April 30, 2024 by Olivia Clemmensen (‘26)
Local:
–SSHS Blue and White Award Ceremony: On April 30th at the Maple Ave. Trombley Auditorium the annual ceremony for students nominated by SSHS teachers received awards based on their character (blue) and academic achievement (white) throughout the school year.
–Earth day at SSHS: On April 22, about 140 students planted trees at Pitney Meadows Community Farm to participate in the Windbreak Planting Project.
Take Action: you can make a difference in the world by planting and caring for trees. (arborday.org)
–Upcoming SSHS Student Voices Event: On Thursday, May 2 at 6pm, a panel of committed students will speak at Division Street Elementary to share their thoughts on making our school more inclusive and welcoming. They will touch on subjects such as Saratoga Schools’ “No Place for Hate” program and will host fun activities.
Student Voices Event Planned For May 2 – Saratoga City School District (saratogaschools.org)
Nationwide:
–US college students hold Pro-Palestinian protests: Many universities have called police and removed these students from campus.
–Taylor Swift at Numbers 1 though 14 on Hot 100 Billboard: Taylor Swift’s Tortured Poets Department supplies a record-breaking top 14 songs on May 4-dated Hot 100 Billboard. Leading with her song with Post Malone “Fortnight”, the top ranked US streamed songs 1-14 are all tracks from her newly released album which came out on April 19th.
Taylor Swift Sets Record With All Top 14 of Hot 100, ‘Fortnight’ No. 1 (billboard.com)
-OJ Simpson dies at age 76 from cancer on April 11: Former NFL star turned infamous household name. He was known for murdering his ex-wife and her friend and his life still raises controversy even after his death from prostate cancer.
O.J. Simpson dies of cancer at age 76, his family says | CNN
–The Arizona Supreme Court ruling outlaws abortion in Arizona: On Tuesday 4/9, court ruled against all legal abortions and will enact an 1864 law, making abortion a felony with a punishment of two to five years in prison for anyone who carries through with or helps someone carry through with an abortion. Although the law includes an exception to save the mother’s life, Arizona has now become one of the growing population of states with abortion banned.
Arizona Supreme Court rules a near-total abortion ban from 1864 is enforceable (nbcnews.com)
Global:
–Taiwan earthquake: A 7.2 magnitude quake with an epicenter on the east coast of the island killed 9 and left over 900 people injured in Hualien, Taiwan on Wednesday April 3. Taiwan hasn’t seen such a large earthquake since the devastating quake of 1999, and although this 2024 earthquake left buildings tilted, caused landslides and tsunami warnings in Japan, most of Taiwan’s power and business days have resumed.
Taiwan’s strongest earthquake in 25 years kills 9 people, 50 missing | Reuters
Taiwan earthquake: Hundreds still awaiting rescue, death toll rises to 13 (msn.com)
–Russian bombs are an increasing threat to Ukraine’s city of Kharkiv: Missiles and bombardment of Russian forces continue to suffocate Kharkiv, Ukraine. The U.S’ military aid package has been unable to be sent out due to Republican opposition, leaving Ukraine weak and in need of aid.
Ukraine’s air defence shortages leave Kharkiv more exposed to Russian bombs | Reuters
–Israel’s airstrike kills Hamas leader’s sons and grandchildren: On Wednesday April 10th, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s three sons and four of his grandchildren were killed by an Israeli aircraft. Although it is said that the Hamas have been defeated by Israel militarily, the war between the two groups will continue.
An Israeli airstrike in Gaza kills 3 sons and 4 grandchildren of Hamas’ top leader (msn.com)
–Cole Brauer has made a record-breaking journey as the first American woman to race sailing solo around the world: Brauer arrived in Coruna, Spain on March 7th from an about 30,000-mile voyage across the globe. Through all the hardships and treachery of sailing solo, the 29-year-old finished her 130-day journey as a record-breaking sailor.
Cole Brauer becomes first American woman to race sailboat alone and nonstop around world | AP News