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
Aran Sonnad-Joshi

Aran Sonnad-Joshi, Co-Editor in Chief

Aran Sonnad-Joshi is a senior and a Co-Editor in Chief of The Southerner. This is his third year on the Southerner staff. He is also a member of the Lincoln-Douglas debate team and competes in creative writing competitions. Aran hopes to make information more accessible and share his thoughts on Atlanta and the Midtown community through the Southerner. 

All content by Aran Sonnad-Joshi
Head to Head: Should Affirmative Action continue to be in place?

Head to Head: Should Affirmative Action continue to be in place?

Lily Rachwalski and Aran Sonnad-Joshi
February 20, 2023
Concerned community members have signed a petition to address shortcomings in APS regarding academic achievement and operations by calling for new leadership.

Petition calls for replacement of superintendent, administrators

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
March 31, 2023
Irwin eats lunch inside the multipurpose room.

Charlie Irwin, senior

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
March 1, 2023

ChatGPT is a helpful resource for students, teachers

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
January 27, 2023
ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence platforms are undoubtedly valuable resources. However, how AI will affect the future is controversial.

Head to Head: Is ChatGPT a learning resource or a risky tool?

Aran Sonnad-Joshi and Stella Maximuk
January 27, 2023
Students and staff were rushed to Piedmont Park after news of a possible bomb threat targeted at the school.

Bomb threat evacuates school, delays final exams to Jan. 3

Greta Gustafson, Jamie Marlowe, Aran Sonnad-Joshi, and Sayan Sonnad-Joshi
December 15, 2022
Martravious Little dunks during one of his collegiate basketball games at Morehouse College.

Sports provides greater opportunities

Archer Streelman, Aran Sonnad-Joshi, and Shay Bowman
December 11, 2022
Kemp voters show their support for the governor. On Nov. 8, Kemp won reelection, defeating Democrat Stacey Abrams in a rematch of the 2022 contest.

Kemp defeats Abrams, wins reelection

Aran Sonnad-Joshi, Alannah Edwards, Shea Edwards, Abby Hyken, and Diana Jachman
November 8, 2022
Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams, Libertarian Shane Hazel, and Republican Governor Brian Kemp (left to right) answered questions and discussed policy issues during the Oct. 17 debate.

Gubernatorial debate effectively clarifies platforms, features Libertarian candidate

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
October 18, 2022
School Resource Officer Derrick Hammond escorts students across 8th Street after school on Sep. 8.

Midtown, district work to strengthen security in schools

Aran Sonnad-Joshi, Shea Edwards, Abby Hyken, and Sierra Pape
September 26, 2022
The APS Police car assigned to Midtown's resource officers parks outside the school daily. Officers use the car throughout the school day, as needed.

School Resource Officer Derrick Hammond escorts students across 8th Street after school.

The APS Police car assigned to Midtown's resource officers parks outside the school daily. Officers use the car throughout the school day, as needed.

School resource officer Derrick Hammond escorts students across 8th Street after school.

Only a few students were present at school on Thursday after an anonymous threat to "shoot up" Midtown circulated on social media.

Shooting threat empties school

Greta Gustafson, Jamie Marlowe, and Aran Sonnad-Joshi
August 25, 2022
Two students were shot on Saturday outside of a party attended by Midtown students.

Two teens shot after party for Midtown grad

Jamie Marlowe, Aran Sonnad-Joshi, and Abby Hyken
August 14, 2022
IMG_5841

Milner Ball, junior

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
August 5, 2022
English teacher Alex Wallace helps freshmen Cameron Collier, Emily Stevens, and Grady Richman in class. This week, a new class of freshmen students began high school.

[Photo] Students return for the start of the 2022-2023 school year

Sayan Sonnad-Joshi
August 1, 2022
Superintendent Dr. Lisa Herring presents at the State of the Cluster meeting discussing district status.

Principals and administrators discuss cluster at State of the Cluster meeting

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
May 10, 2022
Midtown bus driver Edward Reeves has sometimes had to cover other drivers' routes when they do not show up after school to pick up students.

[Photo] Bus Drivers

April 25, 2022
LEAVING SCHOOL: Students walk down Eighth Street to their respective buses after school. During this school year, buses have often not shown up, leaving students without a way home.

[Photo] Support staff help Midtown recover after pandemic, create positive school community

Sayan Sonnad-Joshi and Shay Bowman
April 22, 2022
Young voters have historically low levels of voter participation, and it remains to be seen whether the increase in youth voter turnout in 2020 is indicative of things to come. As many states, including Georgia, push voter suppression laws, it is increasingly important that Atlanta Public Schools and other school districts use their platforms to remove barriers and prepare students to vote.

