Author name: The Lightning Rod

Festivity Finds: Rethinking Columbus Day- Who and What Are We Really Celebrating?

Leave a Comment / Opinion /

October 13, 2025 by Olivia Howe (‘26) In recent years, US states have started recognizing Indigenous People’s Day as a substitute for Columbus Day. This new take on the longstanding holiday commemorates Native culture, strength, and historical events that were impacted after European intervention. Although Columbus Day remains a national holiday, Indigenous People’s Day has […]

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Prodger’s Playlist: Best Songs of Summer 2025

Leave a Comment / Arts & Entertainment, Prodger's Playlist /

September 29, 2025 by Elias Prodger (‘26) If 2024 was the freshman year of a brand-new era of popular music culture, 2025 is a confident sophomore slump. In a year of several misses from established artists, some artists found ways this summer to capture the attention of an audience who was left lost.  June Guitar-Alex

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Is the New Phone Ban Helping or Hurting Our Students?

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September 29, 2025 by Olivia Clemmensen (‘26) Just three weeks into the school year, one thing has already reshaped life at SSHS: the NYS Bell-to-Bell Phone Ban. This article will share thoughts from Toga students on this policy and explore the student point of view in this shift towards no screens in the educational setting,

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Newfound Discovery of Graphene Challenging Laws of Physics

1 Comment / Featured, Life, Misc., News /

September 29, 2025 by Sophia Karrel (‘29) What if there was a substance that could revolutionize energy storage, cancer treatment, food packaging and more? What if I told you this material has just been found and is already defying long established scientific laws? Recently, Graphene has shaken a fundamental law of physics, the Wiedemann Franz

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Folk Art: The Past, Present, and Future

Leave a Comment / Arts & Entertainment, Featured, Misc. /

September 29, 2025 by Sarah Pipino (‘26) One of my personal favorite styles of artwork is folk art, which has helped shape the societies in which we live today. Yet, this art is disappearing or being undermined by those who don’t understand its significance. Firstly, many people are unfamiliar with the term “folk art” and

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Powerful Victory for Toga Varsity Football against Burnt Hills 

Leave a Comment / Sports /

September 16, 2025 by Henry Erreger (‘26) On Friday, September 12, the Blue Streaks varsity football team faced the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Spartans in front of a wild and excited home crowd. The Blue Streaks came off a comeback win against Monroe Woodbury on Saturday, September 6th, and with this the goal of bringing their

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8 Horses, 1 Winner, Thousands of Tourists, and a Town we all Know and Love: Belmont Weekend in Saratoga Springs

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June 9, 2025 by Savannah Winter (‘26) June 9, 2025 by Olivia Clemmensen (‘26) This past weekend, Saratoga Springs prepared for one of the biggest races in the horse racing industry: the Belmont Stakes. After hosting last year’s race, Saratoga Springs was more than ready to see the large crowds of bustling tourists and horse

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