Semira Arora (’25) is currently the Vol. 59 Opinions Editor for The Lancer and an Opinions Columnist who authors “Trend Z.” She was a Staff Writer for Vol. 58.
Trend Z: the evolution of self-care
by Semira Arora (’25) | February 3, 2023 As the cold, flabby sheet mask marinated my skin, I sat with my own thoughts for fifteen minutes. While staring at the ceiling, I came to a realization that I hated to admit. The face mask was in fact not solving my life problems. Nor was it…
BeReal: authenticity on social media
by Semira Arora (’25) | November 18, 2022 In the past six months, the app BeReal has achieved virality and become one of the most popular apps for Gen Z. Alexis Barreyat and Kevin Perreau founded BeReal in December 2019 with the goal to be the “anti-social media”: a platform where users post an unedited…
Trend Z: the dark sides of dark academia
by Semira Arora (’25) | October 7, 2022 The romanticization of education is certainly not a new niche within media. Entertainment gave us Dead Poets Society as early as 1989 and more recently, Hermione from Harry Potter and other icons to emulate. This notion of aestheticizing studying and learning stems from an internet trend called…
I Scream, You Scream: sampling the best ice cream in the Bay Area
by Semira Arora (’25) | April 8, 2022 There is nothing better than a bowl of cold, silky, and delicious ice cream on a hot summer day. With the weather warming up, I thought now would be the perfect time to find my favorite ice cream store for the summer. I decided to test three…
Wheels vs. doors: a once insignificant debate now sparking social media outrage
by Semira Arora (’25) and Anusha Jain (’25) | April 8, 2022 In addition to debates on many viral phenomena such as the audio of Laurel and Yanny or the infamous black and blue dress, social media is sparking yet another trend. The question at hand is: are there more wheels or doors in this…
Behind the Scenes of TedxSaintFrancisHS
by Semira Arora (’25) | March 21, 2022 TEDxSaintFrancisHS 2022 showcased thirteen talented speakers from our very own campus to share their stories with the world, but creating the perfect event was not easy. The team’s commitment began in the 2020-21 school year when they assembled the board, which was divided into multiple sections: executive…
Behind the Scenes of “9 to 5”
by Semira Arora (’25) and Anusha Jain (’25) | February 14, 2022 From November 17, 2021 to January 29, 2022, forty-two students spent over two hundred hours putting together the student-run show 9 to 5: The Musical. But what exactly happened behind the curtains? Director Sarah Vorrath (’22) selected this musical because she “loved the…
Breaking down the Diwali spread
Semira Arora (’25) | November 19, 2021 Diwali is a holiday widely known as the festival of lights that coincides with the Hindu New Year—but this special day includes more than what meets the eye. From praying to various gods for a prosperous year to lighting diyas and firecrackers, Diwali is a holiday that brings…
Fast fashion, slow down
by Semira Arora (’25) | October 11, 2021 From matching tie-dye sets to cropped cardigans, fashion trends come and go. While some may impulsively buy this season’s trend, it is important to think about what happens behind the scenes for every item one “adds to cart.” Why are countless clothing items thrown out at the…
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