Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Graduating Senior: Allison Donth
Written by: Allison Donth '12
Quick! It doesn't seem like it when you walk though the doors freshman year, but high school flies by and graduation pops up out of nowhere! It seems like just yesterday I was sitting in freshman connections and now I'm applying for scholarships, getting my EDP ready, and going to college orientations! I've worked really hard all of high school, taking AP classes and maintaining good grades, but it all paid off receiving my acceptance letter from Michigan State University
The most popular New Year's Resolutions of 2012
Written by: Mariah Rochester '12
New Years is an opportunity for people to set new goals for themselves and to start over in a new, positive way. Though resolutions are easy to set, sticking to them isn’t always easy. People set resolutions in order to make goals, or simply just to make everyday life more organized. New Year’s resolutions vary in what they are and why they are set, but many resolutions stay the same throughout the years.
Losing weight and getting in shape is the top New Year’s resolution that people have. By following through with this resolution, there is more to gain from physical activity. Some people want to lose weight for themselves, their family, or because of the potential health risks that being overweight creates.
Regular exercise can slow or reverse the trend of chronic disease and can show benefits for those who already have a chronic condition. Setting a resolution to lose weight and get in shape is the easiest way to make sure the goal is met.
Developing and sticking to a budget prevents overspending and ensures peace of mind. Sticking to a budget is one of the most difficult things to do and takes much self-discipline. The longer people stick to a budget, the easier it gets.
Reducing debt is a big goal for people nowadays, but many people don’t know where to start. The first step to reducing debt is to stop using charge cards and get financially stable. The best rule to follow is: if you can’t pay cash for it, you don’t need it.
Keeping a diary of all money spent will help figure out where cash is being spent and where spending needs to be reduced. After figuring out where money is being spent, people can then work towards creating a budget and getting out of debt.
Jobs tend to take up a lot of people’s time and energy, and time spent with family and friends is often reduced. In order to make more time for family and friends, people must consciously decide to work on improving their family situation every day. Business activities may have to be rescheduled for there to be more time. Parents can help their children to set and achieve goals and set aside one hour everyday for family.
Finding love is something everyone wants to do in their life, and making sure that happens is becoming more common. Soul mate relationships are the romantic relationships that people have dreamt about since they were young. They are loving and erotic, committed and inspiring, and lasting.
People can now search for love in ways that weren’t around before. Internet chat sites, smart phones, and dating sites now give people the opportunity to meet new people from different places.
Quitting smoking is a life changing and life saving decision that anyone can make. There are benefits of health, relationships, finances, vitality, the environment, and self-esteem. Quitting smoking creates a longer life and the ability to enjoy the finer things in life. It is a Do-It-Yourself decision that is worth making.
Many people want to find a better job for different reasons. The salary might not be enough, it’s not what they wanted to do, or sometimes they just don’t know what they want to do. The question to ask when considering a new career is: does you current job match core interests, beliefs, values, needs, and skills? Many people get stuck in a career and don’t know how to get out, but if they ask themselves that questions, figuring out where to go becomes a lot easier.
Everyone learns something new everyday. People learn throughout their life cycle; from cradle to grave. They learn in different environments, formally, and informally. People can learn new things by getting a new career, through a new language, learning to play an instrument, anything. Learning something new is one of the easiest, most motivating, and beneficial resolutions to keep.
Volunteering gives the people the feeling that they just did something selfless and beneficial for someone else. Helping others benefits the person who needed help and the person who provided help. Spending time helping out at a local library, mentoring center, or helping build a house are things that can be beneficial for many people. People become successful by contributing.
Hectic work schedules, children, and other errands make being organized difficult, and often take time away from being able to get organized. Planning days, reducing interruptions, cleaning off a desk, saying “No”, and making detailed lists are good first-steps towards organization. Being organized allows people to save time, reduce stress, and be more productive.
Every year, people are given the opportunity to set new goals in order to make a change in their life. The reasons for these goals can be simple, complex, or there may not be a reason. Setting a resolution is the first step, starting or keeping the resolution is the harder part, and sticking to goals makes setting them worth it in the end.
