Category: opinion
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The Angus Barn: an honest review of Raleigh’s “Favorite” Steakhouse
If you have lived in Raleigh for more than 20 minutes, someone has likely told you “you HAVE to eat at the Angus Barn.” Maybe it was your neighbor. Maybe it was your coworker…
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Junior year: the hardest part is not just school
When people hear about junior year, they instantly complain about it being the most challenging year of high school or dreading the year to come. Usually, that is attributed to a rigorous class load…
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Mean Girls Lied to Me About Prom
Today’s prom feels more like a flashy photoshoot than a magical milestone. The more we try to make prom “perfect”, the less magical the night feels. (Photo courtesy of Kevin O’Brien)
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Are relationships in high school important?
Two students in a relationship walk side by side, enjoying a moment between classes. They share a conversation and catch up on each other’s day.(Photo courtesy of Emerson Swope).
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The sterotypes vs realities of high school
While Leesville doesn’t have singing ensembles running throughout the halls, the school is decorated with many prideful elements. Leesville has many banners containing the school colors and the school motto. (Photo credit- Maren Uria).
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Do energy drinks actually work?
Energy drinks are very popular with high school students. They provide caffeine, which helps students stay awake and remain more focused when in school or work. But, is this really true? Or is it…
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Comparing Universities: ECU, Wake Forest, WCU, and UNCW
Over the past few months I have visited a few universities and taken tours. The Universities that I have visited so far are: Eastern Carolina University, Wake Forest University, Western Carolina University, and University…
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THE BEST Party games to fill the silence
When you and a group of friends finally get together it can be hard to figure out what you want to do to make the time pass. While party games have slowly died down…
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Reviewing self-titled Malcolm Todd’s album
About Malcolm Todd Malcolm Todd is a young and upcoming singer-songwriter from Los Angeles, California. He began self-releasing music in 2022, at the age of 18. In 2023, his music began going viral on…
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2000/2010’s TV shows are the best
The 2000’s and 2010’s were a fantastic time for TV shows. Shows like Gossip Girl, Gilmore Girls, One Tree Hill, and Grey’s Anatomy became famous and are still extremely popular. I believe that shows…
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Why it’s okay to not have your next 40 years planned
Every teenager gets asked a million questions about their future when they go over to their Aunt Marie’s house for Thanksgiving. You just want to enjoy a meal, but instead get bombarded with questions…
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How old were you when you knew what job you wanted?
When in kindergarten, someone most likely asked you, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” For many of us it was fun and imaginative: firefighters, doctors, singers, or dancers. However, as…
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From computer screens to the cinemas: A Minecraft Movie
On April 4, 2025, A Minecraft Movie arrived on the big screens all across the US. The movie, as revealed by the title, is based on the well-known video game, Minecraft, by Mojang Studios.…
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Is Leesville High school a safe space for students?
When sending their kids to school, many parents have the underlying fear that something might happen to their children when away. Whether that may be breaking a bone, weather issues, or school intruders, Wake…
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What is the best bathroom on campus?
Leesville’s bathroom issues first started in May of 2023, and two years later, they still haven’t been fixed. It all first started in the summer before the 2022-23 school year when the new fire…
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The effects of the BMI scale on teens
A Body Mass Index(BMI) chart, identifies height on the x-axis and weight on the y-axis. Each color represents the space in which weight is considered healthy or unhealthy. (Photo courtesy of Creative Commons)
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Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins: Book review
Sunrise on the Reaping is the much anticipated fifth installment of Suzanne Collins’s bestselling series The Hunger Games. The book follows Haymitch Abernathy, a side character from the original trilogy, as he attempts to…
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Should you take the SAT or the ACT?
Test scores have historically been an important part of college applications. Even though they were made optional during Covid-19 years, some colleges are making it mandatory again. The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and the…
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Why should high schoolers read
Reading is a popular pastime enjoyed by a range of age groups around the world. It has numerous benefits, even for high school students, but it’s rare to see high school students reading books…
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How to get through rejection season
The months of February, March, and April can be hard on some high schoolers; they can get cut from spring sports teams, rejected from college, or even turned down by a potential prom date.…
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Which is better: staycations or vacations?
Spring break this year takes place from March 29 to April 6. During spring break, students get to take a break off from school in between the 3rd and 4th quarter. Over this break,…
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What makes a good high school teacher?
Great teachers do more than just explain lessons — they inspire, support, and challenge their students to reach their full potential. Whether in a math classroom or history lesson, the best educators create an…
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Best beverages to keep you cool in the summer
Frozen drinks are both delicious and refreshing. Follow along to discover the best ways to beat the summer heat. (Photo by Kaylee O’Brien)
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Is AP art worth taking, is it good or Bad?
An AP art piece from my portfolio. A heart in melting ice being stabbed by a knife. (photo courtesy of Abby Crawford)
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Solo Travel as a Teen: Is It Really Possible?
