The County Chronicle

The online newspaper for Loudoun County High School
Culpability was published this year, and was chosen as Oprah’s Book Club book. Since its publication, it has attained national acclaim. Holsinger, a 1985 County graduate, is currently traveling across the United States for a Culpability book tour.
Finding humanity in a world driven by technology
November 6, 2025
Movie Recommendations
June 12, 2025
One of Brooke Keller’s AP Portfolio artworks portrays a surreal scene with a fish and a human head. The artwork showcases how Keller combines a realistic style with fantastical elements.
Artist of the Issue
June 12, 2025
4 books to read over the summer
June 5, 2025
Sophomore Will Schweiker and guitar teacher Matthew Trkula pose outside of the Tally-ho on the night of the battle of the bands. Schweiker was a winner of the event as a member of the band Antigravity.
County band Antigravity wins Tally-ho sponsored battle of the bands
April 5, 2025
Teaching one religious ideology hinders academic growth
November 6, 2025
Letter to the editor
June 12, 2025
Blue Origin: an unnecessary expedition
June 12, 2025
ICE should not be allowed in schools
June 12, 2025
Teacher music policy reveals that Virginia arbitrarily removes students’ ability to learn
April 4, 2025
Pierson Lee sits on top of the school sign for a picture announcing him as commencement speaker for social media. Lee plans to study biophysics at Duke University in the fall. Photo courtesy of @lchs1954
Pierson Lee named 2025 Commencement Speaker
June 12, 2025
The County Chronicle nominees senior William Kluttz, sophomore Scarlett Ashford, junior Karan Singh and senior Berek Harrison pose during the first annual Loudoun Now Excellence in Journalism awards night, held at Loudoun County High School. Ashford’s podcast, during which she interviewed former superintendent Edgar Hatrick, won runner up in the podcast category. “I had little expectation going into the evening about how it would go since this is the first year that Loudoun Community Media was offering the awards,” librarian Patti Bagdasarian said. “I was impressed by the entire program, from the reception beforehand, to the emcee (News 4 Bureau Chief!), to the high level and involvement of the sponsors, but most importantly, how they created this program to honor the commitment, hard work, and excellence of our student journalist. It wasn’t lost on me that Scarlett won for an interview of Dr. Hatrick in the building where he started and spent much of his career.” Bagdasarian not only attended the event, but helped Ashford produce her podcast with the library’s recording equipment.
Loudoun Now hosts first annual ‘Excellence in Journalism Awards’
June 12, 2025
Simpson Teacher Kimberly Poole wins major Washington Post award as teacher of the year
June 12, 2025
Fine Arts field trip
June 12, 2025
DeGroat poses with her pet dog Grady. When not in school, she partakes in playing with her dog and being with family. Photo courtesy of Laura DeGroat.
Saying Goodbye
June 12, 2025
Girls and boys tennis battles through season, ending at districts
June 12, 2025
Quin Miller steps up to the plate during his game versus Broad Run on April 24. The Captains won 4-3.
Athlete of the issue
June 12, 2025
Senior Christian Dema-Narch dribbles around a defender during their game against Dominion on January 22. The Captains lost 60-81 to Dominion. Photo courtesy of @dmv.flickz
Both boys and girls basketball make regional semifinals
April 5, 2025
Juniors Ellie Smith, Emerson Gatlin, and Anna Giudice stand together holding the district championship trophy. Smith, Gatlin, and Giudice are a part of the swim team, who have broken multiple school records this year. Photo courtesy of @emerson.gatlin on Instagram
Exchange student Anna Giudice breaks several school records alongside swim team
April 5, 2025
Valerie Lindquist, Ellie O’Brien, and Hidayyah Ishaq pose together after their meet at Heritage on December 11, 2024. Lindquist placed 3rd on vault and Ellie improved on her vault.
Close-knit gymnastics team fosters supportive environment
February 17, 2025
Collin Diem performs a solo, “Words Fail,” from "Dear Evan Hansen." All of the performances by choir members raise money for the choral program for a variety of activities, such as scholarships, equipment, and other needs. Anyone who was unable to attend but still wishes to help the choral program can make donations via check, delivered or mailed to LCHS. Photo by Taylor Helfer.
LCHS Choir hosts “Heroes and Villains” cabaret
March 12, 2025
HOMECOMING 2021: “Students Make Their Mark On The World”
November 15, 2021
Homecoming Spirit Week Fun and Fashion
November 2, 2021
The 1955 football team pictured in the LCHS yearbook. Photo courtesy of Tonya Dagstani.
Looking Back: Old yearbooks provide a window to the past
February 5, 2021
Mckenna Giannos competes in the high jump as a junior during the spring track season 2019. Photo courtesy of John Klimavicz. Senior track athlete Mckenna Giannos: “Practice has definitely been different, our workouts have been changed to accommodate that COVID guidelines, which has definitely made it harder to get back into the swing of things, but being able to see and practice with my teammates again makes it all worth it.”
Practicing Through COVID
January 5, 2021
Bonnie White Keyes (then Bonnie White) poses for her 10th grade photo, which appears in the 1960 edition of the Lord Loudoun yearbook.
Perspectives: interview with Bonnie White Keyes (1958-1960)
May 27, 2024
Andrea Rakowski’s photo in the 1996 Lord Loudoun yearbook.
Perspectives: Andrea Rakowski, Class of 1996
May 14, 2024
The Harmful Stereotypes in new Netflix series Griselda Blanco
April 6, 2024
SAT vs ACT
SAT vs ACT
February 6, 2024
Read a newspaper
June 5, 2023
Culpability was published this year, and was chosen as Oprah’s Book Club book. Since its publication, it has attained national acclaim. Holsinger, a 1985 County graduate, is currently traveling across the United States for a Culpability book tour.
Finding humanity in a world driven by technology
November 6, 2025
Spring crossword: April Fools' Edition
Spring crossword: April Fools’ Edition
April 10, 2025
Spring Crossword
April 1, 2024
Issue 2 Crossword
Issue 2 Crossword
February 6, 2024
Armes continues being involved in sports in his kids’ little league teams. Armes continues being involved in sports in his kids’ little league teams. Picture courtesy of Matthew Armes.
Flashback
March 31, 2023
Students dressed up in Hazmat suits make their way back from lunch. Despite the comfortability of the suits, the students are enjoying the experience, and are excited to promote school spirit. Photo by the bacteria in the walls, with thanks to https://nara.getarchive.net/media/us-marines-and-sailors-prepare-to-conduct-decontamination-4fd0f7
Spirit Week
April 1, 2025
School pool opens back up
March 31, 2023
Newly elected president dissolves student council and declares national emergency
March 28, 2023
World peace, at last: asynchronous Mondays return, the world celebrates.
April 1, 2022
Senior Taylor McCully enjoys a bowl of Captain Crunch cereal before school while showing her support for our new mascot. It has become her favorite cereal brand.
Captain Crunch announced to be new captain of LCHS
April 1, 2022

