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
Leila Assadi

Leila Assadi, Lead Editor

Leila Assadi is a senior at Pleasant Valley High School and serves as the Lead Editor for the Spartan Shield. Throughout her four years of high school, Leila has participated in numerous extracurricular and academic activities, including National Honors Society, All-Academic sports teams, and a rigorous class schedule. Her favorite classes include AP Language and Composition, Humanities, and AP Spanish. Outside of the classroom, Leila immerses herself in school activities. She is an executive member of Spartan Assembly, a member of Ethics Bowl who competed at the national level at UNC in 2022, President of A Positive Place, Co-President of Environmental Club, Vice President of Students for Political Action and a member of Girls Learn International. Along with her clubs, Leila is a varsity soccer player, varsity bowler, and four year choir member. Hanging out with friends, listening to music, attending concerts, and thrifting occupy Leila’s free time. Leila enjoys writing and looks forward to working on the Spartan Shield this year. 



All content by Leila Assadi
Senior Leila Assadi shares her final words to PVs Class of 2023.

To the PV Class of 2023: Our continued progression

Leila Assadi, Lead editor
May 16, 2023
Members of PV’s Ethics Bowl team compete at nationals in North Carolina at UNC. In preparation for the event, the students study philosophy to formulate arguments on moral issues affecting the modern world.

Philosophy is diversifying the job market

Leila Assadi, Lead Editor
May 11, 2023
BTS Suga marks the final chapter of the music trilogy for Agust D with D-Day.

Agust D’s final chapter: BTS’ Suga finds liberation with ‘D-Day’

Leila Assadi, Lead Editor
May 2, 2023
Though commonly recognized today as beautiful handwriting, calligraphy has a rich and significant cultural history.

Calligraphy: The origins of beautiful handwriting

Leila Assadi, Lead editor
April 24, 2023
Because of BTS’s vast global influence and popularity, concerns have arisen about the negative economic and musical impacts that could follow BTS’s military enlistments.

A future in crisis

Leila Assadi, Lead Editor
April 17, 2023
Despite the increased popularity of women’s athletics, the media creates debates that disregard athletic accomplishments, choosing to rather focus on race and gender.

A double hit: The media vilifies Black female athletes

Leila Assadi, Lead Editor
April 10, 2023
Though the government should protect its most vulnerable citizens, a proposed Iowa bill will allow children to enter dangerous fields like mining, demolition and meat packing.

A hidden workforce

Leila Assadi, Lead Editor
April 4, 2023
“Face” is Park Jimin’s debut solo album. Released on March 24, the album chronologically depicts Jimin’s emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

REVIEW: BTS’s Jimin unveils his raw self with ‘Face’

Leila Assadi, Lead editor
March 27, 2023
Despite many trends and aesthetics originated in Black and brown communities, mainstream media credits and centers western influencers and beauty standards.

Aesthetic privilege

Leila Assadi, Lead editor
March 27, 2023
Members of the PV Ethics Bowl team are leaders, both within school and in extracurricular activities.

Barriers and bias: Stigmas surrounding female leaders

Shobini Iyer and Leila Assadi
March 25, 2023
The Quad Cities only all-girl robotics team, Team 12863 Flourish and Bots, poses after their successful robotics competition.

Ignorance is dangerous: Misogyny hides behind inaction

Leila Assadi, Lead editor
March 20, 2023
Jepsen Week 7 photo

[Photo] Undefeated yet empty: How PV’s student section neglects female athletics

Jae Jepsen, Copy Editors
March 21, 2023
The stadium shook as the PV basketball team ran to the court as soon as the buzzer sounded; PV won 59-56 and, for the first time in school history, the PV Spartans won the state girls basketball title. Senior Rachel Vonderharr was instrumental in keeping the energy up on the bench from the first to final second of the game. “Having energy on and off the court is so vital. The energy in a gym is contagious and when we are in the state tournament setting, it helps set the tone for the game,” she said. “And winning truly means everything. To be a part of this team for 4 years and then end with a state championship is the ideal ending. We all have been working so hard to make this happen and to see it payoff is a dream come true,” Vonderhaar concluded at the Wells Fargo Arena girls basketball state championship in Des Moines, Iowa on March 3, 2023.

