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
Laura Chen

Laura Chen, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Laura Chen is a senior at Pleasant Valley High School and currently serves as the Co-Editor-in-Chief for the Spartan Shield. Outside of journalism, she enjoys her AP 3D Art and sociology classes. At PV, Laura is the co-president of Ceramics Club, leads Book Club, and is involved in numerous other activities, including Ethics Bowl, Women in STEM, and girl’s tennis. Alongside her school activities, she plays the piano and plays the cello in the Quad City Youth Symphony Orchestra.  In her free time, Laura loves reading and listening to books and can be found perusing graphic novels at the Bettendorf Public Library. Her other pastimes include watching reality TV and keeping up with international soccer. Laura is excited to write for the Shield and collaborate with the other staff members!



All content by Laura Chen
PV student groups inspire change and leadership

PV student groups inspire change and leadership

March 15, 2025
Amnesty Club co-Presidents Swetha Narmeta and Nadia Meeks table before school to raise awareness about immigration rights.

Amnesty Club advocates for immigration rights during National Week of Student Action

Laura Chen, Co-Editor-in-Chief
March 3, 2025
Egg prices have shot up at local grocery stores, making it difficult for consumers to add them to their shopping list.

[Photo] Egg prices are on the rise, raising concerns about the president’s “prices down day 1” promises

Reid Yoder, Photo Manager
February 26, 2025
Librarian Katie Jackson uses the Bettendorf Public Library's teen quad area to advertise upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.

Bettendorf Young Adult Librarian Katie Jackson creates opportunities for community engagement

Laura Chen, Co-Editor-in-Chief
October 14, 2024
Western media frequently diminishes China as wholly corrupt social and political monolith. This assumption of inferiority limits the ability to appreciate and enjoy the country's culture and people.

Western sinophobia prolongs a history of cultural intolerance

Laura Chen, Co-Editor-in-Chief
September 24, 2024
Water bottle brands cycle in and out of popularity, encouraging the purchase of the newest design. In contrast, the underconsumption core trend opposes this mindset, championing reusing old items and buying second hand.

Underconsumption core incites criticism over privilege and performative activism

Laura Chen, Co-Editor-in-Chief
September 9, 2024
Public libraries are meant to be a safe place for all. However, following recent trends, the Bettendorf Public Library was targeted with bomb threats.

Public libraries are meant to be a safe place for all. However, following recent trends, the Bettendorf Public Library was targeted with bomb threats.

Pleasant Valley's mission statement hangs in the emptying hallway. As the last bell of the school year rings, students are still unsure of their schedules for the upcoming semester.

Scheduling stumbles: Course conflicts undermine academic ambition

Laura Chen and Prerna Vanga
June 6, 2024
Pleasant Valley Model UN holds an International night annually to help combat discrimination and unite the community.

Model UN club celebrates diversity in PV community

January 6, 2024

[Video] The Rise of Cultural Awareness: PV’s Model United Nations Club Exceeds Expectations

Gabi Ragins and Laura Chen
January 5, 2024
Graphic novels are a fun, easy-to-read form of storytelling. Available at school and public libraries, they are great option for prolific and reluctant readers alike.

6 quick-read graphic novels

Laura Chen, Feature Editor
November 28, 2023
High school math often requires extra study. Scott Community College's Calculus III recommends the resource Mathispower4u for helpful videos.

Top 6 math study resources

Laura Chen, Feature Editor
November 28, 2023
With an already-established storyline and dedicated fans, books provide an easy opportunity for entertainment studios to produce media. In turn, authors' receive higher sales. Many bookstores, such as Books-A-Million, dedicate displays to these popular novels.

Book-to-screen pipeline provides easy marketability, increases in popularity

Laura Chen, Feature Editor
December 22, 2023
After years in the making, the pilot episodes of “Percy Jackson and The Olympians” were released on Dec. 20 to widely positive fan reception. Photo credit to Disney Entertainment

REVIEW: “Percy Jackson and The Olympians” is the show fans have been waiting for

Laura Chen, Feature Editor
December 21, 2023
Prior to the American Math Competition, students organized summer meetings to prepare for the test. Their dedication has paid off as three students advance to the next round of competition. Photo credit to Ameya Menon

Students succeed in first round of national math competition

Laura Chen, Feature Editor
December 19, 2023
Junior Ameya Menon became a soccer fan during the 2022 World Cup, buying an Argentina jersey after the tournament. Similarly, the Copa America hopes to draw in new audiences and generate profit. Photo used with attribution to PVHS student Avantika Menon.

2024 Copa America promotes soccer viewership in the U.S.

Laura Chen, Feature Editor
December 12, 2023
Public libraries are meant to be a safe place for all. However, following recent trends, the Bettendorf Public Library was targeted with bomb threats.

Library bomb threats indicate nationwide challenges against intellectual freedom

Laura Chen, Feature Editor
November 29, 2023
Some teachers make the effort to include phonetics beside unfamiliar names. When teachers properly learn and welcome diverse names, every student feels included and welcomed, which leads to better student-teacher relationships and a more productive education.

Lost in pronunciation: Mispronounced names unveil lack of respect for students

Laura Chen and Prerna Vanga
November 10, 2023

[Video] Voices of the Valley episode #33: New Teacher Feature with Angela Staber

Laura Chen, Feature Editor
October 24, 2023
PV students are accepted into Iowa's All-State Orchestra, Band and Chorus. Despite this, highly successful students often struggle with self-doubt and an inability to acknowledge their accomplishments.

Imposter syndrome puts students’ mental health at risk

Laura Chen, Feature Editor
October 22, 2023
The Library of Things is just one of the many supplies available for checkout to library patrons.

Top four resources at the Bettendorf Public Library

Laura Chen, Feature Editor
October 22, 2023
During National Banned Books Week, the Bettendorf Public Library provides information and activities to increase banned book advocacy.

Best Banned Books

Laura Chen, Feature Editor
October 16, 2023
Students with dietary restrictions struggle to find variety in school lunches.

PV’s lunch options leave students dissatisfied

Laura Chen, Feature Editor
October 14, 2023
Traditional Chinese food, such as what is eaten during the Mid-Autumn festival, is often stereotyped as unsanitary and barbaric in American culture.

American standards dictate what is acceptable to eat

Laura Chen, Feature Editor
October 3, 2023
Visiting libraries is an opportunity to support literacy and learning as well as participate in free programs.

Local libraries celebrate National Library Card Sign-up Month

Laura Chen, Feature Editor
September 27, 2023
Although acceptance of all languages is desired, people continue to hold inherent biases about the language and accent of non-native English speakers.

Linguistic racism perpetuates stereotypes in media

Laura Chen, Feature Editor
September 23, 2023
Iowa legislature dictates a change in the policy of what students in Pleasant Valley’s high school orchestra should wear.

An attack on self-expression: Iowa’s gendered clothing laws restrict student freedom

Laura Chen, Feature Editor
September 11, 2023
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