To Vaccinate or not to Vaccinate...
March 2022
By Kayla Garcia
Is the COVID Vaccine good or bad? What are your thoughts on it? Many people are against getting it, and many people are all for getting it.
I interviewed a nurse at Christus St. Vincent Hospital in Santa Fe, New Mexico and asked her her thoughts on the vaccines, as well as her personal experiences with the vaccine. I asked her “Are you vaccinated, and if so, what was your reasoning for receiving the vaccine?” She responded, “Yes I am, and because I have autoimmune issues and I have to be vaccinated to keep my family safe and healthy.” She has her own autoimmune issues and received it in order to protect herself from getting a worse variant, as well as keeping her family safe.
As with many people that talk about the virus on news channels and people talking in general, that is why many choose to get the vaccine: to keep themselves and their families safe. The next question was, “Are you concerned that if you or any other people around you don’t get the vaccine, you or they may get a worse variant of the virus?” “Yes,” she stated, “I see in the medical field that people that are not vaccinated are getting sicker and dying, and yes, comorbidities have an issue and more complications, so if you get vaccinated, your health issues aren't as bad.” People are getting sicker without the vaccine then they are with it.
What is the difference between the 3 different vaccines, and is the booster shot a good vaccine to receive? People chose a certain type of vaccine after doing research on it and its ingredients. Some people chose a certain one for allergy-related reasons or religious beliefs. I asked the same nurse “What are your opinions on the 3 different variations of the vaccines?” She responded, “All three of the vaccines have the same property, I got vaccinated with Pfizer, so my opinion is as long as you get vaccinated with one of them, it is fine.”
I also agree with this because, as long as you get a vaccination no matter which one it is, you, as well as others around you will be safe. To follow up with that question I asked her, “Have you received the booster vaccine, and if so, what's your reasoning for receiving it?” She replied “Yes I did receive the booster vaccine, and that was because of the autoimmune issues I could get very sick because my immunity is low. With some of the research I've done, people with autoimmune issues have a higher percentage chance of getting Covid-19 and dying from it.
I surveyed 7 other nurses from Christus St. Vincent hospital and asked their opinions on the rules of COVID and their thoughts on it. My first question was “Should people be forced to get vaccinated in order to keep their jobs?” 57.1% of them strongly disagree, 14.3% disagree and 28.6% strongly agree. As you can see, there are different opinions on this question, more so being people's opinions and perspectives of the virus.
I then asked “Do you think the mandate on vaccines should be a thing?” 4 of 7 said no, 2 of 7 said yes, and 1 of 7 said possibly. For the 4 that said “no,” they all stated that it is “your body, your choice”. One specific "no" answer that stood out to me was “Absolutely not, especially when Congress is mandating for everyone but not for themselves.” This is very true; congress pushes people into getting it, but isn’t mandating it for themselves, and many of these politicians are not getting it at all.
What are the benefits and effects of the vaccine? There are many things that can happen with getting the vaccine and there are many opinions on the vaccine. I asked 7 nurses, “What do you think the benefits and drawbacks of the COVID shot and booster shot, and what impacts can they have on the body?” I got many different and unique answers. A few responses that stood out to me were “Benefits are that you may not be hospitalized or die from COVID, but it can still happen. Effects on the body can cause anxiety, brain fog, possible heart problems, anaphylaxis, possible death. Again people know their bodies and should not be forced to take anything they are not comfortable with. Just take the extra precautions and accept the fact that you might get very ill or even die from COVID. The most obvious benefit would be that it would prevent infection from COVID or lessen the symptoms of COVID, however, because it was issued under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the FDA, and was not vetted as usually done, we do not know what the long term effects are on the body."
There is growing evidence of vaccine injuries or deaths being reported to the VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System) that are not being publicized because it is believed this will cause vaccine hesitancy, so I don't think we can make informed decisions at this time. Also, because the vaccine was approved under the EUA, no one can be held liable for any adverse effects from this vaccine.'' They are saying that with the vaccines, you will not get a horrible variant of the virus, but it doesn't mean you won’t get it. The most surprising response I got was “It could help lessen the symptoms of COVID but it does not guarantee you will not get it."
One interview subject shared, "Smallpox vaccine was given to me as a child. I only received one in my lifetime. Now they want to give a booster possibly every 10 weeks for COVID. Something is not working.'' This this statement definitely surprised me because you would never expect a healthcare worker to say “somethings wrong” while talking about the vaccine.
In the end, getting the vaccine and booster is completely an individual choice. If you don’t receive it, you will have a higher chance of getting COVID; however, if you do take it, there is a chance of getting hospitalized because of it.
By Kayla Garcia
Is the COVID Vaccine good or bad? What are your thoughts on it? Many people are against getting it, and many people are all for getting it.
I interviewed a nurse at Christus St. Vincent Hospital in Santa Fe, New Mexico and asked her her thoughts on the vaccines, as well as her personal experiences with the vaccine. I asked her “Are you vaccinated, and if so, what was your reasoning for receiving the vaccine?” She responded, “Yes I am, and because I have autoimmune issues and I have to be vaccinated to keep my family safe and healthy.” She has her own autoimmune issues and received it in order to protect herself from getting a worse variant, as well as keeping her family safe.
As with many people that talk about the virus on news channels and people talking in general, that is why many choose to get the vaccine: to keep themselves and their families safe. The next question was, “Are you concerned that if you or any other people around you don’t get the vaccine, you or they may get a worse variant of the virus?” “Yes,” she stated, “I see in the medical field that people that are not vaccinated are getting sicker and dying, and yes, comorbidities have an issue and more complications, so if you get vaccinated, your health issues aren't as bad.” People are getting sicker without the vaccine then they are with it.
What is the difference between the 3 different vaccines, and is the booster shot a good vaccine to receive? People chose a certain type of vaccine after doing research on it and its ingredients. Some people chose a certain one for allergy-related reasons or religious beliefs. I asked the same nurse “What are your opinions on the 3 different variations of the vaccines?” She responded, “All three of the vaccines have the same property, I got vaccinated with Pfizer, so my opinion is as long as you get vaccinated with one of them, it is fine.”
I also agree with this because, as long as you get a vaccination no matter which one it is, you, as well as others around you will be safe. To follow up with that question I asked her, “Have you received the booster vaccine, and if so, what's your reasoning for receiving it?” She replied “Yes I did receive the booster vaccine, and that was because of the autoimmune issues I could get very sick because my immunity is low. With some of the research I've done, people with autoimmune issues have a higher percentage chance of getting Covid-19 and dying from it.
I surveyed 7 other nurses from Christus St. Vincent hospital and asked their opinions on the rules of COVID and their thoughts on it. My first question was “Should people be forced to get vaccinated in order to keep their jobs?” 57.1% of them strongly disagree, 14.3% disagree and 28.6% strongly agree. As you can see, there are different opinions on this question, more so being people's opinions and perspectives of the virus.
I then asked “Do you think the mandate on vaccines should be a thing?” 4 of 7 said no, 2 of 7 said yes, and 1 of 7 said possibly. For the 4 that said “no,” they all stated that it is “your body, your choice”. One specific "no" answer that stood out to me was “Absolutely not, especially when Congress is mandating for everyone but not for themselves.” This is very true; congress pushes people into getting it, but isn’t mandating it for themselves, and many of these politicians are not getting it at all.
What are the benefits and effects of the vaccine? There are many things that can happen with getting the vaccine and there are many opinions on the vaccine. I asked 7 nurses, “What do you think the benefits and drawbacks of the COVID shot and booster shot, and what impacts can they have on the body?” I got many different and unique answers. A few responses that stood out to me were “Benefits are that you may not be hospitalized or die from COVID, but it can still happen. Effects on the body can cause anxiety, brain fog, possible heart problems, anaphylaxis, possible death. Again people know their bodies and should not be forced to take anything they are not comfortable with. Just take the extra precautions and accept the fact that you might get very ill or even die from COVID. The most obvious benefit would be that it would prevent infection from COVID or lessen the symptoms of COVID, however, because it was issued under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the FDA, and was not vetted as usually done, we do not know what the long term effects are on the body."
There is growing evidence of vaccine injuries or deaths being reported to the VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System) that are not being publicized because it is believed this will cause vaccine hesitancy, so I don't think we can make informed decisions at this time. Also, because the vaccine was approved under the EUA, no one can be held liable for any adverse effects from this vaccine.'' They are saying that with the vaccines, you will not get a horrible variant of the virus, but it doesn't mean you won’t get it. The most surprising response I got was “It could help lessen the symptoms of COVID but it does not guarantee you will not get it."
One interview subject shared, "Smallpox vaccine was given to me as a child. I only received one in my lifetime. Now they want to give a booster possibly every 10 weeks for COVID. Something is not working.'' This this statement definitely surprised me because you would never expect a healthcare worker to say “somethings wrong” while talking about the vaccine.
In the end, getting the vaccine and booster is completely an individual choice. If you don’t receive it, you will have a higher chance of getting COVID; however, if you do take it, there is a chance of getting hospitalized because of it.