Photo Story: ‘We made history’

Leila Assadi, Lead editor
March 9, 2023
Despite being one of the wealthiest nations in the world, the United States is notorious for providing subpar provisions and unaffordable health care for its elderly population.

Abandoned and alone: America’s senior citizens failed by an unsympathetic system

Leila Assadi, Lead Editor
March 6, 2023
Pleasant Valley Girls Basketball celebrate the first ever basketball championship in school history following an amazing season that will be remembered for years to come.

[Photo] A chase ending with the greatest win: Lady Spartans are basketball state champions

Caroline Corcoran, Multimedia Manager
March 7, 2023
An online art exhibit is displaying pieces created by Iranian artists, adding onto the already rich history that art has in relation to protests and social movements.

The art of social change

Leila Assadi, Lead Editor
February 28, 2023
When the media portrays a false narrative of the Middle East, it desensitizes the world to the region’s issues. The negative impacts are felt by the population in the Middle East and the global diaspora.

The danger of desensitization

Leila Assadi, Lead Editor
February 20, 2023
In just a matter of weeks, Iranians around the globe will set up haft sin tables to celebrate Nowruz—the Iranian New Year. Seven is considered a lucky number and each item begins with the letter “sin” in Persian, representing not only the rebirth and renewal of spring, but the Iranian protester’s fight for a renewed and just government.

GRAMMYs best song for social change: “Baraye” uplifts Iranian voices

Leila Assadi, Lead editor
February 13, 2023
When society places unrealistic and unhealthy expectations for how women’s bodies “should” look, it dismisses the adverse physical and mental harm that accompanies the objectification of women.

Not malleable objects: Society’s standards of body expectations are changing again

Leila Assadi, Lead Editor
February 5, 2023
Swift’s influence is well-established with most individuals owning an item related to her.

[Photo] Taylor Swift’s Billionaire Status Highlights Ethical Issues

Sumika Thapa, Feature editor
January 25, 2023
As states around the nation place bans on classroom subjects and discussion topics, the integrity of the American education system comes into question.

A political playground: The deterioration of America’s education

Leila Assadi, Lead Editor
January 30, 2023

[Video] A Positive Place presents at the Iowa BEST Summit

Leila Assadi
January 12, 2023
Nationwide, 1 in 4 Americans live in HOA communities. These areas are less diverse and continue to discriminate against prospective minority homeowners.

Homeowners associations reflect systemic racism

Leila Assadi, Opinion editor
January 10, 2023
After nearly 10 months of detainment in Russia, Brittany Griner was released in a prisoner-exchange with Viktor Bout.

Americans left confused over the prisoner swap of Viktor Bout for Brittany Griner

Leila Assadi, Opinion editor
January 3, 2023
Luxury brands, including Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga, have a history of claiming ignorance after receiving backlash for controversial actions.

Balenciaga: The latest offender of a larger problem

Leila Assadi, Opinion editor
December 13, 2022
“Indigo”, RM’s debut solo album, was released on Dec. 2. The album explores RM’s struggles with international stardom and the “canvas” his fame has trapped him in.

“An archive of my twenties”: RM finds meaning in fame with “Indigo”

Leila Assadi, Opinion editor
December 8, 2022
The OneLove Armbands, designed to be worn by seven captains during the World Cup to oppose discrimination, were banned by FIFA for including “political, offensive, or discriminatory messages.”

Why does FIFA fight protests?

Leila Assadi, Opinion Editor
December 6, 2022
A mini collage of BTS albums represents just 11 of the nine studio albums, seven compilation albums, 11 singles and six extended plays the band has released since their debut in 2013.

Rags to riches: BTS’ rise to international stardom

Leila Assadi, Opinion Editor
November 25, 2022
Dutch was named honors journalisms best dog.

Top 9 Spartan Shield dogs

Leila Assadi, Opinion editor
November 18, 2022
Sophomore Bennett Teitle and his sister, Lila, celebrating Hanukkah with a traditional dinner.

