Current Events, Uncategorized

200th Article

It seems hard to believe that it was only three months ago that school shut down, but in that short time a whole 100 City Voice articles have been published! This article marks 200 posts on The City Voice website, and none of that would have been possible without such amazing support from you, the students at City High Middle. We have been amazed at how many people have been willing to write articles for the newspaper during this time of crisis, and we are grateful for their knowledge and insight. Even if you have not written something, your readership means a lot to us.

We hope that you have enjoyed reading The City Voice, and that you continue to do so when we return next year! In the meantime, consider taking a look back at the hundred articles we have published during this difficult time. Some of them are about the health crisis, but others are about the moments of wonder, discovery, and even happiness that continue to take place even when so much is falling apart. If you have not had a chance to read them yet, we hope you will this summer.

Articles from the Shutdown

Science of Soundwaves

Sound waves are literally what they sound like. Waves of sound. Now what’s incredible about those sound waves is that we, as human beings, are able to synthesize them and actually make coherent sense out of them. Take our voices, for example. Our voices are just rapid successions of sound waves at several different frequencies, … Continue reading Science of Soundwaves

by SPARSH AIYAR

An Update on Ukraine

It has been nearly 2 months since we last covered the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, and much has happened. To recap, Vladimir Putin’s original intention when the invasion began on February 24th was to stop Ukraine from joining NATO. He stated that Russia’s primary goal is to “demilitarise and de-Nazify Ukraine”. This has been criticized by many, … Continue reading An Update on Ukraine

by JULIAN WILSON

City Musical Announced

City’s theatre department has been around for years, performing musical after musical each year, and this year’s musical has just been announced! After a very long elimination round of potential shows in the choir room on Tuesday, May 10, at precisely 2:58 pm, there was only one show left upon the whiteboard that Mrs. Degenhart, … Continue reading City Musical Announced

by SPARSH AIYAR

Q&A With Seanan McGuire, Hugo Award Winning Author of Middlegame and Seasonal Fears

Seanan McGuire is the Hugo and Nebula Award winning author of Middlegame and the new Seasonal Fears, along with dozens of other critically acclaimed novels and novellas. In 2010, she won the Astounding Award for Best New Writer (previously the John W. Campbell Award), and currently holds the world record for most Hugo Award nominations … Continue reading Q&A With Seanan McGuire, Hugo Award Winning Author of Middlegame and Seasonal Fears

by DECLAN

Moon Knight Review

As IB exam season jumps into full swing, another season is coming to a close. Wednesday the finale for Marvel’s Moon Knight premiered and it packed a punch!  For those of you who have not been keeping up with the latest MCU show, Moon Knight follows the story of Marc Spector and his alternative personality … Continue reading Moon Knight Review

by MAYA OEVERMAN

Leaked Draft Supreme Court Opinion Places Roe V. Wade Under Threat

A few days ago, a Supreme Court draft opinion was leaked about possibly overturning the Roe v. Wade decision which was made in 1973. Roe v. Wade was a Supreme Court decision which established the right to abortion as a constitutional right. That decision nullified the states’ ability to ban abortions. As soon as the … Continue reading Leaked Draft Supreme Court Opinion Places Roe V. Wade Under Threat

by FAITH

Wordle: A Brief History

Wordle, the simple word game that took the world by storm, has people of all ages hooked, with over 1,000,000 daily players. Players have to guess a five-letter word and have 6 chances to do so, knowing which letters in their guess are correct in each turn. But unlike other popular games of this caliber, … Continue reading Wordle: A Brief History

by VISHNU MANO

SAT Advice

SAT is more of a test on how well you’ve prepared yourself, strategizing, and less about your intellectual abilities. My score went up by 470 points between my first PSAT in ninth grade and my April SAT junior year. In between, I took a couple more PSATs and the NMSQT, and there was no significant … Continue reading SAT Advice

by CITY VOICE STAFF

City Voice Writers Recognized in National Journalism Honor Roll

Congratulations to Declan Bradley and Maya Oeverman for being inducted into the 2022 National Scholastic Press Association Journalism Honor Roll for their work at The City Voice!  Approximately 1,300 high school journalists across the United States were honored this year, among them graduating seniors who are now eligible for NSPA sponsored college scholarships, to be … Continue reading City Voice Writers Recognized in National Journalism Honor Roll

