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Illuminating the News for the Students by the Students

Lamplighter Media Productions

Illuminating the News for the Students by the Students

Lamplighter Media Productions

Illuminating the News for the Students by the Students

Lamplighter Media Productions

Sia Vaish

Sia Vaish, Editor-In-Chief

Hi, I am Sia! This is my third year on staff and I am excited to continue being on Lamplighter! Outside of school, I am a big writer, runner, and debater! Therefore, I write articles and love to share stories and opinions on this platform. I hope to make content that leaves an impact!

All content by Sia Vaish
Author Ellen Hopkins visited Dunbar to speak to students about banned books.

Why I Read Banned Books

Sia Vaish, Editor-In-Chief November 11, 2024

Rape. Drugs. Abuse.  It wasn’t even the first chapter until one of the characters in Ellen Hopkins' book experienced all of these things. In sixth grade, I made it through the first chapter of...

Courtesy of the Bluegrass Indo-American Civic Society.

India Day Comeback

Sia Vaish, Editor-In-Chief September 25, 2024

The Bluegrass Indo-American Civic Society (BIACS) hosted its annual India Day this year after five years of the pandemic struggle as a free event to the public. India Day is an annual event that has...

Junior Samara Gomez at the first all-girls wrestling tournament in the district.

Courtesy of Samara Gomez.

Rising from the Mat

Sia Vaish, Staff Reporter May 31, 2024

After 12 years, the girls’ wrestling team has restarted at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. Junior Samara Gomez and sophomore Suzanna Beeken were the first and only girls on the wrestling team this...

College encampments protesting university support for Israel.

Generation Rising

Sia Vaish, Staff Reporter May 28, 2024

Seven months ago, I couldn’t point to Palestine on a map, yet the war between Israel and Palestine has ignited a curiosity to lead me down a path of discovery. Recently, a wave of student protests...

Mrs. Jennifer McNely racing in the Frankfort Frosty 5K.

Courtesy of Jennifer McNely

Running Free?

Sia Vaish, Staff Reporter May 15, 2024

For many female runners, a recent tragedy reinforced the fears they already carry. Laken Riley was reported missing from her morning run on the University of Georgia’s campus. Her body was found later...

Dunbar's Women in STEM

Dunbar’s Women in STEM

Sia Vaish, Staff Reporter February 6, 2024

According to the Global Gender Gap Report (2023), women comprise only 29.2 % of the STEM workforce. Dunbar's Math Science and Technology Center (MSTC) accelerates students interested in STEM to higher-level...

Erik Daniels works with World Civilizations classes and helps students understand other cultures and time periods throughout history.

From the NBA to the Classroom

Sia Vaish, Staff Reporter October 20, 2023

Erik Daniels has been at Dunbar since 2020. He teaches in the social studies department as well as being a co-teacher in special education. He is also the Girls' Basketball coach. His basketball career...

This is a new program for those wanting to be teachers for FCPS.

FCPS Grow Your Own

Sia Vaish, Staff Reporter October 20, 2023

In 2022, PLD Lamplighter reported on the surge of teacher resignations due, in part, to burnout. In that article, FCPS Superintendent Dr. Demetrus Liggins said that there are things the district could...

Student-Run Businesses at Dunbar

Student-Run Businesses at Dunbar

Sia Vaish, Staff Reporter May 19, 2023

According to the Guardian, the number of teenagers starting businesses has increased eightfold since 2009.  While it might not be something that people would imagine a teenager to be involved in, students...

True Crime

True Crime

Sia Vaish, Staff Reporter May 18, 2023

According to Deakin, an ABC survey said that 44% of podcast consumers have listened to a true crime podcast. In fact, many students and teachers here at Dunbar also listen to true crime.  English teachers...

Dunbar Pageant Queen

Dunbar Pageant Queen

Sia Vaish, Staff Reporter May 18, 2023

According to Mobile Styles, 2.5 million American women compete in pageants every year. In these pageants, girls are judged on various events, such as their confidence in walking on stage in an evening...

Will Gun Violence in Schools Ever Stop?

Sia Vaish, Staff Reporter April 26, 2023

This past year, there were 300 shootings on school grounds, breaking the record for most school shootings. In 2023, there have already been thirteen school shootings with 74 people killed or injured on...

Students talking about another person on social media getting "canceled"

Cancel Culture for Teens

Sia Vaish, Staff Reporter January 19, 2023

Almost every day, someone is getting “canceled” on social media for saying or doing the wrong thing, and the concept has now reached schools.  As this idea becomes more common, it has created a...

To use or not to use? Cell phones are a part of everyday life, but there has to be a balance.

Student Cell Phone Use Not Changing, So What’s the Compromise?

Sia Vaish, Staff Reporter December 15, 2022

Dunbar teachers and students have different ideas about cell phone use. One reason is the generational divide between teachers, who are mostly Gen X and Millennials, and teens who are Gen Z. ¨Back...

PLD Grading System Seven Years Later

PLD Grading System Seven Years Later

Sia Vaish, Staff Reporter December 12, 2022

Schools use a variety of different systems depending on which suits their school best. Since 2016, Dunbar has used a system called Standards-Based Grading (SBG). SBG was created by Thomas Guskey, a...

The toilets in the boys' restroom are missing toilet paper dispensers that have been torn off the walls.

Vandalism Causes More Bathroom Issues

Sia Vaish, Staff Reporter December 12, 2022

Dunbar bathrooms have been severely damaged over the last several years, so this year the administration took action by removing the outer doors of the boys’ bathrooms. To some, this seems harsh,...

Dunbar Teacher’s Halloween Plans

Sia Vaish, Staff Reporter October 13, 2022

Halloween is coming up and Paul Laurence Dunbar couldn’t be more excited. There are a lot of students with plans for this spooky time of year, but they're not alone, Dunbar teachers have also shared...

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