When I first decided to fly solo as a 14-year-old, from booking the flight to navigating the airport I never imagined how accessible and empowering solo travel could truly be. It wasn’t just about…
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Pros and cons of the LRHS school schedule
Leesville Road High School operates on a structured daily schedule. Each school day is divided into four class periods, with each period lasting 83 minutes. This block scheduling allows for longer time in classes…
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The Best stores to Shop for Spring Break clothes
As spring lines start to come to trending shopping brands, people rush to begin their spring/summer shopping. Common shopping centers in the Raleigh area include Crabtree Valley Mall and Brier Creek Shopping Center (Photo…
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Is The Body Keeps the Score a good book?
The front cover of The Body Keeps the Score, and is next to a flipped version of the cover. (Photo created by Abby Crawford)
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Does slang affect teachers’ communication with students?
Every generation has their own slang, from the groovy boomers, to the rad gen x-ers, and the basic millennials. Each generation creates their own language, which the previous generation struggles to keep up with.…
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Binge-Worthy or Bust: What Students Are Watching Right Now!
For a long time now, television has been a main source of entertainment for the general population. With hundreds of shows released yearly, people have many choices of shows to indulge in. Teenagers in…
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Is Playboi Carti’s “Music” a masterpiece or business strategy?
On March 14, 2025, the rapper Playboi Carti released his third studio album, MUSIC, which his fans had anticipated for almost half a decade. Featuring 30 songs and appearances from other well-established artists like…
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Should sophomores be allowed to go off campus for lunch?
At Leesville Road high school, juniors and seniors are able to leave the school during their lunch period, if they have a pass. The rule at our school is that sophomores and freshmen are…
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Traditional vs year-round school schedule: which is better?
All schools want what’s best for their students. This means figuring out a well balanced and manageable schedule for the students, as well as teachers. There are two different types of schedules to pick…
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Defining popularity as a high school student
Being popular is something many people, especially high school students, strive to be. High school students often define popularity by social influence, recognition, and fitting in with their peers. Popular students are typically known,…
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Are energy drinks that bad for you?
Alani Nu is a very popular energy drink brand. Alani uses celebrities like Paris Hilton, pictured above holding their recently added pink slush flavor. (Photo Courtesy Alani nutrition.)
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Do students need to take standardized tests?
The senior class of 2024 preference regarding SAT vs. ACT. Based on the map, students slightly preferred the ACT. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia)
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The Best Tips for a Flawless Tan
Tanning is the secret to your ultimate summer glow up. Follow a few simple steps, and you’ll be bronzed in no time! (Photo Courtesy of Creative Commons).
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How good is Hillsborough St tattoo and piercing shop?
Hillsborough St Tattoo and piercing shop logo, and as seen, established in 2014. (photo courtesy of Hillsborough St Tattoo website.)
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The love for Wordle
Every weekend, I know my morning will start the same way: my parents and I lounging on the couch and completing the NYT daily Wordle. We tease one another, providing clever clues and competing…
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Sabrina Carpenter’s “short n’ sweet” is Playful and Bold
Sabrina Carpenter From her debut in the public sector as a popular teenage actress in Girl Meets World, Sabrina Carpenter has always been a household name. Transitioning from her career as an actress to…
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Another Taco Bell option for Leesville High students
Leesville Road High School has many lunch dining options however one of those options, Arby’s, has now been replaced by a Taco Bell. Taco Bell is a fast food Mexican cuisine staple, providing many…
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Are educational school tours worth it?
LRHS has hosted several trips to various countries abroad through EF Educational Tours, a program that creates educator-led tours. These effectively serve as the high school version of field trips–for those who want to…
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Mastering AP Biology: Ultimate Class Review
AP Biology is one of the most unique classes offered at Leesville Road High School. The course is a yearlong commitment; only a single class is offered each semester, and it is exclusively taught…
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Why are swimsuits so expensive now?
Swimsuits are an essential part of everyone’s summer wardrobe. The fabric is small, yet the cost is high—so why is that? (Photo from Kulani Kinis Instagram)
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The best places to eat off-campus at Leesville
The Raleigh area has many places to go out to eat. As a rising junior, I need to get ideas of good places to eat around Leesville’s campus. Ryan Huffman, senior, cannot decide on…
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Is a separate app for Instagram Reels Really necessary?
Meta is the parent company of Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. The workers at Meta have been considering separating Instagram Reels, a section of Instagram made for short-form videos, from the app itself. “I love…
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What is the most popular music genre in each US state?
With the United States being a very diverse country, musical diversity is not an exclusion. Ranging from metal to rap music, each state has its own most prominent genre. Today we are going to…
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A review of the new Bad Cat Coffee Shop
Signs from the road, their loyalty punch card, and one of their coffees. (Photo courtesy of Abby Crawford.)
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Dull mirrors in the bathroom should be updated to better mirrors
Pictured, a poor-quality mirror located in a bathroom at LRHS. Although high-quality mirrors are not a necessity, having them could make an impact among students. (Photo courtesy of Kaylee O’brien.)
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Viewing Bojack Horseman through the eyes of The Great Gatsby
Just like every other high school junior, I had the opportunity to read The Great Gatsby in my English class. During this time, I happened to be watching the Netflix show Bojack Horseman. Processing…