The Uproar » Commentary

Prove Them Wrong

carrell — Wed, 12 May 2010 14:34:14 +0000

The other day in Mrs. Russell’s teen leadership class, we were given a journal prompt asking what it is that the world expects from us, and it really got me thinking.
Today, when someone hears the word “teenager”, sadly the first ideas that register in people’s minds are drinking, drugs, sex, irresponsibility and laziness. Of course, this is not true for all teenagers, but the closer I look at students nowadays, the more compelled I am to agree with those sickening stereotypes.
The world expects nothing from us, besides making mistakes and falling into the traps set for us, and who could blame them? More and more everyday, it seems as though teenagers are forgetting values of importance, and instead, are living merely to have a good time, fit in, or follow the crowd. Whatever the reason may be, this seems more like a high school students’ way of rebelling against authority and trying to show that they are no longer children. Though this may be some teenagers’ motivation, it seems to me that by acting this way, some are acting even more like a child than others. Acting out in spite of what is right, they are unintentionally proving their parents and the rest of the world right in the stereotypes towards teens.
Whether you want to face it or not, we teens are setting up the future for this world. We all have so much potential and talent that could make the world so much better if everyone would just use it, rather than wasting time molding into another stereotype. If some of you act in the way the world expects us to truly out of spite of what your parents want, what better way to do it than to prove them wrong? Actually try at school, apply yourself, and make an effort every once in a while. Not only will this shock the heck out of your parents, but it’ll also make the world reevaluate you. This would make society see that today’s youth is not based solely on the stereotypes they may have originally misconstrued to be true, and perhaps they should expect great accomplishments from us, because we are worth it.

You’re So Vain, You Think This Hallway Belongs to You

young — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:38:06 +0000

Hallways are communal passages used by students and staff alike to get from place to place during the school day. Unfortunately, these shared spaces too often become clogged by well-meaning students who feel the need to stop dead in their tracks and hold banal conversations about a trifling subject.

If a few small groups of comrades pause for a few brief seconds to discuss the weather, there would be no problem. After all, the hallways are pretty wide. Unfortunately, the copious width of our school’s passageways does not compensate for the oblivious groups of nine, who feel the sudden urge to halt, and expect the entire world to do the same. Neither does it accommodate the groups of 15 who feel the need to stop and discuss the latest episode of a pointless reality show. A student, eager to get to his or her respective class, should never have to navigate through a human labyrinth. But then again, hallways are shared spaces, and who am I to question the rights my fellow colleagues seem to believe they are indebted with?

Nevertheless, when I have one minute to rush to my 4th block class, I don’t want to be delayed by a great wall of numbskulls. The hallways should be characterized by constant motion, not the stagnation so often experienced.

The bottom line: no one group of students owns the hallways. You don’t own the hallways, so you aren’t entitled to behave as if you do. A hallway is not a pavilion, a playground, or the cafeteria. If your posse has the need to block the hallway to joke about how awful someone’s hair looks, resist it. If you want to form a large group of 20 to compare shoes in the cafeteria, be my guest. Just remember: you may think the hallway belongs to you, but it doesn’t. The sooner you accept that fact, the better for everyone.

The Proof is in the Pickle

dwatson — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:33:18 +0000

When someone mentions JROTC, what do you think of?
The “ugly” green suits, the Sergeant in your face screaming, or maybe the famous hand salute.
Well whatever it is, JROTC might be about something completely different than what you have imagined. JROTC is a class for kids from kids. What this means is the class will be as fun as you make it. JROTC is not your average class. One of the things we do the least is sit in a chair and listen to a teacher yap all class. Instead we do hands-on activities that bring a fun environment to the classroom. JROTC provides the cadets with the latest technology and allows them to use them in a variety of activities. JROTC is not a class that you will just attend during school .JROTC extends out of the class room.
Being in this class will also give you the opportunity to help your community. Helping can be as simple as parking cars or teaching about the importance of reading. JROTC is not just another high school class. If you take advantage of it you will learn not only leadership skills but, skills like first aid, how to dress for a job interview, and how to be successful in your community. These skills will stay with you for the rest of your life.

