Take Me To Infinity: Review of the New Breathe Carolina CD

By Vanessa Jamieson
You can feel the bass, as if it’s going through you. And the electronica aspect of each song makes it seem like you are floating in space. Each beat is a different star. It’s almost like you’re emerged into the music itself. The singing and screaming itself is what ties everything together. You’re on a crazy rocket ship ride and you don’t even know where you are heading. Hearing this music and zooming through the universe, you feel loved, and you feel a connection to every single one of your emotions. I recommend the whole CD, but if you can buy just one song, go for the title track “Take me to infinity" and just take in all of the feelings that the music makes you feel.

Anonymity: An Endangered Choice

By Erin O’Malley

It has become no uncommon sight to find in the news deaths by suicide due to anonymous sites such as formspring.me, or 4chan for the extreme, and those lesser so of harassment. The anonymity philosophy of these sites has led to the legal debate: should anonymity be illegal online? When influenced by such tragic events, the question posed has an obvious surface answer on basic moral principles. But such arguments do not take into consideration the positive creative outcomes because of the media’s bias toward spreading purely negative material. Banning online anonymity for all cases would result in a loss of creative work and truth that results from the option.

Labelling something with a name, while giving due credit, in many cases does not follow the artist’s desire for the message of a piece. If the audience does not agree with an idea, the usual inclination is to feel that one disagrees with the person. But if there is no tie, one must face the hardest audience of all: themselves. In the past, for example, women were forced to write under the term anonymous, or a pseudonym, or their product would not have been taken seriously, no matter the message. To take away this option for creative means would be a crime against mental progression and expression.

Fear is also a defining factor that, when used responsibly, anonymity has the ability to solve. From simple tips to officials, to full blown novels, society relies on those brave enough with information to come forward and share. With the danger they put themselves under, whether it be loss of a job, or their own life, it would be too much to ask of anyone to do this under their own recognizable name. Anonymity allows room for truth, what the news relies heavily on to keep society informed. If anonymity were banned in such cases, news as we know it would cease to be because of the greater stakes at hand.

It truly comes down to the mental maturity of those behind the screen when under the impression of invisibility to public view. Cowardice is a large factor playing into what was meant originally to be good-natured, but is then utilized in a negative manner. Problems are not caused by the sites, but a larger message as to the minds of the generation. One bad comment can lead those weak at heart to follow, like a poison spreading. There will always be those few with the ability to corrupt the whole as that of a virus taking over DNA, that is impossible to eliminate entirely, but minds can be trained to behave positively.

There is no critical need for a stricter enforcement negatively toward anonymity, that creates the image of it a potentially harmful and damaging term, when it is not. Even if there were more enforced laws, a loophole can always be found if one so desires, which would just make it that much harder to catch. Instead of creating blockade after blockade, perhaps we should be instilling better ideas and perspectives into the youth. Before it has become too late for our generation.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T 
Find Out What It Means 

By Kayla Dickinson

Aretha Franklin isn't the only one that lacks respect around here! Day after day, it’s become all too evident that respect is a hard thing to get, and even harder to keep. Disrespecting your peers and elders seems to be the new trend. Whatever happened to being kind to your neighbor, doing errands for the elderly, and students actually enjoying school? Boy, have things changed. These days when I sit in the classroom instead of hearing a teacher speak, I hear a student arguing with them. It’s obvious the days of respecting your elders are far gone, but who do you respect? 

Some say that just because someone is your teacher, principal, or parent, it doesn’t mean they automatically get your respect. Well then, what would it take to get it? Does someone have to be your friend to get your respect; can you respect someone without liking or agreeing with them? A commonly used phrase is "you’re not my mother!" But these days, kids don’t even respect their own mothers! All day I hear about how kids fight with their parents and do what they feel like. If your parents can’t get respect, how can anybody else? Is the only way to get respect through fighting, or showing that you’re tough? From this lack of respect spews so many other never ending problems; crowded halls and staircases, bullying, problems with teachers, bad grades, fights breaking out. I swear every time I see someone try to make an announcement during lunch, I get so incredibly embarrassed that my peers can't find enough respect to listen to a quick word from another student or teacher.

 Where does all the disrespect come from? This mass disrespect without conscience is harshly offensive, and really hurts other people’s feelings; it carries the potential to really scar someone! I just personally wish that kids my age would have more respect for others and held just a little more common sense. Everyone deserves to be respected. 

Beauty Versus Perfection

By Jess Morris             

You’ve been there. Checking out at the grocery store, reading all the magazine headlines: “How to get the perfect stomach in ten days!” or “Get the perfect bikini body!” Teen girls are falling for these lines and going way out of their minds thinking they have to be perfect to be attractive.

Nykese Thomas shares his opinion: “A man likes to look at the woman that’s on the magazine, and that makes some girls want to look like the girls on the magazine [in order] to get that attention.” 

Many girls try their best to look good and follow the latest trends, but there are others who wish to express their own ideas of style rather than some magazine’s.

Mallory Funaro told me how how she feels about the media and incorporating their ideas into her own style, “Honestly, I think that a lot of the things in magazines are stupid. Who really cares whether you don't have the perfect spray tan or those super-expensive shoes? I don't. I'd much rather express myself than ‘follow a magazine's instructions’. Sometimes, I take what's in the magazines and incorporate the latest trends into my own style. It's more fun that way.” 

Boys also think it’s important to “Stay true to yourself.” Jason Dunn says, “Following your own opinion of beauty, and expressing yourself is important. When someone follows the latest trend in every magazine, they often have either low self esteem, or trouble finding themselves, and thanks to the media, Hollywood’s ideas are being yelled at you through a megaphone. Stay true to yourself and (honestly) you’ll feel better that way.”

The media pressures females (and males to a lesser extent) to look like a Photoshopped model or society will get rid of them. Girls are being hurt because they don’t find themselves beautiful. If they don’t fit the standards media image of whatever beauty is, many girls think they won’t be loved. The media makes a big deal out a version of physical perfection that just isn’t realistic. Nobody is perfect; perfection is completely impossible. If you think that the model on the cover of a magazine is actually walking in those eight inch heels, isn’t airbrushed or edited, and is naturally perfect, then you need to realize the truth. Nobody naturally looks like a walking skeleton; they made some drastic (and probably unhealthy) decisions in order to be accepted. Starving yourself because you care about other people’s opinions is just hurting yourself. You don’t need to have a $400 purse or neon tan, and you certainly do not have to be at a certain weight to be beautiful.

Girls: You are beautiful; you don’t need to make drastic changes to impress someone. And after all, it’s what’s on the inside that counts, right? 

The Never Ending Debate

By Gina Gates

When someone turns sixteen years old, they immediately think one thing: car.

Today, sixteen year olds are only allowed to obtain a learners permit, and typically must wait until seventeen or eighteen years of age to get an official drivers license. Almost all teenagers think that this is cruel and unjust, for obvious reasons. Sixteen years old is supposed to be an age where we are easing into freedom and responsibility. I always agreed with this point of view, until I listened in shock to recent news about a tragic event that killed 4 high school students.

John Clapper, a 16-year-old student of Griswold High School, was involved in a one-car crash that killed him and three fellow classmates. Clapper was issued his learner’s permit in August. When a teen has a learner’s permit, the only other passenger that can be in a car driven by the teen is an experienced driving professional, parent, or guardian. Police reported that Clapper was in the car with 15-year-old Sativa Cornell (Clapper’s supposed girlfriend) and 16-year-old Joel Gallup (the only survivor of the crash).  After ramming into a tree December 7 in Griswold, Clapper, Cornell, and another GHS student were killed. No adults were present. The cause of the crash was still unknown at press time.

After hearing about a story as terrifying as this, my views have changed. This clearly was a catastrophic accident. However, it’s the idea that this probably could have been avoided if a parent was in the passenger’s seat, there to reach over and take control of the wheel. Teenagers are still too irresponsible to be trusted with a driver’s license at such a young age. A learner’s permit should not be taken lightly; it should be accepted as a gift.

I know that several teens will disagree. Just take a step back and look at all the facts before choosing your side for the next round of this never ending debate.

