The past four years have been an eventful time for me. My high school years are probably among the most memorable of my life, and I often look back on them at random moments.

I remember when I first started high school and was so nervous; I only had a couple of people who I talked to at the time. I got lost quite a few times within the first week before I finally got the hang of the building layout.

To be honest, my freshman year wasn’t the greatest that it could have been. Some personal issues happened, and I got suspended for a week near the end for doing something I shouldn’t have been doing, but to me, I feel like everyone, or most people, do something they shouldn’t at least once during their time in high school.

My sophomore year wasn’t that much different, minus the fact that I didn’t get in trouble like I did the year before. I joined the marching band the summer before, and so I had a busy summer before going into my sophomore year. I met some new people in the guard and made new friends, talking to people I never would have expected to talk to, let alone be friends with. Besides joining the marching band, that was the only exciting or new thing that happened to me.

Junior year was one of my hardest years yet. For some reason, the pressure to pass all my classes and avoid failure was greater that year compared to any other year. I had made the mistake of taking three different AP classes. At the time, I thought it was a good idea, but now that I look back on it, I sometimes wonder what I was thinking. AP Chemistry, AP US History, and AP Language and Composition weren’t the greatest combination. If I could go back, I would tell myself not to take AP Chemistry, which was the hardest class I have ever taken, and I barely even passed the class.

And then there was my senior year, the last year of my high school career. I thought it was going to be more emotional like it was for other people in my family who have graduated recently within the past few years, but it wasn’t, not now at least. I wouldn’t be surprised if during commencement was when I decided to finally cry, but throughout this year, when everyone else was crying over it being their last. I just didn’t question it. I didn’t feel myself being sad about it. I didn’t even cry during the senior walks at the elementary schools.

In the end, I am sad to know that my time here is coming to an end. I have had my moments where I didn’t want to come to school, but in the end, it was still a great time for me and a great experience. I know that I am going into bigger things and that this is just the beginning of everything. My high school chapter is over, and my college one will start in August. All I can do now is hope for the future and continue growing as a person, and hope for the best. This is Adi signing off for the last time.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune combines fantasy and found family. The book focuses on a man named Linus Baker, a social worker in the government organization Department in Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY). His sole purpose is to go to the orphanages where the magical youth live and make sure that the children aren’t being abused and that they aren’t causing harm to themselves or others. This review does contain spoilers, so read at your own risk.

Throughout the book, there is a great deal of talk and theme surrounding the idea that the government doesn’t always have the best intentions in mind for the minorities, and can say one thing but do something different as well as how once you get the feeling of something good in your life and you go back to what was normal for you after it doesn’t feel normal anymore. It also mentions some of the struggles that the kids go through, which are some struggles that people of a minority group face in their day-to-day lives. T.J. Klune has a way of writing about modern-day issues and tying them into a fantasy world where the problems might be different, but in the end, not that far off from what is going on in the world.

The book has become one of my favorites that I have read because it addresses real-world problems with a unique twist. The book is a way of pointing out some of the discriminatory ways of the government in the way it treats the magical community in the world. Klune focuses on this by focusing on a man named Linus Baker who is assigned to an island called Masayras to oversee the orphanage located there, as well as to evaluate the master of the orphanage, Arthur Parnassus. 

Linus is a man who follows routine as well as sticks to the rules. He does things with exact precision, as well as making sure that every detail is correct in all the reports that he makes while doing his job. Because of this, he was assigned the case that would inevitably lead to him leaving DICOMY and finally finding the color in his life, compared to the rain-filled landscape he is used to.

The first half of his being on the island is the typical reaction and conversations one would have when a government official is temporarily living with them. Linus would sit in on the children's lessons and join them for dinner. At first, Linus was stiff and on edge around the children, especially one of them, Lucifer, also known as Lucy, the antichrist. The other children, Phee, a forest sprite; Talia, a gnome; Theodore, a wyvern (a type of dragon); Chauncey, a type of green blob creature (his species remains unknown throughout the entire book); and Sal, a shifter who shifts into a tiny dog.

