August 5, 2026

The School’s Wi-Fi Blocks Educational Sites But Allows Flappy Bird

The School’s Wi-Fi Blocks Educational Sites But Allows Flappy Bird

Students at Memorial High School were baffled to discover the school’s Wi-Fi firewall blocks access to Wikipedia, JSTOR, and even the dictionary–yet somehow permits full, lag-free gameplay of the 2013 mobile sensation Flappy Bird. IT Director Mr. Jenkins defended the policy, stating, “We prioritize bandwidth for applications that build reflexes and resilience,” while silently setting a new high score during a faculty meeting. The computer science club has started a petition to unblock coding tutorials, but it’s gained fewer signatures than the student-led “Flappy Bird Finals Tournament” hosted in the back of study hall. Teachers have begrudgingly incorporated the game into physics lessons, using it to demonstrate concepts like velocity and frustration thresholds. Rumor has it the principal keeps a secret leaderboard in his office, though he denies it–allegedly while muttering, “Just one more try…” under his breath.

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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