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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

Mac Miller's album, 'Balloonerism', came out on Jan. 17. This is Miller's second posthumous album, running just under an hour at 58 minutes.

Balloonerism flies past expectations

Julia Schildkraut and JJ Steeg January 27, 2025

Mac Miller’s story is one of the most tragic of our generation, passing away at 26 from a drug overdose. However, he represents one of the greatest hopes of many artists: that their art will live beyond...

One of Them Days, starring KeKe Palmer and SZA was released on Friday, Jan. 17. The buddy-adventure movie follows two best friends in their day around L.A. as they attempt to earn their rent money back.

It’s One of Them Days to bring back comedy

JJ Steeg, A&E Editor January 22, 2025

In the 1990’s, 90-minute comedy movies were everywhere you looked, and fits of laughter guaranteed with every movie theater outing. As the film industry seems to have been overtaken by serious movies,...

Squid Game 2 released on Dec. 26, three years after the first season. According to Netflix,  Squid Game 2 is among the top three most-watched shows ever.

Squid Game 2 recaptures the first season’s glory

Ryan Kang, Managing Editor January 21, 2025

Squid Game was a cultural phenomenon I could never forget. Never could I have imagined my friends raving about classic games I played growing up in Seoul. I hoped the show would help millions overcome...

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 25, 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....

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