As the time Linus spends on the island goes by, he begins to let his protective walls go down, as well as starting to form his bonds with the kids, despite it being against the rules for a social worker. The kids have gotten used to his presence, as well as letting him join them when they have their own leisure time by themselves to pursue their interests. But unfortunately, it doesn’t last long. 

As mentioned before, Linus is only there to do a job, and while doing that job, his character has changed. At the beginning of the book, Linus was a man who kept to himself as well as someone who was constantly following the rules, doing what he was told, and making sure everything was done perfectly and correctly. Arthur is one of the main reasons why his character has evolved from someone who is rigid and schedule-driven to someone who is more relaxed and willing to do things outside of a schedule. The relationship between Arthur and Linus is one of close friends that, near the end, becomes that of lovers. The chemistry between the two is seen throughout the entire book, from their first meeting to the last scene with the two of them.

Once Linus leaves the island with his final report and returns to the dreary city life, all he can think about is the island as well as the people he left behind while there. He returns to his normal routine, traveling from home to work with DICOMY and then back home. After a few weeks, he’s had enough, after spending time with someone who has voiced their opinion on the government and their process with handling the magical community.

Slowly and secretly, Linus breaks the rules by sneaking away files of children to get in contact with them and to check up on and see how they are doing. Once a social worker closes a case and puts in their recommendation, the child is never heard from again, no matter what the outcome is. And Linus is tired of it, he’s tired of the government not actually doing anything that they say they will and just doing nothing or the opposite. 

Once he has enough files, he just leaves and walks out of the building. Linus goes home, grabs his cat and what little clothes he has and gets on a train to leave. He leaves and goes back to the island, back to Arthur and the kids. They opened his eyes and allowed him to see the color in the world. His return is a shock to everyone there; no one was expecting him to come back, but in the end they were all happy to see him. The tension that existed between Linus and Arthur finally engulfed them, they shared their first kiss.

It is overall a great book. I love how it can tie real-world issues into that of a fictional lifestyle with magical beings. T.J. Klune continues on with the story in a second book called Somewhere Beyond the Sea, where it goes more in-depth about how the government is trying to control the magical beings and influence the people to agree to their agenda. This book was recommended to me by my school counselor he felt that this book would pique my interest and it did, and I would recommend it to anyone who was into fantasy blended into the modern world.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is a retelling of Homer’s Iliad, which tells the story of Patroclus and Achilles through the perspective of Patroclus. Throughout the novel, the narrator follows Patroclus's life during his exile from his home kingdom while also befriending the son of the king who took him in, Achilles. And be warned, there will be spoilers for the book throughout this review.

The book starts with a slight description of Patroclus's father and mother. His father is described as strong, while his mother is described as plain and simple. The relationship between the two is not a happy one. The father loathes both his wife and Patroclus. Patroclus is described as below average compared to the other boys around; he is seen as weak and pathetic in the eyes of his father, while his mother is in her own world.

In the beginning, the focus is on the relationship between Patroclus and his father and how he is a disappointment compared to other sons and princes. No matter what Patroclus did to try and get the approval of his father, nothing worked; the only thing that got his attention was that he never grew sick like the people around him, and even then, it wasn’t in a good light. While Patroclus is hosting the Olympics, which is what it will later be known as, he has his first look at Achilles. Achilles is participating in the young runners' part of the race. Patroclus was entranced by his lighter hair compared to the sea of dark hair that surrounded him from the other young boys. When I first read the slight interaction of the two, I found it weird at the time because I didn’t realize that was Achilles whom Patroclus was talking about.

Throughout the race, Patroclus could only watch him. After the race ended, Achilles was crowned the winner, and Patroclus was forced to go under training to try and make him a “worthy” son. During one of the times that he runs away, he has an encounter with a boy, and the encounter is what drives the story on a more complex path than it was before.