Articles about Social Media
March 2022
The Impacts of Social Media By Saressa Sorrell
Social media is a simple tool people around the world use daily. Though how people use social media can affects people in both negative and positive ways. What are some of the positive and negative causes and effects of social media? They have the power to change your perspective of the world but also yourself. While social media has some positive benefits, and there are many great social media examples, it also has many disadvantages. We normally only hear about the negative elements of social media, yet everyday people are having positive interactions online. Many people use social media to branch out and meet new people or connect to distant families. It also gives people a chance to view different cultures and become more educated. One of the biggest advantages of social media is that making friends has never been easier. It was difficult to connect with people just a few decades ago, unless you were the overly extroverted sort who could strike up a discussion with anybody and everybody at a party. It's completely conceivable to have hundreds of friends. My little sister Madilynn Velasquez said “My favorite part of social media is I get to meet new friends and see different cultures and it’s interesting.” Social media shows you different cultures and opens your eyes to the bigger world which is great, but only if you choose to use it positively. 10 students voted in a survey and 80% of students said their favorite part of social media was interacting with their friends and family. You might be startled to hear that social media has both physical and mental consequences. Social media has the power to alter your perspective of the world and yourself. While social media has some positive benefits, and there are many successful social media experiences, it also has many downsides. I administered a survey with 10 other students and while many of them had positive things to say about social media, In the survey 95% of students said they didn’t like the toxic and harmful parts of social media. My sister Leahlani Sorrell said “I use social media everyday. I originally started using social media to talk to family and friends and now I probably use social media about 2-3 hours everyday. My favorite thing about social media is you can keep in touch with people from all different phases in your life." Honestly, I think social media is a very bad thing, I feel like if we only used it for messaging people and keeping contact then it wouldn’t be so bad. But it’s very influential and it makes us compare ourselves to other people. I also feel like people on social media are very fake because they present themselves as who people want them to be or how they want to be viewed, instead of showing who they really are. ” Social media can impact people in different ways because of the way people choose to use social media. Social media can be a good thing until you over use it. Too much of anything is bad for you. There are advantages and disadvantages to social media, just as there are to everything else. We've looked at some of the negative and positive effects of social media on a variety of people, but it's up to you to decide whether it's more beneficial or harmful to you. |
Tik Tok By Leeann Hands
Do you know what Tik Tok is? It's a video-sharing app. After all, it is one of the most widely used social networking sites nowadays. Tik Tok is a video-sharing app that people use to have fun and share with their friends and family. Tik Tok can also be used as a place of employment. This article will go over the positives and negatives of Tik Tok. As you go down your "for you" page, you'll notice your favorite content providers, from comedians to housekeeping fans to book lovers. Tik Tok has everything you could possibly need. You may not be aware, however, that Tik Tok may be utilized to make money. If your videos become popular, you can sign up for Tik Tok's program and receive money. A single popular video will usually net you more than $60. Even if everything sounds great, Tik Tok wasn't always so accommodating. In September 2020, the Trump administration planned to make Tik Tok and WeChat illegal. This was due to internet harassment directed against the Trump administration and other legal bodies. People even went so far as to give Trump Towers and his app poor evaluations. Tik Tok has been given a temporary restraining order, which will continue until November. The ban was never put into effect, and the app is still in use today. Another issue with Tik Tok is that many users fear the Chinese company that runs the app is collecting user data and spying on them through their phones. Sabrina, a Pecos High School student, said she had Tik Tok and utilized it for more than an hour per day in an interview. She admitted that she was addicted to the platform. My second interviewee revealed that she, too, was addicted to the app. She claimed to be on the app for 4 to 8 hours every day. In a survey I conducted, 100% of respondents stated they use Tik Tok. Only 25% of those who were asked if they were addicted to the app said yes. However, I disagree with these statistics since I know from personal experience that using the app causes you to lose track of time, and before you know it, it is 4 hours later. Finally, they all agreed that they use the platform for roughly 1-2 hours every day. As a result of my research, we've seen the highs and lows of Tik Tok. I observed that most people just use the platform for 1-2 hours. So the next time you're going down the "for you" page, consider what the app is really teaching you. |
You Tube
By Angelina Medina
Have you ever been on YouTube and seen a really fantastic video? Have you ever been interested to know more about the app? In this article, you will discover all of the facts and information you require concerning YouTube. Because consumers spend so much time online and consider social media as a vital source of information on issues that matter to them, it is becoming increasingly important in today's culture. Users may submit videos, create channels, and form virtual communities based on similar interests on YouTube, which is one of the most popular social networking sites. YouTube becomes a tool for promoting people and ideas since users may use social media to advertise themselves and their ideas.
YouTube is a video sharing and social media network owned by Google and situated in the United States. It was started on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is the world's second-most-visited website, right after Google. YouTube has a monthly user base of over one billion people who watch over one billion hours of video every day. More than 500 hours of video footage were being uploaded per minute as of May 2019. This information came from a variety of places on Google, one of which being YouTube Wikipedia.
In October 2006, Google bought YouTube for $1.65 billion. As a result of Google's ownership, YouTube has evolved it no longer generates revenue just from advertisements but also offers premium content such as movies and exclusive YouTube content. YouTube Premium is also available, which allows viewers to watch videos without being interrupted by advertisements. According to YouTube, the company's revenue for 2020 was $19.8 billion.
Señora Medina Pacheco, a Pecos High School teacher, was interviewed. She claims to use it on a daily basis for both fun and work. I concur with this remark because I, too, utilize YouTube on a daily basis. I use YouTube for both amusement and educational purposes. Another question I posed was, "What is one thing about this app that you would change?" She stated that she will replace the lengthy advertisements that could not be skipped; especially because you have to pay to avoid adverts by subscribing. LeeAnn Hands, a Pecos High School student, stated the same thing. They are both against extended advertisements and having to pay for memberships.
Overall, many people enjoy this app, and it is used for a variety of purposes. Many people use the site for enjoyment, learning everything from how to read to how to fix a car, thanks to the many amusing and brilliant artists. YouTube is a fantastic way to stay in touch with friends and favorite creators! Also shown in my survey results in 15/15 of people that took my survey use this app and 13/15 think it is a very helpful app for everyday use and 8 out of 15 only use it for content and entertainment 7 out of 15 only use it for educational purposes. So these results show me that it is useful to all people whether teacher or student.
Have you ever been on YouTube and seen a really fantastic video? Have you ever been interested to know more about the app? In this article, you will discover all of the facts and information you require concerning YouTube. Because consumers spend so much time online and consider social media as a vital source of information on issues that matter to them, it is becoming increasingly important in today's culture. Users may submit videos, create channels, and form virtual communities based on similar interests on YouTube, which is one of the most popular social networking sites. YouTube becomes a tool for promoting people and ideas since users may use social media to advertise themselves and their ideas.
YouTube is a video sharing and social media network owned by Google and situated in the United States. It was started on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is the world's second-most-visited website, right after Google. YouTube has a monthly user base of over one billion people who watch over one billion hours of video every day. More than 500 hours of video footage were being uploaded per minute as of May 2019. This information came from a variety of places on Google, one of which being YouTube Wikipedia.
In October 2006, Google bought YouTube for $1.65 billion. As a result of Google's ownership, YouTube has evolved it no longer generates revenue just from advertisements but also offers premium content such as movies and exclusive YouTube content. YouTube Premium is also available, which allows viewers to watch videos without being interrupted by advertisements. According to YouTube, the company's revenue for 2020 was $19.8 billion.
Señora Medina Pacheco, a Pecos High School teacher, was interviewed. She claims to use it on a daily basis for both fun and work. I concur with this remark because I, too, utilize YouTube on a daily basis. I use YouTube for both amusement and educational purposes. Another question I posed was, "What is one thing about this app that you would change?" She stated that she will replace the lengthy advertisements that could not be skipped; especially because you have to pay to avoid adverts by subscribing. LeeAnn Hands, a Pecos High School student, stated the same thing. They are both against extended advertisements and having to pay for memberships.
Overall, many people enjoy this app, and it is used for a variety of purposes. Many people use the site for enjoyment, learning everything from how to read to how to fix a car, thanks to the many amusing and brilliant artists. YouTube is a fantastic way to stay in touch with friends and favorite creators! Also shown in my survey results in 15/15 of people that took my survey use this app and 13/15 think it is a very helpful app for everyday use and 8 out of 15 only use it for content and entertainment 7 out of 15 only use it for educational purposes. So these results show me that it is useful to all people whether teacher or student.
Physical & Mental Fitness
By Daniella Chavez
Have you ever felt uninspired or sluggish? You must put in your best effort in order to feel your best. People all across the world have started to stray away from their best selves as our world has made humans more and more secluded in their own houses. Fitness is exactly what brought me back to living my best life, and it could be the missing piece in your success puzzle as well.
"Many people who exercise on a regular basis do so because it makes them feel better. Exercising can improve your attitude, focus, and alertness. It may even assist you in developing a positive view on life" (Better Health Channel). According to this website, exercising can truly make you feel better mentally in the long run. Even while it may be exhausting and difficult at first, it will benefit you in a variety of ways. A sedentary lifestyle combined with a lack of physical activity can be harmful to one's health. Cancer, a range of chronic diseases, and mental health issues have all been related to a lack of physical activity. Exercise, on the other hand, has been shown to improve mood and mental health while also delivering a number of other health benefits. Physical fitness, of course, allows you to do things that you might not otherwise be able to do.
I've always liked being active, which is why I've always participated in sports since middle school. About two years ago, fitness took on a new meaning for me. I discovered how much I relied on athletics to fuel my physical and mental well-being when we were isolated. At home, I found myself bored. I was also tired of being lazy and unmotivated to accomplish anything, including studying and socializing. I eventually realized that I needed to make a change. I began modestly, watching YouTube videos to raise my heart rate and improving my diet. I noticed significant changes during the next two months. I'm more energized. I was always energized. My spirits were lifted. I felt physically healthier.
I also performed a survey that included roughly 20 participants. I was shocked by the results after they answered a series of questions. Only 5% of these persons stated they had no good eating habits at all, while 52 percent said they had healthy eating habits at times. The majority of the 18 participants felt that exercising is enjoyable, with only 21% disagreeing. When I asked this group of people how psychologically and physically well they are, the majority gave higher marks for mental health, with only one person receiving a perfect score of 5/5.
I also interviewed a series of people at my school to better understand how people feel about fitness and how it affects their life. When I asked my mother, she said, “I've always tried to stay active throughout my life. It gets a little tougher when you have kids and they are young.” Even though it is hard to prioritize fitness on top of everything else that fills your busy day, its critical to your own well being that you do so. It can not only help mothers feel more physically confident, but also mentally on track. Exercising gives something that is just our own.
Although it may be difficult to get started, once you do, you will see a difference right away. Stress, anxiety, despair, and fury can all be relieved by engaging in regular physical activity. Do you ever get that "feel good" sensation after engaging in some physical activity? Consider it a happy pill with no unpleasant side effects! Most people notice that they feel better as physical activity becomes a regular part of their lives.
Have you ever felt uninspired or sluggish? You must put in your best effort in order to feel your best. People all across the world have started to stray away from their best selves as our world has made humans more and more secluded in their own houses. Fitness is exactly what brought me back to living my best life, and it could be the missing piece in your success puzzle as well.
"Many people who exercise on a regular basis do so because it makes them feel better. Exercising can improve your attitude, focus, and alertness. It may even assist you in developing a positive view on life" (Better Health Channel). According to this website, exercising can truly make you feel better mentally in the long run. Even while it may be exhausting and difficult at first, it will benefit you in a variety of ways. A sedentary lifestyle combined with a lack of physical activity can be harmful to one's health. Cancer, a range of chronic diseases, and mental health issues have all been related to a lack of physical activity. Exercise, on the other hand, has been shown to improve mood and mental health while also delivering a number of other health benefits. Physical fitness, of course, allows you to do things that you might not otherwise be able to do.
