Kassidy Wheeler Portfolio 2019 Spring Semester

Kassidy Wheeler’s portfolio editor in chief opinion editor

2019

Reflection 1 This semester I learned about mentoring others and learned a lot from the New York trip. I learned how to further be a leader and help others with what they are doing, I also learned how to do design better, and felt like my pages designs this semester were much better than last semesters. New York’s Columbia classes taught me a lot about photography, marketing, information law, and reporting on tragedies. This really opened my eyes, because I never really thought about what we would do if a student dies, and they showed us how important it was to have a policy in place to acknowledge the importance of that student’s memory. The marketing courses I took were also interesting, because in our budget we needed to print some pages this year in black and white, which isn’t the worst thing, but maybe with a few ads or fundraisers we could avoid that altogether. The information law class was really cool, because that’s close to the path I’m pursuing in college and I thought it was interesting. A lot of the things you can request records or information about could make for really good stories as long as done in a professional investigative manner. The photography classes were cool too, I knew a lot of the things they talked about, but the first class I went to talked a lot about framing important people with halos and using their eyes as a guideline, which was a new thing. Finally, the most moving experience was definitely sitting right by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas kids in a few classes, just knowing what they’ve gone through and what they’ve done to change the country after their experience always inspired me and being close to them was pretty cool. It’s also a lot different, because I’ve never really gotten to connect with anyone that that has ever happened to, and it was just like freaky sitting there knowing that these kids have been through that, and I realized how grateful I was that I never had to go through anything like that and hopefully never will.

I’ve always been pretty good with deadlines, but this semester I realized how to prioritize others deadlines so I can set up my pages better. For example, a couple stories kept getting pushed from February, and they were good stories, but weren’t prevalent in the news cycle compared to other things we were writing about. This taught me how to balance my pages more, and in the final issue I only needed five stories, which worked out perfectly for my page, and there was no left over stories to worry about. Also it was a lot easier this semester dealing with the front page artwork or photography, the topics picked we usually already had a photo for, or we had some type of idea for much sooner than last year.

I felt like I worked pretty well with others this year, I know that some first year staff writers did not have the best experience, but compared to some issues we had last year I thought there was improvement with everyone getting along. It was difficult at times to balance that “friend” attitude with the “editor” attitude, but I believe I did a good job balancing it. I made a lot of new friends, honestly enjoyed everyone’s presence in the classroom, and made a lot of positive memories with people I never knew before and people from last year. Throughout the entire year, my pages never really had a big issue with missing articles, and I think that was because of how I dealt with those writing for my page, if I felt they were good I

would leave them alone, and if they needed help I would leave them with edits or at times I would even sit down with them and walk them through the structure of writing for opinion.

I also retained the knowledge of how important it is to be ethically sound in journalism. I’m usually objective in news articles, which is difficult to do in this climate because there is a lot of events going on that I feel like are important to denounce. However, I always used this as a strength, and I feel like newspaper helped me with being able to select what courses I want to study in college and the path I want to take as a career. By using this as a strength, I always felt like my opinion articles were very well written, and by my second semester last year in newspaper I felt very objective and was able to tell both sides of a news story. I have realized the importance of displaying both sides of a story over these past two years.

I’ve always felt really dedicated to the newspaper, I’ve always been to production days, stayed late after school if I have to, show up to pass the papers out, and I’m usually always in class to discuss the direction we’re taking the current issue. I always read through the newspaper after production days before we send to print, work on articles on google drive, and make sure that my pages and the front page are the best that they can be. It has been a really fun two years, and the only thing I regret is not getting started sooner. Newspaper really helped me meet new people and learn new skills, develop confidence, and figure out what I want to do after high school. High school wasn’t really the best, but newspaper definitely contributed to making it a better time. I think apart of that is I applied myself to it, and I was really nervous when I first joined the class, because I wasn’t too outgoing and I was concerned about interviewing people and taking pictures on big stages in front of everyone, but now those things don’t phase me at all, and I couldn’t of done that without dedicating myself to newspaper. This semester I had less problems than last semester, sometimes scheduling issues between work, college preparation, and family issues arise, but I always seem to smooth them out and get to where I need to be. I’d say the best way to deal with problems is to always have a positive attitude and to deal with them as soon as they present themselves. Think of problems as an opportunity to make yourself better or prove you can overcome it, and getting past that problem is so much more self fulfilling. I’d say my greatest weakness was overthinking somethings, sometimes I’d get way too caught up in what I was doing and needed to help others, or if I couldn’t figure out a problem I would keep stressing about it when I should of just set it down for a minute and came back to it later when I had time to subconsciously think about it. To overcome this in the future, I’m going to look at the bigger picture, and focus on what I’ve done right instead of stressing about what I’ve done wrong, then use that as motivation to fix the current problem. Newspaper definitely had a big impact on my life and I’m really glad I took it these past two years, the people I’ve met have been really fun to work with, and I’ve done somethings that have definitely helped me overcome things and learn how to become a better leader, writer, and overall person.

Reflection 2 My most significant piece for me this semester was the Amazon editorial. It involved a lot of research and was difficult to write.

When I picked the topic I wasn’t even positive that I could find enough material to write a full 600-700 word editorial about Amazon’s businesses practices, but once reading into it, watching research videos, and realizing the effect it had on people it was much easier to write. After reading about some of the predatory pricing business methods that Amazon uses to bleed people dry, it was a little easier to feel sympathy for those affected. However, the economy and business has never been a huge interest of mine, so writing about this was definitely different. Especially when previous opinion editorials I’ve done have been mainly about school safety, immigration, and education.

I’d say I’m more passionate about those things than I am about business and economics, but it’s also important to realize how the economy functions and affects people in a real world setting. Amazon is such a big company and it is so convenient and difficult to fight, and honestly it will probably never go away, but it’s important for people to know these things. That being said, everyone’s going to keep using Amazon, but writing these types of articles has taught me that in the future my voice matters and I can write to larger entities that have more power to change these things. Even if people keep using Amazon, there can still be laws and

regulations passed to prevent Amazon from hurting small businesses and treating their workers poorly.

The topic is still an important topic to talk about, because everyone uses Amazon. It affects students, and it affects resellers, which a lot of students are. For example, a lot of my friends used to sell shoes through Ebay, and now Ebay is negatively impacted because most of the consumers have switched to Amazon. So this story still affects students attending the school.

I enjoyed writing it, and I think it was important to write, because in the new age of commerce, a lot is done online. Sometimes people do not realize how processing and internet sales are done and it’s important to inform them of that and show them the good and the bad. It was especially prevalent because of the spotlight last year on Mark Zuckerberg and the whole information scandal. Jeff Bezos and other big names leading companies have the same thing going on, and there still are not adequate laws to prevent people from manipulating data and using that to sell their product online.

I think this was my best work this year, because I feel like I covered all bases and really created a good argument that the government needs to regulate e-commerce better than they have been, and it’s really because of our antitrust laws are so outdated, because we didn’t have the internet back when they were first created.

Reflection 3 Pledge editorial The standing for the pledge editorial was one of the things I was proud of. I feel like there is definitely a rise in nationalism going on right now, and people just blindly accepting some of the things that our country is doing or has done is really bad. I think apart of being a patriot is being able to call out our country for its injustices and be willing to acknowledge what we’ve done wrong, and put our energy towards fixing the problems caused in the past. That’s the only way to create an environment where peace is present. The whole angle about the editorial was based off of a little boy who got arrested for not saying the pledge in his school. When people aren’t able to protest or present their views without being prosecuted, that’s when our freedoms are at stake.

The military graphic I also made a pole this year that had to do with whether or not people believed if women should be required to register for the draft, nobody should be required, or women shouldn’t have to register at all. I was proud of it, because I did a whole 100 person poll in about 30 to 40 minutes. The graphic also became a leading image on my page, so without it the page would have looked a lot worse. Adamson also helped me create a bolder font that stood out on the graphic, since the page had to be black and white it was important to describe what they results were since the primary colors were grey, black, and white for the results.

Novels editorial The novels editorial I was also very happy with, that was the last editorial I did of the year. I initially misunderstood what the main angle was about, because I thought it was just about schools getting rid of novels because of controversial subject matter and mature topics, but then I figured out later that it was about how schools didn’t have enough time, and Ms. Umbarger even agreed with that, which was interesting but also disturbing. I cannot imagine going through high school without reading some of the essential novels like Don Quixote and To Kill a Mockingbird. Some of the lines in the editorial I was only able to argue because of how I remember reacting the first time my teacher broke down the themes and elements of some of these novels. It may seem stupid, but Freshman year when I was reading TKAM, and we were breaking down how Atticus proved Bob Ewell beat his wife Mayella because of the bruises on the right side of her face, and the fact that Bob was left handed really blew my mind. I directly mentioned that in the editorial, and I think it’s this kind of mind opening experience that creates people who think deeper into problems and find creative solutions. I understand that fictional novels may not be the focal point of all educational values, but even when looking at things like The Twilight Zone and Black Mirror they were/are modern day commentaries on their time periods. The Twilight Zone was a big ideological play on “what could be” for example, the episode where they were doing the surgery on the woman who looked normal, and everyone forcing her to do the surgery were really the ugly ones. It was a really important message on how to love yourself and care less about what negative people think and to only focus on the positive messages. That show was purely fiction but still had a very important message behind it.

Then Black Mirror is a more modernized fictional warning as to how technology affects us. The episode Nosedive is about how people used a social media app to rate other people, and now they’re even experimenting with this in China, which is very scary. Aside from those pop culture TV shows, when I read The Handmaid’s Tale, I was mind blown when Margaret Atwood revealed that everything in her book has happened, it wasn’t just some dystopia her creative side made up but derived from history. That’s why these fictional novels are so important to learn from. They give students new perspectives and ways of thinking, and honestly I was a little disappointed and concerned when I found out that one of our administrators was wanting to phase out these types of novels. This editorial was definitely important to write, and I’m glad it was the one that I ended my high school years on.

Amazon Editorial First Draft Amazon has become the most convenient online shopping service in the world, and makes. Amazon makes $11.5 million every hour, according to SEC filings. In 2019This year, 50 percent of all online shopping beginsbegan at Amazon, and Forbes shows that the CEO, Jeff Bezos, is the richest man on Earth. However, along with all this success, there needs to be accountability for how the company conducts its business.

