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The best stories being published on the SNO Sites network

Best of SNO

The best stories being published on the SNO Sites network

Best of SNO

The best stories being published on the SNO Sites network

Best of SNO

At the Portland-based "Not Alone" conference, Ashlen Hilliard, a former cult member and founder of support group People Leave Cults, presents to a group, sharing words of wisdom and personal accounts of her experience in a high-control group. Supportive conferences like these help former cult members connect through shared experiences and discover new techniques to deal with the mental repercussions of cult involvement.
Showcase
Unseen stories: the psychology of cults
By Ayana Ganjoo and Madilyn Shoop-Gardner

Everyday life for 8-year-old Dhyana Levey seemed no different from that of her peers. She went to school on the weekdays, played with other kids her age in downtown Santa Barbara, and read books with her parents at the kitchen table on the weekend. To her, this was normal. It was the only life she had ever known. But as she grew older, fractures in her story emerged. When her schoolmates talked of going out to the movies, Levey failed to relate to their recounts, as seeing movies were banned in her household. The kids she played with were never outside a controlled group of proximity neighbors. The books she read with her parents were irregular – they preached strange ideas about Eastern religion that contradicted what she learned in school. The breaking point arrived in her teenage...

Dawn Momohara's portrait. Photo from Vol. 56, No. 121 of The Daily Pinion
Remembering Dawn Momohara
By Dominic Niyo, McKinley High School - HI
Ariyana James (12) sits on the bench alongside her teammates. After being named to the CAAC Blue All-League team last year, James suffered a stroke during preseason this year, causing her to be out for  season.
Unbreakable
By Holyn Walsh, East Lansing High School
Café Vida in the Pacific Palisades on Jan. 26.
A tribute to Altadena and the Palisades
By Channing '25, Francesca '25, and Addie '26
Many students and teachers are concerned about job security, career prospects and overall stability of the computer science industry. “We're still at the infancy of AI, but it does seem like a pivotal time,” computer science teacher Marina Peregrino said.
Decoding computer science’s future
By Claire Tian, Ashley Mo, and Jonathan Xue
Student journalism, a cornerstone of local democracy, is endangered across the country.
OPINION: The case for student journalism
By Isabella Edghill, duPont Manual High School
English teachers Brad Ruda (left) and Matt Dewar (right) are often confused for one another.
“I’m not Mr. Ruda”
By Lizzy Grace, Lake Forest High School
2024-2025 Best of SNO Stats
1946
Published
Stories
534
Participating
Schools
334
Published
Schools
Ethnic Studies sparks debates at district and state level
Ethnic Studies sparks debates at district and state level
By Evelyn Du and Joelle Huysmans
Coppell High School has seen a surge in student organizations, prompting adjustments in club management and sponsorship. As more students seek community and leadership opportunities, faculty and student leaders navigate the challenges of keeping engagement and resources. Animation by Sofia Exposito
Full flight forward: Student organizations rising up
By Nrithya Mahesh, Coppell High School
Photojournalism students build McLean’s 2025
yearbook. McLean High School was denied the First Amendment Press Freedom Award this year due to the county's new Guidance for Student Publications.
McLean loses First Amendment award
By Andrew Lohman and Paghunda Ali
Challenges present themselves to Muslim athletes during the holy month of Ramadan, but athletes persevere and create strategies to ensure they can successfully play their sport. Design by Safa Saedi.
How athletes balance faith, fasting and performance during Ramadan
By Safa Saedi, duPont Manual High School
Kailey Benson runs over to hug girls Coach Kurt Kruse after she had won her second championship. Benson hugged Kruse before he pointed up to the Spartans in the audience and then she hugged Jacob Mattson to celebrate.
Carrying the Weight of the Champion
By Donya Ihmoud, Francis Howell Central High School
Flag football has recently made name in the sports industry, making it one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S.
Flagging a new era: the rise of flag football
By Samantha Tow, Carlmont High School
Dozens of students flood the crosswalk, their weary steps dragging after a long day of hagwon classes, finally heading home at 10 p.m.
Stolen youth: Korea’s medical school obsession sacrifices health and happiness
By Kaylie Jeong, Daegu International School
Coppell has provided a blanket of security for its residents through low crime rates and stability, developing the community name of the “Coppell Bubble.” The Sidekick staff designer Safiya Azam thinks the bubble provides a false sense of security that fuels ignorance toward issues degrading the community.
Popping the Coppell Bubble
By Safiya Azam, Coppell High School
The Bald Eagles take flight
The Bald Eagles take flight
By Ellie Kenny, Liv Lutter, and Viswak Adelli
Junior Adam Tapper has found a passion for writing literary translations, from Yiddish and German, two languages to which he feels a deep connection due to his family’s heritage.
Lost words, new voices: Junior Adam Tapper works to preserve and share minority languages
By Caroline Skelly, University of Chicago Laboratory High School
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Connection crew member Wyatt M. gives a gift to one of the ACCESS students.
Connection Crew brings valentines with a twist
By Julia B., Abbigail M., and Aubrey O.
This image is from her trailer video, which depicts Jennie’s alter ego, displaying her newfound freedom to explore her newfound freedom as a solo artist.

Credits: Mexico City Production by Habitant
A new era of musical freedom
By Sophia W., Day Creek Intermediate School
Aviation Exploration Day
By Neel Satyavolu and Alon Milman
Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo
By Nicole Lu, Melody Xu, and Liani Ragade
Women Inspire and Find Hope at Sixth Annual “Rise To” Summit
By Rachel Bhardwaj, Mariia Pecherkina, and Melissa Waas
Special Education Program Fosters Growth
By Annanya Sethi and Avery Ehrhart