Great White, a California-based restaurant chain, has recently faced allegations of racial discrimination against the Asian-American community following a viral video in late September. The restaurant Great White is well-known for its Pinterest-esque atmosphere and incredible menu items. The Australian-influenced all-day café is owned by Sam Trude and Sam Cooper. The first location opened in Venice in 2017, and following its immediate success in Venice, Great White opened a s

Over the Thanksgiving break, I took trips down to Chinatown and explored local bakeries to try various holiday desserts from different cultures. Moon Cakes (Photograph: Ruru Chonzi) A traditional Chinese dessert, moon cakes are typically eaten during New Year's. I found a local bakery in Chinatown serving them, with a Lotus flavored one being one of the last ones left. I was very excited to try the Lotus flavor (with egg yolk), especially considering it’s one of moon cakes’ m

As more people put their faith in the experimental AI bubble, how close is it to causing a global recession? Throughout the 21st century, arguably, no invention has changed the way we view our digital world more than the introduction of AI, specifically large language models and AI chatbots. As our society becomes more digitized, investment in this revolutionary technology is likely to continue. However, will this investment be worth it to the consumer? Or will business repea

New Roads Fits, the once widely popular TikTok account, is now mostly unknown. What caused this drastic change? And is there a future in which the account is returned to its former glory? “Inclusive,” says Arden Bevilacqua.  “Espressive,” says Zoya Ahmad. “Creative,” says Remy Myer.  “Actual representation of the Jags,” says Madison Yvonne McMorrin-Watson. These are the words that come to mind when New Roads students think about the New Roads Fits TikTok account. New Roads Fi

The holidays are right around the corner, which means it's officially wishlist-making season. From fun gadgets to practical needs, here are some ideas that will make your list stand out.  For many people, wishlists aren't just about stuff. They are a way of expression. But every so often, inspiration stalls, and deciding what to put on your wishlist becomes its own kind of puzzle. If that sounds familiar, or you just need extra inspiration, this guide will help you craft the

Not right as in good. Right as in a never-ending conservative pipeline. ​My morning routine in 2020, like many others, consisted of this: wake up and instantly start posting political statements online. Fast forward to 2025, and after our last election, the culture is no longer leaning right; it has fallen. If you told me this after the 2020 election, I would’ve laughed. Loudly. And then blocked you. The crazy part though, is that it isn’t just the politics. It’s the vibes. T

After recent air strikes and military pressure in Venezuela, the United States’ true motives are still in question. Over the last three months, 21 airstrikes  on mostly Venezuelan vessels have been carried out by the U.S., killing 83 people and destroying 22 boats in international waters (specifically the Caribbean Ocean and Eastern Pacific Ocean). The Trump Administration has classified the strikes as a “war on drugs” and the people killed as “ unlawful combatants .” As the

In the midst of one of the wildest college football seasons in history, it begs the question– just how big is college football, really? And is it bigger than the NFL?  As college football winds down this season, the toilet paper rolls come down from Toomers Corner in Auburn, Alabama; Howard’s Rock in Clemson, South Carolina goes untouched for another year; Beaver Stadium in Happy Valley, Pennsylvania returns to blue, not white; and Ralphie returns to his pasture in Boulder, C

I usually crave desserts on Sundays, so this Sunday, I decided to take my good friends, Sebastian and Santi, to try some Mexican desserts. After looking at all the different countries and cultures I want to try next, I thought it would be perfect timing to review a Mexican bakery in honor of Dia de Los Muertos. Growing up, I was very surrounded by Mexican culture, despite being Persian myself. My mother’s very close friend, Veronica, welcomed my siblings and I to many of her

A collection of poems that reflect the lived experience of Latinx families impacted by ICE. Last month, I attended a Latinx Affinity Conference at Crossroads School hosted by the Los Angeles Independent School Latinx Affinity, LA ISLA. I met Latinx students from independent schools all across Los Angeles as we gathered to reflect on our identities and the realities our communities continue to face. During one of the sessions, we read and discussed resistance poems written by

Elf on the Shelf is a time-honored holiday tradition— but what are you really letting into your home, and what is it teaching kids? With Thanksgiving Break now through and finals week on the horizon, for many New Roads students, it’s apparent— the holidays are here at last. In the final stretch of the fall semester, the New Roads community begins to get into the holiday spirit, with many starting to break out decorations and traditions personal to them and their families. Foo

After one year from the 2024 election, the influence of podcasts in the current political landscape grows more different… One year ago, during the 2024 election, former President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris employed several tactics to appeal to voters in and outside of their respective voter bases. During that election, one of the strongest tactics in appealing to broader groups of audiences was wielding the influence of independent media and podcasters.

Child abuse has been an unseen, but continuous problem in society for a long time, but the COVID-19 pandemic intensified the problem.  With schools being closed, mandated child abuse reporters becoming unavailable, and families isolated, cases of abuse became more prevalent and significantly harder to detect. While COVID had an effect on nearly every aspect of life including public health, the economy, mental health, education, social relations, and more, one important but of

How abortion bans are shaping where these California seniors are applying to college. The University of Texas at Austin, with its amazing film program, offered everything Jagger Blue, a California high school senior who wants to study film, could want.  When Blue, 17, learned about Texas’s total ban on abortion, she had to pick what she valued more, the education UT Austin would provide, or her own rights. Ultimately, she decided to take this school off of her list, now looki

Settling into school days without phones, New Roads faculty and students share their thoughts on the updated policy.  With the new phone ban in place, New Roads students are adjusting to school without their usual screens. One student explains that the policy has made it easier to stay focused during class, a sentiment being echoed from the faculty’s perspectives, while some say it leaves them disconnected from the world.  In a previous Jaguardain article on the phone ban, pu

A story often overlooked is brought to the forefront.   For students, the first day of school is a busy one, with them being all caught up in trying to find their classes and reconnect with their friends. But, as people rarely ask, what is the first day of school like for the teachers? In late August, the highlighters and notebooks fly off the shelves in every store as students unenthusiastically prepare for their return to school. On the other hand are the teachers, reminisc

On Sunday afternoon, I took a trip to Thaitown with my practical brother and best friend, Rayne. Rayne and I have been friends since 6th grade, and have always talked about taste-testing some desserts from his culture. As soon as I had the idea to start this new column, the first thing that came to mind was to try to review desserts from Thailand. The only Thai dessert I had ever tried was, of course, what we all know and love, mango sticky rice. After seeing and hearing abou

This October, many are faced with the question: Is Halloween dead? As All Hallows Eve is rapidly approaching, there are several questions plaguing the minds of New Roads Students. What costumes to wear and how old is too  old to trick-or-treat -- both very typical contemplations for the season. For some, however, this time of year has taken a darker turn. More and more often over the past few years, people have begun to report changes in the traditions of a beloved holiday. F

Every spring, thousands of high school students take AP exams. Why don’t we?  AP, or Advanced Placement classes, have been around for decades. Operated by the College Board (who also operate the SAT), they are generally considered the highest possible level of classes a student can take, and most can count as college credit, providing you score well on the test. The curriculum, the exact same in every school it is taught, is all in preparation for the national exam taken at t

With widespread marijuana use on the rise, the regulations on its farming practices remain minimal. As the legalization of recreational marijuana spreads in many states across the country, the cannabis market has become commercialized and targeted towards a younger audience. In an industry that is massively under-the-table, regulation for marijuana is extremely hard without full legalization. As large-scale cultivation expands, so does the use of pesticides. The Environmental