Amazon has invested in Whole Foods, Twitch, Audible, and IMDB. They started off as a book store and now they sell whatever they want. Statistics from Emarketer, a market research company, stated that 40 percent of all United States e-commerce happens on Amazon, and the next company that comes closest to them is E-bay, at 6.6 percent. Amazon is a powerhouse when it comes to streaming, retail, digital ad spending, and music streaming. However, all this success comes at the cost of the workers and market competition. Amazon has promised a $15 minimum wage for its workers, but in 2018, CNBC reported that Amazon cut its monthly bonuses and stock awards to employees.

The company also tends to stretch antitrust laws, and is beginning to show more signs of a modern day monopoly.

Monopolies can hurt the economy because they control prices, fix markets, and destroy competition. Having a monopoly means there are no rules, and companies begin to lack incentive to become more better competitiveon, because they know companies like Amazon will always beat them in the end.

The Sherman Antitrust Law and the Clayton Act were the first antitrust laws, and they broke up large oil and railroad companies. However, with the invention of the internet and e-commerce, it is difficult to enact antitrust laws towards technology companies. Unfortunately, based off of last year’s hearing with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Ccongress does not fully comprehend how technology companies work, so some members of congress may have difficulty comprehending understanding or seeing how Amazon is bypassing these types of laws.

One way they do it is by losing money to gain market

share. CNN Business has done research on the Amazon’s methods, the company bleeds itself of hundreds of millions of dollars in order to retaliate against a competitive market. They use predatory pricing in order to lower their prices so smaller companies cannot keep up. Now those smaller companies have to further expand their business by selling through Amazon, but Amazon will buy out products that manufacturers are trying to sell through them, and simply cut out the third party trying to sell their product through their Amazon’s website. By undercutting their competitors, Amazon is able to take out the competition, and by defending consumer welfare, antitrust laws do not apply to them, since the consumers are benefiting.

According to Gartner Inc, the world’s leading IT research firm, Amazon also offers “Amazon Web Service,” which is a cloud computing service. T, and they are responsible for 51.8 percent of the market share, the second closest is Google at 13.3 percent. The DOW Jones, Adobe, Pinterest, the State Department, and the Central Intelligence Agency, all have used, or are using Amazon Web Services as a cloud provider. With Amazon having this much reign over the internet and personal data, they are Amazon is more powerful than ever. They know about their consumers and, on top of selling clothing, technology, and groceries, they now can have access to sell personal data without being held accountable.

The antitrust laws were made in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and these laws should not be expected to regulate large tech companies in 2019. There should be new action taken to regulate these companies. F, for example, the European Union has already put in place laws that make markets more competitive so that one company is not controlling everything online. If America were to put in place some types of laws derived from the EU’s stance on modern antitrust laws, American E-commerce would only benefit from the change.

Amazon Editorial Final Draft Amazon has become the most convenient online shopping service in the world, and makes $11.5 million every hour, according to SEC filings.

This year, 50 percent of all online shopping began at Amazon, and Forbes shows that the CEO, Jeff Bezos, is the richest man on Earth. However, along with all this success, there needs to be accountability for how the company conducts its business.

Amazon has invested in Whole Foods, Twitch, Audible, and IMDB. They started off as a book store and now they sell whatever they want. Statistics from Emarketer, a market research company, stated that 40 percent of all United States e-commerce happens on Amazon, and the next company that comes closest to them is E-bay, at 6.6 percent. Amazon is a powerhouse when it comes to streaming, retail, digital ad spending, and music streaming. However, all this success comes at the cost of the workers and market competition. Amazon has promised a $15 minimum wage for its workers, but in 2018, CNBC reported that Amazon cut its monthly bonuses and stock awards to employees.

The company also tends to stretch antitrust laws, and is beginning to show more signs of a modern day monopoly. Monopolies can hurt the economy because they control prices, fix markets, and destroy competition. Having a monopoly means there are no rules, and companies begin to lack incentive to become more competitive, because they know companies like Amazon will always beat them in the end.

The Sherman Antitrust Law and the Clayton Act were the first antitrust laws, and they broke up large oil and railroad companies. However, with the invention of the internet and e-commerce, it is difficult to enact antitrust laws towards technology companies. Unfortunately, based off of last year’s hearing with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Congress does not fully understand how technology companies work, so some members may have difficulty comprehending how Amazon is bypassing these types of laws.

One way they do it is by losing money to gain market share. CNN Business has done research on Amazon’s methods, the company bleeds itself of hundreds of millions of dollars in order to retaliate against a competitive market. They use predatory pricing in order to lower their prices so smaller companies cannot keep up. Now those smaller companies have to further expand their business by selling through Amazon, but Amazon will buy out products that manufacturers are trying to sell through them, and simply cut out the third party. By undercutting their competitors, Amazon is able to take out the competition, and by defending consumer welfare, antitrust laws do not apply to them since the consumers are benefiting.

According to Gartner Inc, the world’s leading IT research firm, Amazon also offers “Amazon Web Service,” which is a cloud computing service.

They are responsible for 51.8 percent of the market share, the second closest is Google at 13.3 percent. The DOW Jones, Adobe, Pinterest, the State Department, and the Central Intelligence Agency, all have used, or are using Amazon Web Services as a cloud provider. With Amazon having this much reign over the internet and personal data, they are more powerful than ever.

They know about their consumers and, on top of selling clothing, technology, and groceries, they now can sell personal data without being held accountable.

The antitrust laws were made in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and should not be expected to regulate large tech companies in 2019. There should be new action taken to regulate these companies. For example, the European Union has already put in place laws that make markets more competitive so that one company is not controlling everything online. If America were to put in place some types of laws derived from the EU’s stance on modern antitrust laws, American E-commerce would only benefit from the change.

Tear Sheet: February 6 ● February 8, 2019

Opinion

Late policy enforces discipline

\EVAN MYERS

As we see it: the Editorial The EDITORIAL represents the consensus view of the members of the Editorial Board.

The Editorial Board members are Brook Bowman, Kassidy Wheeler, Maja Peirce, Avianna Hoppes, Morgan Reimer, Annie Sogaard, Julia Knies, Blake Dorame, Austin Hagan, Lauryn Stornelli and Grace Carey

4KASSIDY WHEELER

THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS

T

he school has recently started strictly enforcing their late policy and is cracking down on late students. It is important to learn how to be punctual, and being on time to school helps create discipline.

According to the Management Study Guide, which is an educational portal launched in 2008 with the goal of enriching students and employers with knowledge on management and workplace information, being on time means being disciplined. It is essential to learn discipline in the adolescent stage of life, because discipline creates the mindset people need to be successful in the real world. If the school did not expect students to be in their seats by a certain time, then there would be no discipline created in students, which leads to poor character qualities.

However, no policy is perfect, and along with creating character comes caring for the health of individuals. Unfortunately, school’s early start will most likely never be changed, this is because of club events, sports games, and bus routing. It is important to acknowledge that school starting that early may not be the best thing for high schooler’s health. According to the Nationwide Childrens Hospital, an academic pediatric medical center designed to manage complex diseases, teenagers need between nine and nine and a half hours of sleep every night. School starts at 7:20 a.m. meaning that kids would have to go to sleep at the latest of 10:00 PM to wake up with 20 minutes left before the bell.

For some students, this is impossible. Some kids have jobs that they do not get off their shift until as late as 10:00 p.m. or 11:00 p.m. For others, waking up at 7:00 leaving only 20 minutes to get ready and get to school is certainly difficult. They also do not get to eat breakfast, which Rush University, a medical school in Chicago, deems the most important meal of the day since it lowers body mass index, improves daily performance, and decreases the amount of fat people consume throughout the day.

The most important thing that the school is starting to crackdown on is excuses. No longer will minor excuses be excused unless a parent physically brings a student to the office, or a documentation from a doctor or a professional is produced.

“Last semester we had a lot of students trying to excuse their students because of traffic, car trouble, or because they woke up late,” said Aaron Pettinato, the Dean of Students.

The student will not receive a detention unless serious offenses are repeated, however, the excuse for traffic seems to be pretty legitimate. As aforementioned, if a student is to get nine to nine and a half hours of sleep, they will have to go to bed at latest, 10:00 p.m. which leaves only 20 minutes to get to school. The issue with this is that the roads are congested as early as 7:05 a.m. and it is difficult to get past the roundabout depending on where a person’s automobile is coming from.

With nearly 1,800 kids trying to get to the same place, it is a challenge some people face almost every morning.

The school cannot control the traffic, which is understandable, and they have recently been doing a good job at enforcing the late policy, especially when they need students at school in order to receive more funding. The late policy should also help create character within students, helping create a better environment and discipline for students to put forward their best in real life. The only important thing to remember is that students are humans, and accidents and minor issues can occur. By communicating and trying to help those that may struggle with traffic problems, insomnia, or have trouble getting to school because of how far away their house is, would reflect well on the school.

PRESS

THE THE NEWSPAPER OF CACTUS SHADOWS HIGH SCHOOL IN CAVE CREEK, ARIZONA

Editors in Chief Brook Bowman Kassidy Wheeler Opinion Editor Kassidy Wheeler In-Depth Editor Maja Peirce Travel Editor Austin Hagan The News Editor Brook Bowman Sports Editor Avianna Hoppes the Life Editor Morgan Reimer Creeker Editor Lauryn Stornelli Spotlight Editor Annie Soogard Photo Editor Blake Dorame Health Editor Julia Knies Style Editor Grace Carey Staff Frida Alvarado, Ryan Bartholomew, Emma Bauer, Hope Black, Jo Breese, Mia Brito, Brendan Donaldson, Devin Dorough, Lucas Dufresne, Makenna French, Connor Green, Riley James, Logan McDade, Evan Myers, Ethan Penington, Raven Ramirez, Grant Richardson, Lauryn Stornelli, Max Sotelo, Miah Thirion Editorial Policy: The CSPress is published by the Journalism class of Cactus Shadows High School. The NEWSpaper serves the students and staff of Cactus Shadows High School and as a connection to the surrounding community.

The objective of the CSPress is to publish a factual, informative and entertaining the NEWSpaper, and to provide a forum for the expression of diverse viewpoints.

The Comments and views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, the adviser, or all CSPress staff members.

The CSPress is also published online, at cactusshadowscspress.com.

The editors reserve the right to reject any material that is libelous, obscene, or poses an immediate and material disruption to the educational environment.

