Opinions - Pathfinder

As the digital age grows, so does the use of music streaming platforms which make music easier to access. But even with how popular many streaming platforms are, the payment of emerging artists who share their music has stayed below a liveable wage.

A digital age: Music streaming platforms are killing artists

Opal Kadam, Staff Writer • February 6, 2025

Apple Music. Deezer. Spotify. Tidal. YouTube Music. These are some of the most popular music streaming platforms in the 21st century, and rightfully...

Some of the most deadly instances of gun violence have occurred in schools, communities and other ‘safe spaces’ for students. These uncontrolled settings give way to the need for gun regulation, including background and mental health checks. “Gun control comes about with more laws, but there are a lot of guns out there that people could obtain illegally. What is a solution that would get the illegal guns off the street? We have yet to find [one],” social studies teacher Nancy Sachtlaben said.

Lives on the line: Gun violence’s impact on America

Ruthvi Tadakamalla, Sports/Newsletter Editor • January 24, 2025

On Nov. 23, as Christian Brothers College junior Colin Brown and his father drove home from a hockey game on Interstate 55, a stray bullet hit...

The Lululemon effect

Ayah Zayed, Staff Writer • January 22, 2025

These days, it seems like everyone wears some form of activewear in their daily wardrobe. But one fashion giant stands out beyond the rest: the...

Students line up to put their phones in the hanging phone organizer before art class starts to ensure no distractions. This routine is often used in classes to encourage discipline. “Most of my classes make me put my phone up right before class starts, and some of my teachers even take attendance by looking at whose phone is in which box. I think it is kind of useless, but my teachers think otherwise,” sophomore Natalie Cochran said.

More harm than help

Niharika Vaidya, Staff Writer • January 21, 2025

In the modern day, phones are useful for many things –– communication, navigation, educational aids, and unfortunately, distraction. Debate...

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With drastic polarization characterizing the country's political environment, divide spills over into other aspects of daily life. Healthcare is defined by the World Health Organization as a fundamental human right; however, the topic has become more accepted as a point of debate rather than a matter of utmost importance. "Going to the doctor, getting a necessary procedure or giving aid to places that need it should be indisputable — regardless of party alignment," junior Ryan Shabani said.

Health isn’t a political tool, it’s a human right

Pathfinder Editorial Board • January 31, 2025

Health first — a phrase commonly integrated throughout schools, communities and even society as a whole. It serves as a constant reminder that...

Within the U.S., the busiest shopping period of the year is Cyber Week, the time from Thanksgiving through Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This year, shoppers spent $13.3 billion on Cyber Monday, which is a 7.3% year-over-year increase from 2023. “When I was younger, I would always be out with my mom getting Christmas gifts or just shopping in general. Now, as she has gotten older, I've noticed [that almost] every day, I'll open the front door and there's three packages that my mom has ordered. Part of that is she just doesn't always have the time to go to a store for 30 minutes to an hour, but the other part is when she gets bored, she has easy access to [shopping],” junior Grace Garetson said.

Season of giving, season of getting

Pathfinder Editorial Board • December 20, 2024

Temperatures drop, snow begins to fall and colorful lights go up around residential neighborhoods: the holidays are here. This ‘season of giving,’...

President-elect Donald Trump has big plans to change the American education system, promising to dismantle the Department of Education and to restrict federal funding toward schools teaching about critical race theory or gender identity. In our increasingly polarized nation, we need public schools to create educated citizens with critical thinking skills and uncensored history knowledge.“It's almost disgusting how both Democrats and Republicans have politicized getting an education on different cultures and races' history in America. If the schools have the resources and the teachers to be teaching these classes, then they should be strongly encouraged, if not required to be learning this information in a non-political way,” senior Gianna Lionelli said.

Now what?

Pathfinder Editorial Board • November 30, 2024

On Nov. 5, America made its decision. Former President Donald Trump was re-elected for his second term of presidency and, to little surprise,...

Senior Sally Peters stands in the history hallway, contemplating her choices in the 2024 United States and Missouri elections on Nov. 5. As a member of Diplomacy Club, Peters has discussed key candidates and issues in contemporary American politics. “[As students], we're starting to become adults. We're realizing how much the policies that are enforced and the laws that make it through the House and Senate are starting to affect us. [Opportunities such as] AP [U.S.Government] and Diplomacy Club [make elections feel] a lot more real,” Diplomacy Club vice president and senior Nidhisha Pejathaya said.

Activity across ages: Generational differences in political engagement

Pathfinder Editorial Board • October 31, 2024

A range of cultural icons stretching from Tupac Shakur to Greta Thunberg have commented on how younger generations are, in their eyes, more activist,...

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