Election Times

By Nikime Headley

It just occurred to me that people wait until the last minute to tell the citizens of Connecticut that they are running for a specific position. When election seems to be just around the corner everyone seems to know few things about the candidates. However throughout the year you would never even heard of who the candidates are. What I don’t understand is why are they just waiting to the last minute to tell everyone who they are and what they “plan” on doing for the city/state. For example, as a citizen of New Haven, CT, I have been watching what goes on with the elections with my mom. When October comes I find out about a whole lot of people that want to be Governor and Mayor, but during the year around March and earlier months I never even knew these people existed. Then instead of telling everyone in new Haven what they plan on doing they just broadcast commercials about their opponents and why they should vote for them instead of their opponents. It takes up too much time, and they spend millions of dollars on doing that which is not really necessary. To me, if they want us to vote for them they should focus on why they should be elected and what they want to do for us. They can even do actual things to pursue what they actually say. Besides it takes more than words to make people want to vote for you, it also takes a lot of action.

We Need Sports Teams

By Javonda Hughes                                                                     

When you hear the word “Co-op,” what comes to mind? What is Co-op is known for? The arts, and mainly that’s it. But there’s something missing from our school that several schools have and that is sports teams. I’ve heard numerous complaints on how we don’t have any after school sports.

I take for granted that the reason we don’t have after school sports is because we are so deeply focused on our arts, but who says we can’t multitask? I think we can, I mean come on we’re high school-ers! In junior high, I went to Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School, which is an arts school just like Co-op, and there was after-school sports programs. We were just in 5th-8th grade and we handled the situation fairly well, so I believe we can manage having both sports and arts in high school.

Trust me. With 245 students staying after school for arts and academic programs and clubs, who knows how many more would stay after if we offer sports! We could offer baseball, soft ball, volleyball, football, cheerleading and more. Sports give students a chance to have fun, get exercise, and compete with other schools. So, thanks in advance for the sports teams, because I believe we’ll get them…eventually!

Get Tested! Stay Safe.

By Tiranee Blocker

After being infected with HIV or AIDS many believe their sex lives will be over if people were to find out, so they keep it to themselves. Is this really the best thing to do? Infecting someone else won’t solve their problem. People should be tested before after every new sex partner in order to make sure they don’t unknowingly spread the disease. AIDS is like a hand shake. If you take four people and tell them to shake four other people’s hands, everyone in the room would be infected, and so on.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that in 2006 the United States was the 6th leading country in HIV/AIDS with 1,200,000 cases. Some people walk around for days not knowing they are infected with HIV, because it shows no symptoms. Globally, about 33,300,000 people have been diagnosed with HIV. About half of these HIV victims were unknowingly infected by a sex partner. Among racial/ethnic groups, African Americans face the most severe burden of HIV and AIDS in America (see chart below).

Americans need to respect themselves and others more around HIV in order to stay protected. People with HIV should make sure they’re extremely responsible so they don’t transmit the disease to others. People without the disease should keep it that way. They can do this by simply making sure they use a condom if they choose to be sexually active. 

Nicki Minaj vs. Lil Kim

By Nykese Thomas

Recently, a well known rapper dropped an album and got tons of buzz. She goes by the name of Nicki Minaj. Young girls around the world look up to her. They’re charmed by her girly appeal and her title: Barbie. Recently, however, Minaj has been receiving attacks from rap veteran Lil Kim. Even though this feud is between two individuals, lots of young people have gathered on the two sides, Team Nicki Minaj and Team Lil Kim, like a hip hop version of Twilight. This dispute has young adults all over the States riled up about something that doesn’t really concern them at all. YouTube videos show posts of teens threatening to harm one another, and some even judging the African American community due to this beef. Who is to blame for all this hoopla?

Nicki Minaj has attacked Lil Kim in her lyrics. For example, in the “Hello Good Morning” remix, Nicki raps, “Did I kill the queen?” There is no doubt in the hip hop community that Lil Kim was the first and only rapper to title herself “The Queen.”

Lil Kim claims that Nicki Minaj has not “paid homage.” She gets angry when people compare Nicki Minaj to her. She feels that Minaj is a watered-down version of her, and she thinks that Nicki strives to be like her. On the other hand, in an interview with Angie Martinez, Lil Kim says that the controversy with Nicki Minaj was a way for her to break back into the game. Lil Kim says that at the end of the day, she is a businesswoman, so it’s not about beef. Her attacks on Nicki Minaj have to do with advancing her career. She attacked Minaj by creating a very conspicuous song called “Black Friday” (Nicki’s recent album is called “Pink Friday”): “See the fact is, what you doing I did it/lames trying to clone my style, run with it/that’s cool, I was the first one with it/you deluded Kim wannabe you just hate to admit it/I’m the blueprint you ain’t nothing brand new/check ya posters and videos, you’ll always be number 2.”

According to Nicki Minaj, however, she is always paying homage to Lil Kim. She admits that some of her style is influenced from Lil Kim, but she goes on to name several other female rappers who have influenced her. In an interview with Angie Martinez, Minaj says that nothing is new under the sun. She compares Lady Gaga to Madonna, saying how Lady Gaga embraces the legacy that Madonna has left behind, and notes that Madonna does not attack Lady Gaga for it. She acknowledges that Lil Kim opened doors for her. 

Now it is Nicki Minaj opening doors for Lil Kim. Lil Kim was receiving little media attention before Minaj hit the scene. Few DJs were playing her music on the radio. Now, every time that Lil Kim is in an interview she’s asked about Nicki Minaj. She says that there shouldn’t be a separation because they both help each other out. Minaj says that her song “Roman’s Revenge” is now officially dedicated to Lil Kim and other haters: “Is this the thanks that I get for putting you [girls] on? /Is it my fault that all of you [girls] gone? /shoulda sent a thank you note, you little **/now I’ma wrap your coffin with a bow/“N-N-N-Nicki,she’s just mad ’cause you took the spot”/word, that [girl] mad ’cause I took the spot?”

Freshman Nikime Headley, a supporter of Nicki Minaj, says, “Lil Kim is wasting her time, because she is played out; she doesn’t make any music, and she is just mad that Nicki Minaj is making more money than her and has more fans…Nicki idolizes Lil Kim and just wants to keep her name alive.”

It is obvious that Lil Kim started all of this by arbitrarily attacking Nicki Minaj. You can see that Lil Kim feels insecure about Nicki Minaj because if she is the legend she claims to be, there would be no need to try to protect the status she alleges she has. Some of Nicki Minaj’s style has been influenced from Lil Kim; however, Lil Kim should be honored instead of throwing salt. Furthermore, Lil Kim is not the first female rapper, or the second or third. Therefore, Minaj does not have to pay homage to her. Recently, Billboard.com noted that Minaj sold over 350,000 copies of her new album in the week after its release. The only female artist to accomplish something so noteworthy was Lauryn Hill. In addition, Lauryn Hill’s album was not categorized as hip hop, which makes Nicki Minaj the first woman to receive such a high sale in hip hop.

Nicki Minaj has more Twitter fans and Facebook/MySpace friends than Lil Kim by hundreds of thousands.  The only thing Lil Kim has over Nicki Minaj is her Grammy and her legendary status. However, people fail to realize that Nicki Minaj has been in the mainstream for only a year, whereas Lil Kim has been on the scene for nearly 16 years.

It is time that Lil Kim retires or rejoices. If she cannot stand the idea of sharing the spotlight with another female rapper, then Lil Kim should just go into hiding as she did the past five years, because Nicki Minaj is not going anywhere anytime soon.

New Haven Promise

By Nykese Thomas

Recently, the New Haven Promise has been exposed to the public.  It was presented in front of a group of parents, teachers, and students at Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School.  The New Haven Promise, is what it says, a New Haven Promise; Any high school student that attends a New Haven Public High School and resides in New Haven with a 3.0 GPA and completed a minimal amount of 40 hours of community services .  This may seem like a good idea however, there are many facets about this situation.  Many people believe that money is being wasted and underprivileged students are receiving too much financial aid including project housing, food stamps, free healthcare, etc.  However, the purpose of college is to evade the need of state assistance, hence, money is not being wasted but saved.  The primary donor of the New Haven promise is Yale school.  The majority if not all the money will not come from the state.  No tax money is being used.  Let’s say hypothetically it is though.  Paying for a student’s college is a lot more beneficial than paying for a student’s future welfare needs.  Money will not be wasted.  Money will be invested.  These antagonizing feelings against the New Haven Promise may come from an innate feeling of jealousy or greed.  These feelings should be overcome, so students will be able to succeed and prosper.