WE VALUE YOUR Comment. EMAIL YOUR LETTER TO CSPRESS. Comment@gmail.COM The CSPress values Comments from its readers. If you have something to say about anything you have read, please write a letter to the editor and send it to cspress.Comment@ gmail.com. Letters must be typed, less than 100 words in length and signed. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit for length. The CSPress will not print letters that are obscene, libelous or that target an individual.

Advertisements that are obscene, misleading, or illegal to minors will not be printed. The CSPress reserves the right to reject any advertisement. To place an ad, contact the adviser or the Advertising Manager at (480) 575-2493.

The CSPress is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the National Scholastic Press Association, the Journalism Education Association, and the Arizona Interscholastic Press Association.

The CSPress Cactus Shadows High School P.O. Box 426 Cave Creek, Arizona 85327 (480) 575-2400 February 8, 2019, Volume 10: Issue 5 School enrollment: 1822 Number of copies printed: 1100

8 ● February 8, 2019

THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS

No text is worth a life

\KASSIDY WHEELER

Texting and driving plays a part in 25 percent of automobile crashes. In some states, laws against texting and driving do not even exist.

C

OPINION

LAYTON Townsend, a 5-year officer

with the Salt River Police Department, pulled over a vehicle on the 101 for having an expired registration on January 9.

A routine traffic stop turned deadly when Jerry Sanstead fatally struck Townsend because he was texting and driving and did not see officer Townsend standing near the pulled-over driver’s side door.

Texting and driving should have been banned a long time ago, however, not every state has laws or even restrictions against it. Arizona is one of those states, and it is irresponsible for the state legislature to not have a law to prevent texting and driving.

Too many families can relate to horror stories like Officer Towsend’s family, and, unfortunately, it seems like the state legislature does not care about preventing such tragedies. No text message is worth someone’s life, and Arizona’s current laws against texting and driving are too soft to make anyone fear the consequences of texting and driving.

The National Conference of State Legislatures shows that Arizona does not have a hand-held ban, a texting ban, and the state police can only enforce an all-cellphone ban against school bus drivers, learner’s permit holders, and provisional license holders during the first six months after their licensing was deemed effective. This needs to change if Arizona roads are to be made safer.

Last year in February, the Arizona state legislature introduced SB 1261. The law was suppose to push

Mia Brito staff writer

Arizona into joining the other 47 states which ban texting and driving. Data taken directly from LegiScan, a database which researches, monitors, tracks, and reports on every single bill which passes or gets denied, shows that SB 1261 could have had a great impact on drivers. It would have opened those who text and drive to legitimate prosecution and penalties instead of the lax laws the state currently has in place.

Arizona resident Cynthia Schneider, had a 16-year-old daughter who was killed in a texting and driving incident in November of 2016. Her daughter was riding a mountain bike when she was struck from behind by a woman who was speeding and on her phone. Her killer received a speeding ticket and a $1,000 dollar fine.

It is not just the average Arizonian who dont support texting and driving bans either. Arizona is one of the only states who has rejected a texting ban for 11 consecutive years. The people of Arizona as well as our Legislature has deemed texting and driving bans as “too instusive” and “the state’s generic traffic laws can be used to site distracted drivers.”

If this were true then in turn accident rates would surely drop, but looking at traffic reports and statis-

tics, 25% of fatal car crahses are due to “distracted drivers”, and the numbers will only continue to increase.

This type of inaction is inexcusable, if people who kill others because they were texting and driving get off without severe consequences, the state is becoming complicit in the loss of innocent lives. Instead of being so soft on texting and driving, legislature should enact state-wide laws supporting a full ban on texting and driving in order to make Arizona roads safer.

High school is not preparing students for college With a competitive global outlook for new jobs, schools are challenged with further improving student’s skills in time for college. However, studies have shown that schools are struggling to help students get ready.

OPINION

Jo Breese staff writer

There is a serious debate taking place about whether or not high school actually prepares students for college. High schools are not about preparing a student for college, they are preparing someone to get into college.

Schools are so focused on improving GPAs and having students get good test scores, that they forget to teach students how to actually be ready for college -- things like how to take notes and study the material taught.

Most high schools do not offer challenging classes that help ease kids into the way college professors teach.

High schools care more about students passing standardized test and graduating than preparing them to handle the stress and workload of college.

Students often do not take any classes that challenge the or prepare them for college. In fact, the Hechinger Report, which covers innovation in education through in-depth journalism and research, reported that only 47 percent of American high school graduates take either a college ready course or career ready course. Even worse is that, according to The Education Trust, a national nonprofit that works to close opportunity gaps that dispro-

portionately affect students, reported that only 8 percent of graduates are ready to take on college courses.

Some people argue that high school helps prepare students by giving them large loads of homework, as students would be given in college. Teaching kids how to handle homework is a great thing, but high schools should not just be giving out homework. They should be giving kids progressively harder classes to deal with instead of just hammering on the homework.

Many college freshman say that the transition from high school to college is tough because of how high school allows second chances, such as late work or test redos. Most college professors do not allow late work or trest retakes. In high school, you can just spend a whole week not studying and look at a study guide the night before and ace the test. College requires way more effort to be put in to receive a good grade and pass a test.

Many critics point to a study done in Canada in 2010 that says that of 78 percent of kids in 12th grade feel they are ready for college. While these students may feel ready, college will still hit them hard. They may not drop out, but

many have a tough time transitioning.

This rough transition period could be easily mitigated if high schools focused more on college preparations then GPA. Perhaps Cactus Shadows should consider what the U.S. Department of Education’s guide to preparing high school students for college recommends: 1. Offer a college preparatory curriculum and make sure that, by ninth grade, students understand academic requirements for college entry and success 2. Use assessment throughout high school to help students understand their relative readiness for college, and help them address any identified deficiencies 3. Surround students with people -adults and peers -- who build and support their college-going aspirations 4. Help students complete required steps for college entry 5. Increase families’ financial awareness and help students apply for financial aid Regardless of how it is done, it is clear that we need to be doing a better job helping students succeed in college.

Students feel high school does not adequately prepare them for college Only 45 percent of high school students feel positive about their readiness for college and careers

Results from a survey administered to 165,000 students nation-wide conducted

by YouthTruth, a nonprofit group based out of San Fransisco, showed that students feel that they are not ready for the real world or careers. The point of high school is to help students prepare for college, so if they are feeling unprepared changes need to be made.

Only about one third of high school seniors are ready for college level courses

According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, a government agency which collects data and measures what students are capable of in various subjects across the nation, have shown that high school seniors are not ready to go to college. In 2013, 26 percent of high school seniors were above or at proficient levels for college level mathematics. In 2015, this number decreased to 25 percent. For reading readiness the number of seniors proficient or above college readiness levels were 37 percent, which decreased in 2015 to 36 percent. Researchers from NAEP say that in 2018 these levels have not had any significant change.

KASSIDY WHEELER

THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS

Hope Black staff writer

February 8, 2019 ● 7

COMMENT

Should artists be judged by their art or their actions?

Yes

NO

Evan Myers

staffand writer There is a lot of news today about artists doing bad things, many have lost their careers as a result. Kevin Spacey, Louis CK, R. Kelly and Bill Cosby come to There have been many celebrities, artists, and actors in the spotlight for doing serimind. The question is, should we judge someone’s art by their actions, or can we ous misdeeds. With so many coming to light, society’s moral folly seems to have been left enjoy their work even though they have done some bad things? The answer is that in the dark. Holding the powerful accountable is something that our world must start it is okay to like the art, even if you don’t like the artist. doing, and in the past few years, it seems that the United States, at least, has begun to This debate has been going on for ages. Picasso, one of the most famous artists of hold their celebrities to higher standards. If someone makes good artwork, movies, or all times, was known for the poor way he treated women and people in general. And music, their character should come before their artwork. yet, people to this day flock to museSexual misconduct, abuse, scandals, rape, sexual assault, and racism have been ums to appreciate his paintings. issues in the arts. Many allegations have been put against celebrities like Harvey For example, according to Ranker.

Weinstein, R.Kelly, XXXTentacion, and Bill Cosby that have ended up to com, William be true.

Golding In a day and age wrote where screens are Lord of everywhere, it is the Flies, nearly impossible to but was an avoid news involving actors, attempted rapist. musicians, and movie stars. In Anne Perry was a crime fact, Newport Academy, a series novelist who murdered her mother. of evidence-based healing centers Patricia Highsmith was also a crime for adolescents and families struggling with novelist… and a rapist. J.D Salinger addictions, disorders, and abuse, says that was the author of The Catcher in celebrities can have both a severely posithe Rye, yet he was a pedophile and tive or negative effect on teenagers. adulterer. All of these artists have Young people are always looking to find created work that is recognized their identity, and sometimes, they look to as good art, in spite of their bad celebrities for how to act, dress, and what behavior. to do. For example, Gwen Stefani began the Many famous artists, inlcuding Van Gogh, Goya, and Munch, suffered from punk-skater look in the early 2000s, Amy \ KASSIDY WHEELER mental illness, which resulted in breakdowns, alcoholism and episodes of anger Winehouse began the trend of cat-eye liner, and violence. However, none of this lessens the impact of their art on the world. and Rihanna began hairstyle trends like shaving one Kanye West, for example, writes music that a lot of people enjoy, but he has compart of a woman’s hair and having choppy bangs. pared himself to others, has said racist/sexist things, this guy has even compared These are all positive or neutral influences, but a study done by the University of himself to God. That is pretty pathetic, yet his music is still enjoyed by many.

