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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

Sweet Leaf Cafe is a convenient and practical option to get an after-school bite, only a short distance from McLean High School.

Local cafe brings sweet seasonal selections

Sofia Ascencio Coreas and Emily Reisman March 26, 2025

Within a cozy cottage-like building on Chain Bridge Road, Sweet Leaf Cafe has welcomed the spring season with four distinct new menu items. Conveniently close to McLean High School, students can enjoy...

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco's latest album, "I Said I Love You First" came out on March 21. The album is a creative fusion of American pop, Latin pop and electronic music.

I Said I Love You First falls flat

JJ Steeg, A&E Editor March 26, 2025

Swinging back onto the music scene after mainly promoting her acting career, Selena Gomez has released a brand new album. Versatile across genres and lyrics, I Said I Love You First brings out a depth...

The popular Chinese tea chain store, known as HeyTea, recently opened a new location in Tysons Corner Center. The Brown Sugar Bobo Milk Tea, Milk Tea Bobo Shake, Supreme Brown Sugar Bobo Milk Tea and Mango Boom drinks are shown in the image from left to right.

Tysons Corner Center waves hello to HeyTea

Sakura Mogami and Gabriela Herrera March 25, 2025

HeyTea opened a new location on Feb. 22 in Tysons Corner Center, amassing an astonishing line out of the doors of the cafe. HeyTea is a Chinese bubble tea chain first introduced to the United States...

The outside may not look appealing to those passing by, but inside Preservation Biscuit Company is a quaint and welcoming storefront. With an emphasis on community, it is the perfect place for a family outing.

Biscuit shop brings comfort of Southern food

Prisha Gupta and Zoe Robell March 13, 2025

Nestled in the heart of Falls Church lies the Preservation Biscuit Company, a cozy establishment that embodies the values of Southern hospitality. It looks rather inconspicuous from the outside, but...

This photo is one of many images posted on the 1975's Instagram account, featuring inspiration rooting from their hometown, Manchester England

The 1975 is still at their very best

Kaelyn MacKay and Saoirse Sigler March 11, 2025

Fans of The 1975 have been restlessly waiting for a new music release since Oct. of 2022, when their album Being Funny In A Foreign Language dropped worldwide. This past Friday, the band reemerged into...

The deluxe edition of Sabrina Carpenter's album, "Short n' Sweet", was released on Feb. 14. The album includes four new tracks, as well as a Dolly Parton feature on the previously released song, "Please Please Please".

Sabrina Carpenter is even shorter and sweeter

JJ Steeg, A&E Editor February 24, 2025

In the dead of winter, it’s easy to succumb to the typical gloom of the colder seasons. Amidst the winter dreariness, Sabrina Carpenter has swung in to resolve our boredom and melancholy with five new...

Missing You, released on Jan. 1, is an unfulfilling, disappointing adaptation of Harlen Coben's 2014 novel.

I’m (not) Missing You

Ela Patel-Euler, Online Opinions Editor January 29, 2025

Last year, Harlen Coben’s thrilling series Fool Me Once debuted on Netflix, rapidly becoming one of the platform’s most streamed shows. On Jan. 1, another Harlen Coben adaptation, Missing You was released....

The Beef Steak Pho, priced at $15.50, consists of a spicy broth and soft beef, as well as noodles. While the low-carb noodles we subbed were tougher than expected, regular noodles would certainly put this dish over the top.

Vietnamese street food chain brings affordable, healthy and dynamic flavors to Falls Church

Addie Harris and Lauren Wood January 28, 2025

Roll Play, a Vietnamese street food chain, advertises itself as “Viet food that loves you too,” emphasizing avocado oil over seed oils and healthier food options, like low-carb Shirataki noodles, for...

Aqyila's new single, "Focus," was released on Jan. 24, 2025. This track is a resounding anthem of self-love and only settling for the best.

Moving melodies of the week

Audrey Link, Reporter January 28, 2025

“Focus” by Aqyila (Jan. 24) - R&B - 4/5 stars After the release of her debut album, up and coming R&B artist Aqyila has released many singles, the newest among them being “Focus.” This...

Topped with a generous layer of coconut, the sfouf was a delicious treat. While the flavor was subtle, it was just enough to satisfy our taste buds.

Local Lebanese cafe is lackluster

Prisha Gupta and Zoe Robell January 28, 2025

Just minutes away from McLean High School lies Cafe Levantine, a locally-owned Lebanese restaurant that honors the pillars of hospitality and culture. While the establishment may look unassuming from...

Kyo Matcha is a Japanese dessert shop located in the Founders Row shopping center of Falls Church. Offering a wide range of desserts, in everything from drink to slushie to cake form, this establishment is best known for their matcha-centered desserts, and the creative and delicious ways in which they utilize green tea in their recipes.

A match(a) made in heaven

Addie Harris and Lauren Wood January 28, 2025

We first discovered Kyo Matcha, a small shop serving tea and desserts made of high-quality matcha, while reviewing the ramen restaurant next door. With its convenient location only a few steps away...

Nationwide Tour -  McKenna Sullivan has seen shows across the country, including California, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, New York and  Massachusetts. She also attends concerts at the numerous venues in  Washington, D.C.

Music mania

Zoe Robell, Reporter January 27, 2025

The lights dim. The crowd erupts. Music starts playing and the artist dramatically appears onstage. People start dancing, singing and crying. For many, concerts are an exclusive experience. For senior...

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