92% percent of Americans celebrate Christmas, 5% celebrate Hanukkah, and 3% celebrate Kwanzaa. Many celebrate more than one holiday. For a majority of Americans, the holiday season is the best part of the year. Whether it’s the weather, the presents, the food, or the joy, holiday time is magical for many.  Arguably, the thing that makes everyone so happy about this time of year is the decorations....

Most of us have seen the teary-eyed veteran returns home videos on YouTube as well as witnessed the heartbreaking aftermath of the death of one. Time spent in the military can be both a sore and proud subject for veterans and their family members all over the world.  While having pride and respect for those serving in the military, the demanding conditions of the job can make it difficult for their...

Flags waving at half-mast, federal office closure, parades in the streets, an atmosphere of pride and remembrance in the air. All of these things can be seen and felt on November 11 every year. Approximately 19 million veterans are recognized as heroes on November 11, also known as Veterans Day. The holiday, initially known as Armistice Day, is a day in which American people pay tribute and show...

Nowadays, there is an app for everything. If you ever wanted to learn a new language, go online shopping, or maybe even calculate the chances of that much-needed snow day, you guessed it, there's an app for it. These apps tend to make our lives easier and stress-free. For the Millard North volleyball team, that app is Neurofuel.  Here at Millard North, the volleyball team has begun implementing...

Olympic medalist Simone Biles backed out of the team and individual finals in gymnastics at Tokyo’s Olympics to focus on her mental health. Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka decided against competing in the French Open, citing bouts of depression inhibiting her.  In this generation, athletes are taking their mental health more seriously-- prioritizing their health over their medals. Which...

Figures of speech are a constant part of our daily lives no matter who we are- hyperbole, or dramatic exaggeration, being one of the most commonly used. For the vast majority of people, phrases like, ‘the weight of the world on my shoulders,’ and ‘the whole world was watching’ are relegated to the status of obviously untrue hyperbole.  For a select few however,  that comically unrealistic...

Convenience and consumption. Philosophers for centuries have argued that the hub of society is turned by these two main concepts. In a way, fast fashion is the meeting of convenience and consumption, style and affordability creating a desirable industry.  The retail world has become consumed by fast fashion in the past several years. Stores flaunt their current styles, donning their mannequins...

Wednesdays at Goodwill have become a favorite place for senior Mia Vander Zwaag. With recently restocked donation bins, she is excited about the opportunity that this shopping endeavor will bring.  “I remember the first time I went thrift shopping. I found a shirt for only 50 cents, and I was hooked,” Vander Zwaag said.  Thrifting is defined as going shopping at a thrift store, flea market,...

As spring rolls around, it is time for most teens to be putting away their winter clothes. Soon after, they’re pulling out their wallets, searching the web for trendy spring clothing, ready to achieve their yearly average of $2,150 spent on personal items.  Their go-to clothing websites are the ones with the cheapest, yet cutest clothing. As they scan the web, they come across stores like FashionNova,...

If you had to choose between being successful or making a meaningful piece of art, which  would you choose? For individuals in the film industry, they ask themselves this question everyday, whether to feed into an arguably flawed system of fame or make a meaningful and diverse piece of art.  Most recently, movie viewers and allies of the disabled community are signing a petition to rescind the...