The Student News Site of Walt Whitman High School

The Black and White
The Student News Site of Walt Whitman High School

The Black and White
The Student News Site of Walt Whitman High School

The Black and White
Greer Vermilye

Greer Vermilye, Online Production Head

Grade 12

Why did you join the Black and White?

To make aesthetic graphics to complement writers’ stories online. 

If you could see one movie for the first time again, what would it be?

Now You See Me 2

All content by Greer Vermilye
Eliana Joftus Ad

County officials held a listening session on mental health and wellness.

[Photo] County leaders address mental health concerns during virtual discussion

March 16, 2022
No amount of money is enough to make rampant abuse on school grounds acceptable.

[Photo] It's been 10 years too long. Vike-A-Thon needs to go.

March 8, 2022
Spring athletes are not required to submit proof of vaccination to compete if they chose not to be vaccinated based on their religion.

[Photo] MCPS athletes gain religious exemption to vaccine mandate

March 24, 2022
While ballet is no longer a part of my life, I still see a ballerina in the mirror.

[Photo] Slipping into the toxic culture of ballet

April 7, 2022
As a child, my parents never cooked dinner for me. So I took matters into my own hands.

[Photo] A recipe for success: How cooking helped me take control of my life

February 28, 2022
Whitman juniors Arvin Kim and Eleanor Pugh are among the candidates running to serve as the 45th MCPS Student Member of the Board of Education.

[Photo] Two Whitman juniors file as SMOB candidates

February 7, 2022
Top 10 Events of 2021

Online managing editor Quentin Corpuel and columnist Daniel Miller answer an array of questions leading up to this year’s College Football Playoff.

[Photo] The B&W’s 2021-22 College Football Playoff Entrance Survey

December 27, 2021
For as popular as “Squid Game” has become in recent months, we need to recognize how its violence impacts viewers and what we can do to ensure that children are protected from this kind of media.

[Photo] How “Squid Game” is desensitizing us to violence

December 6, 2021
It's long past time to stop equating teenagers to Vikings. Whitman needs a new mascot: the "Bards."

[Photo] The "Vikings" has to go: Whitman needs a new mascot

November 12, 2021
Anne Hutchens Rutabaga Story

Modernized Sex Ed

Opinion: Don't Blame Cancel Culture

If the Board approves SMOB Hana O'Looney's proposal for a mandatory financial literacy course for high school students, the requirement will take effect with the graduating class of 2028.

[Photo] SMOB Hana O’Looney proposes required semester-long finance course

October 24, 2021
Georgia Bulldogs

Halloween Traditions

[Photo] Looking to get into horror? Here are The B&W's top five picks

October 31, 2023
While the show features a Hispanic American woman in the country’s most powerful position, 46 out of the 47 actual American presidents have been white males, and during the buzz of the 2016 and 2020 elections, voters questioned the electability of candidates like Kamala Harris simply because of these women’s skin color and gender.

[Photo] How Diary of a Future President encourages female and minority children to dream big

October 7, 2021
International Universities

[Photo] Navigating new shores; the unique challenges faced by international students at Whitman

June 12, 2024
Tar and Feathering

I'll admit it: I love pop quizzes. Regardless of their almost exclusively negative reputation, the incentive they provide me to stay on top of my schoolwork is unparalleled.

[Photo] For that extra “pop” in school, bring back pop quizzes

June 11, 2021
"The sophomore's relief transforms into dread — Centreville is two hours away from Bethesda, which means he’ll have to travel a total of four hours to receive each shot. It’s a long trek for one dose, let alone both doses."

[Photo] “I would rather drive eight hours total than wait”: Students go to lengths to receive COVID-19 vaccinations

June 10, 2021
This has been the reality of living with parents who are doctors during the pandemic. Until vaccinations became available, anxiety surrounding contracting coronavirus consumed me.

[Photo] How I've coped with living as a child of two doctors during the pandemic

May 22, 2021
"While “Sound of Metal” is fictional, its realism is what makes the movie so compelling; Marder designed the movie to shed light on very real, underrepresented struggles."

[Photo] Sound of Metal: Silence speaks volumes

May 27, 2021
The current SMOB election system doesn't represent all of MCPS fairly. To help fix this, a primary should be held by each high school to encourage a wider variety of students to participate.

[Photo] MCPS: Reform the SMOB election process

May 29, 2021
"Songwriting allows me to express sentiments that would otherwise remain trapped in my mind."

[Photo] Songwriting like Taylor Swift will never go out of style

June 2, 2021
U.S. News & World Report ranked Whitman as the best high school in Maryland and the 111th best in the country for the 2020–2021 school year. Though many students emphasized their appreciation for the school's academic rigor, some aren't sure that the school deserved the honors.