I've always liked being active, which is why I've always participated in sports since middle school. About two years ago, fitness took on a new meaning for me. I discovered how much I relied on athletics to fuel my physical and mental well-being when we were isolated. At home, I found myself bored. I was also tired of being lazy and unmotivated to accomplish anything, including studying and socializing. I eventually realized that I needed to make a change. I began modestly, watching YouTube videos to raise my heart rate and improving my diet. I noticed significant changes during the next two months. I'm more energized. I was always energized. My spirits were lifted. I felt physically healthier.
I also performed a survey that included roughly 20 participants. I was shocked by the results after they answered a series of questions. Only 5% of these persons stated they had no good eating habits at all, while 52 percent said they had healthy eating habits at times. The majority of the 18 participants felt that exercising is enjoyable, with only 21% disagreeing. When I asked this group of people how psychologically and physically well they are, the majority gave higher marks for mental health, with only one person receiving a perfect score of 5/5.
I also interviewed a series of people at my school to better understand how people feel about fitness and how it affects their life. When I asked my mother, she said, “I've always tried to stay active throughout my life. It gets a little tougher when you have kids and they are young.” Even though it is hard to prioritize fitness on top of everything else that fills your busy day, its critical to your own well being that you do so. It can not only help mothers feel more physically confident, but also mentally on track. Exercising gives something that is just our own.
Although it may be difficult to get started, once you do, you will see a difference right away. Stress, anxiety, despair, and fury can all be relieved by engaging in regular physical activity. Do you ever get that "feel good" sensation after engaging in some physical activity? Consider it a happy pill with no unpleasant side effects! Most people notice that they feel better as physical activity becomes a regular part of their lives.
Political Beliefs
October 2021
By Mayra Cisneros Flores
When it comes to politics, it gets messy. Political disagreements can often lead to chaos, riots, or worse. There are so many different opinions and types of people; we all end up judging each other in the end.
Politics are a big part of this world. Presidents and vice presidents are maybe the most important leaders who the American people depend on. In 2020, we went through a global pandemic and Donald Trump was our president. In the beginning, everyone panicked and the first thing they did was go to the store and buy everything, especially toilet paper. You could go to the store and see many isles empty and everything was on Trump. Trump managed to control all of it and calm down the people. The pandemic has been happening for a year and the vaccine was created.
I interviewed some Pecos High students in order to gain some opinions about Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Natalia Stout, a Trump supporter, stated that “Trump helped many families and kept our industries running. He was also nice to everybody”. Later, student Lucas Varela, a Biden supporter, insisted “Biden is accomplishing more in 8 months than Trump did in his 4 years of presidency.” I then asked Natalia what she thought about Biden and Trump in general. She said “Biden is setting this world up to go to war. Trump made and said some dumb things but stayed in check with things in the world”. I asked Lucas the same question and he replied with “Biden is less evil than the evil one we had before.” It is evident from these responses that different opinions can cause problems between one another due to their wording and their tone.
I took a survey and asked 34 people if they feel safe with the president now. 38.2% said maybe, 47.1% said no, and 14.7% said yes. The ones that said "no" feel unsafe because they prefer Trump and had trust in him more than they do with Biden. They feel like Biden is setting us up and trying to ruin the world. I proceeded to ask if Biden is a good president, and 67.6% said no, while 32.4% said yes. Many Trump supporters see Biden as a cruel and non-successful person while on the other hand, Biden supporters see Trump as a racist, cruel, disrespectful person. Immigration is one of the biggest problems in America and when Trump brought it up, that’s when people created conflict amongst one another.
We all have the right to believe and think what we want. When Trump was deporting immigrants from all over America, immigrants started to worry and hide. Most of the people started to agree, which caused a bigger riot. That’s what caused many people to hate Trump. What hurt most people’s hearts was seeing children in cages. There were protests in most states and not to mention, Black Lives Matter protests were happening at the same time; there was plenty of violence as well.
Things are calm now, but who knows if our opinions and our differences will still keep us apart from each other.
October 2021
By Mayra Cisneros Flores
When it comes to politics, it gets messy. Political disagreements can often lead to chaos, riots, or worse. There are so many different opinions and types of people; we all end up judging each other in the end.
Politics are a big part of this world. Presidents and vice presidents are maybe the most important leaders who the American people depend on. In 2020, we went through a global pandemic and Donald Trump was our president. In the beginning, everyone panicked and the first thing they did was go to the store and buy everything, especially toilet paper. You could go to the store and see many isles empty and everything was on Trump. Trump managed to control all of it and calm down the people. The pandemic has been happening for a year and the vaccine was created.
I interviewed some Pecos High students in order to gain some opinions about Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Natalia Stout, a Trump supporter, stated that “Trump helped many families and kept our industries running. He was also nice to everybody”. Later, student Lucas Varela, a Biden supporter, insisted “Biden is accomplishing more in 8 months than Trump did in his 4 years of presidency.” I then asked Natalia what she thought about Biden and Trump in general. She said “Biden is setting this world up to go to war. Trump made and said some dumb things but stayed in check with things in the world”. I asked Lucas the same question and he replied with “Biden is less evil than the evil one we had before.” It is evident from these responses that different opinions can cause problems between one another due to their wording and their tone.
I took a survey and asked 34 people if they feel safe with the president now. 38.2% said maybe, 47.1% said no, and 14.7% said yes. The ones that said "no" feel unsafe because they prefer Trump and had trust in him more than they do with Biden. They feel like Biden is setting us up and trying to ruin the world. I proceeded to ask if Biden is a good president, and 67.6% said no, while 32.4% said yes. Many Trump supporters see Biden as a cruel and non-successful person while on the other hand, Biden supporters see Trump as a racist, cruel, disrespectful person. Immigration is one of the biggest problems in America and when Trump brought it up, that’s when people created conflict amongst one another.
We all have the right to believe and think what we want. When Trump was deporting immigrants from all over America, immigrants started to worry and hide. Most of the people started to agree, which caused a bigger riot. That’s what caused many people to hate Trump. What hurt most people’s hearts was seeing children in cages. There were protests in most states and not to mention, Black Lives Matter protests were happening at the same time; there was plenty of violence as well.
Things are calm now, but who knows if our opinions and our differences will still keep us apart from each other.
How to be the best me
July, 2021
By Isaac Gonzales
Am I being the best me I can be? This may be a question you have asked yourself, especially since COVID began. This article contains some tips I would like to share.
One, be willing to discard old habits. Also, just try to be more focused as a student. How to be the best you is to always put forth maximum effort and turn in high-quality work by the assigned assignment deadline. There are many ways to be the best you, and in the remainder of this article, I will lead you through some possible steps for you to become better!
The first step to becoming the best you is discovering yourself. By discovering yourself, I mean finding out who you really are by exploring your passions. There are limitless ways to explore your passions; for instance, if you are inspired by art, drawing or coloring, or even writing can help you discover yourself. If you like building things with your hands, perhaps building a doghouse for your dog will inspire you; maybe you enjoy wonderful food, and you will find your passion in creating new recipes. Other aspects of discovering yourself may be related to exercising and getting out of your comfort zone. Exercise like running or weight lifting helps to keep you fit both physically and mentally. Going out and meeting new people or trying something new might be ways to get you out of your comfort zone. When you work on new ways to discover yourself, you will make progress toward becoming the best you.
Let go of limiting yourself. Letting go of limits is another great way to become your best self. Say the teacher wants one thing done and you know you can do more than just that one task, don't limit yourself. Or when you feel like saying you can’t, you can! Don't let yourself be limited by negative thoughts like this. I'm not saying push yourself so hard to where you are struggling, but you are more powerful than you think! If you know you can do more, do it!
Don’t be afraid to have high expectations. Having high expectations helps you to accomplish work of the highest quality. For example, if you want to finish a task for school, that can be an expectation which is great to have. These types of things keep us going, and make us the type of people we are. So make sure you are able to reach these expectations. This is also a major part in becoming a better you.
Stay positive. This may seem hard right now, but it is a huge thing. I was talking to a teacher, and she said it is important to always work hard in order to be the best you. When she said this I felt inspired; and she was correct, because staying positive has really helped me. Her statement about being the best you is what inspired me to write this article in the first place. In order to do this, you have to be positive and not always be negative; look at it this way: it is harder to be sad than it is to be happy. This is a known fact. You have to be positive to get positive outcomes. Speak a life sentence not a death sentence! These are just some of the tools to help you improve. Thanks for reading this and taking the time to see how to become the best you.
July, 2021
By Isaac Gonzales
Am I being the best me I can be? This may be a question you have asked yourself, especially since COVID began. This article contains some tips I would like to share.
One, be willing to discard old habits. Also, just try to be more focused as a student. How to be the best you is to always put forth maximum effort and turn in high-quality work by the assigned assignment deadline. There are many ways to be the best you, and in the remainder of this article, I will lead you through some possible steps for you to become better!
The first step to becoming the best you is discovering yourself. By discovering yourself, I mean finding out who you really are by exploring your passions. There are limitless ways to explore your passions; for instance, if you are inspired by art, drawing or coloring, or even writing can help you discover yourself. If you like building things with your hands, perhaps building a doghouse for your dog will inspire you; maybe you enjoy wonderful food, and you will find your passion in creating new recipes. Other aspects of discovering yourself may be related to exercising and getting out of your comfort zone. Exercise like running or weight lifting helps to keep you fit both physically and mentally. Going out and meeting new people or trying something new might be ways to get you out of your comfort zone. When you work on new ways to discover yourself, you will make progress toward becoming the best you.
Let go of limiting yourself. Letting go of limits is another great way to become your best self. Say the teacher wants one thing done and you know you can do more than just that one task, don't limit yourself. Or when you feel like saying you can’t, you can! Don't let yourself be limited by negative thoughts like this. I'm not saying push yourself so hard to where you are struggling, but you are more powerful than you think! If you know you can do more, do it!
Don’t be afraid to have high expectations. Having high expectations helps you to accomplish work of the highest quality. For example, if you want to finish a task for school, that can be an expectation which is great to have. These types of things keep us going, and make us the type of people we are. So make sure you are able to reach these expectations. This is also a major part in becoming a better you.
