Perspectives

Students provide their takes on different issues.

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, both the necessity and relevance of a royal figurehead have come under public scrutiny, as Britons question the role of this ancient tradition in contemporary society. 

As students’ high school careers become increasingly fixated on college admissions, students are ignoring their true passions for activities more practical for getting into a top university.

iPhone 14: Same Phone, Bigger Everything

by Jacqueline Lu ’25

11 Nov. 2022

This past September, Apple released one of its newest products: the iPhone 14. Though certainly an upgrade for those with older iPhones, for people with relatively newer models, the lack of noticeable improvements is sure to be a little disappointing.

Do Cliques Exist in Montgomery High School?

by Vallari Arya ’25

11 Nov. 2022

The term “clique” is typically associated with the ideas of hostility and exclusion. Students in Montgomery assess whether these “cliques” exist within our school, and whether they’re even bad at all.

Student Opinions on School Lunch

by Ella Sun ’26

11 Nov. 2022

Students offer their opinions on the taste, variety, cost, and wait time of school lunch.

Nuclear Energy and Its Aftereffects: Should We Be Worried?

by Josephine Hoyois ’26

11 Nov. 2022

Ever since the Chernobyl disaster of 1986, numerous precautions regarding nuclear safety have been developed. But today, the war in Ukraine poses a new threat to the Zaporizhzia nuclear plant.

The Ukrainian Surrogacy Crisis

by Bhadra Menon ’26 and Jennifer Gu ’23

11 Nov. 2022

As the war continues, surrogate mothers and newborns are forced to decide: to stay in a war-zone, or flee to another country, which the legal implications of doing so are unclear.

The Hypocrisy of America’s Supposed Savior

by Lauren Tortolani ’24

8 Apr. 2022

Unearthing the Ideal College Major

by Julia James ‘25

3 Apr. 2022

Deciding upon a college major can be a lofty task for high school students, yet in a recent survey, members of the class of 2022 help unveil the factors that go into this choice.

Freshmen arrive on a wave of high expectations and potential, and while many fulfill their dreams, many more are burnt out by year three. If each student is so easily able to find opportunities, why can an activity that a student loves become difficult to enjoy?

Standardized Testing: Are We Just Another Number?

by Vrittee Sobti ‘25 and Sophie Schmidt ‘25

3 Apr. 2022

For years, public school students have sat at uncomfortable desks and bubbled in scantrons, participating in the dreadful process that is standardized testing. But now, a public debate arises: are standardized tests even needed?

Today’s issues are complicated and messy, but schools shouldn’t ignore the discussions in classrooms.

We Can Still Be Jo Marches and Anne Shirleys

by Jennifer Gu ’23

12 Feb. 2022

Many teenagers loved books when they were younger but lost touch with reading after reaching high school. Can high schoolers rediscover this hobby despite the time-consuming workload?

A Different Kind of Grade: Semesters or Grades?

by Margaret Wang ’25

10 Feb. 2022

Research within Montgomery and universities suggest a preference for semester grading over quarter grading – but why is that the case? 

The Perfect Outfit

by Sreeja Gangula ‘25

10 Feb. 2022

Proms are something which are a prominent part of the highschool life of any teenager and are a memory to look back at once you graduate. If it’s something that is important in a person’s life, isn’t it something that you would want to look good in?

Female Athletes Struggles to Embrace Their Bodies

by Aimee Lee ’24

10 Feb. 2022

Many factors in athletics influence the way athletes view their bodies. Female athletes, especially of elite competition, are in danger of developing body image issues that can develop serious declines in mental and physical health.

Childcare Crisis Amidst the Pandemic

by Amanda Lu ’22

13 Dec. 2021

The Child-care industry has been dealing with problems as parents struggle to find day-care and employees are working under less than ideal circumstances.

Montgomery has always had a silent, yet extremely prominent, expectation that one should be made to take as many extracurriculars as humanly possible in order to look “good.” At what cost does this looking “good” come at, and is there truly a limit to how many extracurriculars is too many?

When is it Too Soon to Start Celebrating Christmas?

by Katharine Zavoda ‘25

1 Dec. 2021

There’s a lot of controversy surrounding the “perfect time” to begin celebrating Christmas, and MHS students have a lot of opinions on the matter.

The recent success of the first pig-human transplant leads to ethical debate over the value of humans’ and pigs’ life.

The losses from Travis Scott’s Astroworld Concert resulted from negligence on the parts of many, from security to the artist himself.

Pros and Cons of the New MHS Lunch

by Vallari Arya ‘25

1 Dec. 2021

The different lunch schedules MHS has undergone hold significant differences and similarities, as well as advantages and disadvantages.