While reading the first part of the book, I was confused because I knew there had to be more to the story, and I felt as if Achilles wasn’t going to be a main character as I had thought he was going to be. As I continued to read the story and got to where Patroclus was exiled and sent away, that’s where everything started to make sense. At the time, I didn’t know that the book would be in Patroclus’s point of view.

The middle of the book had more character relationship-building. It went from depicting how Patroclus envied Achilles for being what he couldn’t be to them being close comrades and secret lovers. The relationship that they form is what drives a lot of the actions and decisions each of the characters make throughout the rest of the book. When getting closer to the end, the Greeks go to war and try to get Helen back home to her husband and kingdom, Achilles doesn’t want Patroclus to go but he was called upon from an oath that was made when he was younger, barely being able to retell the story of when the oath was made.

As the Greeks make their travels and set their camps and plan their war strategies, Achilles has a sense of need to protect Patroclus. Patroclus was never a good fighter. When the two spent time with Chiron on his mountain, Patroclus learned the art of healing while Achilles continued to train. Around this time, I noticed a shift in their dynamic. It almost felt as if Achilles went from seeing Patroclus as an equal to someone who can’t protect himself when needed. During the first attack, Achilles made Patroclus stay close to him so that way no harm came to him.

As the point of war continued on, things changed. Achilles refused to fight because he was wronged by one of the kings there and refused to aid them. No begging and pleading, even from Patroclus, would convince him to take arms again. As an attack from the Trojans threatens to rid the Greeks of their ships, Patroclus disguises himself as Achilles and rallies the Greeks to fight. While doing this, it will inevitably lead to his death, and while his death is mournful, the effect it has on Achilles is even worse than death itself.

Once Achilles learns of Patroclus' death, he goes rogue. He is haunted by the memories of Patroclus to the point where he goes on a murderous rampage against the Trojans. Eventually, he will be shot and killed by an archer.

The book has many underlying themes hidden beneath it, but one that had a habit of sticking out to me while reading was how there was a memory of something or someone that stayed with one of the characters. I believe the author was commenting that memories can have a powerful effect and hold onto someone, no matter the type of memory that it is. If someone were to ask me for a book recommendation, The Song of Achilles would be one of my top recommendations. I would recommend this book because of the retelling of Greek history and mythology.

According to th Migration Policy Institute, 14.3% of America's population and several other countries are immigrants. Here in America, there is growing diversity in the different cultures seen, and that’s all thanks to the immigrants and their families who move here and continue to honor their cultures in their new home. People have left their home countries to start a fresh life for their families and new opportunities.

Immigration is the process of coming into a foreign country to live there permanently. According to the History Channel website, the first record of US immigration comes from the 1880s, known as “the first wave of immigration.” The majority of the immigrants at the time were coming from Europe. Around that time, the European government had to decree that all around Europe was overpopulated and had to repeal laws prohibiting emigration.

As time continues to go on, immigration continues to happen all around the US and the world. Today, immigration has proven its usefulness and the help it can give to the country.

With the help of immigration, the country's economy and society are impacted by the growing workforce diversity, boosting innovation, and helping offset any demographic shifts caused by an aging population.

When it comes to immigration, there is a great deal of misleading information and a plethora of stigma surrounding it and those who immigrated or come from families where past relatives had immigrated.

One of the most common misconceptions of immigration is that the people who are moving to the country are coming for people’s jobs. Yes, some are moving for work purposes, but their intention is not to take away jobs and income from other people. While some people do lose their jobs, it’s never because of the ones who move here. Most of them take up the jobs that the vast majority of Americans don’t want to do for income.

According to the National Immigration Forum, a vast 30% to 40% of construction workers are people who come from Hispanic origins. And depending on some states, like California and Texas, the numbers are higher. Some people believe it has to do with the working conditions being similar to those of an average day in their home country or the drive to provide for their families in the new foreign country.