Stay positive. This may seem hard right now, but it is a huge thing. I was talking to a teacher, and she said it is important to always work hard in order to be the best you. When she said this I felt inspired; and she was correct, because staying positive has really helped me. Her statement about being the best you is what inspired me to write this article in the first place. In order to do this, you have to be positive and not always be negative; look at it this way: it is harder to be sad than it is to be happy. This is a known fact. You have to be positive to get positive outcomes. Speak a life sentence not a death sentence! These are just some of the tools to help you improve. Thanks for reading this and taking the time to see how to become the best you.
Advances in Technology
May, 2021 By Jodaiah Padilla Technology. What comes to mind when you hear this word? Is it computers, phones, game consoles? Well, in this article, you can hear about all of these things and also some technological advancements. Lastly, you will be able to understand the pros and cons of what technology has done to people, and the world we live in today. Technology can go as far back as the stone age when humans were learning how to make fires or how to make weapons to kill animals. But complex technology which is mainly what we use in today's world originated around the 1980s, and has taken off ever since. As people have tried figuring out new methods and ways of making advancements, the first real piece of technology we used was the computer. This may not be what you’re thinking; computers started with a big box in the back of it and a screen that is awful, compared to today's standards. But as bad as this may have been, we have adapted and been able to make laptops, PC’s, and smartphones. Technology has grown so much that even our own smartphones have more technology than what was used to send the first people to the moon. The gaming industry has boosted technology massively and has attracted record amounts of players. Things such as high school Esports teams have been growing at astonishing rates and even have the most money to offer for scholarships than any other curricular activity combined. This is all because of the use of technology. Not just with gaming, though technology has been able to get us through this school year of being at home. I asked students some questions about how people have seen technology help them or others and they gave me real examples of this year with school. The big question is what would we have done without the technology we have today in our everyday lives? I surveyed a group of kids at Pecos High and asked what school would’ve been like without technology. Most said it would’ve been much more difficult and much more of a hassle to do work. I then asked if they liked school using online technology better. Seventy-five percent of students said yes and gave reasons such as they stay focused and it is easier for them to keep track of what they’re doing.
As much as there are good aspects of virtual learning, there are also some things to look out for, such as how much time you are spending on technology or how you are being safe on technology. For example, being on social media is something that is fun and it allows people to stay in touch with others. However, you also have to be careful of people you may not know. Spending lots of time on social media can happen by accident but moderation is the key in everything we do. Long term effects can develop over time, such as eye problems. As I asked some questions to older generations about how they felt about how kids spend a lot of time or even too much time on their phones. Of course they gave me the answer everyone expected and said yes, that they spend too much time on them and some even gave me real examples of what they did as teens. Advancements in technology have played a major role in in our changing world today. There are clearly both positive aspects of technology, as well as negative repercussions connected to excessive use of technology. After reading this what side are you on? Would you like the world to change even more with technology or stay how it is now? |
SpaceX
May, 2021 Kaylee Herrera Elon Musk, CEO of aerospace company SpaceX, has been planning to make indefinite human history- sending humans to Mars. It is no secret that billionaire Elon Musk has had his eyes set on inhabiting the neighboring planet of Mars, since his founding of SpaceX in 2002. The real question for decades has been, “When?,” and although this expedition depends on a number of variants- economic standings, new discoveries, crew members, etc., Musk says he is “highly confident” that SpaceX will have humans on Mars by 2026. Musk’s dream of inhabiting Mars has always been viewed as “a reach” to society, but with SpaceX’s successes since 2010- 116 successful launches and missions- his absurd dream is becoming more of a reality. Why does Elon Musk yearn to colonize Mars? According to space.com, “Musk has long said that humans need to establish a permanent and self-sustaining presence on Mars to ensure "the continuance of consciousness as we know it" — just in case planet Earth is left uninhabitable by something like a nuclear war or an asteroid strike.” Why is this relevant now? In a recent interview with Elon Musk and Peter Diamandis, the discussion of colonizing Mars is mentioned. “It’s dangerous, it’s uncomfortable, it’s a long journey, you might not come back alive. But it’s a glorious adventure and it’ll be an amazing experience… An arduous and dangerous journey where you may not come back alive, but it’s a glorious adventure- sounds appealing,” said Musk. What piqued my interest was the reveal of what the crew members will look like: “I mean honestly a bunch of people will die in the beginning, it’s tough sledding over there… we don't want to make anyone go, volunteers only!” Now obviously this would mean that civilians like us would be granted the opportunity to be an astronaut for just a moment, as Peter Diamandis stated “you have millions of people volunteering to go.” The flip-side? Death. In a recent survey I conducted, I asked the audience, “Is it inhumane to send volunteers to Mars as test subjects when there is a high risk of dying?” 60% of respondents thought “no, because they signed up for it” while only 20% thought “yes, especially if they are at high risk.” One specific answer stated, “I would say it is both because for one, they are volunteering and they know what they are getting into. But then people who are in charge know that something can go wrong and someone could possibly die, but yet they're still sending them up there.” I interviewed two Pecos High School sophomores on the matter of the subject, as it is relevant to young adults like us to have opinions- especially on topics like inhabiting our neighboring planet within the next decade. When asked, “Is there anything that fears or concerns you about this future expedition? Anything that excites you?” interviewee Viktoriano Quintana stated, “What brings me concern would be that there are people who are actually wanting to go, even though they could possibly be injured or even die. But then again, the people are wanting to do it themselves. What would excite me would be that they are sending actual human beings to Mars for the first time, if they go through with the expedition.” Many respondents of the survey thought along the same lines as Quintana. When asked the same question, 80% of respondents were both excited and concerned for the future expedition. I asked second interviewee Santino Garcia the same question, and he responded, “Honestly I don't think I have any concerns. I'm all for this trip, this is a huge step to what I want to see in the future, which is homes on another planet.” It is also important to think of how this expedition will affect humanity long-term. I asked both interviewees, “Though it is impossible in our lifetime, would you leave Earth to inhabit Mars? What are your thoughts on that idea (the idea of humans becoming a multispecies planet)?” Interviewee Quintana arises the question of discovering other sentient beings as he states, “ I think if something like that was to happen, then I think I would. Getting to be on another planet and possibly living there would be the first and something that literally nobody has ever seen before. Even getting to find out if there are other living species that are out there would be crazy, just as long as they're not violent. Overall, I think the idea would be very difficult and would take a lot of time to go through, but it can possibly one day be achieved.” Interviewee Garcia stated, “Living on Mars or even any different planet is a dream of mine and like you said it'll never happen, but just knowing my great-great-great grandkids might be able to is super cool.” Now knowing this, would you take the opportunity? While we sit back and observe how things will play out from here until our hair turns white, we will get to experience learning life-altering knowledge. What does that mean for Earth, physically and socially? Though I could give my own hypothesis’, I think it’s better to stay and find out. |
The trouble with politics
March, 2021
By Andres Gonzales
Right now you may be asking me what is the problem with politics? In truth, politics are part of your daily life. You see it when you watch TV, scroll through social media, and hear people talking about politics all the time. So what can be wrong with politics? Well, nothing really--just the politicians, and the way people interact with them today. With modern politics, you see angry mobs outside peoples doors, enemy media dragging peoples' names and reputations through the mud, and what might as well be civil war among everyday Americans.
There are currently three main parties of politicians currently in the U.S. They are the republican, democrat and independent parties and, as soon as you are able to vote, you are expected to pick a side. The most popular are the republican and democratic parties. I will try to be as neutral as possible. To do this I will draw information from both sides of the media and keep my own opinions out. All information will be fact--widely popular/known or not.
The problem with politics today is that everything said is taken to heart. People are no longer willing to listen to other people's ideas and are struggling to separate their political ideals from how they see others. America is based on the idea of freedom of speech; the idea of sharing perspectives in an attempt to make something better and yes, this does mean some words may hurt, but like you, everyone is allowed the freedom to voice personal opinions. When surveying a group of New Mexico residents, 100% of the respondents new they had the freedom to voice their opinions; but do not forget, you also have the freedom of whether or not to listen. So yes, to a extent hate speech is free speech, and to an extent, whatever you say may seem hurtful to someone whether it was meant to or not.
People are no longer accepting others' ideals and are acting aggressive towards each other. Whether you are a democrat or republican, you are still American, so no, it is not acceptable to go to peoples houses in huge mobs to scare them. It is not acceptable to ban them or hate them because they are of different party. And it is especially not okay to storm the capital because a person does not agree with their party. Just like it is disgusting to do all these things, it is also disgusting to lie and blame “their enemy” for being the cause of it.
The worst and most disgusting is the use of the media: the very thing that informs the population. We the people deserve the absolute truth, not some one-sided story to help one party look better than the other. The saddest and most depressing thing is the tarnishing of people's reputations. I will use two prime examples of this. Both examples are accusations that are proven to be false, and both were presidents. The first, President Obama, was accused of not being born in the U.S. The second was Hillary Clinton, claiming Trump kept touching her during their presidential debate. Due to being common and popular figures, they were only slightly hurt by these accusations, but think of the small people who have had and will have their names ruined for the rest of their lives, never able to be seen by the public again.
The saddest thing of all is that these politicians that the people fight for make broad promises to do great things for the people once they are elected . The sad truth is that they typically don’t fulfill these promises. Both parties have made promise after promise and for the most part, they are rarely kept. Politicians have forgotten that they stand for the people, and they have only the power we grant them. They are only powerful because we the people put them there.
In truth there is not much I can do. It is up to you the people to listen and to choose when to draw the line. When enough is enough, it is up to you to end your pointless conflicts. We are all American; we all have equal rights. All beliefs are free to be shared and criticized. "To bear defeat with dignity, to accept criticism with poise, to receive honors with humility -- these are marks of maturity and graciousness.” -William Arthur Ward
March, 2021
By Andres Gonzales
Right now you may be asking me what is the problem with politics? In truth, politics are part of your daily life. You see it when you watch TV, scroll through social media, and hear people talking about politics all the time. So what can be wrong with politics? Well, nothing really--just the politicians, and the way people interact with them today. With modern politics, you see angry mobs outside peoples doors, enemy media dragging peoples' names and reputations through the mud, and what might as well be civil war among everyday Americans.