City of Bright Lights

By Nikime Headley

Many people think that New York is filled with violence, drugs, and alcohol. However, that was not my experience. I was born in New York and spent much of my childhood in Brooklyn. The environment was one of the best I have ever been in. There is so much to do in New York: so many museums, aquariums, gardens, and carnivals. Not to mention Times Square. In my Brooklyn neighborhood, I enjoyed hanging with my friends. They were all from Caribbean families like me. I actually met my best friend Emely there; we’ve known each other since we were in diapers.

When you mention Brooklyn to certain people, they get the shivers. Many people may think that New Haven is safer than Brooklyn. But it just depends in which part of Brooklyn or New Haven you’re in. When citizens of Connecticut walk around New York City, they often make sure their bags and wallets are glued to them so that nobody can steal them. Worrying about such things takes out the enjoyment of the city. When New Yorkers walk down the streets of Brooklyn, we enjoy ourselves. We shop, hang out, and take in the sights. And many people wonder how others can live in such a noisy city. New Yorkers enjoy the noise; babies can sleep peacefully in the noise. It’s funny; New Yorkers wonder about how suburbanites can live in such quiet surroundings.

I spent a lot of time visiting tourist sites, such as Coney Island, which is similar to Lake Compounce. Coney Island is filled with rides by a board walk. The beach is always packed with people enjoying a beautiful day. There are fireworks at night. Coney Island is even open in the Fall. Around Labor Day it gets really exciting. People from the West Indies and the Caribbean start celebrating with Monday night mass, fancy mass, J’Ouvert, and more. The police block off streets and have big trucks with stereos which we call a “band.” The celebration usually starts around midnight. People go and meet at a specific location and wait for the bands to start. They go down the street dancing and getting paint all over their clothes and bodies.

Newspapers from all over the world, such as the New York Times and The Guardian, cover what goes on In Brooklyn around carnival time. In an article entitled “World’s Largest J’Ouvert Parade” the writer describes the scope of the 2008 J’Ouvert parade, which took place in Grand Army Plaza at Flatbush Ave. The article stated “Over the past decade Brooklyn’s J’Ouvert has grown from small groups of Dimanche Gras (Fat Sunday) revelers to a massive predawn celebration attracting nearly 100,100 steel band and old mass enthusiasts.” This was a huge parade; there were 14 masquerade bands and 18 steel orchestras.

I have been to the American Museum of Natural History in New York many times with my family. The museum is huge and very beautiful. There are so many exhibits and floors that you can actually get lost. You can find out more about the Museum at www.amnh.org. You can purchase admission tickets or even buy tickets for the wonderful IMAX or space shows.  

Brooklyn is also the home of the famous Brooklyn Dodgers. This team had its ups and downs, but the team members were proud to represent Brooklyn. New York Times writer Daniel E. Slotnick wrote a nice tribute to Danny McDevitt in the New York Times, who just died in November. He was a pitcher for the Dodgers.

When I asked friends what they think about New York, especially Brooklyn, most said that “Brooklyn is a very dangerous place.”  For example, Radiant Holly said, “I think Brooklyn is very dangerous and wouldn’t want to live there.”

But when I asked my cousin, who is currently a resident of Brooklyn, she said she actually enjoys living there. She said she enjoys all the activities and celebrations they have throughout Brooklyn.

Honestly, Brooklyn, is not that bad. It’s full of excitement and adventure, and there’s so much to do. New Haven cannot compare. 

Having a Boy Best Friend

By Franchesca Ceballos

Should girls have boy best friends? Yes, they should. A best friend is a best friend; their gender shouldn’t matter.

I have a boy best friend, and by the way, he’s not gay. We are just like brother and sister and we don’t see each other in a sexual way. In the same way that others tell their “homeboy” or “BFF” anything, I can tell my friend anything. He has my back. We know when something is wrong or when something is up with each other. These are the things that are important in a friend, not their gender.

A lot of people disagree. They think that a person of their own sex will understand them better. I have both girl and boy best friends. I do tell the girl more personal stuff, but that doesn’t mean I couldn’t tell the boy; I just usually don’t.

People say that if you have a boy best friend you will end up liking him or going out with him. That can happen, but my friend and I have already established that we don’t have those kind of feelings for each other.

My classmate, Nykese Thomas, disagrees with me. He says that you can’t have a guy best friend without something going on throughout the friendship. “One of them will end up developing feelings.” Nykese says,

An article by Camille Chatterjee explores this issue in an article entitled “Can Men and Women Be Friends?” on www.psychologytoday.com. In the article, a woman completely disagrees with my point. She says that it isn’t okay to have a boy best friend when you are married. She feels that the friends will end up cheating.

I can see where Nykese and the woman in the article are coming from because that often does happen with a boy and girl friendship, but people need to understand that it doesn’t happen all the time. People can control their feelings and realize that they don’t want to ruin the friendship that they have. Why ruin a good friendship just because one of them has certain feelings come up? If you were a really good friend you can calm down and let those feelings slide.   

Some parents don’t trust their daughters with a boy friend because of all the things that happen nowadays. News flash: A girl and a boy can be in a room alone WITHOUT having sex.  When I go over my best friend’s house we just chill and I watch him play Xbox. There is nothing wrong with that and our parents understand that they have no reason not to trust us.

There can be problems with same sex friendships. For example, girl friendships can be difficult. Girls will backstab you more and gossip more. Girls judge a lot more than boys. Some girls just can’t stand other girls. Freshmen Ashley Moran and Lisa Hernandez agree.

Ashley says, “It doesn’t matter that two opposite sexes are friends because girls and boys usually have the same problems. Sometimes girls can’t go to other girls about their problems, so we occasionally we go to guys because sometimes we need a brother figure.” This can be true, especially for only children.

Nobody’s perfect and I can’t predict what others will do. But I know having a boy best friend works for me.

Abusive Parents: 
The Lingering Effect On Children

By Erica Durant

There are a lot of kids who are being abused in their homes every day. The problem with abusive parents is that they abuse their children because they had a bad day or because they grew up being abused so they think is okay. But abusive parents can really mess up a child’s life--mentally, emotionally, and/or physically.

“Child abuse can have many lingering effects,” writes Dan Williams, author of “Above His Shoulders,” a memoir of his own abusive childhood. “Clearly it depends on the severity of the abuse, the duration, age of the child, and relationship to the abuser. We do know that what we learn as a child in terms of discipline many times is carried over into adulthood, however this IS NOT a certainty. Just because a child’s parent is emotionally or physically abusive does not imply that the child will grow up being abusive to their children.”

Though not every abused child will become an abuser, many do. Abusive parents may even push their children to commit suicide or homicide. Too many children die or commit suicide because of the abuse they receive in homes. This issue is extremely important. Kids shouldn’t have to deal with abuse in their own homes. Parents who displace anger onto their kids need to find help in order to break this terrible cycle.

Just a Drop in the Bucket

By Mallory Funaro

Sometimes, you can't help but just let harsh words and comments get to you. Most people would say, "Oh, just ignore them!" or "You know that's not true, don't let it be."

But, when all you've heard is those mean comments and giggling behind your back, it's hard to not believe them. Maybe you even begin to hate yourself, wish you were someone better, or think, "Why me? Why am I like this?" 

It's not your fault. Kids just like to pick on others. It's their nature. Maybe they feel weak, and in doing so, they feel better. But it's just plain wrong. I have been a victim of this type of bullying, and have, myself, believed the comments. 

I had begun to feel my life spiral downward. Most of the events causing this occurred in school or on the bus. Now, you ask, why didn't I just tell an adult? They'd fix it, right? Wrong. What I'm trying to get at is the very fact that when a kid seems different, and is deemed 'un-cool', it seems to give another kid the right to make fun of  them. This is considered 'law' in the middle-school and high-school mentality.

A quote from the awesome mind of my favorite comic book artist, Jhonen Vasquez, quite sums up my feelings: "Without fail! Every time I leave my house, it's as though it gives you the right to 'comment' on me like I'm on display for you! Like I dress this way because I want the incessant gawking of strangers!" It was the same way for me, unfortunately. Still, I have been trying to hold my head high and let the waves of pain crash under me, not submerging me like they used to.

So, to say the least, it is like your life is a single drop in the very large bucket we call existence, but bullies may make it seem like it's nothing more than a molecule. Don't let that happen! 

Change yourself! I'm talking to those who frivolously insult other people, and then can't take it themselves!

If there is one thing, only one thing you would get out of this editorial, let it be these next few sentences. When I was younger, I was a conformist--a timid little girl. I felt I always HAD to go with the flow, always HAD to stay quiet, or others would hate me. I changed in the last few years, and am happy with the result. I am no longer under the influence of peer pressure, am no longer quiet. I'm more outgoing, and open to my own opinions and ideas. If I had to choose between being that little girl again, or being the way I am now, I would stay as I am. No matter what.           

