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

Aleena Gul, Editor-in-Chief

Aleena Gul is a fourth-year journalist and an Editor-in-Chief for The Highlander. Inspired by the positive impact of journalism, she loves to highlight the voices of the community through her writing and hopes to pursue it in the future. Apart from her studies, Aleena enjoys painting and spending time with her friends and family!

All content by Aleena Gul
Students can submit a request for a pass by indicating the designated location to their teacher.

FCPS and McLean introduce e-hall passes

Aleena Gul and Josh Bass
May 27, 2022
Hundreds of students protest at George C. Marshall High School on Dec. 17 in response to an alleged incident in which a Fairfax High School student's hijab was forcibly removed by a classmate. Muslim Student Associations across FCPS organized school walkouts to raise awareness on county-wide Islamophobia.

Students protest against Fairfax HS hijab incident

Aleena Gul and Josh Bass
February 11, 2022
The school attempted to paint over the vandal's work with white paint, but the underlying messages were still visible.

Students gather in act of solidarity against racist incident

Aleena Gul and Philip Rotondo
February 9, 2022
Parents fill the stands at the girls varsity basketball game against Yorktown.

[Photo] Student fans return to stands

Sandra Cheng, Reporter
February 2, 2022
Senior Arman Nikmorad cleans a hand sanitizer dispenser in the hallway. Upon returning to school, some students wore hazmat suits to protest against in-person learning.

Students raise voices against return to in-person school

Aleena Gul and Arnav Gupta
January 17, 2022
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
Viral TikTok trend promotes school vandalism

Viral TikTok trend promotes school vandalism

Josh Bass and Aleena Gul
September 13, 2021
GOING THE EXTRA MILE — Like many of her fellow rising seniors, Doris Zhang takes preparing for the SAT very seriously. In addition to the elimination of SAT subject tests, several colleges have gone test-optional, leaving some students worried that their time and money might have gone to waste.

The class of 2022 gets ready for college

Aleena Gul, Ariana Elahi, Grace Gould and Hanna Boughanem
June 2, 2021
Tinker 2.0: students' rights need rescuing

Tinker 2.0: students’ rights need rescuing

Editorial Board, Polina Zubarev and Aleena Gul
April 26, 2021
Thais Rolly wins Cross Country state competition

Thais Rolly wins Cross Country state competition

Aleena Gul, News Editor
April 26, 2021
AROUND THE GLOBE - Fairfax County has made a commitment to honor students who celebrate different cultural holidays. The decision to develop a new calendar for the 2021-22 school year is a great step towards representation for all.

FCPS updates school calendar

Mackenzie Chen, Aleena Gul and Saehee Perez
March 26, 2021
NAVIGATING NORMALCY - FCPS School Board hosts a work session on March 16 to discuss their return to school plan. They decide on a 5-day in-person plan for the coming school year.

Schools to return to five-day in-person this fall

Aleena Gul, News Editor
March 22, 2021
SERENE STUDYING — Morgan Wu works on her chemistry homework. She is able to work stress-free due to the new grading policies.

Grading policies changed for the remainder of school year

Aleena Gul, News Editor
March 19, 2021
CAPITOL CATASTROPHE — Pro-Trump rioters and breached the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, ransacking the building as lawmakers ran for cover. Their mission was to push forth their ideologies and their belief that the election was unlawful.

U.S. Capitol assault sparks public outcry

Aleena Gul and Mackenzie Chen
January 11, 2021
Productive Policies — Dr. Braband along with other school board representatives discuss new solutions to make virtual learning stress-free. They are introducing new changes to the grading policy.

School board presents return to school updates

Aleena Gul and Ariana Elahi
December 17, 2020
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology is making changes to its admissions process.

FCPS proposes merit lottery for admission to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

Marina Qu and Aleena Gul
October 28, 2020
Back to School

Selected groups of students start in-person instruction this week

Marina Qu and Aleena Gul
October 5, 2020
UPDATE: Teacher-led instruction temporarily canceled

UPDATE: Teacher-led instruction temporarily canceled

Aleena Gul, Online News Editor
April 16, 2020
Infographic created by Aleena Gul

Social distancing in today’s interconnected world

Aleena Gul, Online News Editor
March 16, 2020
Asian American Association club celebrates Chinese New Year

Asian American Association club celebrates Chinese New Year

Aleena Gul, Online News Editor
January 25, 2020
MUN Greetings— Delegates of the Organization of American States (OAS) committee greet each other before committee begins. They discuss ideas about the Venezuelan crisis.

McLean MUN team wins Outstanding Large Delegation Award at GFMUNC V

Aleena Gul, News Editor
January 20, 2020
McLean’s Buddies Club arrives at D.C. for the Friendship Walk. Everyone is excited for Abby Criswell to make the opening speech.

Abby Criswell speaks at Best Buddies Friendship Walk

Aleena Gul, Online News Editor
October 26, 2019

McLean establishes club to end gun violence

Aleena Gul, Reporter
October 25, 2018
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