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Stanford Online High School's student run news site

OHS Observer

Stanford Online High School's student run news site

OHS Observer

Stanford Online High School's student run news site

OHS Observer

From Leg-of-Mutton Sleeves to Dior: The History of Fashion as seen in Wicked

From Leg-of-Mutton Sleeves to Dior: The History of Fashion as seen in Wicked

Zanna Vasquez, Staff Writer May 15, 2025

Wicked’s cultural significance cannot be understated. The musical, inspired by Gregory Maguire’s novel of the same name, is Broadway’s 4th longest-running show and has been performed over 8,000 times...

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“The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh,” and the clothing that makes them look like they came straight from a haldi ceremony. (Source: Prime Video)

Peacocks in My Backyard: What “The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh” Gets Wrong

Kaveri Udupa, Staff Writer May 6, 2025

As an Indian American, and more importantly, as an immigrant student, I crave representation in the media. Yet, every single time I begin watching an Indian American show, be it “Never Have I Ever”...

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This book doesn’t rewrite "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" so much as it jailbreaks it. (Image source: Doubleday)

3 Novels That Reinvent the Classics — and Get Away With It

Rishi Janakiraman, Associate Editor April 24, 2025

Literary afterlives are rarely this unruly. And in these three contemporary novels, we aren’t reading corrections of classic literature but daring reinventions — “James” reclaiming his own...

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Director Walter Salles regards cinema as a powerful force, shaping the narrative of a nation's fight for democracy. (Image source: Aditya Banerjee)

I’m Still Here: History, Resilience, and the Power of Storytelling

Aditya Banerjee, Staff Writer April 24, 2025

The seats are packed, a sea of eager faces swaying in anticipation, as flags from various samba schools flutter above the crowd. Brilliant overhead lights bathe the scene in a golden glow, illuminating...

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Mario Andexlinger climbs Iceland's Katla Ice Cave. (Photo by Josef Wittbschlager)

The Resurrection of a Print Journalism Icon and the Experience of Summit Journal: A Review

Zoltán Ágoston, Staff Writer April 18, 2025

Rock climbing magazines are certainly a niche publication, geared toward an audience that’s often on-the-go—so it makes sense that many have moved online. Prominent publications like Rock & Ice,...

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Source: Flickr

3 Trends From History That Challenge Today’s Beauty Standards

Zanna Vasquez, Staff Writer April 3, 2025

In the age of social media, where it feels like there’s a new beauty trend every week, it seems like consumers—especially women—can never keep up. Do I have good facial harmony? Are BBLs even a thing...

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Anora: How an Indie Flipped the Script

Anora: How an Indie Flipped the Script

Rheyn Juwono, Staff Writer April 3, 2025

Neon’s 2024 film Anora, directed by Sean Baker and starring actress Mikey Madison, has gained widespread acclaim, from the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival to several Academy awards. Despite...

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Many books are adorned with eyes on their spine, including Christopher Paolini’s popular fantasy novel Eragon.

The Eyes Have It

Beatrice Pook, Staff Writer February 27, 2025

“Never judge a book by its cover,” advises the popular proverb. Yet nobody seems to follow this advice, at least when selecting books. Cover art plays a key role in captivating potential readers’...

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The covers of Normal People and Conversations with Friends suggest a cool detachment, their minimalist designs betraying the emotional intricacies within—works that wear their intellectualism as lightly as their heartache. (Credit: Alex Katz, Jon Gray)

Sally Rooney In All Her Contradictions: The Politics of Literary Intimacy

Rishi Janakiraman, Associate Editor December 12, 2024

Sally Rooney’s fiction has become a cultural flashpoint, sparking debate as fervently as her novels trace the ebb and flow of modern relationships. Dubbed “the first great millennial novelist,” Rooney’s...

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Taylor Swift, 
self-proclaimed “Childless cat lady”, endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 Presidential race. (Instagram)

Celebrity Endorsements: How Do They Impact the Election?

Joy Anna MacMahon November 14, 2024

Celebrity Endorsements: How Do They Impact the Election? In the past, elections have been fueled by presidential endorsements of new candidates. Even in the 2024 election, past presidents such as Obama,...

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The History Behind Some of Chappell Roan’s Most Iconic Outfits

Zanna Vasquez, Staff Writer November 14, 2024

The summer of 2024 was dominated by Chappell Roan’s newest album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess and single “Good Luck, Babe!” Roan, well known for her personal style and powerful stage presence,...

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Taylor Swift opts for a dark academia aesthetic in the music video for "Fortnight;" Beyonce dons a Western uniform on her album cover; Charli XCX's Met Gala ensemble perfectly embodies brat summer; Sabrina Carpenter embodies coquette elegance in her bedazzled tulle dress. (grazie.sg) (Blair Caldwell) (Vogue) (Rolling Stone)

How Popular Music Shapes Culture: A Look into the Summer of 2024

Joy Anna MacMahon October 15, 2024

Popular music is far deeper than entertainment: it shapes trends, lifestyles, and culture—shown perfectly through the cultural changes of summer 2024. Society does more than consume pop music for...

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