There are currently three main parties of politicians currently in the U.S. They are the republican, democrat and independent parties and, as soon as you are able to vote, you are expected to pick a side. The most popular are the republican and democratic parties. I will try to be as neutral as possible. To do this I will draw information from both sides of the media and keep my own opinions out. All information will be fact--widely popular/known or not.
The problem with politics today is that everything said is taken to heart. People are no longer willing to listen to other people's ideas and are struggling to separate their political ideals from how they see others. America is based on the idea of freedom of speech; the idea of sharing perspectives in an attempt to make something better and yes, this does mean some words may hurt, but like you, everyone is allowed the freedom to voice personal opinions. When surveying a group of New Mexico residents, 100% of the respondents new they had the freedom to voice their opinions; but do not forget, you also have the freedom of whether or not to listen. So yes, to a extent hate speech is free speech, and to an extent, whatever you say may seem hurtful to someone whether it was meant to or not.
People are no longer accepting others' ideals and are acting aggressive towards each other. Whether you are a democrat or republican, you are still American, so no, it is not acceptable to go to peoples houses in huge mobs to scare them. It is not acceptable to ban them or hate them because they are of different party. And it is especially not okay to storm the capital because a person does not agree with their party. Just like it is disgusting to do all these things, it is also disgusting to lie and blame “their enemy” for being the cause of it.
The worst and most disgusting is the use of the media: the very thing that informs the population. We the people deserve the absolute truth, not some one-sided story to help one party look better than the other. The saddest and most depressing thing is the tarnishing of people's reputations. I will use two prime examples of this. Both examples are accusations that are proven to be false, and both were presidents. The first, President Obama, was accused of not being born in the U.S. The second was Hillary Clinton, claiming Trump kept touching her during their presidential debate. Due to being common and popular figures, they were only slightly hurt by these accusations, but think of the small people who have had and will have their names ruined for the rest of their lives, never able to be seen by the public again.
The saddest thing of all is that these politicians that the people fight for make broad promises to do great things for the people once they are elected . The sad truth is that they typically don’t fulfill these promises. Both parties have made promise after promise and for the most part, they are rarely kept. Politicians have forgotten that they stand for the people, and they have only the power we grant them. They are only powerful because we the people put them there.
In truth there is not much I can do. It is up to you the people to listen and to choose when to draw the line. When enough is enough, it is up to you to end your pointless conflicts. We are all American; we all have equal rights. All beliefs are free to be shared and criticized. "To bear defeat with dignity, to accept criticism with poise, to receive honors with humility -- these are marks of maturity and graciousness.” -William Arthur Ward
The Land of Opportunity
March, 2021
By Bani Morataya
Many people refer to America as the "Nation of Dreams and Hope," but it is also known as the "Land of Opportunity." It is also commonly said that “this is the place where hopes and expectations come true.” So will it finally give more opportunities to those looking to make this country their home?
As of the 2020 presidential election between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, many immigrants' aspirations have risen at an unthinkably quick pace. President Biden pledged to non-citizens that a immigration reform will be enforced, which hasn't really occurred since 1986. President Biden's future and existing vision, according to www.vox.com, is to welcome a new "immigrant era." President Trump, during one of his speeches, said he would change the term used to identify immigrants (“Aliens”).
Since the election, President Biden has moved at a rapid pace to undo a lot of the previous presidency’s policies, a big one being immigration. From halting construction of border fencing, to transitioning out of the policy where migrants from the south requesting asylum stay in Mexico, Biden has hopes to a more humane approach to the immigration struggle. The president says White House Press Secretary, Jen Psaki, seeks to put "in place an immigration process here that is humane, that is moral."
In Biden’s promise, from his website (JoeBiden.com), he claims our current immigration situation is due to “Trump’s misguided policies” and his actions negatively impacted the economy and state of the nation. He begins by even making the claim that a lot of our ancestors themselves were immigrants and immigration is “essential to who we are as a nation”. He also claimed that research suggested that the total contribution to the economy by foreign workers was in the trillions. This was pre-election of course, and since then he has begun his agenda to move the country forward progressively.
Democrats in the House on February 18 introduced the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, which would establish an eight-year path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants, widen legal immigration opportunities, and reduce visa backlogs. This would not only help document the undocumented who are scared to ask for help or fear persecution, but also end or lower a lot of the horrors that go on within the immigrants’ search looking for a better life.
Within the migrant experience of coming to America, many experience or risk exploitation, the environment, murder, starvation, kidnapping, or even disappearing, with many immigrating to escape the same in their home countries. From the south, many immigrants on foot risk starvation for days, hypothermia due to drastic shifts in weather from day to night (hot temperatures in high 80s-90s to below 60s making conditions for exposure to hypothermia), or harm from humans themselves (gangs, vehicles/ modes of transportations, traffickers, etc). According to a UN report, Honduras reported 91 homicides per 100,00 people, comparable to other countries where constant civil wars are being held.
In January 2017, Trump declared that his approach to immigration was to target 11 million immigrants within the country in the time of his administration. With no statistical evidence, the administrations claimed not only radical, but also false things about trafficking, terrorism, and overall criminal activity to ensure his agenda, which the actions of it were equivalent to war crimes and against civil rights. According to Pew Research Center, Trump’s administration detained 851,508 people from 2018-2019 .The US Border Patrol reported 294 migrant deaths in the fiscal year 2017 (ending September 30, 2017), which was lower than in 2016 (322), and any year during the period 2003-2014.
Sadly, there would be some complications to his policy. Some might take advantage of the situation and we could see more chaotic movement coming to America. Homeland security has already reported a surge in migration with caravans arriving. One migrant comments to CNN En Español, that Biden “is going to help all of us. He's giving us 100 days to get to the U.S.'' This would probably be the only downside to the situation.
I conducted a survey to get an anonymous demographic of 50 peoples’ opinions (ages ranging 14-19) on the matter. In one question asked “do you yourself know an immigrant?” all 50 said "yes." “Do you think immigrants are bad?” again, all 50 said "no." When asked “are you aware of the current immigration situation and its history?” a staggering 38 said "yes," 5 said "unsure" and 7 said "no." Fourthly, when asked “are the origins of your family tree linked to immigration?” 49 said "yes," with the 1 claiming "native indigenous American." And lastly, when asked “Do you hope to see change to immigration?” 35 said "yes" and 15 chose the option “I do not think progressive change would come.” Additional Quotes on the matter include:
March, 2021
By Bani Morataya
Many people refer to America as the "Nation of Dreams and Hope," but it is also known as the "Land of Opportunity." It is also commonly said that “this is the place where hopes and expectations come true.” So will it finally give more opportunities to those looking to make this country their home?
As of the 2020 presidential election between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, many immigrants' aspirations have risen at an unthinkably quick pace. President Biden pledged to non-citizens that a immigration reform will be enforced, which hasn't really occurred since 1986. President Biden's future and existing vision, according to www.vox.com, is to welcome a new "immigrant era." President Trump, during one of his speeches, said he would change the term used to identify immigrants (“Aliens”).
Since the election, President Biden has moved at a rapid pace to undo a lot of the previous presidency’s policies, a big one being immigration. From halting construction of border fencing, to transitioning out of the policy where migrants from the south requesting asylum stay in Mexico, Biden has hopes to a more humane approach to the immigration struggle. The president says White House Press Secretary, Jen Psaki, seeks to put "in place an immigration process here that is humane, that is moral."
In Biden’s promise, from his website (JoeBiden.com), he claims our current immigration situation is due to “Trump’s misguided policies” and his actions negatively impacted the economy and state of the nation. He begins by even making the claim that a lot of our ancestors themselves were immigrants and immigration is “essential to who we are as a nation”. He also claimed that research suggested that the total contribution to the economy by foreign workers was in the trillions. This was pre-election of course, and since then he has begun his agenda to move the country forward progressively.
Democrats in the House on February 18 introduced the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, which would establish an eight-year path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants, widen legal immigration opportunities, and reduce visa backlogs. This would not only help document the undocumented who are scared to ask for help or fear persecution, but also end or lower a lot of the horrors that go on within the immigrants’ search looking for a better life.
Within the migrant experience of coming to America, many experience or risk exploitation, the environment, murder, starvation, kidnapping, or even disappearing, with many immigrating to escape the same in their home countries. From the south, many immigrants on foot risk starvation for days, hypothermia due to drastic shifts in weather from day to night (hot temperatures in high 80s-90s to below 60s making conditions for exposure to hypothermia), or harm from humans themselves (gangs, vehicles/ modes of transportations, traffickers, etc). According to a UN report, Honduras reported 91 homicides per 100,00 people, comparable to other countries where constant civil wars are being held.
In January 2017, Trump declared that his approach to immigration was to target 11 million immigrants within the country in the time of his administration. With no statistical evidence, the administrations claimed not only radical, but also false things about trafficking, terrorism, and overall criminal activity to ensure his agenda, which the actions of it were equivalent to war crimes and against civil rights. According to Pew Research Center, Trump’s administration detained 851,508 people from 2018-2019 .The US Border Patrol reported 294 migrant deaths in the fiscal year 2017 (ending September 30, 2017), which was lower than in 2016 (322), and any year during the period 2003-2014.
Sadly, there would be some complications to his policy. Some might take advantage of the situation and we could see more chaotic movement coming to America. Homeland security has already reported a surge in migration with caravans arriving. One migrant comments to CNN En Español, that Biden “is going to help all of us. He's giving us 100 days to get to the U.S.'' This would probably be the only downside to the situation.
I conducted a survey to get an anonymous demographic of 50 peoples’ opinions (ages ranging 14-19) on the matter. In one question asked “do you yourself know an immigrant?” all 50 said "yes." “Do you think immigrants are bad?” again, all 50 said "no." When asked “are you aware of the current immigration situation and its history?” a staggering 38 said "yes," 5 said "unsure" and 7 said "no." Fourthly, when asked “are the origins of your family tree linked to immigration?” 49 said "yes," with the 1 claiming "native indigenous American." And lastly, when asked “Do you hope to see change to immigration?” 35 said "yes" and 15 chose the option “I do not think progressive change would come.” Additional Quotes on the matter include:
- “I, myself, am an immigrant and it is exciting to see a president who won’t oppress people wanting better.”
- “Change is coming!”
- “Some of my personal heroes are immigrants.”
