The School Newspaper of Winston Churchill High School.

The Observer
The School Newspaper of Winston Churchill High School.

The Observer
The School Newspaper of Winston Churchill High School.

The Observer

Ela Jalil, Online Editor-in-Chief

Ela Jalil is a senior and the Online Editor-In-Chief. This is her fourth year taking journalism. Outside of the Observer, Ela enjoys advocacy work, and is an officer of the English Honors Society. Ela loves watching rom-coms and sit-coms (especially “Clueless” and “Parks and Rec”) as well as hanging out with friends. She is so excited to have her final year in journalism be in-person!

All content by Ela Jalil

Athlete of The Month: Mariam Coulibaly

By Ela Jalil, Online Editor-in-Chief
July 19, 2022
Ashwani Jain is an alumnus of Winston Churchill High School and graduated in 2007. Now he is running for the position of Maryland's governor.

Former WCHS student runs for Governor

By Ela Jalil and Maya Bhattiprolu
May 8, 2022
A concerned student protests a couple's display of affection in the hallway.

Affection deflection: SOLO students kiss PDA good-bye

By Ela Jalil, Head of Party Planning Committee
April 4, 2022
To all those looking for romantic advice, this new column from the Love Doctors themselves is sure to prove useful!

Dear Observer romance gurus,

By Ela Jalil and Nur Yavuz
April 4, 2022
“The Batman” released on Mar 4, 2022 to critical acclaim. Starring Robert Pattison as the titular character, this movie promises to be the darkest Batman film to date.

DC returns with vengeance: “The Batman” is a box office success

By Ela Jalil, Online Editor-in-Chief
March 29, 2022
WCHS senior Gabriella Ward enjoys taking her pictures outdoors.

Student Art Spotlight: Gabriella Ward

By Ela Jalil, Editor-in-Chief
March 17, 2022
This student made poster promotes the new APIDA Studies course being implemented in MCPS next year. Seven pilot schools including WCHS will offer this class.

New course highlights Asian-American diversity

By Ela Jalil, Online Editor-in-Chief
February 25, 2022
Starring Rebel Wilson, "Isn't It Romantic" is a satirical take on the overplayed cliches of romantic comedies.

Valentine’s watchlist

By Ela Jalil and Olivia Yasharoff
February 13, 2022
Cafeteria manager Brenda Tam distributes a variety of lunch options to students. Although all options are free, they are required to get a meal and a fruit to make sure they get all of the nutrients they need.

MCPS dishes out free lunches to all students

By Ela Jalil, Online Editor-in-Chief
January 2, 2022
Nina Dobrev stars as Natalie Bauer, an unlucky with love journalist who is taken on a journey of romance and self acceptance. Released on Nov. 5 2021, "Love Hard" is a diverse watch for the holidays.

Netflix’s “Love Hard” can be hard to watch

By Ela Jalil, Online Editor-in-Chief
December 9, 2021
WCHS Art History and Ceramic Sculpture teacher Leonard Dermont is the November 2021 TOTM, an award he earned through his engaging lessons and close connections with students.

Teacher of the Month: Leonard Dermont

By Ela Jalil, Online Editor-in-Chief
December 1, 2021
Taylor seated in his office with a copy of The Churchill Observer from when he worked as an administrator at WCHS.

Meet Principal Taylor

By Ela Jalil and Olivia Yasharoff
October 26, 2021
Election features Reese Witherspoon as Tracy Flick as an overachiever willing to do whatever it takes, with only one person willing to stand in her way being her history teacher played by Matthew Broderick. This is an iconic high school movie that all seniors should watch before graduation.

Top 10 movies to watch before graduation

By Ela Jalil, Online Editor in Chief
June 2, 2021
Chloé Zhao, Director of "Nomadland," made Oscar history as the first woman of color to be nominated and to win an Academy Award for best director. Zhao is also only the second female director to win an Oscar since Kathryn Bigelow for "The Hurt Locker" in 2010.

Missed the show? These are the best and worst moments of the 93rd Oscars

By Ela Jalil and Olivia Yasharoff
May 3, 2021
WCHS's Model UN team is hosting their first ever conference in April. Students and teachers work together to make this event a reality.

WCHS prepares to host its first Model UN conference

By Ela Jalil, News Editor
March 16, 2021
"Clueless" is a 90s classic rom com that revolves around Cher (Alicia Silverstone) a Beverly Hills teen. Friendship was also an important theme with her hanging out with Tai (Brittany Murphy), and Dionne (Stacey Dash) for the majority of the movie.

The best rom-coms to watch during the Valentine’s Day season

By Ela Jalil, News Editor
February 14, 2021
Due to virtual school, snow days may become obsolete- and that's a good thing.