Teaching a Fish to Climb a Tree: The Conflict of Dyslexia

Source: The Teaching Bank

by Salvvatore Sciascia ’22

Focusing only on students’ weaknesses rather than their strengths limits their potential and confidence. Albert Einstein’s quote, “everybody is a genius, but if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid,” illustrates some students’ feelings in the traditional school environment.

20 Oct. 2021

Disappointed, but We Do It Together: Montgomery High School’s New In-Person Schedule

Source: Annabelle Wang ’22

by Julie Edelstein ’22

After over a year of virtual schooling, student morale was low. The troops were burnt out and unmotivated. It has been a long-awaited return to normalcy. To put it into perspective, now-freshmen were still in the Lower Middle School last time students had a full normal year. Long-awaited, indeed. 

16 Oct. 2021

The Modern Feminist’s Burden

Source: The Atlantic

by Lauren Tortolani ’24

Feminism has gained a nasty reputation. With such stigma, such fear, women’s rights will never take a step in the right direction. Both men and women must take a courageous step forward and freely support what they care about. By backing others up and calling out sexist jokes and stereotypes, feminism can be normalized and the fight for women’s rights can be won.

16 Oct. 2021

Texas Abortion Law: What Is It and Why Should We Care?

Source: CNN

by Neena Kumar ’25

On September 1, 2021, the United States Supreme Court refused to ban the Texas Law, Senate Bill 8. The Texas Abortion Law disregards the Supreme Court’s landmark 1973 ruling on the Roe v. Wade case, where the court ruled that a women’s right to choose an abortion, up to the point of viability, is protected by the U.S. Constitution.

16 Oct. 2021

Satellites in the Sky Will Soon Start to Outshine the Stars

Source: Pawprint Photo and Art Team

by Ryan Kang ’25

Satellites are crucial in our current age. They improve communication and make radios and television possible. Furthermore, they are crucial to monitoring our planet’s climate and condition, especially important now with the Earth’s drastically increasing temperatures. Yet, despite all these benefits, satellites cast a more sinister shadow: they might actually  start overwhelming the number of stars in the sky.

16 Oct. 2021

Freshman Perspective On Coming to High School

Source: MTSD

by Vallari Arya ’25 and Manaal Asif ‘25

We learned that each person was affected very differently and had their own unique experiences, proving that there is no “right way” to feel. Adjustments will have to be made, and change will constantly occur whether we are ready to face it or not, but just know that you are not alone when encountering the challenges of going to high school.

16 Oct. 2021

COVID-19 Vaccine Controversy is Killing America

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is merlin_195156471_88e6827f-acce-43a0-9bf3-49688d2ac0fc-superjumbo.jpg.webp
Source: Getty Images

by Aimee Lee ’24

As Americans continue to add tension to vaccine controversy, many communities lack the time and money to add to the conversation. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), overwhelming numbers of COVID-19 related hospitalizations, especially in vaccine hesitant areas, undermine the sustainability of quality treatment and safety in hospitals. The FDA also reported shortages of ventilators since the COVID-19 summer and fall surge.

16 Oct. 2021

How You Can Help the Crisis in India

by Ishani Ghosh ’23

14 May 2021

COVID-19 is ravaging India, leaving families, colleagues, and friends heartbroken. Yet, vaccinations, a crucial step in combating the crisis, have been slow to roll out. Though Americans are 8,000 miles away, we can still help.

Did Anything Good Come Out of the Year of the Pandemic?

by Shreya Birudavolu ’24

14 May 2021

COVID-19 has affected people everywhere, leaving no area untouched. However, positivity has still found its place among the many challenges in our lives. 

Educational Challenges Faced in 2020-2021 School Year

by Aimee Lee ’24 and Danielle Best ’21

14 May 2021

Students and teachers reflect on the education challenges they faced and continue to struggle through during the 2020-2021 school year. 

With the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, students and colleges alike are unsure what the 2020-2021 admissions cycle will hold.

Would We Rather Save Bambi or Bambi’s World?

by Annabelle Wang ’22

23 Mar. 2021

Addressing deer overpopulation does not always receive much support because deer look like cute Bambis. But we should not reject respectful, regulated hunting as a form of wildlife management just because they are more attractive than, say, flies.

Alternatives to Deer Hunting

by Shreya Birudavolu ’24

23 Mar. 2021

The violence of hunting is not the only solution to deer overpopulation. Besides, if we use hunting as a primary means of controlling deer overpopulation, we only continue what created the problem in the first place: human interference.

Should MHS Have Abolished Its First Year Physics Program?

by Madhumita Kannan ’22

17 Feb. 2021

Physics Honors was considered the first “hard” class of high school, leading students to develop better work ethics for harder future courses like AP classes. Mr. Buszka’s passion for teaching and willingness to guide students also made the class much more engaging. Ultimately, the physics program has shaped Madhu’s high school experience, as well as that of many other students.

