Achona

“We have a particularly difficult problem of an exacerbation of a health disparity,” said Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Coronavirus Takes Toll on Minority Communities

Emara Sáez, Junior Staff Writer • May 22, 2020

The effects of the current COVID-19 pandemic on ethnic and racial groups are still emerging, but recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) illuminates...

Florida Responds To The Reopening Of Its State

May 15, 2020

Humans, by nature, are social creatures. Floridians, by nature, crave rampant, seaside shindigs. We have not taken well to 63 days of social distancing. Nor has...

Positive News in the Midst of Uncertainty

April 30, 2020

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, it has been hard to look past all the negative news coming from around the world. However in a time that has been so dark for many,...

Silicon Valley Entrepreneurs Settle Down in Bunkers Amid Covid-19

April 24, 2020

While a majority of the U.S population is following the guidelines of the quarantine, working to stay afloat, or taking care of their sick loved ones, seven Silicon Valley...

Academy Life

Fr. Rob Galea joined Academy students and teachers on Google Meet to pray the rosary with them and answer some of their questions.

"The Singing Priest" Joins Academy Students and Teachers for a Rosary and Some Questions

Anna Anderson, Contributing Staff Writer • June 1, 2020

On Tuesday, May 26, Fr. Rob Galea joined Academy students and teachers on Google Meet to pray the rosary and answer some questions. I invited him to come join us on Instagram,...

How the Class of 2020 is Celebrating their Last Year of High School

May 14, 2020

For graduates of the class of 2020 across the nation, a time of virtual learning to close their senior year will be a long lasting memory. Events such as the final day...

Academy Students Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week

May 8, 2020

Dear members of Academy’s faculty and staff, On behalf of my peers, I would like to wish you all a very happy Teacher Appreciation Week. It is with great regret that...

The Class of 2020: Our Personal Statement(s)

May 1, 2020

Today, May 1, marks the last day of high school for the class of 2020, and, as untraditional as its closing is, I could not think of a stronger class to endure this. Throughout...

Sports

Achona Online wants to recognize the handwork of the senior athletes of the Class of 2020. Congratulations girls!

Honoring Spring Sports Senior Athletes

Emara Sáez, Junior Staff Writer • April 30, 2020

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, senior athletes have been left without the ability to create memories or be recognized for their last high school sport season; on April 20,...

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Editorials

“The Black Lives Matter movement means everything to me. It means the collective exhaustion and frustration of Black people all over the world coming together to make this movement so that people will finally listen to us. To me, it means a way to be heard and a way to advocate for change. I have been participating in protests and marches, as well as signing petitions and donating what I can. I’m actually speaking at one of the protests coming up, “ said Tress Jacobs (‘20).

Black Lives Matter: Protesting for Change (EDITORIAL)

Adriana James-Rodil and Emara Sáez • June 12, 2020

Disclaimer: In an effort to do our part to spread truth and stand up for justice, we have collaborated to write this story. We don’t want to remain silent during this monumental...

Opinion

“I think a lot of the things that are currently happening are necessary and have been brewing under the surface. People need to understand the necessity for change and adaptability, as well as empathy, in order for our society to move forwards,” said Madison Kwo (‘23).

No Justice No Peace: The Black Lives Matter Movement from the Perspective of a Black Student (OPINION)

Raquelle Elson, Contributing Staff Writer • June 25, 2020

In early May, the world was introduced to Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man who was gunned down by two white men while simply on a jog. He was murdered in late February,...

Podcast

Racist TikTok goes Viral which Prompts Discussions of "Thinking Before you Post" (PODCAST)

Adriana James-Rodil, Multimedia Editor • May 8, 2020

In late April, a racist video on the popular social media app TikTok went viral as it shows two Georgia teenagers being racist towards the African American community by stating...

This I Believe (PODCAST)

May 4, 2020

For their final assignment, Virginia Pendleton's senior English class wrote and recorded personal essays modeled after the "This I Believe" NPR series, a podcast about the...

