By Maia Lee

Sophie has been taking the prescription drug Adderal since her sophomore year of high school. Already stressed about her academic success which was intended to secure her future at an Ivy-League school, Sophie turned to prescription pills in order to make it happen.

Published May 21, 2010 - Features

By Maia Lee

It was probably after I learned that Jane Schaeffer essay format when I decided that I didn’t belong in public high school. I was halfway through my sophomore year and over
the initial excitement of “the high school experience” that I felt as a freshman, and I had started to become more critical of the things I learned in class. Instead of blindly consuming whatever I was taught like I did freshman year, I started questioning the relevance and usefulness of what my teachers taught me.

Published April 30, 2010 - Opinion

By Maia Lee

The term “youth on youth violence” is not unfamiliar to Seattle. For the past few years, the term seems to be appearing everywhere from PSA billboards to the evening news, where newscasters announce that yet another teenager has been shot. Last year, former Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels launched an $8 million initiative to reduce youth violence and gang membership, yet a significant change has yet to be witnessed.

Published April 16, 2010 - Features

By Maia Lee

According to Pregnant Teen Help, every year roughly 750,000 teens become pregnant. The U.S. has a significant rate of teenage pregnancy, a sobering fact which costs the government $7 billion annually.

Published April 16, 2010 - Features

By Maia Lee

The notion that men care less about their appearance than women may be typical, but it is in no way universal. In many cases, it seems to be reversed. We need only examine the halls of our very on high school and the TV shows we watch to see the evidence.

Published March 26, 2010 - Opinion

By Maia Lee

The impact that an adult can have on a youth’s life is enormous. The positive experiences we have with our adult mentors can really change the course of our lives. But when a person who is blessed with the crucial role as a youth mentor abuses their power, the damage that is caused is critical.

Published March 12, 2010 - Opinion

By Maia Lee

The Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) has confirmed that there will be a Cultural Relations retreat this spring.The group, which advocates racial awareness and civil justice, had kept silent for the entire first semester on whether a retreat would be held. The retreat, which will be held in April, has been highly anticipated since the beginning of the school year.

Published February 26, 2010 - News

By Maia Lee

I have worn the same pair of Chuck Taylors since eighth grade. I am proud of the scuff marks and sharpie-signatures that they have accumulated over the years, and love that they compliment any outfit I pair them with. But while they carry many of my fondest memories in their soles (camping with my family on Whidbey Island, Homecoming dance sophomore year), there is a limit to my affection. I would never keep them wrapped in their original packaging so the soles don’t begin to yellow, nor would I monitor the amount of times I wore them so as to keep them in their best condition.

Published January 15, 2010 - Features

Web Exclusive

By Maia Lee

I deserved to fail my sophomore year history class. Not only did I rarely take notes during lectures or even read the chapters that were assigned, I barely passed a test with a grade higher than a “C.” I still pulled off an “A” in the class. I didn’t pass the class because of my extensive knowledge of European history or my diligent study habits. I passed because I knew how to bs.

Published January 15, 2010 - Opinion

By Maia Lee

Looking back on the past eight years since elementary school, I feel that I didn’t cherish being a kid as much as I should have.

Published December 11, 2009 - Opinion