Valentine’s Day at Spring Valley High School is changing, with social media becoming a big part of how students express love, friendship, and even breakups. What used to be handwritten notes and small gestures is now mainly online.

Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat have become the top social media apps for public displays of affection. People share videos, post messages, and use captions to celebrate their relationships. Proposals and social media shoutouts have become normal, making Valentine’s Day just as much about online attention as real-life connection.

“If you don’t post about your Valentine, people start wondering if something’s wrong,” junior Ahlam Ali said. “It’s like social media is proof of how much you care.”

But while social media makes celebrations bigger, it also adds pressure. Many students feel like they need to make their posts as big as possible, leading to comparing themself and insecurity.”

Some students feel that online romance can seem fake.

“It sometimes feels like we’re doing it for the likes, not for each other,” said sophomore Aliza Phommasak. “People measure their relationships by how many views and comments they get.”

Social media isn’t just changing how students celebrate—it’s also changing how they break up. Instead of private conversations, many relationships now end through vague Instagram stories, dramatic TikTok videos, or sudden changes in relationship status.

“I’ve seen influencers announce breakups in their stories,”. “It makes something personal feel like a public event.”

This new reality makes breakups even harder. A deleted photo or status update can spark rumors and speculation, making an emotional situation even more stressful. Some students also feel pressure to act like they’re okay online, even when they’re not.

Despite these changes, a lot of students still prefer old-school Valentine’s traditions. The STUCO candy gram fundraiser is where students can send notes and small gifts to their crushes, friends, or teachers. Getting a handwritten card or a small surprise still means a lot for many.

Teachers also encourage students to put their phones down and talk to each other. Some classes include interactive activities, like writing letters or talking about what real connection means.

“We want students to remember that real relationships happen face-to-face,” said English teacher Ms. Harrigan. 

For many, the key is finding balance. Social media can be fun, but it’s not everything.

“I love posting about my gals on Valentine’s Day,” said sophomore Hanan Tullu. “But at the end of the day, what matters is how we treat each other in real life.”

As social media continues to shape Valentine’s Day, Spring Valley High School students are learning how to have real connections, proving that love, whether digital or not, is always worth celebrating.

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I met Mr. Brown in his office, a small room lined with pictures from past events, some more successful than others. His office, like the school, feels like it’s on the cusp of something better—yet somehow, it’s still waiting for that spark. Brown knows the students here—what excites them and, perhaps more importantly, what doesn’t. 

“When I first got here, there was no real school spirit to begin with,” Brown said, his voice tinged with both recognition and frustration. “People just weren’t interested in participating. We didn’t have the foundation for it. We’ve tried building something from scratch, but it’s been a lot harder than we expected.”

As he reflects on his time at Spring Valley High School, it’s clear that school spirit has never been something students have actively sought. Sports events, pep rallies, assemblies, and dances often struggle to draw even a modest crowd, according to Brown, 

“Our spring dance ‘Love Around the World’ only had twelve tickets sold,” Brown said. “And all of the tickets bought were from student council members that were required to attend the dance.” 

The school has always operated without the vibrant buzz that many other schools experience. But despite the efforts from Brown and student council, the uphill battle to improve the culture often feels like it’s going nowhere. 

“We’ve had assemblies that were practically empty,” Brown said, rubbing his temples. “We’ve tried different approaches, but it feels like we’re stuck in a loop—students just don’t seem to care.”

While many schools may have an innate sense of pride rooted in tradition or a strong sports culture, Spring Valley High School has faced the unique challenge of building that pride from the ground up. Brown and the rest of the student council have organized countless events, including spirit weeks, school dances, and sporting events, all in an effort to foster community and pride. But time and time again, the turnout is low, and the enthusiasm is even lower. 

“I think part of the issue is that students just don’t feel like they belong here,” Brown said with a sigh. “There’s no strong identity that people latch onto, no unifying force that gets everyone excited to be part of the school,” 

LeBaron, his co-adviser in the Student Council, also struggles with the lack of excitement. 

“I didn’t experience school spirit in high school, but I went to Utah State for college and have never seen anything like it when it comes to student involvement,” LeBaron shared. “I want to bring that into Spring Valley.” 

