![Math teacher Austin Bennett observes seventh period students step to the board to solve Equation of Circle problems May 2. Bennett has been teaching for a total of four years, with only two of those years spent as a Jag. He hopes after his time as a high school teacher to become a professor. "[College math] is more challenging, and it's good to challenge yourself," Bennett said.](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_0147-1200x900.jpg)
![Varsity girls soccer midfielder Leah Sheahan ‘24 hugs a friend during the Senior Night celebrations before the home game against Mountain Vista High School (MVHS) at Echo Park Stadium April 29. During Senior Night, seniors were given flowers and the opportunity to walk out and take pictures with their family as their future plans and favorite memories were announced over the speakers. The Jags tied 0-0, losing the Continental League Championship. “We were obviously the stronger team but just couldn’t find a way to score, but otherwise our connection and our intensity was really high so I’m proud of that. We just have to find the net,” defense midfielder Clara Geuzaine ‘24 said. “[Losing League] wasn’t the best. It’s better than last year and like, I know our team and we are doing really good. I don’t want to jinx it but like hopefully [we’ll do] good [in playoffs].”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Copy-of-DSC_4277-1-1200x868.jpg)
![In room 4101, Natalie Patterson ‘26, Ariana Magor ‘25 and Celina Salazar ‘25 create a poster in science teacher Kerry Reilly’s Chemistry Honors April 18. The three completed a worksheet and drawing to explain the implosion of a tank for their unit on gas laws. “At the start of class, we watched a video of the tank imploding,” Patterson said. “I think [making a drawing] is something new. I like more artsy activities.”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_5019-1200x900.jpeg)
![The junior class boos freshman during the opening assembly on the morning of Aug. 23. Booing has been a long-standing tradition during assemblies, but talks of shifting it to cheering have recently circulated the school. "[Freshmen are] expecting to come in with everyone supporting them and us booing them makes them upset and sad," Daksha Gopalakrishnan ‘25 said. "I think it has a negative effect on them, they won’t be able to feel welcome or anything like that."](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/DSC_5940-1200x800.jpg)
In the weeks leading up to Dec. 28, 32-year-old Gypsy-Rose Blanchard’s name became inescapable online.
From thousands of videos anticipating her prison release on TikTok to countless news articles about her story, she seemed to be everywhere.
This resurgence in her popularity and her case left many wondering: who is Gypsy-Rose Blanchard, and what’s her story?
Born in Louisiana on July 27, 1991, Gypsy-Rose Blanchard spent the first 24 years of her life as a victim of Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSbP), which is categorized as a form of parental child abuse in which a caregiver creates fictitious health issues for their child.
Blanchard’s mother, Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard, subjected Gypsy-Rose to years of control under MSbP. In addition, she malingered off of Gypsy-Rose’s illnesses for financial gain, such as a new house, Make-a-Wish trips and more.
Blanchard endured this abuse until 2015, when she plotted to murder her mother with her ex-boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn, in a plight of her situation of abuse.
The murder, planned by Blanchard, was carried out by Godejohn. After the murder, she and Godejohn escaped to Wisconsin, where they were eventually discovered by police.
Blanchard was charged with second-degree murder and sentenced to 10 years in prison with parole in 2016 at Chillicothe Correctional Facility in Missouri.
After serving eight years in prison, and sparse media appearances throughout her sentence, Blanchard was released on Dec. 28, drawing attention back to her story, with mixed reactions from the public.
Several people anticipated her release, prematurely boosting her into internet stardom, while critics remained vocal with their disdain for Gypsy-Rose.
“I think it’s crazy because she literally was in prison for 10 years and now she’s, you know, doing interviews and she has multiple social media accounts. I think a lot of people think she’s really iconic and stuff, but they’re also kind of obsessed with her. And they don’t really give her boundaries,” Cierra Lorenz ‘26 said.
Blanchard sprung to stardom only hours after her release in December. She has opened several social media accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and more, amassing large followings.
She also released a six-hour Lifetime TV special titled “The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard,” as well as a memoir titled “Released: Conversations on the Eve of Freedom.”
Blanchard’s active online presence and various media appearances have brought a surge of attention to her, but only time will tell where she’ll head in the future.
