As preteens raid beauty stores for adult skincare products, the growing obsession with social media trends becomes a concerning reality for new generations. Although social media can inspire a wide audience, irresponsible usage of platforms can negatively influence the behaviors and values of the younger...

A dark trend has emerged in the music industry: Religion is deemed an “aesthetic” and has lost its spiritual foundation in return for offensive mockery. Artists following the trend are increasingly exploiting the concept of religion to build their own brand without considering the massive disrespect...

Environmental conservation has lost its meaning. Despite backlash from thousands of residents, Irvine Company plans to implement a major urban development project this year, stripping away 400 acres of wildlife corridor from two of the busiest Orange County regional parks. The approved policy will replace...

Gentrification is the process of urban renewal where communities and lower-income residents are displaced by wealthier individuals or businesses, resulting in changes to the socioeconomic and cultural fabric of a neighborhood. In Orange County, gentrification affects cities daily — from drastic changes...

City officials in Orange County moved to crack down on sidewalk food carts in March by introducing tight regulations on the activity, a decision directly in opposition to California Senate Bill No. 946 passed in 2018, which decriminalizes street vendors in California. The immediate result was a concerning...

There has been an immense network of complaints about the disproportionately-built streets in Los Angeles, California, especially over the past years. Since 2016, the city of Los Angeles has paid more than $35 million in settlements for the received 1,700 claims and 1,020 lawsuits targeted toward sidewalk...

In the ever-evolving landscape of celebrity culture, the once-captivating allure of luxury and fortune has lost its glitz and glamour. Amid the destructive COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing financial crisis, the public is no longer tolerant of celebrities unabashedly flaunting their wealth, prompting...

Holiday season is around the corner —but what should be a “season to be jolly” is one of stress and worry for many American consumers who feel financially burdened by its cost. There are many whose financial situations do not allow them to prioritize gifts during the holiday season. While a...

Near the end of October, renowned singer Selena Gomez issued an impassioned statement to her millions of followers on Instagram declaring a social media break from the “horror, hate, violence and terror that's going on in the world.” Happening mere weeks after the terrorist attacks on Israel and...

“Conscious,” “sustainable,” and “eco-friendly.” Beneath this veneer of environmentally friendly language and earthy colored packaging, companies fail to uphold their sustainable image. As consumers place greater value on green industries, corporations must take action with structural changes...

Distinguishing it from other public high schools in California, Oxford Academy’s infamous entrance exam is arguably its most defining aspect.  Every year, hundreds of sixth grade students from across Orange County take a challenging, three-hour exam in hopes of making their way into the #1 public...

In a success-focused world, the constant drive to optimize productivity has plagued Oxford’s student culture.  Social pressures push students to squeeze every drop of spare time into something "worthwhile," often hidden in habits like working during lunch and staying up late to finish "just one...