No to Death Penalty

By Jonah Gimbel

The death penalty is a huge problem in the Modern world. In America, some states (like Texas) and some states (like New Jersey) make it illegal. I think the death penalty, should be used once a blue moon (figuratively not literally.) 

I think executing criminals is terrible, because that person might have been forced to crime because of personal reasons. For example Ned Kelly in Australia had to turn to crime because the government persecuted him and his family, so he was forced to crime. Although he only stole he was executed, at age twenty-five regardless of the facts. He only stole from the rich. He always left and a letter he signed saying how the government persecuted him. And Sixty thousand people signed a pardon. Ned Kelly said himself (to the police after being captured) “If my lips teach the public that men are made mad by bad treatment, and if the police are taught that they may exasperate to madness men they persecute and ill treat, then my life will be entirely be thrown away.”  Ned Kelly was the last of the bushrangers, were a gang that after robbing, a person or stagecoach, ran to a bush to escape. The some bushrangers tried to be on the right side of the law and one Edward Davis even shared his loot with the poor.

I do believe people who kill many people should be killed here is one example of when a person should be killed. Herman Webster Mudgett not only stole from the life insurances by digging up corpses and using acid and phony names to get the money. He did that in Michigan. After being seen stealing a corpse, he moved to Chicago. There he opened up a pharmacy and built up a drugstore empire from that he hade a fortune. He changed his to Dr. H. H. Holmes and built a huge mansion with a hundred rooms. The mansion had: secret passages, trap doors, fake walls, chutes, secret entrances and acid vats. In 1893 there was the great Chicago exposition so Holmes rented rooms to tourists. He killed most of them and used the same insurance fraud scheme as in Michigan. He also convinced young woman to move into his mansion with the promise of marrying them, he forced them to sign their life savings to him and killed them. He even used the insurance fraud scheme with them. After the police got an idea what was happening he burned down his mansion. He did the same in Missouri, Pennsylvania and Texas. In Texas he stole a horse a capital crime he then burned down his mansion and the police arrested him. After the police arrested him they searched his burned down mansion and found the remains of more then two hundred bodies. He as I think he should have been was executed. He was clearly insane wanting more money after making a drugstore empire, and wanting it so much that he killed for it. That I believe deserves a death no a padded room.

Now that I gave two true stories let’s get down to numbers. In the twentieth century one hundred thirty nine people were sentenced to death, of these only twenty-three were executed. One study concluded that out of seven killed one is innocent. The fact of whether or not the convict is guilty or not is found out by journalists not police. Many poor criminals have poor lawyers sometimes lawyers do not prepare for the trial and fail to question witnesses properly courts do not mind. The worst is when a lawyer sleeps through the murder trail, one time a Texan judge said “The Constitution says that everyone’s entitled to an attorney of their choice. But the Constitution does not say that the lawyer has to be awake.”

I think the death penalty should usually not be employed. I also think if you give someone a death sentence you should give a (quick and) painless death and kill soon after the trial for it cost a lot more for death row then with regular prisoners. I think most murderers should be given just decades in jail if they are given a second chance, nd kill again then maybe the death penalty should be used.      

Cartoons: They're Not So Funny Anymore

By Mallory Funaro

You flick on the T.V. to your favorite station and prepare to relax and watch some cartoons. But what you see seems too violent to be your all-time favorite. Is this some kind of joke? Nope, it’s the network’s attempt at capturing a wider viewing audience. Current Nickelodeon shows, such as the newer episodes of SpongeBob SquarePants are more damaging and violent than their predecessors, such as Invader ZIM and Rocco’s Modern Life. Back in the “good old days,” cartoons were less violent and harder to imitate. Where could you find a stick of dynamite to stick in your little brother or sister’s mouth? Nowadays, cartoons have all sorts of weapons available in the real world, such as guns. The problem is, within that audience are little children. It can be damaging to children if they watch a violent show on television. As we know, little children try to imitate what they see.

Just a few years ago, a little girl accidentally hung herself while imitating a cartoon. The cartoon was, in fact, on Nickelodeon; “Go, Go, Diego!” According to the Daily Mail, she had “recently watched a scene in which a character was swinging around with what looked like a rope attached to his neck” and even though her parents had told her she “must never do that”, it ended tragically with the little girl’s death. This, again, raises the important question of whether or not shows should be monitored for violent content.

People might argue: “But SpongeBob is full of nonsense and things that could never happen in the real world!” True, but it does have other aspects of realistic violence. For instance, in one episode, SpongeBob pulls off Squidward’s toenail just by moving a couch. Now, back in the older days of Nickelodeon cartoons, they had Invader ZIM. ZIM is a paranoid little alien bent on destroying the Earth. The creator is Jhonen Vasquez, a comic book artist and writer. Even though the cartoon was indeed very dark, there was arguably less violence than current episodes of SpongeBob. The cartoon used a sort of slapstick humor that is not as easy to imitate, considering the fact ZIM is an alien, thereby having access to weaponry not even in existence. Unfortunately, the show was put out of commission because of low ratings due to odd time slots, not violence like Internet myth suggests.

Jess Morris, a Freshman at Co-op, says, “Yes, they’re definitely more violent, but you have to consider that these are times of change.” Yes, but change is no excuse for exposing kids to more violence, therefore producing more aggressive adults.

When asked their opinion on the topic, 7 out of 7 students agreed that the newer cartoons on Nickelodeon were more violent than their predecessors. If you’re worried about little siblings or family members watching too much violence, the best course of action would be to monitor their viewing, and also watch to make sure they don’t try to attempt any potentially dangerous stunts.  

Painting a Picture with Race's Colors

By Ashley Moran

Racism. You and I both know it's still around. People need to understand how stereotyping by race affects people. Almost all of us have heard it, seen it, learned it, experienced it, hated it, loved it, embraced it, and struggled with it. There's just no escaping racist stereotypes.

1. Spanish people don't always get pregnant and have kids in their teens.
2. Not all black people wear weaves.
3. Not all Chinese people work at Chinese restaurants.
4. Not all Indians work at gas stations and drive cabs.
5. The list goes on and on.

People are ignorant. What's with the judgment? Why are people categorized because of the color of their skin?

Take Hispanic or Black people for instance. Sometimes we say “Yo,” “Word,” or “Nah” instead of no. When we do speak Standard English, and act like “adults” or “smart,” we are accused of turning against our cultures.

My friend Cynthia Garcia finds that it is hard to act two different ways. She says, “Yes I do feel that I have to act because when I visit Mexico they call me Poncha. A poncha is what a “real” Mexicans who live in Mexico call Mexicans who live in the U.S. They say our Spanish isn't as good, that we act in ways that are not like the old country, and that we're arrogant and conceited because America is our home and we have so much more than they ever will. Poncha is not a curse word, but it's definitely insulting.”

On the other hand, some people disagree. Another friend, Nykese Thomas, says it’s not a problem to act a certain way, “No, I don't find it hard,” he says. “I cannot change my personality to suit someone's race because at the end of the day when you turn off the lights, we all look the same.”

"So I took it into my own hands and handled the problem," Omar Thornton said on August 3, 2010,"I wish I could've got more of the people." These were the chilling words heard on the 911 call Mr. Thornton made after killing nine people including himself and injuring two. Thornton felt like he was being racially harassed by his coworkers at a Manchester, Connecticut, beer factory.

"You probably want to know the reason for this." Mr. Thornton said to the 911 operator. "This place is a racist place. They treat me bad over here and all the other black employees bad over here too."

Some people think his rampage was an attempt to get through to people that racism is dangerous and needs to stop.

Another famous incident of racism that gripped the country centered around Rodney King in Los Angeles, California. King was speeding, and tried to run away from the police. When stopped, King did not put up a fight, but he was brutally beaten by the police. The white police officers attacked him, while black officer stood back. You can see a video of his beating at http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=2509504n. It seems like King was already down as police continued to beat him. After they gave him 56 baton hits, 11 fractures to his skull, with brain and kidney damage, the ordeal was over and they took him in. In April of 1992, a jury of white people acquitted four white police officers. The police station was already under fire for being racist. When the news of the verdict was released, the city erupted into chaos. The riots lasted for six days.

