The news site of Marquette High School

Marquette Messenger
The news site of Marquette High School

Marquette Messenger
The news site of Marquette High School

Marquette Messenger
Akhila Swarna

Akhila Swarna, Associate Editor

Akhila Swarna, senior, is the Associate Editor of the Marquette Messenger. She enjoys participating in Speech and Debate, HOSA, and Red Cross. Outside of school, she is a certified Andhranatyam dancer at the Radhanika Dance School and frequents the Oberweis ice cream store for brownie sundaes.

All content by Akhila Swarna
Samvida Batchu, sophomore, performs Bollywood dancing with her friends in the Commons for the Festival of Nations.

Cultural Mosaic

Akhila Swarna and Anvi Talyan
May 5, 2023
A recent report by the CDC details that nearly 42% of high school students have experienced persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, indicating a 14% increase in the past decade. 

Youth experience increased mental health struggles, CDC reports

Willem Hummel and Akhila Swarna
May 1, 2023
The Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) committee passed out butterflies last week for students to decorate. The butterflies will be collected and placed on the walls in different designs and patterns.

DEI Committee Continues Butterfly Tradition

Akhila Swarna and Pranav Sriraman
April 10, 2023
Senior Bryan Craft works on his crochet bag in AP Art Studio. Craft participated in the Eco Art Show and earned second place at MHS and third overall. He hopes to pursue art in the future as well by possibly selling his crochet pieces.

Students Succeed in Eco Art Show

Akhila Swarna and David Moss
March 15, 2023
The Festival of Nations is scheduled for March 8th in the Commons. The event is intended to educate members of the STL community about diverse cultures.

Festival of Nations Celebrates Diverse Communities

Akhila Swarna, Associate Editor
March 6, 2023
Jason Zhao, junior, programs code onto the flight computer for Astral Orbit, a rocketry team. Zhao is an aspiring programmer and has tried using ChatGPT for code. Zhao said he didn't like it because he didn't find that it worked properly. Zhao likens ChatGPT to StackOverflow, a question-and-answer website for programmers.

In-Depth: The Era of Artificial Intelligence

Akhila Swarna and Shyam Punnachalil
February 16, 2023
Mustangs Mourn the Loss of Student: Sophie Levinson

Mustangs Mourn the Loss of Student: Sophie Levinson

Akhila Swarna, Associate Editor
January 9, 2023
Midnights: A Track by Track Review

Midnights: A Track by Track Review

Akhila Swarna, Associate Editor
October 29, 2022

Dr. Curtis Cain Releases Statement on the Shooting at St. Louis High School

Akhila Swarna and Aarushi Bute
October 25, 2022
The new "Unity" banner in the stairwell near the School Store was placed as a parting gift to MHS by Carson Hanis and Evie Gallagher, both members of the class of 2022. Hanis intended for the banner to represent the importance of unifying the student body in spite of differences. "Our school is like a family to me," Hanis said. "Although we all have our differences, we still have a strong sense of community, and I wanted that to carry on."

MHS Alumni Leave Lasting Legacy

Akhila Swarna, Associate Editor
September 21, 2022
Arianna Holt, senior, gains momentum to get ahead in the Rolling Wheels Relay against the the freshman, sophomore and juniors during Wednesday, Sept. 14 on second lunch. Holt said she looks forward to the spirit lunch games and hopes that MHS continues this tradition in the future.

Competitions During Lunch Spark School Spirit

Aarushi Bute and Akhila Swarna
September 16, 2022
Boba Increases in Popularity

Boba Increases in Popularity

Akhila Swarna, Shyam Punnachalil, and Linds Avalos
May 8, 2022
“The Adam Project” is a science fiction movie directed by Shawn Levy, which follows Adam Reed’s (Ryan Reynolds) accidental visit to 2022 when trying to desperately undo an unfavorable event in his life. Adam meets his 12-year-old self (also accidental) and ends up using his help in trying to save the future - mostly from the mess he has made.

