By: Cael Schwartzbauer
Monthly Archives: April 2026
ICE in airports
By: Janessa Castro Cruz

Airports around the country are very busy, with long lines that stretch for hours and travelers missing flights. TSA workers are calling in sick or just quitting all together. In response to all that, on March 23, 2026, the Trump administration deployed ICE agents (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to U.S. airports. They stated that the agents will help and assist TSA agents (Transportation Security Administration) who are not currently getting paid because of the government shutdown.
The administration has plans to send the ICE agents to 14 different airports around the country, and that includes Chicago, Houston, New York, and Atlanta. They are assisting with simpler tasks like freeing up more TSA employees to perform security work. The agents are now guarding entrances and exits and also doing crowd control while also getting trained by TSA workers.
Even though many ICE agents have been maskless in the airports, the presence of them still have made many travelers uneasy due to their violent reputation. The enforcement has received mixed reactions, democratic leaders have warned travelers of ICE’s brutality, while some travelers have stated that the presence of ICE has been helpful. A New Jersey senator, Corey Booker, stated that the reason why Trump refuses to let dollars flow to TSA is because he wants to continue the reckless and chaotic actions of ICE.
Tom Homan said on March 29, 2026, that ICE agents could remain at U.S. airports to assist with those security operations even though TSA officials are set to receive their paychecks. He stated that it will depend on how many TSA agents come back to their job, and how many have actually quit or have no plans on coming back to their jobs. Homan added that he is working very closely with the TSA administration and ICE directors to decide what the airports need.
What’s your favorite thing to do over the spring season
By: Alexsia Williams
Sports schedule for: Apr 13-18
| ATHLETIC EVENTS SCHEDULE APRIL 13 – APRIL 18 | |||
| MONDAY | APRIL 13 | ||
| TIME | BUS TIMES | EVENT | LOCATION |
| TUESDAY | APRIL 14 | ||
| TIME | BUS TIMES | EVENT | LOCATION |
| 2:00pm | Boys Golf Friendship Tournament | Highland National GC | |
| 4:00pm | Badminton vs. Como Park | HOME | |
| B: 4:15pm JV: 5:30pm V: 7:00pm | 3:30pm | 8:30pm | Boys Volleyball vs. Como Park | Como Park High School |
| V: 4:30pm JV: 4:30pm | Baseball vs. Washburn | HOME | |
| 4:30pm | Varsity Softball vs. Humboldt | HOME | |
| JV: 5:30pm V: 7:00pm | Boys Lacrosse vs. Breck | Breck School | |
| JV: 5:30pm V: 7:00pm | Girls Lacrosse vs. Breck | Two Rivers High School | |
| WEDNESDAY | APRIL 15 | ||
| TIME | BUS TIMES | EVENT | LOCATION |
| 2:00pm | Girls Golf Friendship Tournament | Cedarholm Golf Course | |
| 3:30pm | Varsity Boys Golf vs. Como Park | Highland National GC | |
| 4:00pm | Track and Field Meet vs. Washington Tech and Humboldt | HOME | |
| 4:00pm | 3:15pm | 5:00pm | Badminton vs. Kennedy | Kennedy High School |
| V: 4:00pm JV: 4:00pm | Boys Tennis vs. Como Park | V: Como Park High School JV: HOME | |
| V: 4:30pm JV: 4:30pm | Softball vs. Roosevelt | HOME | |
| JV: 4:30pm | JV Baseball vs. Humboldt | HOME | |
| THURSDAY | APRIL 16 | ||
| TIME | BUS TIMES | EVENT | LOCATION |
| 12:30pm | Varsity Boys Golf 9-Hole Tournament | Phalen Golf Course | |
| 3:30pm | JV Boys Golf vs. SPA | Highland 9 | |
| 4:00pm | 3:15pm | 5:00pm | Badminton vs. Harding | Harding High School |
| 4:30pm | Varsity Softball vs. Washington Tech | HOME | |
| B: 5:00pm JV: 5:00pm V: 6:30pm | Boys Volleyball vs. Harding | HOME | |
| JV: 5:30pm V: 7:00pm | Girls Lacrosse vs. Tartan | Tartan High School | |
| FRIDAY | APRIL 17 | ||
| TIME | BUS TIMES | EVENT | LOCATION |
| 3:45pm | 2:15pm | 8:00pm 2 buses | Track and Field Warrior Relays | Two Rivers High School |
| V: 4:00pm JV: 4:00pm | Boys Tennis vs. Woodbury | V: HOME JV: Woodbury High School | |
| V: 4:30pm JV: 4:30pm | 3:15pm | 6:30pm | Baseball vs. Kennedy | V: Red Haddox Field JV: HOME |
| V: 4:30pm JV: 4:30pm | 3:15pm | 6:00pm | Softball vs. Harding | V: Harding High School JV: Eastview Park |
| 5:00pm | B-Squad Boys Volleyball vs. St. Croix Prep | HOME | |
| SATURDAY | APRIL 18 | ||
| TIME | BUS TIMES | EVENT | LOCATION |
| 11:00am | Varsity Baseball vs. SPA | HOME | |
‘The Hunt (Jagten)’ Review
By: Amir Salaad
WARNING: This review contains Major spoilers
‘The Hunt (Jagten)’ is a drama movie directed by Thomas Vinterberg and released in 2012. This movie is about a nice kindergarten assistant living in a small Danish village when his life is ruined by a false accusation. The rating of this movie is R because it has some sexual content, some violence and language.