The County Chronicle

The County Chronicle
Taylor Helfer

Taylor Helfer, editor-in-chief

Taylor Helfer is a senior and this is her fourth year on The County Chronicle. She loves writing feature and political opinion pieces, alongside making the layout for the newspaper. Outside of the newsroom, Taylor enjoys coaching volleyball, listening to Jungle, and managing her food blog (@grubswithtay) on Instagram.

All content by Taylor Helfer

Teaching one religious ideology hinders academic growth

Taylor Helfer, Editor-in-Chief
November 6, 2025
Pierson Lee sits on top of the school sign for a picture announcing him as commencement speaker for social media. Lee plans to study biophysics at Duke University in the fall. Photo courtesy of @lchs1954

Pierson Lee named 2025 Commencement Speaker

Taylor Helfer, Editor-in-Chief
June 12, 2025
The County Chronicle nominees senior William Kluttz, sophomore Scarlett Ashford, junior Karan Singh and senior Berek Harrison pose during the first annual Loudoun Now Excellence in Journalism awards night, held at Loudoun County High School. Ashford’s podcast, during which she interviewed former superintendent Edgar Hatrick, won runner up in the podcast category. “I had little expectation going into the evening about how it would go since this is the first year that Loudoun Community Media was offering the awards,” librarian Patti Bagdasarian said. “I was impressed by the entire program, from the reception beforehand, to the emcee (News 4 Bureau Chief!), to the high level and involvement of the sponsors, but most importantly, how they created this program to honor the commitment, hard work, and excellence of our student journalist. It wasn’t lost on me that Scarlett won for an interview of Dr. Hatrick in the building where he started and spent much of his career.” Bagdasarian not only attended the event, but helped Ashford produce her podcast with the library’s recording equipment.

