Volume II Issue VI: November 18, 2016 |
OPINION |
Happy Holidays! |
Experiencing Elections With a New PerspectiveBY DAVID MIKHAIL
When I was younger, I inattentively witnessed as elections would come and go. I never paid them much attention as they rarely affected my life. Despite that, I got more interested in politics as I grew up and I found myself following the elections and forming opinions. Soon after, I chose my political party. Before I knew it, politics took over my brain, and the elections turned from being a neglected event to an event that I cherished. This election, however, was a bit different for me. It was different because I was presented with an opportunity to volunteer for Paul Chabot's campaign. I was hesitant to go at first. Going would mean that my regular weekends would be switched out for walking precincts (political soliciting) and making donor calls. Nonetheless, I decided to go as I realized that only two scenarios were plausible: either I enjoy the event and get to know more like-minded people, or I dislike the event. The former proved to be true. In fact, volunteering in the campaign proved to be one of the best decisions that I took. As soon as I arrived, The campaign manager gave me a small tour of the office and introduced me to everyone else. After that, I headed out with two other volunteers to walk a precinct. Although it was a lot of work, the group lunch at the very end with the candidate made it all worth it. Seeing that I enjoyed the event, I got more involved with the campaign and volunteered for the following four weeks. In the end, the campaign earned me 20 community service hours, two recommendation letters, and the privilege of getting to know like-minded people. Above all, the campaign gave me a whole new perspective on the elections. I had now invested blood (yes real blood... don't ask), and sweat into something that I believe in. Now I didn't see polls as statistics anymore. I saw them as precincts that I walked and as people who I talked to. I now understand that every vote counts and that election are much more than a blue and red map. That, my dear reader, is why I strongly urge you to go out and volunteer for whichever party or candidate you believe in, and trust me, it will change how you view things forever. |
Halloween to Thanksgiving BY MICAELA PENALOZA
My family is very spirited when it comes to holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. We decorate the the house with the theme of the holiday and go all out. This year I noticed that right after Halloween was over, there were advertisements for Christmas. On social media, the television, newspaper, and everywhere you go is all about Christmas. It's like everyone forgot about Thanksgiving. Almost everyone I know forgot about it as well. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays and to see that everyone forgot about it makes me wonder if anyone is really thankful for what they have, or just focusing on what they want. Thanksgiving should be a day where we are all thankful for our loved ones, family, and friends. We should enjoy this holiday because it brings kindness and hope to everyone. People should not thinking only about Halloween and Christmas. Thanksgiving is important too. Column: Just Speaking My Truth Scholarships Save Lives By LAURYN BEST
As the deadline for applying for colleges draws nearer, a high school senior such as myself has to start thinking about something equally important: How in the world am I going to pay for this degree? Some people are fortunate enough to not have to worry about this as their family is well off enough to pay for tuition up front, while others have to get creative. After having a conversation with one of my friends (who happens to be a part of the first group mentioned) in which they stated “scholarships were a waste of [their] time” since they didn’t need it, I was shocked to say the least. In all honesty they came off as a little haughty.... |
|
Column: Learning to Grow UpBecoming a Cyber Bully BY JASMYN GONZALEZ
I have always understood that cyberbullying was an issue and that it was out there. I have actually written a lot about trying to stop it as well. However, I didn’t have an actual connection to it...until now. Just recently, someone I know has become a victim of cyberbullying. And it is my fault. I sent the photo to my friend without thinking and she was the one who posted it on Instagram. He had to face other classmates and peers laughing at him and mocking him throughout the whole day. I had been unaware of this since I don’t have any social media and when I found out what had been happening, I automatically denied it. I didn’t think of myself as a bully and I didn’t want to think that I was the reason someone I loved had become a victim of it. However, after some thought, I realized that I was indeed the one who had put it “out there” for the whole school to see... |