While some people believe immigration is harmful to the economy and the country, it isn’t. It helps to grow the economy and bring diversity to the culture. In today's society, people cling to any reason given to them about why immigration is bad and why the people who immigrate or come from families who need to be deported. Deportation is the official removal of a foreign national from a country for violating immigration law. While some people who get deported are deported for good reason, there are still those who did nothing wrong and are still forced to leave. All it does is separate families and ruin lives that were worked hard for to be earned and maintained in the new country, even if the person did violate an immigration law, they are forced to leave their family behind. People need to consider the fact that without immigration, the economy wouldn’t be what it is today.

Everyone has a preference for what kind of shows they watch. Some people prefer reality shows, comedy shows, and true crime, and few still watch cartoons. Another kind of show that many watch is anime, it’s a Japanese style of cartoon. Over the years, anime has evolved in its style and what kind of stories it tells.

According to Google and Wikipedia, the first anime was created by Junichi Kouchi in 1917. The idea behind anime was influenced by the Western animation techniques that were common in the early 1900s. The first anime to be created was Namakura Gatana (The Dull Sword). It is a silent film about a man who bought a dull sword and still attempts tsujigiri, which is a way for a samurai to test out a new technique or weapon on a random passerby at night.

Anime has a significant influence on Japanese culture as it acts as a window into various aspects of the Japanese lifestyle. It showcases the food, language, customs, art, mythology, and social practices of the people who live in Japan. Not only does it hold an influence in Japanese culture but in other parts of the world as well.

According to Google, the art style has become a global cultural powerhouse by captivating audiences and reshaping the entertainment industry around the world. It was at first considered a niche interest, but now it influences fashion and even tourism, and fans connect deeply to the stories and characters that they watch.

Anime has gone from the simplistic designs of the early 1900s to the now high-definition visuals of the 2010s, which showcases constant artistic innovation and the evolution of the art style. Like all types of shows and animations, it’s a great way to explore different cultures and see how animation can be used to entertain.

I enjoy anime because it’s another way for me to travel to different places and worlds without having to leave the comfort of my home. Netflix and Hulu have many great options of anime shows to watch. If you are more of a reader, you can always purchase the Manga version of the book from a bookstore like Barnes & Noble or even read it online through apps on your phone.

People love to travel, whether within their own country or to a whole new country. Traveling is a great way to experience the life and culture of those countries, step out of the known comfort zone, and do things that typically wouldn’t be done.

Everyone has his or her own preference on where to travel for vacation. Some people prefer to travel to areas that have sandy beaches, while others prefer mountains or snow. People just love to travel around the world to experience new sights and see the world around them. Everyone has their top five favorite places to travel to, according to USNews.com, they have compiled a list from 2024 for 2025.

Starting at number five: we have Australia. Australia is in the top five countries to visit because of its diverse landscapes, unique wildlife, vibrant culture, and the appeal of its laid-back adventurous spirit. One of the more well-known destinations in Australia is the Sydney Opera House. One of the more natural attractions is the Great Barrier Reef.

Number four is Greece. Greece is the home of the Greek gods and the legends and stories that follow them. One of the many reasons this is one of the top places to visit is its rich history, natural places to visit, and vibrant culture. While there you can explore the remains of ancient Greece and see how their modern and ancient architecture collide together in the modern world.

Number three on the list is France, the home of the city of love. France is known for its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscape, and its renowned cuisine. Two of the more known locations to visit are the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum, which holds the famous Mona Lisa painting. France has its own happiest place on earth at Disneyland Paris.

Coming in at number two is Spain. Spain is known for its cultural influence, diverse landscapes, vibrant culinary scene, and a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Some of the many things to try and visit are the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and the top foods to try are the paella, tapas, and many more.

Finally, the number one country to visit is none other than Italy. In Italy, you can experience the diverse culture, see the stunning landscapes, and see the rich history that is located there. The geographic beauty of Italy is what makes it such a popular destination for vacations. While there you can see the Colosseum and visit one of the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites that hold both a natural and cultural influence on the people.

