The Student News Site of Vel Phillips Memorial

Espada y Escudo
Fiction Book Club Spotlight
Fiction Book Club Spotlight
October 1, 2025
Spartan Youth Service: VPM's Biggest Club
Spartan Youth Service: VPM’s Biggest Club
October 1, 2025
AP Exam Registration
October 1, 2025
Homecoming Week At VPM
October 1, 2025
VPM's Best Lunch Options
VPM’s Best Lunch Options
September 1, 2025
Black History Month: 10 Hidden Figures in African American History
Black History Month: 10 Hidden Figures in African American History
February 1, 2025
Lewis Howard Latimer
Black History Month Spotlight: Lewis Howard Latimer
February 5, 2024
Check out the Special Edition Senior June Issue!!
June 1, 2023
Seniors!! Don't miss out...
Seniors!! Don’t miss out…
May 14, 2023
Some Things to Know about the Construction
Some Things to Know about the Construction
August 26, 2022
Some Things to Know about the Construction
Some Things to Know about the Construction
August 26, 2022
Who was Vel Phillips?
Who was Vel Phillips?
August 6, 2022
Students: Vote Here for Your Favorite VPM shirt!
Students: Vote Here for Your Favorite VPM shirt!
August 1, 2022
The Construction Saga Continues
The Construction Saga Continues
October 1, 2023
Spartan News, Episode 2
September 18, 2023
Spartan News, Episode 1: Welcome back Spartans!
September 11, 2023
Spartan News, Episode 0 (Freshmen Episode!)
September 1, 2023
Spartan News, Episode 24
April 5, 2023
Smosh Summer Games
Smosh Summer Games
October 1, 2025
Engagement photo from Swift’s announcement on Instagram
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce; How the Hollywood Engagement Came to Be and What it Means Going Forward
October 1, 2025
Image credit to Team Cherry
Silksong Is So Good It Poses A Real Danger To My GPA
October 1, 2025
The official album cover of A Matter of Time.
Great Timing! – Laufey’s New Album Hits the Charts
October 1, 2025
Roblox Safety Issues Spark Lawsuits
Roblox Safety Issues Spark Lawsuits
October 1, 2025
Top 3 Summer Tik Tok Food Trends
Top 3 Summer Tik Tok Food Trends
August 25, 2022
Pumpkin Muffins
Best Costco Muffin Flavors, Ranked
August 25, 2022
5 Simple Snacks for Student Athletes to Eat Before, Between, or After a Sports Activity
5 Simple Snacks for Student Athletes to Eat Before, Between, or After a Sports Activity
August 4, 2022
7 St. Patrick's Day Facts You May Not Know
7 St. Patrick’s Day Facts You May Not Know
March 1, 2024
History of Halloween!!
History of Halloween!!
October 1, 2023
Musk vs. Zuck
Musk vs. Zuck
August 31, 2023
Holodomor: How Stalin Starved Ukraine to Death
Holodomor: How Stalin Starved Ukraine to Death
August 25, 2022
Who was Vel Phillips?
Who was Vel Phillips?
August 6, 2022
The official album cover of A Matter of Time.
Great Timing! – Laufey’s New Album Hits the Charts
October 1, 2025
Pop Stars Are Taking Over The Summer
Pop Stars Are Taking Over The Summer
September 1, 2024
Back And Better Than Ever: The Diary of Alicia Keys 20
Back And Better Than Ever: The Diary of Alicia Keys 20
December 1, 2023
2023 Autumn Playlist
2023 Autumn Playlist
October 3, 2023
My *Correct* Ranking of SZA’s SOS
February 27, 2023
2022 October Playlist
2022 October Playlist
October 9, 2022
2022 Back to School Playlist
2022 Back to School Playlist
August 25, 2022
La Follette High School
Student Arrested After Gun Brought To La Follette High School
October 1, 2025
President Trump's Current Health Issues
President Trump’s Current Health Issues
October 1, 2025
A smartphone with social media apps
School Phone Bans Become a National Education Issue
October 1, 2025
Needle syringe with a vaccine bottle, credit NIH
The State of Vaccines in the United States
October 1, 2025
Charlie Kirk speaking with attendees at the Grand Canyon University tour stop of the "Live Free" tour at the Antelope Gymnasium in Phoenix, Arizona
Charlie Kirk Assassinated In Act Of Political Violence
October 1, 2025
Leo XIV Elected As New Pope
June 1, 2025
Sao Paulo Race Clinches Max Verstappen F1 Championship
December 1, 2024
Liam Payne's Death
Liam Payne’s Death
November 1, 2024
France Bans All Soup to Prevent Mona Lisa Damage
France Bans All Soup to Prevent Mona Lisa Damage
April 1, 2024
COP28: Moving Towards Renewable Energy
COP28: Moving Towards Renewable Energy
January 1, 2024
President Trump's Current Health Issues
President Trump’s Current Health Issues
October 1, 2025
A smartphone with social media apps
School Phone Bans Become a National Education Issue
October 1, 2025
Needle syringe with a vaccine bottle, credit NIH
The State of Vaccines in the United States
October 1, 2025
Charlie Kirk speaking with attendees at the Grand Canyon University tour stop of the "Live Free" tour at the Antelope Gymnasium in Phoenix, Arizona
Charlie Kirk Assassinated In Act Of Political Violence
October 1, 2025
Image credit to BruceBlaus
Trump Administration Begins Targeting Birth Control
October 1, 2025
La Follette High School
Student Arrested After Gun Brought To La Follette High School
October 1, 2025
A smartphone with social media apps
School Phone Bans Become a National Education Issue
October 1, 2025
West High School
West High School Swim Team Cuts Resolved
October 1, 2025
Governor Tony Evers, who earlier this month announced he is not seeking a third term.
The Wisconsin Gubernatorial Race Begins
September 1, 2025
MMSD Keeps Schools Open After Black Hole
MMSD Keeps Schools Open After Black Hole
April 1, 2025
Is Nuclear Energy The Future For America?
Is Nuclear Energy The Future For America?
December 1, 2024
Redbox Bankruptcy, Whats Next?
Redbox Bankruptcy, Whats Next?
December 1, 2024
A cargo port.
Dock Workers Strike
November 1, 2024
104-Year-Old Sky Diver Breaks Record
104-Year-Old Sky Diver Breaks Record
March 1, 2024
Signing Elf Allows Deaf Girl to Meet Santa for the First Time
Signing Elf Allows Deaf Girl to Meet Santa for the First Time
January 1, 2024
Image credit to University of Liverpool Faculty of Health & Life Sciences
You Shouldn’t See That Chiropractor
October 1, 2025
Red Bull RB14 / Max Verstappen / Aston Martin Red Bull Racing
Symbolism Behind the Dutch Grand Prix Cups
October 1, 2025
Roblox Safety Issues Spark Lawsuits
Roblox Safety Issues Spark Lawsuits
October 1, 2025
Image credit to John Englart
Climate Change And What It Actually Means
October 1, 2025
MMSD's new district logo
Weighted or Unweighted, MMSD Earns an “F” in Transparency
October 1, 2025
Engagement photo from Swift’s announcement on Instagram
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce; How the Hollywood Engagement Came to Be and What it Means Going Forward
October 1, 2025
Red Bull RB14 / Max Verstappen / Aston Martin Red Bull Racing
Symbolism Behind the Dutch Grand Prix Cups
October 1, 2025
NFL logo on a field
NFL Weeks 1-4 Recap: The Brightest Stars and Biggest Duds Through the Quarter-Season Mark
October 1, 2025
Chargers Backup QB Trey Lance
NFL Preseason Recap
September 1, 2025
Girls' Tennis Schedule
Girls’ Tennis Schedule
September 1, 2025