[Photo] “Best” U.S. News ranking invokes conflicted feelings from students

May 8, 2021
Privacy

Council Council approves in person graduations

During the celebratory Zoom, participants were educated on aspects of Arab culture such as food, religion, dance and music.

[Photo] Minority Scholars Program holds Zoom celebration in honor of Arab American Heritage Month

May 6, 2021
MCPS will implement an online learning option for the 2021–2022 school year. Over the past year, Whitman administrators "have found that virtual learning is working for a lot of students,” said Assistant Principal Kristin Rudolph.

[Photo] MCPS to implement virtual learning option for students in 2021–2022 school year

May 2, 2021
MCPS is attempting to remedy pandemic-induced learning gaps through expanded summer school program offerings. Students will be able to take any course for free.

[Photo] MCPS expands summer school offerings in push to reduce pandemic-induced learning gaps

April 30, 2021
Blog: Working during pandemic

Hatred has infiltrated online spaces. We've gathered specialists to talk about it.

[Photo] Roundtable discussion about alt-right extremism

May 14, 2021
Teachers

Toxic Positivity

[Photo] More than just happy: why toxic positivity is an invalidating mindset

April 29, 2021
Reactionary movements such as #NotAllMen serve to both invalidate survivors' experiences and divert attention from the real issue.

[Photo] Why #NotAllMen is unproductive

May 16, 2021
How social media determines highschool elections

Going into school with an optimistic mindset can improve everyone's experiences.

[Photo] Whitman students: Stay optimistic about hybrid learning

April 12, 2021
Covid Cases

Students have experienced a year of lockdowns, losses and self-reflection.

[Photo] Students reflect on one year of quarantine

March 21, 2021
It's important to embrace happiness, sadness and your love of the Jonas Brothers.

[Photo] Apologies to the Jonas Brothers: It can’t be “Like It’s Christmas” every day

April 15, 2021
Leadership has been working hard all year to keep school spirit alive and raise money for well-deserving causes in the midst of a pandemic.

[Photo] FebMar charity events adapt to virtual school year

March 20, 2021
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, vision boards have allowed me to lay out all types of aspirations.

[Photo] What I see in vision boards

April 28, 2021
Many Whitman students participate in fantasy sports leagues every year, competing with friends and family in an effort to claim the league title.

[Photo] Fantasy sports build traditions and bring competition at Whitman

April 14, 2021
Tutoring

These broadcasting alterations to the game provided a unique experience that helped make younger kids excited about watching football.

[Photo] NFL on Nick: how professional sports leagues can attract the next generation of fans

March 11, 2021
School resource officers can often unfairly discriminate against students of color.

[Photo] County Council: It’s time to end the SRO program

March 1, 2021
I never would have believed I’d be crawling back to a practice that haunted my childhood, and I never could have imagined a once-in-a-century pandemic would be the reason friendship bracelets waltzed their way back into my life.

[Photo] Getting tied up in a resented hobby

March 28, 2021
This past Hanukkah was ripe with instances of anti-Semitism.

[Photo] An ongoing surge of hatred and ignorance: 21st century anti-Semitism

February 26, 2021
TutorMe

Microhabits are incremental improvements to your daily routine. Over the past few months, microhabits have helped me better my mental health.

[Photo] My experience with microhabits: Trying a new approach to mental health

March 10, 2021
Connectivity issues around noon caused interruptions of the school day.

[Photo] Afternoon classes delayed, cancelled due to regional connectivity issues

January 26, 2021
Gendered language, especially in a classroom setting, has become outdated.

[Photo] Retire “she or he”: teachers should start using gender-neutral language in the classroom

April 8, 2021
I started becoming acutely aware of my own individual effect on the environment, and in the ensuing months of this self-reflection, have begun a journey towards creating an environmentally sustainable lifestyle.

[Photo] Going green: raising my environmental sustainability for two weeks

January 29, 2021
Ovechkin is the last of the great D.C. sports stars, and for a reason.

[Photo] Last man standing: why Alex Ovechkin stays in D.C.

January 14, 2021
Families4Families helps address pandemic-induced food insecurity. So far, Whitman's chapter has collected enough food to support 45 different families.

[Photo] Helping the hungry: junior Tommy Buckley starts Whitman chapter of Families4Families

February 10, 2021
I played pickleball frequently with my family while I was on vacation.

[Photo] Pickleball practice makes pickleball perfect

January 19, 2021
Winter Sports

Trying out Calm app for meditation

Since the start of the school year, Beth El Congregational Preschool and Whitman's child development program have remained virtual. Keeping younger children engaged online has posed challenges for educational institutions.

[Photo] Teaching toddlers online: An inside look at preschool during a pandemic

February 23, 2021
Many Whitman students feel that respectful political debate is no longer possible.

[Photo] “Political debate is dead”: Whitman students believe hostility and moral judgements have ruined civil disagreements

February 5, 2021
For many MCPS students, SSL hours are not an opportunity to complete altruistic volunteer work, rather just another box to check before heading off to college.

