Obama gives his first State of the Union Address

Danielle Sorcher
Reporter

In the recent State of the Union Address on Wednesday, January 27th, President Barack Obama aired his views on where America stands right now, and where it needs to go next. He touched on a multitude of issues including tax cuts, job stimuli, and the “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” military policy.

The speech itself was different than most others in years past. “There’s been a tradition since Reagan of pointing out someone in the crowd and using an individual anecdote to illustrate a point or to create a moment in the speech,” Stephen Vehslage, AP US Government and Politics teacher said. “But Obama didn’t do that. It was the first time since the early 80’s that they haven’t pointed to someone in the crowd as part of the speech.”

Another difference in the speech was the fact that Obama challenged a decision that the Supreme Court had made recently, right in front of them. “An interesting moment was when the President directly criticized a recent decision made by the Supreme Court about campaign finance reform,” Mr. Vehslage said…

Internet is just a click away

Lucia Molina
Reporter

A number of students are aware that internet access inside the school is very easy to obtain. When the mobile device is registered through a form available on the “Voice thread” computer in the library and 24 hours have passed, you have internet access just about anywhere in the school.

“Wireless internet is available almost everywhere in the school except the gym and in front of the VPI office,” Library Media Specialist Michelle Luhtala said. “It’s easy to access once the form is filled out…”

Tech Night on Monday

On Monday, Feb. 1st, the fourth annual Technology Night will be held in the cafeteria. The event gives students and teachers an opportunity to showcase how they use technology in and outside of the classroom to enhance learning. In the past, the night has displayed student-made computers and robots…

NAEP Exam

Kelsey Anspach
News Editor

Today, a selected group of seniors will take the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) Exam. According to Assistant Principal Ari Rothman, the exam is often referred to as “the nation’s report card.”

The exam, run by the U.S. Department of Education, is taken by students aged 9, 13, and 17 in public schools across the country. Each school that is chosen to take the test is given one of multiple subject tests which aim to report on subject-matter achievement, instructional experience, and school environment. This year, seniors here will take a writing assessment…