In 2021, Insiders from across the country and throughout the world told important stories about their schools, communities and the issues that matter most to them. Team HS Insider has gathered a collection of these stories to reflect on and celebrate the end of the year.
Education
LAUSD school bus driver Ismael Cabrera keeps an eye on the students boarding his bus after school on November 10. (Photo by Delilah Brumer)
LAUSD school bus drive shortage leads to reduction in routes, longer rides
by Delilah Brumer, junior, Daniel Pearl Magnet High School
Virtual learning didn’t stop L.A. Braille Institute
by Grace Lee, senior, Buena Park High School
Features
Alan Do stands outside his family’s 36-year-old business, Friendly Donuts. (Photo by Yejin Heo)
Cambodian immigrant-owned Friendly Donuts is sprinkled with history
by Yejin Heo, senior, Northwood High School
LA’s newest project? A youth development department
by Payton Zarceno, senior, Mt. SAC Early College Academy
Bob Ballard: The story behind the man who found the Titanic
by Jeremy Hsiao, California School of the Arts graduate, class of 2020
TommyInnit’s Minecraft character looks out at what remains of L’manberg, the country he fought for. (Photo by @The_Eret / Twitter)
Entertainment
The Dream SMP: How Minecraft role-play is taking over Twitch
by Leilani Poltorak, senior, Palisades Charter High School
The dark side of the K-pop Industry
by Hillary Hiu, sophomore, Diamond Bar High School
Review: Netflix animated series ‘The Dragon Prince’ is generic and doesn’t live up to its hype
by Anna Holden, Grossmont Middle College graduate, class of 2021
Review: ‘The Penthouse: War In Life” will always leave you wanting more
by Helaine Zhao, junior, Orange County School of the Arts
Bryce Wettstein, 17, skates at Dew Tour. (Photo courtesy of Dew Tour)
Sports
17-year-old Bryce Wettstein skates her way to the Tokyo Olympics
by Grace Lee, senior, Buena Park High School
Column: My experience as a girl on the El Rancho football team
by Yaileen Ramos, senior, El Rancho High School
(High School Insider)
Opinion
Opinion: Why you shouldn’t use food delivery apps
by Henry Larson, senior, La Cañada High School
Opinion: Animal testing should be banned
by Avery Wang, sophomore, Diamond Bar High School
Opinion: Who will say enough is enough to gun violence in American schools?
by Yaileen Ramos, senior, El Rancho High School
Denise Lynn Banks and her daughter, Elizah, sway to the rhythm of Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” at the end of the Juneteenth celebration in Manhattan Beach. (Photo by Nadia Bidarian)
Multimedia
Juneteenth in photos: Manhattan Beach celebrates new federal holiday
by Nadia Bidarian, senior, Redondo Union High School
Photos: A look inside MaCES’ first week of reopening
by Melissa Ponce, senior, Maywood Center for Enriched Studies
Old Town Orange: A glimpse of Orange County’s history
by Camelia Heins, Fountain Valley High School graduate, class of 2022
by Berk Sievers, junior, International School of Düsseldorf