Her experience at Utah State provided her with a different perspective of what school spirit can look like, and she believes that fostering involvement starts with creating meaningful connections with students. 

“I believe that school spirit isn’t just about cheering at games or wearing school colors; it’s about making students feel like they matter,” she explained. “If we can create spaces where students feel valued and included, the school spirit will follow.”

I asked Brown if he thinks it’s possible to change the culture, and he hesitated. “It’s tough. I’m not sure if we’ll ever get to a place where everyone’s invested, but I think we can make incremental changes. Right now, we’re focusing on small victories. If we can get just a few more people involved with each event, that’s progress.”

But progress has been slow. Even with new strategies—like leveraging social media to promote events or trying more interactive, student-led initiatives—the response has been lukewarm at best. Brown believes that part of the problem is the lack of student buy-in from the start. 

“When you have a student body that’s indifferent, getting them involved in school activities isn’t easy,” he said. “It’s hard to build momentum when no one is willing to take the first step.It’s also a problem because of the staff at our school. Many of the teachers tell students they can just leave school before assemblies start. It is not allowed but many staff still let it slide.”

Though Brown has worked hard to create a culture where school spirit is more than just a buzzword, he admits it’s an ongoing struggle. 

“It feels like we’re constantly hitting a wall,” he said. “No matter what we try, there’s no significant shift in engagement. It’s just difficult to get students to realize the value of being part of something bigger than themselves.”

As we continue talking, it becomes clear that fostering school spirit at Spring Valley High School is not just about big events or flashy marketing campaigns. It’s about changing the culture, but that kind of change takes time. Brown acknowledges that the lack of enthusiasm may not be unique to this school—many schools face similar challenges—but it still feels like a personal failure for him. 

“I don’t think we’ll ever have that intense school spirit you see at other places,” Brown said. “But I do think we can find a middle ground, a place where people care enough to participate. Even if it’s small, we’ll keep pushing for it.”

His optimism, despite the lack of tangible results, is palpable. “At the end of the day, it’s about persistence. We can’t give up just because it’s tough. Every little bit of participation is a win, and we’ll keep building on that,” he said, with a nod of resolve.

For Mr. Brown, and the student council, the mission remains clear: progress is a slow and steady process. Whether or not school spirit ever becomes a defining characteristic of Spring Valley High School, the effort to build a stronger sense of community will continue. 

“Even if the results are small, they are still steps forward,” Lebaron said. “After all, change takes time, and as long as there’s a glimmer of hope for progress, the work isn’t done yet.”

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Collum’s story began when she was just over a year old. Watching her brothers play sports made her want to compete as well, inspiring her to try gymnastics. 

“I watched gymnastics on TV which made me want to try out gymnastics. I saw the college gymnasts and wanted to be like them,” Collum said.

This desire led her on a journey that would not only shape her athletic career, but her life as a whole.

Gymnastics has been Collum first ever sport, and from the moment she started it was clear that she was in the right place.

“ Gymnastics was the first sport I tried and I immediately fell in love with it,” she said. “From the first time I started gymnastics classes I knew it was the sport for me.”

As she grew older, her dedication to the sport grew more and more. She began to understand that this sport was more than just having physical ability. It was also about having discipline, determination, and even an incredible work ethic. 

‘The main thing I enjoy about gymnastics is the determination and work ethic I have gained from it. Gymnastics teaches a lot of discipline and that has helped me to become not only the gymnast but the person I am today” she said.

One defining moment in her gymnastics career came at the age of nine, when the Olympic team director reached out to her coach, inviting her to try out for training camps. 

“What truly made me realize it was when the Olympic team director reached out to my coach and said that he would love to have me come try out for camps,” she stated. 

However, her story hasn’t always been easy. Collum faced challenges, from moving away from her family at a young age, to training with a new elite coach due to her coach in Alabama quitting. 

“One big challenge that I faced was moving away from my family,” Collum said. “My elite coach in Alabama quit, so I had to choose to either move so I could continue gymnastics, or quit and give up on my dreams so I could stay with my family.I loved the sport so much and knew that I had a future in it, that I made the tough decision to move away from my family to continue pushing towards my goals of becoming an elite athlete. A few years after I moved, I faced many injuries that made me unable to compete in the elite setting, but I still decided to do gymnastics so that I would hopefully one day get a scholarship.”

