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
Philip Rotondo

Philip Rotondo, Editor-in-Chief

Philip Rotondo is a senior in his fourth year of journalism. When he’s not in school or working on The Highlander, he loves hiking, coaching youth basketball and live music.

All content by Philip Rotondo
Seniors Nathan Bass and Aldo Silva-Suarez play in a Sketchfest performance. All acts presented were directed by students and highlighted the creativity of the theater class. (Photo courtesy of Rafik Hanna)

TheatreMcLean holds sketchfest

Philip Rotondo, Editor-in-Chief
May 20, 2024
Seniors Rafik Hanna and Nathan Bass host the March TheatreMcLean No Shame. The event gives theater students a chance to express themselves artistically without judgement.

TheatreMcLean holds March No Shame

Philip Rotondo, Editor-In-Chief
March 21, 2024

Backroom Banter Episode 10: AI in college admissions

Sabrina Boughanem and Philip Rotondo
March 21, 2024
The Highlander’s Picks: March 2024

The Highlander’s Picks: March 2024

Philip Rotondo and Editor-in-Chief
March 21, 2024
Sophomore Publicity team shadow Micah Chlan photographs cast members senior Taylor Konditi (left) and sophomore Aashna Kapur (right). Cast members posed for photos taken by the publicity team to post on TheatreMcLean’s social media and website to promote “Anastasia.”

TheatreMcLean Publicity team gears up for Anastasia

Philip Rotondo, Editor-in-Chief
March 18, 2024

Backroom Banter Episode 9: Dylan Wedan Interview

Philip Rotondo and Sabrina Boughanem
March 4, 2024
Senior Rafik Hanna rehearses for his lead role in The Cards of Fate playing game show host Buffy

VHSL Theater One Act competition postponed due to bad weather

Philip Rotondo, Editor-in-Chief
January 24, 2024

Backroom Banter Ep. 6: German Exchange interview

Philip Rotondo, Sabrina Boughanem and Nimera Shanil
January 24, 2024

Backroom Banter Ep. 5: Winter movie reviews

Philip Rotondo, Sabrina Boughanem and Nimera Shanil
January 24, 2024
Rafik Hanna, who plays Buffy in The Cards of Fate, during a December rehearsal.

McLean gears up for VHSL Theater One Act competition

Philip Rotondo, Editor-in-Chief
January 18, 2024

Backroom Banter Ep. 4: For All the Dogs Review

Nimera Shanil, Philip Rotondo and Sabrina Boughanem
November 2, 2023

Backroom Banter Ep. 3: College Advice

Allie Deutsch, Madeleine Stigall, Philip Rotondo and Sabrina Boughanem
November 2, 2023
A McLean bathroom pass hangs by the door of a classroom. Starting during the 2022-2023 school year, McLean administration required students to use passes to go to the bathroom.

McLean’s regulations to prevent bad behavior misdiagnose the problem

Philip Rotondo, Editor-In-Chief
September 10, 2023
Charles Granillo, played by Noah Chlan, desperately pushes the chest containing the body of his murder victim.

Rope swings into opening night

Philip Rotondo, Editor-in-Chief
June 14, 2023

Backroom Banter Ep. 2: 2022-2023 School Year Rewind

Philip Rotondo and Aaron Stark
June 13, 2023
Retiring English teacher Kenneth Kramer delivered a speech for the graduating class.

Photo Gallery: Senior Convocation 2023

Philip Rotondo, Editor-in-Chief
June 5, 2023
Fish, Claudio and Luis deliver a musical number together.

Claudio Quest jumps to the stage

Philip Rotondo, Managing Editor
February 14, 2023

Backroom Banter Ep. 1: Second Semester Survival Guide

Philip Rotondo and Dania Reza
January 27, 2023
McLean’s Favorite Music of 2022

McLean’s Favorite Music of 2022

Natalie Vu, Dania Reza and Philip Rotondo
January 9, 2023
On January 5, students learned of new rules that will impact when they are permitted to be in the halls during school days. The changes will be in place for two weeks pending further consideration.

McLean pilots new attendance and behavioral rules

Philip Rotondo and Nyla Marcott
January 7, 2023
A sophomore criticizes McLean: Did You Know? on @confess.mclean. As always, the account's owner responds with their thoughts in the caption of the post.

In conversation with @confess.mclean

Philip Rotondo, Managing Editor
October 27, 2022

Students attend walkout to protest proposed VDOE policy

Philip Rotondo, Managing Editor
September 27, 2022
Palaces' colorful album cover. Visual artist Jonathan Zawada created the cover as well as the album's other related visuals.

Palaces reigns supreme

Philip Rotondo
May 31, 2022
Julianna McFarland attacks through adversity

Julianna McFarland attacks through adversity

Tanner Coerr and Philip Rotondo
May 27, 2022
Crossfire: Optional masking is reasonable

Crossfire: Optional masking is reasonable

Philip Rotondo, News Editor
March 31, 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
COVID-19 testing is available to students at McLean, but a very limited number of tests are available each week.

FCPS describes plan as COVID-19 spreads in schools

Philip Rotondo and Madeleine Stigall
January 15, 2022
Students participate in a snowball fight on the football field Tuesday, Jan. 4. Schools were closed due to inclement weather for the entire week.

[Photo] Fairfax County postpones return to school

Ariana Elahi and Ghada Moussa
January 8, 2022
UNICEF Club leadership participates in a "blue-out" for Children's Day. The "blue-out" happened to coincide with the final day the club was accepting donations for their donation drive.

McLean UNICEF Club holds donation drive

Philip Rotondo and Haley Riggins
November 23, 2021
The cover of Drake's new album. The surreal, emoji-based artwork was created by British visual artist Damien Hirst.

Certified Lover Boy is a certified hit

Philip Rotondo, Online A&E Editor
September 22, 2021
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