Year: 2014
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Loonies to Lawyers
In Law & Justice class, Leesville students learn about the many complicated philosophies and underlying systems and terms of American law. During the first semester, theories and practices of civil law are expounded and…
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Grease lightnin’s up the stage
On Thursday, April 10, through Saturday, April 12, Leesville Road High School’s theatre program put on a production of the ’70s musical film, Grease. Essentially, Grease is a musical about the social groups and…
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Pro-prom tips
As a three-time prom veteran, with three very distinct prom experiences, I feel as though it is important to share tips for prospective prom-goers next year. The number one tip I can share from…
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Leesville’s Health Week
As students returned from Spring Break, Leesville’s Student Services decided it was time to boost Leesville’s health – in more ways than one. The focus of Healthy Student Week wasn’t simply the physical…
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Nail salons compared
As prom season arrives, nail salons are packed. But how do you know which one to go to? After having a manicure and pedicure from both Tips 2 Toes in Brier Creek and N.V.…
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Coming of El Nino could disrupt Raleigh weather
In the winter of 2014, the “Polar Vortex” brought historic snowfall and near-zero temperatures to North Carolina. Now that sunny skies and 70 degrees have banished polar weather back to the poles, a new…
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I forgot my motivation
This is an article about procrastination: I currently cannot think of anything to contribute, so I shall wait until the creative juices churn into something brilliant and thought provoking. Shortly after, I realize that…
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Coach Smothers’ Departure: The End of a Leesville Legacy
After nine years at Leesville, including three as head coach of varsity football, coach Chad Smothers will step down. He has accepted the Athletic Director position at Knightdale High School. Smothers has enjoyed much…
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The Breakfast Club: 30 years later
“…and these children that you spit on, as they try to change their worlds are immune to your consultations. They’re quite aware of what they’re going through…” — David Bowie According to the film,…
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If you could live forever, would you?
One of our biggest fears is dying. The thought of suddenly ceasing to exist can be terrifying. Since the beginning of existence humans have attempted to piece together the puzzle that is life. With…
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Leesville participates in the NC Early Math Placement Test
LRHS became one of 261 high schools across the US to participate in the NC Early Math Placement Test. The NC Early Math Placement Test contacts public high schools across the country who may…
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Thanking our soldiers at Back Home Box
On Wednesday, April 9, a group of Leesville students went to participate in a service project called Back Home Box. Back Home Box is a non-profit organization in which people donate items to send…
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Leesville rocks at local marathon
On Sun, April 13, Raleigh geared up its first Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon and half marathon. 12,500 runners from 49 states began the race at 7:00 a.m. under perfect racing conditions. Due to the…
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What You Not Gon’ Do: 3 Of My Weird Pet Peeves & Daily Rants
One thing you should never do is ask me what my pet peeves are. You will find yourself bombarded by a list of annoyances, daily nuisances and a whole lot of rambling. I just…
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Second semester brings new English teachers
Since the departure of some of Leesville’s English teachers this year, the school has welcomed two replacements into the department. New this semester are Kyle Goodson and Andrew Brennan. Mr. Goodson, who joined the…
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When fandoms turn into unhealthy obsessions
A wall full of posters. A bookshelf full of every magazine they’ve ever been in. A calendar marked with their birthdays. Some would think, “Wow. That’s a die-hard fan,” while others would think, “That…
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Day of Silence
Last year, I wrote an article about my experience participating in the Day of Silence, which is a day of self-afflicted silence to raise awareness to the unheard voices of LGBT bullying in schools.…
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Effects of silence
Friday, April 11, the Gay-Straight-Alliance club as well as LGBTQ Leesville students and allies participated in a day of silence. Their silence serving as a symbol for the struggles LGBTQ youth endure in expressing…
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Executive council receives honor status
On the Friday, March 28, Leesville Road High School’s executive council headed up to Mount Airy, North Carolina for the Annual NCASC state convention. Seven representatives from Leesville’s executive council were chosen to attend…
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Dictators debate who’s most dastardly
Never has a more atrocious group of individuals all been assembled into one small school room. After school on Thursday, April 10 Leesville’s Speech and Debate team assembled to participate in a balloon debate…
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The times are a-changin’
Redemption begins with a fall from grace. Don Draper has fallen from grace; what now? Mad Men’s season six ended with Draper (Jon Hamm) on forced-indefinite leave and Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss), his protege,…
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The Netflix dilemma
Netflix has created a problem in America that can’t easily be solved. Thanks to Netflix, we have a new and even better way to waste our time. Thousands upon thousands of hours worth of…
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A teen’s response to “What You Learn in Your 40’s”
In the article, “What You Learn in Your 40’s,” Pamela Druckerman shares a few life lessons and gives wise tips to her younger audience, all based on her own experiences as an adult. After…
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Future trail would expand Leesville accessibility
For Leesville community members living in neighborhoods to the south of the library, park and school complex, a new route to the area’s public facilities may soon begin construction. A new 10-foot-wide path could…
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Captain America takes over the box office
Captain America: The Winter Soldier came to theaters on Friday, April 4. With $95,023,721 after just the opening weekend, this movie has taken over the box office. The Winter Soldier is the ninth movie…