Loudoun Now hosts first annual ‘Excellence in Journalism Awards’

Taylor Helfer, Editor-in-Chief
June 12, 2025
Biggest changes to the grading policy for 2025-26

Biggest changes to the grading policy for 2025-26

Taylor Helfer, Editor-in-Chief
June 12, 2025

ICE should not be allowed in schools

Taylor Helfer, Editor-in-Chief
June 12, 2025
Spring crossword: April Fools' Edition

Spring crossword: April Fools’ Edition

Taylor Helfer, Editor-in-Chief
April 10, 2025
Juniors Ellie Smith, Emerson Gatlin, and Anna Giudice stand together holding the district championship trophy. Smith, Gatlin, and Giudice are a part of the swim team, who have broken multiple school records this year. Photo courtesy of @emerson.gatlin on Instagram

Exchange student Anna Giudice breaks several school records alongside swim team

Taylor Helfer, Editor-in-Chief
April 5, 2025
Sophomore Eimile Abbott and senior Sofia Habibzai work together to create Valentine’s Day cards to send to the Spring Arbor retirement home. Women in Entrepreneurship hopes to create an environment for innovation, collaboration, and growth through crafts and other activities.

Club Spotlight

Karan Singh and Taylor Helfer
March 26, 2025
Collin Diem performs a solo, “Words Fail,” from "Dear Evan Hansen." All of the performances by choir members raise money for the choral program for a variety of activities, such as scholarships, equipment, and other needs. Anyone who was unable to attend but still wishes to help the choral program can make donations via check, delivered or mailed to LCHS. Photo by Taylor Helfer.

LCHS Choir hosts “Heroes and Villains” cabaret

Taylor Helfer, Editor-in-Chief
March 12, 2025
This hot chocolate from Goosecup, has not only a pretty exterior, but a hint of cinnamon and a creamy composition, making this a rich, chocolate-y beverage for a cold day. Goosecup has been open since 2021 and serves a variety of hot and cold beverages, and is open well after school ends to make it a perfect study spot.

Search for the perfect hot chocolate for a cold day

Taylor Helfer, Editor-in-chief
February 11, 2025
(Left to Right) Junior Nathaniel White, retired Latin teacher Lynn Krepich, senior Caroline VanEpps, freshman Linden Rosati, senior Pierson Lee, junior Emma Hawkins, junior Nik Scuric, junior Mark Giardina, and junior Taylor Helfer stand in front of the Latin club car at the Trunk or Treat event on October 29. Under the sponsorship of Spanish teacher Matthew Landers, the Latin club has been able to keep the Roman culture alive through arts and crafts, events, such as Trunk or Treat, and mythology.

Club feature: UNICEF, Latin, Math Captains

Taylor Helfer and Karan Singh
January 17, 2025
Cast members (L to R), including senior Frey Williams, sophomore Grace Allred, freshman Sami Pearson, junior Nate Wolf, sophomore Eli Kaywork, sophomore Emma Barts, junior Carson Phillips, senior Amaris Paranjattu, freshman Milania Ruparelia, junior Keira Pulley, and senior Jamie-Faye McKnight take a bow on the first night of the show in addition to commemorating crew members working behind the scenes. Photo by Taylor Helfer.

Captains Playhouse invites audience to determine the outcome of the fall play

Taylor Helfer, Editor-In-Chief
January 17, 2025
Spotlight on electives

Spotlight on electives

Taylor Helfer, Editor-In-Chief
January 17, 2025
Media outlets should not have a political stance

Media outlets should not have a political stance

Taylor Helfer, Editor-In-Chief
October 28, 2024
(From left to right) Junior Nur Mustafa, senior Beaunita Nith, club sponsor Tracy Webster, junior Elizabeth Geidl, freshman Alexia Boyer, junior Eva Moore, junior Kathia Gaitan-Montoya, junior Ima Mazhar and junior Karen Jimenez dress up in recycled materials to show their goal of sustainability at the Homecoming parade on September 19. Environmental club prides itself on focusing on volunteerism to reach their goal of making sustainability the standard.

Club Spotlight: FCA, Environmental, and ASL Clubs

Taylor Helfer and Karan Singh
October 28, 2024
Senior Jack Beard pitches in a game at Riverside on March 11. Beard has recently committed to Marymount University to play Division III baseball.

Athlete of the Issue

Taylor Helfer, Managing Editor
June 6, 2024
Seniors Sofia Alzate and Pia Patel hold their bouquets at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. Alzate and Patel did not attend the actual dance at the Dulles Marriott but instead opted to get together with friends at Washington D.C. Photo courtesy of Sophia Casciano. “Having a night out in DC with my friends was much easier to do,” Alzate said. “The cost of a prom ticket was pricey, and going to DC with friends was a much more flexible option.”

Upperclassmen skip the dance, head elsewhere for pictures

Taylor Helfer, Managing Editor
May 30, 2024
Several books fill the shelves and tables at the front of the Birch Bookstore. Further back into the building, more book genres are available as well as several plants or knick knacks for purchase.