[Photo] APS should institutionalize voter registration as part of graduation

Marcus Johnson
March 11, 2022
Many teachers experience mental health issues due to their workloads and heavy burdens from students and administrators. Atlanta Public Schools is launching new mental health initiatives in order to lessen these issues, which have only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Teachers’ mental health deteriorates, worsened by pandemic

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
February 22, 2022
Language arts teacher Lisa Willoughby has been teaching at Midtown for 37 years. Willoughby said mental health issues among teachers often occur as a result of the build up of many smaller stressors.

[Photo] Personal impact on teachers

February 22, 2022
House Bill 888 attempts to ban the teaching of critical race theory in Georgia public schools. Critics say this could result in much more serious consequences.

Board members oppose bill trying to ban critical race theory

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
February 11, 2022
The new schedule proposal would give students a full week of break in October and February. Teachers would also get four days off. The school year would begin four days earlier to accommodate this extension.

School board should accept new schedule proposal

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
February 1, 2022

Buckhead de-annexation selfish, harms Atlanta and schools

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
December 10, 2021
If transmission levels are at a moderate or lower level in Fulton County and DeKalb county, masks will become optional on Feb. 1. The status of mask requirements will be reevaluated on a weekly basis.

APS hopes to drop mask requirement in February

Aran Sonnad-Joshi and Shalin Bhatia
December 7, 2021
In February 1947, the second-to-last graduating class of Boys’ High took a picture. That summer, the last class would graduate from Boys’ High.

Boys’ High School establishes foundation of excellence for Midtown

Aran Sonnad-Joshi and Sayan Sonnad-Joshi
November 27, 2021
Educator and spoken word artist Bethsheba Rem runs for school board

Educator and spoken word artist Bethsheba Rem runs for school board

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
November 1, 2021
Bills in the Georgia Senate and House of Representatives have proposed allowing residents of Buckhead, Atlanta's wealthiest district, to vote on de-annexation. De-annexation could harm Atlanta and APS and place the North Atlanta cluster in a state of uncertainty.

Potential Buckhead de-annexation could harm Atlanta and APS

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
October 25, 2021
Screen Shot 2021-10-22 at 10.43.34 AM

Signature theme changing from College and Career Readiness to STEM or STEAM

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
October 22, 2021

Social media challenges bring attention to important issues, create community

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
October 20, 2021
Social media challenges are being blamed for the recent rise in damage and graffiti, both at Midtown and nationwide. This damage has prompted a debate over the effects of social media challenges.

Are social media challenges a force for good or evil?

Marcus Johnson and Aran Sonnad-Joshi
October 20, 2021
Taylor buries himself in his backyard to create the art for his 2020 single, Archaeology. Archaeology will be featured on his upcoming album.

Alumnus Taylor creates Atlanta-inspired experimental music

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
October 5, 2021
Weekly Activity: Week ending 10/1

Weekly Activity: Week ending 10/1

Sayan Sonnad-Joshi and Aran Sonnad-Joshi
October 1, 2021
Weekly Activity: Week ending 9/24

Weekly Activity: Week ending 9/24

Sayan Sonnad-Joshi and Aran Sonnad-Joshi
September 24, 2021
Tonia Schofield working in the new engineering classroom in A100. The room will allow students to do more complex projects in safer conditions.

Engineering and Drafting and Design pathways get grant and new space

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
September 22, 2021
Andrew Copeland in his classroom

[Photo] Andrew Copeland, teacher

September 20, 2021
A student vandalized the boys C300 bathroom with red and orange pigment. Custodians were unable to remove the pigment from the flooring.

‘Devious Licks’ spurs bathroom vandalism

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
September 17, 2021
Weekly Activity: Week ending 8/10

Weekly Activity: Week ending 8/10

Sayan Sonnad-Joshi and Aran Sonnad-Joshi
September 10, 2021
Weekly Activity: Week ending 9/3

Weekly Activity: Week ending 9/3

Aran Sonnad-Joshi and Sayan Sonnad-Joshi
September 3, 2021
The new addition of the "A Wing" has given Midtown an opportunity to expand its campus for a new school year.

Midtown reopens with room for growth

Yei Bin Andrews, Aran Sonnad-Joshi, Sayan Sonnad-Joshi, Lucia Gravel, Shay Bowman, and Kelly Tran
September 1, 2021
Seniors Lillian Wilson (left) and Meg McGahan (right) are seen masked along with their peers in AP Art.

A new year for mental and physical health

Yei Bin Andrews, Aran Sonnad-Joshi, Sayan Sonnad-Joshi, Lucia Gravel, Shay Bowman, and Kelly Tran
September 1, 2021
Midtown's visual redesign was undertaken by Art teacher John Brandhorst, with the help of Midtown parents and professionals.