by CITY VOICE STAFF

How To Play Disc Golf

The spring is a great time to go outside and get some fresh air. It’s also a good time to try something new. A new hobby or sport is always something good to try out. Enter disc golf. Many parks are installing disc golf courses, so it’s not too hard to find one near you. … Continue reading How To Play Disc Golf

by LUKE FANN

City Voice Wins Six State Awards

Congratulations to the City Voice writers honored in this year’s Michigan Interscholastic Press Association Individual Awards! 2021-22 City Voice work competed against 3003 other entries from other school newspapers across the state of Michigan, and judging panels made up of journalism advisers and professionals selected six pieces of City Voice work that stood out. Congratulations … Continue reading City Voice Wins Six State Awards

by CITY VOICE STAFF

The Technoking Buys Twitter

Starting on January 31st, Elon Musk, the self-described “Technoking of Tesla,” began buying stock in Twitter. By April 4th, Musk announced he had acquired 9.1% of Twitter’s overall stock profile, making him its biggest shareholder. Finally, on April 25th, Musk launched a 44 billion dollar deal with Twitter to own all stocks within it. As … Continue reading The Technoking Buys Twitter

by JULIAN WILSON

MIPA Honors City Voice Editor In State Student Journalist Staff

At an awards ceremony on Thursday night, the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association named City Voice Editor in Chief Declan Bradley one of the top 15 student journalists in the state as part of their Student Journalist Staff. The Student Journalist Staff is an annual MIPA competition open only to seniors and intended to recognize “graduating … Continue reading MIPA Honors City Voice Editor In State Student Journalist Staff

by CITY VOICE STAFF

America’s Election Culture of Disengagement Undermines Democracy

The democratic United States has always been the land of the free and the home of the brave to me. However, with current redistricting efforts underway, I cannot help but view what French philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville lovingly described as “The Great Experiment” pessimistically — as something less great and certainly much less radical than … Continue reading America’s Election Culture of Disengagement Undermines Democracy

by AARON CHEN

Calls For Better Public Safety Programs Grow After New York Subway Shooting

On a Tuesday morning, April 12, 2022, a gunman fired a total of 33 bullets from a handgun at innocent commuters in a Brooklyn, New York subway car. 10 passengers were wounded along with other minor injuries caused by the smoke bombs detonated inside the car prior to the shooting, set off by the shooter, … Continue reading Calls For Better Public Safety Programs Grow After New York Subway Shooting

by KRISHNA MANO

You Are Powerful: Students March For Change

On Monday, April 18th, students here at City High Middle school in Grand Rapids Michigan stood up en masse and walked out of class to demand justice for Patrick Lyoya, who was unarmed when he was shot and killed by a GRPD officer two weeks prior. City students have organized protests on campus before, including … Continue reading You Are Powerful: Students March For Change

by SPARSH AIYAR, MAYA OEVERMAN, DECLAN and STEPHEN PELLATHY

Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Multiverse: Every World We Hope to See in Doctor Strange 2

With less than a month to go before the much anticipated release of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, we have a few thoughts. Okay, scratch that, we have a lot of thoughts. While Marvel has promised franchise redefining blockbusters that will “change everything” before, multiple times, Stephen Strange’s jaunt into the infinitely branching … Continue reading Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Multiverse: Every World We Hope to See in Doctor Strange 2

by MAYA OEVERMAN and DECLAN

ManageBAC Now Offers Past IB Exams

With this year’s seniors inching ever closer to IB exams in May, City administration has worked to help this year’s seniors do their best by providing access to new online software called ManageBAC. While this was already a helpful resource, ManageBAC’s parent company, OSC Study, announced yesterday that they now offer 54 papers from past … Continue reading ManageBAC Now Offers Past IB Exams

by DECLAN

City Voice Wins National Innovation Pacemaker

The City Voice is honored to have been named as one of the first ever National Scholastic Press Association Innovation Pacemaker Publications! The NSPA Pacemaker, “the association’s preeminent award,” has been presented since the 1920s, and is considered one of the highest honors student journalists in the US can receive. Pacemakers in categories including Newspaper and Broadcast … Continue reading City Voice Wins National Innovation Pacemaker

by DECLAN, MAYA OEVERMAN and SPARSH AIYAR

Join Union Girls’ Soccer!