Review: The Adam Project

Akhila Swarna, Co-Associate Editor
April 10, 2022
Dr. Stephen Hankins, principal, was selected as the St. Louis Region of the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals (SASSP) Principal of the Year in the Commons, which was presented by the SASSP officers. Principals across the St. Louis region are nominated for the award, but the winner is selected after an application and review process by the SASSP. “When you get recognized by your peers, it means a lot. It means that you must be doing something right,” Dr. Hankins said. In addition to the honor, Dr. Hankins also received a $250 check to create a student scholarship.

MHS Principal wins STL Principal of the Year award

Akhila Swarna, Co-Associate Editor
April 7, 2022
Blood Shortage Impacts Local Communities

Blood Shortage Impacts Local Communities

Akhila Swarna, Co-Associate Editor
March 1, 2022
Many MHS students have started building their own computers. Carter Long, junior, built their computer (pictured above) by buying the appropriate parts and putting them together.

Technology From Scratch: Students, Staff Build Computers

Akhila Swarna, Anika Talyan, Emma Tyulyayev, and Carter Long
February 22, 2022
Senior Carsyn Cosman has been a swimmer on varsity for 4 years. Cosman said she was very surprised to have won the Marquette Relays due to the size of the team and loss of key swimmers from last year.

Swim Team Upholds Winning Relay Tradition

Akhila Swarna (she/her), Co-Associate Editor
December 25, 2021
School districts in Illinois and the surrounding St. Louis area have begun to offer self-care days. Christy Johnson, junior, has been advocating for similar change in RSD. "Everyone's trying to do everything all the time which can get pretty stressful," Johnson said.

Self-care days offered across STL school districts

Akhila Swarna (she/her), Co-Associate Editor
November 30, 2021
Ginny & Georgia is Netflix original comedy-drama series released Feb. 24, 2021.

Review: Ginny and Georgia

Akhila Swarna, A&E Editor
March 24, 2021
“To All The Boys: Always And Forever” follows the story of Lara Jean (Lana Condor) and her boyfriend Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo) as they navigate the ins-and-outs of a high school relationship their senior year.

Movie Review: To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before Always And Forever

Akhila Swarna, A&E Editor
February 17, 2021
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) is home to and sustains an abundance of life including land mammals, marine mammals and indigenous peoples. Denying the environmental importance, the current administration has begun the leasing process for oil drilling in the ANWR, placing a burden on the life residing there. It’s time to start the fight to protect one of the last unspoiled areas of the world.

Let’s Leave the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Unspoiled

Akhila Swarna, A&E Editor
January 7, 2021
Sophia Marciano, junior, volunteers at the Trevisano family home. The family dresses up as Christmas characters, Marciano as an elf, and kids interact with them as they raise donations for the St. Patrick's center. Recently, ABC's Great Christmas Light Fight show filmed the exterior decorations.

People of Various Religious Affiliations Navigate the Holiday Season

Akhila Swarna and Grace Taylor
December 28, 2020
"If Anything Happens I Love You," directed by Michael Govier and Will McCormack, tells the tragic tale of parents’ grief over the loss of their child due to a school shooting. Following the passing of their child, two parents relive their many positive experiences as a family through memories including clothing, a soccer ball and various places and locations.

Movie Review: If Anything Happens I Love You

Akhila Swarna, A&E Editor
December 6, 2020
Jenny Chiu, junior, underwent a hair change of 12 inches off her hair. “I was actually thinking about cutting my hair, and then my friend told me that she could do it, so I thought it would be fun,” Chiu said.

MHS Students Undergo Hair Changes

Akhila Swarna, A&E Editor
December 6, 2020
Sharitz's Instagram features books for upcoming holidays, inspirational quotations and announcements.

Library Social Media Connects Students

Akhila Swarna, A&E Editor
December 5, 2020
TikTok is a social networking app that includes short-form videos with over 500 million users.

The Toxicity of TikTok

Akhila Swarna, Advertisement Manager
May 16, 2020
The Struggles of Being Skinny

The Struggles of Being Skinny

Akhila Swarna, Advertising Manager
February 12, 2020
Breaking the Stigma

Breaking the Stigma

Akhila Swarna, Advertising Manager
February 5, 2020
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