The American rapper Kendrick Lamar Duckworth caught the world off guard on Nov. 22, 2024 with the unexpected release of his sixth studio album, “GNX.”

The time surrounding Christmas is a time unlike any other. The winter season is full of merriment, whimsy and wonder, with people looking forward to it all calendar-year round. What makes this time of the year so sentimental? Some would say its greatness is marked by the food or the festive lights. Others would recall memories with family and friends or presents around a decorated tree. But what truly marks Christmas as a standout holiday is the variety of music that celebrates it.

I picked six different books in different genres to read and rate based on four categories: nostalgia, Christmas cheer, how easy it was to read and how well I thought the story was told. 

A tale of two teams, coming together in an incredible contest to determine who could withstand the finale of an enduring rivalry. The Rams versus the Spartans. The Horns versus spears. A stampede versus an army. With Owasso’s record of 12 wins and zero losses, everything seemed to line up. And in fact, it did; the end of the game looked close on the horizon. With a score of 42 to 35, the final match was set to make for a complete and undefeated season. 

Every year, the Owasso High School football field is kept clear of football players for a week to make room for hundreds upon hundreds of bicycles. The rows of bikes upon the 10-yard lines create a spectacle to see, but the most eye-catching sight is Natalie Lefler—who goes by radio name Natalie Cash—living in a tent 40 feet in the air. Lefler just finished her tenth year of Bikes for Kids, an annual event during which she camps out at Owasso High School to collect bicycles for kids in need.

The number one complaint I hear from music-lovers is almost always that touring artists never come to Oklahoma. While this may be true for bigger artists, Tulsa has a lively local music scene including genres such as post-emo, progressive rock, and hardcore. So, even though many popular musicians might not visit the midwest as is, even those musicians started their careers in local venues. Supporting these local artists is essential. 

After years of buzzing rumors, Owasso is officially getting a new library. With this charming town being one of the fastest growing suburbs in Oklahoma, most citizens can agree that the beloved 34-year-old Tulsa City County Library (TCCL) should grow with the community and continue to be the heart of Owasso.

While the holiday season is a time of giving to your loved ones, the holiday is also characterized by spending time with them. During this season, it can be very “merry” to find activities that cost little to no money and give you quality time with the ones dearest to you.

Every December, Spotify releases a data-filled slideshow to reveal a user's listening habits over the consecutive year. This slideshow is known as “Spotify Wrapped,” also referred to as “Wrapped.” Wrapped is one of the biggest occasions for Spotify and overall allows a sense of commonality for Spotify users.

The Owasso High School drama department’s 2024 winter production told the story of a 1930s rude radio personality. Yet, once the lights are turned on and the make-up is off, the magic of this theater production does not leave. Acting glory and fantastic world-building did not disappear in an empty and well-lit Performing Arts Center.

Teaching can be significantly exhausting: crafting their own curriculum in order to form the mind’s of the upcoming generation on a daily basis. To recognize the duty of this group, the “Teacher of the Year” program was made to recognize and thank our country’s teachers. Those who compete are given the chance to win a paid 12-month leave, national travel opportunities and speak at teaching seminars across the country. 

As the Christmas season approaches, the students at Owasso High School reflect back on their unique memories of the Christmas season. Elementary christmas parties, elf on the shelf, Santa visits, pajama days and more festive childhood staples rush through their minds. In high school, students are so busy studying for the end of the year exams that it leads them to reminisce on the easy days of elementary school, causing childhood nostalgia. But the old Christmas spirit wasn’t just present at school, it took place in our homes.

Having only one recycling center located on main street, Owasso forces its willing residents to allocate a respectable portion of their day to make a recycling commute. For many, the effort required to recycle becomes a significant hindrance as recycling can feel more like a chore than a community duty. This challenge leaves numerous feeling doubtful and begs the question: with quickly transitioning priorities of sustainability, why doesn’t Owasso provide residential recycling bins for its community? 

Things seem to magically happen at the schools—leaks get patched, surplus items get picked up, light bulbs get replaced—yet the people responsible provide aid with the stealth of Santa Claus. In and out, leaving presents—rewaxed tile and new mulch—before we even notice that they are there.

Have you ever needed a cough drop while at school? If so, then you have met Haley Schlepp, the school nurse for the Owasso East Campus. Schlepp has worked as the school nurse for a commendable three years, although before then she worked in the emergency room for 16, presumably, crazy years.

On the 28th of October, Tyler, The Creator released the highly anticipated album “Chromokopia,” and opinions are controversial to say the least.