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The Student News Site of Menlo School

The Coat of Arms

The Student News Site of Menlo School

The Coat of Arms

The Student News Site of Menlo School

The Coat of Arms

Penelope Stinson

Penelope Stinson, Opinions Editor

 

Number of years in The Coat of Arms: 4

Favorite aspect of journalism: writing and editing opinion pieces; it allows me to learn new perspectives and hear interesting takes.

Interests outside of school: Mock Trial, student government, reading.

Class of 2023

All content by Penelope Stinson
Ellie Hardegree wears a maxi skirt from H&M and a cardigan from Target. Salma Siddiqui wears a maxi skirt from Banana Republic and a sweater from Zara. Maya Debnath wears a maxi skirt from Banana Republic and a thrifted shirt. Elizabeth Powell wears a turtleneck from Target and maxi skirt from Free People. Photo by Chloe Lee

Looking Ahead: Fashion Trend and Style Predictions for 2023

Penelope Stinson, Opinions Editor
March 30, 2023

As we step into 2023, the fashion industry is bracing for a new year of sustainable and innovative styles. While 2022 saw trends of comfort, practicality...

A recent NBC news poll found that 76% of Americans believe there is a threat to democracy and majority rule. Staff illustration: Tatum Herrin

Discussion: What is America’s Political Outlook?

Alex Levitt and Penelope Stinson
February 9, 2023

With the start of a divided Congress, Editor in Chief Alex Levitt and Opinions Editor Penelope Stinson look back on the long lasting political impacts...

Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final.
Photo courtesy of Ross Muchnick

Discussion: What Role do Sports Have in Human Rights?

Alex Levitt and Penelope Stinson
January 16, 2023

In light of the social justice controversy stemming from player protest, or lack thereof, during the World Cup in Qatar, Editor in Chief Alex Levitt and...

The NFL touts their “player first” mentality but they are underdelivering. They need to set in place stricter guidelines, no matter how unpopular they may be, that ensure players don’t get back on the field with a possible concussion. Staff illustration: Sutton Inouye

Discussion: How are Serious Concussion Issues Changing Football?

Alex Levitt and Penelope Stinson
December 5, 2022

Miami Dolphins franchise quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was at the center of the NFL’s concussion controversy, after seemingly suffering concussions in back-to-back...

The crushing ruling on Roe v. Wade has began to revoke many abortion protections in conservative states. Staff illustration: Sophie Fang

Californians Need to Care About Roe v. Wade Being Overturned

Penelope Stinson, Opinions Editor
May 17, 2022

There are 16 Planned Parenthood locations within 40 miles of Menlo School. There are 161 hospitals, clincs or providers that offer abortion access in California,...

Sex Ed and Sexual Health at Menlo: Sex Culture in Movies and TV Shows

Penelope Stinson, Assistant Opinions Editor
March 25, 2021

This story is the sixth in a seven-part package about sex ed and sexual health at Menlo. It also appeared in the March 2021 47.4 print edition of The Coat...

Sex Ed and Sexual Health at Menlo: Students Talk Sex-Ed At Menlo

Penelope Stinson, Assistant Opinions Editor
March 25, 2021

This story is the third in a seven-part package about sex ed and sexual health at Menlo. It also appeared in the March 2021 47.4 print edition of The Coat...

In 1965, Karen was the third most popular baby name in the United States, according to The New York Times. In 2018, the last year for data available, it was ranked in 635th place for baby names. Staff illustration: Sophie Fang.

Unpacking the Karen Stereotype

Penelope Stinson, Assistant Opinions Editor
March 9, 2021

Karen. She’s likely a middle-aged white woman with a pixie cut and blonde streaks. She’s likely wearing some sort of tracksuit and has sunglasses perched...

Senior Sareena Sandhu wearing an Urban Outfitters dress; sophomore Sydney Fish wearing a thrifted, layered tea dress; and senior Lindsey Canessa wearing a Target: Love Shack Fancy tea dress. Staff photo: Sadie Stinson.

