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The Highlander

WILDFIRES DAMAGE NORTHERN LOS ANGELES

By: Bertin Shyaka

It’s all over the news: California has had another wildfire, named the most destructive windstorm in over a decade, according to CNN Weather Wildfires began breaking out in Southern California Tuesday morning as a life-threatening, widespread windstorm that could be one of the most destructive to hit the region in over a decade roared to life and created dangerous fire weather conditions

Fast-growing fire threatened evacuations: With the Palisades Fire growing near Los Angeles’ Pacific Palisades neighborhood, structures were under threat, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department Mandatory evacuations were in place for large areas of the seaside neighborhood and portions of the iconic Pacific Coast Highway. Los Angeles and Ventura counties were under a rare, “particularly dangerous situation” red flag warning: the most dire warning issued by the National Weather Service, for a high risk dangerous fire weather conditions This warning was from Tuesday afternoon until Wednesday afternoon.

Hundreds of thousands of residents could lose power: The Wildfire grew to 200 acres near Los Angeles’, and power shut offs are possible as Southern California’s energy providers try to prevent damaged infrastructure from starting blazes. Winds will also be strong enough to bring down power lines, which could spark fires More than 400,000 of Southern California Edison’s 5 million customers may have their power shut off in the coming days, according to the utility’s website

Many areas of Los Angeles and eastern Ventura counties, including portions of the Los Angeles basin and San Gabriel Valley, are at risk of damaging hurricane-force wind gusts of 50-80 mph Tuesday afternoon into early Wednesday of gusts between 80 and 100 mph, likely in higher elevation areas The wildfires destroyed many landmarks, including Palisades Charter High School, Will Rogers’ ranch house, Topanga Ranch Motel, The Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, and many more According to AP news, investigators are considering an array of possible ignition sources for the enormous fires that have killed at least 10 people and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses in the Los Angeles area

Editor In-Chief

Magdalen Carlson

Reporters

Addison Atlee

Shiloh Bushey

Bertin Shyaka

Stephanie Silva

Leslie Smith

Samantha Anderson

According to Newsweek and Fox A’s Elex Michaelson, police have detained a suspect allegedly responsible for starting one of the fires raging in Los Angeles The suspect is a homeless man in his 30s. The suspect was initially detained “by citizens” in the Woodland Hills neighborhood Renata Grinshpun, who witnessed the suspect being detained, told KTLA: “We were sitting in the backyard, and suddenly, we hear a car come to a screeching halt, and the guy is running out saying, ‘Stop! Drop what you’re holding! Neighbors, he’s trying to start a fire! Call 911!” The man had what appeared to be a large “propane tank or a flamethrower,” and a neighbor saw him trying to light an object on fire behind a vehicle, she said. USA TODAY said they have arrested over 20 people for crimes amid California fires, including a burglar dressed like a fireman

Design & Art Director

Tristan Naumann

Photographer Miguel Bittencourt

The Highlander

SCHOOL’S OUT, SNOW’S IN!

By: Addison Atlee

Snow days are a rarity in the south, but it’s even more rare at Highland Academy Even still, Highland Academy students got to sleep in, stay warm and rest easy when the snow started falling around 8 am on Friday, January 10, 2025.

On Thursday, Principal Watkins called an emergency chapel for the student body to announce that school would be closed the following day The cafeteria would open later than usual on Friday morning, giving the students the ability to stay warm and cozy in the dormitories without worrying about being late for class

Principal Watkins shared that because the snow would be falling all day and conditions would worsen throughout the day, he did not want to ask students or staff to attempt traveling in hazardous conditions Classes were still to continue with teachers posting assignments in Google Classroom, but the administration building was not hosting classes

Students who live on campus still went to their various jobs, as the administration building did not close, dormitories still needed to be cleaned and food still needed to be served, but the laid-back environment was welcomed by all

SNOW APOCALYPSE OF JANUARY 2025

Students enjoyed the day in various ways Some stayed in their rooms and in their pajamas or lounge wear for a majority of the day Some took it as an opportunity to reconnect with friends or play board games. Still, others took the opportunity to play in the snow such as Freshman Miguel Bittencourt, Sophomore Adrian Cruz, Junior Melissa Gongora, and Seniors Stephanie Silva, Genrikh Semanivvskyy, Adriana Ramon and Nalayne Matheson They all took turns sledding down the big hill on front campus with sleds provided by Larry Ashcraft, science teacher and IT The group spent the rest of the day together building snowmen, making snow angels, and drawing pictures in the snow. “I've never had a snow day like that It was so fun ” said Bittencourt Whatever the chosen pass-time, students enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere and took advantage of the day.

