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
Akash Balenalli

Akash Balenalli, Website Editor-in-Chief

Akash Balenalli is a senior in Journalism 3. He enjoys photography, playing the cello, computer programming, drawing, reading and learning about the world. Akash is also a substitute section editor, designer and social media manager for The Highlander.

All content by Akash Balenalli
Protesters chant phrases against abortion restrictions and the leaked draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade.

Students host pro-choice walkout

Akash Balenalli, Website editor-in-chief
May 9, 2022
Planned demonstrations and publicity failed to convince the school board to reject Michelle Reid, a highly qualified candidate, or postpone the approval date. Amidst a year of tumultuous high-profile political fights in Fairfax County Public Schools, Dr. Reid will likely face stiff resistance from vocal student groups in one of the country's largest and wealthiest school districts. Adding to the challenge is size; the superintendent is now leading a new district nearly 9 times as large as her previous one.

Michelle Reid approved as superintendent among student demonstrations

Akash Balenalli, Website Editor-in-chief
April 14, 2022
On a standard day, students filled nearly every seat in this mathematics classroom. Many students voluntarily opted to stay home, but the administration decline d to provide any official information on absences. Some students also planned to skip school for a majority of the day and only attend their most difficult classes, like AP Literature and AP Calculus BC.

COVID-19 case increase stokes panic

Akash Balenalli and Polina Zubarev
December 16, 2021
TheatreMcLean's rendition of Little Women took center-stage until November 21. The show featured a host of beautiful costumes and entertaining musical numbers.

Little Women: a comeback to remember

Hanna Boughanem and Akash Balenalli
November 21, 2021
Students line up near on-time buses at the end of the school day. Late buses will fill the remaining spots on the swaths of empty pavement as they arrive.

Bus driver shortage continues to affect schools

Akash Balenalli
October 26, 2021

Glenn Kessler visits McLean High School

Akash Balenalli, Website-
October 11, 2021
Overcrowded hallways make social distancing impossible while changing classes. Without a robust case handling procedure, there is a higher risk of outbreak in the school environment.

COVID-19 reporting error indicates case handling issues

Akash Balenalli and Aleena Gul
September 29, 2021
SATIRE: Local businesses prepare 911 button for violent teen fist fights

SATIRE: Local businesses prepare 911 button for violent teen fist fights

Akash Balenalli, Website editor-in-chief
May 3, 2021
Sophomore Anne Kilmer's Earth Day post recieved over 500 likes from her followers. "I think people resonated with me bragging about my fancy vacation," Kilmer said.

SATIRE: Students celebrate Earth Day by bragging about themselves

Akash Balenalli, Website Editor-in-chief
April 22, 2021
Derek Chauvin found guilty of all charges in death of George Floyd

Derek Chauvin found guilty of all charges in death of George Floyd

Akash Balenalli, Website editor-in-chief
April 20, 2021
Guest Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu provides updated information about COVID-19 pandemic to the superintendent and school board.

School Board pauses return to school

Akash Balenalli and Heran Essayas
January 7, 2021
McLean generic

[Photo] Schedule changes aim to improve online learning

Belen Ballard and Gianna Russo
November 15, 2020
Mount Vernon District Representative Karen Corbett Sanders motions for the board to consider moving in-person learning earlier than previously planned. The motion comes at a time when political tension regarding reopening the public is high.

FCPS considers changing return to school date

Akash Balenalli, Website editor-in-chief
October 30, 2020
BLACKPINK's THE ALBUM is a misstep for the Korean pop superstars. (YG Entertainment/Interscope Records)

THE ALBUM: BLACKPINK misses the mark

Akash Balenalli, Website Editor-in-Chief
October 10, 2020
Protesters have taken up the phrase "silence is violence," arguing silence encourages the continuation of unjust police brutality.

Black Lives Matter protest in Washington, D.C.

Akash Balenalli
June 22, 2020
Dr. Jerome Adams is the 20th U.S. Surgeon General. He was appointed by President Donald Trump in 2017. (Photo courtesy of Lacey Adams)

Q&A with U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams

Akash Balenalli and Marina Qu
June 13, 2020
This inappropriate conversation occurred in Caroline Cochrane-Braswell's AB Calculus class, which had a substitute teacher at the time. The perpetrators used fake names, so they would not be identified.

School addresses Blackboard Collaborate incidents

Akash Balenalli, Reporter
April 15, 2020
DEBATING DELEGATES - A delegate opts to speak in a conference room during McMUNC on Saturday, Oct. 26. Public speaking and debating is a crucial skill to have in MUN.

[Photo] Model United Nations club marks calendars for upcoming events

Polina Zubarev, Reporter
November 7, 2019
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