Category: opinion
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Andretti’s new karting and games
On May 19, 2026, Andretti’s Indoor Karting and Games opened a brand new location next to Top Golf in Brier Creek. Andretti’s is a nationwide chain of high-tech indoor go-karting tracks. The company is…
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Songs, artists and albums that remain my “most played”
Music is a big part of my life and has been for a long time. I enjoy listening to all different genres of music, but most notably country, indie folk, and pop rock. What…
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Is Olivia Rodrigo’s newest song “the cure” any good?
“the cure” is Olivia Rodrigo’s latest single, released on May 22, 2026. It is the second song released that will be featured on her upcoming album, “you seem so sad for a girl so…
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How do I feel after junior year?
As the school year wraps up, everyone finishes their current grade and prepares for the next one. For me, this year is personally exciting as I finish junior year and look forward to senior…
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What makes exchange student applications so difficult?
For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to travel and explore the world abroad. Studying abroad wasn’t just a random thought; it was a dream I had for years. But…
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Why should you join Mock Trial?
LRHS Mock Trial is a club for Leesville students to participate in North Carolina’s annual Mock Trial competition, as well as to improve their public speaking, collaboration, and legal skills. As well as competing…
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Is Coachella just as good through a screen?
As I scroll through the Coachella lineup on my phone, I realize the closest I am getting to the festival is through a screen. I can watch every clip, every livestream, and every outfit…
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How to Survive Junior Year
After 185 days of junior year, I can confidently say that junior year is hard. Everyone hears the stereotypes that junior year is the hardest year of high school because of standardized testing, but…
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Is the Arby’s hate train valid?
Recently, if you’ve been on social media — especially TikTok — you’ve definitely seen the Arby’s hate train. On TikTok, the major fast-food franchise Arby’s has been associated with Rod Wave, with the classic…
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Senior reflection through the eyes of my journal
“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” – Winnie the Pooh I have spent the bulk of my time at Leesville in room 240. In the constantly changing…
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Are YOU Burnt Out?
As the school year wraps up for students, the final weeks before the last day of school can feel like they drag on and on. Personally, as a former “gifted student,” these last weeks…
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Why is traveling so popular in 2026?
Travel has become one of the most popular ways for people to experience new places, cultures, and activities. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a week-long international vacation, traveling allows people to get away…
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Are the new McDonald’s drinks actually worth the hype?
McDonald’s has been a household name for years, whether you think it tastes good or bad. Recently, they released six new drinks: Sprite Berry Blast, Strawberry Watermelon Refresher, Dirty Dr. Pepper, Mango Pineapple Refresher,…
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What is the best birthday to have?
It has been a constant debate for as long as time what time of year is the best for a birthday. Everyone believes that their birthday is the best, but what really is the…
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Is CORTIS the new K-pop?
Big Hit Music’s newest powerhouse group, CORTIS, has officially solidified its status as the music industry’s next global leaders. After debuting on August 18, 2025, the group made history with their first EP, Color…
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Is the Red vs. Blue Button debate really as simple as we think?
Back in late April 2026, user Tim Urban (@WaitButWhy) posted a random question on Twitter (now known as X) that broke the internet and started a massive online war. He asked: “Everyone in the…
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Are gym classes at LRHS actually helpful?
At LRHS, gym classes are one of the easiest parts of the school day. Many students describe gym as a “free class” because it’s easy to pass and doesn’t add a lot of pressure…
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How was Spring Break 2026?
Spring break started on March 28 and ended on April 6, spanning just over a week. Spring break marks the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth and final quarter…
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What’s it like having your parent work at your school?
Have you wondered what it would be like if one of your parents taught at your school? As someone whose parent taught dance at their middle school, I will be the first to admit…
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Am I ready for junior year?
I am in the final month of sophomore year, and it’s starting to dawn on me that in a couple months I will officially be upperclassmen. I’m in that sort of middle stage where…
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Marty Supreme: the good, bad, the just okay
With social media being a huge part of human interaction, when a film blows up online, it doesn’t feel like a regular movie anymore — it feels like it’s something that you’re supposed to…
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The double standards for pop girls
Thinking about pop music in its totality, women have led the genre for as long as it has been around. Icons such as Madonna, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, and countless other artists have…
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Is 2026 shaping up to be a rap music goldmine?
Every year, dozens of artists release new music for their fans to enjoy. The first quarter of the year has already been a gauntlet for hip hop, with many highly anticipated and long-awaited albums…
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The Drama movie review
The Drama is a romantic-comedy-drama film released on April 3, 2026. Produced by A24 studios, it depicts the week leading up to the wedding of Emma (Zendaya) and Charlie (Pattinson). *NOTE: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS.…
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Who are the most underrated artists of 2026?
Every year, new artists quietly change the sound of music without getting the spotlight they deserve. Their songs are in our late-night playlists and blow up on our For You pages, but their names…
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Why are college tours important?