UNKOWN ARTIST: The Horrible Crowes
Written by: Elizabeth Prieskorn '14
The Horrible Crowes have a captivating sound that pulls you in and makes you want to listen to more. A two-man band of Brian Fallon and Ian Perkins have traveled around the world playing music together.
Their first song as the Horrible Crowes, “Behold the Hurricane”, was released and streamed on RollingStone.com on July 13th. They have one album called Elsie, which after 17 days of recording, was finally released by Side One Dummy Records on September 6th, 2011. Their album includes 12 songs and one song was even featured on iTunes as a free song of the week; Go Tell Everybody. As well as their first song “Behold the Hurricane”, their album Elsie is also streaming on RollingStone.com.
Shortly after their release of their album Elsie, Ian and Brian headed over to Europe for the Fall Revival Tour. The Revival Tour was the first tour where Brian and Ian actually played together live as the Horrible Crowes.
Currently they don’t have any shows booked for 2012 but The Crowes have many expectations. Their expectations would include playing in the United States , Europe, Canada , and the U.K.
Their first shows ever were just in September. On September 8th they played in NYC at the Bowery Ballroom. Their second show was Troubadour in LA on September 14th. At their first two shows they played the whole album of Elsie as well as a mixture of covers.
Brian and Ian hope 2012 will be as successful as 2011 and hope to excel farther in their music career together as the Horrible Crowes.
UNKNOWN ARTIST: Michael Henry and Justin Robinett
Written by:Michael McElwain '12
Michael Henry and Justin Robinett are two amazing vocalists who have come together to record mesmerizing cover songs which range from Adele’s “Someone like you” to Maroon 5’s “Never Gonna Leave this Bed”.
Both Robinett and Henry had an interest in fine arts from a young age, Robinett was able to play piano, guitar, and the drums by age 13, and Henry had taken a couple years of piano lessons, as well as being able to play the drums in his high school’s band.
Although Justin and Michael both displayed a passion for music, neither of the two had ever explored their talent for singing, which suddenly changed during their two years they spent at Texas Tech, where they would share a dorm and play for the school’s drum line. Justin had received some equipment to record amateur songs and Michael, being slightly curious, asked Justin if he could have a go at things.
Out of pure luck, the two decided to record a song and post it to YouTube, where it would become an instant hit. They had originally uploaded it for their friends and family to check out, but soon found that YouTube users worldwide instantly became fans.
Although the two remain unsigned, their popularity has continued to grow. Robinett and Henry have created a wide range of cover songs in response, as well as sharing a few pieces of their own. Michael and Justin recently started a website where fans can stay updated, www.mhjrmusic.com. As well, Robinett and Henry have also announced that their songs are now being published and distributed via iTunes.
Athlete of the Month: Jaedin Sklapsky
Written by: Elizabeth Prieskorn '14
How many freshmen wrestlers have a record of 26-1? One: Jaedin Sklapsky. Jaedin Sklapsky is a 15 year old freshman on the varsity wrestling team. He’s been wrestling since he was five. For ten years straight wrestling has been Jaedin’s number one sport, although he also plays football. Throughout Jaedin’s wrestling career he’s had four coaches; Mr. Warriner, Troy Nault, Dave Milheim, and Bill Dorner. The one coach that has stuck with him has been Troy Nault.
Troy Nault has coached Jaedin for seven years and is part of the reason why Jaedin is as successful as he is now. “Troy
The two main differences between middle school wrestling and high school wrestling are coaching, and talent. “The talent and competition is at a lot level in high school. The coaches work you harder and push you to be your best”, says Jaedin. Jaedin’s transition into high school was fairly easy. Balancing school and sports is no obstacle for him. He works diligently in class to get his work done. Like many of us, Jaedin enjoys high school more than middle school. Jaedin says, “Yeah high school is way more fun than middle school, even though the classes are stricter.” During his free time Jaedin likes to do the same things as many high school boys do. Eat, sleep, and hangout with friends.