Like mentioned above, JROTC is not your average class. Each cadet learns from different curriculum every year they are in JROTC. Most everything JROTC teaches is how to live a better life and keep a higher-paying career. In other words, how to get the most from yourself. During your first year you will learn about the history and purpose of JROTC. You will also learn the fundamentals of leadership.
Have you ever wondered how your brain functions or why you have different attitudes towards different things? JROTC’s curriculum will answer this question and many more. JROTC will teach you the structure of the brain and the function of each part. You will also be introduced to effective ways for you to learn things by using different types of thinking maps and graphic organizers. Where else would you use Electronic Monopoly to learn to manage your personal finances? Or video games to respond to CPS curriculum questions. Or even a writing stylus to interact with projectors from your seat? JROTC. The curriculum also includes Stefan Neilson’s winning colors which are the four colors that stand for different behavior clusters. There is the red adventurer, brown builder, green planner, and blue relater.
When you have completed your first year you will then go on to become a LET 2. During this year you will learn how to maintain a healthy lifestyle and how to perform CPR and First Aid. You will also learn what to do in case of other emergencies, like if someone is choking or has a heart attack.
As a LET 3, you will have the opportunity to create a resume and learn how to manage your money by using NEFE High School Financial Planning. You will also go through many “mock” job interviews. Best of all, most of this classwork can provide you with up to 14 college credits through Regionally-Accredited Universities.
During your time as a LET 4, you will learn about government, military history, and further your financial education.

JROTC always practice the Army values of LDRSHIP.
Loyalty
Duty
Respect
Selfless Service
Honor
Integrity
Personal Courage

JROTC also gives you the opportunity to work with things like a Smart Board or Google Earth. Google Earth is an application that will let you visit the world from behind a computer screen. Cadets have the opportunity to learn how to make internet podcasts or compete in internet scavenger hunts. You will also watch movies in which you will see examples of Winning Colors and different types of leadership styles. You will have the opportunity to earn ribbons and decorations for your uniform which will show your accomplishments and achievements. Ribbons can be earned by participating in community service, recruiting for JROTC class, and by achieving academic excellence in school (read Honor Roll). Cords and arch badges can be earned by participating in a variety of teams like Academic Challenge, Raider, and Color Guard, all which you to be UIL-eligible.

JROTC is a class that will not only help you if you are joining the military; JROTC will give you the knowledge to be successful in school, the workplace, and out in your community. Joining JROTC will give you the advantage of being one step ahead of everyone else. So now when you think of JROTC the first thing to come to mind will not be a salute, a sergeant or the green suit. Instead it will be the fun and exciting things that go on in and out of the classroom and what you can accomplish!

Sleepless Nights

carrell — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:18:53 +0000

In high school, we are told that if we want to get into a good college and be successful, we need to be involved in activities, make good grades, and work hard. This is easier said than done. As we get closer to senior year, planning for our future becomes more and more important. Talking to three junior girls in the National Honor Society has shown how this has affected them in their efforts to set up their futures.

“Whoever said junior year is the hardest wasn’t lying,” Sooyeon Kim said.

The pressures of getting closer to graduation and meeting all the standards expected of us are starting to kick in and affect some students. Trying to be well-rounded and make good grades has caused some to lose sleep.

“The most I sleep on a school night is about five hours, and I have had to pull all-nighters on occasions. I find myself easily falling asleep in my classes and also my attitude towards learning the next day is not very pleasant,” Hanna Barakat said.

Studying and doing homework into the early morning hours is wearing out several students.

“Last year, staying up too late and not eating enough made me really weak to the point where my body couldn’t take it. I got mono, and I was out of school for a month,” Elizabeth Distler said.

Lack of sleep not only weakens students, but also puts them into some embarrassing situations.

“One time I had to pull an all-nighter because I had three tests and a project due. First block during the exam, I fell asleep and drooled all over my test. When I woke up and went to turn my test in the teacher asked me why I spilt water all over his test. I had to explain the entire thing, and it was really embarrassing,” Barakat said.

We admit that we can’t place all of the blame of not getting much sleep on teachers giving us too much homework on nights we have extracurricular activities. Occasionally, we let ourselves get distracted and waste time.

“Don’t waste your time on Facebook, and just don’t waste time in general. Do what you have to do, and get to bed “ASAP,” Kim said.

Getting closer to graduation can be less stressful and tiring if we just make a few changes to the way we use our time.

“Use every opportunity to do your homework, do it the day you get it, and stay ahead. Sleep is crazy important.” Distler advised.

No sir, Inequality is Not Okay

young — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:12:04 +0000

The last time I checked, perjury was punishable as a criminal offense. Cheating results in the acquisition of a big, fat, meaningless zero. It can also result in expulsion from college and barred entrance into various academic societies. Even accidental plagiarism has resulted in jobless professors. In a society in which untruths are apparently condemned, how do a few people manage to violate the truth so blatantly and get off with, at worst, a scowling rebuke.

