The student news site of Millbrook High School

Cat Talk
The student news site of Millbrook High School

Cat Talk
The student news site of Millbrook High School

Cat Talk
Sydney Phillips

Sydney Phillips, Editor-In-Chief

Hi! My name is Syd and this year I’m the newspaper editor-in-chief. I’m a IB senior in my third year of newspaper, and to share a little about me my favorite color is green and during my free time I run track, read, and go camping. 

All content by Sydney Phillips
This trial marks the first of its kind and former President Trump, if convicted and sentenced, would become the first US president to ever face jail time after serving in office.

Former President Trump’s Historic Hush Money Trial Begins

Sydney Phillips, Editor-in-Chief
April 15, 2024
Mooncakes are a popular Chinese pastry that can either be eaten alone or shared among people. Although traditionally made during the mid Autumn festival, this dessert is enjoyed by people around the world year round.

Foods Around the World: Mooncakes

Sydney Phillips, Editor-in-Chief
April 4, 2024
Mayor Eric Adams recently announced an increase in police presence and security across New York subways to increase rider safety, however some argue that he’s made the wrong approach.

New York Mayor Eric Adams Proposes Transit Cop Expansion

Sydney Phillips, Editor-in-Chief
March 13, 2024
Mandazi is a favorite pastry for many Kenyans and they eat it both as a breakfast food as well as a desert!

Foods Around the World: Kenya

Sydney Phillips, Editor-in-Chief
February 8, 2024
Toni Morrison has won dozens of awards for her writing, not limited to a Pulitzer prize in fiction and a Nobel prize in literature. Her works have captivated readers and will continue to do so for as long as they remain apart of the national consciousness.

Toni Morrison: A Modern American Classic

Sydney Phillips, Editor-in-Chief
January 31, 2024
A pro-Palestine protest in front of Starbucks. Starbucks is among a wave of business being boycotted by pro-Palestinian activists.

Opinion: Anti Boycott Laws Betray The Very Values Which America Claims to be Built Upon

Sydney Phillips, Editor-in-Chief
January 12, 2024
Msakhan is an incredibly popular dish in Palestine, often called the national dish.

Foods Around the World: Palestine

Sydney Phillips, Editor-in-Chief
December 19, 2023
The Extended Essay Extravaganza is described as “...an opportunity for students to celebrate through scholarly presentation the extensive work they have done with this core IB requirement.” For IB seniors, this event is the culmination of their hard work and gives them a chance to make their efforts known to their classmates and administrators. (pictured above is the 2024 IB class posing after finishing their presentations)

Millbrook IB Seniors Showcase Their Work in the Annual Extended Essay Extravaganza

Sydney Phillips, Editor-in-Chief
December 15, 2023
In recent weeks Biden has taken a critical hit in the polls which casts an ominous look at his 2024 re-election campaign. Some numbers raise the question of whether he has lost the young vote entirely.

Biden’s Reelection Campaign is Destined to Fail

Sydney Phillips, Editor-in-Chief
November 27, 2023
Udon noodles are often considered by a lot of Japanese people as a comfort food. The dish can be found almost everywhere in Japan and is one of the most popular dishes to eat around the country.

Foods Around the World: Japan

Sydney Phillips, Editor-in-Chief
November 14, 2023
White saviorism, ultimately, is more focused on the individual than the community they are meant to be serving, making way for a slippery slope of passion and good intentions. In HBO’s “Savior Complex” we can see how these good intentions can ultimately cause harm.

HBO’s “Savior Complex” Gives “good inventions” a Dangerous Platform

Sydney Phillips, Editor-in-Chief
October 26, 2023
The attack in Israel comes amidst rising tensions in the region resulting in armed retaliation from both sides. Following this recent attack, many are declaring that all out war with Hamas is the obvious next step.

Hamas Holds Hostages in the Gaza Strip Sparking International Outcry

Sydney Phillips, Editor-in-Chief
October 12, 2023
At the Raleigh “Taste of Lebanon” cultural festival various Lebanese foods were offered for visitors to try. Pictured above (clockwise) is a chicken shawarma sandwich, chicken shawarma rice platter, and hummus.

Foods Around the World: Lebanon

Sydney Phillips, Editor-in-Chief
September 18, 2023
People across Florida have mixed feelings about the bill, feeling that while it is a necessary part of study it’s also aimed at division.

