Wish you could learn about the major happenings this week? Our weekly recaps are intended to give readers a brief overview of what they might have missed.

Mask mandate lifted:
For the first time since March 2020, students and staff had the option of entering the building unmasked, as the high school entered a mask-friendly environment. Some students continue to choose to keep their masks on while others don’t, but the expectation is that all community members are supported in whichever choice they make.

Walk-out:
On Wednesday, March 16, hundreds of students walked out of their D-Block classes at 1 p.m. demanding a better response to racist events at the high school from the administration. The protest was organized by a group of students and many gave heartfelt speeches about their experiences. Sophomore Nyla Sullivan said the current culture at the high school must change.

“This school says that we create the community we want. This isn’t a community that we want, this is a community that we allow,” Sullivan said. “We do not want to be in a school community that includes students that display racist stereotypes towards the Black community. We do not want to be in a school community that silences Black voices when we try to speak out about how we’re feeling.”

One year after Atlanta shooting:
Wednesday, March 16 also marked one year after six Asian-Americans were killed in Atlanta, Georgia. Many see this event as a result of long-lasting anti-Asian bias in the country. As communities around the world mourned this tragedy, students at the walk-out took a moment of silence to remember the victims of this tragedy.

Tom Brady unretires:
On Sunday, March 13, football icon Tom Brady announced his return to the sport after retiring just two months ago on Feb. 1. Brady took to Instagram for this announcement, writing about how much he missed the sport.

“These past two months I have realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands. That time will come. But it’s not now. I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family. Without them, none of this is possible,” Brady wrote. “I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa. We have unfinished business.”

March Madness:
The National College Athletics Association (NCAA) basketball tournament, also known as ‘March Madness,’ commenced Tuesday, March 15. A major upset in the tournament came on Thursday, March 17 when the Kentucky Wildcats were defeated by the 15th-seeded Saint Peter’s Peacocks in the first round of the tournament. Stay tuned for the finals on April 4!