The
Bark
Issue Number III 11/26/08 285 E. Grand Ave. Fox Lake, IL. 60020
The Voice Of Grant Community High School
Falling economy affecting the lives of ‘average’ Americans everywhere Average America are going on this weekend, not what tests are High School. Senior Chris Hayes says that or personal assistant. Generally, the higher the is a commonly heard happening next week. the definition of average is falling in America education level, the higher the pay. As a result of phrase. It used to Average Americans aren’t looked at because “if you look at teachers, they aren’t very that, some people will go to those great lengths in represent a high quality the way that they used to be. Senior Martha good, and when there is a good one, they get order to get that desired high salary. way of life in America, Jarka says, “People are expecting less from the fired.” The media all over America is also but that may not be the U.S. in general. We are more self serving and People going into the work force aren’t setting standards and examples of Average case today. self centered than other countries.” going for a lot anymore either. Some people put Americans. The term Commercials, sitcoms, and reality This is true of many Americans. Many forth just enough effort so that they can live above ‘average’ used to mean people are concerned with the way that their the national poverty level. This is not true for all shows are intended to portray average people Katie Loris sufficient and acceptable, coffee is being made in the morning, opposed to people, but for the Average American, they are in America. They are said to display stories of Staff Reporter while today it seems to whether or not they can help someone out on the not making the big bucks. people fulfilling the ‘American Dream’. In other mean just above failure. street who is struggling. The average income for a household of cases, celebrities in tabloids, on TV, and in movies Americans all over the country are Jarka believes that when it comes four is around $50,000, and the poverty level is are setting a lower example of standards and redefining their ways of life, and averages. Paris for many people that means living Hilton, one of the just above, or at, average. wealthiest people However, many in America, has families are still living life beyond barely completed average. Families are buying the education that plasma TV screens, million dollar typically rewards cars, and other such items that a person with that may not be necessary to survive kind of money. on a daily basis. People in America Celebrities want a lot. People keep everywhere affect spending, no matter what their the definition financial situation is. As a of average in result of that, many families America. If are facing foreclosure, or a celebrity, or declaring bankruptcy. In 2007, anyone in the the number of filings increased spotlight, is by approximately 40 percent, as seen living a life 1.3 million credit card holders below average, declared bankruptcy. it is very easy Mr. Van Alstine, social for other people science teacher, says, “The to follow in his problem is that average doesn’t or her footsteps. cut it anymore. Even above Teens and even average Americans are struggling adults look up to in the current economy. Many celebrities and people were unprepared for this their ways of [economic crises].” life. The amount The huge decline in of money they our economic power hit a lot of have may be people hard. Most people were well above that living what they would call an of the Average average life, which included The economic slow-down is taking its toll on many Average Americans but S. Francisco/The Bark www.parishilton.com American, purchasing things that were only their standards of wanted, not necessarily needed. to politics, Americans have lowered their just above $20,000 for a family of the same size. living may not be. Mr. Schmidt, English teacher, says that standards. A 2005 study showed that 12.6 percent of the Many people were not prepared for pop culture everywhere is affecting the definition Sarah Palin is a huge political icon population was living under the poverty level. how the economy would turn, so they continued today, as a result of her involvement in the 2008 On the other hand it may look to some of average throughout America. to live beyond their means. They now are being Presidential Elections. When Palin gives speeches people as if averages and standards are rising. In America used to be viewed as a forced to choose which bills to pay, the electric or on live television, she refers to Americans as ‘Joe order to get into your dream college, your grades hardworking country that was always moving the heating? Six Packs’ and ‘Hockey Moms of America.’ This need to be better than a lot of other applicants forward. Today, the economy is more than $10 Students are also being trillion in debt, and is still spending. Americans is how Palin sees the average men that you’re competing with. News affected by this decline in ‘Average and women in America. Your ACT scores are also meant to may appear to have a lot, and be living above America’. It used to be said that a Men are stereotyped to portray you as a hard working and intelligent average, but when it comes down to it, most Perspective solid C for a grade was average. be daily drinkers, and women to student. These requirements also represent the people are far from living an average life. Most Now, people are being heard talking of how they j u s t be mothers. This is demeaning to lowering averages and standards in America. families have credit-debt that is extremely hard have an average grade in a class, when in fact, Average Americans. There are both men and Due to these requirements, many students in high to pull through. In 2007, the United States as a that grade is only a D. women in America who have worked for years school are not putting forth the effort necessary nation owed roughly $2 trillion in credit card In other countries, students in high to become CEOs of companies, and have made to be accepted into a decent college, simply debt. The average credit-card holder alone owed school are concentrating on the present. They themselves good money. between eight and nine thousand dollars per because it is too hard. are working to build a solid future, even if they The fact that Palin refers to Average After college, standards and averages card. haven’t mapped it out yet. What teens today are going for is not Americans that way in most of her speeches are still a big part of people’s lives. Van Alstine says that teens in America shows that even she, a political representative for In some cases, you need no education what people would call a bright future. are concerned with school, cell phones, how they our country, thinks that average Americans are to acquire a certain job, but that is very Average refers to a lot of things, in need to fit in, and for some, hopefully college. just that, average. uncommon. Often times, people need at least every aspect of someone’s life. When it comes When over-hearing a conversation at school, Some students blame their lack of a graduate degree in business, just so that they to Average Americans, the definition of average students are busy talking about what parties drive on the teachers here at Grant Community are qualified enough in order to be a secretary has lost a lot of its stature and value.
A change we can believe in? The scoop on the ‘08 outcome, page 3.
A-Team is on its A-Game. Turn to page 5 to read about how they are fairing this year.
New renovations soon to be made to Paul G. Lewis field. Get the details on page 6.
New season, new team, and a new coach: Read about the Lady Bulldogs basketball team on page 8.