Lucas is a lonely guy but has some respect in his community and he’s getting his life back together after a divorce and custody battle for his son Marcus. He works at a preschool in the village where the kids all love him, like Klara, who’s the daughter of his best friend, Theo. After Klara says something about Lucas touching her to the principal, Lucas gets called out for touching Klara. Even though there is no evidence against Lucas, and he’s denying it, the whole village goes against him.
When the film keeps going, the person watching can see Lucas’s life really fall apart. He gets banned from the grocery store, he gets assaulted, and gets shut out by his so called “family”. The tension in the film gets higher as ‘The Hunt’ goes from Lucas getting cut off from the whole village to him getting beat up. And all of this happens when the viewer knows that Lucas is really innocent. The closer it gets to the end the more you can see Lucas’s life go all the way down.
Mads Mikkelsen gives a good performance of Lucas. He shows a guy that’s slowly losing himself over the movie over a false rumor. He tries to stay strong but slowly starts to go insane.
Theo, Lucas’s friend, also has a weird feeling over the movie when he struggles with protecting his daughter Klara and believing that his friend didn’t touch his daughter.
My thoughts on the film is that it’s a great movie but that it also plays with your head. Because at the end of the movie, after everything calms down for Lucas and it’s proven that he didn’t touch Klara, he gets shot at at the end of the movie. What I think that means is that nothing will ever actually go back to normal for him. At least for Lucas.
I would give ‘The Hunt (Jagten)’ a 10/10. This movie is on Prime Video and other streaming services.
Pros and cons of AI
By: Janessa Castro Cruz

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a technology that makes computers and machines to simulate human learning, creativity, thinking, and problem solving. They understand and respond to human language and learn from new information and experience. AI is able to make detailed recommendations and act independently, replacing the need for human intelligence. Over the years, AI’s popularity has risen and some believe that AI shouldn’t be used and should be banned, and others believe it’s a great tool and should be more available. There are lots of pros and cons of AI.
PROS: Some benefits of AI is that you can work faster, as it can generate outputs faster than the human brain and body can process information. You could work smarter when using it, and the machine can make mistakes but it’s more often in humans. There have been research studies that show AI-assisted reviewing is more accurate than basic human reviewing.
CONS: AI could create a lot of deep-fakes, causing fraud, theft, scams, and more. It’s possible that AI can create fake representations of real people and events. The tool is now in the workforce and has caused people to lose their jobs also causing mass unemployment. The school system is now disrupted; students rely on AI to do their work for them, cheat on tests, and more meaning they aren’t learning anything. It also consumes a lot of water, making it harmful to our earth. Data centers powering AI are predicted to consume over 426 billion liters of water annually by 2030
I don’t think AI should be used, especially in the school system and in jobs. If it’s affecting students’ education and doing the work for them then they aren’t learning anything. It’s also causing people to lose their jobs and they shouldn’t allow that to happen. I believe that AI should only be used to brainstorm ideas and help with research and reviewing.
Spring break
By: Sema’Jae Tate

Hi Highland scholars!
