The student news site of Pleasant Valley High School

Spartan Shield

The student news site of Pleasant Valley High School

Spartan Shield

The student news site of Pleasant Valley High School

Spartan Shield

Consumers are paying over $600 for tattered-looking shoes during a new fashion trend called poverty chic. These Pleasant Valley student-owned Golden Goose shoes came with a price tag of $595.

Playing Poor: Designer brands are embracing ‘poverty chic’ in place of authenticity

Ayah Alsheikha April 23, 2024

Upon first glance, the dingy, duct-taped shoes in the window of the department store certainly seem to  be out of place.  That is, until one sees their hefty price tag of over $600 glaring blatantly...

Senior Brie Howell worked with senior Celia Brown to create a set of pins meant to promote feminism and empower girls.

Yes, she can be president: Casual misogyny hijacks senior tradition

Jae Jepsen, Editor in Chief April 22, 2024

The gender wage gap is smaller than ever in recorded history. The NCAA women’s championship set a basketball viewership record unseen in women’s athletics. More women than men are attending college...

Formalwear poses a great financial burden for some.

Formalwear frustrations: PV falls short with affordable school dance clothing options

Katelyn Morris, A&E Editor April 22, 2024

Dances are a fundamental part of the modern high school experience. They are represented in pop culture through songs, musicals and movies. However, the costs of attending a dance can add up, especially...

The sky turns dark as the moon completely covers the sun.

Depreciation of Sciences: PV students miss out on rare eclipse

Katelyn Morris, A&E Editor April 17, 2024

On April 8, science fans and space fanatics alike watched the skies to see the moon cross in front of the sun. Even non-enthusiasts bought special glasses to get a chance to see this rare phenomenon. All...

Chest x-ray showing a lung tumor. Photo credit: Lange123, Creative Commons via Wikimedia Common

Celebrity health advocacy: Encouraging testing and preventative care

Abby Moroney, Business Manager April 14, 2024

Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020, nearly one in six total deaths. Just in 2022 there were an estimated 20 million new cancer cases. Even more...

Asritha Gunukula at Davenport Junior Theatre, a summer acting camp for kids

The dark side of child acting

Asritha Gunukula, Multimedia Manager April 8, 2024

From the “Quiet on the Set” documentary to the ‘downfall’ of Amanda Bynes adding to the long list of fallen child stars, viewers are finally having a serious discussion on the major impacts children...

Performative activism causes individuals to be more worried about their public image rather than making a change.

Performative activism: The pitfalls of seeking validation through online advocacy

Asritha Gunukula, Multimedia Manager April 2, 2024

While clicking from story to story and scrolling from post to post, young adults often come across the activism of others, not just celebrities but their peers. It seems remarkable for people to be so...

Pleasant Valley students become a possible target for gun violence after new bill passes.

Protecting education, not firearms: Why guns have no role in schools

Katelyn Morris, A&E Editor March 26, 2024

Iowa politicians passed House File 2586 on February 28, stirring controversy amongst students. The bill aims to increase security in grade schools across Iowa, but its outcome might be just the opposite. House...

Class rings stand out as a popular way to celebrate graduation

Opinion: High school graduation loses value as profit-driven companies capitalize the experience

Katelyn Morris, A&E Editor, News Editor March 21, 2024

High school graduation is being capitalized by large companies who aim to enrich the experience for graduating students. When a high school senior walks across the stage to receive their diploma, they...

PV alumn Leila Assadi and Senior Luci Patel at a pro choice rally, in the midst of the overturn of Roe V. Wade

Iowa bill requiring students to watch an anti-abortion video ignites controversy

Asritha Gunukula, Multimedia Manager March 20, 2024

Iowa’s human growth and development classes will now be requiring all students to watch a computer-generated video regarding abortion.  ‘Baby Olivia’ is an animated fetus that will be shown growing...

Orange is the color of gun violence awareness, a rising problem in American society.

Rising tide of gun violence: A looming crisis met with silence

Muskan Mehta, Social Media Manager March 6, 2024

It has become trite. The redundant, sorrowful news of another school shooting. Coping from the endless tragedies that have transpired, people desperately want to point a finger. The shooter, the parents...

Every year approximately 58% of all highschool seniors feel pressured to attend prestigious universities.

Rethinking success: The changing narrative of higher education 

Asritha Gunukula, Multimedia Manager March 1, 2024

Throughout high school, students are constantly told by the adults and media around them the importance of getting into a top university. While in the past this level of attention was reserved for exceptional...

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