Pittsburgh School of Medicine states that if young people see a musician, celebrity, or The case with Kanye West is that he underwent a life changing experience: the movie star doing and talking about things like drugs or violence, they may view these death of his mother. In 2007 his mother passed, and in 2008 he released a soul actions as acceptable. grabbing, game changing album, called 808s and Heartbreaks. This piece of work Rappers like Wiz Khalifa and Pusha-T reference drug use and distribution in the majorfurther introduced autotune to rap, aside from what T-pain already did, and 808s ity of their songs. This is not a good thing, but if kids see popular R&B singers and rappers being the type of drum used in the album was spread wider throughout hip-hop. like R.Kelly and XXXTentacion’s music still being streamed and promoted, after they have The event of his mothers death changed his discography from a soulful upbeat rapbeen proven guilty for acts of domestic abuse and major sexual misconduct charges, the per, to a darker and corrupted musician. What some see as crazy, others see as youth may begin to think that their actions are acceptable. successful,and even though he has his controversies, he was made this way because Not only is there misconduct in the music industry, multiple actors, actresses, and of a tragedy that made him the way he is today, and his art should be appreciated directors have been accused of doing horrible things. For example, Roseanne Barr, a welldespite his past troubles. known actress had her tv show “Roseanne” canceled by ABC after Barr tweeted a racist Despite clear evidence that an artist’s work should be separated from the artist, comment about Valerie Jarett, a former adviser for Obama. there are many who choose to dislike an artist’s work because of things they have The law tends to give more privilege to people with power in court. For example, in done. Of course, people have the right to like or dislike anyone they want, but his2013 Chris Brown and his bodyguard were charged with felony assault for beating sometory has shown that art often outlives the artist, making it clear that art should be one up. When they showed up to court, their sentence was reduced to a single assault viewed for art’s sake alone. misdeameanor. The law not holding celebrities accountable sets a dangerous example to There are popular artists who can be major jerks but still create great art, and people, they will think that with power, fame, and money, comes no accountability. some people do not like their art because of that. While it is understandable that If society can punish the powerful accordingly the first time they do something out someone would think this way, it is important to still appreciate what these artists of poor judgement, or even worse, commit criminal acts, then younger generations will have created. begin to learn what is wrong and what is right faster than they would in the past.

“Many famous artists, inlcuding Van Gogh, Goya, and Munch, suffered from mental illness, which resulted in breakdowns, alcoholism and episodes of anger and violence.

However, none of this lessens the impact of their art on the world.”

“A study done by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine states that if young people see a musician, celebrity, or movie star doing and talking about things like drugs or violence, they may view these actions as acceptable.”

The Report Card

From a poll taken on 1/31 of 100 students

A: 14%

D: 16%

D: 5% F: 3%

A: 9%

1

C: 34%

2 3

1

1

F: 52%

D: 18%

2

A: 45 %

3

4

4

5

5

C: 16% B: 23% VALENTINES DAY

C: 12%

B: 5%

F: 16%

\KASSIDY WHEELER

HOW EARLY SCHOOL STARTS

2 3 4 5

B: 38% HOW YOU DID DURING PREVIOUS SEMESTER

Tear Sheet: April Opinion

6 ● April 19, 2019

THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS

The price of practicing online business Amazon has become a powerhouse in marketing. There are no updated laws to stop them from dominating healthy competition, and now their convenience comes at the cost of their workers and other businesses

The EDITORIAL represents the consensus view of the members of the Editorial Board.

The Editorial Board members are Brook Bowman, Kassidy Wheeler, Maja Peirce, Avianna Hoppes, Morgan Reimer, Annie Sogaard, Julia Knies, Blake Dorame, Austin Hagan, Lauryn Stornelli and Grace Carey

A

mazon has become the most convenient online shopping service in the world, and makes $11.5 million every hour, according to SEC filings. This year, 50 percent of all online shopping began at Amazon, and Forbes shows that the CEO, Jeff Bezos, is the richest man on Earth. However, along with all this success, there needs to be accountability for how the company conducts its business.

Amazon has invested in Whole Foods, Twitch, Audible, and IMDB. They started off as a book store and now they sell whatever they want. Statistics from Emarketer, a market research company, stated that 40 percent of all United States e-commerce happens on Amazon, and the next company

\EVAN MYERS

The DOW Jones, Adobe, Pinterest, the State Department, and the Central Intelligence Agency, all have used, or are using Amazon Web Services as a cloud provider. With Amazon having this much reign over the internet and personal data, they are more powerful than ever.

that comes closest to them is E-bay, at 6.6 percent. Amazon is a powerhouse when it comes to streaming, retail, digital ad spending, and music streaming.

However, all this success comes at the cost of the workers and market competition. Amazon has promised a $15 minimum wage for its workers, but in 2018, CNBC reported that Amazon cut its monthly bonuses and stock awards to employees.

The company also tends to stretch antitrust laws, and is beginning to show more signs of a modern day monopoly. Monopolies can hurt the economy because they control prices, fix markets, and destroy competition. Having a monopoly means there are no rules, and companies begin to lack incentive to become more competitive, because they know companies like Amazon will always beat them in the end.

The Sherman Antitrust Law and the Clayton Act were the first antitrust laws, and they broke up large oil and railroad companies. However, with the

invention of the internet and e-commerce, it is difficult to enact antitrust laws towards technology companies. Unfortunately, based off of last year’s hearing with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Congress does not fully understand how technology companies work, so some members may have difficulty comprehending how Amazon is bypassing these types of laws.

One way they do it is by losing money to gain market share. CNN Business has done research on Amazon’s methods, the company bleeds itself of hundreds of millions of dollars in order to retaliate against a competitive market. They use predatory pricing in order to lower their prices so smaller companies cannot keep up. Now those smaller companies have to further expand their business by selling through Amazon, but Amazon will buy out products that manufacturers are trying to sell through them, and simply cut out the third party. By undercutting their competitors, Amazon is able to take out the competition, and by defending consumer welfare, antitrust laws do not apply to them since the consumers are benefiting.

According to Gartner Inc, the world's leading IT research firm, Amazon also offers “Amazon Web Service,” which is a cloud computing service. They are responsible for 51.8 percent of the market share, the second closest is Google at 13.3 percent. The DOW Jones, Adobe, Pinterest, the State Department, and the Central Intelligence Agency, all have used, or are using Amazon Web Services as a cloud provider. With Amazon having this much reign over the internet and personal data, they are more powerful than ever. They know about their consumers and, on top of selling clothing, technology, and groceries, they now can sell personal data without being held accountable.

The antitrust laws were made in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and should not be expected to regulate large tech companies in 2019. There should be new action taken to regulate these companies. For example, the European Union has already put in place laws that make markets more competitive so that one company is not controlling everything online. If America were to put in place some types of laws derived from the EU’s stance on modern antitrust laws, American E-commerce would only benefit from the change.

PRESS

THE THE NEWSPAPER OF CACTUS SHADOWS HIGH SCHOOL IN CAVE CREEK, ARIZONA

Editors in Chief Brook Bowman Kassidy Wheeler Opinion Editor Kassidy Wheeler In-Depth Editor Maja Peirce Travel Editor Austin Hagan The News Editor Brook Bowman Sports Editor Avianna Hoppes the Life Editor Morgan Reimer Creeker Editor Lauryn Stornelli Spotlight Editor Annie Soogard Photo Editor Blake Dorame Health Editor Julia Knies Style Editor Grace Carey Staff Frida Alvarado, Ryan Bartholomew, Emma Bauer, Hope Black, Jo Breese, Mia Brito, Brendan Donaldson, Devin Dorough, Lucas Dufresne, Makenna French, Connor Green, Karli Kinsey, Logan McDade, Evan Myers, Ethan Penington, Raven Ramirez, Grant Richardson, Lauryn Stornelli, Max Sotelo, Miah Thirion Editorial Policy: The CSPress is published by the Journalism class of Cactus Shadows High School. The NEWSpaper serves the students and staff of Cactus Shadows High School and as a connection to the surrounding community.

The objective of the CSPress is to publish a factual, informative and entertaining the NEWSpaper, and to provide a forum for the expression of diverse viewpoints.

The Comments and views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, the adviser, or all CSPress staff members.

The CSPress is also published online, at cactusshadowscspress.com.

The editors reserve the right to reject any material that is libelous, obscene, or poses an immediate and material disruption to the educational environment.

WE VALUE YOUR Comment. EMAIL YOUR LETTER TO CSPRESS. Comment@gmail.COM The CSPress values Comments from its readers. If you have something to say about anything you have read, please write a letter to the editor and send it to cspress.Comment@ gmail.com. Letters must be typed, less than 100 words in length and signed. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit for length. The CSPress will not print letters that are obscene, libelous or that target an individual.

Advertisements that are obscene, misleading, or illegal to minors will not be printed. The CSPress reserves the right to reject any advertisement. To place an ad, contact the adviser or the Advertising Manager at (480) 575-2493.

The CSPress is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the National Scholastic Press Association, the Journalism Education Association, and the Arizona Interscholastic Press Association.

The CSPress Cactus Shadows High School P.O. Box 426 Cave Creek, Arizona 85327 (480) 575-2400 April 19, 2019, Volume 10: Issue 7 School enrollment: 1822 Number of copies printed: 1100

THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS

April 19, 2019 ● 7

COMMENT

Women should be required to register for draft With an on-going fight for equality, mandatory registration for women in the military draft is another step towards full equal rights.

IN FEBRUARY OF 2019, A FEDERAL JUDGE IN

Nobody should be registered to be drafted

39%

Women should be required

43%

Women should not be required

18%

From a poll taken on April 4 of 100 students

\KASSIDY WHEELER

Houston ruled that the exclusion of women from the Selective Service Act is unconstitutional. This sparked a debate on whether or not women should be drafted into the military.

The answer: it is long overdue.

THIS IS NOT JUST A MILITARY ARGUMENT, BUT

also an argument for women’s rights.

Women across the country have understandably argued for equal rights, but now that they might have to register for the draft, they do not want them. The real problem is that so called “feminists” are claiming that it is unfair to draft women just because they do not want to be drafted themselves (never mind the fact that no man wants to be drafted either), but in reality actual feminists should not have a problem with it if they truly believe in gender equality. Women should not be allowed to pick and choose when they want equal rights for when it suits them. If we want to be seen as equals to men, then we must act like it.

Since the Department of Defense abolished all restrictions on women serving in certain positions in the military (such as combat positions) in 2013, support for drafting women has been growing. Several presidents such as Franklin Roosevelt and Obama have tried to expand the draft to include women, explain-

Arizona State Senate made correct decision with unconstitutional bill Minimum wage in the state of Arizona was recently disputed for workers under the age of 22.

The Arizona House of Representatives passed bill HB 2523 which would of allowed employers to pay full-time students the national minimum wage of $7.25, and not the state minimum wage of $11.

However, the Arizona State Senate added a super majority vote requirement, which will essentially kill the proposal. If not for the senate adding the super majority to the bill, it very well may of passed. This would have been detrimental to thousands of students, youth living on their own, and those under 22 trying to support their families.

Employees under 22 are not just full time college students, there are people who have families, people who live in single parent homes and are trying to help pay bills, or college students who need to pay their own way though school. The Arizona Students’ Association has claimed that if this bill passed it would have forced a good amount of students to drop out due to the high cost of bills, tuition, fees, and food costs.

