Opinions

Rethinking discipline: a pragmatic plan

Since the transition to the new building, the administration has enacted new statutes that further restrict the rights of the student body. Policies such as no food outside the cafeteria, designated areas for students with frees, no resting on benches, bathroom pass regulation, and now more recently the elimination of super lunches, have redefined our liberties as students. LMHS today is a far cry from the school my sister knew…

The war on reason

America is fighting a war much closer to home than Iraq. In this war, some localities report as many as 130 violent deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, a rate 25% higher than anywhere else in the world. This war isn’t happening in Iraq, Afghanistan, or the Middle East at all; it’s across the Rio Grande in Juarez. This is what a real war on drugs looks like. For the last 40 years, America has been locked in a futile struggle against both narcotics and reason, practicing a prohibitive policy best suited for the Dark Ages.

Catching up with college: Story of a senior

For the first half of senior year, the majority of discussions amongst the senior class undoubtedly deal with college applications. The three most frequently asked questions that I have received are “Where are you looking to apply?” “What are your SAT/ACT scores?” and “What’s your GPA?” Colleges are becoming so standardized in applications that test scores and GPA appear to be all that matter. Sadly, there are other, more essential aspects of an application that should be focused on.

News

Blocked sites at home abound

This year, LM implemented a new laptop policy, which blocks many Internet sites open to students last year both at home and at school.  Unfortunately, the new laptop policy surprised many students when they logged on at home to find that the sites that were blocked at school were blocked at home as well.

New law gives amnesty to teen Samaritans

In past years, young people have often been prosecuted for underage drinking because they sought medical attention for a friend, which resulted in a citation.  This discourages underage drinkers from seeking necessary medical attention, a situation that Pennsylvania State Senator John Rafferty intends to change with Senate Bill 488.

Arts & Entertainment

Sitting down with the creators of Bam-Bam Studios

Lower Merion is a breeding ground for talent. Between the singers and instrumentalists, there is a variety of creatively inclined students. But as these students advance into the musical world, a common need for a tangible recording is thus desired.

How to make a quick buck on Facebook

One month into school and my Facebook news feed is already packed. Aside from the usual weekend albums, complaints about the Philadelphia sports teams, and lack of Internet, there's a new fad that is trending on the Lower Merion network: clothing swaps.

Features

New club: Outdoors & Outings Club

In the scramble of the activities fair, the Outdoors & Outings Club—O&O Club for short—consistently drew the attention of students, achieving over 80 signups. After such promising student interest, O&O Club founder Max Novick responded, “It is exciting to see so many people willing to leave the comfort of technology at home for several hours a month to try something new.”

BuildOn embarks on a new mission: Haiti

Haiti. A country where 78 percent of the population lives on less than two dollars a day. The average life expectancy is just 61 years. Only half of school-aged children are enrolled in school. When a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hits, how does the poorest nation in the Northern Hemisphere cope?

Sports

Football looks to conclude improved season by beating Radnor

There is no LM event more heralded than the historic LM–Radnor football game. The multi-century rivalry brings excitement to the student body, even if the teams aren’t always on top of the Central League.

Golf team continues run of success with mental strength

As the golf team entered their 2011 campaign in search of glory, their expectations were sky high. They had finished the previous season as one of the elite teams in the Central League, and were looking to continue their winning ways. Due to this historical success and some very talented players, the team was again taking aim at the one of the top spots in the Central League. Unfortunately, the great LM soccer and basketball teams have frequently overshadowed their successes. Their fantastic play, however, is worthy of some respect.