Every Christmas Eve, I sit in front of my ridiculously priced plasma screen and flip to a news channel to hear and see what morbid and and not so morbid happenings have taken place during the day. Instead, I see a bunch of adults tracking jolly old Kris Kringle’s apparent trek around the globe. Aside from the logical fallacy of a chubby old guy traveling around the world in a single night mounted on a magical, deer-driven sleigh, the most appalling thing is the fact that these trusted men and women, the ones who are paid to deliver facts to us, are lying. What is even worse is that parents who usually reprimand their children for breaking rules, condone this national sham.

News reporters aren’t the only ones who contribute to this outright mockery of the law, and its implications. Anyone remember any of the former presidents? From the election campaign to final farewell, all presidents have told a lie or two to the populous. However, when political prevarication is taken to such a high degree as Clinton’s former claim to virtue, the apathetic state of society is brought to the light.

I suppose there is a 28th amendment in the Constitution stating that presidents, politicians, and news reporters can tell bold faced lies and receive absolutely no punishment for it. Perhaps there is some esoteric addendum to the constitution that only a handful of people have knowledge of. Then, I would completely understand why politicians, government, officials, and news dignitaries can misconstrue the truth, while students technically can’t.

The most disturbing idea is not the fact that those in higher positions can obstruct the truth, but that most people are okay with these lies. The huddling masses are quick to accept every promise a President makes in a campaign speech as truth. The nondescript majority perceives each sound that emanates from the mouths of the nations news reporters and high officials as absolute fact.

I see no protests against the way in which news anchors reduce the height that truth once stood at each Christmas Eve (and on many other days). Probably because most people who tune in to the Santa Hunt are the marauders who have spent years leading their own children into the logical depravity that plagues so many of America’s youth.

This acceptance of lies as tolerable is a monstrous tapeworm that has been feeding on apathy for years. Just because the idea of Santa Claus is appealing to children doesn’t mean it can pass off as truth. Even though the President is chief executive of the nation doesn’t mean that he is above the law. The Constitution of the United States of America calls for equal treatment under the law for everyone. This isn’t 17th century Britain and we aren’t under the rule of King George III. We have this thing called “the supreme law of the land” and it is supposed to be followed.

Students are told to emulate those in the highest positions in our nation, the Presidents and politicians, those who control the media, and those who are portrayed as ideal role models. Unfortunately, many of these supposed role models can’t even live up to the standard they claim to enforce. How, then, can they expect any student to abstain from lying or cheating, they themselves can not.

Each day, people place their oxymoronic pursuits of happiness before the life and liberty of others. Each day, the constitution is mocked by those who feel they have been abstracted from its rule. Every single day, the laws governing students are strictly enforced, while the same laws are lax in execution for certain others. This sets a horrible example for the youth of the nation. An example that is followed meticulously by far too many.

Spending Green to Look It

al-barghuthi — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:39:36 +0000

“I eventually saw so many of the ‘Save the Earth’ shirts in stores and on people that I decided I’d buy some too.”

This remark was made to me by a student recently, and I find this attitude to be rather disturbing. Unfortunately, I also think it is far too prevalent.

The media has the power to determine what we talk about as individuals and on a global scale. If the media places environmental issues on their screens, pages, billboards and clothing articles, people begin to pay more attention to those issues, thus creating a society where people care based on patterns and sayings splattered across polyester shirts at Forever 21.

When ‘going green’ and ‘loving the animals’ becomes almost a sense of hypocrisy; people claim love for the earth and all the animals and people who inhabit it, yet upon driving home after school you see those same people chomping on a double cheeseburger from Sonic, it begins to stir the mixing pot of lies, impostures and fiction to create a product of a society where we all are at a stand-still. We’re running our mouths with our hands tied behind our backs, doing nothing but furthering companies who make shoes from animal skin and jackets from wool, and who could care less about world peace or anything worldly, for that matter.

Wearing the shirts and sporting the peace-sign rings, declaring your love for Africa when you likely couldn’t name two countries that lie within its borders, and covering your eyes to the evident problems occurring during this day and age are exactly what we do not need to do. What we-what the world needs-are people who care enough about this wondrous place to take action and help out. This doesn’t constitute the need for outrageously peaced-out bags with Bob Marley v-necks and leather booties, it simply calls for an act of love, an act of caring, and an act of self-truth. So please, for the love of God, or whatever being you believe in, put down the shirts and raise your voices to the true meaning of going green, loving the earth, and saving the animals; going places, loving your brothers and sisters, and saving everyone from what we’ve become and what we’re becoming.