All posts by HPSH Plaid Line

Spring break

By: Merob Geleto

Helenium “Fancy Fan” in Val-Dieu. 23 June 2020, by:
Horst J. Meuter via Wikimedia Commons

Spring break is a one to two week academic holiday for schools and universities during March or April. The purpose of spring break is so that students can get away from school responsibilities before finals. For Highland students, our spring break started on April 6. Our spring break lasted for only a week just like most schools. But is one week really enough time for a break that is supposed to replenish students?

The period between New Year’s and April (2 & 3 quarters) is usually the hardest time (academic wise) in the school year.  Most students are overwhelmed because of the amount of work that is being thrown at them so around March and April is when academic burnout becomes more of a reality. A single week isn’t enough to actually “reset” and overcome that burnout.

Many students use spring break to travel with family and friends but 7 days is very limiting especially for those who attend school far from home.  A two-week break provides better opportunities for vacations and hangouts.

Unlike most students, teachers have a lot of grading and work to catch up on. The more grading a teacher has to do, the less time spring break can be about replenishing themselves. With a two week break, teachers would have enough time to grade, plan, and relax.

Although many people argue that more time away from school leads to “brain drain”, the opposite is true. Students are more likely to be exhausted when they come back to school after a rushed, one week break. A well rested student coming back to school from a two week break would usually be more motivated to work on final exams then a student who had only one week. The benefits of a longer Spring Break and having quality rest is something all students and teachers should experience.

Michigan vs UConn 

By: Sema’Jae Tate

The matchup between the Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball team and the UConn Huskies men’s basketball team was intense from the opening tip. Michigan came out strong, pushing the pace and knocking down early shots to build momentum. Their ball movement created open looks, allowing them to stay competitive throughout the first half. However, UConn responded with physical defense and strong rebounding, preventing Michigan from pulling too far ahead. Michigan was ahead 33-29.

In the second half, UConn began to take control of the game. Their defense tightened, forcing turnovers and limiting Michigan’s scoring opportunities. At the same time, Michigan’s offense found rhythm, converting key possessions and capitalizing on second-chance points. UConn fought hard to stay in the game, but Michigan’s consistency and late-game execution ultimately secured the win. The game showcased both teams’ strengths, but Michigan’s defense and composure proved to be the better team winning 69-63.

Another key aspect of the game between the Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball and the UConn Huskies men’s basketball was the battle of momentum. Throughout the game, both teams went on scoring runs that shifted the energy in the arena. UConn had moments where their offense clicked, hitting consecutive shots and building confidence. However, each time they gained traction, Michigan answered with a run of their own, using defensive stops and fast-break opportunities to swing the momentum back in their favor.

Personally, I feel like it was a good game all around but Michigan just came on top. Hope y’all won y’all bets. Go Michigan!

ICE in airports

By: Janessa Castro Cruz

Photo by Mihaela Claudia Puscas on Pexels.com

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.

Sports schedule for: Apr 13-18

 ATHLETIC EVENTS SCHEDULE APRIL 13 – APRIL 18
MONDAYAPRIL 13 
TIMEBUS TIMESEVENTLOCATION
    
TUESDAYAPRIL 14  
TIMEBUS TIMESEVENTLOCATION
2:00pm Boys Golf Friendship TournamentHighland National GC
4:00pm Badminton vs. Como ParkHOME
B: 4:15pm JV: 5:30pm V: 7:00pm3:30pm | 8:30pmBoys Volleyball vs. Como ParkComo Park High School
V: 4:30pm JV: 4:30pm Baseball vs. WashburnHOME
4:30pm Varsity Softball vs. HumboldtHOME
JV: 5:30pm V: 7:00pm Boys Lacrosse vs. BreckBreck School
JV: 5:30pm V: 7:00pm Girls Lacrosse vs. BreckTwo Rivers High School
WEDNESDAYAPRIL 15  
TIMEBUS TIMESEVENTLOCATION
2:00pm Girls Golf Friendship TournamentCedarholm Golf Course
3:30pm Varsity Boys Golf vs. Como ParkHighland National GC
4:00pm Track and Field Meet vs. Washington Tech and HumboldtHOME
4:00pm3:15pm | 5:00pmBadminton vs. KennedyKennedy High School
V: 4:00pm JV: 4:00pm Boys Tennis vs. Como ParkV: Como Park High School JV: HOME
V: 4:30pm JV: 4:30pm Softball vs. RooseveltHOME
JV: 4:30pm JV Baseball vs. HumboldtHOME
THURSDAYAPRIL 16  
TIMEBUS TIMESEVENTLOCATION
12:30pm Varsity Boys Golf 9-Hole TournamentPhalen Golf Course
3:30pm JV Boys Golf vs. SPAHighland 9
4:00pm3:15pm | 5:00pmBadminton vs. HardingHarding High School
4:30pm Varsity Softball vs. Washington TechHOME
B: 5:00pm JV: 5:00pm V: 6:30pm Boys Volleyball vs. HardingHOME
JV: 5:30pm V: 7:00pm Girls Lacrosse vs. TartanTartan High School
FRIDAYAPRIL 17  
TIMEBUS TIMESEVENTLOCATION
3:45pm2:15pm | 8:00pm 2 busesTrack and Field Warrior RelaysTwo Rivers High School
V: 4:00pm JV: 4:00pm Boys Tennis vs. WoodburyV: HOME JV: Woodbury High School
V: 4:30pm JV: 4:30pm3:15pm | 6:30pmBaseball vs. KennedyV: Red Haddox Field JV: HOME
V: 4:30pm JV: 4:30pm3:15pm | 6:00pmSoftball vs. HardingV: Harding High School JV: Eastview Park
5:00pm B-Squad Boys Volleyball vs. St. Croix PrepHOME
SATURDAYAPRIL 18  
TIMEBUS TIMESEVENTLOCATION
11:00am Varsity Baseball vs. SPAHOME

‘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

Photo by igovar igovar on Pexels.com

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

Photo by Cris Mu00e9nlu00e9s on Pexels.com

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!