You may have heard about something taking place amongst the senior Class of 2024 that to some might seem quite alarming: Senior Assassin. Despite the threatening name, it is a game between seniors as a way to have some fun (and competition) before they graduate. So, The Barefoot Times decided to interview a group of seniors about this perplexing competition. 

After countless years devoted to pursuing her passion, talking about and reading books, Dornel Cerro, Sequoyah’s beloved librarian, has decided to retire. In honor of the 20 years she's spent at our school, we at The Barefoot Times would like to honor her dedication and impact on Sequoyah by telling her story.

What role should the SAT play in college admissions? Should Supreme Court Justices have term limits? Should the 2026 World Cup be held in New Jersey? These are a few of the questions the Sequoyah High School’s debate team discussed at the Cal Invitational UC Berkeley Tournament, held at UC Berkeley’s campus over President’s Day weekend. 

Childhood cancer is one of the most prevalent causes of death in the United States. In order to tackle this ongoing issue, The Saint Baldrick’s Foundation was born. Now in 2024, more than $342 million has been raised across 31 countries. St. Baldrick’s has also had an impact closer to home, as it has become a Sequoyah tradition.

The Science Ambassadors launched the stewardship’s inaugural paper airplane competition in celebration of Albert Einstein's 145th birthday on March 14. The Barefoot Times talked to Emily Hodges ’24, Chair of Science Ambassadors, the day before the competition occurred.

Over the course of the school year, Sequoyah has enjoyed a plethora of affinity events and potlucks. On Tuesday, February 13, the arrival of Lunar New Year was honored with a potluck at Sequoyah’s high school.

Sequoyah recently welcomed a new addition to its lunchtime routine, causing competition for the beloved Student Store Committee, who usually sustains the student body with their large selection of differently flavored Pringles. Starting in mid-February, local business Mac N’ Cheese Rebel, run by Alfredo Gonzalez, has (literally) parked itself outside the school to serve eager students burgers, burritos, fries, and of course, their eponymous mac ‘n’ cheese.

In the subterranean recesses beneath the state of California lies a vital arterial network—an ancient reservoir that has long served as a crucial water source for the region. These underground aquifers, formed over millennia, maintain an equilibrium between the intake and output of said water.

Homer’s The Odyssey is the book all Sequoyans read, the “highlight” of ninth grade Humanities. Since this long poem, or epic, is so impactful, The Barefoot Times interviewed numerous Sequoyah students and teachers in order to answer the burning question: what does Sequoyah really think about The Odyssey? 

On April 12, Sequoyah hosts its annual prom, a celebration of students’ hard work and ability to plan afterparties. This year, The Barefoot Times met with some of the prom planners on the Big Events Committee to discuss expectations, planning, and logistics for the event. Anticipating to host more than 100 students, the prom planners are facing a barrage of logistical considerations, from food to security.

Sequoyah’s newest stewardship has hit the ground running. Co-chaired by Emily Hodges ’24 and Iliana Muller ’24 and facilitated by Physics teacher Kevin Delin, the Science Ambassadors were born in the hopes of creating a diverse, inclusive, and exciting community bonded over a shared love for science.

Teenagers are often depicted as living in a world of polar opposites. You’re in or you’re out, you’re cute or you’re smart, you’re creative or you’re academic–rarely do we find a portrayal of young adult life that is fluid or multifaceted.

During the 2022-2023 academic year, biology teacher Kate Schafer was the adviser for a 9th grade Social Innovation Program (SIP) group focused on Endangered Species and Habitats. The team’s goal was to have a garden somewhere on the Sequoyah high school campus filled with endangered plant species by the end of the year.

Now in its third year, Sequoyah’s high school pumpkin contest pitted advisories against each other as advisors and advisees worked to create funky, artsy, and intricate pumpkins.

Many Sequoyah high school students hear the Gryphon Ensemble play at Morning Meetings, lunch, and through the floor during class time, but for some, what goes on in the class is a mystery.

“Don’t apologize for that” and “don’t be sorry” are common phrases I hear at Sequoyah and in the world at large—but why? It seems people often have to be reminded to not “over-apologize.” Let’s dive into what it means to over-apologize and see what the Sequoyah community thinks about it. What is it, why is it everywhere, and should we stop it? 

To the casual visitor or passerby, the Sequoyah high school art room tucked into the back corner of campus is rarely noticed, let alone explored. Despite its relative seclusion, however, many projects and pieces are created there everyday.

In Mod 1 this fall semester, Magnus Bjorgum ’24 taught a course exploring the profound impact of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, which was published in 1932. Bjorgum described it as a book about a dystopian future where the world is controlled by one government and the populace is separated into different castes and programmed to enjoy their caste. People then seek out the pleasure of games, sex, and drugs.

High school, both academically and socially, plays a large role—perhaps the largest role—in everyday teen life. So when you look at Sequoyah’s schedule, it can be a surprise to see that the school day only takes up seven hours. But when you factor in additional extracurricular commitments (sports, debate, theater, etc.), along with homework, projects, test prep, and other educational programs, students often find school spilling over into other facets of their lives.

As most Sequoyah students know, we recently received the results of the Challenge Success survey that the majority of the student body took a few months ago. These results were largely positive and something to be celebrated. However, some questions were raised about changes that could be made at Sequoyah, igniting a discussion that will continue into the future. One change that is currently underway regards mastery grading.