Opinion – THE ALGONQUIN HARBINGER

Students should take advantage of remote learning

Staff Writer Erik Lin writes that through uncertain times, remote learning is great way to be kept engaged.

Erik Lin, Staff Writer

June 16, 2020

As students, we never expected to spend the second half of the 2019-2020 school year learning from our own homes. Spring athletes were looking forward to their sports seasons, seniors were waiting to celebrate their graduations with each other and more. However, teachers have continued to keep fighting...

Elementary and high school start times need to be swapped

Staff Writer Henry Zhang writes that the proposed alternative schedule is a step in the right direction but not enough for sleep deprived students.

Henry Zhang, Staff Writer

June 16, 2020

It sure would be nice to start every school day at 12. As an unforeseen effect of the coronavirus pandemic, Algonquin students get to finally enjoy restful nights. But good things never last. When fall finally rolls around, we will get hit once again by the agonizing reality of waking up at an un...

EDITORIAL: Acknowledge the present, appreciate the past

In these unprecedented times it is important to remember better times and focus on the positives.

June 11, 2020

Dear Algonquin, At the start of school, no one expected the year to end this way. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, seniors lost graduation, juniors lost prom, athletes lost seasons and musicians lost concerts. Stuck at home, we were stripped of the chance to form closure with our teachers and fell...

Violent riots for Black Lives Matter are ineffective, hypocritical

Opinion Editor Brianna Tang writes that peaceful protests accomplish much more than violence.

Brianna Tang, Opinion Editor

June 10, 2020

All of my opinions come from the perspective of a non-black American, which is important to acknowledge because I will never understand the anger and injustice black Americans face every day, not to mention how the anger has been heightened during the past few weeks. If you have been keeping up wi...

Senior Reflection: High school — where do I start?

Gabriela Paz-Soldan, Editor-in-Chief

June 6, 2020

Looking back on these four years, what lessons do I take away from high school? It’s a question I’ve been struggling with for the better part of a week as I sit here typing this senior reflection the night it’s due. The truth is I don’t know exactly. I’m not sure how to give my high sc...

Senior Reflection: Perfectionist Procrastinator — my struggle

Catherine Hayden, Editor-in-Chief

June 5, 2020

If I could change one thing about my high school career, it would be to not be a Perfectionist Procrastinator. It might not seem all that bad, but let’s take my most latest installment in my Perfectionist Procrastination saga. I am five days late to write this senior reflection. FIVE. And this is...

Senior Reflection: A message to my freshman self — embrace the lessons you’ll learn

Liza Armstrong, Online Editor

June 4, 2020

Hi freshman Liza, Well, we made it. No more classes and your (video) graduation is in sight. Since I’ve burned myself out writing essays these past four years, I’ve created an itemized list of what you should know. 1) Don’t take anything for granted. See that video graduation. Well, you graduate...

Senior Reflection: How the Algonquin community captured me and how I returned the favor

Jonny Ratner, Photo Editor

June 3, 2020

If I had to describe my time in high school using one word, it would definitely be “journey,” because that is exactly what it was for me. I came in as a scrawny freshman who looked three years younger than I actually was, and well, now as a senior, I am still scrawny, but at least I’m tall...

Senior Reflection: Don’t stop until you’ve found your passion

Cecelia Cappello, Social Media Editor

June 2, 2020

When I couldn’t find the right hook for this piece, I called my very reliable friend who I’ve known since my preschool days and asked him for some direction. Without hesitation, he reminded me of what I was missing at the beginning of high school: a sense of community at Algonquin. For the first ...

Senior Reflection: Forgetting myself

Meredith Lapidas

June 1, 2020

Algonquin offered so many opportunities that I missed. I used to be a theatre kid, a singer, a musician, and an avid artist. Algonquin offered all of these types of classes and clubs. So, why didn't I take those opportunities? For some reason, I found myself gravitating towards Speech & Debate, D...

Senior Reflection: A wild ride with the class of 2020

Derek Blanchard, Staff Writer

May 31, 2020

After an eventful three years topped off with a far from normal senior year, I can say with confidence that the class of 2020 left their dynamic mark on the Algonquin community. My first thought of Algonquin was that it’s the same as middle school, just with a heck of a lot more homework and a l...

Senior Reflection: High school taught us to play (and win) the game

Paul Probst

May 30, 2020

The last four years have been full of personal growth and development. As I progressed it was difficult to see what I was picking up along the way, but looking back there are some definite lessons that I learned from my experiences at Algonquin. There are obvious paths to success that we all know...