Cullen Durant: General Assignment, Photographer

Maddy Grant: Sports, Editor

Lottie Kanter: Education, Editor

Claire Nichols: Sports, Arts & Culture, Environment

Mose Stephens: General Assignment, Arts & Culture, Sports

Aaradhya Vedre Kyanam: General Assignment, Health, Sports

Open to Change: Does Summer Reading Do What It’s Supposed To Do?

By Claire Nichols

Every summer, most academically rigorous schools give students a heaping pile of work to complete. Included in this is summer reading: the required reading of books, usually with related writing prompts. Specific required books are typically classics that are important for any educated person to understand. Often, there are choice books, too; students are provided with a list of books to choose from, in addition to the required books. Read More

Solution to Softness and Techs in the NBA: Eject the Refs!

By Maddy Grant

I’ve watched plenty of basketball games this season that were “manipulated” by the refs’ calls. One bad and unjust call will fire up any fan. I’m not a crazy fan, but I can’t stand watching games lately because the refs don’t allow the players to show enough passion. Basketball is all about beating your opponent, and there shouldn’t be a problem if you want to show out. It’s a competition. Basketball is the players’ job, and if they can’t show intense excitement, then it’s not as fun for them or the fans. Read More

Who Decides? Altamont’s Flu Closures Part of Bigger Picture

By Mose Stephens

Altamont was one of many schools hit hard by this season’s flu outbreak, and could be again next season, but the school has safeguards and regulations in place to slow down the effects. The Acta Diurna interviewed Altamont Head of School Cecil Stodghill about those procedures and how those difficult decisions are made. Read More

It’s Hard To Keep Up, But Here Are Some of Trump’s Important Executive Orders

By Lottie Kanter

Since taking office on January 20, President Donald Trump has issued a flood of executive orders. Though not as enduring as laws passed by Congress, because “EOs” can be rescinded by other presidents, they can affect people significantly. Read More

A Heart for Service: An Interview with Freshman Philanthropist Ethan Hill

By Cullen Durant

Years ago, after seeing a need with his own eyes, Altamont freshman Ethan Hill founded a nonprofit called Ethan’s Heart: Bags 4 Blessings, which provides care packages and food to homeless people in Birmingham. What started as sympathy for a homeless person grew into a fully functioning nonprofit. Ethan’s work has been recognized by civic groups and highlighted by news outlets including ABC 33/40 news and Al.com. The Acta Diurna interviewed Ethan to learn more about his work and the motivations behind it. Read More

Mavericks Made Massive Mistake with Luka Trade

By Aradhya Vedre Kyanam

Arguably one of the biggest trades in sports history happened last month. Star point guard, all-NBA player, perennial top-five scorer, and MVP candidate Luka Doncic was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers along with Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris for Anthony Davis, who I admit is a star, Max Christie, and the Laker’s 2029 first-round pick. This was a horrible move for the Dallas Mavericks. Read More

Long Name, Long Compelling Story: The Henry Debardeleben Neal Award

By Aubrey Sanders

If you ever want to discover Altamont’s history, all you have to do is look around. There are numerous awards, facilities, and programs named after Altamont alumni, benefactors, and others who left a positive impact on the community. The Cabaniss-Kaul Center, Patton Gym, C. Kyser Miree Ethical Leadership Center, Lily Field, or the J. Frank Rushton Cup are all named after people cemented in the school’s story. And then there’s the Henry Debardeleben Neal award, which was established to honor and remember the qualities of its namesake and the long-lasting impact he had on his school. Read More

STUDENT VIDEO POLL

Each year, Altamont’s seventh-grade English classes produce their own video version of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Watch the videos and take this anonymous poll to let us know which video you think is the best! The poll closes Monday, April 7.