Previously agreed upon by voters in 2016, Proposition 206, the Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act, had raised the minimum wage from $8 an hour to the current minimum wage of $11 an hour.

With bill HB 2523 students will not be paid less than the acceptable minimum wage decided upon by voters in late 2016.

Arizona Representative Travis Grantham was the one who proposed the bill on February 4.

Grantham claimed that the purpose of the bill was to help smaller businesses get workers, and help young workers or students find a job, within these

smaller businesses so they can get more experience. However, Grantham’s voting history does not support him when it comes to assisting students.

In his most recent political courage test from Vote Smart, Grantham was asked to explain his support for spending within general categories. When it came to education, he said he would eliminate that category of federal spending out of categories like defense, space exploration, and agriculture.

Grantham has never been an ally of Arizona students, but when asked if he supports campaign finance laws that would regulate indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions, he answered no. This is very hypocritical of the Representative who introduced a bill to “help small businesses,” when he would not deny larger businesses putting money indirectly behind politicians in major elections. Other Republican groups have showed their support for the bill as well.

“It’s still very good policy and we know that these laws hurt … students the most,” said Joe Riches, the Director of National Litigation and General Counsel for the Goldwater Institute.

Riches acknowledged that it would hurt students, but still wants to go forward with this bill. The legislation is filled with hypocrisy and claims that have not been proven to work. There needs to be a better way to benefit both students and smaller businesses. Democrat Representative Reginald Bolding stated that lowering wages for full-time students could be a problem when it comes to passing this bill, as it makes it seem like going to school could further negatively impact students income. Instead, Bolding thinks Arizona should be promoting educa-

OPINION

ing how the idea is on the basis of equality and would prove more beneficial to the military, but both times Congress has shut it down.

When the Selective Service Act was first implemented in 1917 women were excluded because they were deemed to be more beneficial to the country by working at home than being on the battlefield, but times have changed. With the disappearing of traditional roles, that logic worked fine for 1917, but it does not work anymore. Nowadays, where any man Avianna Hoppes sports editor or women is most beneficial to this country in a time of war depends on each individual’s circumstance, not their gender.

Some argue that women should not be drafted because they are not as well suited for combat as men, but anyone can learn to use a machine gun or drive a tank as long they have the proper training. A person’s gender does not matter when shooting at someone from 100 yards away. A bomb explosion will not kill one person over another because they are a boy or a girl. Many women are currently serving in combat and do not face difficulty because of their gender.

Despite the fact that women should be required to register for the military draft, there should still be exceptions such as pregnant women and single mothers, just as there are exceptions for men.

OPINION

tion, not making it feel like a punishment.

While the idea of creating more opportunities for students to be able to be hired and to gain work experience seems good, there are better ways to promote training, better recruitment and retention for smaller businesses and students. Larger corporations like Target and Bashas are already moving their minimum wages for employees to $12 and $13 an hour. Giving smaller businesses the option to pay their workers the national average of $7.25 will seriously hurt smaller businesses if they choose to pay their workers that little. In regards to competition offering workers five or six dollars more will oust smaller businesses out of the game before they even have a chance to offer students a lessened paycheck.

Ultimately hurting small businesses in the end, there needs to be different incentives to help smaller businesses. If there was a law passed that had to do with education reimbursement and smaller businesses, this could directly coincide with what Republicans in the House were trying to do. This way these businesses still pay their workers $11 an hour, but the education reimbursement provided by the government makes them seem more attractive to students as a job option.

“

Mia Brito staff writer

While the idea of creating more opportunities for students to be able to be hired ... there are better ways to promote training, better recruitment and retention for smaller businesses and students

8 ● April 19, 2019

COMMENT

Should school uniforms be required?

Yes Karli Kinsey staff writer

For students, school uniforms are a primary topic when it comes to the difference between private and public schools. Some of the biggest complaints have been that they will not be able to express themselves or show off their own styles when wearing a uniform. Fortunately, there are ways that students can get around this, and still show off their uniqueness when it comes to a required school uniform. After all, self image is a big deal when it comes to high school. Self image eats away teenagers esteems, so what better way to fix that than to require uniforms. Especially since nobody can compare themselves to one another if they are dressed the same.

Typically, a school uniform consists of a collared shirt and skirt for females, and a collared shirt and shorts, or pants for males. The color choices seem to be white shirts with navy blue, or khaki bottoms. Although it may sound like a “bland” outfit choice, there are actually many ways to approach, and customize the look, so students do not feel or look like a “drab.” Students are almost always given the option to accessorize with jewelry, shoes, hairstyles, and glasses. With that being said, they are able to personalize their look and still be a fashion statement in those mandatory school uniforms.

Students already have so many pressures in their daily life: schoolwork, homework, social challenges and contemplating their futures.

The last thing they should stress about is what outfit they should wear the next day at school.

Studying for a physics exam until 11:00pm and then realizing they have nothing to wear the next day is a real pain. Modern day social pressures can be cruel and are very real. Everyone wants to be liked and accepted by their peers, and a lot of this has to do with the clothing one wears. This is an unnecessary stressor that can be avoided with school uniforms. When everyone is wearing the same base outfit, it stops the opportunity for jealousy, bullying, and other unkind behaviors.

A popular outfit from Urban Outfitters may cost at least $100, whereas a full school uniform can cost less than $50, and can be worn over and over again.

The one Urban outfit can only be worn once a month or so, face the sake of being judged for re-wearing it. What happens if students do not have the finances to shop at Urban Outfitters, and instead shop at thrift stores. That gives the “haters” something to focus on, and make fun of.

Wearing school uniforms will bring equality back into public schools.

Students should be focused on school work and not on their attire and what people think of them. High schools have somehow turned into a materialistic, popularity contest. Students save money, and sanity with school uniforms. The benefits only continue to impress people, so it is only a matter of time until uniforms are taken into action.

THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS

No Grace Carey style editor

In an era where youth are open to fashion risks, accepting differences, and expressing their uniqueness, mandatory school uniforms prohibits students from truly being themselves. While some argue that it is easier for students to get dressed in the morning and fit in, the freedom to express themselves and learn how to truly stand out, is lost.

It is understandable that not all students want to wake up earlier every morning to pick out the perfect outfit, and school uniforms do have some great advantages. They could be used to enhance school pride, keep students focused on education, and create a level playing field.

They may also help reduce peer pressure about who has the best looking outfits all the time as well as help diminish economic and social barriers.

On the flip side, they limit a student’s ability to express themselves. Many students really enjoy waking up and putting together the perfect outfit. Uniforms also do not help keep kids focused on education in the classroom, the teachers do. Not to mention the fact that, in the real world, there will not always be uniforms. Therefore, students should be learning from a young age, that no matter what someone else chooses to wear, it should not put a limit on their focus or learning ability.

Some people say that wearing a uniform could increase a sense of belonging within a school, and even may decrease rates of bullying. However, Tony Volk, PhD, Associate Professor at Brock University, conducted a peer review study that not only showed uniforms do not deter bullying or violence, but they may increase it. In fact, their study concluded that, along with school uniforms, violence in school increased by 14 percent. According to the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Office of Education and Evaluation Management, fights in middle school nearly doubled during one year with mandatory uniforms.

As far as school pride goes, there is plenty of that 4LOGAN MCDADE to go around without wearing uniforms. Student Council routinely puts together pep rallies and, if one really wanted to show school spirit through clothing, they could buy school-themed apparel.

Forcing school children to wear uniforms is promoting conformity over individuality. If inappropriate expression is what administrators are concerned about, uniforms do not keep kids from expressing themselves in other ways. It is also difficult to create consistent rules about school uniforms.

Typically, a uniform consists of a collared shirt with khakis or shorts for a male, and a collared shirt with a skirt or pants for a female. It is arguably very bland, and while it is easy to accessorize in order to make it more appealing to a type of fashion sense, there are still guidelines in which students must follow. Schools requiring uniforms may also restrict people from dyeing their hair a certain color or, for guys, keeping it a certain length.

This prohibition of self expression does not help adolescents discover who they are or what they want to become. Uniforms should not be required, because choosing what to wear every day helps kids figure out who they are and prepares them for dressing in a real world environment.

THE REPORT CARD

MR. CACTUS SHADOWS

SPRING BREAK F: 3%

A: 9% F: 8%

BIG BANG SPIRIT WEEK F: 12%

D: 5%

B: 18%

1

2

A: 59%

3

B: 42%

4 5

1

1

2

C: 30%

A: 2%

C: 11%

D: 11%

3

2

D: 28%

3 4

4

B: 22%

5

From a poll taken on April 12 of 100 students

C: 40%

WMAKENNA FRENCH

5

Tear Sheet: March Opinion

6 ● March 8, 2019

R

ECENTLY an 11-year-old

The power of peaceful protest

remain unsolved, like mass incarceration, high rates of gun student in Florida was violence, and a failing war on arrested for sitting drugs. Students who sit peaceduring the Pledge of fully demonstrate that they Allegiance. The arrest disagree with what America is was justified on the grounds of doing to solve serious issues disrupting school function and that could significantly affect resisting arrest without viopeople’s lives. lence. Refusing to participate in Additionally, America prides the Pledge of Allegiance should itself on freedom of religion, be an option at all public and and there are a wide variety private schools, and not particof religions practiced here. ipating is a right protected by America has always been a the First Amendment in the Bill melting pot of cultures, and of Rights. not everyone’s God is the The Pledge of Allegiance was same. Being forced to recite created in 1892 by Minister the editorial that phrase does not represent Francis Bellamy. It was created all cultures and religions, and in order to promote patriotism trying to impose that on others is not the right thing to do. and love of country, and was originally written without Instead of fearing other religions, learning about them and the words “Under God” in it. In the 1950s during the Red understanding their ideologies is the best way to underScare, “Under God” was added to show that America is a stand how the Pledge affects people of different faith.

God fearing nation, unlike the Soviet Union.

For these people, the pledge is not said simply because The idea that sitting for the Pledge is unpatriotic is not of the words “under God.” “Under God” was not meant to the truth, it is an opinion. In fact, the power of protest is originally be in the pledge -- in fact, the Bill of Rights has a one of the most effective ways to participate in Democracy, Free Exercise Clause stating that, “America shall make no a power that is protected by the Constitution. The flag replaw respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting resents a different history for every person. Where some the free exercise thereof…” Thomas Jefferson interpreted people see freedom and liberation, others may see disthis part of the constitution as the separation of church crimination and oppression. Standing for the pledge is a and state. way to express solidarity with the country, People who sit for the pledge are called unpatriotic, but just as sitting is a way to register protest. the truth is, they are often more patriotic than those who It is not right for people to be arrested for pay no attention to current events. They are demonstratpeacefully protesting.

