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The Student News Site of Van Nuys High School

The Mirror

vnhsMIRROR.com

The student website of Van Nuys High School
Van Nuys, California
The Student News Site of Van Nuys High School

The Mirror

The Student News Site of Van Nuys High School

The Mirror

As the government fails to coordinate a solution to the budget gaps the livelihood of 750,000 federal employees is put at risk. Courtesy | U.S. Marine Corp

Government shutdowns reveal cracks in bipartisan system

By David Duncan, Opinion Editor Oct 7, 2025
As Congress fails to pass a temporary budget, federal agencies close their doors and hundreds of thousands of workers face uncertainty. Is partisanship to blame for America’s ongoing political stalemates?
Van Nuys High School seniors participated in a crowd wave at the bleachers for a pep rally event. THE MIRROR | KIMBERLY SALAZAR

Are pep rallies worth it? Students question tradition amidst scorching heat

By Iona Hersh, Staff Writer Sep 30, 2025
While pep rallies are a hallmark of high school tradition, some students are calling for change. From shortened classes to sweltering heat, is there a better way to foster school spirit? Here's what students are saying.
CARBS, CALORIES AND CONTENT Mukbang content has seen a spike on social media, with creators getting millions of views for eating large amounts of food.

The changing face of ASMR mukbangs

By Deven Martinez, Staff Writer Sep 3, 2025
What started as a relaxing night with whale sounds turned into a shocking wake-up call about mukbang culture’s messy new trend.
R-RATED Pop stars, including Sabrina Carpenter, have become famous for their provocative lyrics and on-stage performances.

The cost of clicks: Social media is erasing childhood innocence

By Abigail Kim, Staff Writer Aug 27, 2025
Celebrities and big tech cash in on hyper-sexualized content, while kids pay the price. Protecting children's innocence means demanding accountability now.
Children's mental health suffers

Children’s mental health suffers

By Ocean Threats, Staff Writer Aug 26, 2025
One in five children suffer from mental health issues and many of those don't receive the mental health counseling or support they need.
Internet drama forces Kit Connor to come out as bisexual

Speculation invades celebrity privacy

By Leon Weiss, Staff Writer Aug 26, 2025
Constant speculation about celebrity sexuality, fueled by social media, has caused harm to public figures like Kit Connor and Billie Eilish, highlighting the need for online accountability.
Between unrealistic expectations from movies and increased couple presence causing jealousy online, social media has taken over modern day romance culture.

Internet intimacy and digital love

By Abigail Kim, Staff Writer Aug 25, 2025
Relationships center around real life interactions, but social media threatens this, causing people to question their partners and miss out on true connection.
A man's distorted image seen through a glass ball.

Self-belief above all

By Joel Nam, Editor-in-Chief Aug 25, 2025
Believing in yourself can be scary, but letting doubt stop you is worse. To reach your potential, you must face your fears and risk failure.
A man standing on top of a rock meant to illustrate the difficulty of reaching some goals.

The myth of instant success

By Isabella Mendoza, Staff Writer Aug 22, 2025
Rome wasn’t built in a day — yet perfectionism pushes students to expect instant results. Studies show that such unrealistic standards can harm mental health and strip the joy from learning.
Students disregard Yondr pouches despite the school’s policy.

The Yondr pouch: LAUSD’s million-dollar failure

By Joel Nam, Editor-in-Chief Aug 19, 2025
LAUSD’s $7 million phone pouch initiative aimed to curb classroom distractions but quickly collapsed as students found ways to bypass the policy, leaving critics questioning its effectiveness.
Racial slur misuse persists in student community

Racial slur misuse persists in student community

By Olamide Olumide, Editor-in-Chief Jun 2, 2025
The misuse of racial slurs by students highlights the need for respectful dialogue and understanding about language sensitivity in school communities.
Students are often regarded as nothing more than data points, as schools prioritize numbers over humanity.

Stop treating students like data points

By Abigail Kim, Staff Writer Jun 2, 2025
Education systems often prioritize data over personal growth, reducing students to mere numbers. True success requires focusing on critical thinking, empathy, and individual development.
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