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

Kicking off Black History Month, PV physical education teacher Jane Wheeler walks through a lesson on influential Black athletes in the history of the United States. Despite legal limitations on racial conversations in the classroom, Wheeler believes these conversations are crucial for the development of the American youth.

Nikole Hannah-Jones and MLK: The perpetuated denial of racism in the United States

Allisa Pandit, Innovation Manager February 7, 2022

Marking the 400th anniversary of the beginning of American slavery, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones curated The New York Times’ 1619 Project in an effort to centralize Black contributions...

The balaclava is a controversial trend of modern winter fashion.

Double standards surround spring’s top trend: “Who is fashion for?”

Caroline Sierk, Copy Editor February 1, 2022

Winter fashion is typically associated with pillowed silhouettes and thick layers as shape is compromised for warmth. The reemergence of the balaclava during the winter 2022 season brought a sleek contrasting...

The picture above shows naloxone in the form of nasal spray. It can also be injected into the body.

Naloxone and training: Reducing chances of opioid overdoses in schools

Shravani Inampudi, Copy Editor January 31, 2022

In the past few years, there has been an increase in illegal drug usage among teenagers. Unfortunately, this also comes with an increase of opioid-related hospitalizations and deaths. At PV, steps must...

The image above shows the diversity of Disney princesses throughout the years.

Disney takes small but significant steps to be more culturally accurate

Lauren Puthoff, Opinion Editor January 31, 2022

Disney is a multi-billion dollar company and has long been popular among kids, adults and families around the world. As this company has grown, it seems as though the diversity in characters, traditions...

Twitter has recently been under fire for its permanent suspension of Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene.

No, Twitter did not single out Marjorie Taylor Greene

Vinay Joshi, Business Manager January 11, 2022

Today, it seems that Twitter cannot act without being scrutinized for doing too much or too little. Look no further than their handling of COVID-19 misinformation. On Jan. 2, the social media giant...

With the new year in full swing, many people are striving to accomplish year-long goals and resolutions.

Right idea, poor execution: The faults in making new year’s resolutions

Erika Holmberg, Copy Editor January 10, 2022

With a new year comes a fresh start and, inevitably, so do resolutions. Countless people utilize the new year to accomplish major goals or different lifestyles, but the lack of execution often leads to...

The shady side of TikTok looms large over its 1 billion monthly users.

Hook, line and sinker: TikTok purposefully uses unethical tactics to exploit users

Mitchell Wood, Sports Editor January 10, 2022

TikTok became the most popular website in the world in 2021, dethroning Google. The social media giant surpassed one billion active monthly users in 2021. The app’s quick rise to world prominence has...

Elizabeth Holmes, founder of dissolved health technology company Theranos encapsulates the toxic Silicon Valley startup culture that encourages entrepreneurs to go to extreme lengths for success.

The ugly truth of Silicon Valley startup culture

Shobini Iyer, Opinon Editor January 10, 2022

The mentality that “If you give it all, you will make it” has long been deeply rooted in Silicon Valley, a hub for technological innovation and one of the wealthiest regions in the world. And the truth...

Senior Rithvik Vanga japes by throwing 
a paper airplane in study hall.

Japing: A new form of social protest

Salar Cheema, Staff Contributor January 6, 2022

Each year, students in the United States undergo immense stress during their senior year due to college applications, scholarship deadlines and increased academic demands. To prevent these looming threats...

After two failed attempts, Canada has successfully passed legislation to ban conversion therapy.

Third time’s a charm: Gay conversion therapy is now banned nationally in Canada

Harper Clark, Student Life Editor December 28, 2021

After two failed attempts, history is being made as Canada bans conversion therapy. Conversion therapy is any attempt that targets the LGBTQ+ commuminty to change gender identity, gender expression...

Founder of Wikileaks Julian Assange is set to be extradited to the United States to face trial.

Julian Assange’s extradition does not bode well for the future of journalistic freedom

Shobini Iyer, Opinion Editor December 27, 2021

Julian Assange, co-founder of the website Wikileaks, has been a person of interest in the US since 2010, when his platform published thousands of highly classified documents uncovering everything from...

Thirty-seven million Americans live in poverty.

America perpetuates poverty

Alyssa Smith, Social Media Manager December 21, 2021

America needs someone to do the dirty work. America needs someone to buy the day-old bread. America needs someone to test drugs on. America needs the working poor. America needs poverty and they don't...

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