DeSantis Passes Bill Requiring Asian-American Studies to be Taught Amidst Wave of Education Crackdowns

Sydney Phillips, Section Editor
May 23, 2023
(center right, holding the black flag) Vianney has made impressive accomplishments in only three years, having reached the highest possible title she can receive of cadet sergeant major. Additionally, she has led Millbrook’s JROTC program to several victories securing her spot as one of the most successful members of the JROTC program.

Spectacular Students: Vianney San Agustin

Sydney Phillips, Section Editor
April 30, 2023
The decision to continue business with Walgreens comes during a time filled with fierce debates over the issue of abortion. Some strongly oppose the retail giant’s decision while others call for the decision to be expanded to all states.

California Will Continue to do Business With Pharmaceutical Giant Walgreens Despite Controversial Abortion Decision

Sydney Phillips, Section Editor
April 10, 2023
DeSantis uses children from minority groups in order to further push his “Anti-Woke” agenda, asserting that they would be harmed by the learning of their communities' history within the United States. When defending his positions he uses this minority to claim that he is making the best possible decisions for the children within Florida’s school system.

Banning AP African American Studies Reveals a Double Standard Within the American School System

Sydney Phillips, Section Editor
March 15, 2023
The Kahramanmaras has left thousands without homes, belongings, or food. Local shelters are under heavy stress to provide support for these people while managing the full extent of the disaster.

Rescuers in Turkey Race Against Time To Find Survivors In The Aftermath of a 7.8 Magnitude Earthquake

Sydney Phillips, Section Editor
February 9, 2023
Protests rage across the country in response to the police released footage of Tyre Nichols’s death. Many people are calling this incident as bad, if not worse, than the death and backlash following the death of George Floyd.

Protests Spark Around the Country In Response to Newly Released Footage of Tyre Nichols’s Death

Sydney Phillips, Section Editor
February 2, 2023
As discussions about critical race theory sweep through the country it serves to highlight the fundamental differences in the way different groups perceive our history. Regardless of the outcome, discussions about CRT will force people everywhere to reckon with the education system and decide what they believe is the truth.

Critical Race Theory: The Idea That has Divided the Education System

Sydney Phillips, Section Editor
January 22, 2023
The far right scene is not new in Germany, and these arrests signify a crackdown on many of the anti-republic far-right groups. These groups in recent years have seen a gradual rise in membership.

German Police Foil an Attempted Take Over

Sydney Phillips, Section Editor
December 15, 2022
As we become a more STEM-centric society, the liberal arts face constant skepticism in the eyes of the school system as well as public opinion. It’s important to keep in mind, however, that subjects within the liberal arts, such as English or history, are essential to the functioning of our society.

Opinion: The Liberal Arts Deserve More Respect

Sydney Phillips, Section Editor
December 5, 2022
Rishi Sunak was a prominent figure in British politics during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic having been elected to the position of finance minister shortly before worldwide lockdowns began. His election gained him large amounts of public visibility which would later help in his two later bids for Prime Minister.

Rishi Sunak, Britain’s Newest Prime Minister

Sydney Phillips, Section Editor
November 14, 2022
Mr. Adams, the choir director, describes Ava saying, “Ava is a remarkably talented and intelligent student leader in Madrigals. She is a lovely singer and brilliant pianist. I've been here for 14 years and she is one of the most talented high school musicians that I've met.”

Spectacular Students: Ava Allen

Sydney Phillips, Section Editor
October 28, 2022
Rishi Sunak takes on the position as Britain's newest prime minister following the resignation of Liz Truss. He won out over former prime minister Boris Johnson who dropped his bid for the position on Sunday.

Rishi Sunak is chosen as Britain’s New Prime Minister

Sydney Phillips, Section Editor
October 28, 2022
Banned books in schools have reached the mainstream in recent years with movement springing up around the United States both to support and combat this trend. The question that remains is: “Does banning books actually help America’s children?”

Banning Books Does More Harm Than Good

Sydney Phillips, Section Editor
October 6, 2022
After 100 years Millbrook’s campus is still changing and adapting as time goes on. Continuing to make changes and improvements to the school is part of what makes Millbrook great.

What’s With the Changes Around Millbrook?

Sydney Phillips, Section Editor
October 3, 2022
Media outlets not only ignore news that does not have a direct affect on locations outside of Europe or the US, but in their reporting often mischaracterize the conflict. This can result in viewers misunderstanding the full context of the situation.

