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The Student News Site of McLean High School

The Highlander

The Student News Site of McLean High School

The Highlander

The Student News Site of McLean High School

The Highlander

Cards decorated with American flags and classic symbols associated with the United States scatter atop a table. In preparation for Veteran's Day, NAHS students gathered to create cards to honor Americans who have served the nation.
Artists for American veterans
Sakura Mogami, Features Editor • November 10, 2024

As a new quarter begins, the McLean chapter of the National Art Honors Society (NAHS) has already...

Chemistry teacher Cat Gamboa grades students’ tests in her classroom. Once all of the first quarter grades are inputted into the grading system, the FCPS grading committee will reexamine the new policy, and make changes if necessary.
FCPS to reevaluate current grading policy
Paghunda Ali November 6, 2024

As the new school year began, FCPS made many changes to the grading system. Some major changes were found...

Campaign signs on the side of Haycock Elementary school, a polling station.
Trump wins presidency, sparking mixed feelings among McLean students
Zakareya Hamed, Editor-in-Chief • November 6, 2024

Voters took to polls across Virginia on Nov. 5, casting their votes for U.S. president—between...

The McLean Competitive Programming Club prepares for the USA Computing Olympiad with a mock contest. The team is looking to participate in larger, national competitions this year.
Cracking the code: McLean’s competitive programming team prepares for first competition season
Aileen Wu, Reporter • November 2, 2024

The McLean High School Competitive Programming Club is gearing up for its inaugural tournament season,...

Team captains holding banners representing their sport make their way down the football field during the pep rally on Oct. 18. McLean offers cheer, cross country, dance, field hockey, football, golf and volleyball as fall sports.
McLean re-establishes boundaries between students and coaches
Alan Tang and Prisha Gupta October 30, 2024

Without drawing much attention, McLean Athletics directed its coaches and athletic trainers not to engage...

Club Vice President Lucas Jones poses with the match party board and other club members to celebrate the annual event.  The event helps members build connections for the rest of the year.
Boo Buddies match party celebrates friendships and fun
Amelia Cho, Opinions Editor • October 30, 2024

On Oct. 30, the Best Buddies Club celebrated their annual Halloween-themed Boo Buddies match party...

Students listen attentively while Lana describes her journey volunteering in the Gaza Strip. Lana proceeded to answer questions from students after the presentation.
Compassion on the front lines
Bayann Hamed, Features Editor • November 3, 2024

On Tuesday, Oct. 29, the Muslim Student Association (MSA) hosted a guest speaker, a local Palestinian-American nurse. The nurse, Lana, who asked for her last name to be omitted for her family’s safety,...

On Halloween, the science department dressed up as construction workers. Other departments also participated in the tradition, with teachers dressing up in various themes ranging from the Olympics to Nintendo.
Halloween costumes have no age limit
Prisha Gupta, Features Editor • November 2, 2024

When Halloween comes around each year, students debate whether or not they are too old to knock on their neighbors’ doors and yell the words “trick-or-treat!” While it makes sense to put an age limit...

Backroom Banter Episode 12: 2023-2024 Year in Review
Aaron Stark and Ryan Kang June 8, 2024

In this episode of backroom banter, Aaron and Ryan break down and review various notable events that occurred this school year. https://open.spotify.com/episode/2bis6to1NGRJEoTpHiPctv  

Team captain and outside hitter senior Luke Cowan flies into the air to deliver a powerful serve, which dropped unopposed between two Oakton defenders. McLean seemed to have noticeably improved in their serves, losing significantly fewer points from faulty serve than usual.
Highlanders maul Cougars to win regional finals
Aaron Stark and Andrew Lohman November 14, 2024
A&E
The Falls is an open-all-day restaurant that opened in October 2023, replacing Liberty Barbecue. The Falls offers a diverse menu, much of which is inspired by barbecue cuisine, but which also incorporates dishes more traditional to the Northern East Coast, such as avocado toast.
Best in brunch
Addie Harris and Lauren Wood November 5, 2024
Read our latest issue!
The Asian Night Market also allocated space in Lotus Plaza for individuals to gather with loved ones, lay picnic blankets, enjoy food and listen to various Asian and Pacific Islander artists/songs/performances.
@mhshighlander Instagram
Walkout for Palestine and Lebanon rallies students but raises concerns over antisemitism
Aaron Stark and Andrew Lohman

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