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The official student news site of Highlands High School

The Hilltopper

The official student news site of Highlands High School

The Hilltopper

The official student news site of Highlands High School

The Hilltopper

Humans of Highlands

Ellie Niese (11)  poses for a picture in front of the sunset (Taken by Jude Borden).

Eliana Niese shapes hearts for the better

Edy Hobson and Hope Darnell October 23, 2025

Highlands High School student Eliana Niese (11) earned a medical patent that allows her to work towards a medical device that assists in preventing heart failure. The idea originated during Niese’s time...

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The OZONE cheers on the team against rival, Covington Catholic, on Oct. 3, 2025.

School Spirit meets disrespect: refreshment of OZONE expectations

Gabby Houze, Jordan Cole, and Lindsey Berning October 21, 2025

The OZONE cheers on the team against rival, Covington Catholic, on Oct. 3, 2025.Light beams down onto the football field as the clock ticks closer to kickoff. The football players warm up, getting ready...

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Liam Downie smiles for the camera at a football game (photo provided by Liam Downie).

Liam Downie levels up at the collegiate level

Audrina Trauth, Photo Assistant October 21, 2025

Highlands High School has seen many talented kids over the years in the journalism and publications classes. In 2021, while a new class started their high school journey, the publications program gained...

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Strings students perform their fall concert

Alecia Cogsville, Photo Assistant October 20, 2025

On October 16, 2025, the strings students at Highlands walked onto the stage to perform their first concert of the school year. The concert included both high school and advanced middle school students....

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Photo of ChatGPT start screen- users can ask a nearly infinite number of questions to help with many topics.

Artificial Intelligence transforms the English department

Jude Freppon, Joshua deSylva, and Peytan Rice October 20, 2025

“How’s the essay coming along for you?” A student asks. “Wait, what?” his friend replies, confused. Just then, he remembers he still had to wrap up an essay due tomorrow. Dread and worry fills...

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Ella Cunningham (‘25) is congratulated by her friends after winning homecoming queen at the football game (Provided by Ella Cunningham).

Highlands students work to create a beautiful Homecoming for all

Amelia Graves, Priscilla Alford, and Kinley Manning October 16, 2025

Lights shine bright and glimmer off suits and sparkly dresses on the dance floor, and the air is thick with excitement and nervousness as the music fills the ballroom. It's a night of celebration, one...

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Kara Laber (11) poses with her friends at last year’s homecoming. (Provided by Kara Laber)

Students look for perfect dress for homecoming season

Jillian Alverson, Hannah Zilliox, and Tevaeh Kallmeyer October 15, 2025

Every October, girls struggle to find their homecoming dresses. It’s discussed for weeks: the store, the color, the style. Friends influence each other's dresses, from words of advice to shopping together....

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Homecoming proposals never go out of style as students and teachers participate such as, Physics teacher Gordon Hallmark, his significant other Emily McGurn, Jack Heilman (12), Miley Williams (11), Phoebe Underhill (10), and Joe Oswald (11) (photo provided by Hallmark, Heilman, and Underhill).

Sweet Homecoming proposals: persuade students to go annual dance

Savannah Teismann, Ella Lesseuer, and Tatianah Cannady October 14, 2025

Phoebe Underhill (10) was getting ready to get ice cream with her boyfriend, Joe Oswald. The moment she walked through the door, the fresh scent of newly picked roses flew through the air. As she glanced...

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Natalie Heingardener celebrates after Tenley Graves scores a goal against Sacred Heart High School.

Student athletes break the silence about mental health

Maycee Webster, Mary Messmer, and Kennedy Hay October 10, 2025

By the time student athletes get home, they are exhausted. They might feel as if they are expected to go, with hardly ever taking a break. From late games to early practices, students are short of sleep,...

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Suicide Prevention tips are posted around the school.

Staff works to educate teens on suicide awareness

Vera Knight, Ava Purcell, and Ava Chadderton October 9, 2025

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in teens worldwide. According to the Jed Foundation, 12.5 million people between the ages of 18 and 25 experienced a mental, behavioral, or emotional health...

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