The EDITORIAL reping not because they hate America, but because they care Anyone who knows about the lack of libresents the consensus deeply about it and believe there is a better way to solve the erties that some other countries have comview of the members of issues at hand. Like all Americans, they want the country pared to America, will understand how the Editorial Board. to be on the right path for generations to follow. important the right to protest is to proThe Editorial Board Those who find sitting for the pledge unpatriotic believe tect Democracy. Here is America, some members are Brook that everyone should be made to stand, out of respect for people use sitting for the pledge as a way Bowman, Kassidy our country and all of the people who to point out America’s flaws Wheeler, Maja Peirce, have died serving it. They also sugrather than stand by Avianna Hoppes, gest that we should be united under while those in power go Morgan Reimer, Annie the flag, instead of focusing on what unchecked. For example, Sogaard, Julia Knies, divides us. Of course, in a less compliright now, one of the hotBlake Dorame, Austin cated world it would be nice if everytest congressional topics Hagan, Lauryn Stornelli one just got along. The truth is that, is funding a wall to keep and Grace Carey in a country as big and diverse as out undocumented immiAmerica, there will always be issues grants. \ KASSIDY WHEELER that divide us, and peaceful protest Those who sit for the should be encouraged as a personal right and not in any Pledge may see the President’s rhetoric and policy as the way a criticism of those who serve.. wrong path for America. One of the reasons for this is that, Regardless of who sits and who stands, it is important to despite popular opinion, the chances of someone getunderstand that every citizen in the nation is an American. ting killed in America by a “refugee terrorist” are one in Being American does not mean accepting the poor actions 3.6 billion a year. This is according to a study done by the that the country has taken in the past and may even to conCato Institute, a conservative public policy research orgatinue to take in the future. There needs to be an acknowlnization. Additional research from the Carnegie Mellon edgement of the wrongdoings that have happened previUniversity and Indraprastha Institute shows that, in the ously, and a valid effort put forth to fix the issues at hand. past two years, there are higher odds of people getting Not standing for the pledge is a peaceful way for people to killed by eating detergent pods, Pokemon Go accidents, or show that they do not agree with everything the country dying while taking a selfie. is doing, and believe that the nation has great potential to The wall is just one reason why people sit or do not parbe better. ticipate in the Pledge. America has other problems that

Calling out wrongdoings is an important part of making sure the nation stays on the right track. There has been a recent dialogue labeling protesters as unpatriotic, which is not true.

THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS

PRESS

THE THE NEWSPAPER OF CACTUS SHADOWS HIGH SCHOOL IN CAVE CREEK, ARIZONA

Editors in Chief Brook Bowman Kassidy Wheeler Opinion Editor Kassidy Wheeler In-Depth Editor Maja Peirce Travel Editor Austin Hagan The News Editor Brook Bowman Sports Editor Avianna Hoppes the Life Editor Morgan Reimer Creeker Editor Lauryn Stornelli Spotlight Editor Annie Soogard Photo Editor Blake Dorame Health Editor Julia Knies Style Editor Grace Carey Staff Frida Alvarado, Ryan Bartholomew, Emma Bauer, Hope Black, Jo Breese, Mia Brito, Brendan Donaldson, Devin Dorough, Lucas Dufresne, Makenna French, Connor Green, Riley James, Logan McDade, Evan Myers, Ethan Penington, Raven Ramirez, Grant Richardson, Lauryn Stornelli, Max Sotelo, Miah Thirion Editorial Policy: The CSPress is published by the Journalism class of Cactus Shadows High School. The NEWSpaper serves the students and staff of Cactus Shadows High School and as a connection to the surrounding community.

The objective of the CSPress is to publish a factual, informative and entertaining the NEWSpaper, and to provide a forum for the expression of diverse viewpoints.

The Comments and views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, the adviser, or all CSPress staff members.

The CSPress is also published online, at cactusshadowscspress.com.

The editors reserve the right to reject any material that is libelous, obscene, or poses an immediate and material disruption to the educational environment.

WE VALUE YOUR Comment. EMAIL YOUR LETTER TO CSPRESS. Comment@gmail.COM The CSPress values Comments from its readers. If you have something to say about anything you have read, please write a letter to the editor and send it to cspress.Comment@ gmail.com. Letters must be typed, less than 100 words in length and signed. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit for length. The CSPress will not print letters that are obscene, libelous or that target an individual.

Advertisements that are obscene, misleading, or illegal to minors will not be printed. The CSPress reserves the right to reject any advertisement. To place an ad, contact the adviser or the Advertising Manager at (480) 575-2493.

The CSPress is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the National Scholastic Press Association, the Journalism Education Association, and the Arizona Interscholastic Press Association.

The CSPress Cactus Shadows High School P.O. Box 426 Cave Creek, Arizona 85327 (480) 575-2400 March 8, 2019, Volume 10: Issue 6 School enrollment: 1822 Number of copies printed: 1100

THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS

March 8, 2019 ● 7

COMMENT

OPINION

New programs require student sacrifice

W

ITH 69 percent of vot-

\EVAN MYERS

OPINION

Social media harms social skills TECHNOLOGY HAS BEEN ADDED TO PEOPLE’S

lives, and it has been taking a serious effect on people. How technology changes the way we interact with other people is increasingly cause for concern. It is important to come up with a way to prevent people from losing vital social skills needed to succeed in the real world.

In a Time magazine article last year, the United Kingdom’s Royal Society for Public Health published the “StatusOfMindsurvey.” The study found, “91 percent of 16-24 year olds use the internet for social networking; the rates of anxiety and depression among that age group have increased by 70 percent in the past 25 years; and social media has been described as more addictive than cigarettes and alcohol.”

One important finding is that addiction to technology can cause depression, primarily because a lot of human interaction is being replaced by technological interaction. Since social media makes it easier to communicate over the phone, people begin to lack communication in person, which decreases and wears down the social skills that have been learned and

An increase in technology costs a decrease in real world connections.

developed.

There is something Brendan unique and special Donaldson when it comes to talking with another perstaff writer son that is different from almost anything else. Having a faceto-face conversation with someone is much different than texting or even calling.

For those who have become addicted to their phones, there are ways to reduce the need to have their phone at all times.

1. Use technology to stay off technology. On iPhones, there is now a setting called “Screen time,” which keeps track of where the user is spending their screen time. It also allows time limits on certain apps that they are spending large amounts of time on.

2. Make a list. Jamison Monroe, Founder and CEO of Newport Academy, which is a comprehensive treatment center for teens, found that most teens start scrolling when they have extra time. Monroe recommends making a list of more positive things you can do in those moments.

“Taking a walk, writing a love note with

paper and pen, dancing to your favorite song, doing a few stretches, meditating for 10 minutes,” suggested Monroe. “The key is to come up with options that appeal to you.”

3. Turn off notifications. David Greenfield, founder of the Center for Internet and Technology Addiction in Connecticut compares smartphones to slot machines. “It elevates your dopamine receptors, and you continue that behavior over and over again because it offers and unpredictable award,” just like gambling, he says. Simply turning off the notifications will make you less likely to look at your phone every few seconds.

On the positive side, not all technology is bad. For example, we can now contact almost anyone almost anywhere, and social media also has the potential to break certain barriers of human contact with each other.

Like most things in life, the answer is a balance. Counteract the negative effects by taking breaks from screen time, not checking the phone before going to sleep, and using technology to track your screen time.

ers living within the Cave Creek Unified School District boundaries deciding to pass the career and technical education program, students have another choice to make when choosing their classes. Cactus Shadows students now have access to programs and courses at the East Valley Institute of Technology, better known as EVIT, which is a vocational school that offers countless courses including Max Sotelo audio production—which includes their own fully functioning radio video editor station, a variety of cosmetic art classes, nursing, EMT, and even aviation. These undoubtedly cannot hold a candle to electives offered at Cactus Shadows; unfortunately, the EVIT courses are not actually worth the numerous sacrifices that would be need to be made to be able to take their programs.

One disadvantage of attending classes at the technical education school, is that students who take EVIT courses will simply have less time to do other things. They will essentially be full day students plus two hours that include zero hour, and the hour return trip from the campus means students would be returning to Cave Creek at around three o’clock, consequently leaving them less time to participate in extracurricular activities such as sports.

The most off-putting disadvantage of them all would be that students attending EVIT classes will only be able to attend the afternoon sessions of their classes, which does not sound too bad, until considering that students attending classes at EVIT must account for the commute to the campus. This means that taking a dreaded zero hour class is necessary to be able to leave Cactus Shadows during third period, in order to arrive on their campus in Mesa on time.

This raises the problem of transportation to the campus in Mesa. There exists a closer alternative campus at Fountain Hills High School, but courses offered are more limited than at the much larger Mesa campus. Still, the Fountain Hills campus is 29 miles away, while the one in Mesa is 36. The district is offering to bus people to and from the campuses, but also allow people to commute in their own vehicles.

As students pick their classes for next year, many have noticed a sheet with some courses offered at EVIT. This is not the full selection of courses offered at EVIT, contrary to belief.

In conclusion, being able to take hands-on courses that satisfy passions at an acclaimed school sounds like a great opportunity for Cave Creek students, which it is, however, the program’s issues seem to only come back to the distance of the campuses from Cave Creek.

There have been talks of converting abandoned Desert Arroyo Middle School to an even closer “branch” EVIT campus for Cave Creek students, however, nothing has been recently done to do this.

8 ● March 8, 2019

COMMENT

Yes

No

Should marijuana be legalized?

Connor Green

THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS

Grant Richardson

staff writer

staff writer

With today’s opioid epidemic spreading to the youth, and leaving some addicted for The discussion of legalizing recreational and marijuana has been a debate for what life, it leaves many wondering what other options there are. A growing opinion is the seems like forever. Many states have taken part in legalizing marijuana for recreational idea of medical marijuana to treat minor to terminal illnesses. Opioid abuse in the U.S. and medical use while other states have legalized only medical use, leaving the rest is accounting for nearly 50,000 deaths a year, an alternative needs to not just be found, of the states marijuana free, mostly. Marijuana should not be legalized because of the but found fast. The more time that passes, the more serious the problem becomes. harmful effects it has on people.