In Photos: Fashion Predictions for 2021

Penelope Stinson, Assistant Opinions Editor
March 6, 2021

Although much of 2020 was spent staring at Zoom screens, fashion trends still flourished. Grocery stores became designer runways, perfect for debuting...

More than 100 students attended Menlo's virtual event on Saturday, Jan. 30, which featured DJ Will Gillz and comedian Joel Bryant. Staff photo: Penelope Stinson.

Behind the Screen of Menlo’s Virtual Dance

Penelope Stinson, Assistant Opinions Editor
February 20, 2021

Dancing alone in your room on a Saturday night might not seem conventionally “cool.” However, the virtual semi-formal event hosted by Menlo on Saturday,...

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will be the highest-ranking African American woman in U.S. history, and she has the opportunity to pave the way for more female politicians. Staff illustration: Sophie Fang.

The Road For Women in Politics is Difficult; Kamala Harris is Just Getting Started

Penelope Stinson, Assistant Opinions Editor
January 13, 2021

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be sworn in as President and Vice President on Wednesday, Jan. 20. Their inauguration will be historic for two reasons:...

The LGBTQ+ Experience at Menlo: LGBTQ+ in History and English at Menlo

The LGBTQ+ Experience at Menlo: LGBTQ+ in History and English at Menlo

Penelope Stinson, Assistant Opinions Editor
December 8, 2020

Note: This story is the sixth in an eight-part package about the Menlo community and the LGBTQ+ experience. It also appeared in the December 2020 47.2...

Distance learning has resulted in changes to how many Menlo teachers assess their students. More tests are now open note, meaning that students can refer to their class notes during assessments. Illustration courtesy of Sophie Fang.

Online Learning Creates New Opportunities for Cheating on Assessments

Penelope Stinson, Assistant Opinions Editor
December 8, 2020

As Menlo switched to an online learning program last spring, teachers had to quickly figure out how to transfer their in-person classes to an online format....

Junior Claire Lenden and senior Langley Ward step out of their plexiglass boxes at the end of the show. Staff photo: Sadie Stinson.

In Photos: Menlo Drama Performs ‘Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors’

Penelope Stinson and Sadie Stinson
November 12, 2020

The Menlo Drama department put on “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors” on Oct. 30 and Oct. 31; however, because of the pandemic, this production included...

Students have not been allowed on campus for classes since Menlo's coronavirus-prompted closure in March 2020. In anticipation of the Gold A cohort's return on Oct. 26, Menlo implemented many new campus and procedural changes. Staff photo: Sadie Stinson.

In Photos: Students Return to Menlo Campus for First Time Since March

Sadie Stinson and Penelope Stinson
October 28, 2020

Menlo began their on-campus hybrid learning on Monday, Oct. 26. The Upper School was split into four cohorts; each cohort has the opportunity to return...

Instagram and other social media platforms have been increasingly used as advertising platforms. Influencers can make millions of dollars by posting sponsored content. Illustration courtesy of Sophie Fang.

Influencer Sponsored Social Media Content is the New Generation of Marketing

Penelope Stinson, Assistant Opinions Editor
October 2, 2020

Kylie Jenner makes at least one million dollars from each of her sponsored Instagram posts, more than 22 times the yearly salary of the average American...

Vocal instructor for “Pippin,” Rick Reynolds, leads the cast in singing one of the songs from the show over Google meet. Staff photo: Penelope Stinson.

Menlo’s Spring Musical ‘Pippin’ Continues With Online Rehearsals

Penelope Stinson, Staff Writer
March 30, 2020

The show must go on, and in the case of the Menlo spring musical, "Pippin," the show will go on.  In light of the recent school closure, many Menlo...

In this new system, instead of giving letter grades, teachers evaluate students with feedback in different categories such as “proficient,” “excelling” and “needs additional support.” Staff photo: Elisabeth Westermann.

Evaluating the New Grading System in the Middle School: Why Students Should Receive Letter Grades

Penelope Stinson, Staff Writer
January 12, 2020

Editor's note: Starting this school year, Menlo Middle School students will only receive letter grades in their trimester report cards. All other assessments,...

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