The Black and White

Senioritis is worth it, Mr. Bernstein

By Chris Hoogstraten • March 10, 2013

For the past year and a half, I’ve skidded through the academic maelstrom of AP’s and college apps, working myself until I was sick (quite literally), taking a mental health day and then repeating...

‘Coming Apart’ accurately points out growing cultural divide

By Chris Hoogstraten • May 1, 2012

The snobbish elites barricade themselves in exclusive suburban enclaves, the poor suffer from an erosion of values, and the once-noble “American project” goes down the toilet. In his provocative...

Speech team performs in first annual showcase, ‘SpeechEasy’

By Chris Hoogstraten • April 27, 2012

The Speech Team hosted “Speecheasy,” their first annual showcase, April 25 in the WAUD. The showcase, which featured small samples of each speech event, from humorous and dramatic performances...

My dilemma: are expensive liberal arts schools too impractical?

By Chris Hoogstraten • March 16, 2012

I’m a part dreamer, part pragmatist, all burnt-out junior. As I prepare to dive head-first into the college applications process, I feel my competing natures pulling me in opposite directions and potentially...

Ombudsman: Why the Black & White is black and white

By Chris Hoogstraten • February 8, 2012

After 50 years of production, the Black & White has arrived at a crossroads. With declining revenue and a shrinking staff, the paper faces some tough decisions about how to maintain financial stability....

Local family celebrates Christmas with dozens of lawn decorations

By Chris Hoogstraten • December 25, 2011

A six-foot inflatable snow globe rests in the center of the lawn, flanked by massive inflatable snowmen that loom over assorted seasonal knick-knacks. Giant Santas are scattered across the yard, a sleigh...

Give teachers free day to write college recommendations

By Chris Hoogstraten • November 20, 2011

MCPS should acknowledge the major time commitment of writing college recommendation letters by giving teachers a "free" day off every fall specifically for writing recommendation letters.

MCPS should stop requiring underclassmen to take the PSAT

By Chris Hoogstraten • November 16, 2011

Underclassmen took overachiever culture to a whole new level this past October by taking the Pre-Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test, a test to prepare for a test whose main purpose is to prepare for...

Students should earn credit solely for SSL hours completed outside of school

By Chris Hoogstraten • October 20, 2011

Students across the county earn student service learning hours for talking to adults about 9/11, interviewing the elderly about World War II and writing imaginary letters to President Obama. Sadly, these aren’t examples of easy SSL hours. These are school assignments in seventh, eighth and ninth grade that amount to almost half of a student's total SSL hours requirement.

Single-semester tech would reduce scheduling conflicts

By Chris Hoogstraten • September 29, 2011

Everyone loves two-for-one deals — they’re cheap, efficient and get you the most bang for your buck. And when it comes to scheduling classes, a two-for-one deal is the perfect solution. The engineering department should offer a condensed, one-semester technology education course, allowing motivated students to satisfy their technology and health credit requirements in one year.

High School Challenge Index yields misleading rankings

By Chris Hoogstraten • June 8, 2011

Jay Mathews should rank schools based on their overall quality by assessing their AP pass rates and other factors, instead of just AP participation rates.

Colleges should disregard legacy in admissions

By Chris Hoogstraten • May 20, 2011

As waves of college acceptance gossip swept through the senior class last month, students were left wondering: “Did some students only get in because of their parents?” Most elite colleges favor...

Load More Stories