Author Archives: theshield2021

By Lily Bourne With calls to ban TikTok growing louder, many people have begun to question the necessity of the platform. TikTok hosts over 120 million monthly users on iOS alone, and the average user spends over an hour and a half on the app every day. However, many teens report screen times as highContinue reading “To Tok Or Not?”

By Keira De Vita My love for Taylor Allison Swift is one like no other. Her music, pure bliss. Dedicated to learning her entire discography as a child you would not dare face me… unless we compete over folklore and evermore songs– those albums I have failed to fall madly in love with. Notwithstanding theContinue reading “Swift and Easy Or Not?”

By Keira De Vita I write with my left hand. I cannot do anything normally; I exist in a world that, although it is not that big of a deal, is quite literally not made for me. Scissors, credit card machines, video game controls (AWSD and a mouse), coffee mugs, door handles, and even refrigerators.Continue reading “The Odd One Out”

By Madeline Crowley If you are friends with, or you know an ASB kid, you have surely listened to hours of conversation and complaints about upcoming projects and events going on in ASB. These conversations often include references to so-called “child labor” or the dreaded “lip sync practice” leading you to question whether or notContinue reading “Working, Working, and Working”

By Anjali Nayak  I do not sleep well. Whether it be from the biting stress of junior year or my inability to never stop thinking, I wake up every morning groggy and gross. Thankfully, there is one super substance that gets me through the day — caffeine. To the worry of practically everyone I know,Continue reading “The Pros and Cons of Being A Coffeeholic”

By Lily Bourne Blood, sweat, and tears; all can be found mixed in with the orange softball dirt coating the dugout floor, and all are necessary to become a true member of the softball experience. The Westmont softball team puts in hours of practice every week, perfecting both their defensive and offensive aspects of theContinue reading “Ballin’ Or Fallin’”

By Cat Kemp

By Cat Kemp With the new year starting, the biggest club on campus and designated welcomers have returned! LIFE Crew — and its six commissioners — dedicate themselves to ensuring that everyone has a safe place on campus. This years commissioners have all shared what they are looking forward to. Make sure to find anyContinue reading “LIFE Crew”

By Anjali Nayak Whether it be curling up with a good book next to the fireplace, or soaking in the sun with a beach read, I see vacation as an opportunity to devour novel after novel and poem after poem. Wherever I am, I try to read my way through a city. New York? CatchContinue reading “Read Your Way Through the Bay “

By Sinchana Holla and Sophie Schwarz Mr. Hadley—a funny, hardworking, and forever-smiling teacher that brings joy into any class he enters. He always has perceptive answers to our questions and is willing to talk about any topic. We decided to interview him to get an insight into his year.  What classes do you teach? EnglishContinue reading “Questions for Hadley”