Spring break is around the corner and I know it brings a lot of excitement and relief after working hard and it brings a sense of excitement and relief after weeks of hard work and routine. It’s a time to take a break from school, relax and recharge, whether that means traveling somewhere warm, spending time with friends and family or just enjoying some quiet days at home.
The longer days and warmer (hopefully) weather make everything feel more alive, giving people the chance to get outside and try new things. Some things you could do over spring break include going to city clubs and programs, working, and sports. Other people may travel. I myself plan on trying out for an AAU team and to visit family.
Spring break isn’t just about fun, it’s also a chance to reset, clear your mind and come back feeling refreshed and ready to finish the rest of the year strong. Personally, I’m looking forward to pushing myself to get all my work done on time, to finish the year strong.
No matter what you end up doing for spring break, hope you have an amazing time!
“Dear Daniel” (Advice Column)
By: Daniel Kendle
Hey guys, it’s me: Jake Paul — except not really. Actually, my name is Daniel, and I’m a senior here at, uh…(types on keyboard) Highland Park Senior High. Something like that, anyway.
As among this school’s most knowledgeable, attractive, and overall indispensable members, I thought it sensible to, in my twilight months here, shed some wisdom off onto you fledgling students. Like a mother bird to their wailing young, I shall regurgitate the writhing, worm-like information I’ve amassed over the last few years into your pitch-black maws, allowing your remaining years here to be as gentle and relaxed as mine were.
Thus, I sent out a poll on Instagram to all of my followers, asking for any burning questions they may have about either moi or other, less interesting junk. I’ve sampled 5 questions I received there, so without further ado, let’s crack these suckers open!
. . .
Dear Daniel,
“What’s 9 + 10?”
- Angie V.
First-off, thank you for responding to the poll, Angie, as this is a great question. To solve this problem, simply adding the numbers 9 and 10 together — combining them, essentially — will result in the answer of 19. I hope that helps you with your homework endeavors.
Dear Daniel,
“How do you stay so sharp?”
- Miranda S.
Well, I-! (Chuckles) I wasn’t expecting this at 10 in the morning! My kindest regards to you, Miranda, for such a delightful question. Now, as for staying so sharp, tch…I use a whetstone pretty often, actually.
Dear Daniel,
“What would happen if the sun grew at 1 inch per second?”
- Chicory S.
Ah, a science-related question! Glad to see one make the list; I’ve always been interested in ‘Hamlet,’ ‘The Odyssey’ and the like. Put simply, Chicory, I think a lot of people would die, of course. Animals too, even. Heck — let’s just throw plants into there as well! I also think the sun would look a lot bigger from Earth, too, so that’s pretty cool. This wraps up the extent of this scenario’s consequences, I believe.
Dear Daniel,
“Are cozy video games really that bad?”
- Munira A.
That’s an interesting question, Munira. I’m relatively-famous for my supposed disdain for “cozy games” — even briefly starting a cult around this notion — but to be honest, they’re…fine. I do actually hate the cozy game aesthetic you see so many YouTubers decorate their rooms to mimic, but as for the games themselves, I don’t mind them all that much. I don’t play them often, though I do plan on checking out some of the more popular titles someday, like ‘Stardew Valley.’
I guess I just enjoy games that offer difficulty and challenge from harsher means than growing crops. Y’know, there’s a difference between stressing over optimal soy bean harvesting and stressing over killing a blood demon, or whatever. One scenario isn’t “better” than the other, per say, but I simply enjoy the latter much more.
And now, finally…
Dear Daniel,
“What’s the best way to cook boxed mac n’ cheese?”
- Chicory S.
Well, pushing aside the fact that mac n’ cheese is disgusting regardless of how it’s cooked, I believe a cardboard box over an open flame is the ideal method of cooking it. (Chuckles) I mean, there’s a reason “box” is in the name, after all.
Anyways, those were just a mere sampling of questions received from this little social experiment. Thanks for reading, and hey — if any of you guys know a doctor, can you ask about how to safely remove cardboard from a human stomach? Thanks in advance; I’ve been meaning to go for the past week, but anytime I stand up, blood starts leaking from my ears. Cheers!
Student’s Spring Break Plans
By: Story Houghton and Damiya Payne
How to Balance Dance and School
By Mazie Hughes and Avi Zmira