Opinion: European Disasters Are Not the Only Ones That Matter

Sydney Phillips, Staff Reporter
May 7, 2022
Houses in South Park are selling in days, or even hours, due to the influx of people trying to move to the Raleigh area. Due to its central location in downtown, the neighborhood is attractive to newcomers.

The Rise of Gentrification in South Park

Sydney Phillips and Kendall Johnson
April 22, 2022
During the beginning of the 2020-21 school year, there were many uncertainties concerning the way school would look in the upcoming school year. For some parents, the virtual academy offered a degree of certainty that in-person instruction could not, making it an attractive option.

WCPSS Announces End to Virtual Academy for the 2022-23 School Year

Sydney Phillips, Staff Reporter
March 28, 2022
Boeing’s stocks dropped over five percent in the past twenty-four hours following the crash. This is the third major crash associated with a Boeing 737 in the past five years, however since the 2000s the 737 line has faced a series of design flaws.

Plane Crash in Southern China Marks the Country’s Worst Aviation Disaster in a Decade

Sydney Phillips, Staff Reporter
March 22, 2022
Dana Kaushik describes Joseline as a “incredible student who is always ready to offer a smile to those around her.”After graduating Josie plans to go on to attend Wake Tech and then complete her degree at NC A&T University as part of the honors program before becoming an animal science professor.

Spectacular Students: Joseline Mora-Obrajero

Sydney Phillips, Staff Reporter
March 16, 2022
The communities close to the case celebrate the decision to convict the men on hate crime charges. This is a landmark decision that will shape further cases for years to come.

Ahmaud Arbery’s Murderers Convicted on Federal Hate Crime Charges

Sydney Phillips, Staff Reporter
March 2, 2022
Graduating seniors may think back to their memories of their time at Millbrook as they walk out the front door for the last time. For the seniors, the graduation ceremony will be the last time they step foot on campus.

Millbrook Celebrates Early Graduate Class of 2022

Sydney Phillips, Staff Reporter
February 10, 2022
As a graduating senior this year, Ashe’ has left her mark on the Millbrook community. She will be remembered by her peers for years to come as both a smiling face among the students and a friend.

Spectacular Students: Ashe’ Kelsey

Sydney Phillips, Staff Reporter
February 4, 2022
Visitors to the amphitheatre got to view beautiful and intricate lanterns up close. Festival goers stopped to take photos at night, making this event an ideal photo opportunity.

Chinese Lantern Festival Lights Up Cary

Sydney Phillips, Staff Reporter
January 18, 2022
Parents and students mourn the death of four students in Tuesday’s deadly attack. This marks the deadliest school shooting in a US K-12 school since 2018.

Students Terrorized at Oxford High School in Deadly School Shooting

Sydney Phillips, Staff Reporter
December 8, 2021
Henry sits posed for the camera in his character of Dan at the conclusion of the play. Night Must Fall is the first performance by Henry at Millbrook.

Spectacular Students: Henry Eastin

Sydney Phillips, Staff Reporter
November 23, 2021
For some schools in the county, they had no buses arrive last Friday afternoon due to the “sick-out”. Other schools in the county began dismissing students early in order to make up for the missing bus routes and to keep carpool lines manageable.

Wake County Schools Grapple With Student Transportation

Sydney Phillips, Staff Reporter
November 6, 2021
Woodworker Keith Hartman’s toy store, Quality Woodcrafts, has been a key part of the Village for years. One favorite that Hartman often shows off is the “Jacob’s Ladder,” an optical illusion that entertains both children and parents.

The Village of Yesteryear Transports Fairgoers Back in Time

Sydney Phillips, Staff Reporter
November 5, 2021
Jaylen Donaldson, a starter on offense and defense, is described by Coach Inscore as “a great kid.” He played in Millbrook’s homecoming game against Sanderson to help bring Millbrook High School yet another victory.

Spectacular Students: Jaylen Donaldson

Sydney Phillips, Staff Reporter
October 20, 2021
Some options being served are a lamb chop with mint chutney (top) and Afghan mantu (below). Those who attended the Queens Night Market were able to try a variety of food from over 40 vendors.

International Market Brings the World to Queens

Sydney Phillips, Staff Reporter
October 19, 2021
North Carolina cases continue to rise amid ongoing vaccination efforts. The number of fully vaccinated adults is leveling off despite official guidances. Provided by: Unsplash. com

North Carolina Faces Rising Covid Infections Amid Delta Surge

Sydney Phillips, Staff Reporter
September 23, 2021
Load More Stories