Continued on Page 6

Picture Credit to Miguel Bittencourt

The Highlander

ANXIOUS ATTACHMENT STYLES

By: Shiloh Bushey Mental Health

Developed in early childhood, the Anxious Attachment Style is when one finds it difficult to trust others, low self-esteem, clinginess and fear of abandonment

Anxious Attachment Style (AAS) is caused by inconsistency in parenting during adolescence. When parents are emotionally available one moment and shut off emotionally the next, it can be hard to know when it's safe to express feelings A child not knowing whether or not their emotions are safe can cause habits of overthinking and make it difficult to trust others.

People with AAS often pick apart and overthink interactions with their loved ones. For example, an argument can cause someone with AAS to jump to the worst-case scenarios. Those with AAS often put their loved ones on a pedestal and seek approval Most of the foundation with someone with AAS is just about pleasing their loved one AAS causes people to become “obsessed” and fixate on one person.

People with AAS tend to struggle with boundaries, whether it be setting boundaries or breaking them. They are often seen as “needy” and “clingy” and find it hard to be alone. In adults, it's common for those with AAS to become jealous or obsessive of their partner There are 2 types of Anxious Attachment Style

Anxious-ambivalent attachment: “The term "preoccupied attachment" may also be used. People with anxious-ambivalent attachments are usually needy They are anxious and have low self-esteem. They want to be close with others but are afraid that people don’t want to be with them.” These people tend to be seen as “annoying” and “clingy ”

Anxious-avoidant attachment: “This style is also called "dismissive attachment." People with anxious-avoidant attachments are the opposite of needy. Instead of wanting to be emotionally close, they avoid connecting with others.’ They are known for craving “emotional freedom” Things helpful for healing include: therapy, finding a relationship with someone who has a secure attachment and style, learning to love yourself and work oneself esteem and breaking the cycle Things like meditation and quiet reflection time can give you a chance to better understand what's going on inside your head. Communication with those around you can help others better understand your situation. Setting healthy boundaries and sticking to them can provide a feeling of stability in your relationships and your own personal life

Picture

By: Addison Atlee

The Highlander

GETTING TO KNOW OUR STAFF MEET JILL READING

ill Reading works in the school cafeteria here at Highland Academy Reading is also a deaconess at the Highland church where she represents a christ-like character She graduated from Collegedale Academy and then attended Southern Adventist University She has an abundance of hobbies; her top five favorite things she enjoys to do are reading, working out, spending time with her family, hiking, and kayaking Reading grew up in Collegedale, TN and lived there until 2017 She now lives on campus with her two kids; Junior, Clara Reading, her son, 8th grader Bryson Reading and her husband Bryce Reading who teaches and is a boys dean at Highland academy

What jobs have you had before coming to the Highland Academy? Have you worked anywhere else in the community?

Before coming to work in the cafeteria at Highland Academy, Reading has had many jobs “I’ve worked as a preschool teacher and kindergarten teacher, office manager and a librarian. But my favorite job that God has ever given me was homeschooling Clara and Bryson ” While living on campus, Reading has picked up a few jobs around the schools, just last year she worked at the elementary school right up the hill as an assistant teacher in the 7th and 8th grade classroom.

What brought you to Highland Academy and when did you start working here and what do you love about Highland?

Reading and her family moved to Highland Academy from Upper Columbia Academy all the way in Washington state. Reading moved to Highland Academy because her husband Bryce Reading was called to be the assistant boys dean. She also explains that “the second year we were here is when I started working in the school cafeteria.” “I love everything about Highland. I community, staff and students. I love that Highland is a safe place to

Who inspires you?