“Redhawks on 3! Redhawks on 3! 1! 2! 3! Redhawks!!” Is what you will be saying after every Union girl’s soccer practice.  Join us for an exciting season in which head coach Juan Zhavala and assistant coach Moses will guide the team to (hopefully) multiple games in the Conference.  At Union High School (1800 Tremont … Continue reading Join Union Girls’ Soccer!

by R.M

Supreme Court Nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson Undergoes Senate Confirmation Hearings

As you may have heard, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson has gone up for the most recent round of confirmation hearings. Judge Jackson appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee for her first Supreme Court confirmation hearings on Monday, March 21 at 11 a.m. ET, and the hearings are lasting until Thursday. During her opening statement, Jackson … Continue reading Supreme Court Nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson Undergoes Senate Confirmation Hearings

by STEPHEN PELLATHY

Polish Hackers Help Russian Citizens Learn The Truth About The War In Ukraine

President Vladimir Putin of Russia has censored all media in Russia so that Russian citizens don’t know what is happening in the war between Russia and Ukraine. Despite this, media is getting to Russia differently. Enter Squad303, a Polish-based hacking group with the same name as a squadron that fought in WWII against Nazi Germany. … Continue reading Polish Hackers Help Russian Citizens Learn The Truth About The War In Ukraine

by LUKE FANN

Feminist Book Recommendations For Women’s History Month

Since March is Women’s History Month, I compiled a list of some of my favorite feminist memoirs and novels. Please read at your own discretion, as many of these books cover sensitive topics. Know My Name is a memoir by the victim of a sexual assault on Stanford’s campus. Originally anonymous, Miller’s writing first went … Continue reading Feminist Book Recommendations For Women’s History Month

by TATUM FETTIG

Representative Peter Meijer Visits City For Q&A

On Wednesday, March 23rd, US House Representative Peter Meijer visited City High Middle to meet with seniors and discuss policy, the economy, and current events. Students were able to ask questions as part of a Q&A, and engaged with the Representative in spirited discussion about the stock market, inflation, and environmental legislation.  This is the … Continue reading Representative Peter Meijer Visits City For Q&A

by MAYA OEVERMAN and DECLAN

You Don’t Live Here Review

I’ve never been a big fan of books…except when I find a great one. I’m very picky about my taste in books. Naturally, whenever I find a book that holds every key aspect, (humor, relatability, and a limited amount of “cheesy” content) I grow to be somewhat enraptured. Recently I finished a book called You … Continue reading You Don’t Live Here Review

by CHLOE DIEHM

The Importance of the Special Election in Michigan’s 74th House District

Michigan politics have recently made national news for the comments of Robert Regan, the Republican candidate for State Representative in Michigan’s 74th House district. On a Zoom meeting, Regan used a horrifying analogy, comparing rape to those who were not fighting to overturn the 2020 election results, which Regan falsely asserts were impacted by fraud. … Continue reading The Importance of the Special Election in Michigan’s 74th House District

by TATUM FETTIG

South East Market Spotlight

South East Market is a women-owned, local grocery store in the 49507 zip code of Grand Rapids. Their mission is “to increase access to healthy, affordable and culturally-accepted food for our community through a sustainable and equitable lens.” Their food is sourced from traditionally marginalized groups and they also seek to support environmentally sustainable businesses. … Continue reading South East Market Spotlight

by ASHLEY BOX

Scientists Demonstrate Life May Really Flash Before Your Eyes Before Death

A new study may prove the idea that life flashes before your eyes when facing death. As it sounds, this is a brilliant and exciting new scientific breakthrough. But it was an accident. Neurological logging of an 87-year-old patient with epilepsy was examined by a team of scientists. However, he died of a heart attack … Continue reading Scientists Demonstrate Life May Really Flash Before Your Eyes Before Death

by R.M

What Are The Seven Sisters?