Things to Look Forward to After Quarantine
By Justine Aragon It goes without saying that quarantine has taken a lot from all of us. We can’t see family or friends, no concerts or entertainment and no in person school. The pandemic is one of the most challenging issues facing us today. But look at the future and see the brighter side: no masks required, no more standing 6 feet apart, no need to wait in lines to get into our favorite stores; we can see live concerts and finally be anywhere we need to be. Quarantine will end soon and we’ll be back to our normal lives. We just need to be patient and let things run their course. First of all let's look at all the things to look forward to after quarantine. ‘What do you look forward to after quarantine?’ I asked my brother. “I look forward to traveling and seeing live concerts.,” he responded. He, along with others, are very excited for quarantine/corona to finally be over. When surveyed about life after the virus, here were some people’s answers: “Hang out with friends I haven’t seen” “I want to have a family get together” and “I want to have life as close to normal as possible.” When asked what a family member [my brother] was most excited about, he answered, “Our 4 year old cousin Tiana.” There’s two important things people are majorly looking forward to: seeing friends/ going to school and seeing their families without fear. 100% of people say they will see family without fear. These things will soon be over and we’ll be able to have family get togethers and finally go back to school. Every start has an end, meaning this will hopefully end soon. Coronavirus was first found in late 2019, but New Mexico first went in quarantine on March 13, 2020. During this time, students also got news that schools would be closed. This news came as a devastation to all. No one could go out and everyone was locked inside unless they were essential workers. On top of that, these cases slowly started rising and slowly were getting worse. “In the past, pandemics have typically lasted between 12 and 36 months,” noted Women’s Health. One the bright side, vaccines are being developed so they are now predicting we may be in normal life soon; if these vaccines actually work, we could be back to normal life sooner than we thought. “Hopefully, a good chunk of the population will be immunized by the summer," also stated by Women’s Health. Therefore, we need to look forward past it; this too shall pass, and we’ll be back to normal life soon. In my survey, 40% of people claim they will be going out without a mask when this is over, while 60% claim they won’t be going out without one. People still may need to be cautious; the pandemic may be over soon, but you never know if it’s completely gone. But things like concerts and other forms of entertainment will finally come back. 80% of people want to travel soon after this is over, while 20% don't want to travel when this is over. 100% of people think this has gone too far and has gone on for too long. |
Looking at Life From a New Perspective
By Lorenzo Ortega When you look over at someone and they are living their best life when you feel down, do you not want to be like them? Do not bring yourself down everyday because of one little mistake! We own this and no one else is going to get in the way of us, so let's not let little things get in the way of our whole lives. We are all bigger than this-- I promise you. There are millions of people everyday suffering from depression and only we can figure out ways to stop depression and getting sad from getting in the way of our lives. We do not need to take all this negativity and take it out on ourselves and do nothing about it. We need to rise up--we need to take action and do something about it. No one can stop this from happening except you. Let me tell you how we can all stop this together, as one. Well let's not just stop there... let me tell you the facts and show you how to be a better caring person for everyone. In everyday things you do not have to dread them or think of them as bad. You can go about things by looking on the bright side of everything. Not everyday has to be bright though; maybe you just want to stay in bed and sleep, or stay home and do nothing. Everything is okay as long as you are not getting down. Out of my surveys 100% of the people that I asked said they aren’t always happy but they can do something about it. 100% of the people that I surveyed also said that they would help or go to help if they or someone was down in any way. My surveys also showed that most people know someone that was depressed or has been depressed themselves. Studies show that 6.75% of adults suffered from depression in 2016 alone. This is no joke, and we need to to stop the spread. We will need to be able to grow and learn every single day and look on the bright side of life: the side where you do not want to go but where you need to go. You can improve from your current state everyday. You can always be your better self so just keep pushing through everyday knowing that people love you--knowing that someone will always be there for you and that you are not alone. Like I said before WE ARE BIGGER THAN THIS. So you decide how your day is going to go: bad because of something small, or are you going to rise above? **************************************************************** |
Imagine, we’re finally COVID-19 free, everyone can go anywhere they want. No masks and no 6 feet apart--you can finally see your family and friends again! We can finally go see movies in theaters and watch our favorite musicians in live concerts again. Everything has a beginning and everything has an end; you just have to be patient and look to the brighter future. There’s so much to look forward too after quarantine, and we just need to keep our heads up and know this is going to end sooner or later.
Hunting: Necessary or cruel?
By: Mistidawn Roybal & Angelique Olonia
Is the sport of hunting necessary or cruel? The response to this dilemma, like so many hot button topics, depends on who you ask. On the one hand, others argue, nothing could be more normal than hunting, and at some stage in its history, just about every animal species including humans, has been either predator or prey. Ironic as it may sound, because many animal predators have been wiped out by humans, some see hunting as a natural way to destroy the herds of prey animals which, as a result, now multiply beyond the carrying capacity of the ecosystem.
Fewer Americans hunt now than in recent times, regardless of one's particular position. Data obtained by the U.S. for its new (2006) National Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation Report, the Fish & Wildlife Service reveals that just five percent of Americans, about 12.5 million people, consider themselves hunters today, down from nine percent in 2001 and 15 percent in 1996. However, public interest for hunting is on the rise. A 2007 study by a social science company specialized in natural resource challenges, Sensitive Management Inc., showed that 78 percent of Americans favor hunting today versus 73 percent in 1995. Eighty percent of respondents accepted that "hunting has a legitimate place in modern society," and the number of Americans suggesting hunting opposition fell from 22 percent in 1995 to 16 percent in 2007.
Normally people under the age of 18 are not legally allowed to bear a firearm, crossbow, bow, etc. In a recent poll taken about 50% of people do not approve of the underage use of firearms. The privilege of hunting changes that. There is a program that ensures minors know all that it takes to be a knowledgeable hunter. The state department of Game and Fish provides a “hunter safety course” for anyone from 8 to 18 years old. These individuals study a book that informs them on hunter etiquette and the concept of “fair game." During the course there is a section that educates the student on how to properly clean, carry, operate, and load a firearm. At the end of the completed hunter safety course the student gets a certificate indicating the student has passed and understands the exam.
Many conservation and animal lovers, on the other hand, see poaching as cruel, arguing that destroying livestock, irrespective of realistic factors, is inherently incorrect. "According to Glenn Kirk of the California-based The Animals Voice, hunting "causes tremendous distress to individual wild animals..." and is "freely barbaric because hunters kill for fun unlike normal predation..." He adds that, despite the claims of hunters that hunting keeps wildlife populations in balance, license fees of hunters are used to "manipulate a few game [target] species into overpopulation. Others argue, beyond religious concerns, that hunting is not realistic. The overwhelming majority of hunted animals, such as waterfowl, upland birds, mourning doves, squirrels and raccoons, have limited sustenance, according to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), and do not need population management.
All wildlife profits from hunting. Scientifically validated and controlled hunting has never ever contributed to threatened or endangered species of wildlife! In reality, hunting funds have helped many game and nongame species rebound from declining numbers through public land development, habitat enhancement and preservation, research, public information/education, and wildlife law enforcement work especially dollars raised from application fees/hunting permit/stamp purchases. As an example, only 41,000 elk existed in North America in 1907. There are more than 1 million elk at present, thanks to the funds and hard work spent by hunters to restore and preserve habitat! By 1900, herds of elk, once widespread in all of Nebraska, became extinct. A few elk came to Nebraska in the 1960s, and the state saw the first modern elk hunting season in 1986. Since then, elk have spread into western Nebraska's hills and valleys, and the annual migration of young bulls through eastern Nebraska is a regular phenomenon.
All the different aspects of hunting make up an amazing way of life for many individuals, we should learn to preserve and respect this ancient and superior way of life, because if we don't then the art of hunting will all disappear. Although some may disagree and have a different perspective of hunting, their opinions are respected. In addition to only combating the bad connotations, this ensures that the advantages that hunting may have were protected. This will let people know how rewarding an encounter can be in addition to the apparent bonus of getting more food (both physically and mentally). It was also necessary to let people know that hunting, because it is always viewed as anti-conservationist, may also have some fantastic conservationist benefits involved.
Tik-Tok could be banned in the US--but why?