Espada y Escudo

Espada y Escudo

The Student News Site of Vel Phillips Memorial
All content by Sophia Jiang
Two Student Editors Discuss Inspiration, the Writing Process, and How to Deal With Writer's Block

Two Student Editors Discuss Inspiration, the Writing Process, and How to Deal With Writer’s Block

Max Knight and Sophia Jiang
December 1, 2023
MMSD Climate Action Letter: Sign Now!

MMSD Climate Action Letter: Sign Now!

Sophia Jiang
October 26, 2023
2023 Autumn Playlist

2023 Autumn Playlist

Sophia Jiang
October 3, 2023
5 Reasons Why Autumn is the Best Season

5 Reasons Why Autumn is the Best Season

Sophia Jiang
October 3, 2023
11 VPM Seniors Named National Merit Scholar Semifinalists

11 VPM Seniors Named National Merit Scholar Semifinalists

Sophia Jiang
September 29, 2023
End of Semester Countdown!

End of Semester Countdown!

Sophia Jiang
January 14, 2023
Courtesy of Ruby Anderson

Vote on the MSG2TEENS Driving Safety Contest Winner!

Sophia Jiang and Anvika Annyapu
January 14, 2023
New Year's Crossword Puzzle 2023

New Year’s Crossword Puzzle 2023

Sophia Jiang
January 14, 2023
Your EICs Want to Wish You a Happy New Year!

Your EICs Want to Wish You a Happy New Year!