Before 1835, colleges did not admit women. As women were increasingly interested in pursuing higher education, feminist advocates opened co-educational colleges like Oberlin and exclusively women’s colleges. Wesleyan College was the first women’s college to open, and there were approximately 230 women’s colleges in the 1960s. Perhaps the most famous of these colleges would be … Continue reading What Are The Seven Sisters?

by ASHLEY BOX

Women’s History Month Theme: “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope”

Every year, the National Women’s History Alliance, an organization focused on honoring women’s history, releases a theme for Women’s History Month. This year the theme is “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope” which seeks to honor both the healthcare workers and caregivers throughout the pandemic and also those women who have provided healing in many ways … Continue reading Women’s History Month Theme: “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope”

by ASHLEY BOX

Strikeout: Why the Baseball Season Hasn’t Started

Update: the feuding parties have now reached a settlement. Read more at https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2022/03/10/major-league-baseballs-owners-approve-five-year-labor-contract-with-30-0-vote-salvage-162-game-regul/49919457/. If you are a fan of Major League Baseball, then you’re probably wondering why spring training hasn’t started. The reason for this is that the Major League Baseball Player’s Union (MLBPU) and MLB officials cannot agree on the amount of money to … Continue reading Strikeout: Why the Baseball Season Hasn’t Started

by LUKE FANN

Who’s Banned Russia Now? A List

In response to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, a truly astonishing number of organizations have banned Russia in the past week. Several have also banned Belarus as well. Some of the major organizations include: FIFA (banned all Russian teams) Union of European Football Associations (banned all Russian teams) The Polish Football Association (refused to play … Continue reading Who’s Banned Russia Now? A List

by CHLOE DIEHM

In Review: State of the Union

President Biden’s State of the Union address, delivered this past Tuesday, March 1, 2022, was ideally placed within the context of current global events. The unconcealed polarization of the United States, with both major political parties skewing further and further towards extremes, as well as the war in Europe, which has changed the status quo … Continue reading In Review: State of the Union

by VISHNU MANO

Who is Supreme Court Nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson?

As you have probably heard, President Biden has nominated Federal Appeals Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to fill Justice Stephen Breyer’s seat on the Supreme Court. President Biden officially announced he was nominating Jackson, 51, to the Supreme Court on February 25th, but who is Judge Jackson, and where did her legal career begin? First let’s … Continue reading Who is Supreme Court Nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson?

by STEPHEN PELLATHY

We Don’t Talk About Bruno Becomes Longest Running Top Song From a Disney Movie

For someone we aren’t supposed to talk about, Bruno sure knows how to make headlines. Disney’s hit single We Don’t Talk About Bruno has become the longest running top song from a Disney movie.  For nine weeks, the popular song has held first place in the coveted Billboard Top 100 spot. According to Vanity Fair, … Continue reading We Don’t Talk About Bruno Becomes Longest Running Top Song From a Disney Movie

by R.M

NSPA Honors City Voice As National Innovation Pacemaker Finalist

On Wednesday, The City Voice was honored to be recognized by the National Scholastic Press Association as a 2022 Innovation Pacemaker Finalist! NSPA has offered the Pacemaker, “the association’s preeminent award,” almost since its founding in 1921, annually honoring “the best of the best” in high school journalism. Pacemakers in divisions including Newspaper/Newsmagazine, Broadcast, and … Continue reading NSPA Honors City Voice As National Innovation Pacemaker Finalist

by DECLAN

GRPS To Drop Mask Mandate

For the past two years COVID-19 has ravaged the globe, with the U.S setting terrible records at over 80 million cases and almost 1 million deaths. When the U.S came out from lockdown in 2021, a new piece of apparel was added to the ever-growing closets of GRPS students: the mask. Masks became mandated in … Continue reading GRPS To Drop Mask Mandate

by SPARSH AIYAR

Jury Unanimously Finds Ahmaud Arbery’s Killers Guilty

After four hours, a jury in Brunswick, Georgia found Travis McMichael, Gregory McMichael, and neighbor William “Roddie” Bryan guilty of attempted kidnapping and violation of civil rights, and the McMichaels were additionally charged with the use of a firearm to commit a crime.  All three men were sentenced up to life in prison as well … Continue reading Jury Unanimously Finds Ahmaud Arbery’s Killers Guilty

by LUKE FANN

Join Union Girls’ Tennis!

