Author name: The Lightning Rod

Write for Rights: Amnesty International Campaigns for Human Rights

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December 12, 2022 by Francisca Schmalz (’24) This year Amnesty International has 13 individuals that need help–your help. For the last 21 years, Amnesty International has been running a letter-writing campaign called Write for Rights–established with the aim of helping those whose rights have been violated in their home country. This month on Tuesdays after

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Photos: Saratoga Automobile Museum Brings Action to Upstate With Bond in Motion

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November 28, 2022 by Sorell McIntire (’25) The 007 is closer to home than ever in the Saratoga Automobile Museum’s Bond in Motion exhibit, on display through November 2023. The collection includes vehicles used on-screen in the 007 series–featuring the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 and 2015 Aston Martin DB10 among others.  For more information and

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Book Review: Seven Husbands, One True Love, and a Powerful Tale of Human Complexity

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November 28, 2022 by Ciara Meyer (’23) People are not simple: not just good, not just bad, but complex amalgamations of traits and identities. These multifaceted elements of personality become even more complex when some must be hidden due to tragic circumstances, as becomes clear in Taylor Jenkins Reid’s The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

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“Wait… Teachers Have Lives Outside of School?”: Vol 3, Ms. Narkiewicz

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November 28, 2022 by Natalie Rock (’23) Meet Ms. Narkiewicz (Nark-o-witz), most commonly referred to as Nark or Ms. Nark! Favorite Thanksgiving food? Nark said, “Probably dessert. At my parents’ house, all of the desserts are in the garage so you just walk in and there is a table full of desserts. It’s incredible.” Out

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Book Review: “How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories” by Holly Black

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November 28, 2022 by Aditi Singh (’24) Warning: This review contains spoilers An installment in the “Folk of the Air” series, How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories, gives the reader a peek into Prince Cardan’s life before, during, and after the series takes place. During the series, Cardan is shown as a

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Music Review: Tis’ the Season With Phoebe Bridgers’ Christmas Covers

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November 28, 2022 by Jade Helal (’23) As Thanksgiving passes, it’s time to bring in the festive winter spirit. I would say it’s impossible to experience a truly merry mood without Phoebe Bridgers’ annual Christmas cover. Thankfully, she recently dropped her 2022 cover of Handsome Family’s “So Much Wine” and it was a masterpiece. Bridgers

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Peanut Butter Pop-Up: Lessening Food Scarcity in the Community

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November 14, 2022 by Eliza Krackeler (’24) The community volunteer organization Youth² has a vision for the holidays that includes peanut butter and other non-perishable foods. Many people in the Capital Region and beyond are affected by food scarcity. Families need items to fill their pantry shelves, especially during the holiday season. Youth² is partnering

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SSHS Seniors Cast Their First Ballots in the 2022 Midterm Elections

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November 14, 2022 by Ciara Meyer (’23) On November 8, midterm elections brought out an atypically high number of young voters—including numerous Saratoga Springs High School (SSHS) seniors. But while many cast their first ballots, other Saratoga seniors and recent graduates lamented the challenges that prevented them from easily accessing the ballot box in this

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The Real Thanksgiving: Mashed Potatoes With a Side of Family Feuds

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November 14, 2022 by Natalie Rock (’23) Seasoned classics like mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and the annual turkey trot are all staples during the Thanksgiving holiday. People rush to the canned pumpkin pie aisle before the shelves are empty. Families start cooking at 9 am to create the perfect feast. Many puzzle pieces come together

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Inflatable Ghosts, Gold-Plated Skeletons, and Pumpkins Galore: Saratoga’s Halloweekend Decor

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October 31, 2022 by Ciara Meyer ’23 This Halloween, Saratogians’ curb appeal skyrocketed with festive fall decor. For many Saratoga Springs High School (SSHS) students and Saratoga residents, Halloween is the perfect excuse to turn homes into haunted houses and front lawns into make-shift graveyards. “I decorate for every holiday,” said SSHS teacher Nicholas Deady,

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Football: Toga Reaches The Playoffs for First Time in Years After Impressive Homecoming Win Over Colonie Central

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October 31, 2022 by John Vilca ’23 by Sorell Mcintire ’25 With a lot on the line for the Homecoming game on Friday, October 28th, the Blue Streaks came out determined early and dominated with a 34-6 win over Colonie Central. A big moment for Toga, this win secured a trip to the playoffs for

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Album Review: Perfect for Late Night Listening, Taylor Swift’s Midnights

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October 31, 2022 by Jade Helal ’23 Taylor Swift released a new album for the first time in two years, Midnights. A collaboration with Jack Antonoff, the 13 songs on the album represent 13 sleepless nights throughout Swift’s life. A deluxe version, Midnights (3 am edition), was released a mere three hours after the original

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I Survived: Author Lauren Tarshis’ Visit to Saratoga

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October 31, 2022 by McKenna Cook ’25 by Sorell Mcintire ’25 On Sunday, October 23 at the Saratoga Springs Public Library during the Saratoga Book Festival, Lauren Tarshis–author of the I Survived series–held a book signing and discussed her books, inspiration, and writing journey. The I Survived books are all historical fiction with a target

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