The problem of racism is something that won’t change overnight. It’ll take work. The world isn’t perfect but we can do more to address this issue. Stereotyping may continue, but hopefully we can prevent things like riots and or hate crimes. One day, racism may be gone for good.

Cooperative ______ and Humanities High School

By Gina Gates

White. Off-white. Beige. That’s what you see when you look at the walls of Co-Op. With the exception of a few precisely set photographs and other art work, the walls are completely barren. The metal letters at the head of our school announce to the world that we are an arts school. And yet, when you walk inside to the main lobby, what represents that?

Paola Perez, a sophomore, stated that she went to High School in the Community to be welcomed by walls plastered and decorated by the student body of the high school. From personal experience, even Hill Regional Career Magnet High School has banners and decorations related to events in their main lobby. Neither of these schools are arts magnet. In fact, they may be complete opposites.

So why does Cooperative Arts and Humanities show no hints to our true colors besides the metal lettering outside our walls? I’m sure it’s not because the artists of the school – a.k.a the entire student body – are bashful or embarrassed by their accomplishments. And I’m also almost positive that the administration isn’t at fault as much as we are all considering in our heads. It’s their school just as much as it’s ours. Wouldn’t they want to show off the accomplishments of their pupils?

Time and effort are the two necessities in decorating our school. No one is really at blame for the lack of – or in our case, excess – room on the walls of the school. I say that the best solution to this problem is to perhaps begin a committee that is willing to stay after or miss lunch to organize a plan in decorating our school and making it look like the school we all want it to be:

Artistic. Fun. Expressional. Us.

Does Music Have an Effect on Youth Behavior?

By Tyniece Blow

Little kids as young as three are running around cussing. From the age of nine, they are smoking marijuana. If rappers inspired positivity instead of negativity, we might have a more decent world. The sad thing is we rarely hear a rapper who doesn’t curse or talk about how they’re going blow each other brains out, or what position they are having sex in. This needs to stop. As youth, it’s up to us to change the way rappers speak to us.

It’s hard to find good music, because it’s not played as much on the radio as songs that talk about sex, guns, and drugs. The content of a song can really influence one’s actions and/or behavior. We can’t really blame the rappers because they are going to say anything just to get money. They don’t care that little kids listen and follow in their footsteps.

Some people say music only affects certain people negatively and there are people out there who listen to the same music and they turn out fine. For example, a blogger on yorapper.com writes “As someone that has listened to rap music for their entire life, whose parents didn’t give a damn what I listened to or what I watched for that matter, I am taken [a]back by the parents who blame rap music for the negative effect it has on their kids. They argue their kids sell drugs, they have sex too early, they have babies, they disrespect their elders, swear; get into fights, all because they listened to rap music.” It’s true that people respond differently to rap. When kids hear rappers calling girls the “B-word, some are going to say, “Well, lil Wayne or Waka Flacka Flame said it, so I’m going to start saying it. Then there are others who will say, “Well that’s not the best word to say so I’m not going to say it.” Music is a big part of young people’s lives and it affects kids in different ways. We need to look at the words in rap music. Rappers and kids may think the content of the songs is okay. But it’s not. For example, the new song out called “Kush” tells kids that its better when you add “kush” to whatever other drug you’re doing. As youth, we tend to do and say what we see and hear. We don’t mean to, but it’s just how it is. This is why we need more positive music and positive role models.

Pro/Con: New Haven Promise

By Emily Messinger

I'd like to address the fact that the New Haven Promise scholarship program only applies to New Haven residents and not all students in the New Haven school system.

Pro: The purpose of New Haven Promise is to increase the number of students in New Haven that do well in school and go to college, create a more educated workforce in New Haven to take jobs in the hospitals and other businesses, and to provide an incentive for families to move to New Haven. Given the purpose of the program it makes sense that only students that actually live in New Haven benefit. Besides, out-of-district students already reap the benefits of New Haven school funds, they don’t need to take even more of New Haven’s money for a college scholarship. Besides, there are always other ways of acquiring scholarships.

Con: Out-of-District students are a part of the school system just as much as students from New-Haven. Many are very involved in the community and would live and work in New Haven after college (fulfilling the purpose of the program). It is a misconception that most out-of-district students are from suburbs; many just come from other cities with the same issues as New Haven. Another misconception is that families that live in the suburbs are rich; most families anywhere in the state are struggling financially, and families everywhere worry about how they are going to pay for college. Also, Yale is providing the majority of the funds, so it’s not New Haven spending money on kids from other towns; it’s Yale spending money on hardworking kids that would benefit Connecticut.

In Loving Memory of Our Printed Paper

By Erin O'Malley

The day has come. Coop Voices has made the switch from our beloved, classic, reliable printed newspaper, to an online edition. Farewell to our old reliable friend. We are truly losing a valued gem of this world. Yes, other newspapers will continue to live on, but this one, cherished by our very own small community, will cease to be. This new edition will never be able to compare to that feeling of being able to hold your printed work. I say goodbye with a heavy heart as I know will many others. The print edition will not be forgotten, and will continue to live on through the copies remaining. You have served us well over the years; you will be truly and deeply missed.

The Next Election! By Sebastien Brice

Hypocriticism

Boycotting: Is it worth it and does it really work?

By Jessica DiLieto

 A war is going on all around us. Not just on land, but in your mind. People are trying to be deep thinkers and make the right choices. A lot of people lash out in violence and others choose peaceful paths to live. People who choose the peaceful path tend to be more aware of what’s going on around them and try to think of a better way than to lash out. Less peaceful people are not such deep thinkers; they try to solve issues with pain and control, which isn’t a good choice to lead people with. 

If you choose to fuel people with rage and pain, when you try to lead them they will destroy. Soon enough they will destroy more than you planned. Their ruefulness will overtake them and everything won’t matter when they are so soaked in human pain and human emotions that nothing else matters. The facts don’t matter; just how they feel. 

But does that make us hypocrites? People that solve their struggles with peace tend to use a lot of their human emotions, but they also use their brains. People that use violence use their emotions as well as their minds, but in a very different way. 

The human mind is very complex many people don’t even fully know themselves. In two groups of humans, you will have the peaceful/boycotting side and the rioting side. 

Does that mean the peaceful people have more self control than the ones that use rage to solve their problems? Which way should people resolve their problems, by keeping peace or by lashing out? 

You decide.

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Things That Would Make Co-op a Whole Lot Better

By Evanleigh Davis 

1. Have a person available at the lunch tables solely to open ketchup packets. What's that you say? That isn't a job? It should be. Unopenable ketchup packets are the Nazis of the lunch tables. There must be a combative force employed to combat their tyrannical methods. Or, on second thought, get a walrus. Walruses must be so handy to open things (like unruly students--think of the possibilities).

2. Have actual soap in the bathrooms. What! Sanitary items in the bathrooms? How scandalous.   

3. Actually, have anything in the bathrooms. Paper towels. Hand sanitizer (that can apply to anywhere in the school, of course). Actually, now that we're spouting complete nonsense, why not add toilet paper? That might help. Also, plungers. I cannot quite describe the ecstatic feeling one gets when one opens a bathroom stall to find it completely plugged by someone else's Number Twos. But I could describe quite clearly how much plungers would help. Why, I wonder, doesn't Co-op have them available? Are the Powers That Be afraid that we'll suction each others' faces off with them? (Wow, that's actually a really great idea.)  

4. Tear down that sign in front of the school that points toward it and bears the words "New Haven Hotel." It's like you actually want sketchy-looking people to come to the front desk looking for a room. I'd love that to happen, of course--it would certainly make things more interesting around here--but if you're aiming in that direction, you might like to tear down the "Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School" sign over the front door.  

5. Put a little effort into the decoration of the place. Co-op looks less like a school and more like a hospital. (Actually, it looks more like a "New Haven Hotel", which explains a lot if you think about it.) After all, we happen to be an arts school. Why not get some art up there? It would appeal to students. A little marketing advice--the art should be gruesome and grotesque. After all, we are trying to attract rebellious, snarky teenagers. The city governing body won't mind--it reflects the state of the economy.   

6. Get really, really big elevators.  

7. Or escalators.   

8. Hire a guy in a Barney costume to hang around the exits to the school. It's a sure-fire way to prevent students from leaving school to hang out on the green. Severe child trauma is a great method in law enforcement. After all, the students can't possibly have a good reason for hanging out in the cultural, intellectual, and political hub of New Haven.  