WELL-READ WOMEN

Achona’s book club, Well-Read Women, will continue with the novel “Americanah” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Adichie is an acclaimed author known for writing “Half of the Yellow Sun,” “The Thing Around Your Neck,” and “We Should All Be Feminists.”⁣

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Adichie, native to Nigeria, moved to Philadelphia at the age of 19 to receive a formal degree in communications and political science at Drexel University. Unaccustomed to the life of a minority, Adichie initially struggled to adapt to the predominantly white society of the states. Adichie’s tribulations are mirrored within the narratives of Ifemelu and Obinze, the protagonists of “Americanah.”⁣

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Expect to complete the first two parts (roughly half) of the novel by the third week of July. If you would like to join the discussion, please email Multimedia Editor Chloe Mintz ([email protected]) to receive additional information and a definitive meeting schedule.

Culture

#PonleAcento U.S.A. (OPINION)

Adriana James-Rodil and Emara Sáez • April 7, 2020

On Mon., March 30, we — Multimedia Editor Adriana James-Rodil and Junior Staff Writer Emara Sáez — were in Advanced Placement Spanish class when we watched a video about...

Carnaval Season Comes to an End

Emara Sáez, Junior Staff Writer • February 27, 2020

Tuesday, Feb. 25, was the annual day of indulgence before Ash Wednesday. This day, called Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, is typically a day or celebration that signifies the preparation...

Features

How College Decision Reaction Videos Do More Harm than Good

Adriana James-Rodil, Multimedia Editor • May 22, 2020

Boston College: Accepted. University of Virginia: Accepted. Washington University in St. Louis: Waitlisted. Gettysburg College: Accepted. American University: Accepted. Franklin...

Madison Bissett Creates her own Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle Blog

Adriana James-Rodil, Multimedia Editor • April 21, 2020

After writing her first blog post on February 9 titled “Valentine’s Day Outfits,” Senior Madison Bissett began her journey to become a well-known blogger and gain traction...

The Effects of E-Learning on Children with Disabilities and Their Parents

Kristin Commesso, Senior Staff Writer • April 7, 2020

A majority of children with disabilities like having a daily routine. Due to the recent coronavirus pandemic, these children’s routines have been thrown off drastically...

Teachers Recommend Books to Read During Quarantine

Adriana James-Rodil, Multimedia Editor • April 1, 2020

As people continue to self-quarantine at home, students and teachers alike are experiencing headaches and strained eyes from the constant exposure of blue light — the light...

Food

Which Milk Alternative is Best For You?

Reagan Finch, Senior Staff Writer • April 8, 2020

No matter what, there will always be an effort to find the healthiest alternative. Whether its egg replacement, or using margarine instead of butter, people will always search...

I'm not hungry. I'm just bored. (VIDEO)

Chloe Mintz, Sophomore Staff Writer • April 7, 2020

As consequence of COVID-19, mundane life appears to lack all hints of luster — more so than usual. Having entered my fourth week of online school, it is safe to suggest...

SPIRIT ON FIRE

“The secular iconoclasm of the current moment will not bring reconciliation, peace, and healing. Such violence will only perpetuate the prejudice and hatred it ostensibly seeks to end...Only the love of Christ can heal a wounded heart, not a vandalized piece of metal,” said Bishop Donald Hying of Madison, WI of the destruction of religious statues across the US.

Catholic Churches and Statues are Being Destroyed

Anna Anderson, Contributing Columnist • August 11, 2020

My family has pictures of my ancestors that we pull out of a bookshelf from time to time, and my grandparents tell stories about the past. I hear stories of Bl. Philip Rinaldi,...

The Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Religious Organizations, the People, and Catholic Sisters

Anna Anderson, Contributing Columnist • July 23, 2020

On July 8, 2020, the Supreme Court upheld religious freedom for the faithful. In Little Sisters of the Poor v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Little Sisters of the Poor...

June: The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Explained

Anna Anderson, Contributing Staff Writer • June 19, 2020

June is the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This devotion is one of the most popular Catholic devotions. To capture the power of this, I asked Sr. Theresa Lee, FMA,...

Resource Guide to the Catholic Church’s Stance Against Racism

Anna Anderson and Grace Odmark • June 12, 2020

The Catholic Church stands against racism in all forms. The following resources constitute a starting place for understanding the position of the Catholic Church in opposing...

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