Sophia Jiang, Anvika Annyapu, and Olivia Zhu
January 14, 2023
Founder and CEO Ben Arnoldussen wearing his custom rings and necklaces.(Courtesy of Ben Arnoldussen)

Interview with Teen CEO and Founder of Calvagna Jewelry: Ben Arnoldussen

Sophia Jiang
November 13, 2022
Swifty Rates Taylor Swift’s Midnights Album (+3 AM Tracks)

Swifty Rates Taylor Swift’s Midnights Album (+3 AM Tracks)

Sophia Jiang
November 13, 2022
Join COSHA (Coalition of Student Health Advocates) in its next advocacy project: Nutritional Photovoice!

Join COSHA (Coalition of Student Health Advocates) in its next advocacy project: Nutritional Photovoice!

Sophia Jiang
November 6, 2022
Beneath Taylor Swift’s Anti-Hero’s Lyrics is a Deeper Message About Mental Health

Beneath Taylor Swift’s Anti-Hero’s Lyrics is a Deeper Message About Mental Health

Sophia Jiang
October 28, 2022
Lunchroom Worker Shortages in MMSD and their Impact on School Food Nutrition

Lunchroom Worker Shortages in MMSD and their Impact on School Food Nutrition

Sophia Jiang
October 28, 2022
Non-Swifty Rates Taylor Swift’s Midnights Songs

Non-Swifty Rates Taylor Swift’s Midnights Songs

Sophia Jiang
October 27, 2022
Best Quotes from Taylor Swift's Midnights Album

Best Quotes from Taylor Swift’s Midnights Album

Sophia Jiang
October 27, 2022
MMSD Board of Education Votes in Support of Specific Water Access Policy Language

MMSD Board of Education Votes in Support of Specific Water Access Policy Language

Sophia Jiang
October 9, 2022
2022 October Playlist

2022 October Playlist

Sophia Jiang
October 9, 2022
Memorial Tennis Girls Fight Hard at Conference

Memorial Tennis Girls Fight Hard at Conference

Sophia Jiang
October 8, 2022
Pumpkin Muffins

Best Costco Muffin Flavors, Ranked

Sophia Jiang
August 25, 2022
Spartan Athletes Answer: Describe your Sport in 5 Words!

Spartan Athletes Answer: Describe your Sport in 5 Words!

Sophia Jiang
August 25, 2022
Which is Better: Short or Long Videos?

Which is Better: Short or Long Videos?

Sophia Jiang and Vince Kim
August 25, 2022
Pens vs. Pencils: The Ultimate Writing Utensil Showdown

Pens vs. Pencils: The Ultimate Writing Utensil Showdown

Sophia Jiang and Elliot Weix
August 25, 2022
School Morning Item Checklist

School Morning Item Checklist

Sophia Jiang
August 25, 2022
2022 Back to School Playlist

2022 Back to School Playlist

Sophia Jiang
August 25, 2022
Proper Fueling: the Overlooked Factor in Athletic Performance and its Significance

Proper Fueling: the Overlooked Factor in Athletic Performance and its Significance

Sophia Jiang
August 25, 2022
Leisure Reading: Fantasy or Nonfiction?

Leisure Reading: Fantasy or Nonfiction?

Sophia Jiang and Anvika Annyapu
August 25, 2022
How to Adjust from Summer to School

How to Adjust from Summer to School

Sophia Jiang
August 25, 2022
From State to World: Roisin Willis Stuns Competition at the U20 World Championships

From State to World: Roisin Willis Stuns Competition at the U20 World Championships

Sophia Jiang
August 25, 2022
Join our Google Classroom!

Editor’s Note: Welcome from your Editors-in-Chief!

Sophia Jiang, Anvika Annyapu, and Olivia Zhu
August 25, 2022
2022 Back to School Wordsearch

2022 Back to School Wordsearch

Sophia Jiang
August 25, 2022
6 Tips on How to Limit Your Screen Time and Stay Productive

6 Tips on How to Limit Your Screen Time and Stay Productive

Sophia Jiang
August 25, 2022
Who was Vel Phillips?

Who was Vel Phillips?

Sophia Jiang
August 6, 2022
5 Simple Snacks for Student Athletes to Eat Before, Between, or After a Sports Activity

5 Simple Snacks for Student Athletes to Eat Before, Between, or After a Sports Activity

Sophia Jiang
August 4, 2022
Why it is Crucial to Include Water Access in the District Policy

Why it is Crucial to Include Water Access in the District Policy

Sophia Jiang
August 4, 2022
Reminder all athletes: Fill out your physical/alternate year forms!

Reminder all athletes: Fill out your physical/alternate year forms!

Sophia Jiang
August 2, 2022
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