9. Set fire to the entire west side of the school. Maybe, just maybe, that would make those classrooms a trifle warmer. Or at the very least, supply Snuggies. Those things look absolutely ridiculous, but there's a heart-warming joy in wearing an overly advertised product.   

10. Buy that parking lot from the man across the street. He's a horrible rip-off and besides, it would be that much more convenient to the teachers and staff, who have been forced to drive helicopters and park on the school roof in order to acquire daily parking places. What? They don't do that? Then where in the world do they park? If you're not going to make the effort, you might as well store all the staff in the basement closets for the weekends. There's more than enough room.   

11. Prevent the publishing of the Coop Voices. Honestly, what in the world were you thinking? Giving these naive students the right to put outrageous things in print? They're nowhere near smart enough to think for themselves yet. Freedom of speech? It's for losers. I mean, really. Haven't you read this article? The person that wrote this is obviously ignorant. She should be arrested and beaten. Its articles like this that corrupt society and are responsible for things like global warming and pedophile priests. I hope you reconsider the unfortunate implications of having shameless propaganda such as this freely shown to the rest of our school.   

15. Finally (and perhaps most importantly, since Co-op is, after all, an educational facility), teach students basic math skills. After all, I'm quite certain only about ten percent of my readers will notice that the author of this increasingly long editorial is not only impudent, but also a horrible liar and a malicious cheapskate who didn't include numbers twelve, thirteen, and fourteen in this article. But of course, you noticed that, didn't you? You are certainly one of those few martyrs intelligent enough to spot the rotten foundations of society, who attempt to corrupt youths through blatant misuse of math. But then, if you were that smart, you probably would have avoided this article altogether. After all, it's obvious that it is only a crude form of entertainment made to entertain the duller part of the populace.  

And please remember: fish are friends, not food.   

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Rehab of the Mind

By Latrice Baldwin

“You are the embodiment of the information you choose to accept and act upon. To change your circumstances you need to change your thinking and subsequent actions.” ~ Adlin Sinclair~ 

What are you thinking about right now? What were your thoughts before you read this? Is your mind controlling you or do you have your mind under wraps? Do you know how to cut off your mind? 

A mind is a powerful thing; your mind can remind you to do things like smile, or laugh, or cry. The more content your mind is, the more you don’t worry. But if your mind is bringing you down, it can be your own personal oppressor. So have you listened to it lately? Has it whispered a different secret? Has the randomness turned into bitter spits of evil? 

It’s time to go to rehab people. It’s time to let go of the wrong desires. We should all just get our minds right. The mind is an amazing thing that humans have. It can break you emotionally and belittle you to nothing; or it can turn you into the best person on earth. The mind is something I heard over and over not to mess with; not to destroy. With the mind comes problems and issues; things that you think you can’t fix, make better or update. There comes worrying and stressing, probably over something that really isn’t necessary, such as money, cars, clothes, and other material things that man has created to entice us. Sometimes the mind fixates on wrong desires, like sex, greed, jealousy, past or present lies, violence, or harmful disturbing words. Your mind should be able to tell you right from wrong; something your brain can’t do because your mind and brain are two different things. 

What's Up With People Who Have It All and Lose It

By Destiny Cooper

So we know many people that's famous they was so rich. They had it all, all the money, cars, clothes and then they just losted it all like you didn't understand how it just happened. You consider them your role model then one day you just found out that they losted it all and your so suprized. You wonder they have it all why would you mess it up by doing dumb stuff. We all know a lot of celeberities like that so let's take a trip down memory lane and see what happened. We all know Gary Coleman we know him, we loved him, we loved the way he said"What you talking bout Willis". He was so rich at the age of only 10 it was crazy he made 100,000 a epiose and he even sued his parents and got mad money like it took him some years to get it but when he got it he was good. He did what he thought was right. His actions he did made him broke he tried to investe it all into one business but failed and he had to work at the mall. Another person that went through this same thing of going broke would be M.C Hammer. Hammer went broke because he hired his friends as employess and they apeared on stage with him everywhere. He also spent his money on large houses and cars but he spent all his money and he didn't even have a #1 hit after a point in time and all he did was spend spend spend without thinking he didn't manage his money right. Also Evander Holyfield went broke. He was an amazing boxer he had so many titles he was making 250 million. He went broke because of all the child support he had to pay and he was another one who spent his money on unnesscary things an hasn't fought in ages. Michael Jackson was another one that had debts if he didn't die he would have went broke too even though he was an amazing entertainer he had to pay 400 million for his place neverland, he spent his money and necklaces for girls and cars. He had it all and he went out with it too at least he doesn't have to deal with this now R.I.P Mr. Jackson. Another entertainer that went broke would be Marvin Gaye. He went broke because of tax issues and drugs. He had it all but he lost it and he has to pay for his mistakes. Willie Nelson is also in this catorgory he owed the IRS 16.7 million. He used his money on things that weren't that important in his life and he had to pay for it too. Mike Tyson he is in this too even though he was an amazing boxer he owed the spent a lot of money paying his ex wife, legal fees, and more his actions mad him broke and have to go through these hard times. They had it all so why would they mess it up like that we may never understand  

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Gotta Love Sport Fans

By Chris Davis 

Five seconds left on the clock and your team is down one with full possession, no timeouts, in the finals, and the last game of the series. You are biting your nails. Your heart is pounding and butterflies swarm your stomach. Your eyes are glued to the TV screen; you’re anxious just thinking of all the possibilities. 

If your team misses, you go into a deep depression because you have to wait a whole season to watch them play another game. If they win, you will probably stay up all night celebrating, constantly bragging to your friends as if you were on the team yourself. 

Sports fans are in every corner and crack of the world. In every sport, every town, they get a little crazier and crazier. During a sports season, fans revolve all their hope around one team. They paint their faces, buy season tickets, and even compete just to win crazy prizes such as an autographed ball. Sports fans buy huge televisions to watch their teams play, fall in love with the players as If they know them, and buy so much sports gear that they have a jersey for every player on the team.

It’s a habit, but honestly, you have to love it. Screaming at the top of your lungs, having a drink with all your friends and family, arguing about sports. It’s really fun. The excitement that comes from each game is a feeling that you just can’t experience from anything else. You find a real love and passion for the game and you begin to fall in love with the organizations and players. You’re glued to every single minute of each game, kicking back a beverage and stuffing your mouth with chips.

Sports fans--some of the biggest, loudest, and most passionate people on earth. 

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Child Mandate

By Derick Pagan

Hispanics are often criticized and stereotyped for having many children. I know from personal experience that Puerto Ricans encourage their children to have kids young. I recently conversed with my mother on the topic and after telling her that I wanted to have children around the age of 28, she looked at me like that was the most outlandish thing she’d ever heard. 

She told me, “28 is way too late to start having kids, you need to have kids at like 21, 22, those are good times.”  

When I’m 21 I’m still going to be in college. 

Not only is waiting to have children unheard of, but it is also looked down upon and can lead to criticism from members of the community. My aunt is 31, never married, and well educated. She is very successful and makes more money than anyone else I know of in my family. She still has plenty of time to have children and do whatever it is that she wants to do. Yet, due to the fact that she has no kids or husband she is constantly being mocked. Her siblings ask her continuously if she’s a lesbian. It is as though a child would be the only thing that makes her a woman. 

I think that the longer an individual waits to spawn, the more stable and able to provide for their child the person will be. There is nothing wrong with waiting to have children. Pressure from family members is both irrational and inconsiderate. Of course the miracle of a child is something anyone would want to experience, but what sense does it make for one to be rushed into being a parent? 

Personally, I’m going to wait as long as I like to have kids. I hope my family can handle it. 

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Job Advice

By Theresa Bell

You’ve been waiting to turn 16 years old because you can start to go job hunting now. Everybody wants to have a little money in her pocket to save or spend. Here is some advice to help you find a job. 

First, you find a website that lets you know who is hiring, such as snagajob.com. This site can help you stay alert to who’s hiring, what their age limit is, where they are located or what type of job is available.

You could also pick a day, maybe a Saturday, to go job hunting. Gather a bag with an empty folder, and a pen. If you invite a friend, make sure it’s a person who wants a job just as bad as you do. You can help keep each other motivated.

 Start at the busiest places, where you know they will probably be hiring. Try plazas, the mall, Boston Post Road, or businesses that you know just opened. On your job hunt, display a positive image to show that you are mature and ready to work. You could fill the applications out on the spot or take multiple applications home in your folder and fill them out. Return them as soon as possible, because you’re letting the employer know that you really want the job. After you hand in your applications, make a follow up call in a couple of days, and tell the person who you are and ask if your application has been reviewed. 