Although these are the top five countries to visit based on USNews.com, everyone has their own opinion on it. Within a few years, the website could be saying something completely different about what the top five countries are. What is most important are the countries that intrigue the people who go, and what memories are kept from the time spent there. So go and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Within the past few years, the Show Choir has been comprised of a small group of talented singers, but the group is bigger than ever this year with 19 students.

This is the first year in a few years where the class is a year-long course. This gives the students more opportunities to perform than the couple of concerts and outside performances the Show Choir regularly performs in the second semester.

To get into Show Choir, students must go from a beginner class, grades 9-12, to one of the two advanced classes: Treble Chorale or Chorale. Not only is it a requirement to be in one of those two classes, but a dance audition must be performed as well. The dance audition is to help with determining how well a person can learn and perform choreography.

Show Choir is a way for people to express themselves and their love for singing and dancing. As the school year progresses, the group continues to evolve its skills and get to go through new experiences.

Show Choir is run like a normal choir class; students pick up their folders with the music in it and find their seats. When the class begins, students will talk about any important information that needs to be discussed, and then they will talk about what songs to work on and go from there.

Depending on how far into the song Show Choir is, there might be choreography already, depending on if there is any then the class will be split in half. The first half of class will either be spent on working on the songs or working on the dance work, and then halfway through the class period, a break will be given to go use the bathroom and relax. What they didn’t do before the break they will do after coming back from it.

Throughout the year, there are several performances for the Show Choir. An upcoming event is the Spring Concert on May 21, which is the last choir concert of the year and is where the choir seniors will be recognized. Another performance is when the group goes to the elementary schools to perform for the kids; the dates for those performances have not yet been determined.

Show Choir is a great experience; if you’re a choir student and want to try out, go for it. Step out of your comfort zones, and go for something new. The dance tryouts are being held on March 11 during SRT this year. It might not seem all that different from a regular choir; it seems like all you're doing is adding a dance to the song, but the adventure that it takes you on from not knowing a song and its dance to performing is something different. As someone who is in Show Choir, go for it. It’s an experience not to miss out on.

To start the new semester, there has been a change to the ID policy that the students are set to follow throughout the school day and the rest of the school year.

Principal Scott Upp researched what other schools were doing for their student ID policy. In doing so, he discovered that La Porte was one of two DAC schools requiring students to wear IDs all day. The majority of the schools in the area only enforce IDs for students to leave the classrooms.

Previously, LPHS required students to wear an ID at all times, with consequences happening after numerous infractions.

One of the many reasons behind the policy being changed is how it benefits teachers and students.1

“So the student, who may have truly misplaced or forgot their ID, would miss 75 minutes of instruction, possibly miss a test, etc. Not only was this a negative situation for the student but also for the teachers. Teachers had to find time to ‘catch’ the student up on what he/she/they missed in class as a result of missing a class due to an ISD issue,” Upp said.

In the old policy, if a student had forgotten their ID or misplaced it too many times then the student was sent to in-school detention (ISD). A student missing a class period can lead to him/her falling behind. The change also allows teachers to focus more on the curriculum instead of doing ID checks.

“I think this could benefit both staff and students as it allows for more time to be focused on the affairs of the classroom rather than ID checks and writing temporaries. I also think that it is beneficial to have an ID requirement to leave the room,” History teacher Sarah McGuire said.

The purpose of the policy change is to help with increasing productivity in the classroom. It allows students to be able to spend the proper amount of time in the classroom and learn the curriculum with the other students.

Some students like the new policy while others have a different opinion on it. Students here at the high school find it more convenient because the IDs don’t mess with their outfits and their necks don’t get as irritated from the lanyard. Some find it less convenient when they have to go to the bathroom during class but can’t because they don’t have their ID on them. 

The new policy is beneficial, but some things need to be figured out. It’s a step in the right way to ensure that students have a type of identification on them that shows that they are a student here at the high school. One thing at a time, the staff at LaPorte High School is ensuring the safety of the school, students, and staff.