FCPS

Starbucks has done it again! The newest menu drop has people excited and searching or their nearest location to give these items a try!   A huge aspect of this menu is the lavender drinks that were released. Between the Iced Lavender Cream Oatmilk Matcha and the Iced Lavender Oatmilk Latte, the stores are packed...

Everybody has probably tasted a Cumbl Cookie by now. The huge, irresistible, circular treat that melts in your mouth as you indulge in one of the 200 mouth watering flavors. If you haven’t tried these sweets yet, I am going to share with you my top five favorite Crumbl cookies of all time to narrow...

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” Since 1942, American students have stood every morning for the pledge of allegiance, but students today are not quite so enthusiastic about the pledge....

High school can be so fast paced with classes, extracurricular activities, friendships, and personal growth. If a part time job is added into the mix, it may feel overwhelming. Yet many students successfully navigate the challenges of balancing school and work, gaining valuable life skills along the way. So, how do they do it?  ...

The Washington Wizards are the future of the NBA. Promising rookie players and battle-tested veterans are forging this team into the next dynasty. The Wizards have been making some “under the radar” moves that don’t seem significant, but can build into something special. It looks like 2025 is shaping up to be the most important...

In a recent school board meeting, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) layed out their proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year. They plan to increase spending by $279.1 million from the 2025 budget. They aim to increase teacher salaries and funding for special education, while decreasing spending on training new staff. All this while dealing...

From the disappointing season Virginia Tech has had to the mediocre mess that is UVA, there is some hope in Northern Virginia.   Both the girls and mens basketball teams have had great seasons in their own right. While the men’s team didn’t make it to March Madness due to a 68-61 loss at the...

Music followers are all familiar with the popular music festival, Coachella. Coachella is a huge music and arts festival in Indio, California, with tons of performances ranging from all genres of music and artists. Coachella also displays different arts along with the musical performances taking place. This year, the festival will take place from April...

Tipping was once a way to reward exceptional servers and waiters, often referred to as an extra thank you for service workers who go above and beyond by making a dining experience special, or a bartender creating the perfect drink. However, in recent years, tipping culture has slowly started to get out of control. Customers...

In Fairfax County, a new safety initiative is being launched in an attempt to protect students as they get on and off school buses. Starting April 9, 2025, 50 school buses will have cameras provided and placed on their stop arms (the signs that extend when the bus stops to pick up or drop off...

Flight Risk is a brand new 2025 American action movie directed by Mel Gibson, marking his return to the director chair after nearly a decade. This new thriller features a notable cast, including Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Dockery, and Topher Grace. Released in theaters on January 24, 2025, the movie has gathered a range of reactions...

Virginia High School athlete, Alaila Everett, was charged with battery after striking her competitor with her baton at VHSL state championship.   A video that went viral online shows Everett, a senior at I.C Norcom High School, alongside Kaelen Tucker, a junior at Brookville High School, running in a 4×200 meter relay. As they are...

Vying for four categories, 12 student teams competed to bake their respective dishes in order to win the coveted golden rolling pins. The student chefs were given two hours to cook their dishes, trying to win in the categories Sweet, Savory, Technique, and Decoration.   The event was a fundraiser for the South Lakes food...

President Donald Trump touched the hearts of many Americans during his joint address to Congress, appointing a 13-year old brain cancer survivor for the Secret Service.   Devarjaye (“DJ”) Daniel was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2018. His prognosis was grim, with doctors giving him only 5 months to live. However, DJ defied the expectations,...

Wayne Greztky against the Buffalo Sabers on March 29th 1999 scored his 894th goal in his career, which was also the most regular season goals scored by a single player in NHL history. Once thought of as an unbreakable record, here came Alex Oveckin, a prodigy from Moscow, Russia. He was drafted by the Washington...

Though the Colorado Rockies performed terribly in 2024 and have done nothing to improve this offseason, one player has caught league-wide attention. Jefry Yan is an exciting talent discovered in men’s league baseball before he signed to play with the Rockies. During a year in Japan, he allowed five and a half runs per nine...

Music followers are all familiar with the popular music festival, Coachella. Coachella is a huge music and arts festival in Indio, California, with tons of performances ranging from all genres of music and artists. Coachella also displays different arts along with the musical performances taking place. This year, the festival will take place from April...

March Madness is finally here along with the excitement, chaos, and heartbreak that makes it one of the most thrilling events in sports. After a regular season filled with dominant performances from  Florida, Auburn, Duke, and Houston, this year’s NCAA tournament is set to be exciting. Underdogs will look to write their Cinderella story as...

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has introduced a brand new menu this year, aiming to provide students with healthier, tastier, and more diverse meal options. The change comes in response to student feedback, nutritional guidelines, and a general push for better school lunches. With an emphasis on fresh ingredients, cultural variety, and balanced nutrition, the...

As the end of the year creeps closer, South Lakes Sophomores through Seniors await the impending doom of IB Exams. Despite the daunting name, the exams are not as scary as one may think. Below are some common questions that may ease your mind.   What are IB exams?   IB exams are an end...