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
News
Principal Raven Jones begins the ceremony with an opening speech, addressing seniors and parents.
Convocation celebrates Class of 2026
Catherine Cody, Reporter • June 12, 2026

As the year comes to a close, seniors had their Convocation ceremony, assembling in the lower gym for...

A student-led walkout against the Trump administration's policies on ICE, pro-Palestine movements and more at McLean in March, 2025. Students have been facing obstacles in organizing anti-ICE walkouts with the new procedures listed by Regulation 2612.
Walkouts under pressure
Paghunda Ali, Online Editor-in-Chief • June 11, 2026
A student at TJHSST wore this shirt and was instructed to remove it due to a weapon appearing on the shirt. The student later realized there was no weapon, and felt that she was targeted due to the writing "Grand Theft Palestine."
Beyond the bias
Paghunda Ali, Online Editor-in-Chief • June 10, 2026
Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha both occur each year and are celebrated by millions of Muslims around the world. Eid Al-Adha is celebrated after the completion of Dhul Hijjah, a time of pilgrimage, and involves a spiritual act of sacrificing a livestock animal.
Celebrating Eid al-Adha
Paghunda Ali, Online Editor-in-Chief • June 8, 2026
McLean High School's main testing center located outside the Red Hallway. Students enrolled in AP Business next year can expect to take the end of course exam in these kind of settings.
McLean expands AP options with new business course
Neel Sethi, Reporter • June 5, 2026
Sports
The legacy of McLean High School track records
The legacy of McLean High School track records
Siena Koerner, Caroline Selbe, Sophia Zafar and Elaine Zhang • June 5, 2026

The crowd goes silent on April 15 as senior Malcolm Andrews takes to his blocks. With 200 meters...

McLean Girls Tennis crushed Yorktown 9-0 in district play on April 27th. The team continued their hot streak winning 12 straight matches to this point.
Girls tennis team falls to Madison in regional semifinal
Ajay Chandela, Reporter • June 3, 2026
Senior pitcher, Daniel Ockerman relieves starting pitcher JW Riggins. Daniel was a key player in the game. getting hits when needed.
Highlanders season comes to a close
Catherine Cody and Carter Courey • June 1, 2026
Senior JW Riggins looks to cutoff a runner at Third base. Riggins came in to relieve starting pitcher, Sophmore, Alex Inget in the 6th inning.
McLean loses heart breaking district final
Luke Hawken and Carter Courey • May 28, 2026
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Features
𝘐𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘯 by Drake was one of the most anticipated albums of the year, blending motivational lyrics and catchy production.
New summer playlist hits
Ettan Patel Euler, Designer • June 14, 2026

Amir Jackson - "Dramatic Girl" by Baby Keem “This song is very happy and...

Junior Sarah Nguyen preparing tufted rug for rug backing inside Tuft Tuft. After visitors finish their custom, handmade rugs, employees apply glue to secure the yarn to the backing.
Tysons’ crafting hidden gem
Jae Pham, Cartoonist • June 12, 2026

Shelves stacked high with bright yarn and walls adorned in a spectrum of colorful,...

Mai Moriyama and Abbey Sweeney play hacky sack out in the sun at A lunch on May 20. They try to play hacky sack whenever they get the chance, getting off of their phones.
The unexpected hacky sack revolution
Siena Koerner, Reporter • May 31, 2026

In classrooms, at lunch, after school and across the hallways, students at McLean...

A&E
This is the official cover for the 20-part docuseries which airs two new episodes every Monday at 8 PM ET. The show premiered May 25, 2026 on Memorial Day and offers a comprehensive guide to WWII in collaboration with the HISTORY Channel and the National WWII Museum.
Tom Hanks brings WWII to life again
Brianna Hierlmeier, Reporter • June 16, 2026

From Saving Private Ryan to Band of Brothers, Tom Hanks has long defined World...

These are some of the summer snacks that Sweet Leaf has to offer, including their sweet mango smoothie and their tangy frozen yogurt.
McLean’s summer snack spots
Ettan Patel Euler, Designer • June 14, 2026

Rewa Sethi - Sweet Leaf  “My favorite spot to get a quick snack during...

6LACK's new album offers a creative mix of R&B, hip hop, and soul that creates a cohesive album centered around love and confrontation.
Love Is the New Gangsta surprises fans with a new sound
Ettan Patel Euler, Designer • June 14, 2026

6LACK has never been the type to chase accolades and be the loudest in the music...

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Opinions
Cartoon by Maria Borst
Shake the junior jitters
Maria Borst, Reporter • June 17, 2026

Junior year can be intimidating and even downright scary sometimes, but with the right approach, you can make things a lot easier for yourself. Don’t take classes just for the AP credit Make sure...

The sign for McLean High School stands in front of the school on a bright afternoon day. At the time of this photograph school had been out for just over 2 weeks, and the month of June was almost over.
Make summer longer, McLean students need it
Brianna Hierlmeier, Reporter • June 8, 2026
Olive Young’s biggest competitor isn’t Sephora, it’s understanding the American consumer
Olive Young’s biggest competitor isn’t Sephora, it’s understanding the American consumer
Amelia Cho, Online Managing Editor • June 8, 2026
FCPS must implement more summative assignments for students
FCPS must implement more summative assignments for students
Jiayue Zou, Managing Editor • June 8, 2026
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