Author name: The Lightning Rod

Zodiacs 101: Understanding your Sun, Moon, and Rising Signs

October 13, 2025 by Julia Clemmensen (‘29) At some point you have likely seen something relating to your zodiac sign, given it has been a topic brought up frequently in gen z and millennial culture. However, astrology centering around the idea of astrological (zodiac) signs has been around for a very long time. We look

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United in Pink: Walking for Strength, Support and Bravery

October 13, 2025 by Sophia Karrel (‘29) On October 11th, community members gathered at Pitney Meadows Community Farm to participate in the “I Pink I Can” 5K. The event was hosted by the non-profit To Life and was open to runners and walkers alike, experienced and inexperienced. The 5K served as a way for people

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Toga Field Hockey Plays for a Cause Beyond the Turf this Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October 13, 2025 by Savannah Winter (‘26) In sports, it is important to play for something bigger than yourself, bigger than your team. On Wednesday, October 8th, the Saratoga Varsity Field Hockey team played a competitive Cancer Awareness game against Bethlehem High School. The theme of this game was Pink Out and raised awareness for

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Saratoga Football Wins in a Restless Game Against Guilderland

October 13, 2025 by Henry Erreger (‘26) On Friday, October 10, the Saratoga Blue Streaks played the 4-1 Guilderland Dutchmen in a fiercely energetic home game. Saratoga’s predominant passing offense and resilient defense caused Guilderland to get edged out 28-25. Saratoga has come off two straight wins on the road and were set to face

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Remembering Jane Goodall, A Heroine in the World of Science

October 13, 2025 by Kayla Magnus (‘29) As many of you have probably heard, English primatologist and anthologist Jane Goodall passed away on October 1st from natural causes. She lived an astounding ninety-one years during which she accomplished so much. There are lots of famous last words out there such as Karl Marx’s; “Last words

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Toga Spirit Week, the U.S. Government Shutdown and a Gaza Ceasefire: A Global News Update 

October 13, 2025 by Olivia Clemmensen (‘26) Local: National:  Trump directs Pentagon to ensure troops are paid despite government shutdown | AP News  Government shutdown 2025: What to know | USAFacts  The federal government is still shut down. Here’s what that means in your community : NPR  Global:  Thousands of Palestinians return home as Gaza

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

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

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?

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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