, what are we? If not held together by the glue of these everyday moments, we are a shell of a community.  

We need to fight for this because who else will. So what can you do? 

You can give it your attention. Take the bus instead of calling an uber or door dash. Every ride counts even if it’s just once in a while. It may seem silly and useless because what can one person do? But that’s how change starts with one person taking initiative. 

Showing that you care, care enough to help the drivers keep their jobs, enough to help systems stay funded, and enough to show the people in power that this isn’t a lost cause 

Sure, we can’t vote. We’re not adults? But we are not children either, we can use our voices as little as it might seem. It makes a difference. 

Bring the problem to the forefront of people’s minds. If you can’t make them care, at least make them think.

by jhshyphen

Column: There’s always a chance

by Brea’Lynn Clark

Navigating life as a teenage girl is already hard enough, trying to control all of our emotions. Losing my brother to  drug overdose has added layers of  feelings I never thought I would have to feel. Drug awareness isn’t just a cause to me. It’s a personal mission I set upon myself . I’ve seen first hand how the shadows of drugs can just  pull you under, and I want to shed light. 

Growing up my brother was light and joyful. He was my protector, the person I would run to. Growing up we would  lie for each other. Tell on each other. We just  did things only siblings would understand. We would play and get  mad at each other. Everything was perfect. It was just me and him and my mom against the world. 

Everything changed whenever we got older.  The once happy spirit I saw with  bright eyes, was now replaced by sadness and dull eyes. I never pushed myself to know what was going on, unaware of the battle he was struggling with behind his faded smile. 

The turning point was the first time he overdosed. A 15 year- old boy lost his life that day and he was never the same again.  The paramedics saved him and I had never seen my brother cry like he did. The strong person I would call whenever I needed was no longer him.

Everything changed after that. It was a constant cycle no matter what. It was a life of fear for everyone around him not to know if he would be here the next day. My mom would beg him to go to rehab. She would do everything that a mother can to make it better for him. I know he saw that.

 “Drugs were my first love.” Those were words my brother said in a letter he wrote while in jail. Drugs aren’t a joke. They are an addiction and they take you away from people who love you. 

At  the end of the cycle after over a dozen overdoses,  he lost his life on June 8, 2025. I know he felt pain and I know he felt struggles. Maybe by reading my story you will take the lesson as this. Don’t do something that may  make you not live  to see another day. There is always a chance and you don’t get  lucky every time.

by jhshyphen

Column: We can control anxiety one step at a time

by Kori Washington

I overthink everything.

You could ask me the simplest question, and it might take me a few minutes to answer. And I always think of the worst that could happen. Sometimes I jinx myself because it does end up happening. That’s why I stick to activities that are within my comfort zone — so I don’t have to stress myself out. Still, sometimes I think that my anxiety is what holds me back from gaining new life experiences.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/children-mental-health/data-research/index.html. Graphic by Kori Washington.

But that’s not even the worst part about it. My anxiety has also caused me insomnia, which has played a big part in my life, especially when I was younger. I remember my fourth-grade year. My grandmother had passed away, and that really took a toll on me because she was my best friend. So that summer was the first time I started having sleeping problems, and that was also the year I had my first depression episode. 

I can remember it like it was yesterday – the long nights, the feeling of nothingness, and the worst part of it all was that I lost interest in activities that I used to enjoy. For example, I didn’t go outside anymore to play with my sisters or friends, and I just stayed in bed all day, even though I couldn’t sleep. I had no motivation to do anything else. However, after a few months of feeling that way, I finally got the help I needed, and I went to talk to someone.

But the crazy thing is, to this day, some people believe that teens shouldn´t have anxiety because they think that teens don’t have enough life experience to be unhappy or stressed. But according to the World Health Organization, “One in six people is aged 10–19 years. Adolescence is a unique and formative time. Physical, emotional, and social changes, including exposure to poverty, abuse, or violence, can make adolescents vulnerable to mental health problems.”

This proves that out of all people, we teens have the most to worry about. We have to worry about our looks, grades, and social life while also planning for our futures.

But if we don’t worry about these issues, then we’d be irresponsible and unlikable, which causes us more stress because everyone wants to be liked, and if someone tells you they don’t, they’re lying because every person wants to feel loved or cared for by someone. 

In the end, my experiences with anxiety have taught me that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed and that it’s a common struggle for many, especially during our teen years. While I often overthink and worry about the worst outcome, I’ve been working on trying to see the better side of life.

It’s important to remember that everyone faces our own battles, and that reaching out for support is okay. By doing this, I’m starting to try new experiences, one step at a time.

by jhshyphen

Column: Build a future where everyone feels safe and valued

by Emmaley Sanders

In today’s society, the growing amount of hate directed at Christians is a troubling issue. Many people, especially younger individuals, experience discrimination and unfriendliness based on their faith.

This bitterness often stems from misunderstandings and stereotypes that paint Christians in a negative light. Whether it’s derogatory remarks in schools, exclusion from social circles, or targeted harassment on social media, the impact of this hate is profound and damaging. It not only affects the mental well-being of those targeted but also contributes to a culture of division that undermines our collective humanity.