By Kai Martinez With all of the events 2020 is offering us on a rusted platter, there is chaos going on everywhere. From the pandemic to Kanye West announcing he is running for president- a handful of interesting events have happened within the last year. However, one topic in particular has teenagers and even adults angry at President Trump: The possibility Tik-Tok will be banned from the United States. Why? Well, only President Trump knows for sure. But a few people have speculated what is happening based on the evidence and our orange menace has shown or presented. There’s one question everyone has in their mind right now: why exactly is Trump threatening the ban when it’s taken over this age by storm and is used by millions of loyal users logging in from around the globe? A few weeks ago it was rumored Tik-Tok (a Chinese social media platform from Bytedance) may be selling users from the United State’s personal information; but there is no evidence that is actually true. A lot of people, especially teenagers, are saying it’s because of the Trump rally they are being targeted for using the app. Teenagers on the platform used the media sharing site to troll Trump at his rally by buying a lot of tickets that were being sold despite not actually attending the event to make it seem like a flop (which is iconic if you ask me). And because some people just never learn, rather than solving it in a mature way, he decides to threaten a ban even though that’ll only make it worse. The President, on the other hand, has said otherwise. The main concern for him is banning Tik-Tok due to concerns of privacy. “We’re gonna keep looking at TikT-ok; we’re thinking about making a decision because there’s no question what the Big Tech companies are doing is very bad,” he spoke upon questioning from interviewers. It would make total sense for the ban for that reason...but there hasn’t been any sufficient or relevant information except for false accusations from the president and rumors from the media. In an interview with someone who prefers to be anonymous, he states he thinks the ban has to involve the conflicts we have with China. “The conflicts probably have something to do with Trump. Especially since he had the nerve to blame the pandemic we are in right now on China and called it the “Chinese Virus.” he says. “Look, what happened with China with this virus, what they’ve done to this country and to the entire world is disgraceful.” previously stated Trump. We’re all aware of the xenophobia Trump holds precious to his tiny heart. This is especially candid towards China ever since the Coronavirus originated there. The racist remarks and sentences that come out of our bigmouthed president only add more tension and conflict between the two nations (not to mention China is growing at a faster rate than we are and they’re rapidly catching up to our economical status). He fully blames China for all that has happened in the United States ever since it entered the country (even though he was the one letting the people whom caught the sickness back into the country but that’s none of my concern). This makes a lot of people question if the real reason Tik-Tok is getting banned is because of the strong yet vile opinions he has on China. I’m convinced everyone breathing near Trump is considered his enemy. In response to Trump’s menacing, Tik-Tok has announced they are currently going through the process of being bought by Oracle. However just recently, he brings up a new doubt that may result in the ban taking place because of the certain conditions that were offered. He himself said “I’m not prepared to sign off on anything. I need to see the deal first.”. The thing that’s stopping Trump from not banning it is a preposition in the deal: one that would not allow the US Treasury to have any cut of the deal (which is deemed by experts as never done before and illegal). If Tik-Tok poses a “big threat” like Trump is saying it is, then shouldn’t other social media apps be deleted as well since Tik-Tok isn’t the only app that has had security issues before? Apparently, some people think so. A survey of 10 separate individuals showed about 60% of people have said Tumblr should be banned as well, as the app was previously accused of having harmful malware and illegitimately sold personal data and information to various companies. But has Trump given Tumblr any trouble regardless of it causing privacy issues? No?, I didn’t think so. Regardless of all the tension between Trump and his crippling unhealthy caffeine addiction that is Tik-Tok, thankfully the problem has been resolved and just maybe, we can have some escape from the hidden Jumanji sequel that is 2020. Recently, Tik-Tok was officially bought by Oracle. This means the app will no longer be banned from the US. The creators get to keep creating content for their followers, users will be happy, and the middle-aged moms get to keep their softcore version of Tinder. However, not everything is all peachy and dandy. There’s still the issues the US is having with China. Tik-Tok nearly getting banned from all app stores may have only angered China more, but we don’t know that for sure until they pull out an Uno reverse card on us and take action upon everything. Until then, just smile and wave boys. Smile and wave. Trump has not spoken out about the recent events, but knowing him he’ll be back to his normal self and continue “bashing” the political peoples and democrats on his Twitter account. Since he hasn’t been speaking out about it, that will possibly only add more onto people’s suspicions he’s a salty crybaby and just wants to get revenge on China. Then again, no one expects anything more from someone who looked like he rolled around a floor of Cheeto dust. |
Online School
By Josiah Padilla Do you think online school is as effective as in person school? I personally do not; I have done my research and it's really up to the person's perspective on the education system. I will give you reliable information on both sides, and you decide for yourself. If you think that In person school is more effective than online then you are with the majority, or at least of the people who were surveyed for this article. The first question I asked the survey subjects was "Do you personally feel like you're getting as good of an education?" Almost every respondent said no, and that they felt like they would be learning way more if they were physically in the classroom. Maybe you are on board with this whole online learning experience. According to an article “The Daily Aztec.com” a survey was taken by over 100 students at a school in California in which most of the students stated that they go to the classes just for the fact they HAVE to go. They also said that it's very boring and they are not engaged in the learning whatsoever and overall, they have lost their desire to learn. It is also very difficult to handle on a personal level, since students are home pretty much all day now and have to be disciplined by getting up and out of you bed to go to school. For a teenager in high school, all this responsibility is very difficult and not too many adults understand this; sometimes it feels like we're just expected to know how to do all this stuff that is asked of us. It's also very stressful for us to try and complete all the work that's assigned to us. Some of the teachers often say to "give them a break," because they are new to this online thing and they have to figure it out. But it's equally as hard for us students as well-- if not harder. The teachers have to remember we have not worked full time jobs for over twenty years; we’re sixteen-year-old high school students at home, and it's very easy to get distracted. If we were physically in school, I don't think it would be as hard for everyone--teachers and students included. Online school does have some benefits though, as much as we dislike all the work we were given, we have almost double the time to get the work done. Since Pecos High School has made Fridays makeup days, this helps students a lot. I also really like that some teachers give us our weekly assignments but make everything due on Friday. I know that I would be very behind if those teachers didn't do that. According to my interviews, most of the people had very few positives about online school but almost all of them noted that the Friday system has helped them get back on track. Now that I'm at home doing school all day, I often find myself doing work for several hours after school is over, and this helps a lot because, since I'm already doing school, I might as well finish some of my work. That way, I have extra time later on in the day so, believe it or not, I don't procrastinate nearly as much now. Online school will probably never be as effective as in person school, just for the fact that it's not nearly as engaging. It is very difficult to get interested in the topics being presented in the online setting. I don't really think much could be changed because the schools are doing the best they can and working with what they've got. This is the circumstance for now and everyone is trying to make it as easy as possible for students and teachers alike. |
Birth of the Apple
By Jodaiah Padilla What do you think of when you hear the word apple? Well you may think of the food, but you should also think of technology and the products of Apple. As you should know Apple has many different types of products such as phones, tablets, computers, and even headphones. You will also learn about what makes Apple products so efficient and why they work so fast. In a study that was conducted by Apple specialist Semoti Stephens, several Apple and non-Apple computer users were interviewed. One question that was asked was “how many people do you know use apple products?” Every single person that they had interviewed all gave the same answer, which was twenty or more people. This then raised the thought about whether apple products are really that useful, or if people just buy them because of the name. In this survey, the person also asked questions such as "Do you know the creator of Apple products?," and "Do you know when they were first made? I was very curious about this, so I asked more people why do you use apple products. I did the math, and about 90% of the people used them for the simple fact that they are the most efficient type of technology. I did some research on this to see what other people said, and according to computer specialist Rob Gane, Apple products, especially Imac, are so fast and efficient because “All macs contain Solid-State Drives (SSD's). They use the same technology as a USB memory stick.” You may be wondering what this means, but it is emphasizing that Apple technology is quite advanced compared to brands such as Dell or Windows products. This really came to my attention because I did not know apple products were really this useful. After I understood this part of the survey I was still wanting to know more. I thought maybe it was just the survey that I had read and it was just a coincidence, but I came to realize that over 80% of people in the United States use apple products. How do you feel about using these types of products? When you first used Apple products were you satisfied with your experience? I am going to leave you with this: in all the years you have been alive, you have been able to see technology grow and change. Why would you not choose the best type of technology to use? Wouldn't you want to be up to date with what is going on in the world and what is changing right before your eyes? The decision is yours...choose wisely! |
Cruces Man Vs The Police
By Kaylee Herrera The problem in today’s society with the police is inevitable. Regardless of who you defend, it is no argument that it is an issue. Now if you are a New Mexico resident like me, you may think, “an incident like that would never happen here.” In that case, you are wrong. It happens everywhere. Although, there is one story that will catch your eye, as it did mine. Thankfully, this individual and their family got justice. On February 29, the life of Antonio Valenzuela was taken by newly recruited officer, Christopher Smelser. Valenzuela had been riding alongside his cousin and her friend when they were pulled over by LCPD. They had been pulled over because they had left a spot where a “suspected burglar lived”. The three officers present, including Smelser, ran Valenzuela’s name, and found out he had a warrant out for his arrest because of a probation violation. The officers reported Valenzuela as “fidgety” and when asked if he had needles on him, he made a run for it. After a foot chase and failed tasers, Smelser uses a VNR (vascular neck restraint) on Valenzuela ultimately to his death. On bodycam footage, you can hear Smelser say “Give up bro” and “I’m going to f---ing choke you out bro”. Valenzuela was declared dead at the scene and was later determined from asphyxial injuries and methamphetamine in his system. The death was ruled a homicide, and Smelser now faces a second degree murder charge. In addition to Smelser’s charges, the city has paid Valenzuela’s family a $6.5M settlement and banned all chokeholds within the police force. To get a better outlook on the topic, I interviewed two Las Cruces residents who are actively living among these officers. My first interviewee was with Julio Coca, a Centennial High School sophomore. When asked, “Do you feel safe in Las Cruces? Do you feel safe around the police?”, he responded, “I do. Yeah, I feel safe in Las Cruces. Actually I don’t know, one time we got pulled over at night at our own house and the cop overreacted, he pulled a gun out. It was scary. And one time my nanny was going 43 mph and got pulled over, and charged a crazy ticket. But the SRO’s are cool. Overall I feel safe in Cruces, but I don’t know about around the police.” When asked, “If Valenzuela was your family member, what charges against Smelser would you consider justice?”, he responded, “I think maybe 5 million or 6 million settlement would be redeemable, and for the cop to be cut from his job. Also to be charged with first degree murder. Smelser was mocking him? That’s like a hate crime. Police brutality is a major issue in our country.” When asked, “Was the $6.5 mil payout to the Valenzuela family necessary?”, he responded, “Oh yeah. Well, I mean that’s a lot of money. Especially if that's where our taxes are going. Our tax money should be going towards the unfortunate, roads, etc. That’s unacceptable.” When asked, “What contributions can we make as a society to end police brutality?”, he responded, “We can definitely participate in movements against police brutality. We can vote out our current president who supports the militarization of our police force and police brutality.” My second interviewee was Jocelyn Palacios, a 33 year old Las Cruces resident. When asked, “Do you feel safe in Las Cruces? Do you feel safe around the police?”, she responded, “Yeah I feel safe living in Las Cruces and feel safe around the police.” When asked, “If Valenzuela was your family member, what charges against Smelser would you consider justice?”, she responded, “I would consider manslaughter justice.” When asked, “Was the $6.5 mil payout to the Valenzuela family necessary?”, she responded, “No! I was upset about it. I think they deserve some sort of justice, but the amount of money was outrageous because there are places in the community that could really use that, like the schools.” When asked, “What contributions can we make as a society to end police brutality?”, she responded, “I think we need to offer more resources for substance abuse, mental health, more community outreaches that help those individuals that are brought up under bad circumstances. A lot come from bad situations, and they don't know any better. And the police are so tired of them that they lose respect.” A survey was also conducted to get an anonymous outlook from non-Las Cruces residents, but New Mexico residents nonetheless. The surveyors were asked, “On a scale of 1-10, how safe do you feel around NM police officers?”, and the average response number was 3.6/10. When surveyors were asked, “Is $6.5M too much of a settlement in a wrongful death case?”, 0% responded "yes," 66.67% responded "it depends on the situation," and 33.33% responded "no." The surveyors were asked, “Is racism a problem in New Mexico?” and “Is racism a problem in the United States?” and 83.33% responded yes, 16.67% responded "no." There are many issues a small state like New Mexico faces daily. Thankfully, Valenzuela and his family received their justice. But who is to say that applies to all situations? What are ways we as a society can prevent these incidents? |