Next, you will hopefully get scheduled for an interview. Here are some dos and don’ts for a successful interview:

Do’s

• Know where your interview is ahead of time
• Prepare and practice introducing your self
• Dress for success (modest and professional)
  
• Arrive 10-15 minutes early to the interview
  
• Call if you are running late
  
• Have a soft spoken voice
  
• Be determined; give a firm handshake
  
• Have a confident voice/Be yourself
  

Don’ts

• Over-rehearse your answerHave a raggedy imageChew gum during interviewShow nervousness, a nasty attitude, or make jokesFocus on salary, vacations, or irrelevant topics
  
• Forget to turn your phone off or put on “silent”
  
• After you are successfully done with your interview, shake the person’s hand and tell them you want the job, and take their business card. Then you may want to write a thank you letter. You will hopefully get a call telling you your start date. 
  

Ushers are Enablers

By Derick Pagan

Let me start off by saying that I don’t mean to offend anyone’s beliefs or ideals.

So, my aunt takes me to church with her once in a while and I am always amazed by the women who erupt in shouts and seizures, which they like to refer to as “the holy ghost” or for las damas at my aunt’s church “el espiritu santo.”

Granted, I’m not a regular churchgoer, so I don’t have the best insight on religious affairs, but it really makes no sense to me that they gyrate and act out like that.

Okay, the band roars and the pastor speaks; everyone is fine and lively and having a good time. But then suddenly, when the women are touched on the forehead, they start jumping up and down.

My little cousin tells me not to look at them because a demon is coming out of them and if I stare it might go into me. Then, quite gracefully and with the help of the ushers, they proceed to lie on the ground. Now maybe it’s just me, but the whole thing seems a little false. I know church is the average person’s most direct form of feeling connected to God, but I don’t see what all the movement is doing for their cause.

But you know, to each his own. If those ladies want to go to a public gathering, throw a fit, and fall to the floor, by all means let them have their way, but I don’t see why this behavior should be encouraged by the church.

The ushers are pivoting back and forth, standing near the women who look like they might have a spasm, as if reassuring them, “Go ahead and fall lady, I got your back.

 What? They shouldn’t encourage this behavior. People have control over their emotions, regardless of how hyped up on Jesus they may be. The ushers very much enable these displays. 

It seems to me that their tendency to act up is more social than spiritual. They want to be perceived by the fellow church members as being connected to God. They want to be respected by their peers and the only way they know how is by catching “the holy ghost.”

And that they do, leaving church visitors like me, not yet accustomed to the normality of old ladies dropping to the ground, to wonder whether they are really being touched by God or simply blessing us with a well orchestrated performance intended to leave us less “spiritually connected” counterparts in awe.  

An Unwillingly Appointed Role Model

By Chris Davis
 
What makes me qualified to be a role model? I am no hero. I am the complete opposite. I don’t get the best grades, I’m not the best sports player, and I sure don’t win awards for anything. I have a terrible attitude towards the people around me and I don’t treat anybody nice. So, why do a lot of my younger peers look up to me?

My younger peers constantly search for me when they need advice, always want to be around me, and do things that are out of their character just to see if I will approve.

This constantly puzzles me. I mean most of my family doesn’t approve of the way I act, so how can I be a role model to kids? Would their parents accept the fact that they look up to me?

Sometimes it makes me wonder, should I unwillingly change myself for the sake of my young friends? If I do, they might want to change too and I wouldn’t have to worry about them making the wrong decisions like myself. 

I don’t want to change myself, but I will if it comes to watching out for my little brother and all the other young people who look up to me. 

I’m an unwilling but appointed role model.

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Condemnation 101

By Nicole Burwell  

Senior year has come and gone, and I'm finally on my way out of here. That being the case, I can't just leave Co-op without a commentator after I leave. Who will make fun of people after I'm gone? Who will tell people what they need to hear? Who will besmirch the sparkling vampires? Someone needs to take charge as the senior rantatorialist. So I decided to give some instructions as my parting gift to whoever feels worthy to take my place. Brace yourself kids, this is Condemnation 101. 

1. Don't care. Ah, not caring. There's an art to it and I've mastered it. The best way to write one of these is to do just that. Write it. Don't worry about what other people will say or think or if you'll be conflicting with other people opinions (because I'm sure we've established that their opinions don't matter). It's your opinion; you're not going to fry for it. So write it down, send it out, and worry about the angry mobs later. 

2. Write your passion. This one is important. Don't write about something you couldn't give two piles about. The more passion you have for something, the better editorial you'll create. If you write about, let's say, some foreign war that you don't really care about, it won't come out well at all. If your heart is in what you're writing, your opinion will flow and people will listen to what you're babbling about. 

3. It’s your opinion; go with it! Remember, this isn't an article. It doesn't have to be clad with encyclopedic facts and a bibliography. Sure, you should include facts just to give people some background information. But it doesn't need to be everywhere. If you're talking about the recession and you want to say that you think everyone in Washington are a bunch of yahoos that throw oranges at each other all day, by all means, say it! It's your opinion, so just go with it. 

4. Don't apologize. Look, there's always going to be someone that doesn't like what you have to say. But that doesn't mean you should apologize for saying it. Never recant what you write. It's yours, you worked hard on it. Never let anyone make you try and take it back because they don't have the "fortitude" to deal with it. 
So this is my final piece to you all. Good luck, and let the work live on, 

Peace, love, empathy.
Nikki Sixx.

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Don't Blame the Recession

By Henry Murphy Jr.

After former president Bush's second term was over, we were in an economic recession. Some citizens agreed that he took America for a twisted ride and in the end our beloved country got the short end of the stick. But the hope for re-cooperation was Barack Obama. He proposed ways to get us out of this recession.

In my opinion, we're already out of it. Of course times got hard, times are always hard. It even came to a point where it was said if things get worse with the recession, a second economic depression would possibly commence. But at the same time, it can be said that the recession is just an excuse for people to complain about their money issues and for them to be cheap. Count how many times you've heard someone say, "It's a recession," and you'll understand what I'm talking about.   

Yes, workers got laid off, and some people are still unemployed. But how do you know those workers weren't already messing up and on the verge of being fired anyway? If there are still people buying what they want, then obviously there's no recession. Okay so maybe people aren't getting everything they want, but at least they're learning to be smart with their money. That's the positive of the recession. It’s teaching people to evaluate how they spend their money. If you've noticed, families are starting to find less expensive ways to spend time together and they're still having loads of fun. For other optimistic views to this recession check out www.thankyourecession.com. This website is a forum for people's thoughts on the recession. While it may not give you facts, it can give you ideas on how to deal with the down economy.  

Unemployment is one bad effect of the recession. When this whole cloud of chaos started you would frequently hear about someone getting fired, and eventually that would lead to some worse effect. Even people with college degrees are experiencing difficulties with the unavailability of employment. We heard a lot about this at the start of the recession; now you don't hear about it as much. Smarter people became self-employed workers or bartered with others.

You can look at http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm, to see a little bit of data on the employment situation; it says that the number of people unemployed in May 2010 was 15 milliion. Out of the groups of major workers, meaning the people that were economically productive for 6 months or more during the year, the rate for unemployed African-Americans declined from 15.5 percent. But the unemployment rate for adult men (9.8 percent), adult women (8.1 percent), teenagers (26.4 percent), whites (8.8 percent), and Hispanics (12.4 percent) didn't really show any change. Also in May, the number of long term unemployed, which would be people that are without a job for 27 weeks and over, was unchanged at 6.8 million. Those people made up 46 percent of those unemployed, which was the same in April of 2010. But that doesn't necessarily mean those unemployed weren't finding their own way to make a couple of dollars. Teenagers babysit, maybe a few adults will sell t-shirts or find something productive to do for support.  

Some people use the recession as an excuse to complain about not having money. It’s no longer a recession, you're just not making any moves to get where you want to be. People now have survival on their mind, so they're doing what they can to get money. Maybe it’s not positive, maybe it's a slow process. But at least they can look you in the face and say "I'm still putting bread on my plate." There's a song called "Get Sum," by Wiz Khalifa. The main message of the song is in the chorus: "Got no money? GET SOME! You ain't got it, go and get it." Maybe it’s not that simple, but it’s motivation to get off your butt and find a way.   

