An upbeat website for a downtown school

the Southerner Online
An upbeat website for a downtown school

the Southerner Online
An upbeat website for a downtown school

the Southerner Online
Penelope Keenan

Penelope Keenan, Editor in Chief

Penelope Keenan is a senior and this is her third year on the newspaper. She enjoys playing ultimate frisbee, reading and spending time with her friends.

All content by Penelope Keenan
ATTENDENCE POLICIES: Students work on a project in social studies teacher Susan Salvesen’s mostly full AP Government class. “A big part of our focus on attendance was once kids are here, then how do we make sure that they’re actually maximizing their time in the classrooms?” student support specialist Dr. Cheryl Nahmias said.

[Photo] Chronic absenteeism falls following pandemic spike

Dylan Knight and Penelope Rosemond
September 23, 2025
STEEP COSTS: Approximately 1.21 million high school students reported vaping according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This came data revealed that around 59% of these users reported using disposable vapes, which harm the environment when thrown away, polluting the environment with nicotine, heavy metals, plastics, hazardous lithium-ion batteries and other chemical toxins. In addition to these environmental harms, vaping can, according to Auburn University, cost students over $1,000 a year.

Under the radar, over the limit; schools attempt to curb student vaping

Audrey Lyons, Penelope Keenan, and Fairlie Mercer
September 16, 2025
The motivation to pursue homeschooling, as well as its academic and social impacts, vary widely from student to student.

[Photo] Former homeschool students adjust to in-person school, reflect on their experiences

Eleanor Shore
September 1, 2025
Sophomore Thomas Sehat pauses in the hallway in front of the orchestra room after practicing his violin.

Thomas Sehat, sophomore

Penelope Keenan
May 19, 2025
Social media has led to rapid increases in sales for water bottle brands like Stanley, Owala and HydroFlask. For example, searches for "stanley cup" increased from 30,000 per week to over 600,000 over the past two years, while Owala saw an increase of nearly 400% in monthly sales from January 2024 to August 2024, seeing 200% rise in revenue.

[Photo] Trending water bottle overconsumption poses severe environmental threat

Emily Eckmann
May 11, 2025
PLAYFUL PUPPETEER: Environmental activist Aviva Vuvuzela teaches local children about sustainable planting at the first Earth Day Fest hosted by Nuts ‘n Berries. Vuvuzela said she hopes to teach future generations about the benefits of hemp and other natural resources.

Nuts ‘n Berries hosts Earth Fest to promote healthy living

Mariam Darb, Meredith Bell, and Penelope Keenan
April 30, 2025
Juniors Emma Jordan receives instruction from Assistant Coach Brooks Smith at a practice on Dec. 2. After being introduced to wrestling only a month prior, she needs to learn the techniques and hand placements that are crucial to success in wrestling.

Midtown Wrestling strives for female representation, persists through challenges

Penelope Keenan
January 14, 2025
The COVID-19 pandemic damaged many musicians' performance confidence. Although studies have shown that general anxiety in the U.S. has reverted to normal levels post-pandemic, performance anxiety for classical musicians remains high.

Online auditions combat pandemic-induced performance anxiety

Penelope Keenan
February 21, 2025
Virginia Highland Elementary School served as a polling location for the Midtown cluster. This site has been a consistent location for voters for over 20 years.

Polling locations across Midtown calm on Election Day

Sierra Pape, Connie Erdozain, Brennan Fritts, Henry Moye, Penelope Keenan, and Ayan Amin
November 5, 2024
The Atlanta BeltLine and Atlanta Department of Transportation have spearheaded construction for three months at the 10th Street and Monroe Drive intersection, in aims to connect the Beltline and protect pedestrians.

BeltLine, DOT redesign Monroe Drive, 10th Street intersection to prioritize safety

Penelope Keenan
October 22, 2024
Giant pandas depart for China after 25 years at Zoo Atlanta

Giant pandas depart for China after 25 years at Zoo Atlanta

Penelope Keenan
October 22, 2024
During periods of heavy pedestrian traffic, around arrival and dismissal times at Midtown, the BeltLine and Atlanta Police Department have stationed crossing guards, as part of the APD Path Force, to ensure pedestrian safety while the intersection is still under construction.

Junior Kate Krugman hosts Midtown March For Our Lives' first interest meeting to prepare for their walkout event.

Kate Krugman, junior

Penelope Keenan
September 19, 2024
According to Rivian employee Stanford Davis, the Ponce City Market Showroom is more about an experience than simply selling cars. The space includes things from couches to coloring books, all constructed from sustainable materials.

Amidst delays in Stanton Springs factory construction, electric car company Rivian pursues other developments in Georgia

Penelope Keenan
April 20, 2024
Junior Grady Richman competes with sophomore Callan Meyer to catch a disk mid-air at one of the team's captains practices that allow the team to warm up before the official season.

Ultimate Frisbee players celebrate inclusion in APS PE credit exemption, other sports clubs take notice

Penelope Keenan
September 13, 2024
Junior Eden Sharp has involved the students in Beta Club in many volunteer opportunities, in and outside of her Environmental focus.

Eden Sharp, junior

Penelope Keenan
May 20, 2024
ONLINE AMENITIES: The online version of the AP exams in Bluebook offer many tools. Students can rule out answers and, on some tests, annotate, by highlighting text and typing notes.

Digital Divide: Online AP Exams spark mixed responses from Midtown community

Penelope Keenan
April 29, 2024
Coming into effect in 2026, the new law passed by the Atlanta City Council will restrict right-hand turns at red lights. While some believe the law will increase traffic, others think the law will make the streets of Midtown much safer.

[Photo] Ban on right turns on red prompts mixed community feedback

Henry Moye
April 18, 2024
Teams of two participate in the Lillian Blades Collage competition. Students use materials they find at the Dogwood Festival, like flyers, maps, newspapers and leaves.

Georgia youth artists compete, connect, create at the Atlanta High School Art Exhibition

Penelope Keenan
April 19, 2024
Sophomore Ryan Butler works on her AP Computer Science Principals project, applying a new coding concept explained by her teacher, Tre'nee Uzoka.

Teacher Tre’nee Uzoka collaborates with students to build interest in computers

Penelope Keenan
December 16, 2023
Ela kept some the main features of El Taco, such as their spacious patio, but gave the space a sophisticated makeover, incorporating greenery as a focal point of their new design.

Fifth Group replaces El Taco with Ela, their first new restaurant in 10 years

Penelope Keenan
March 11, 2024
The Board's target for 2023-2024 was 32.5% of schools needing Tier 2 or Tier 3 support. They have exceeded this goal with 29.2% of schools reported needing the support.

School board focuses on innovation growth in district

Penelope Keenan
February 29, 2024
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens is greeted by a hand-painted card when visiting Nadyne Jackson-West and Monica Thomas's pre-K class at Benteen Elementary School.

Andre Dickens’ ‘Year of the Youth’ initiatives have ongoing impact in 2024

Penelope Keenan
January 29, 2024
Poor accountability in education post-pandemic has had immense effects on student success, dropping proficiency levels to historic lows.

[Photo] School districts responsible for poor academic performance

Lily Rachwalski
February 15, 2024

Midtown fashion program provides opportunities for student designers and models

Penelope Keenan
December 10, 2023
Plans for the improved intersection include a separate crosswalk to connect the BeltLine across Monroe Drive, as highlighted in yellow.

New BeltLine projects improve students’ commute to school

Penelope Keenan
September 30, 2023
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