Legalizing marijuana is a good option to help people recover from ailments.

Marijuana is completely illegal in seventeen states, twenty two only allowing Medical marijuana is already in action in many states, it for medical use, and in eleven states it is completely legal to those who and a federal law for legalization would easily folare of age. Although many states have banned low the systems the medical facilities use. Grow marijuana, it can still be found if someone is farms are already in affect, transportation willing to try hard enough. laws are set up, and more and more peoIn many states where marijuana is ple want to get into the industry. With banned it is still used, as well as in the growing market comes growing the states where it is only legal to profit, leading to a growing economy. use medically, it is still used recIn Colorado, marijuana sales have reationally, that is just the reality led to over $250 million in taxes in of the situation. Although people 2017 alone. While marijuana legalstill do it even though it is against ization can be seen as a danger the law; the law still stops some to kids, many do not realize how people from using it. much of that tax money could go In this years day and age, many to funding public schools and after minors are easily able to get their school activities. Kids are going to hands on this drug. This being said, get into drugs if they want to, it is the legislation of marijuana could as simple as that, and while legalcause a massive increase in adolesization may make it easier to get, at cent drug use. As kids start to grow up, least it will not be laced. “I think schools they become more curious in trying new would benefit, if they put the tax money to things and can sometimes get into trouble education,” said Angie Braude, the P.R.I.D.E. \KASSIDY WHEELER they were not expecting to get into.

Director.

If a minor is to try marijuana, but there is no law, Legalizing marijuana will lead to more than just then are they really doing anything wrong? If age restrictions aren’t enforced when health benefits and tax money, legalization opens a whole new it comes to the legal buying age, anyone can get their hands on. However, adolescent market of marijuana based cosmetics, clothing, paper, and so use of marijuana is not the only concern. If marijuana is legalized, the amount of tickmuch more. With hemp paper trees will not need to be cut a ets issued under ‘driving under the influence’ would skyrocket. According to the 2016 often, and the price of paper can go down tremendously. It can also be used in face National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), in 2016, 11.8 million people ages sixcreams, tonics, essential oils, and many forms of beauty cosmetics, as well as everyday teen and older drove under the influence of illicit drugs. Driving under the influence care for your body. Before marijuana was made illegal, hemp was used in a variety of of drugs and alcohol are some of the main reasons for the accidents people get into. ways all throughout history, these no doubt there would be modern uses as well.

Marijuana significantly impairs bodily and mental functions, and its use is related to The economy would benefit from more than just tax money, the industries growth increased violence. Therefore, the state’s crime rate could increase. would provide millions of jobs for people nationwide. Dispensaries need a budtender, Although marijuana claims to be a ‘soft’ drug, however, you aren’t fully yourself when security, people who package the supply, and so many more just to have a small busiyou are high and that could cause accidents. Another downside to legalizing marijuana ness. Some dispensaries in legal states have already started on delivery, opening a is the increase of addiction. People are becoming more dependent on marijuana after plethora of even more jobs. continued use. Not only just adults however, as mentioned before, teens somehow have Another thing that could be solved partially by the legalization of marijuana, the a way to get to it and become addicted early on, when they are young, causing it to be illegal side of it. With legalization consumers would turn to the safer, stronger, and an even harder habit to break. possibly cheaper alternative at the dispensary over their local weed man. Legalizing A study showed that around 44% of american adults use marijuana on a daily basis. marijuana,profit for major suppliers would drop, leaving only undarrage teens buying Now could you imagine if marijuana was legalized in every state? That number would from their dealer, who probably is selling marijuana from the dispensary up the street, increase immensely. Although, there are good points as to why marijuana should be not some random guys moldy basement. While kids should not use marijuana until the legalized in every state, the dangers cannot be ignored. This is something that has age of 21 when their brain has developed enough to make their own smart choices, it been voted on countless times, and there is a reason as to why it never goes all the way would be safer to have them using the same stuff as their parents. through. This law could increase danger, driving under the influence rates, along with adolescent use.

“Legalizing marijuana will lead to more than just health benefits and tax money, legalization opens a whole new market of marijuana based cosmetics, clothing, paper, and so much more.”

“According to the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), in 2016, 11.8 million people aged sixteen and older drove under the influence of illicit drugs.”

The report card F: 12%

D: 10%

\MAKENNA FRENCH

From a poll taken on 2/28 of 100 students

A: 6%

F: 17%

F: 17%

D: 6%

B: 16% 2 3

1

1

1

2

2

D: 15%

3

3

4

4

4

5

B: 30% 5

5

C: 25% C: 56% NEST DURING BASKETBALL SEASON

A: 28%

A: 20%

B: 24%

C:18% SPRING TRAINING BASEBALL

STUDENTS SPRING BREAK PLANS

Tear Sheet: May Opinion

4 ● May 17, 2019

THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS

Learning literature for future skills A debate about whether or not novels are worth classroom time has led to the possibility of several novels disappearing in school. Teaching these novels is important to developing critical thinking skills.

L

EARNING

4MIAH THIRION

The EDITORIAL represents the consensus view of the members of the Editorial Board.

The Editorial Board members are Brook Bowman, Kassidy Wheeler, Maja Peirce, Avianna Hoppes, Morgan Reimer, Annie Sogaard, Julia Knies, Blake Dorame, Austin Hagan, Lauryn Stornelli and Grace Carey

literature and English skills are just as important as learning science, technology, and mathematics.

Getting rid of novels in public education will only lead to the detriment of creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving skills in the future.

Don Quixote, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Great Gatsby are a few of the most essential novels for people to read.

Some of these novels appear in language classes as early as the seventh grade, and if not by middle school they will definitely appear by Freshman year. The reason for this is to open young student’s minds at an early age. An article published by Psychologist Diana Tamir in the National Center for Biotechnology Information, analyzes how reading fiction can improve individual social-cognitive skills.

These cognitive skills also affect creativity and being able to solve real world problems.

For example, the scene in To Kill a Mockingbird where Atticus analyzes how Mayella Ewell’s bruises on the right side of her face coincided with Bob Ewell’s left handedness, is one way to get students to think outside of the box. This teaches students to think differently and develop their own ideas, especially when they see how the people of Maycomb already came to a verdict on Tom Robinson’s fate based off the color of his skin, yet Atticus was the one to think critically and defend him based off his own ideas and evidence.

InformEd, a blog by Open Colleges, which is an online education provider in Australia, states that creating a classroom where creativity is recognized, is a good way to make students use creativity to solve real world problems. By

presenting fictional novels to students it can broaden their horizons, and make them realize how even fictional characters can be so impactful. The blog also talks about using emotional connections, and these types of connections can certainly be attained by the use of fictional characters and real world emotions.

However, fictional novels do not only help students learn about social skills and critical thinking, but they can help people learn about geopolitical conflicts across the globe. For example, reading Mario Vargas Llosa’s novel, The Feast of the Goat can help with understanding the Trujillo regime in the Dominican Republic. Well known novels like 1984 by George Orwell and The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood, show people a warning of dystopia by describing “what could be” through literature.

Atwood even bases The Handmaids Tale off of historical events which have already occurred, which leaves the reader with much to learn from in order not to repeat the mistakes of the past.

Some reasons include administration believing that too much time is wasted analyzing one piece of text. Time should be dedicated to learn how to read novels at a faster pace, analyze, and understand their meaning. This will help people when it comes to real world circumstances in situations where they have to use critical thinking skills quickly. Time management is very important especially in AP classes where reading is a major focal point of the curriculum. The State and National standards are based on acquiring skills, and not necessarily discussing ideas and themes in novels, but the discussion of themes and ideas is what opens students minds to the bigger message behind these novels. There needs to be time to invest in looking at the bigger picture of literary themes, and discussing themes in-depth and analyzing why a novel is written will further help acquire skills to get by in the real world.

Even if novels are eventually phased out, young people will then go into the world misunderstanding their surroundings, and society will begin to look more and more like the world that Orwell warned us about.

PRESS

THE THE NEWSPAPER OF CACTUS SHADOWS HIGH SCHOOL IN CAVE CREEK, ARIZONA

Editors in Chief Brook Bowman Kassidy Wheeler Opinion Editor Kassidy Wheeler Senior Editors Maja Peirce Austin Hagan The News Editor Brook Bowman Sports Editor Avianna Hoppes the Life Editor Morgan Reimer Creeker Editor Lauryn Stornelli Spotlight Editor Annie Soogard Photo Editor Blake Dorame Health Editor Julia Knies Style Editor Grace Carey Staff Frida Alvarado, Ryan Bartholomew, Emma Bauer, Hope Black, Jo Breese, Mia Brito, Brendan Donaldson, Devin Dorough, Lucas Dufresne, Makenna French, Connor Green, Karli Kinsey, Logan McDade, Evan Myers, Ethan Penington, Raven Ramirez, Grant Richardson, Lauryn Stornelli, Max Sotelo, Miah Thirion Editorial Policy: The CSPress is published by the Journalism class of Cactus Shadows High School. The NEWSpaper serves the students and staff of Cactus Shadows High School and as a connection to the surrounding community.

The objective of the CSPress is to publish a factual, informative and entertaining the NEWSpaper, and to provide a forum for the expression of diverse viewpoints.

The Comments and views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, the adviser, or all CSPress staff members.

The CSPress is also published online, at cactusshadowscspress.com.

The editors reserve the right to reject any material that is libelous, obscene, or poses an immediate and material disruption to the educational environment.

WE VALUE YOUR Comment. EMAIL YOUR LETTER TO CSPRESS. Comment@gmail.COM The CSPress values Comments from its readers. If you have something to say about anything you have read, please write a letter to the editor and send it to cspress.Comment@ gmail.com. Letters must be typed, less than 100 words in length and signed. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit for length. The CSPress will not print letters that are obscene, libelous or that target an individual.

Advertisements that are obscene, misleading, or illegal to minors will not be printed. The CSPress reserves the right to reject any advertisement. To place an ad, contact the adviser or the Advertising Manager at (480) 575-2493.

The CSPress is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the National Scholastic Press Association, the Journalism Education Association, and the Arizona Interscholastic Press Association.