As if moving away wasn’t enough, Collum later had to face injuries that would keep her from competing in elite gymnastics for a very long period as well as dealing with school.

“I have had many injuries throughout my gymnastics career but the hardest ones to get through were my knee surgeries. My first knee surgery occurred when I was still training for Elite, and I had to make the hard choice to stop Elite so I could focus on getting better. My second knee surgery was right after my 2024 competition season. I was out for a few months, but it wasn’t as challenging as the first surgery,” she said

But that didn’t stop her from pursuing her dreams. She pushes through the pain, through the thoughts of quitting, and through the hardships it’s given her motivation and discipline. 

“After dealing with my knee injuries for a while, and doctors struggling to figure out the problem, it became discouraging and I was starting to think I would never be able to do my sport like normal again,” Collum said. “However once I figured out a solution, I was more motivated than ever to fix the problem and prove to myself that I was capable of having a great comeback. Dealing with injuries makes me more determined because it motivates me to be the best at what I can do even with my injuries.”

That motivation has pushed her to even greater heights. While managing school, team practices and even injuries, she has managed to get accepted to a D1 school. 

“Balancing school and gymnastics is very tough, but the work ethic I’ve gained from gymnastics helps me to stay on top of my schoolwork and grades even when it gets tough,” Collum said. “Gymnastics also helped me achieve a scholarship to a D1 school which is something that wouldn’t have happened without this sport. I have also made many friends and personal connections that will stick with me my whole life.”

That D1 school is SUU. Their gymnastics program began in 1985 and has evolved into a competitive force in collegiate Gymnastics. In the 2025 Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) Preseason Coaches Poll, SUU was ranked 31st nationally, reflecting its strong reputation in the sport.

“I got a full-ride scholarship to Southern Utah University! (SUU),” Collum said. “ I am very excited to go to SUU! They have an amazing gymnastics history and an awesome team that I cannot wait to be a part of. I am excited to go, and hopefully help set new high scores and records for the team.”

Her success wouldn’t have been possible, however, without the support of her mother, Joy Hilton.

“I wanted Ariel to start participating in sports to give her a social outlet and to start instilling the concept of good work ethic,” Hilton said. “Gymnastics was the first but she also tried playing T-ball. I was excited and supportive. I could see her love for the sport and as a parent I could see the hard work she was putting into the sport she loved!”

She also mentioned that she saw major changes in Collum when it comes to going through tough times and challenging moments.

“Gymnastics made Ariel more determined and driven,” Hilton said. “She is very self motivated, her drive and ambition to succeed. She never lets anything stand in her way, she always finds a way to adapt and overcome and makes her dreams come true! Gymnastics has definitely given Ariel the confidence to take life head on. She doesn’t shy away from hard work or challenges. ” 

There will always be a moment in the parents life where they know what path their child will choose, for Hilton the memory was clear.

“At the beginning of Ariel’s third grade year she was approached by an elite level coach and asked to move from traditional school to homeschool setting and start down a more strict and dedicated road with her gymnastics. The decision was easy for her; she transitioned to home school and never looked back!”.

Ariel’s journey has become a testament of determination, strength, and hard work. From her first steps into gymnastics at the age of 16 months to being able to secure a full-ride scholarship to SUU, Ariel has proven time and time again that no obstacle is too hard to overcome. With the support of her family and the lessons learned from years of hard work and sacrifice, she has not only become a top athlete but has also become a person of strength and character. As she prepares for scholarship to SUU, Ariel’s story should be stranded as a reminder that with hard work, determination and sacrifice any dream is within your reach.

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TikTok has become a part of many teenagers ‘ lives, whether it’s for following the latest trends, learning new things, or expressing themselves. This app is a big part of this generation, and it is an outlet for teenagers to connect to others who are interested in the same things they are. What does this mean for the students at Spring Valley High School? 

“Students would have a harder time knowing what is going on in the world because most people don’t like paying attention to the news, kids especially,” said student Hannan Tullu.

 Although the news provides important information, instead of relying on traditional news, teens turn to TikTok for updates on current events, trends, and social problems. 