Ye’s antisemetic remarks reveal an American trend

Leila Assadi, Opinion Editor
November 15, 2022
Senior Leila Assadi and her mother after voting in the 2022 election. Assadi was a first time voter.

[Photo] Political polarity soars amid election time

Oskar Barudin, News Editor
November 11, 2022
Senior Libby Kamp poses with Spotify open to “Power of the People” by Coldplay. The song features the message that everyone, regardless of race, gender or sexuality, has the right to be themselves.

Setting the standard: Coldplay’s advocacy for global issues

Leila Assadi, Opinion Editor
November 7, 2022
“Smile”, one of the latest horror movies to grace the big screen, is a blend of real life and fiction.

The truth behind “Based on a true story”

Leila Assadi, Opinion Editor
October 31, 2022
Yesenia Stoddard (left) poses with her family for a picture.

Discovering her ‘why’: One student’s impact on the student hunger drive

Leila Assadi, Opinion editor
October 27, 2022

Culture Over Coffee, Episode #28: Mnet Asian Music Awards

Leila Assadi
October 26, 2022
A local organization is working to provide resources and support for the LGBT+ community in the Quad Cities.

‘Time for change’: Local organization aims to help area LGBT+ youth

Leila Assadi, Opinion Editor
October 18, 2022
A collage of the media covers of the top Korean dramas to watch right now.

Top 9 Korean Dramas

Leila Assadi, Opinion Editor
October 11, 2022
A sofreh aghd is decorated with glassware and hand-crafted art at an Iranian wedding. With their unique cultures and customs, Middle Eastern and North African people are anything but white.

Sometimes white, sometimes not

Leila Assadi, Opinion Editor
October 10, 2022
PV students protesting at abortion rights rally is an example of activism that is not performative, contrary to the modern definition of “woke.”

[Photo] The evolution of wokeness

Shobini Iyer, Co-Editor-In-Chief
October 10, 2022
Juniors Tyge Lyon (1), Tate Lyon (24) and Alex Lokenvitz (35) wait for kickoff after Pleasant Valley’s touchdown.

Photo Story: Pleasant Valley vs. Bettendorf Football

Leila Assadi, Opinion Editor
October 7, 2022
Pleasant Valley frontline poses for a photo before the start of the game. The theme of the game was green-out in honor of Ian Kaffenberger.

[Photo]

A dinosaur runs around as the band plays “Jurassic Park Theme Song” and other pieces by John Williams.

[Photo]

Leila Assadi

[Photo]

Junior Austin Bullock (22) prepares to kick a field goal.

[Photo]

Sparty, Pleasant Valley’s mascot, celebrates after Pleasant Valley scores a touchdown.

[Photo]

Pleasant Valley student section responds to Bettendorf’s flashlight wave.

[Photo]

Seniors Blayne Farmer (72) and Caden McDermott (2) listen intently to their coaches.

[Photo]

Pleasant Valley Platinum cheers from the sidelines after their halftime performance.

[Photo]

Senior cheerleaders Caity Burke and Caroline Corcoran lead the student section through a series of cheers with the rest of their team.

[Photo]

Head coach Rusty VanWetzinga observes the game while staying in communication with the other coaches.

[Photo]

Presidential elections have taken the spotlight on voting, but midterm elections hold just as much significance.

2022 Midterms: Navigating America’s divisive politics

Leila Assadi, Opinion Editor
October 3, 2022
The murder of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini sparks protests in Iran at a magnitude that has never been seen before. As these protests rattle Iran, discourse about Western disconnect erupts on social media.

A symbol of autonomy

Leila Assadi, Opinion Editor
September 26, 2022
Fans struggle to purchase tickets due to the unethical business practices of Ticketmaster.

A ticket monopoly: Ticketmaster’s unethical business practices and the capitalist mindset

Leila Assadi, Opinion Editor
September 19, 2022
Pleasant Valley’s multi faith room provides students of all faiths with a safe space to connect with their religions.

Multi-faith room promotes diversity and inclusion at PV

Leila Assadi, Opinion Editor
September 9, 2022
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Leila Assadi