The news site of Glenbrook South High School.

The Oracle

The news site of Glenbrook South High School.

The Oracle

The news site of Glenbrook South High School.

The Oracle

Mackenzie Bill

Mackenzie Bill, Assistant Opinions Editor

Hello! My name is Mackenzie Bill and I am an Assistant Opinions Editor for The Oracle. This is my first year on EdBoard and my fourth year writing for The Oracle. Some things that I am involved in here at South are tennis, French club, TLC tutors, and SOAR. I am excited to have a great school year!

All content by Mackenzie Bill

High school is scary- and that’s okay

Mackenzie Bill, asst. opinions editor
May 20, 2022

I only remember one thing about my first day of freshman year of high school. I was really, really scared. I look back and see myself stumbling through the halls, lost during the passing period,...

Physical Activity Changes Mindset

Mackenzie Bill, asst. opinions editor
April 22, 2022

I’ve never been someone who jumps with joy when hearing the word “exercise.”  I used to grimace at this word because I associated it with uncomfortable and unenjoyable activities. I thought exercise...

Lets talk about menstruation

Let’s talk about menstruation

Mackenzie Bill and Olivia Perkins
March 18, 2022

Menstruation. Say it out loud. Find comfort in saying that word. Not “Aunt Flo,” “that time of the month,” or “shark week.” It’s a period. As highly-variable, healthy, and natural as periods...

Over-apologizing diminishes the significance of a sincere apology

Mackenzie Bill, asst. opinions editor
February 11, 2022

Bam!  Someone ran into me in the hallway. I saw them coming, eyes glued to their phone. I attempted to move out of the way but there were people on both sides of me. Immediately after we bumped shoulders,...

“The best years of your life can be any years of your life”

Dani Carr and Mackenzie Bill
December 17, 2021

Everyone tells us that senior year will be one of the most memorable years in our life, and sometimes, it lives up to this expectation.  Winning a tennis tournament, the homecoming football game, Halloween,...

Problematic grade comparisons

Mackenzie Bill, asst.opinions editor
November 12, 2021

I squeezed my eyes shut as a wave of frustration swept over me. My teacher had just passed back a math test, and immediately after seeing my score, I glanced at the scores of the people around...

It’s Okay To Feel Grief

Mackenzie Bill, asst. opinions editor
October 1, 2021

When coping with grief, it can feel like you’re all alone. At least, that's how I felt when I had to deal with it recently. When I was in the car with a friend a couple of weeks ago, we both realized...

Overcoming fears leads to learning new skills

Mackenzie Bill, columnist
May 21, 2021

Back in April, I had to virtually present a piece to my U.S. history class. My class consists of 25 people, some online and some in person. Before I presented, irrational thoughts swirled through my head.  What...

Oracle After Hours: A letter to my post-pandemic self

Oracle After Hours: A letter to my post-pandemic self

Mackenzie Bill, columnist
April 26, 2021

Recently, I wrote a letter to my post-pandemic self for my U.S. History class. I felt overwhelmed when I first faced this assignment because there was so much to reflect on.  Eventually, I was able...

Oracle After Hours: Into the unknown: fear of the future feels less unbearable knowing you are not alone

Oracle After Hours: Into the unknown: fear of the future feels less unbearable knowing you are not alone

Mackenzie Bill, columnist
February 11, 2021

People always told me that junior year would be the hardest year in high school, but I never believed them.  Until the start of second semester, my junior year was going pretty well. I had a fair amount...

Oracle After Hours: “While watching this film, I began to realize how much my phone has impacted my life.” The Social Dilemma, impacts and informs

Mackenzie Bill
November 19, 2020

It is fair to say that we all know we are on our phones more than ever right now. There is a pandemic and we are all stuck inside, so it is easier to get lost in the endless loop of social media.  Recently...

Oracle After Hours: The Dos and Donts of E-Learning

Oracle After Hours: The Dos and Don’ts of E-Learning

Mackenzie Bill, columnist
October 1, 2020

I have picked up some tips I would like to share about successes and failures during this year’s e-learning experience. By recognizing some positive and negative experiences that I have had during e-learning,...

Oracle After Hours: Self care in the time of COVID

Oracle After Hours: Self care in the time of COVID

Mackenzie Bill, columnist
May 21, 2020

The other day, I forgot if we had school or not because I was so wrapped up in the stress of COVID-19. This made me realize that not only caring for others but caring for ourselves during this time is...

It’s important to stay virtually connected to people during this time. Here’s why.

Mackenzie Bill, columnist
April 3, 2020

I am an extrovert. I love being surrounded by people I care about, and I always enjoy the company of others. Although going to school may not always appeal to me, I can always look forward to seeing my...

Talks About Future Careers Evokes Stress

Mackenzie Bill, columnist
March 16, 2020

I remember when I was in first grade and my class had to draw pictures of what we wanted to be when we grew up. Some kids drew astronauts because they wanted to reach for the stars, some drew superheroes...

Its almost spring break, so try to create a new experience

It’s almost spring break, so try to create a new experience

Mackenzie Bill, columnist
March 4, 2020

Although it may seem like we’re stuck in the spiral of cold and dreary winter, spring break is only 15 days away. You may have plans of traveling to exotic places or having a rejuvenating staycation....

Hidden benefits found in failure

Hidden benefits found in failure

Mackenzie Bill, columnist
December 20, 2019

Sitting in math class in 8th grade, I stared at the test my teacher had just given back to me. There was no way I could ignore what was right in front of me. I got the motherload of all bad grades, the...

Oracle After Hours: Lockers waste valuable space, unnecessary nowadays

Oracle After Hours: Lockers waste valuable space, unnecessary nowadays

Mackenzie Bill, columnist
November 6, 2019

In Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, there’s a scene where a boy is asking for spare change during passing period to save Ferris, and behind him are dozens of students stopping and talking at their lockers....

Illustration by Patsy Carolan

Extracurriculars reduce stress among GBS students

Mackenzie Bill, columnist
October 4, 2019

The warmth of the summer sun is still on your skin as you are thrown into this whirlwind called school. The indescribable feeling of being stuck inside for seven hours a day claws at your stomach. As the...

Holding a push stick to keep a piece of wood steady, sophomore Hunter Weisensel prepares to cut the wood for his project. There are four levels of woodworking offered at South.

Woodworking class provides real-world applications

Ella Naugle and Mackenzie Bill
May 24, 2019

Music, sawdust, and laughter fill the energetic atmosphere of the woodworking room, where students make projects and memories. Students feel the positive environment of the class and chat about their day...

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