“We get to interact with other people about the stuff happening in our world. I think that adds to the platform,” adds Hannan Tullu

Though this is a big part of the app, many other aspects draw teens to the platform, which would make it difficult to let go of.

For many students, TikTok has become a part of their identity, it is a means of expression. Some students even use the app to spread awareness for things they are passionate about. As the debate about the potential TikTok ban continues, it’s very clear that for the students who attend Spring Valley would be losing an app that goes beyond entertainment, it would affect their ability to voice their opinions and spread messages that matter to them.

“I think as a system we kind of have to embrace the positive aspects,” said Computer Science teacher Micheal Miller.

You know, sometimes attention spans aren’t as strong as they were before TikTok,” said Cybersecurity teacher Johnathan Conaty. “But I think they’d be losing the opportunity to learn about different subjects or interests that they may not have known about.”

For many students, TikTok is more than just a friend; it’s a tool for learning and expression and an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals. Banning many students would take away their opportunity to grow in different ways as students and as people.

  Students have discussed the positive effects of the TikTok ban. “If anything, this ban would positively affect the mental health of students,” said student Logan Oram. I think it would allow them more time for school work and not put so much time or pressure into social media,” he adds.

These concerns of shortened attention span and many other concerns are not to be ignored or discarded. Some of these downsides can be seen with our very own students at Spring Valley High School, like previously said some students agreed it would be hard to give up tik tok and This is joined with the fact that many students find it hard to go all day without TikTok which can be seen as a distraction in many classes throughout the school day.

Another major issue is the spread of misinformation. While TikTok provides a space for important conversations, it can also be used to spread false information rapidly. Many teenagers get their news directly from the app without fact-checking. This can alter teenagers’ opinions of important conversations regarding worldly problems.

Many problems need to be addressed, Many students agree that if the app were to be banned, they would have lost more than gained because of the connection a majority of people have formed with the platform, making it hard to let go of.

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“Even though I don’t really go a lot, I usually go to movies if my friends or family say it’s good… and some movies I can get… especially excited for,” said Crisan, “I was really… disappointed by how much we both had to pay… even though I did really like the movie.”

When asked why she didn’t go to movie theaters more often, Crisan had some less than stellar things to say about the current state of the film industry.

“…most movies are just kind of trash nowadays to say the least… the actors and writing just aren’t really as good as they used to be, I feel like. I can just… watch movies at home without worrying about wasting my money if I end up thinking… it’s bad,” said Crisan.

Movie theaters used to be a very communal space, and a popular teenage hangout spot. But it seems in the past decade, or even just the past few years, things have changed.

Many people, especially teenagers, are opting to wait for films to come out on streaming services rather than going to movie theaters.

“I… like the overall sound quality and the big screen [of movie theaters]… better, it definitely makes me feel more immersed in… the story and the atmosphere, but streaming a movie is just so much easier… especially nowadays… and it’s just so expensive too, to like actually go to a theater,” said senior Emily Pavon. 

With the rising price in tickets and concessions, which is most likely associated with the 21.4% increase in consumer prices since February of 2020 (Bankrate), the popularity of movie theaters as a whole with the teenage population is declining.

“I remember going to see the first movie… Into the Spider-Verse, with some of my friends from middle school… years ago, and I remember having… such a great time. It definitely wasn’t that expensive back then, I don’t think,” said Crisan.

“[Movie theaters] should be more popular… but instead of going, teenagers just want to… stay home. I feel like they’re dwindling out of… popularity. They need to be cheaper if they want more people to go,” said junior Nicolette Martinez.

A lot of the movies that are coming out these days also just seem to not be appealing to many teens.

“There’s kind of no movies that I really want to see… I see trailers and social media ads and stuff but none of them really stand out to me… like as a gen z high schooler, I guess,” said Pavon.

According to Forbes, May of 2024 was the worst start to a summer blockbuster season since May of 1998, only making 520 million dollars in the box office. That may still seem like a lot, but numbers add up quickly. To put it into perspective, every film released in May of 2024, which included new installments of some beloved franchises, such as Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, made less money combined than Avengers: Endgame made in its first eight days of release back in April of 2019.

Some people are upset by movie theaters’ somewhat decline in popularity, but with the rise of streaming services and ticket prices, it’s evident that something needs to change if they want to remain a stable industry in the future.

