Opinion – Page 2 – The Lightning Rod

How F.R.I.E.N.D.S Helped Shape the Modern Thanksgiving Tradition We Know Today

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November 24, 2025 by Haley Hammer (‘29) Friendsgiving, a widely celebrated tradition, has grown significantly since the term was coined in the early 2000’s. If you are unfamiliar with the tradition, it is simply sharing a Thanksgiving meal with your friends rather than your family. While now Friendsgiving is roughly celebrated by 20% of all […]

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The 20-Year Rule Has Gotten to the Polka Dot

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November 10, 2025 by Katie Plue (‘27) It all started in the mid-1800s with the development of the polka dot pattern. To start, they were commonly found on children’s clothes, toys, furniture, and ceramics. Now, they have broken into the modern fashion world and are frequently seen on shirts, dresses, or even nail designs. It’s

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No Regrets, Right? Regretting You Movie Review

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November 10, 2025 by Olivia Clemmensen (‘26) Premiering on American silver screens on October 24, 2025, Regretting You was a highly publicized and anticipated movie remake of Colleen Hoover’s 2019 novel. While I have yet to read the book, I was extremely intrigued by the beautifully complicated and romantic drama that was the film. The

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Teams to Look Out for in the NBA This Season

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November 10, 2025 by Teddy Lodico (‘29) 1. New York Knicks The Knicks, over the past few decades, have been worse than bad. They have underperformed year after year, losing countless players with raw talent for players who turned out to be just so-so. As a Knicks fan, watching this team lose again and again

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Female Education Activist Malala Yousafzai Speaks at Skidmore College

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October 27, 2025 by Olivia Clemmensen (‘26) On Saturday, October 25th, world renown Pakistani activist and Nobel Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai graced Skidmore College’s Arthur Zankel Music Center with a visit to speak about her new book “Finding My Way,” and her journey of redefining and exploring a new, more genuine side of herself. College

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Top 10 Movies for Your Halloween Movie Marathon

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October 27, 2025 by Katie Plue (‘27) Halloween plays a huge role in the fall season, and the best way to get into the fall vibes this year is to watch some Halloween movies. So, grab a blanket, light a candle and let’s talk about the best Halloween movies to watch this season. 10. Weapons

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“No Kings Day” Protests Rock the World

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October 27, 2025 by Sarah Pipino (‘26) With the backdrop of the government shutdown entering its 27th day, making it the second longest in history, another event was stopping the streets of America. On Saturday, October 18th, the chants and cheers of the second national No Kings Day protest of 2025 rang out across the

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

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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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Nutrition: the Key to Athletic Success

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September 29, 2025 by Ella Smullen (‘26) Being a student athlete in high school can be extremely beneficial, as it can lead to many athletic opportunities in the future, which could set you up for the rest of your life. As a student athlete, it’s important to know how to stay healthy when you are

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UGGs vs. Birkenstocks: What’s in this Fall?

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September 29, 2025 by Katie Plue (‘27) With fall of 2025 in full swing, students are in school and trying to put together outfits that make it bearable to leave the house when it’s 60 degrees at seven in the morning. However, there is a hard decision we all have to make before we walk

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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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A Shaheen’s Goodbye

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May 27, 2025 by Areeba Suleman (‘26) “You are a Shaheen (falcon); flight is your vocation: You have other skies stretching out before you.” This quote from the famous Urdu poet, Allama Iqbal, has been my anchor all throughout my life, and certainly throughout my journey here at Saratoga Springs High School. Iqbal calls his

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The Problem with Interpolations

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May 12, 2025 by Elias Prodger (‘26) If you walk into any doctor’s office in this country, you are bound to come across a couple of things. Rows of tolerable blue padded chairs, endless copies of sports magazines (often about golfing), and at least one TV blasting Good Morning America or HGTV reruns. On a

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Prom Dresses

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May 12, 2025 by Alli Richard (‘26) The SSHS 2025 Junior-Senior prom is approaching everyone! Whether you haven’t yet gotten a dress and need hot take, or want to find out who everyone’s going with, I’ve got you! Across America, teens are preparing for a night of fun with creative promposals, hurried dress shopping, and

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Nationwide “Hands Off” Protest Made it to Downtown Saratoga

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April 11, 2025 by Ava Tatum (‘25) Last Saturday, April 5th, the nationwide “Hands Off” protest took place in over 1000 cities. The protests were organized by environmental groups like Third Act, Reproductive Freedom for All, and the 50501 Movement. These groups advocate against the Trump Administration’s handling of social security, federal jobs, Medicaid, and

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A Minecraft Movie: A Movie Worth Experiencing?

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April 11, 2025 by Daniel Hancock (‘26) Just last Friday, a movie many fans have wished for their whole lives was released. A Minecraft Movie. After trailers and countless memes, the movie was finally released for everyone to experience. With such excitement, did A Minecraft Movie truly live up to all its hype? For anyone

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