The student news site of Pleasant Valley High School

Spartan Shield
Our Best of SNO Published Articles
The student news site of Pleasant Valley High School

Spartan Shield
The student news site of Pleasant Valley High School

Spartan Shield
Brian Chen

Brian Chen, Copy Editor

Brian Chen is currently a senior at Pleasant Valley High School and serves as a Copy Editor for the Spartan Shield. At PV, his favorite classes include Physics and Anatomy & Physiology. After high school, Brian plans on studying Pre-Dental classes at University of Iowa in hopes of becoming a Pediatric Dentist in the near future. Outside of school, Brian enjoys weightlifting and playing basketball with his friends

All content by Brian Chen

Uncovering the Prep: Behind the Scenes of School Lunch Planning

Brian Chen
January 15, 2025
Pleasant Valley High School’s cafeteria staff preparing for lunch, which is extremely stressful with the amount of students entering and exiting the cafeteria.

The “behind the scenes” workers are allowing schools to function properly

Brian Chen, Copy Editor
January 15, 2025
Some of the top gyms in the Quad Cities include the YMCA, Planet Fitness, Warriors Fitness and Ultimate Fitness.

Top 4 gyms in the Quad Cities

Brian Chen, Copy Editor
January 14, 2025
If players want important swag on the court. Here are 5 must have basketball shoes.

Top 5 basketball shoes ever

Brian Chen, Copy Editor
January 14, 2025
Some of the most unhealthy foods that a human being can eat. Chips, Soda, Fried Foods, processed meat and dessert.

Top 5 most unhealthy foods 

Brian Chen, Copy Editor
January 14, 2025
Some of the most healthy foods that a human being can eat. Salmon, Almonds, Blueberries, Quinoa and Vegetables.

Top 5 healthiest foods 

Brian Chen, Copy Editor
January 14, 2025
Some of the top foods that cause farts are beans, cruciferous vegetables, carbonated drinks and dairy products.

Top 5 foods that produce farts

Brian Chen, Copy Editor
January 13, 2025
Worldwide, about 43% of people have been reported for daily use of creatine.

OPINION: Student use of performance-enhancing drugs raises ethical concerns about enhanced abilities

Brian Chen, Copy Editor
October 24, 2024
Front desk of Panda Garden. This is where every student/customer pays for their food.

The high cost of maintaining a social life causes financial stress for teens

Brian Chen, Copy Editor
December 16, 2024
In the Quad Cities, there are many popular fried chicken food chains. Dave’s Hot Chicken, Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, Popeyes, KFC and Rooster’s Sports Bar & Grill are among the best ones.

Top 5 fried chicken restaurants in the Quad Cities

Brian Chen, Copy Editor
December 15, 2024
Panda Garden, a Chinese Restaurant that has been open since 2009. Owned by Guoming Chen and Yunzhen Lin.

High rent prices near the BettPlex area force business owners to expand elsewhere (retraction statement included)

Brian Chen, Copy Editor
December 12, 2024
For students involved with any type of basketball extracurricular, the school team or just playing for fun, there is important equipment students need to buy. This can be anything ranging from a basketball to personal gear like headbands, basketball shoes or arm sleeves.

Rising costs of extracurricular activities cause a decrease in participation

Brian Chen, Copy Editor
November 25, 2024
Teachers often have second jobs to supplement their income. Over 17% of teachers in the United States have second jobs.

Insufficient teacher wage prompts educators to balance the classroom and a second job

Brian Chen, Copy Editor
November 21, 2024
Tesla has many different features, but one thing that stands out the most is the car’s ability to make itself fart with whoopee cushions.

Exploring the social taboos and humor associated with farting

Brian Chen, Copy Editor
November 19, 2024
Brawl Stars is one of the most popular games on the internet right now. Close to 47 million people in the world have downloads of Brawl Stars across App Store and Google Play Store. Photo credit to Brawl Stars

The rise in esports furthers the case for gaming becoming a serious sport

Brian Chen, Copy Editor
November 4, 2024
Voices of the Valley: a podcast where we discuss any and everything related to Pleasant Valley. Brought to you by the Spartan Shield staff.

Voices of the Valley Episode #55: Personal Finance

Brian Chen, Copy Editor
October 25, 2024
With many people loving snickers, reese’s cups, jolly ranchers and nerd gummy clusters, other other candies don’t get as much attention and become underrated.

Top 5 most underrated Halloween candies

Brian Chen, Copy Editor
October 22, 2024
Quad Cities isn’t known as a place where there are multiple attractions. But in recent years, the QC area has been blessed with new inventions like Malibu Jacks.

Top 5 things to do in the Quad Cities

Brian Chen, Copy Editor
October 22, 2024
There are many websites that are excellent for high school students, but the best ones are Blooket, Khan Academy, Quizlet, Grammarly and College Board.

Top 5 most useful websites for high school students

Brian Chen, Copy Editor
October 22, 2024
Pleasant Valley High School’s next extended break is from 11/27/24 - 12/1/24. This break is known as Thanksgiving Break.

Top 5 ways to spend extended breaks

Brian Chen, Copy Editor
October 22, 2024
Wooden chair built in Intro to Wood and Construction class, which is part of the STEM education department. It had 4 girls and 17 boys in one class period.

Gender gaps in STEM education persist as solutions continue to be developed

Brian Chen, Copy Editor
October 18, 2024
Pleasant Valley High School teacher Craig Parker is part of the science department and has his seating arrangement in rows and columns.

Classroom seating arrangements and student positions impact student engagement

Brian Chen, Copy Editor
October 7, 2024
Health Occupations Students of America is a Medical club that has over 30 members in it.

Extracurriculars create a positive role in student development

Brian Chen, Copy Editor
October 1, 2024
Scott Community College houses over 7,000 students a year. Community College’s offer 2-year institutions.

Preparing for life after high school can be complicated: Everybody has their own unique paths

Brian Chen, Copy Editor
September 25, 2024
Many students are choosing to take college classes online rather than being in-person.

Long lasting effects of COVID-19 permanently changed education: Increase in online learning

Brian Chen, Copy Editor
September 16, 2024
Pleasant Valley High School is home to over 1700 students. Pleasant Valley School District is still riding the traditional 5-Day school weeks.

The switch from five to four-day school weeks causes a fix in student attendance, overall performance and school budgets

Brian Chen, Copy Editor
September 9, 2024
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Brian Chen