“I feel like they could market themselves better… like not just the movies but… the theaters. If they had… TikTok or Instagram I feel like they could reach more teenagers… and make it seem more appealing,” said Pavon.

“I do want to enjoy going to movie theaters again because… it can be such a fun time to have with your friends, and such a great… opportunity to just hang out with them. I just feel like the film industry… is losing touch with their… target demographic if they are wanting to target high schoolers,” said Crisan.

Despite all of this, according to Statista, the revenue in the cinema market is projected to show an annual growth rate of 6.17% by 2029.

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“I was really shocked, I think, especially because I had never experienced something like that so… openly before,” said Lin.

According to the Human Rights Campaign, new FBI data shows that anti-LGBTQ hate crimes have continued to spike in the US even when overall crime rates are declining.

However, these hate-crimes don’t only happen out in the real world. Many internet users feel powerful behind the mask of an anonymous profile, and some use it as an opportunity to harass and be hateful with little to no consequence. 

“People are definitely more hostile… online and stuff, which is weird because I remember when I was in middle school or whatever the internet felt really accepting.” said Lin.

There have been many shifts in the political landscape of America in the past decade, and with multiple vocally anti-LGBTQ+ politicians currently in office across the country, many people in the community have felt uneasy.

The American Civil Liberties Union is currently tracking 390 anti-LGBTQ bills across the country, one of which is in Nevada.

“I definitely feel like there’s been a shift. It’s… different in person, it feels like people are more outwardly accepting… but online, people are way more outspoken and… hateful towards LGBT people,” said senior Liliana Padilla.

“It’s almost flipped, kind of, now I feel more comfortable around my I.R.L. friends than on social media,” said Lin

“It’s… almost like an epidemic, people are just really comfortable being hateful online again, and they mask it with jokes,” Padilla added.

Individuals using social media to spread hateful ideas is not new, and the act of disguising it as a joke is no exception. However, jokes with anti-LGBTQ+ undertones have been especially normalized in the past few years.

Also according to the Human Rights Campaign, in 2024, attacks based on gender identity increased by 16% from 2023, and those based on sexual orientation increased by 23%.

“A lot of my friends are also LGBT, so I feel safe, like, at school and when I’m talking to them, and I know they’re joking, but online it’s hard because, you know, anyone could be behind the screen, or you don’t know if they’re serious or not,” said senior Emily Pavon.

But just because the people who spread this hate are loud, doesn’t mean there’s nothing people can do for the LGBTQ+ community, especially on a personal level. To be an ally of the community, it’s important to let them know they’re supported.

“Just treat LGBT people like normal, you know, because we are, so yeah just don’t be like super homophobic and try and recognize… when a joke or maybe something you say is homophobic or transphobic or whatever and you may not realize,” said Pavon.

“I think the best way to be supportive is to call out bad behaviors… and kind of keep people that you know in check, even if it’s an uncomfortable thing… because in the end, if you don’t, it’s just… making it so they think what they’re doing is okay,” said Padilla.

With the many struggles the LGBTQ+ community has faced in the past, and is looking to face in the future, some students have expressed their concerns.

“I feel a bit nervous, especially with the stuff that has been happening with the I think… governor of Illinois… who I believe has called for the Supreme Court to take the act that legalized gay marriage back into court… and that’s worrisome, especially with the very Republican leaning Senate we have right now,” said Padilla.

However, despite all of the adversity, others remain hopeful that acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community has a bright future ahead.

“I think with the next wave of young people in government there will come, like, more pro-LGBT bills and stuff, and also in history I’ve seen that politics is kind of a pendulum… and it’s super to the right currently, but I hope it will swing to the left again in the next few years,” said Lin.

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For a good deal of people born after the turn of the century, this movie has been their first real introduction to Dylan, his music and his life story, beyond just his name.

“I had never even really heard of him,” said sophomore Madelyn Porter. “I asked my mom about him, and she said he was this bigger icon from the 60s and 70s. I wasn’t really sure what a folk singer was, or what that music sounded like.”