So stop complaining. The chances are very high that you've seen plenty of people finding a way to support themselves or become part of the "well to do" class, even if the recession originally led to the loss of their job or another bad effect. Seriously, because the world isn't going to slow down for you to catch up when people are trying to find their own way. In the world today, there are three groups of people: people with money, people living comfortably, and losers. Losers are those people with no motivation, and are too lazy to do something. Don't be a loser.

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Celebrating Father's Day Without Your Father

By Theresa Bell
When Mother’s Day came, what did you do for your mom? Give her a teddy bear with a balloon, sent her on a spa, or made her breakfast in bed? Next, it was Father’s Day. What could you do if your dad is not in your life? You can still celebrate Father’s Day even though many children are raised by a single mother and their fathers are either in jail, dead, or Missing in Action. Here are five ways to celebrate Father’s Day without an actual father:

Change Father’s Day into Parent Appreciation Day. Show your mom how well she has done taking care of you. Thank her and take her out for breakfast or make breakfast for her. Or cherish her by giving her a break and taking over while she relaxes.

If you have siblings, celebrate Siblings Day. You and your brothers and sisters can go out and have as much fun as you can to avoid the feeling that you know its Father’s Day. 

Call up your grandfather, uncle, or male role model and try to spend some time with him. If he can’t make it, tell him much you love him and reminisce about the good times you shared with him.

For those whose fathers have passed away, you can visit you father’s grave site. If that’s too sad, you can still enjoy Father’s Day by sitting with the family and sharing brief memories you will always cherish.

If you’re an only child, or if not having a father affected you badly, you could just pamper yourself and have a chill day to yourself. Girls: go get your nails done, or go shopping; everyone know shopping is a stress reliever for girls. Boys: you can work out at the gym with a song blasting in your ears, visit a family member or friend, or hook up with that one special person.

Hopefully these ideas can help you for next year, so you can still celebrate Father’s day and enjoy every minute.

Boys' Love Lessons

By Chris Davis

The artificial heart of a young boy. A slow beating pace, with a rare adrenaline rush that only comes from chasing girls all day. 

Every boy is taught to idolize the man with a player mind state, the one who makes it seem as if the whole young male race has fallen into a heartless, love lost category where every girl sees them the same. 

Why don’t we idolize Romeo or Prince Charming who were faithful and loving to their women? The boys who are like them are a dying breed. 

Boys who actually treat girls well actually do come a dime a dozen. But we have to look into the problems young boys have to deal with. 

First, the boys that actually treat girls right don’t attract girls. 

Girls like bad boys, girls are so used to getting played by boys who don’t care about their heart that they have come to settle for love and look in the wrong places. 

And the fact that girls settle makes it close to impossible for boys that actually care to attract girls that they actually want. This makes these boys have to settle only making them want to become players too. That takes about ¼ of the young male race and turns them into players. 

Next, when boys find a girl that they actually want to treat right, which we all do, they are ridiculed for doing that. I see it happen all the time. Boys get called names and are constantly taunted about being in love. This comes from their friends and even other girls do it too. Look, another 1/4 of good men are gone. 

But that’s not even it; when girls are actually getting treated right, they get scared to get hurt, so they hurt the boy first by running or cheating. After this happens to a boy, they vow not to let it happen again because the humiliation a boy deals with from getting played is horrible. This leaves only ¼ of good guys left. 

The remainder have probably seen another boy experience one of the above problems and don’t want to deal with it, so they just become players. All boys are terrified of getting played. 

And girls wonder why all guys are the same. 

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Not a Gray!

By Derick Pagan

For most women, gray hairs signify the loss of youth and the decline of their prime. Hair is a universal sign of beauty that women find pride in and men find appealing. Women spend hours brushing, styling, coloring and so forth. Nice hair is a sign of a woman’s cleanliness and lets the world know that she cares about her appearance.

However, all of this effort can be foiled at the appearance of one thing: the infamous first gray. Women often start to get gray hairs as they approach their early thirties. But when grays start appearing earlier in life, it can leave the female in a state of shock.

When 16-year-old Cinthia Perez found a single gray hair in her head full of nice black hair, she was almost left speechless. She started to flail around and screamed at her peers to pull it out. One single grey hair completely mortified 16 year old Perez. Because if you have one, more are going to follow right? Not necessarily.

There are a wide array of reasons why one might develop grey hair. One does not necessarily mean that more are on their way. Perez’s gray could have been a single malfunction due to a little stress, or an indication that in ten years her head will be full of grays. If it bothers you, a bottle of hair die is only $12.99. You’re not getting any older because your hair changes color ladies, and stressing about it will only worsen the problem. Flaunt your grays and be proud of what you got.

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Electronics @ Lunch

By Emily Messinger

Cellphones, Ipods, and mp3 players should be put away during classes. It is a time to learn and pay attention to what is being taught. It is different if your teacher says it’s okay, but in any other situation it is very disrespectful and will only hinder you learning. 

On the other hand, what are we doing at lunch that requires all electronics to stay away? Nothing is being taught and it is supposed to be a break for students. It’s time to refuel and recharge before another 2-3 hours of learning. 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with showing a friend a new video or listening to some music during a free period. Sometimes, students are just texting their parents to inform them that an after school program was cancelled or that they need to stay after for extra help without the hassle of going to the office and using a phone. 

Lunch is a free period and students should be free to use their electronics as they please. 

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Double Arts

By Kayla Paugas

When asked if they would like to study two art forms instead of just one, there are many students who would choose two. The students who go to Co-op are creative kids who want to expand and develop artistically. Many students are in many different mediums of expression. Why should kids who have a natural talent or passion for multiple arts be limited to just one? 

Most professional artists specialize in--or are at least able to do--more than one art. For example, the the majority of musicians today either sing, and play an instrument or sing and dance and even write their own lyrics. There are also writers who illustrate their own books, or artists who are able to write. Some famous examples are Dr. Seuss and Roald Dahl. 

Currently, students are limited to one art and earn two credits a year in that art. An alternative would be to have students choose two arts and take one class in each per year. In junior and senior years, if they want to focus on one art more than another they can, but they also have the basic tools in each art to decide. With the current system, if a student wants to participate in two arts, they have to wait until junior and senior year. By then they are behind and lack some basic skills that other kids would have picked up in their first two years of instruction.

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Being Bullied? Not Cool.

By Amanda Aponte

In our generation, bullying has only been getting worse. Bullying has led to many suicides and kids not attending school anymore because they’re scared. For example, Fox 5 News reported about a 15 year old girl from Birmingham, Alabama, who jumped off a bridge and killed herself because she complained about bullying in school and apparently there was no one to hear her out. 

Bullying should be taken a lot more seriously. Situations involving bullying should be stopped before they escalate. Teachers, guidance counselors, and principals should be more aware. If a student comes in and says another kid is bothering them, that situation should not be left alone. There should be an immediate meeting with the parents and all the students involved because it won’t come to end by itself. 

Bullying usually happens at school, but cyberbullying can continue at home, through the internet and texting. 

Bullying can change a person dramatically, because another person is lowering their confidence. We all know we should never give another person that much power, but it can be difficult. 

Bullying doesn’t only exist in America. For example, an Australian website,www.nobully.org.nz, gives useful information on bullying. Did you know that Kia Kaha is the name of resource kit that the police have made to help stop bullying in New Zealand?  

Are you being bullied and don’t know what to do? Tell someone. It’s not even a question. It can be someone you trust or just a teacher. If you don’t tell someone the situation can only get worse, NOT better. 

Don’t worry if people say “Oh you snitched me out.” 

Talk to guidance about the bullying. You don’t have to tell anyone why you’re going to guidance or why you’re going to talk to a teacher. If you trust your parents, tell them first so they can contact the school. But if your parents just give you simple advice like “Well hit them back,” you may need another adult’s help. Hitting a bully back won’t get you anywhere; once again, it will make it worse for you. 

So don’t just sit back and suck it up. Tell someone who can help stop the bullying. 

In high school, you have people who think differently and people who see things differently. For example if you’re gay and you’re open about,  you know you’re going to have ignorant people talk about you and bully you. Another reason boys might get bullied is because they don’t do things the typical teenage boy does. For example, having your pants sag, smoking, drinking, and having sex. 

A girl might get bullied because she’s smart, or because she doesn’t dress like the rest of the girls. If you have your own style and you already know who you are as a person, bravo for you. That’s great. 

If you’re different and you don’t do any those things don’t let anyone tell you different about yourself. You’re not walking this world to please anyone else but you.