A Night in Downtown

Taylor Helfer and Sophia Casciano
May 28, 2024
Search for the perfect sunny day picnic spot

Search for the perfect sunny day picnic spot

Evelyn Kuzminski and Taylor Helfer
April 6, 2024
(From Left to Right) Cat Pizzarello, Fallon Fetterolf, and Michael Tafe stand together after qualifying for the State Championships. The three distance runners are all participating in Cross Country, Indoor track and Track and Field seasons.

Fallon Fetterolf excels on the track

Taylor Helfer, Managing Editor
April 6, 2024
Correction for Quarter 4 issue

Correction for Quarter 4 issue

Taylor Helfer, Managing Editor
March 28, 2024
ROTC Inspections: A Deeper Look

ROTC Inspections: A Deeper Look

Taylor Helfer, Managing Editor
March 6, 2024

Fentanyl overdoses: don’t wait for a solution, be the solution

Taylor Helfer, Managing Editor
February 1, 2024
Senior Ryan Colavita and his date, Rock Ridge senior, Hayley Sutton. Photo courtesy of Hayley Sutton (@hayleyysutton on Instagram).

NJROTC hosts annual Military Ball

Taylor Helfer, Managing Editor
February 1, 2024

Taylor Swift should take over the world

Taylor Helfer, Managing Editor
January 31, 2024
Sabrina Simpkins and Emily Pyle pose with their 2023 VHSL State Championship trophy. Simpkins is a County cheerleader and gymnast. Photo courtesy of Sabrina Simpkins on Instagram. (@sabrina.bina256)

Athlete of the Issue

Taylor Helfer, Managing Editor
January 8, 2024
Emma Janusko (left), Lindsey Johansen (middle) and Jane Garvey (right), engage in field hockey gameplay against Woodgrove. Johansen is a captain on the field hockey team, leading her team to a successful season.

Athlete of the Issue: Captain Lindsey Johansen leads field hockey team to success

Taylor Helfer, Managing Editor
November 5, 2023
The “Penne Primavera” which features penne pasta, asparagus, mushrooms and other vegetables is one of the many favored dishes at Sweetwater Tavern. Sweetwater Tavern is one of the many expensive, but worth it, places to dine after graduation.

Search for the Best After Graduation Restaurant

Taylor Helfer, Staff Writer
June 5, 2023

Life after high school: Alumni reminisce on high school experiences and offer advice to current students

Taylor Helfer, Staff Writer
June 10, 2023

Disney should research to better represent Disney princesses

Taylor Helfer, Staff Writer
May 29, 2023

Student artist Jocelyn Ortiz perseveres through roadblocks in her art career

Taylor Helfer, staff writer
May 26, 2023

Students struggle after Covid-19 Pandemic

Taylor Helfer, Staff Writer
May 5, 2023

Search for the Best Local Environmentally Friendly Restaurant

Taylor Helfer, staff writer
March 31, 2023

Sidebar: Eras of Drama

Taylor Helfer, staff writer
March 31, 2023
Collin Diem (left) and Gabe Cunnington (right) sing and pose during the performance of “Seussical” at Simpson Middle School. Diem is a freshman participating in Loudoun County’s productions and performances. Photo by Collin Diem.

Artist of the Issue: Music captures the heart of musician and performer, Collin Diem

Taylor Helfer, Staff Writer
March 15, 2023
Emily Banner plays both the bassoon and the piano for P.D.Q. Bach’s “Sonata Abassoonata'' at the same time during a faculty meeting. Banner had principal Michelle Luttrell play along with the piece’s satirical theme by announcing that the pianist was unavailable and Banner would be playing both parts.

Artist of the issue

Taylor Helfer, staff writer
December 15, 2022
“Fall Back” For Daylight Saving Time

“Fall Back” For Daylight Saving Time

Taylor Helfer, staff writer
November 12, 2022
Milestones in photography history

Milestones in photography history

Taylor Helfer, staff writer
November 9, 2022
Caption: Juniors Jana Sami and Cora Wildman pose in a photo taken by Liza Pavlenko. The photo captures the often indie and moody vibes that characterize Pavlenko's photography.

Artist of the Issue

Taylor Helfer, staff writer
October 30, 2022
Coach Rudy and Coach Beck pose in front of the cafeteria while stretching before practice for the day. Rudy and Beck both joined the cross country team this year as assistant coaches.

Cross country team welcomes new coaches

Taylor Helfer and Alexa Sterner
October 22, 2022
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