For this teen this was the first time she’d really been exposed to Dylan, and likely wouldn’t have sought out his rock infused American traditional melodies on her own. Porter, who said she likely wouldn’t have looked for this type of music on her own, said  she’s picked up a whole new perspective on oldies music after seeing the film and hearing the snappy easy on the ear tunes. The face of the production : Timothée Chalamet is what led Porter to the theater in the first place. The stars are what attract many to see these blasts from the past that they might have never given a chance before.

“Surprisingly I actually liked it,” Porter said.  “I’m not really a fan of older music, but as I listened to the songs throughout the movie, it was actually pretty good. I would probably listen to his music again.”

While this film revolves around music, It’s still a retelling of star’s life, and doesn’t just pile on the most popular songs; instead it showcases ones that were the most significant to his story whether they were Dylan’s owns songs, Joan Baezs’s , or Pete Seeger’s

“I felt like they included some of the most important music to him and his journey,” said Senior Alisa Haber, who grew up around his music.  “They didn’t choose his top hits as a cash grab but chose ones to illustrate his life best.”

Biopics as a whole have risen in popularity over the last few years, especially retellings of the glory days of the loudest and proudest rock stars that sang for change. In the last seven years viewers have seen Queen in Bohemian Rhapsody, Elton John in Rocketman, and David Bowie: Ziggy Stardust himself in Moonage Daydream. These “Rock-umentaries” continue to entertain the masses by taking memories of crowded concert halls to comfy quiet theater chairs. Giving the audience a glimpse of who the stars were beyond the stage, but still capturing their alluring presence, wrapped in their notorious sense of rebellion.

Viewers not only adore seeing phenoms they admire in a more first hand point of view, but they like seeing some of their favorite celebrities really taking on these iconic roles. One of the most notable, was Rami Malek’s portrayal of Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody, which was highly praised, winning him an Oscar and the hearts of Queen fans everywhere. Malek’s ability to really take on who Freddie Mercury was not only as a performer but as a symbol of civil disobedience as a gay man during the AIDS crisis, really set the stage for many films like it after its release.

The portrayer is as important as the portrayed in these biopic films, Timothee Chalamet after being chosen to play Bob Dylan, prepared five years for the role.(More info here) Though mostly due to COVID delays, his years of preparation seem to pay off greatly in the end. Viewers touch on how his vocals were amazingly accurate and moving at times, along with the mannerisms he seemed to master really encapsulating the persona of Bob Dylan

“Timothee Chalamet nails his voice, his vocals are so emotional and riveting” said  Haber. “His mannerisms were so on point overall he was impressive to watch.”

After seeing Dylan’s customary stoic attitude on the screen, and getting to witness his strong grip on 60s and 70s culture, the audience left with an admiration for his impact not only on American folk music but on the civil rights movement. Porter talks about an influential message she carried with her out of the theater, that she feels is important to share with people.

“He wasn’t concerned with what people think. He was just concerned with playing what he loved,”Porter said. “He was like ‘No, I’m doing my own thing.’ I think that’s a really good reminder to people, just do you, don’t go and do anything for anyone,”

Haber mentions his effects and what our culture would have been without his impacts, helping in bringing us to the modern world we know today.

“I admire Bob Dylan and I see him as a national icon,” said Haber. “He contributed so much to American and Folk music and his impact is so prevalent. His contribution were so important to so many people especially in the civil rights movement, it connected so many people without him the culture would have just been a facsimile”

With this movie being the first time some youngsters were meeting Dylan they have said they have found a profound respect for him after getting to watch his life play out across the screen.

“I had a newfound respect for him,” said Porter “I didn’t really know who he was, but after seeing his movie and knowing all the things that he’s been through, and all the trends he’s started.”

However Dylan was not portrayed as some superman of music and civil justice, he was shown for what he was, a man. Audiences enjoy seeing him be human on screen, reminding the public that, that is what our icons and heroes of today and yesterday are and always will be: human beings.

“Although he is a flawed man with personal issues brought up multiple times throughout this movie, it just stands to show he was a human too, and celebrities are people too,” Haber said.

Whether you’ve been a fan your whole life, or you’re discovering the great Bob Dylan today, the movie A Complete Unknown has been widely reviewed and Chalamet’s performance loved. Even if “The Times are a Changin” Dylan will forever be an icon and an inspiration. If you are a movie watcher or a music listener it may be worth the watch.