Furthermore, the picture of Christianity in mainstream media often extends negative narratives that fuel the hate. Exaggerating stories that focus on radical behaviors overshadow the values of compassion, love, and acceptance that are central to the Christian faith. As a result, many young Christians feel excluded and isolated, battling a struggle to claim their identity in a society that sometimes seems unaccepting.

“Let’s commit to supporting one another, embracing our differences, and creating a culture where kindness overrules hate. Only then can we hope to bring a future where everyone feels safe and valued, regardless of their beliefs.”

It’s essential for all of us—regardless of our personal beliefs—to challenge these narratives and promote a more balanced understanding of what it means to be a Christian today.

To counter this growing hate, we must build an environment of open dialogue and mutual respect. Schools, communities, and even online platforms should encourage discussions that promote understanding and empathy. By standing together against intolerance, whether it’s directed at Christians or any other group, we can build a society that values diversity and encourages acceptance.

Let’s commit to supporting one another, embracing our differences, and creating a culture where kindness overrules hate. Only then can we hope to bring a future where everyone feels safe and valued, regardless of their beliefs.

by jhshyphen

Column: We must be the change to save our environment

by Harper Gordon

We are actively destroying our planet and we need to stop. 

As someone who wants to go into marine biology, climate change with animals is a very important topic to me and should be to you, too. Thinking about it now it doesn´t seem to matter but this is the plant we are inheriting. Over 100 million ocean animals die in a year. On average that’s 227,777 per day.

Graphic by Harper Gordon.

How does climate change affect ocean animals? Specifically whales and turtles? 

Climate change affects ocean animals through rising ocean temperatures, leading to habitat loss and migration; ocean acidification, which impairs shell and skeleton formation; and deoxygenation, creating “dead zones.” These changes disrupt food webs, alter migration patterns, and increase stress on many species, with some, like coral reefs and ice dependent animals, facing an especially high risk of extinction.

Whale Sharks

Climate change affects whale sharks by altering their food sources and forcing them into dangerous waters, increasing their risk of ship strikes.

Whale sharks are filter feeders whose diet primarily consists of plankton, krill, and fish eggs. They also eat small fish and squid. Despite their massive size, they consume these small food sources by swimming with their mouths open, filtering large quantities of seawater to strain out their prey.

Sea Turtles

Climate change affects sea turtles by causing more females to hatch due to warmer sand temperatures, leading to skewed sex ratios that threaten future reproduction. It also disrupts their food sources, alters migratory patterns, and endangers nesting habitats through rising sea levels and increased storm intensity. These combined impacts pose a severe threat to their long-term survival.

A sea turtle’s diet varies by species, with some being carnivores (like Loggerheads eating crabs and conchs), herbivores (like adult Green sea turtles eating seagrass and algae), or omnivores (like Hawksbills eating sponges or Olive Ridleys eating a mix of plants and animals). Other species, such as Leatherbacks, are specialists that primarily eat jellyfish and sea squirts.

As a person going into marine biology this is a big issue to me. We live our normal everyday lives acting like our earth isn’t crumbling and it is not acceptable. As an adult I plan to attend UCLA. So I can be the change I wish to see. 

We can and should all work together and be the change.

by jhshyphen

Column: High school athletes use social media to build on their success

by Spencer Robinson

The impact social media has on up-and-coming athletes 

From being an unknown hooper to now having a combined 600,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram sounds ridiculous. That’s exactly what undersized class of 2026 guard Troy Hornbeck did in the span of a few months.

In his videos Hornbeck has a series called “Road to D1.” Here, Hornbeck posts the day in the life of someone trying to make it to the Division One level. Being at the height of 6 ‘2 Hornbeck everyday makes sure he puts himself out there for college coaches all over the world to see.

Hornbeck is a great example of why social media can change athletes’ lives for the better.

Another basketball league that’s generating major buzz all over social media is the new league located in Atlanta, Georgia called “Overtime Elite.”  Overtimes’ whole goal is to boost an athlete’s rep and get them in front of the eyes of the biggest and best coaches in the world.

Overtime has accumulated 1.3 million followers on Instagram alone. Their media has set their high school athletes up for major success on the court and financially with the minimum salary being $100,000 a year. NBA players Amen and his twin brother Ausar Thompson have roots with Overtime. This is an example of how putting yourself out there can help you play at the highest level like the Thompson twins.

Also, the use of social media for young athletes teaches them core professional values.

True sport

  • Social media with athletes boost a player’s name, image, and likeness.
  • Athletes can keep up with the professional athletes in their respective sport and learn from the people at the highest level.
  • More opportunities for coaches to easily access your highlights and learn more about you. 

So, the next time you see Hornbeck’s “Road to D1” vlog or you look on Instagram and see Overtime hosting the best high school athletes in the country, know that these athletes are setting themselves up for a bigger and brighter future.

by jhshyphen