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Op-Ed: Better language education in Chicago requires an earlier start
By Elena Whitford, Arts & Culture Editor This year, I was lucky enough to participate in Payton’s French exchange program. I’m taking AP French—I’m sure my foreign language skills are as good as a French teenager’s, I thought. But when my exchange student visited in October, I wasn’t just impressed by his English; I was… Read more
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Croissants, cafes and cultural immersion: Payton students go to Paris
By Elena Whitford, Arts & Culture Editor From March 7 to March 17, instead of sitting in AP Gov classrooms and attending scholastic bowl competitions, seventeen Payton students and three teachers completed the second half of their French language exchange: a trip to Paris, complete with daily field trips and stays with host families. After… Read more
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Writing the future of journalism: Paw Print recognized for excellence at SPAC awards
By Alexa Gola, Associate News & Features Editor Last Friday, members of The Paw Print Staff and Editorial Board took the CTA purple line up to Northwestern’s Evanston campus to attend the Scholastic Press Association of Chicago’s McCormick Foundation High School Media Competition awards ceremony. The event opened with a welcome from Medill Dean Charles… Read more
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Payton Pawdcast: Episode 1
In this episode of the Payton Pawdcast, Dr. Shabazz shares insights on guiding students through high school, reflects on the milestones she’s reached, and opens up about challenges, surprises, and memorable moments at Payton. Read more
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International Women’s Day: A global celebration in a time of uncertainty
By Madeleine Spanbauer, Editor-in-Chief March 8 is globally celebrated as International Women’s Day, a day to recognize women’s decades-long fight for equality. It brings women across the world together to focus on important issues such as reproductive freedom and gender-based discrimination. With over a century of International Women’s Day celebrations in the past, it’s vital… Read more
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![[Photo gallery] Sweetness Day 2025](https://paytonpawprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/dsc_0673.jpg?w=1024)
[Photo gallery] Sweetness Day 2025
By Charles Zimmer, Staff Photographer On March 3, advisories 601 and 602 went to Cummings Park for the annual Sweetness Day, a tradition that is held in high regard within the Payton community due to how it honors the charitable acts of Walter Payton. For this year’s Sweetness Day, these two advisories went to Cummings… Read more
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Staff Editorial: In Defense of a Student-led Sweetness Day
Payton High School’s Sweetness Day, honoring Walter Payton’s legacy, underwent changes in 2025. The administration assigned activities for underclassmen, while seniors chose their projects. Critics argue this shift diminished student initiative and meaningful engagement, prioritizing media attention over genuine community service. Read more
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“Party of Reagan” no more: the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting and a new GOP foreign policy
By Kieran Blake, Sports Editor I have mixed feelings about Ronald Reagan’s presidency. As a liberal, I dislike his tax cuts for the rich. I loathe the way he handled the racially-motivated War on Drugs. To this day, I question his role in the infamous Iran-Contra Affair. But I have to give him credit for… Read more
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Meet your 2025-26 LSC student representatives
Payton High School elected three new student representatives to its Local School Council (LSC) for 2025-26. The LSC oversees financial decisions, student behavior, and communication. Representatives aim to improve budgeting efficiency, enhance communication, and ensure student voices are heard Read more
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Marking five years since CPS shutdown: Students reflect on the impact of COVID-19
By Alexa Gola, Associate News & Features Editor On March 13, 2020, Gov. JB Pritzker issued a mandate closing all public schools in the state of Illinois in order to “mitigate the spread of coronavirus.” Schools were intended to reopen after a brief shutdown spanning March 17-31, but instead remained fully virtual through the first… Read more
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Pets at Payton Continued!!!
The Payton community shares a deep bond over their pets’ quirky personalities and the unconditional love they bring, creating cherished moments and lasting connections. Read more
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Hanging tough: How Payton student Alex Zhu Conquers the Climbing Wall
Alex Zhu excels at competitive boulder climbing, a rigorous sport that’s quickly growing in popularity Read more
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“They will come for you too”: Rose and the Rime’s gripping tale of love, loss, and loyalty (as portrayed by the Payton Players)
Rose and Rime: A Tale of Love, Loss, and Loyalty documented through pictures Read more
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Protecting Democracy: A visualization of the 2024 Democratic National Convention
Visualizing the 2024 Democratic National Convention and a recap Read more
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Flying high: A celebration of one of Chicago’s favorite yearly traditions
Six of the US Navy’s Blue Angels soar across the Chicago sky during practice for the city’s annual Air and Water Show. Read more
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