Through the high school offering international student tours with EF, I have traveled to five European countries. Today, I am ranking them based on food, art, architecture, shopping, and attractions. Dive in and don’t be hesitant to allow it to change your opinion on traveling internationally. It truly is a life-changing opportunity that everyone should consider. Honorable Mention: Vatican City The Vatican Museum Vatican City is technically a country due to its religious sig

For many years, experimentation has been the best way for scientists and scholars to learn information all around the world. Some of the most well-known experiments have happened outside of the United States, specifically in Germany during World War 2. Many of the experiments that took place in the United States were much worse and quickly covered up, with the government destroying documents and admitting much, much later that these things happened. One of the big ones took p

The 98th annual Academy Awards (or Oscars) took place the first weekend of spring break (Mar.15th). Here is a short highlight of the event if you didn't sit through the 3 ½ hours like I did. Best Picture 🏆 One Battle After Another took the award in 6 categories, including Best Picture. This win was predictable but deserved. Instead of relying on one strength, One Battle After Another succeeded across the board. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the film is set in a modern

As of January 2026, the Doomsday Clock is set at 85 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been to symbolizing global catastrophe. Doomsday Clock showing that we are very close to world wide catastrophe If you didn’t know, every 28 years the days of the calendar year are perfectly aligned as it was 28 years ago (example: this year lines up with 1998). But what is so special about this 28 year cycle you may ask? Well in the past four 28-year-increments we have either had

A March heat wave has surpassed previous temperature records in parts of the United States. Eight total states have set all-time heat records, and over 160 cities reached a peak of 112 degrees. The areas at highest risk included parts of Arizona, Nevada, and California. This marks four days in a row where March has exceeded normal temperatures, with Phoenix hitting an all-time high of 105 degrees. On Wednesday, North Shore, California, reached a record of 108 degrees, and on

Along with Wes Craven's New Nightmare in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, the first four Scream films were each Wes’s very own babies. While the rest were made under a different direction by directors Tyler Gillett, Matt Oplin, and the 7th being directed by Kevin Williamson. The most recent are famously not as loved, but everyone has their own opinion about this franchise in particular. While in my usual opinion, there is no bad Scream film, there are definitely ones

The Chicago river dyeing is one of the most unique St. Patrick's day traditions. This typically happens the day before St. Patrick's Day at 10 a.m. and is set to be dyed again this year on Saturday. The river is dyed green by Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local 130 of the United Association. This is a famous celebration that can be traced back to 1962. The tradition was supposedly inspired by an accident that happened, where plumbers used dyes to detect water leaks. In 1955, C

Spring break is a perfect time for students to relax, catch up with friends, and explore new things around our area. Here are some ideas to help pass the time Freight House Farmers Market The farmers' market is a popular local attraction that offers a variety of vendors selling food, baked goods, handmade items, and locally grown products. With warmer weather, it’s the perfect time to support local businesses and find unique items not typically found in retail stores. The far

My parents dressed for a night of dancing and music. An example of traditional music building community. For much of my life, I have been surrounded by Irish culture, most notably Irish folk music. I have grown up at Irish music festivals and in the basement of pubs with my family, listening to the boisterous sounds of traditional Irish folk music being kept alive. There are dozens of pictures of me, my brother, and my father dressed in kilts at music festivals, concerts, her

Chill on us. — A North Scott Senior As spring break approaches, many students are feeling the pressure. The final week before the break becomes a sprint to the finish line—packed with assignments, tests, and major projects all at once. Students push themselves to stay on top of work while juggling their other responsibilities. For many students, the excitement of the upcoming break is overshadowed by the overwhelming workload leading up to it. What is currently the most stres

¨It costs nothing to be nice¨ is what Cole Green had to say when I talked to him to prepare for this article. Cole was among the highly suggested seniors in my survey, and I quickly learned why. If you don't know Cole, he is a Senior. Just a few years ahead of his Freshman brother, Zach Green. Cole is #27 on the varsity football team, one of the best on our wrestling team, and even plays soccer. Cole was voted homecoming king along with queen Charlotte Madden. He is described

"Where the Red Fern Grows is not lacking culture; it is culture. Two weeks ago, I reached out to the student body and surveyed them on their favorite standalone novels. The book chosen was Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls, submitted by Robert Wheeler. Where the Red Fern Grows is the ultimate coming-of-age story set in the rural mountainous area of the Oklahoma Ozarks. Billy Coleman is 10 years old at the beginning of the novel. And it is he who guides us through his