Deciding where to go to college is one of the biggest decisions a teenager can make. There are many different factors to consider when deciding which college is best for each person. College tours…
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Popular concerts in 2026
In Raleigh, venues like Red Hat Amphitheater and PNC Arena are hosting a wide variety of concerts. Artists like Sam Barber, Zara, and Noah Kahn are all coming to Raleigh as part of their…
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How was the Charlotte Zach Bryan concert?
On Saturday, April 18, 2026, Zach Bryan performed at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. This was one of his many shows on his tour, “With Heaven on Tour,” named after his…
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What are the benefits of studying with music?
When it comes to studying, everyone has their own unique way of going about it. Some people prefer peace and quiet to concentrate, while others need that relaxing background music to fill the silence.…
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The week before spring break; exciting or stressful?
In my opinion, school seems like such a debby downer before break. And you get to thinking, “wow spring break is coming up! But I have a whole essay due the day I get…
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Is it weird to dress up for holidays?
When you’re in high school, there are many unspoken societal rules that most teenagers try their best to follow. Nobody wants to get made fun of, so most people stick to the norms. Yet…
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What are the benefits of interactive classes at Leesville
Every high school student has sat in a class where the teacher lectures in front of a slidedeck for the entire period. You look around the room and see someone asleep, someone staring off…
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Why Artificial Intelligence needs to be regulated
You’re probably sick of hearing about AI. Everywhere we go, it’s AI this and AI that, with some people saying it’s the greatest thing ever, and others chastising its use. No matter how tired…
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Lets talk about the Oscars
On Sunday, March 15t the biggest names of 2025’s fantastic cinematic year gathered at the 98th Academy Awards. This past year was one of the most competitive years for actors, directors, writers, and designers.…
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Duolingo: the worst language app out there
I hate Duolingo. I am an avid language learner, and I devote at a minimum 10-15 minutes per day to practicing and studying a multitude of languages. Amongst the community of language enthusiasts, there…
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How to get a girlfriend in 2026 (5 better tips)
Getting a girlfriend in the year 2026 is one of the most daunting things a high school boy can conquer. As a girl myself, I worry about the drought of charm found in our…
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Is a lot of homework really beneficial?
Every night, students open their backpacks and pull out their folders, but most of us probably have the same question: How much homework is too much? Homework is great for helping students better understand…
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Scream 7: not the movie fans expected
A Disappointing Return For The Franchise As someone who usually enjoys the Scream franchise, I went into Scream 7 genuinely excited to watch it. The Scream movies are known for shocking Ghostface reveals, stomach-turning…
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What places are the best to buy prom dresses?
Prom season is one of the most exciting times of the school year, and can be one of the most stressful parts because it can be very difficult finding the perfect prom dress. Between…
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Should winterfest be a new tradition?
Spirit weeks, football games, and Homecoming often cluster in the fall, leaving the colder months feeling quiet and routine. That’s where the idea of Winterfest comes in. Winterfest could be a mid-year celebration designed…
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What is the best season for sports?
What would you do if you had to run a 100 meter race in below freezing temperatures? Leesville offers many different sports between the fall and spring seasons. But what time of year do…
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Conan Gray’s Wishbone World Tour
Indie and synth pop artist Conan Gray is currently touring to promote his fourth studio album, “Wishbone.” The Wishbone World Tour is his second arena-level world tour, and he is stopping in major cities…
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I Finally Watched Singin’ in the Rain and Here are My Thoughts
Singin’ in the Rain is a 1952 movie musical comedy that society widely considers to be a classic because of its performances from the lead actors as well as its fun and upbeat soundtrack.…
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Is a traditional or a year-round calendar better?
In North Carolina, one of the few states where both traditional and year-round calendars are widely used, students and families often find themselves choosing between two very different approaches to the school year. Traditional…
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What are the best jewelry brands for teens?
Jewelry is very popular among high school students. It’s not just something you wear to a formal event or special occasion. Necklaces, rings, and bracelets are now part of daily outfits, whether that’s a…
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Parke Sweater overrated
Parke is a clothing brand that was founded in 2022 by Chelsea Parke Kramer and started with upcycled denim. The brand has gained a lot of traction on numerous social media platforms for its…
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Dress to Impress Review
Dress to Impress is a game on an app called Roblox. I had heard about Dress to Impress from a couple different people throughout the years but I had never given into the propaganda…
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Leesville EF educational tour opportunities
Enrollment has opened for the upcoming EF Education Tours available to students at Leesville Road High School. These independent travel opportunities, taking place in the summer of 2027, allow students to earn high school…
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What is the controversy of the Ticketmaster Wars?
For many music fans, going to a concert used to be simple. You waited for tickets to go on sale, logged on at the right time, and purchased your ticket. Now, buying concert tickets…
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Who deserved to win the Grammys 2026?
On Sunday, February 1, the Grammys were held in Los Angeles. Music stars like Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny, Tyler, the Creator, Lady Gaga, and more were nominated for their respective songs. New artists like…