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the student news site of Winchester Thurston School

VOICES

  • September 30Legendary strikes bears once more as golden stallion makes an appearance.
  • May 20Freshman student finishes entire book; English department left in shock.
  • May 20Plaid launch party set for Tuesday, May 27 at City of Asylum.
  • May 20Molloy Posner Hall renovations set to begin on June 1.
  • May 20WT sends wide-ranging slate of runners to PIAA track and field championships.
  • May 20WT senior prank not as funny as when they made the library light fixture a fish tank.
  • October 28WT faces IRS audit over unreported bake sale income
  • November 22Voices Tries Out "Breaking News" System to Mixed Reviews
the student news site of Winchester Thurston School

VOICES

the student news site of Winchester Thurston School

VOICES

Zac Balk

Zac Balk, Co-Editor in Chief

Class of 26

I’ve been writing for Voices for three years. I love playing soccer and listening to music.

All content by Zac Balk
What Happened to College Football Quarterbacks?

What Happened to College Football Quarterbacks?

Zac Balk and Ian Becker September 30, 2025

If you’ve been following college football over the past year or so, you might have noticed something unusual: there have been very few elite quarterbacks. Almost every quarterback that fans have been...

Boys’ Lacrosse 2025 Season Recap

Boys’ Lacrosse 2025 Season Recap

Zac Balk, Sports Editor May 30, 2025

Going into the 2025 season, the WT boys’ lacrosse team had lots to improve upon. This year the boys’ lacrosse team welcomed the addition of over a dozen new players, many of which were freshmen who...

An (admittedly unrealistic) image of what we wish WT's breakfast for lunch looked like.

Breakfast for Lunch Review

Zac Balk, Sports Editor April 28, 2025

Thursday, April 24 was breakfast-for-lunch day here at WT. Since there are lots of mixed thoughts around breakfast-for-lunch day, I went around and asked students for their reviews of the menu. Waffles: The...

What Should be Done with the Lot?

What Should be Done with the Lot?

Ian Becker and Zac Balk March 14, 2025

By now, most everyone has noticed that the empty lot next to the high school building, which has remained vacant for years since WT purchased the land and demolished the house thereupon in 2021. Curious...

Deryck Leeper Announces Return to WT in 2025-26

Deryck Leeper Announces Return to WT in 2025-26

Ian Becker and Zac Balk March 14, 2025

After much speculation, WT treasure Deryck "Der Bear" Leeper (‘25) has announced his return to Winchester Thurston as he will be re-taking his senior year in 2025-26.   When we asked Deryck’s...

Image credit: Yahoo Sports

Frustration and Shortcomings: The Steelers and the Bills

Zac Balk, Sports Editor February 12, 2025

The Buffalo Bills and the Pittsburgh Steelers are two teams that are nothing short of integral to their respective cities’ identities. The fan bases are extremely devoted, and the cities themselves rise...

Thanksgiving Foods Power Rankings

Thanksgiving Foods Power Rankings

Zac Balk, Sports Editor November 25, 2024

As Thanksgiving fast approaches, here is this writer's ranking of the essential Thanksgiving foods: 1. Sweet Potato Casserole: Absolutely, without doubt, the best Thanksgiving food. And elevated...

Should Mike Tomlin be Fired?

Should Mike Tomlin be Fired?

Zac Balk, Sports Editor October 28, 2024

For years now, Steelers fans and general NFL fans alike have questioned whether Mike Tomlin’s job as Steelers head coach is on the ropes. True, he has never led the team to a losing season in his 16-season...

Meet Our New Athletic Director, Mr. John Rosa

Meet Our New Athletic Director, Mr. John Rosa

Zac Balk, Sports Editor September 30, 2024

This past week, I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing our new Athletic Director, Mr. John Rosa. With over 35 years of experience working in public schools, Mr. Rosa saw WT as a great new opportunity....

https://jetswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/66/2023/11/USATSI_21964416.jpg?w=1000&h=600&crop=1

Pre-Week 1 Fantasy Football

Ian Becker and Zac Balk September 9, 2024

*Written prior to any week 1 games*   Draft List   Breece Hall (RB, NYJ): Hall finished as the overall RB2 last year in one of the worst offenses in the league with Zach Wilson at...

WT Lacrosse Season Recap 2024

WT Lacrosse Season Recap 2024

Zac Balk, Sports Editor June 4, 2024

The Winchester Thurston Lacrosse team has had plenty of victories in previous seasons - most notably, a Western PA Boys Lacrosse Championship title (2007), not to mention a few years of consistent victories...

Why Music Leaks Matter

Why Music Leaks Matter

Zac Balk, Sports Editor June 4, 2024

Music leaks — when hackers or those in the artist’s inner-circle leak internet access to songs — have been common since the early internet and the establishment of listening platforms such as MySpace,...

Boys' Lacrosse 2024 Season Recap

Boys’ Lacrosse 2024 Season Recap

Zac Balk, Staff Writer May 22, 2024

The Winchester Thurston Boys' Lacrosse team has had plenty of victories in previous seasons - most notably, a Western PA Boys Lacrosse Championship title (2007), not to mention a few years of consistent...

https://ed100.org/blog/sleep

Should WT Delay Start Times?

Zac Balk, Staff Writer April 24, 2024

Recent studies at schools in Colorado, Connecticut, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Wyoming all suggest that later school start times significantly improve student motivation...

Predicting the First Round of the 2024 NFL Draft

Predicting the First Round of the 2024 NFL Draft

Zac Balk, Staff Writer April 1, 2024

The annual NFL draft is almost like a holiday for football fans. Your team gets young, exciting new prospects that you will get to watch develop for the coming years. This year, it will take place in Detroit...

Graphic by Marina Kozak via Getty Images

Comparing Mainstream and Conscious Rap Music

Zac Balk and Ian Becker March 4, 2024

Hip-hop music and culture were first created over fifty years ago in New York City. Over the decades, it would become one of the world’s most prominent music genres. And in the golden age of rap music,...

Steelers' 2023-24 Season Obituary

Steelers’ 2023-24 Season Obituary

Zac Balk, Staff Writer January 29, 2024

This season for the Pittsburgh Steelers was full of ups and downs, highlighted by a few breakout players, impressive rookies, and a playoff berth. The team started out with an easy schedule outside of...

The team celebrates team captain Jaromit Lozano as he prepares for a game.

A Look at Your 2023-24 Boys’ Basketball Team

Zac Balk and Sajaan Borrero December 15, 2023

This year’s Winchester Thurston Bears boys' basketball team is gearing up for an exciting season, with high hopes of clinching a coveted section title, and making a playoff run. With a talented roster...

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