If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?

Reading states that she will love any place as long as there is sunshine and the ocean so if she were to travel to any place in the world it would have to be someplace tropical as in Fiji or Bali

One of her favorite trips she's been on was a beach trip taken several years ago with her extended family “We had a big family reunion at the beach!” she exclaimed

The person who inspires Reading the most is her husband Bryce Reading or as the student body knows him, Dean Reading She says, “I have had many inspirational people in my life over the years but if I had to choose one, it would be my husband, Dean Reading God knew what He was doing when he brought him into my life He is patient, kind and loves me through the good and bad. He’s my best friend.”

What advice would you give to your high school self?

Reading says, “My advice from my high school self would be, don't get weighed down with all the little things, keep it all in perspective Stay out of the drama, be kind to everyone, (because what people will remember about you is how you made them feel) keep smiling and fall in love with Jesus ”

The Highlander

SNOW APOCALYPSE... CONT’D FROM PAGE 1

By: Addison Atlee

With roads freezing overnight, Sabbath was also a day for travelers to be cautious and stay in. Although given the option of staying in the dormitories and worshipping together there, many of the students Highland Seventh Day Sabbath services. It for church service, shared that it was a many students out in the to worship with the

around 7 o'clock pm the chance to go the snow. The boys all fight They began at the windows of those who did not come outside to play, Sing Muan, David Duncombe, D.A Duncombe, Bertin Shyaka, Kyle Dudgeon, Josias Valezquez, Josh Moyo, and Malik Ceballo. Bertin Shyaka expressed, It was annoying when they kept hitting my window when I was trying to sleep.” Once persuaded by the snowballs they began making their way out of the dorm and DJ Corro and Malik Ceballo got a big snowball thrown in their faces. Though some were trying to sleep, this brought many of the guy’s dorm together.

By Sunday, everything was back to normal. Activities resumed. Recreation was in the gym as usual, and life went back to normal.

By Miguel Bittencourt

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS! WHAT’S YOUR’S?

My word for the year is “praise” and my resolutio to read through the entire Bible

To grow Mentally Phyicially, and Spiritually

“Not

have any missing assignments”

don’t make them

Get close to God

To exercise more

The Highlander

UNITED HEALTHCARE CEO SHOT DEAD, SUSPECT IN CUSTODY

On Wednesday, December 2024, United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was shot dead in Manhattan Thompson was at the Hilton Midtown Hotel to meet with investors and tell them their estimated earnings for the coming year Thompson was not staying at the Hilton Midtown Hotel. He stayed at Marriott, a hotel about a block away from where he was meeting the investors.

A gun was fired at least three times around 6:45 a m , NBC news states, “approached him from behind and shot him at least once in the back and at least once in the right calf outside of the New York Hilton Midtown hotel.” New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch states the shooter was “lying in wait for several minutes,” and claims this was a “premeditated, preplanned targeted attack ”

By: Shiloh Bushey

After firing the shots, the suspect fled on an electric bike to Central Park where it is suspected he grabbed a taxi and headed to the train station Police reported a backpack and jacket in Central Park on Saturday that they claimed was full of monopoly money CEO Brian Thompson was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai West Hospital at 7:12 a m After further investigation, there were three bullet casings found on the ground at the crime scene Each bullet had an engraving on it “Deny, Delay, Dispose ”

It is believed this is how he describes the healthcare system The suspect, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, has since been apprehended in a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Monday, December 9th He was found with multiple fake IDs and a forged weapon. Mangione was denied bail and so far has made no plea.

The Highlander

By: Addison Atlee

LONGEST LIVING PRESIDENT

On Sunday, December 29th, 2024, Jimmy Carter, the United States 39th President passed away in his home in Plains, Georgia, at 100 years old, making him the longest-lived president in the U.S. Over the years Carter has been surrounded by his three children, 12 grandchildren, and 10 greatgrandchildren. The Washington Post explains that a cause of death was not provided but in recent years Carter had been treated for a harsh form of melanoma skin cancer, along with tumors that spread to his liver and brain.