“I left the movie theater humming,” Haber said. 

The post Discovering a complete unknown appeared first on The Grizzly Growler.

Heather Vallejos, a 12th grade English teacher at Spring Valley High School, has been teaching for seven years, and sees the impact of declining media literacy.

“We feel like students are very superficial and very concrete, so it’s a little hard sometimes to read between the lines, because in this day and age of information just at you,” said Vallejos. “It’s really easy just to read on the surface and not to dig down.”.

Students learning, and reviewing how to understand media are only seeing things at face value, seemingly as a result of the way they presented information today, according to Vallejos. Information is readily available at all times with little searching due to the internet. Grasping media on a deeper level doesn’t just affect high school English grades. Students that have surface level comprehension of these in class resources are likely to have the same understanding when it comes to jobs, higher education, or even entertainment like TV and movies.

“I mean, close reading is not just a literature thing, like you have to be able to close, read and understand your task at work, you know, memos, documents, you know, for the company, things like that, and especially, obviously, higher education.” said Vallejos.

“These kids don’t really know what they’re doing a lot of the time,” said junior Audrey Losse. “They kind of want the teacher to tell them how to do it, not actually think for a minute.”

Fellow students have picked up on their peers’ attitudes towards reading and analyzing. Losse notes that her peers seem to be lost and just want their teacher to present the answers to them instead of taking the time to find them for themselves.

An idea to help students understand better and more consistent, instead of penalizing them for taking advantage of their digital age, ( like many seem to fall back on) is to have a restructuring in the way their curriculums are planned

“I wish that as we meet as a department, the English department, but we don’t necessarily talk about vertical alignment,” said Vallejos. “So let’s talk about what they are coming in from middle school with, into ninth grade. What 10th grade is doing, how ninth can support, What 11th is doing, how 10th can support.”

Vallejos mentions how if the English department was able to come together to plan their curriculums together, they could support each other and the students by knowing what to go over, recover, and what students are maybe struggling with before they actually get to the classroom. Having this kind of structure could help students stay more consistent with their skills stretching them over time. A vertically aligned curriculum would be able to put in the supports for what students struggle most with to ensure they’re ready for the next level. However the issue with students may not entirely be a lack of support but a lack of motivation.

“I think just trying finding something fun for them but more often than not kids are not going to want to learn if they don’t want to.” said Losse

Choosing “entertaining material” would seem to be the answer however, even with a more consistent flowing curriculum in place it still leaves it up to the student to choose to engage with the material. Losse brings up the point that if students don’t want to learn they won’t, their needs to be a revival in the want to learn. although Losse touches on another point, that is that students don’t appreciate the value of education especially language arts classes

“I don’t think a lot of them think that they’re going to be actually using a lot of language classes, because in their daily lives they don’t read a lot”

A “I’ll never use this in real life” mentality seems to have taken on the students (More info), but media literacy is more than just analyzing poems, and books. A controversy that had come out due to a lack of media literacy, surrounds the rising pop star Sabrina Carpenter. Parents and younger fans criticized her provocative performances on her Short N’ Sweet tour, saying it was inappropriate and unexpected of her. This left many puzzled as the singer had always had very bold and blatantly provocative lyrics even before the live performance debut. (More info ) However it seems lots of peeved parents and preteens didn’t see past the catchy melodies and just figured it should be appropriate. 

“I’ve experienced many students who complain about these elements and simply say they just don’t get it,” Said Senior Alisa Haber “They cannot pinpoint a theme or find their way towards it. Many people say the curtains were just blue, for example, instead of analyzing it as a device for anything further.”

The phrase “the curtains were just blue” is used when someone believes that a detail in a piece of writing is unimportant and has no meaning behind it, it is simply just that because the author wrote it that way. While this may be the case in some scenarios it is not the answer to all. In fact, in a lot of cases there’s a lot of meaning in subtle details.

Another misunderstanding started with Netflix’s original series: Squid Games, when it featured a scene where homeless people were offered food or lottery tickets. Many viewers had misunderstood the meaning behind the action, and many more misunderstood why so many people took the tickets over food. (More info) Viewers took this to show the stupidity of the homeless, instead of seeing the malicious intent of the man giving it to them.

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