The Acta Diurna

Αγαιπα: A Love Letter to Altamont's Classical Languages

Latin was intoxicating, as if the language emitted some fantastic, sticky scent, luring me in...

Injured Altamont Student Wants You To Learn From His Example, Not Repeat It

Everything can change in a moment. Sophomore Caden Williams considers himself lucky his and other lives didn't change even more after a car accident "woke him up." And he has a message for you or any young drivers you know.

Frasier Horton, Altamont's New Art Critic Doesn't Hold Back

"If you’ve ever walked down the art-adorned upstairs hallway, you may have seen the painting with the green background and 'amazing' assortments of doodles. Let me be frank, that is the worst painting I’ve ever seen in my entire life." That's just a small taste of Frasier Horton's thoughts on the subject. Click "Read more" for the rest.

Do We Theater Students Even Exist?

Theater has been a crucial part of The Altamont School since its establishment in 1975. Over the years, the desire to be a theater student has never diminished, but according to Managing Editor and recent Fame Jr. cast member Margaret Schedler, support from the student body and administration has dwindled. She says this stems from a lack of knowledge, so she offers a behind-the-curtain look at what theater students face.

Altamont's XR Youth Rebels Against Chase Bank; Join Us!

Birmingham Alabama’s chapter of Extinction Rebellion Youth led a protest against Chase Bank on November 19th outside Pizitz Food Hall downtown. We held a homemade banner “Chase Banking on Climate Chaos” and we screamed, “We want you to panic! Chase is destroying our future!”

Frasier Horton: If Bo Nix Had Been in the Iron Bowl, Auburn Would Have Won

According to Sports Editor and Columnist Frasier Horton, if Bo Nix had played in the Iron Bowl, it might have been a blowout.

Altamont's Winter Concert: "Their Combined Skill Is Undeniable"

On Thursday night, the music classes at The Altamont School put on a Winter Concert. It was an hour and a half of thrilling composition.

Orlando Thompson's "Memorials for Souls Can't Go Home" Changed How I View Contemperary Art

The Birmingham gallery VINEGAR hosted artist Orlando Thompson on Friday night. "Orlando’s" show was an interactive experience called “Memorial for Souls Can’t Go Home.” According to allevents.in, the piece was intended to explore themes of “grief, systematic racism, and the density of the human soul.” During a presentation for students at The Altamont School, Orlando stated simply, after taking a deep breath, “it’s about trauma.”

Equal Means Equal Everywhere, Even the Battlefield

Eighth-Grader Lottie Kanter thinks that if men could be drafted into military action, women should face the same possibility.

They Were Rich and Black in Birmingham: Remembering the Raglands through Artifacts

Altamont's Margaret Schedler spent the summer immersed in history, including artifacts from one of Birmingham's founding black families, which made a deep impression she wanted to share.

The Case for More Animal Protein in The Altamont Diner’s Flex Line

The flex line is a place where anyone can go to explore healthier options, but Joe Porter believes the flex line could use more animal protein.

Here We Go Again

The Acta Diurna's Frasier Horton on the Tyre Nichols killing.

Does Altamont Lack School Spirit?

Akshay Gaddamanugu and George Benson think we do lack school spirit. Read their thoughts on their not-quite-scientific poll and let us know if you agree.

Andrew Herrin on "Don't Say Gay" Law and LGBTQ Education

Andrew Herrin shares thoughts on personal battles with identity, current politics, and how Alabama schools handle LGBTQ education.

Why it's so Hard to Sue Trucks Carrying Rocks

When your car has been hit by a rock thrown from a truck it's hard to sue the people responsible. Altamont's Emily Isbell dives into why.

How Intelligent Is Relying on Artificial Intelligence?

You might've heard of ChatGPT and artificial intelligence. Even if you haven't, you will. Acta Diurna guest contributor Vivaan Dudeja breaks down some of the pros and cons of this revolutionary technology.

What Is Microsoft Feeding Us?

Acta Diurna editor and writer Andrew Herrin thinks the pages we see when we sign into our Microsoft browsers are more harmful to students than people realize. He dives into potential dangers of the feed, including its "likes" and "dislikes."

Altamont Travels Back to Ancient China

The Acta Diurna's Jack Hoover describes and reviews Altamont's recent Mandarin Fashion Show.

Screens Are Making Americans Less Healthy

Studies show strong correlations between screen time and health problems. The Acta Diurna's Joe Porter argues that's no coincidence.

XF, USFL, and NFL: It's a New Playing Field for Football League Competition

The Acta Diurna's Jack Hoover takes a deep dive into the American football ecosystem and even puts a daring prediction in writing.

Did a Race Stop the French Protests?

Alden DuMontier was in France recently and has a theory as to why massive French protests stopped.

For the Record: 60 Years of History Preserved in Paper

The Acta Diurna's Alden DuMontier interviews Nancy Smith, his grandmother, about her prized newspaper and the changes in how we get our information.

Opinion: For Balance, Altamont Needs a Conservative Speaker, Too

If you've been reading this publication over the last three years, you know Frasier Horton writes what he thinks. And he thinks that, for balance, Altamont should invite a well-known conservative speaker to address the student body.

Opinion: The Birmingham Area Needs Better Public Transportation

The Acta Diurna's A.J. Gallitz recently took a trip to a city with legit public transportation, and it got her thinking (and looking into Birmingham's subpar situation). Read her thoughts and share your own.