Madilyn Brus

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 significance. That...

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, heritage events, and...

"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 story about his...

“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 Hospital.  Dancers...

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 figure while he...

Picture books are a fun way to introduce reading to kids and a real nostalgia kick for teens and adults as they re-experience their favorite literary worlds and characters. Picture books are arguably one of the most nostalgic things that adults and teens can still enjoy, even if they claim to have outgrown them. Picture books are among the first things we learn to read, and arguably among the most interesting and engaging. Some people believe that they are above picture books; I disagree. No...

Speechies, help load the truck after the state competition. Last weekend, the North Scott Speech Team headed to state! With a call time of 6 am, most Speechies arrived one of two ways: completely ready, in their performance black, to take on the busy day of rehearsal and competition, or still in their PJs and curlers in their hair. They fired up two buses as the team consisted of 14 advancing teams qualifying for state at Clear Creek Amana High School. Some may be wondering, what is the...

Nevertheless, “The Great Divide” is still a great song and follows many admirable themes, such as the grittiness of youth, hope, and the direction life takes you. Noah Kahan, an artist who rose to relevance in 2022 with his album release called Stick Noah Kahan, Singer/Songwriter Season  n has just released another hit song. Kahan started writing son gs at the age of 8 and began uploading songs as a teenager. Before the release of Stick Season  at the age of 25, Kahan had written and...

There is something for everyone this February. Read on for recommendations for books about love for family, friends, romance, and Black History Month. Cuddle up this February, a.k.a. that month of love, with some amazing books. The books featured this month are all tied to the month's theme, love. Books About Families That You’ll Love! Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo Clap When You Land , based on ‌the real-life American Airlines 587 crash, features the fictional stories of two girls...