Category: Current Events
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Ice Enforcement and Constitutional Due Process
Introduction U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportations aren’t just a headline – they’re a cruel reality affecting thousands of individuals in the United States every year, including students and faculty within Overlake. You’ve probably seen many circulating news stories about individuals or families detained, but have you ever learned about what happens after arrest, or what protections individuals have? While the…
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The GRAMMYs: Celebration, Controversy, and Drama
When does a music award show stop being just about music? This question may sound ironic, but it is currently the million-dollar dilemma when it comes to one of the biggest music spectacles, sparking drama amid all the applause.
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College Admissions and the Limits of Fairness: A Look at SFFA v. Harvard
Every high school student has probably wondered how college applications are reviewed. Does race still matter in admissions? In 2023, Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, a case that challenged Harvard University’s use of race in admission decisions, made its way to the Supreme Court. In the end, the Court decided in a 6-3 decision…
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The Rise of the AI Girlfriend
Over the past year, AI companionship apps have quietly become one of the fastest-growing trends among teens. Apps like Character.AI, Replika, and Nomi allow users to create digital companions who are always available, always “supportive”, and always “say the right thing”. For many teens, especially those who feel stressed, lonely, or unheard, this seems harmless,…
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Why Even Try? – A Junior’s Dilemma in the AI Era
I wrote this article the week I found out my AP Lang essay was going to be taken off the grade book because too many students used ChatGPT. I was confused, angry, irritated, and mostly, exhausted, questioning if this was going to be my reality for the rest of my academic career and beyond. Putting…
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The Only Initiative that Passed – Why?
Ballot Initiative 2066 did what no other ballot measure in Washington state could, it passed. Even then, I-2066 barely passed, only winning 51.7% of the vote. So, what made this initiative stand out to Washington voters? Why was it the only initiative capable of being passed “yes” by a small majority? I wanted to find…
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The Golden State Warriors—A Dynasty in Decline
A few years ago, the Golden State Warriors were on top of the world, multiple years on end. However, lately, it seems that they have fallen into a slump. Between 2015 and 2019, the Golden State Warriors dominated the Western Conference, competing in the NBA finals every year. After this streak, they established their high…
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What’s Up with UFOs in the U.S?
I was shocked to find out that the US Government was starting a task force to study UFOs. I was certain the US Government was officially losing their mind, but what if they aren’t? What if we have been looking at UFOs the wrong way this whole time?
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Trains and Art: A More Interconnected and Dynamic Seattle
In November 2021, Congress passed the “Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act”, a bipartisan infrastructure bill significant for its focus on addressing various infrastructure needs in the United States. A major focus of the bill was on public transportation, with substantial funding for public transit agencies to enhance and modernize transit infrastructure. According to the American…
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Racist Undercurrents in the Affirmative Action Debate
Is putting people from certain races at an advantage in college admissions racist? Or is it racist to make college admissions color blind when society and the K-12 education aren’t? What about… both?