The Panther

New ACT Changes: Fair or Not?

Gemma Torras, Senior Design Editor

January 16, 2020

In high school, nearly all students take one of two standardized exams — the SAT or the ACT — as they prepare to apply for college. Over the years, rules have changed to make the process easier for test-takers. Starting in September 2020, test-takers will be able to take individual parts of the AC...

An Open Letter to an Admissions Officer

Kun Liu, Staff Writer

January 9, 2020

Dear Admissions Officers, From the commencement of this aimless summer to the new dawn of 2020, each time before clicking the irreversible submit button on Common Application, I whispered my New Year's wishes. Lounging in my stiff chair, I gazed at the walls containing the accumulation of college par...

Is January 1 an Excuse?

Priscilla Bermudez, Copy Editor

January 7, 2020

As a way to welcome the new year, many people create New Year’s resolutions. But this means many people leave off their goals for personal change and growth until the beginning of the new year. Some may put off their goals so they have an easier time tracking when they began their journey toward...

The Miami Heat’s Successful Season

Sydney Campbell, Design Editor

January 7, 2020

Currently ranked 2nd in the East Conference for the 2019-2020 season, with 19 wins and seven losses as of now, the Miami Heat have had an extremely successful season; Most likely due to their starting lineup this year, consisting of players like Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, undrafted sharpshooter Duncan R...

What’s Up With School Spirit?

Nicole Markus and Jacob Grindstaff

December 15, 2019

After homecoming, we noticed a trend. Each day, less and less students wore the spirited outfits designated to boost school pride. While, of course, no one is required to dress up, it does create a special atmosphere around the school when all you can see in school is seas of blue and white for scho...

Is Cyber Monday Better Than Black Friday?

Allison Gould, Opinion Editor

December 2, 2019

Each year, people get excited for the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday — the one day of the year that almost every single store has a sale. Since Black Friday serves as an opportunity for people to find good deals, malls fill with crowds , which can be very hectic and stressful. To combat t...

The Effects of Black Friday

Priscilla Bermudez, Copy Editor

November 30, 2019

Black Friday, a tradition where stores offer an array of discounts on their goods — first appearing in 1951— remains one of the most anticipated events of the holiday season. In this digital age, the newly introduced Cyber Monday is also highly anticipated. These two days of shopping — whi...

Have Gender Reveal Parties Gone Too Far?

Katriona Page, Copy Editor

November 21, 2019

Gender reveal parties are celebrations in which parents, friends and family learn the sex of a baby. Sounds innocent, right? Well, in 2010, such parties were a celebration. Parents innocently popped balloons to release pink or blue confetti, or cut into cute cupcakes filled with pink or blue icing. Now, par...

Do Online Petitions Actually Work?

Julia Strasius, Design Editor

November 19, 2019

One can sign an online petition with a few simple clicks, but the meaningful activism they mean to inspire may not prove so easy. The question remains: do these petitions really work? Online petitions pervade our internet-centered world. While some do focus on significant political issues, others foc...

Are Junior Rings Worth the Money?

Sydney Campbell, Design Editor

November 15, 2019

Junior year, the dreaded 11th grade where every student works hard in class, studies harder at home and busts their butt to prepare for standardized tests that will determine their future. Junior year is often collectively deemed the hardest year of high school by both alumni and current students ali...

On God, Kanye’s New Album Sparks Controversy

Isabel Wilder, Senior Copy Editor

November 14, 2019

Throughout history, musicians have often deviated from the norm. Whether it be The Beatles, David Bowie, Miley Cyrus or Taylor Swift, uninhibited artists make music that truly represents who they are at the time; Kanye West’s newest album, “Jesus Is King,” is no exception. Across his 15 albums...

Why Students Should Receive Excused Absences for Climate Strikes

Gianna Hutton, Design Editor

November 13, 2019

The Sept. 20 climate strike gave many students like myself their first taste of climate activism and has left me with a yearning to participate more. But for students who are penalized for missing school to attend these strikes, an unexcused absence is a luxury many cannot afford. So as we fight for the ...