Snow days are not logical during virtual learning

By Ela Jalil, News Editor
January 27, 2021
2020 has been a crazy year filled with events from the coronavirus to social justice movements, to a contentious election.

2020 wrap up

By Trevor Gardemal and Ela Jalil
December 22, 2020
Hallmark movies made history when they included their first gay couple on screen. Although last year Hallmark underwent controversy for not allowing a commercial of gay people to air on their channel, hallmark is making progress.

Best “Hallmark” movies to watch this Christmas

By Ela Jalil, News Editor
December 15, 2020
Students gather together on Zoom to celebrate their induction into the Math Honors Society. COVID has forced Honors Societies to come up with innovative ways to maintain their usual traditions.

Honors Societies induction ceremonies connect members during virtual learning

By Ela Jalil, News Editor
November 30, 2020
WCHS's name has undergone scrutiny after a petition created by Students for Real Heroes created a petition asking for a name change.

WCHS’s name should be changed

By Ela Jalil, News Editor
October 21, 2020
As of June 2020, there were over 24 million posts for the #blackouttuesday. However, posting a black square for the Black Lives Matter movement is unhelpful and should not be a trend.

Black Lives Matter is not an Instagram trend

By Ela Jalil, News Editor
June 26, 2020
Senior Michael Castelli has been using dance as a way to cope during quarantine. Him and his friend have started teaching dance classes to help others stay active during this time.

WCHS students stay active during quarantine

By Ela Jalil, News Editor
May 29, 2020
Students from all around the county came together to attend the virtual town hall hosted by councilman Tom Hucker. The town hall featured many different student activist groups, smob candidates, and student journalists

MCPS student town hall meeting discusses school closures

By Ela Jalil, Assistant News Editor
May 13, 2020
Feminine products should be free...period.

Feminine products should be free…period.

By Ela Jalil, Assistant News Editor
March 3, 2020
The cast of "Radium Girls" celebrates after the opening night of the show. The play debuted on Feb. 14 and was performed five times.

“Radium Girls” radiates strong messages with female leads

By Ela Jalil, Assistant News Editor
March 3, 2020
Dove chocolates are the perfect treat for both you and your friends to enjoy on Valentines Day.

Calling all single ladies: put your hands up for GALentine’s Day

By Ela Jalil, Assistant News Editor
February 13, 2020
Senior Noah Rutberg has been swimming since he was nine years old, and now he has qualified for the 2020 Olympic Trials.

Athlete of the Month: Noah Rutberg

By Ela Jalil, Assistant News Editor
February 1, 2020
Many students like Austin Betz (above) took advantage of the popularity of Maryland Tik Toks, and made a viral video that got on many students for you pages.

Maryland has gone viral on Tik-Tok: scary or beneficial?

By Ela Jalil and Olivia Yasharoff
January 14, 2020
The organization Extinction Rebellion holds a climate strike outside the World Bank in Washington DC. Many students have become climate activists over the decade and attend these protests.

Best of 2010’s

By Maya Bhattiprolu and Ela Jalil
December 27, 2019
The movie poster from the classic "Home Alone" holiday movie draws viewers in. The movie is a fan favorite and a must see during the holiday season.

It’s time to movie into the holiday spirit

By Ela Jalil, Assistant News Editor
December 27, 2019
Senior Michael Castelli started dancing when he was entering high school, and is completely self trained. He is the co dance captain of BLAST and Showstoppers, as well as a choreographer in the school musical Legally Blonde.

Student Art Spotlight: Michael Castelli

By Ela Jalil, Assistant News Editor
December 3, 2019
Officer Amy Homrock is the school's SRO, which is part of a program that the police and school have to keep students safe

Shooting threat sparks community response

By Ela Jalil, Assistant News Editor
November 15, 2019
Ben Platt stars in the new hit dramedy, The Politician. The first season is available on Netflix.

The Politician embodies current political issues

By Ela Jalil, Assistant News Editor
October 26, 2019
Amanda Marshall (right) and Erin Brown (left) have been friends at WCHS for almost 13 years, and enjoy many afterschool activites together

Friendship between teachers strengthens WCHS community

By Ela Jalil, Assistant News Editor
October 8, 2019
Freshman Aliki Dimitoglou works on the chromebook. Taking Health online is one of the three choices that tenth graders have to complete their mandatory credit.

Summer health program clears up space in schedules

By Ela Jalil, Assistant News Editor
June 10, 2019
Rebel Wilson is the main character in the new movie, “Isn’t It Romantic” which came out on February 13.

Isn’t It Romantic inspires viewers

By Ela Jalil, Staff Writer
March 14, 2019
Load More Stories
Menu
Activate Search
Home
Ela Jalil