Dear Students:A Letter from Nia Ruth (5/23/13)
Ever wonder why students are so apathetic? Maybe it’s because we lack interest in a topic, or we don’t know how to feel about it, or we’re just so busy making it through school ourselves to be engaged in helping others. We have all problems, things we want to fix, concerns and ideas, but when each of us tries to make something happen, there aren’t many people around to back it up. For change to happen, there needs to be many supportive peers to back up a plan; there shouldn’t only be a few. Is it possible to change apathetic individuals? Maybe, maybe not. Maybe we should make our ideas more exciting and make the perks known. We could start small with a group of friends and let the ideas and enthusiasm spread. Maybe we can each take a little time every week to help someone else with their goals, and ask for help with our own. We can all admit this school isn’t like the schools we see on TV--we don’t have study hall periods, our lunch isn’t the best, we don’t have many rallies to show our school’s spirit. That’s even more reason we need to come together and work for change. Being apathetic all the time will not work out for us in the future. When pursuing your career in a field, there may be things you have no interest in doing, but you have to do them, because it’s your job and it’s to help those around you. The ideas students have are to help us. As a senior, I would tell the underclassmen to get active, tell people your ideas. If you feel strongly, take what you believe in and follow it through. You may surprised; others may join and things can change for the better. |
Advice ColumnDear Jordan,
One of my friends is always placing me in situations which make me feel we shouldn’t be friends. For example, she has never read my book, but always has something negative to say about it. What should I do? Sincerely, Ann Author Dear Ann, You should confront your friend about the way she makes you feel. If her negative comments are not of use to the editing process and improvement of your book then disregard them. Critics will be critics, but a friend who downgrades your work without having read your work is not a true friend. Let her know that you will gladly take her feedback soon after she sits down and reads your book. If your friend is a true friend she will understand why you feel this way and she will stop the criticizing. She may even read your book. If not then just rely on editors for real feedback and other friends for real support. Best, Jordan |
Modern FeminismBy Annie Sigg (5/15/13)
Feminism has become jaded in America. The loud ideas of short-cropped hair, violent intentions and male hatred slogans have become overwhelmingly mis-informative. This fad of women’s right’s started with suffrage and has escalated to bias of all sorts. Stereotypes plaster the walls of society with false truths, put there by ignorant prophets of mediocrity. So when I hear hurtful things about feminism, I feel threatened as a woman and a human. We all deserve to be respected and listened to for our opinions and thoughts. Rachel Kauder Nalebuff, author of “My Little Red Book” came in to speak with our Coop Publishing House class about an upcoming book she’s writing about feminist utopias. The idea of a feminist utopia is something I’d never heard of before, a wonderful prospect that finally allowed dreamers to dream. I attached myself to the essay and submission-consideration-process right away, but it never felt like work. I was just letting myself think on paper. I’d like to encourage all of you out there to overcome gender stratification. Gender is only limiting by self-worth and identification. This falls into feminism because feminism covers gender rights and being a human. I’d like to think that feminism can reinvent itself through modern literature and awareness efforts. I fully support feminism and it’s efforts to defy stereotypes. |
A.S.P.I.R.E to Great ThingsBy Annie Sigg
I’ve been thinking a lot about the unfortunate lately, ever since reading a recent article on Yahoo News about 260,000 children in Somalia dying of famine. People worldwide are suffering from a plethora of extremities that go unnoticed in our everyday lives. Unnoticed means uncared for; if we turn a blind eye to the growing epidemic of pain in our society, we shrink our value. A good friend of mine has a sister who’s been in a wheelchair for most of her life; she was born deformed, deaf, mute, and autistic. Seeing her do a project involving her sister’s reaction to music got me thinking about people with disabilities and how they overcome the everyday struggle for normalcy. A program that came to my attention is A.S.P.I.R.E., a community that provides services for people with developmental disabilities. Youth advocates go around to nearby schools and answer questions about living with physical disabilities. I think the most enlightening part of A.S.P.I.R.E. is the fact that people with debilitating disabilities are humble enough to show themselves to other people with pride, being themselves. This shows that it’s okay to be different and that society should accept everyone. Differences make us who we are. I was really touched by A.S.P.I.R.E. and hope to find more evidence of it’s societal footprint. How inspiring! To learn more, follow this link: http://www.pbs.org/inthemix/whatsnormal_index.html |
Sing It LoudWeekly Column by Sarah Farquharson
Dear Occupants of the Girls Bathroom, Please keep it clean. I understand Mother Nature comes whether you like it or not, but be aware of the other girls who use this bathroom. They DO NOT want to see your feminine products displayed all over the floor. As for using the commodes, clean up after yourselves! Treat this school like it’s your house. I know if you left the toilet seat wet, your mama would have a cow. As for the soap, be courteous to your peers. Leave some for us. It is really hard to walk out of the stall and expect to be all freshy fresh, and see that the soap is gone. As for the sink, okay ladies, you know better. I do not want to see your tracks, red hair extensions, broken acrylic nails, remnants of the dead strands that forgot to fall out on your pillow, and your boo hoo tissues all over the sink. I need to wash my hands! I don’t want to touch what has been on your body or contains fluids from it. There is a lovely grey garbage can that is wide enough for your jump shot located right next to the door. Also, I hate to see paper towels on the floor two feet away from the garbage can. As for the men’s room, I’ve heard tales of it actually being clean! Come on now ladies, class it up. We can’t have the boys' room looking better than ours. Listen, I’m not trying to attack anyone; I just want girls to laugh at the ridiculousness of our bathroom being a mess. It is really a simple thing to keep it clean. A true young lady with class never leaves the bathroom looking like trash. |
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