Body Shaming & Its Effects
By Kaylee Herrera According to a study done in 2017 by WCNC, 94% of American teenage girls are shamed by the way their body looks. That percentage is far too high for this issue to be ignored. What is body shaming exactly? Like all shaming, body shaming occurs when a negative comment or action is used directly on your body. As degrading as it is, body shaming is directed towards every shape and appearance there is. Take these examples into consideration. “You’re overweight, go on a diet you pig!”. “You are all bones, eat something.” “At least you don’t look like them.” “Stop showing that off, you whore.” Sadly, these quotes have all been said to a victim. Have you ever stopped to think how this can affect a person physically or mentally? Being a victim of body shaming makes you more likely to develop eating disorders, mental disorders, and go into emotional distress. Whether the eating disorder is binge eating or lack of eating, it takes a tremendous toll on your body. Anorexia has become one of the leading causes of death in teenagers. The death rate is one in three. Mental disorders include depression, trust issues, anxiety, social anxiety and body dysmorphia. How can we help those who deal with it? Or even better, how can we prevent this in society? I interviewed a male teenager, a female teenager, as well as an adult. The anonymous male teenager stated, “No, I have not been body shamed. Though I think people who body shame should be sent to outer space, or thrown out of a plane.” The anonymous adult stated, “Yeah, I think I’ve heard of people- but I don’t think it’s deliberate. I do not think they will realize its effect or that it is hurtful. They make jokes that are not really funny. You have to have strong family support. Then you will later realize how ignorant words shouldn't affect you.” The anonymous teenage girl stated, “I have been body shamed. Everyone just needs to accept each other and learn to be confident. And....mind your business. |
Abortion
Angelique Olonia Abortion is the ending of a pregnancy by removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus before it can survive outside the uterus. A similar procedure after the fetus has potential to survive outside the womb is known as a “late termination of pregnancy” or less accurately as a “late term abortion”. When properly done, abortion is one of the safest procedures in medicine, but unsafe abortion is a major cause of maternal death, especially in the developing world. Making safe abortion legal and accessible reduces maternal deaths. It is safer than childbirth, which has a 14 times higher risk of death in the United States. Modern methods use medication or surgery for abortions. Birth control, such as the pill or intrauterine devices, can be used immediately following abortion. When performed legally and safely on a women who desires it, induced abortions do not increase the risk of long-term mental or physical problems. The World Health Organization recommends safe and legal abortions be available to all women. Around 56 million abortions are performed each year in the world, with about 45% done unsafely. Abortions rates changed little between 2003 and 2008, before which they decreased for at least two decades as access to family planning and birth control increased, 37% of the world’s women had access to legal abortions without limits as to reason. Historically, abortions have been attempted using herbal medicines, sharp tools, forceful massage, or through other traditional methods. Abortion laws and cultural or religious views of abortions are different around the world. In some areas abortion is legal only in specific cases such as rape, problems with the fetus, poverty, risk to a woman’s health, or incest. There is debate over the moral, ethical, and legal issues of abortion. Those who oppose abortion often argue that an embryo or fetus is a human with a right to life, and they may compare abortion to murder. Those who support the legality of abortion often hold that it is a part of a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body. Others favor legal and accessible abortion as a public health measure. |
The Impacts of Divorce on Kids
By Anali Mendoza
The meaning of divorce is the legal dissolution of a marriage by a court or other competent body or to legally dissolve one's marriage with someone. The definition doesn't shine light on what it really means and feels like when children get involved in the middle of their parents divorce. In this article I will be discussing the effects on a child's education and a child's emotions.
The effect divorce has on children's schooling is that they are less educated by their adulthood. If the parents' relationship is unstable and filled with alot of conflict, it can majorly affect a child's academics. Children exposed to this are twice as likely to repeat a grade. According to the National Children Survey, 15% of children living with their mothers and have no contact with their fathers were more likely to get kicked out of school. Check out this website with some more information on this topic. https://www.divorcewizards.com/The-effects-of-Divorce-on-Children-and-Education.html
The emotional toll that divorce has is mind blowing, there are so many emotions that a child will go through during this time period including the feeling of loss, anger, confusion, anxiety, etc. It can make a child become overly emotional or sensitive. Children that experience divorce may feel like they have no one to talk to. They need an outlet ,someone to listen to them and with this new thing they may feel like they can't talk to anyone.
Mental health for a child that's parents are getting divorced, plays a big part in a child or teenagers life. The kids may grow up wondering about holidays, weddings, and many other gatherings that involve family where both parents will be present. The reasons for divorce may range in many and in every way a child is affected. Studies show that a child with divorced parents tends to suffer from mental health issues. These children also are more likely to have depression and anxiety. All this may carry on to this person's adulthood.
A child may feel the guilt of their parents getting a divorce or that they are the reason they are separating. They may feel that it is their fault for their parents arguing and fighting thinking it wouldn't happen if they weren't here. These are major effects adults need to be careful of when getting a divorce.
By Anali Mendoza
The meaning of divorce is the legal dissolution of a marriage by a court or other competent body or to legally dissolve one's marriage with someone. The definition doesn't shine light on what it really means and feels like when children get involved in the middle of their parents divorce. In this article I will be discussing the effects on a child's education and a child's emotions.
The effect divorce has on children's schooling is that they are less educated by their adulthood. If the parents' relationship is unstable and filled with alot of conflict, it can majorly affect a child's academics. Children exposed to this are twice as likely to repeat a grade. According to the National Children Survey, 15% of children living with their mothers and have no contact with their fathers were more likely to get kicked out of school. Check out this website with some more information on this topic. https://www.divorcewizards.com/The-effects-of-Divorce-on-Children-and-Education.html
The emotional toll that divorce has is mind blowing, there are so many emotions that a child will go through during this time period including the feeling of loss, anger, confusion, anxiety, etc. It can make a child become overly emotional or sensitive. Children that experience divorce may feel like they have no one to talk to. They need an outlet ,someone to listen to them and with this new thing they may feel like they can't talk to anyone.
Mental health for a child that's parents are getting divorced, plays a big part in a child or teenagers life. The kids may grow up wondering about holidays, weddings, and many other gatherings that involve family where both parents will be present. The reasons for divorce may range in many and in every way a child is affected. Studies show that a child with divorced parents tends to suffer from mental health issues. These children also are more likely to have depression and anxiety. All this may carry on to this person's adulthood.
A child may feel the guilt of their parents getting a divorce or that they are the reason they are separating. They may feel that it is their fault for their parents arguing and fighting thinking it wouldn't happen if they weren't here. These are major effects adults need to be careful of when getting a divorce.
Lung Injury as a Result of Vaping
By Kaylee Herrera
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have concluded that vaping and e-cigarette products are linked to increased lung injury risk.
In 2015, JUUL became a billion dollar industry, promoting their e-cigarettes as a safe substitute for cigarettes. Cigarettes kill more than half of their users, which made JUUL a safer nicotine product. Vaping offered a sensation similar to smoking, but without the thousands of chemicals found in cigarettes.
Immediately, the target became teenagers, using ads showing teenagers happily vaping. The CDC conducted a poll, finding from 2017 to 2018, there was a 78% increase in high school students vaping. Another poll was compared, finding from 1996 to 2018, high school students smoking cigarettes decreased from 39% to 8%.
After the outbreak of e-cigarettes, 52 deaths and over 2,400 hospitalizations were confirmed to be connected with vaping. "Vaping can do a lot to the lungs," says Robert Tarran, a professor at the University of North Carolina's School of Medicine. “Now there's evidence that people who use e-cigarettes have an increased risk of developing chronic lung disease, including conditions such as COPD, chronic bronchitis, emphysema or asthma”.
E-cigarettes do not contain nearly as many poisonous chemicals as cigarettes, but they do contain a lethal product: nicotine. Nicotine is the stem to addiction, which makes getting hooked on vaping 100 times easier. As the tobacco industry continues to market billions of vapes, researchers are piecing together the long-term effects on vaping.
Teen Pregnancy
By Taya-Renee Martinez
Teen pregnancy isn’t necessarily a big issue at Pecos High, although it is a big deal world wide.The United States has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the western industrialized world.
In 2017, a total of 194,377 babies were born to women aged 15–19 years, which is a drop of 7% from 2016. Birth rates fell 10% for women aged 15–17 years and 6% for women aged 18–19 years. Studies have shown that teens in child welfare systems are at higher risk of teen pregnancy and birth than other groups. For example, young women living in foster care are more than twice as likely to become pregnant than those not in foster care.
The Importance of Prevention: Teen pregnancy and childbearing bring substantial social and economic costs through immediate and long-term impacts on teen parents and their children. According to US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) TPP Evidence Review External, “Pregnancy and birth are significant contributors to high school dropout rates among girls. Only about 50% of teen mothers receive a high school diploma by 22 years of age, whereas approximately 90% of women who do not give birth during adolescence graduate from high school.”
Despite the evidence that teen pregnancy has seen a recent drop in numbers, it is clear that this is a continuing problem in the U.S.
Other facts about teen pregnancy:
By Taya-Renee Martinez
Teen pregnancy isn’t necessarily a big issue at Pecos High, although it is a big deal world wide.The United States has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the western industrialized world.
In 2017, a total of 194,377 babies were born to women aged 15–19 years, which is a drop of 7% from 2016. Birth rates fell 10% for women aged 15–17 years and 6% for women aged 18–19 years. Studies have shown that teens in child welfare systems are at higher risk of teen pregnancy and birth than other groups. For example, young women living in foster care are more than twice as likely to become pregnant than those not in foster care.
The Importance of Prevention: Teen pregnancy and childbearing bring substantial social and economic costs through immediate and long-term impacts on teen parents and their children. According to US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) TPP Evidence Review External, “Pregnancy and birth are significant contributors to high school dropout rates among girls. Only about 50% of teen mothers receive a high school diploma by 22 years of age, whereas approximately 90% of women who do not give birth during adolescence graduate from high school.”
Despite the evidence that teen pregnancy has seen a recent drop in numbers, it is clear that this is a continuing problem in the U.S.
Other facts about teen pregnancy:
- 3 in 10 American teen girls will get pregnant at least once before the age of 20. That’s nearly 750,000 teen pregnancies every year.
- Parenthood is the leading reason that teen girls drop out of school.
- More than 50% of teen mothers never graduate from high school.
- Less than 2% of teen moms earn a college degree by age 30.
Contributed by Bulin Nitimongkolchai (Book)