The girls’ Union High School tennis team is beginning training on March 14, 2022!  No previous experience is needed to join the team! The Union tennis team has excellent, experienced coaches ready to teach a wide range of skills for both beginner and advanced players.  The general meeting for both players and parents will be … Continue reading Join Union Girls’ Tennis!

by SOPHIA XU

Spirit Week Begins February 28

City is having another spirit week! Spirit week will be from February 28 to March 4. The spirit week days are as follows: Monday – Album Cover Day Tuesday – Iconic Duo Day Wednesday – Soccer Mom Day Thursday – Throwback Thursday Friday – Class Shirt Day These sound like some pretty interesting spirit days! … Continue reading Spirit Week Begins February 28

by LIA LIN

Feynman: The Greatest Teacher of All Time

Introduction Physics is pure. There is either truth, or there are misunderstandings and misinterpretations. While the physical sciences are straightforward, this isn’t to say that they aren’t overcome by new fads through the ages. Just like other fields, a few dominant scientists gain the status of being elite in their respective fields through the scientific … Continue reading Feynman: The Greatest Teacher of All Time

by VISHNU MANO

Giving Back: An Interview With Senator Debbie Stabenow

Last week, I was honored to get the chance to talk to Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), the senior U.S. Senator from Michigan and a member of Congress since 1997. We discussed a variety of issues ranging from gun control to climate change to voting suppression, but most importantly, her passion for serving our community. Interviewer: … Continue reading Giving Back: An Interview With Senator Debbie Stabenow

by KRISHNA MANO

Russia and Ukraine: Explained

In 2014, Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula of Ukraine, after the “Revolution of Dignity.” This event was arguably the largest offensive move on Russia’s part in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian conflict. However, as the world waits apprehensively and the West slowly begins intervening, Russia seems to have its eyes set on its next “target,” the rest … Continue reading Russia and Ukraine: Explained

by VISHNU MANO

Justice Stephen Breyer Retires

On Thursday, January 27, 2022, Associate Justice Stephen Breyer officially announced his retirement from the Supreme Court of The United States. Generally considered part of the liberal wing of the highest court in the land, progressives Democrats have pressed Justice Breyer to step down ever since Democrats gained control of the House, Senate, and White … Continue reading Justice Stephen Breyer Retires

by KRISHNA MANO

SAT To Go Online By 2024

No more No. 2 pencils. No more scantrons. No more frantic preparation for the only situation in your life you’ll ever have to do math without access to a smartphone calculator. Starting in 2024, the dreaded SAT will go fully digital, shorten from three hours to two, and start allowing a calculator on the entire … Continue reading SAT To Go Online By 2024

by DECLAN

What’s Going On In Kazakhstan?

We’ve all seen the videos: buildings being burned down, small firework explosions, fights breaking out between officers and protestors. For the past few weeks, Kazakhstan has found itself in a situation of brutal protests and violent civil unrest. On January 7, 2022, Zhanaozen, a declining oil town in Kazakhstan, met with a peaceful protest because … Continue reading What’s Going On In Kazakhstan?

by KRISHNA MANO

A Pandemic Winter Olympics

The Winter Olympics will begin on February 4th in Beijing, China. This is Beijing’s first time hosting the winter games. Beijing hosted the Summer Olympics in 2008, making it the first city to host both events. Usually, millions of people attend the Olympics, but with the special circumstances, guests will be very limited. Beijing has … Continue reading A Pandemic Winter Olympics

by CHLOE DIEHM

TIL: Snowplows Have Names

The title really does say it all. Presumably discontented with the lack of appreciation for hardworking snowplows and snowplow drivers, the Michigan Department of Transportation has launched a new and, if I may say so, brilliant campaign to glorify the humble snowplow. The lumbering craft have now officially, at least in this state, taken their … Continue reading TIL: Snowplows Have Names

by DECLAN
DECLAN
Editor in Chief Emeritus at The City Voice | MIPA Student Journalist Staff | NSPA 1st Place Opinion Writing | MIPA 1st Place Review Writing

Editor in Chief and in my fourth year at The City Voice. If you have a question about any of my articles, a topic you want us to write about, or you're interested in contributing to the paper, please feel free to email me at contact@thecityvoice.org.