Jaedin has many goals for his wresting career. The goals that he has set for himself for this year are to beast the Most Wins record. The goals that Jaedin has for his full high school wrestling career are to win leagues all four years, break all of the wrestling records, and to win states his junior and senior year. After high school Jaedin would like to attend a Division-one college and wrestle. After college Jaedin would like to become a wrestling coach at a high school.
Jaedin’s favorite wrestler is Anthony Robles. He’s a graduate from Arizona State University and is one of the most accomplished wrestlers in Arizona State Michigan State University , Iowa University, and Penn State University Orem , Utah
30% of athletes overcome debilitating condition to compete
Written by: Carly Darrow '12
The statistics aren’t good; as an extensive amount of people are affected by asthma, make that 18.7 million people. It also accounts for an ample amount of hospitalizations for kids and kills nearly 5,000 people every year.
You would think a condition that includes the symptoms of chest pains, shortness of breath, fatigue, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and breathlessness wouldn’t exactly coincide with sports. In actuality, many athletes deal with this disease on a day to day basis. Medically known as “exercise-induced asthma”, it occurs when people typically breathe through their mouths, inhaling colder and drier air. The muscle bands around the airways contract due to the changes in temperature and humidity.
Although asthma restricts those who suffer from it, it does not mean that people or athletes should stop physical activity. In fact, physical activity when done right with medications and inhalers can help those with exercise induced asthma. The fitter someone is, the less air they need for a physical task, because your cardio respiratory system grows more efficient resulting in less strain on your bronchial tubes.
Precautions while exercising are always necessary. Inhalers should only be used before exercise but always on hand while exercising. Not only are attacks random and potentially deadly, but nothing can really be done to help someone with an asthma attack other than an inhaler or medical personnel.
Despite this many athletes, famous Olympians even, have not let asthma keep them from competing. NBA basketball player Dennis Rodman, Olympic figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi, NFL Pro Bowl running back Emmitt Smith, and Olympic medalist swimmer Amy VanDyken, are all examples of athletes who don’t let asthma run their lives.
“Having a full on asthma attack is something that you can never imagine without having experienced one,” states senior athlete Anna Archey. “It is like drowning with air all around you that you just can’t breathe in. When I was first diagnosed with asthma in middle school, I didn’t work hard enough to control it and that showed in my athletic performance up until last year.”
Many people are still undiagnosed of asthma; and most athletes will not even display signs of asthma or symptoms. Athletes can help counteract the effects of asthma by working with medical personnel, taking an inhaler 15-30 minutes before sports, and making sure to do a warm up and cool down with stretching before and after working out.
“It’s wonderful when my asthma isn’t acting up and I can perform to my full potential,” says Archey. “It takes a lot of medications, exercises, shots, and doctor’s appointments to make it there. When I do jump my furthest and run my fastest, it just makes the moment that much better knowing what I overcame to make it there.”
The hard nosed truth with Garrett Dubya
Written by: Garrett Johnson '12
On December 8th 2011 James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers laid a controversial helmet to helmet hit on quarterback Colt McCoy of the Cleveland Browns. The National Football League suspended Harrison from the Steelers game against the San Francisco
This is not Harrison ’s first tangle up with fines and penalties due too flagrant head to head collisions. But honestly what is the game that we have all grown up watching and loving coming to? It’s the hits that people like James Harrison have on opposing players that fill the stands; the same hits that are shown over and over again on shows like NFL’s top 20 players to highlight the talents of previous great NFL players.
Sure I will agree concussions are a major issue involving the sport, but then again doesn’t everyone know the risks when they step onto the grid iron?
These are men ranging from the ages of twenty to almost forty years old. Can they not comprehend the dangers of the game of Football? I’m not going to knock the league but honestly let men be men.
“Football is a sport of collision, emotion, and ferocity.” - Kanon McVicker. Not a game to limit the brutality of one player to another. In my opinion James Harrison was in the right and always has been. Let men be men and let the men try to prove dominance on the grid iron without a bunch of spectators crying about the dangers of the game.
If you don’t like what you’re seeing… don’t watch, because when you cringe I smile.
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