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Thanksgiving: Should It Still Be Celebrated?

Many people have heard the story behind the “First Thanksgiving,” but is it accurate? Is Thanksgiving even ethical to celebrate? The “First Thanksgiving” story in classrooms revolves around religious-freedom-seeking pilgrims sailing across the sea on the Mayflower. It is then said that these pilgrims would not have survived winter if…

by Delphina Lonsdale  •  Dec 12, 2024
News

Four-Day School Week

All across Iowa, four-day school weeks are gaining popularity as a potential way to boost student engagement and prepare students for a changing world, but it raises important questions and concerns about how this change would be accomplished.  Many advantages come from four-day schedules. The Waco School District has had…

by Krista Giltner  •  Dec 10, 2024
Culture

The End of an Era

On December 8, 2024, Taylor Swift brought her record-breaking tour, The Eras Tour, to an end in Vancouver, Canada. In the past two years, The Eras Tour has taken social media by storm. Now, with the show finally concluded, fans finally have the chance to reflect on all that has…

by Avery Herman  •  Dec 9, 2024
News

GPA competiton

In today’s increasingly competitive college admissions, a high GPA has become a very important component of a strong application. It is the thing that often determines who makes it into their dream school and who does not.  In recent years, the school has seen a growing trend among students: The…

by Samantha Pineda  •  Dec 4, 2024
News

Opinion: The Introduction of Ipads

In the 2024-2025 school year, Waukee Northwest High School switched from MacBooks to iPads, and opinions differ on the change.  On August 23, 2024, in advisory, Waukee Northwest students officially received brand new iPads instead of starting the school year with their pre-existing computers.  The change to iPads has been…

by Michael Miner  •  Dec 4, 2024
News

Struggles in the Workplace

Expansion has always been a problem for the environment here on Earth, but even more so now for the people and animals.  The impacts expansion has already had and will have are part of irreversible destruction involving so many good things the environment has to offer. It affects biodiversity, climate,…

by Aunya Van Zetten  •  Dec 4, 2024
News

Environment v.s. Expansion

Expansion has always been a problem for the environment here on Earth, but even more so now for the people and animals.  The impacts expansion has already had and will have are part of irreversible destruction involving so many good things the environment has to offer. It affects biodiversity, climate,…

by Aubriella Snyder  •  Dec 4, 2024
News

The Fallout of Fast Fashion

As the years go by, Northwest students spend more and more on cheap, low-quality clothing, the sacrifices for trends ultimately destroying the environment.  Every decade has had its own sense of style, right? Well, as of the late 20th century and early 21st century, there is a new look going…

by Mya Farwell  •  Dec 4, 2024
News

Gun Violence Prevention in the United States

One incident after another, towns across the country are saddened by shootings involving their community members, left pleading for change until the next tragedy makes headlines. Unfortunately, these incidents have become commonplace in the United States, and it is a topic of discussion related to Des Moines. A walk-out to…

by Lucas Ressler  •  Dec 2, 2024
News

The Importance of Mental Health Days

Mental health days are crucial for high school students to better their personal well-being.  High school students face loads of pressure from exams, extracurricular activities, jobs and friendships. Understanding the importance of mental health days can reduce anxiety, stress and burnout. “I think mental health days are important to have…

by Laurel Richards  •  Dec 2, 2024