Between homework, extracurriculars, jobs, and trying to have a social life, it can seem like there aren't enough hours in the day. But just how busy are our students? I sent out a survey, and it revealed some surprising answers. "How many extracurricular activities are you involved in?" How Busy Our Are Students? At about 100 respondents, the majority are balancing a large number of responsibilities during the school week. When asked about extracurricular activities, almost

Picture of Savannah (left) and Nancy Guthrie (right) on the “Today” show. What is the Nancy Guthrie case? “Nancy Guthrie was last seen on January 31, before she was apparently kidnapped, disappearing from her secluded home in Arizona’s Catalina Foothills without her phone — or critical medications.” (link) So Nancy Guthrie was supposedly kidnapped by a masked man on Feb. 1st, 2026. The days following the kidnapping During the days following, there were ransom notes demanding

There is no perfect answer, or we would already be doing it. — Mr. Marceau Mr. Marceau - Assistant Principal/IT Director Mr. Lehn - Head Principal WIN was created by the admin to give students what they need, yet across North Scott High School, students and teachers are increasingly questioning whether this new system is delivering that promise. In recent interviews, administrators addressed these concerns, exploring the perceived benefits and challenges of our current syste

We are committed to sharing their stories, and committed to advocating for this cause until no parent has to hear the words, ‘Your child has cancer.’ — Campbell Wood, Dance Marathon 32 Executive Director North Scott students and community members will soon have the chance to support children fighting pediatric cancer—one dance move at a time. The North Scott Dance Marathon is a fun, family-friendly event that brings the community together while raising funds for children and

This year, daylight saving time will start on March 8th, 2026, and end on November 1st, 2026. Daylight saving time was believed to have been established in Germany in 1916 and was used in later years during World War I to save energy. The United States later embraced the idea in 1918. Working while the sun was out meant burning less fuel and being able to work more during the day. With the Standard Time Act of 1918, the time change was made official, along with the nation's

Alysa Liu is helping break the boundaries of what it means to be a figure skater. For years, the sport has been shaped by strict and conservative expectations of what a “figure skater” should look like and how they should behave. Through her self-advocacy, revolutionary mindset, and alternative style, Liu is paving the way for a new generation of athletes. Liu’s career is a comeback story for the ages. Winning Olympic gold in figure skating is a monumental achievement on its

“Dance Marathon has always been a place where I’ve felt like Ambrose has always been remembered and honored.¨ North Scott Senior, Memphis Kearney Every year, the University of Iowa raises over a million dollars at its Dance Marathon Fundraiser, and North Scott’s very own Memphis Kearney has been supporting and participating in Dance Marathon as long as she can remember. Dance Marathon raises money for children and families receiving treatment at the University of Iowa Hospita

Connor is a great role model, he teaches me how to be responsible while having fun and how to grow as a person -- Josiah Mulvihill In a high school with so many students, there are always some who stand out. Whether it's kindness, academics, or sports excellence. As we approach our last months with our seniors, we thought it would be nice to get to know some of the ones who have left a mark on the school in bigger ways than most. Since I sent my form out, one of the first and

Monday, February 23rd, the unranked Davenport West Falcons traveled to “The Pit” for a first-round sub-state game against the #9-ranked in 4A (per @IAbasketball on Instagram) North Scott Lancers. Out of the first quarter, North Scott came out hot, scoring 24 points to the Falcons' hard-fought 10 points. Great night for Zane Rus of North Scott, who came back from injury and dropped 16 points, followed by well-known Iowa basketball name Josiah Harrington, who had an impressive

“A study last summer found that in a warming world, the strongest nor’easters were becoming significantly stronger.” On February 22nd-23rd, the northeast was hit with a bomb cyclone. A bomb cyclone is a powerful storm that intensifies rapidly, with its central air pressure dropping by at least 24 millibars in 24 hours. It was about as strong as you can get. It was the strongest one in a decade. It had thunder and lightning, two rare things in a snowstorm. The storm hit the go

Regardless of the controversy around Punch, the consensus seems to be that the little Macaque monkey is adorable, loved by millions, an admirable story of hope, and is a beacon of unity and love around the world. A baby macaque monkey has taken the internet by storm. Punch the macaque monkey was rejected by his mother after his birth in July of 2025 at the Ichika Zoo in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Punch was raised by zookeepers and given a stuffed orangutan from Ikea as a mother

For decades, water bankruptcy was referred to as something that was simply a temporary shock and something that could be recovered from. However, new information is emerging about water shortages showing no signs of recovery, or at least returning to normal baselines. Kaveh Madani, Director of UN University Institute for Water, states in a press briefing, “[f]or much of the world, ‘normal’ is gone.” Madani expresses how this does not mean worldwide failure, but instead that