Transcript of Principal Leonard's 2020 Commencement Speech Hello friends. We are privileged to welcome our honored guests, family members, friends, and this amazing Class of 2020 to this very special graduation ceremony. Thank you to the staff of Wilde Lake High School, who have gone above and beyond the call of duty on behalf of the Class of 2020, particularly over the past 2 ½ months. We...

This week, the Wilde Lake High School staff responded to a county-wide call to action to stand up against racism and support the nation-wide protests. Their video is archived here.

Published in the Fall 2019 print issue: When I was told that I was being transferred to Wilde Lake High School I was told, “It’s a ghetto school.” I was told, “Wilde Lake is a ratchet school.” I actually can’t remember many positive things said about Wilde Lake High School as a whole from many people beyond the Wilde Lake Community in Columbia, Maryland. However, something...

Do you miss your barber? That feeling you get after receiving a fresh fade or a lineup? I know I do - so much more than I thought I would. Unfortunately, due to health and safety risks it presents, barbershops and hair salons have closed until conditions improve. Those who get their hair cut or trimmed on a regular basis have had to deal with these closures, and their untamed hair, by taking matters...

I was 11 the first time I heard the word gay. It was considered a bad word, an insult to someone being affectionate. Needless to say, it wasn’t something I was able to understand as normal - at least until recently. I realized I liked girls in middle school, but I tried to deny it. I grew up with half my family expressing homophobic views, all my female friends liked boys, as far as I knew, and...