A new name and direction

Yei Bin Andrews, Aran Sonnad-Joshi, Sayan Sonnad-Joshi, Lucia Gravel, Shay Bowman, and Kelly Tran
September 1, 2021
Midtown's new building sits at the corner of Charles Allen Drive and 10th Street. In addition to the building, a new parking lot has been added for students and staff to utilize.

The new building

Yei Bin Andrews, Aran Sonnad-Joshi, Sayan Sonnad-Joshi, Lucia Gravel, Shay Bowman, and Kelly Tran
September 1, 2021
The team competes virtually during the fourth round at the National High School Mock Trial Championship.

Grady Mock Trial places fourth at national tournament

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
May 25, 2021
The Southerner Online won a prestigious Online Pacemaker Award at the 2021 virtual National Scholastic Press Association convention.

The Southerner wins prestigious Online Pacemaker Award

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
May 25, 2021
Leon Eplan, the president of the Boys High Alumni Association, greatly impacted the Grady community throughout his life.

Leon Eplan’s legacy continues to impact Grady

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
May 25, 2021
Students participate in weekly surveillance testing at Grady. The program has reduced the spread of COVID-19 in APS schools.

APS surveillance testing reduces spread of COVID-19

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
May 25, 2021
Tanner Lamar practices the saxophone at home.

Tanner Lamar, junior

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
April 15, 2021

Virtual learning week is necessary

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
April 12, 2021
Students in AP Seminar participate in class with their cameras turned off. Many students have no face-to-face interactions in virtual classrooms.

Midtown virtual institute harms outweigh benefits

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
April 5, 2021

Finding the American Dream: The path to citizenship presents challenges

Kelly Tran, Aran Sonnad-Joshi, Sayan Sonnad-Joshi, Stella Mackler, and Yei Bin Andrews
April 1, 2021
The United States government has been distributing vaccines for COVID-19 to the American people as part of the effort to stop the spread of the virus.

Q&A: Pharmaceutical executive Dr. Antonio Grillo-Lopez talks reopening and vaccines

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
March 12, 2021
Weekly Activity: Week ending 2/26

Weekly Activity: Week ending 2/26

Aran Sonnad-Joshi, Sayan Sonnad-Joshi, Anna Rachwalski, and Lindsay Ruhl
February 26, 2021
Robinhood has made investing accessible by offering commission-free trades. This has helped amateur investors and weakened Wall Street's control.

Anger against Robinhood shifts blame from Wall Street

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
February 16, 2021
Weekly Activity: Week ending 12/29

Weekly Activity: Week ending 12/29

Aran Sonnad-Joshi and Anna Rachwalski
January 29, 2021
President Joe Biden was inaugurated on Jan. 20, 2021. Though the inauguration took place amid the coronavirus pandemic and security threats, it encouraged unity across the country.

Biden inauguration promotes unity among pandemic, unrest

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
January 23, 2021
Weekly Activity: Week ending 1/8

Weekly Activity: Week ending 1/8

Anna Rachwalski and Aran Sonnad-Joshi
January 8, 2021
Like in the Civil Rights movement of the 1960's, this summer protesters took to the streets to protest police brutality and racial injustices. However this time they marched under the flag of Black Lives Matter, instead of at the helms of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior (center). (Original image courtesy of public domain).

Lighting the torch: The future of civil rights

Kelly Tran, Yei Bin Andrews, Ava Smith, and Aran Sonnad-Joshi
December 11, 2020
Weekly Activity: Week of 12/7

Weekly Activity: Week of 12/7

Anna Rachwalski, Aran Sonnad-Joshi, and Sayan Sonnad-Joshi
December 11, 2020

The Grady Foundation

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
December 1, 2020
The Atlanta Board of Education voted to finalize Midtown High School as the new name for Henry W. Grady High School.

Grady’s and Wells’s descendants excluded from Grady’s name change

Ava Smith and Aran Sonnad-Joshi
November 16, 2020
The Atlanta Board of Education voted to postpone the Grady High School renaming process in order to let students vote.

School board postpones renaming process for student vote

Dana Richie, Ava Smith, Aran Sonnad-Joshi, Sayan Sonnad-Joshi, and Jamie Marlowe
November 2, 2020
President Abraham Lincoln (left) and Senator Stephen Douglas (right) are illustrated in a depiction of the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates. The debates were highly publicized and are regarded as one of the greatest American political debates.

The Deterioration of Political Discourse

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
October 29, 2020
DeKalb County Commission District 1

DeKalb County Commission District 1

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
October 29, 2020
District Superintendent Dr. Lisa Herring addresses stake holders at the virtual town hall meeting on Sept. 24.

Superintendent outlines phase two reopening options

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
October 2, 2020
The Jesters debate team show off its awards following success at the Isadore Newman Tournament in New Orleans in December just before the winter break.

Overcoming fear of public speaking has life benefits

Aran Sonnad-Joshi
January 16, 2020
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