August 5, 2026

Memorial High School’s Science Fair Winner Built A Lie Detector That Exposed Teachers

Memorial High School’s Science Fair Winner Built A Lie Detector That Exposed Teachers

Senior Ryan Chen’s “Truth-O-Matic 3000” device, originally created to detect when his little sister stole his snacks, accidentally revealed that 87% of teacher excuses like “The copier was down” and “I forgot to grade those” were complete fabrications. The machine’s damning evidence – including catching Principal Hendricks claiming he “definitely read all those emails” – was hastily disqualified on “ethical concerns,” though not before the student body started a petition to install detectors in every classroom. Chen has since been banned from faculty meetings but received a secret cash prize from the PTA president, whose “my dog ate the meeting minutes” excuse registered as the biggest lie of all.

Annabelle Bransford

Hi, I’m Annabelle Bransford, Memorial High School’s unofficial satirist-in-residence and proud founder of The Daily Detention—a publication so edgy it’s been banned twice and resurrected three times, like a sassy phoenix with a flair for detention slips. I write satire because someone has to hold the line between cafeteria chaos and gym class tyranny. Whether I’m exposing the secret emotional feud between our Algebra teacher and Euclid, or investigating why the pep rally feels like an ancient ritual sacrifice, I try to speak truth to hallway power. Sure, I’ve been called “disruptive,” but mostly by people who wear lanyards unironically. My work has been read by at least two janitors, my entire AP English class, and one substitute teacher who thought it was a cry for help. I consider that range. When I’m not sharpening my wit, I’m dodging group projects, winning banned book club trivia, or mentoring the school's AI Isn’t Funny Club (membership: just me and 17 bots I’ve emotionally manipulated). I’m also a National Merit Semi-Finalist, certified eye-roller at Student Government meetings, and the only girl in school who’s been accused of “weaponizing irony.” My goals? Keep writing, keep laughing, and one day publish a satirical exposé called Yearbook Superlatives and Other Lies. If you want something sugarcoated, try the bake sale. If you want the truth with a punchline, I’m your girl. I've landed a sweet job at Bohiney Magazine, so don't bother me. EMAIL: annabelle@bohiney.com

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