Since the beginning of 2026, extensive information has been revealed, including a collection of controversies, arguments, and lawsuits. With protests against ICE all over the globe and public outcry to release the Epstein files, there is still more to uncover about the people, places, and secrets of the world. Even though the rest of the year is still unknown, the Central High School community had many predictions for the events to come in 2026.
Politics
2026 marks the second year of President Donald Trump’s second term, and so far, we’ve seen him kidnap the President of Venezuela, rename the Kennedy Center to the Trump Kennedy Center, build a 400 million dollar ballroom, and continue to push for much stronger action against immigration. With this agenda, he has continued to widen the divide between those who support him and those who don’t.
“I think politically there will be more fracturing in the republican party and more republican Trump supporters will become less involved with Trump,” Teacher Choi, an English Teacher at Central High School, said. “I wouldn’t want to say it’s gonna get worse because I’m an optimist, so I hope this is the worst it gets.”
Optimism is a good mindset, but many people don’t view the world in this way. After two years of the President’s second term, there have been a plethora of challenges related to his decisions. Anna Sanks, a senior at Central High School, has been very expressive of her views.
“I honestly do think we’re gonna impeach Trump after the midterm elections based on how negative people feel about him,” she said.
In response to the maliciousness of the MAGA movement, people have responded in peaceful ways such as protests, boycotts, and volunteering. However, the United States has a history of political violence, with 10 of our 46 presidents having had assassination attempts, and four of which were successful. After right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination and the two attempted assassinations of President Trump, many people believe there will be a major shift yet to come.
“I think there’s gonna be a big political assassination,” senior Ray Molina at Central High School said.
Social Media Trends
Every year, social media trends rise and fall by captivating people into spreading videos, ads, and multimedia about popular items, events, fashion, and more.
A decade ago was a pivotal time for fashion and social media. A full face of make-up was the everyday look, and skinny jeans were all the rage. Kylie Jenner led the makeup industry with her Kylie lip kits and bold style. She and many other creators have been posting 2016 flashbacks, and in response, ABC Australia made a viral TikTok discussing the reasons behind this comeback.
“It’s gonna be 2016 part two,” Lucky Hennigan, a junior at Central High School, said. “I feel like there are a lot of trends on social media of people looking back to 2016 memories.”
Older trends tend to resurface quite often; in 2025, the Y2K style rose to popularity. Low-rise jeans and baby tees were everywhere, and they became more prominent in stores and fashion. This year, we wonder which brands that fell into the darkness will reach the light.
“I think old brands like Puma are gonna come back to fashion,” Anayeli Badillo Amado, a senior at Central High School, said. “Because they’re having new shoes released and Puma came out with flats to try and become trendy.”
Technology
Artificial Intelligence is becoming bigger and bigger every year; it has been added to most websites and apps in some way. Last year, there was a big growth in controversy over the harm and help AI could be able to provide.
“AI is going to take people’s jobs,” senior student Zaria Anderson at Central High School said. “Companies won’t have to pay people, therefore they will make more money.”
Food
Food helps people bond every day: getting fast food with your friends, having a family dinner, or going to a restaurant with your significant other. Different food chains and restaurants are opening all around the world every day and look for profits in any way possible, like using collaborations and other trends to gain popularity
“I think we will have more holiday-themed food and fast food restaurants,” Zacaariah Davis, a senior at Central High School, said. “I think this because these are recurring things and companies love to profit off anything they can, so holidays, upcoming trends, and celebrations”.
With the rise of technology being paired with the love of food, technology is making the process of quickly ordering and delivering food convenient. In 2009, Starbucks introduced an app allowing customers to pay online, paving the way for other restaurants to be able to do this as well.
“I think that 7 Brew will finally get an app and people will be able to pre-order,” London Mayor, a Senior at Central High School, said.
