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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

Two staff and two students share their different tastes in holiday music. In the midst of the holiday spirit, various winter tunes are able to fill the air.

Holiday Jingles

Jiayue Zou, News Editor December 24, 2024

Anna Wang Released on Dec. 14, 2020, “debbie downer on christmas” by Suggi isn’t your conventional Christmas song. “[‘debbie downer on christmas’] says Christmas is a great time, and I...

Lucius (Paul Mescal) and Acacius (Pedro Pascal) battle for their lives in the Colosseum. As they clash, their brawl becomes not just a fight for survival, but for honor.

Gladiator II brings strength and honor back

JJ Steeg, A&E Editor December 2, 2024

Dust, blood and betrayal fill the air as a new legendary story hits the screen: Gladiator II. This intense sequel, released on Nov. 22, is a bold continuation of the 2000 origin film, Gladiator. This movie...

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

Where was once a sit-down barbecue restaurant now stands a classic brunch, lunch and dinner joint in Falls Church called The Falls. Easily recognizable with its paper-white brick and dark-green logo, The...

Filipina-American Olivia Rodrigo, an actress and singer, performing in the Unity Arena located in Oslo, Norway. This performance on May 28, 2024 was part of her "Guts" album tour.

Filipinos flourish in entertainment

Gabriela Herrera, A&E Editor October 31, 2024

Artists of all kinds come from the Philippines. Filipina singer and actress Lea Salonga, who sings as Mulan in the original Mulan and Jasmine in Aladdin, first began performing at family parties. Filipino-American...

Tyson's Mixed Market makes its annual debut in The Boro, displaying a variety of small businesses and delicious food stands to enjoy on a cool fall afternoon.

A Day in the Boro

Kaelyn MacKay and Saoirse Sigler October 30, 2024

Located in the heart of Tysons Corner, The Boro has become an increasingly popular spot for shopping, dining, and entertainment. The Boro’s colorful mural is an eye-catching representation of the lively,...

The United States Capitol building offers numerous ghosts, including some with recognizable names. To learn more, I would recommend going on a Capitol Hill ghost tour.

Five local spine-chilling ghost tours you can’t miss

Allie Deutsch, Managing Editor October 30, 2024

When autumn leaves cling to skeletal branches and moonlight drifts through the street, no activity is better than a ghost tour. Underneath lantern light, a guide takes a tour group to historic buildings...

Front left to right: Wegmans Mini Apple Pie, Livin' the Pie Life Apple Caramel Pie, Founding Farmers Apple Pie and the Acme Pie Company Apple Pie. Out of them, the best was the Acme Pie Company one.

Apple of our pie

Clara Marcott and Amara Sanchez Martin October 30, 2024

With the glorious months of fall in full force, we embarked on a mission: find the best pie within a 25 minute drive of McLean High School. We visited four places, three bakeries and one grocery store...

Tyler, The Creator poses for the cover of his new album, CHROMAKOPIA. The album released on Oct. 28.

CHROMAKOPIA, a dive into self reflection

Caleb Powell-Terry, Reporter October 30, 2024

On Oct. 28, award winning rapper, Tyler, The Creator, released his album CHROMAKOPIA. This album comes after a very short roll-out with two single releases: “St. Chroma" and "Noid", along with various...

Monsters: The Erik and Lyle Menendez Story, released on Sept. 19, explores the complex relationships within the Menendez family leading up to the infamous 1989 murders.

Monsters will mash your mind

Ela Patel-Euler, Online Opinions Editor October 30, 2024

Upon noticing Monsters, a TV series released on Sept. 19, I initially expected it to be a series similar to any other, describing the cruel, heinous crimes of a killer and explaining how they were caught....

Okonomi: the Asian Chipotle

Lauren Wood and Addie Harris October 30, 2024

Though McLean has no shortage of fast-casual restaurants, it’s not difficult to grow tired of chains like Chipotle, Cava and Chopt day after day. It may be a bit of a trek from McLean, but Okonomi...

BAMS: An autumn escape

BAMS: An autumn escape

JJ Steeg, Maria Saucedo Rozo and Julia Schildkraut October 30, 2024

Carrie by Stephen King  A classic Stephen King novel, Carrie reflects the epitome of the Halloween spirit with its supernatural theme, chilling atmosphere and the increasing anxiety of what events...

Beginning October 22, fans across the U.S. can try the new Wicked-inspired beverages at Starbucks. These drinks include refresher Glinda’s Pink Potion and coffee-based Elphaba’s Cold Brew.

Wicked-inspired Starbucks drinks will not be “Popular”

Audrey Link and Lauren Wood October 30, 2024

With the theater premiere of Wicked just a month away, Starbucks has launched a new collection of beverages and merchandise to celebrate the cinematic event. Beginning October 22, fans across the US can...

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