Listen up, cowboys and cowgirls. If you’re anything like me and have fallen for the charming, mullet-loving country artist that is Morgan Wallen, you have probably been anticipating his new album for the past three years. 

To Snooze or Not to Snooze

by Shreya Birudavolu ‘24

25 Jan. 2021

Have you ever heard of a morning person? You know, those magicians who somehow manage to wake up feeling rested and ready to start the day? Yup, they exist. And then there’s the rest of us, who lay in bed wishing we could get more sleep. And so what do you do? Hit the snooze button. Ah, the sacred button that solves all our sleep-related problems. But does it really?

The unique ability of a young child’s mind to be molded accentuates the need for parents to be cautious and conscientious of their own attitudes toward competition.

The 22 Year Cliff

by Mikayla Salib ‘22

23 Dec. 2020

Children with special needs are often surrounded by school activities, clubs, classmates, and extracurriculars to participate in, but once high school comes to an end, so do their connections to the community. Students have the right to stay in the school system until they are 21, and after that they are left isolated at the cliff: the 22 year cliff.

Skills Are Half of the Image

by Meghana Paturu ‘22

23 Dec. 2020

Methods of control, whether it is darkening an athlete’s hair or blurring out accessories, highlight the small ways that people in the spotlight rely on to express their real personalities. 

Politics: Does It Help With Or Hurt Progress?

by Richa Chaturvedi ’21

28 Nov. 2020

Every point of view can be seen from another perspective, therefore everyone must do their part to contribute to the discussion in order for any progress to be made. Just because someone has contrasting beliefs, does not give anyone the right to take away their right to express those beliefs.

Politics and Pop Culture: Do They Mix?

by Julie Edelstein ’22

10 Nov. 2020

Art is expressing beliefs with pride and not caring about whether people agree or not. Having opinions and perpetuating what one believes to be right is not something to be taken away from any citizen, regardless of how wealthy or famous they are.

The Helping Hand of Rejection

by Lanie Hymowitz ’22

10 Nov. 2020

Rejection, as we all unfortunately know, stings, even worse than physical pain in some cases. We are more likely to strongly remember emotional pain than injuries, which is why our caveman instincts tell us that we must avoid rejection at all costs.

Famous Tiktok Influencers Spread Love and Body Positivity

by Naina Biswas ’23 and Neeharika Beru ’22

10 Nov. 2020

Recently, body positivity has made a rise on TikTok, a social media app. A large number of famous influencers have been using their platforms to encourage people to love their bodies. 

Online, not Virtual

by Ben Zhao ’22

20 Oct. 2020

Whether we hold ourselves back or adapt to become more independent individuals, it is all up to us. Although school is temporarily online, our experiences are, in fact, very real.

Body Image During Quarantine

by Richa Chaturvedi ’21

20 Oct. 2020

Celebrities do not have, and should never have, the privilege of controlling what normal bodies look like.  As a society, we must remind ourselves that “perfect” bodies do not exist, and that we need to regain autonomy of our own body image.

MBTI: Insightful or Lacking Sight?

by Catherine Gonzalez ’22

20 Oct. 2020

The MBTI is primarily used in the workplace and relied upon religiously, often limiting employees to their received letters. 

MHS Zoomed for the Stars, While Students Crash and Burn

by Mikayla Salib ’22

4 Oct. 2020

New issues emerge as a new set of emotional and social obstacles for students arises with the new “normal” of virtual learning.

Marxism seems to appeal to a large number of Montgomery students. When evaluating why it lacks a legitimate platform despite this, one must go back to the political speakers who erroneously associate the term with phenomena that are simply not Marxist.

Some associate the meaning of feminism with a certain connotation. Sophie Wang ’23 dives deep into the core concept of feminism.

Media plays a role in leading infatuated viewers who do not know any better than to sympathize with contemptible criminals.

Increase NASA’s Budget

by Meghana Paturu ’22

Does NASA need increased funding to improve its endeavors in space exploration, education, and technology? We should all recognize the benefits that NASA will bring to us and our lives in the future. It is clear that NASA will continue to inspire new industries and create new possibilities for the future if it receives an increased amount of funding. It is human nature to explore the unknown, and NASA is the embodiment of the pioneering spirit and hope of a brighter tomorrow in space.

Arushi Ramaka ’22 discusses what different forms of female oppression may look like and explores the impact of traditional Indian dance.

Change in a Trying Time

by Adele Gaburo ’20

How does one adapt and find peace during difficult times? Adele Gaburo ’20 provides a bit of introspection on her time in quarantine.

How Bad Will the Recession Be?

by Ben Zhao ’22

As unemployment rates are nearing the levels of the Great Depression of the 1930s, the U.S. economy is headed towards a dismal near future. MHS students are surveyed about their thoughts on a looming economic crisis caused by the coronavirus lockdown.


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