The CSPress Cactus Shadows High School P.O. Box 426 Cave Creek, Arizona 85327 (480) 575-2400 May 17, 2019, Volume 10: Issue 8 School enrollment: 1822 Number of copies printed: 1100

THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS

May 17, 2019 ● 5

COMMENT

The importance of the fourth estate

OPINION

The discrediting of news sources and reporters is dangerous. Journalists play critical roles in holding the powerful accountable and keeping people aware of important current events.

I

NVESTIGATIVE journalism plays a primary role in keeping our society functioning. It exposes hypocrisy, corruption, and the truth to the public.

There is a lot of illegal and harmful activity that happens behind closed doors within corporations and the nation’s government. A lot of what has been brought to light regarding this, was done by investigative journalism work.

One of the most popular examples is the corruption of the Catholic Church in Boston that was exposed by the Boston Globe’s investigative team. They not only uncovered the Catholic Church’s awareness of Priest John J. Geoghan’s record of child abuse and the Boston Archdiocese’s approval for him to resume priestly duties, but additionally uncovered several other similar cases just within the Boston area.

According to National Public Radio, since this investigative work was reported in 2002, the Catholic Church has paid three billion dollars in settlements within the United States.

The Catholic Church case is a prime example of an organization that has power over people due to their faith. Although this can be a healthy experience for some, it

clearly had a certain level of corruption within it that needed to be brought to the attention of the court and nation.

A much older example of how investigative journalism benefited the United States is the Watergate Scandal. As a nation that prides itself on being just, having a president break into his opponent’s offices during the election to gather information does not serve

“The work of these journalists has changed and continues to change the course of history and that history teaches us that it has been during times of great upheaval and division when investigative journalism has been most essential and when it's had the most impact” said Brian Carovillano, managing editor for the Associated Press during his speech at the CGTN Global Media Summit 2017.

When people get their news from social media, information is provided swiftly, but it does not always demonstrate accuracy. This appropriation has created division between the media and the people causing them to believe fake news and in turn dismiss real news.

Furthermore, it is linked to the division between political parties.

With no consensus on what is real and what is false, it is difficult to have any type of debate on an issue that needs attention.

For these reasons, investigative journalism is needed now more than ever. Investigative journalism work is not there to tear down faith in religion, or the United States government, it is there to keep those entities to which citizens put trust into, accountable for their actions.

If not to question authority, society needs it to deliver authentic news.

the U.S. citizen’s values as a nation.

Therefore, the investigative work done by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, told the public what they needed to know. Although the piece couldn’t have been written without the help of Mark Felt, the second associate director of the FBI who led Bernstein and Woodward in the right direction, it was ultimately the press that released the story to the public.

Maja Peirce in-depth editor

When people get their news from social media, information is provided swiftly, but it does not always demonstrate accuracy. This appropriation has created division between the media and the people causing them to believe fake news and in turn dismiss real news.

\KASSIDY WHEELER

Cost of convenience

OPINION

With newer technologies being developed, human jobs are being replaced. New tech is convenient to society, but it is also important to help those who are affected.

EVER SINCE THE TURN OF THE CENTURY

technology has been rapidly advancing. Although, technology affects real people, and when technology begins to go as far as replacing workers, society needs to be cognisant and help those people. The advancement of new and expedited methods of communicating, doing business, and exchanging goods is a great convenience for the majority of people, but it is still necessary to acknowledge those affected and help them adapt to new career outlook.

Blue collar workers include manufacturing workers, construction crews, and farmers. Bringing technology to these fields would be great because jobs could get done faster and there would not have to be any concern about paying employees, but when these people are replaced, there needs to be programs provided to help them adapt to new jobs and opportunities.

Moshe Vardi, a computer scientist at Rice University was interviewed by CBS about jobs that technology will eventually replace.

“Truck drivers will be the first victims. Automated trucks can be programmed to go from one warehouse to another, plying express lanes reserved for trucks that let them avoid interacting with human drivers,” said Vardi.

Cab drivers have been forced to become more professional, tech-savvy, and educated to compete with this technology. This is great because the factory owner will save money previously paid to human workers. Drivers can now use tablet computers, credit card processors and GPS. With automated cars coming closer to being perfected every day, taxi drivers careers could be at risk in the near future.

For the last two growing seasons Laird, who has a master’s degree in agricultural engineering, has devel-

new manufacturing jobs. Because people do not have the necessary skills and training, two million will go unfilled.

Blue collar workers are being replaced by technology, which can lead to more efficiency and production, and even more job options, but government incentives and programs must be given in order to care for those that the new era of technology affects.

The transition of jobs is an opportunity to make advances in many parts of society and free people from soul-crushing jobs, and giving them more opportunities in jobs that are more mindful and require education.

With government intervention, we will be able to help people assimilate into a new era where technology is all around, because technology is becoming more integrated into people’s lives, so it is necessary to adapt before people’s lives are negatively impacted.

oped autonomous machines to drill, harvest, and plant his crops. Starting out small, he converted a John Deere lawn tractor into a remotely controlled machine as a trial.

“I reworked the steering and added a power clutch to my grandfather’s Massey Ferguson 2745 tractor to allow it to run autonomously,” said Laird.

Laird’s actions will most likely lead to a massive change in how farmers harvest their crops. Factory workers are already being replaced by mechanical limbs and other forms of technology. Technology will not get fatigued or complain about their job. Although the question of how to help people who are replaced by these new technologies still remains.

All jobs will become more technical, so increased education can only help.

According to Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute, the next decade will likely see about 3.5 million

Evan Myers staff writer

6 ● May 17, 2019

THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS COMMENT

Should students attend summer school?

Yes Grant Richardson staff writer

Summer school may sound dreadful for high schoolers, but it provides many options for students throughout the year. It can help struggling students who are behind get ahead, or it can help students who are already ahead get more credits or experiences they need to excel in college and future careers.

One benefit from taking classes during the summer is that it can help prepare for a successful college experience. Taking extra courses can often lead to a head start academically and allow students to maintain success from year to year.

During summer school there is a better connection between the teacher and the student. With the smaller classes, the teachers can spend more time with the students and help them. Having a good connection with the students can lead to better grades.

There is less distraction while in summer school and is easier to focus in the class. Many students are able to think clearer during the day with less classes than a regular school day would have. Being able to only work on a couple classes in a day will direct the students attention to those classes instead of all the classes at once.

There is also an opportunity of graduating early if taking summer classes. Being able to graduate early provides a chance to get a head start on college. Some summer schools provide higher classes, advanced placement and honor classes, as well as challenging classes that can make the students transcript look impressive to colleges.

While in summer school the students have an opportunity to take a class and would not be able to take during the regular school year. Freeing up student’s schedules would allow it to be easier to get a job. Working more oftenly could provide the opportunity to make a good amount of money and be able \EVAN MYERS to pay for some of college and not have as much debt after college.

Without taking summer classes, it is easy for your brain to relax and get out of shape. While taking summer school the students brain stays in shape and when the school year starts, the brain will not have to start up again. At the start of the school year, the students who have not taken summer school their grades could start off slow because their brain has not done much since the last school year.

It is easy to stay in bed all day when there is nothing going on during summer.

When taking classes during the summer it forces the students to get out of bed and head to school. Staying active will keep them in shape and they can stay out of bed.

Summer school could potentially be fun if a group of friends all do it together.

With a group of friends there would be a lot of time they could spend together.

In summer friends hangout with each other all the time so it would be fun if they could spend time together and knock out some classes at the same time.

If students do not care about school and their grades summer school is not for them. Most students want to take the summer off of school and enjoy summer break with their friends. During the summer these students want to be as far away as they can be from school.

FROM A POLL OF 100 STUDENTS

F: 0%

SENIOR ONE ACTS D: 4%

D: 0% F: 0%

C: 17% A: 52%

F: 0%

\MAKENNA FRENCH

SUMMER SCHOOL D: 6%

A:33% 1

1

2

2

3

3

4 5

B:27%

staff writer

TAKEN ON 5/10/19

STARRY NIGHT PROM THEME

1

Raven Ramirez

Summer is a time to relax and drift away from the late nights of studying and doing schoolwork, however, students cannot do that if they are taking summer school courses.

There is a lot of time during summer, but when taking summer school, one does not have much free time. There will be no time to take vacations, spend time with family and friends or do the things that a student would do over summer, and be free from school.

Summer classes can be really intense, exactly like the classes in school. There would be no excitement of getting out of school and getting out of the late nights of doing homework, because of having to do it all over again, during the summer. One has to consider the homework and studying that will come on top of the course, and this will intervene with other activities. So, this is where it gets intense, the time-management and the organization of the summer. There are shorter classes with a shorter span of time, for example, an eight week class or a six week class.

Take a moment to remember the feeling of relief when the last semester is almost over.

Summer school will make that feeling go away because there is no break to look forward to for the two months of summer. Summer classes, although very useful, might cut into relaxation time for one.

To relax and refocus is an important skill with school, because this time of the year, summer, is the time to do those things. These courses will be happening most of the time, classes may be able to be scheduled around someone’s schedule during summer but not guaranteed.

These classes may affect financial aid or work study. Some schools or scholarships will provide funding during the summer, but some may not. Also, it may be difficult to keep the work- study position over the summer, due to the lack of funds. It would be a good idea to check with the school or a school counselor to ask question about the funding process.

There is a selection of smaller classes, due to few teachers and classrooms available. Looking at summer classes during the school year, there is a guarantee for a larger selection. Although, when looking at a high-level class, the classes may be all filled and one may be out of luck.

Summer is also the time to get experience for work. While taking summer classes, one will not be able to get the experience due to all of the late nights doing homework and studying for exams for the classes.

If someone decides to take a summer class, they can fall behind easily and fail the class.

Failing a summer class is like failing a regular class, however, there is no summer class for a summer class. The student might be able to take the class over again next summer or that same summer, but the credit will not be transferred to their transcript.

Also, taking a language summer class may be a difficult task. A language class sometimes requires face-to-face contact when trying to speak and learn the language. These assignments may also be posted at any time during the session, and since most summer classes are online, a student may not get the memo. This will soon lead to failing the summer class, and not receiving the credit.

Colleges may frown upon the “retaking” of the class. It may show that the student could not keep up with work during the school year, and they need another chance. Getting another chance is a great opportunity to receive the credits, but high rank colleges may beg to differ.

THE REPORT CARD C: 16%

No

B: 51%

2

A: 32%3

C: 20%

4

4

5

5

B: 42%