[Photo] Don't let college admissions define your extracurriculars

January 24, 2021
MCPS offers SSL hours for SEL

Helping save the Earth, especially forests such as the Edson Lane Forest, can curb the devastating effects of climate change.

[Photo] MCPS: Stop the hypocrisy, save the Edson Lane Forest

January 10, 2021
It's extremely easy to be sucked into a never ending cycle of persuasive, conservative media.

[Photo] My experience escaping the conservative media rabbit hole

December 13, 2020
Despite being an unprecedented year filled with suffering and hardships, 2020 has yielded some benefits.

[Photo] Looking back on 2020: what to take away from a difficult year

December 31, 2020
At Whitman, LGTBQ+ students face harassments in a variety of forms, from microaggressions to death threats.

[Photo] Whitman: support LGBTQ+ students inside the classroom, too

January 9, 2021
Whitman teachers talked to us about their albums of choice, ranging from the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” to Bob Marley's "Legend."

[Photo] Schoolhouse rock: Teachers jam out to their favorite albums

December 9, 2020
The pandemic holidays have pushed students to find creative ways to spend time with loved ones.

[Photo] Pandemic forces students to miss out on family, create new holiday traditions

December 23, 2020
Crumbl Cookies

International Student

Though cheating has always been hard to stop in school, the new virtual landscape makes academic dishonesty far easier.

[Photo] Cheating: an epidemic in virtual learning

January 3, 2021
MCPS Ban on Swastikas, Nooses, and Confederate Flags

[Photo] MCPS bans use of swastikas, nooses and Confederate flags in schools

December 8, 2020
"I started by making a schedule, filling up time slots with an assortment of activities and personal goals. Instead of aimlessly running down the clock during my wellness break, I now make the most of it."

[Photo] How to take full advantage of your wellness break

December 11, 2020
Analytics

MCPS coaches have rallied together to request in-person football.

[Photo] MCPS football coaches push for in-person training

November 19, 2020
Period Dramas

[Photo] Give period dramas a chance

December 4, 2020
Creative writing yields both personal and academic benefits, improving cognitive skills and providing students with an outlet for processing life experiences.

[Photo] Whitman English classes need more creative writing assignments

November 30, 2020
MCPS must reform its curricula in order to include social justice issues and embolden minority communities.

[Photo] MCPS needs to represent minority experiences in its curricula

December 6, 2020
Mental health days are good

[Photo] Oregon and Utah have done it, your turn MCPS: make mental health days an excused absence

December 3, 2020
As we partake in virtual learning, we must keep in mind that our teachers are working extremely hard.

[Photo] Keep teachers in mind while school is online

January 5, 2021
ACB Student Reaction

Driving Blog

Fandom Blog

Anti-Semitism in sports has been a prevalent problem since the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

[Photo] Turning a blind eye: Anti-Semitism in sports deserves more attention

November 13, 2020
MCPS Expands Meal Distribution

While students from wealthy backgrounds can afford tutors and multiple test dates, many of their less privileged peers don't have these opportunities.

[Photo] It’s time to abolish standardized testing

October 9, 2020
College Board Opinion

[Photo] Hey College Board, students deserve better

November 5, 2020
The $1.55 million budget will be used to combat sports access inequities.

[Photo] MCPS approves increased sports budget to fight countywide access disparities

October 3, 2020
Released in January, 2020, "The Social Dilemma" is a perspective-shattering documentary.

[Photo] How "The Social Dilemma" changed my life

October 24, 2020
Virtual Sports

Though the coronavirus pandemic is ongoing, there's no longer an indoor mask mandate in Montgomery County.

[Photo] Montgomery County lifts indoor mask mandate

November 10, 2021
Montgomery County Moves all Sports Seasons to Fall

Sports Podcast Logo

[Photo] NBA finals games 1 & 2 recap and predictions w/ special guest coach Mo | B&W Sports Podcast

June 7, 2023
Pictured: Whitman's six new teachers for the 2020–2021 school year.

[Photo] Six new teachers begin their first year at Whitman

October 10, 2020
Though Washington's new team name may seem comical, this change is ultimately for the better.

[Photo] Give the 'Football Team' a chance

November 2, 2020
MCPS enrollment declined by over 2000 students this year following a period of sustained growth.

[Photo] MCPS enrollment down thousands from last year

September 29, 2020
The AEF sued MCPS on September 1, citing discriminatory admissions practices of middle school magnet programs.

[Photo] Nonprofit sues MCPS over changes to middle school magnet program admissions

September 25, 2020
While schools like Whitman and Woodward were granted renovations quickly, schools in low -income areas like SLES were continually denied this opportunity.

[Photo] South Lake Elementary School was denied renovation for over 8 years

October 6, 2020
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