Carter was not only known for serving as president for the democratic party from 1977 to 1981, but he was also known for serving as the governor of Georgia from 1971 to 1975 and before that, in 1963 to 1967, he served in the Georgia State Senate. According to Jimmycarter.info, Carter and his wife Rosalynn Carter are known to hold the longest presidential marriage of 77 years.

The every year for a non-profit organization called “Habitat For Humanity” that helps people in need in the United States and other countries renovate and build homes. Back home, Carter taught and was a deacon in the Maranatha Baptist Church of Plains. Some people knew Carter as “Peanut man” because back home he had a peanut farm that he had cared for since the age of 5. Carter is also known for winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for campaigning for human rights, peace negotiations, and his work in social welfare as a humanitarian. He served as a member of The Elders, a group of independent global leaders from 2007 to his death

Carter accomplished many things like peaceful resolutions to international and national problems such as the Panama Canal Treaties Carter said that the treaties are signature achievements that he wanted as a figure in his obituary According to State.gov, Jimmy Carter and the Panamanian chief signed the treaty on September 7, 1977, which renounced control over the canal to America from Panama, guaranteeing its neutrality Carter worked through inflation, when he brought down the deficit by one-third from $66 billion in 1976 down to $40 billion in 1979

Carter worked through the energy crisis in 1977 when the Arab oil embargo of ‘73 brought prices up and Carter signed for energy legislation, creating the U S The Department of Energy, as the Center on Global Energy Policy explained During the war in Afghanistan, Carter sent nonlethal-aid to Afghan rebels and defeated the soviets invading Afghanistan. Carter also founded The Carter Center in 1982 after his defeat in the 1980 presidential election to help address national and international public policy issues

Carter's accomplishments did not go unnoticed at his funeral. On January 9, the state funeral was held at the nation's capital where all five presidents, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush attended the funeral, sitting altogether In President Joe Biden's speech, he explained that Jimmy Carter was a “Man of Faith and Character ” Biden also pronounced January 9 as a day of mourning for Carter's death Afterward, Carter was laid to rest in his hometown Plain, Georgia

Picture credit to Google images

The Highlander

MEET OUR STUDENTS

By: Stephanie Silva & Leslie Smith

alayne Matheson

is a senior dorm student from Virginia with a great passion for singing She enjoys spending time with her family and has a deep love for traveling. Her favorite movie is The Notebook, and her favorite song is "Over and Over" by Riley Clemmons. One of her favorite subjects is English, and in her free time, she loves to catch up on sleep

An interesting fact about Nalayne is that she played the violin for three years What she likes the most about Highland are the amazing friendships and unforgettable memories she has made during her time here.

is a sophomore dorm student with a great passion for making origami planes Born in Montemorelos, Mexico, he decided to join Highland Academy this year and is thoroughly enjoying the experience What he loves most about Highland is the people, who make him feel warm and welcome, as well as the various activities and games they organize Adrián’s favorite movie is Star Wars, and his favorite food is pasta Alfredo. He also enjoys classical music, especially Beethoven's 9th Symphony He loves playing soccer and often likes to sing in the shower An interesting fact about Adrián is that he knows how to play the marimba and he dreams of visiting Germany someday

llison Ziegler

asmine Thomas

is a freshman here at Highland Academy Thomas’s nickname is Jaz and she grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. Some hobbies she has include drawing and sketching Some catch phrases she has are “Oh goodness” when she is surprised and “Gelato” when greeting someone. Thomas has two siblings named Cheetah and Rusty Here at Highland her favorite food is the pasta bar Thomas’s favorite sport here is badminton, and her favorite thing here at Highland is her drama class

is a junior, her nickname is Ali Allison grew up in East Tennessee and she currently lives in Nashville. Her hobbies are painting and baking. Some of her catchphrases are “Party Party Yeah” and “I Know ” Her favorite food here at Highland is the Spicy Tofu. Her favorite sport is football and her favorite thing about Highland Academy is sleeping Allison participates in drama and is in charge of make-up Her role last year in drama was sound. One thing she wants us to know about her is she loves KPop and has a lot of K-Pop memorabilia

drián Zenteno