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The rise of introverted leaders
The social clash between introverts and extroverts has always been present in society. This is mainly because introverts tend to rely on solitude and silence, while extraverts gear more towards social interaction and the…
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Video games are good for you
How would you like to play a game of Tetris? Most app-permitting phones give people the opportunity to play wherever they please. But the screen of a phone is a bit small, wouldn’t you…
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Keep Portlandia weird
Anyone familiar with Fred Armisen is also familiar with his odd sense of humor, indulging audiences and himself with wacky personas. Armisen displayed his personality on Saturday Night Live, and the entertainment only continues…
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APUSH pushes students for early exam prep
Spring Break and the onset of April are already upon us, and with that, AP students begin to enter a complete panic as they prepare for all of the tests they will take in…
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Exceptional art students learn Eastern culture
On Thursday March 27, Alice Zhou, artist in residence, held a workshop for some of Leesville’s art students. She taught the students, including myself, the techniques and differences in brush painting and calligraphy from…
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‘Divergent’ diverges from its predecessors
Based on the Veronica Roth’s best seller, Divergent, the movie, epitomizes the general message of most young adult fiction — you’re you, and nobody else. You can’t let them define you. Don’t let them…
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Conforming to the Model Student
School changes every one of its students. It changes some for the worse and some for the better. It changes their unique thought processes, the way they write and express themselves and even their…
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Student Spotlight: Chris Jeffreys continues to make us laugh
If you don’t know Chris Jeffreys, I know you’ve heard him. He’s had quite a successful high school career, as he’s recently won Pridefest King after hosting Winterfest last year. “I’m a real dude,…
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Model UN shines at MUNCH conference
From March 21 to March 23, the Model UN attended the MUNCH (Model UN Chapel Hill) conference. With outstanding participation at the conference, the club is now on the competitive edge among the Model…
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Mental Health Awareness and To Write Love On Her Arms
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression is the leading cause of suicide. Two-thirds of people struggling with depression never get help. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents.…
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Rain: a Tribute to The Beatles
On Sunday, March 16, Rain, a Broadway-produced cover band for The Beatles, visited the Meymandi Concert Hall in downtown Raleigh. Rain is not your typical cover band though. In a quote from a review…
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King of Late Night
Jimmy Fallon has officially taken over for Jay Leno on The Tonight Show. For almost twenty-two years, every weeknight at 11:30, on NBC, Jay Leno could be seen on the most popular late night…
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Advertising Madness
The NCAA tournament is well under way, and by now everyone’s bracket is pretty much busted, and with the help of Warren Buffett, Quicken Loans has pulled off the greatest advertising campaign in history.…
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PrideFest perspective: Why you should want it to continue
As we all know last Friday March 21, was Leesville’s inaugural Pridefest. An event that was subject both to crazy hype on part of the administration and teachers, and tons of skepticism by the…
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The extinction of standardized tests
Students groan at the mention of any standardized test. The word “test” alone will provoke a grumble, but when “standardized” is tacked to the front it’s like a school wide moan. Standardized tests fail…
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Screen time vs sleep time
The opportunity of thoughtless entertainment is enticing, especially after a long day’s work. The room is full of easy laughs and tired eyes all pointed towards the television after a tiresome day. “Screen time”…
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Camel couture: a fashion show
“OMG do you guys wanna go to a Trina Turk fashion show tomorrow night?????” was the text that changed my life on Saturday March 8. Not only is Trina Turk one of my favorite…
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Ending bully-victim relationships
What exactly causes bullies to prey on their victims and victims to allow the abuse to occur? According to “Big Bad Bully”, an article by Psychologytoday.com, the answer lies between the scientific and psychological…
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Student spotlight: Alex Hunter
The first time I saw Alex Hunter, he was walking with Russ Frazier varsity basketball coach, on the track. We were in gym class, and I was talking with senior captain Brandon Staves. “That’s…
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Men’s Lacrosse starts with a bang
This lacrosse season has begun with 4 wins and no losses for both varsity and jv lacrosse. Coach Fullbright and his teams are working together to unite as one stronger and more successful group.…
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The SAT: What does it really achieve?
In 2012, over 1.6 million American students took the SAT, but only half of those students were deemed college-ready. Cheating scandals, thousands of dollars spent on SAT prep and severely anxious students on testing…
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Who are the Paladins of the Magistery?
“A volcano can remain dormant for centuries and still unleash a fiery inferno upon the Earth”. This is the first sentence on a flyer advertising the Paladins of the Magistery, a secret organization that…
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The Life Aesthetic with Wes Anderson
Soon after the release of Moonrise Kingdom, I was talking to a friend, who graduated with a film studies degree, about movies. We discussed Scorsese’s genius–he stood by Taxi Driver as Scorsese’s best, complaining…
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City to expand Leesville Road
The City of Raleigh has finalized plans to widen a section of Leesville Road. The proposed project plan is for the portion of Leesville Road between I-540 and New Leesville Road and could start…
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Wake School Board fired up over teacher tenure legislature
The Wake County School Board met on Tuesday, March 4 to draw attention to the state legislatures plan that would affect teachers greatly. In an attempt to cut the budget a little at a…