Life and times of a pageant contestant

By Melissa Webb Staff Writer

My previous years at Cabrini College I heard and saw flyers about the Mr. and Miss Cabrini pageant. I was never able to attend due to responsibilities that occurred the same night as the event.

I always loved watching pageants on television but I never competed in one and I knew that I wanted to be a contestant before I graduate in 2012.

This year I was nominated by the Black Student Union and of course I took the offer to compete. Immediately I became ecstatic and knew that I had to start preparing for the show.

My main focus of joining was not winning, but of course I thought about how awesome it would be to win the title. It reminded me of the feeling and experience I gained when I won prom queen back in high school.

I joined to have fun. I believe that it is great to participate in anything and everything that holds my interest, and sometimes a person should even make an exception and be opened to new things.

I had a very hard time thinking of a talent because I cannot dance and I cannot sing. Then it hit me; when I was younger I constantly had to add some type of design to my clothing, so I decided that I would create my own outfit from scratch and model it.

I made a skirt the day before the show, which only took me a couple hours to make, but a sewing machine was not involved. My skirt was handmade and my scarf as well, which the scarf was added to my outfit for flavor. I used a shirt I already had in my wardrobe but added letters to the back of it that said, “I always do something extraordinary.” This statement was referring to the well known slogan at Cabrini, “Do something extraordinary.”

The day of the show arrived and I was ready, well at least I thought I was. The routine that Gregory Robinson, a freshman helped me with, I could hardly re- member. I got up on the stage and did absolutely nothing I was supposed to. It was actually funny to me, that I froze in front of people I see almost every day. I even hesitated when it came to answering questions for the interview part.

I enjoyed watching the creativity involved with many laughs and applause. The hosts were great and we even enjoyed a mini concert from impersonators of Nicki Minaj and Trey Songz. The audience seemed to have had a good time as well.

I have one year left at Cabrini; if I were nominated again, of course I wouldn’t turn it down. Throughout the experience I met new people and learned something new about myself.

With that being said, I’d like to congratulate the winners. As they were crowned, none of the contestants including myself seemed to be bitter, even though I believe we all would have loved to been the ones to be crowned.

By Joe Cahill Staff Writer

The concert is dying, and this generation is killing it.

As an avid attendee of shows, one thing I hope for more than a good performance is a good crowd. Many people take for granted how much the audience can make or break a concert-going experience. In the past year, I’ve gone to a number of shows that have left me worrying about social ills and lack of common courtesy. Concert etiquette should be addressed before it’s too late.

First thing’s first, alcohol and illicit substances are bound to be present. Many concert venues have roped-off sections for the 21-and-over crowd, if they don’t turn away minors at the door entirely. This may not be the ’60s, but one would also be hard pressed to go to a show in which at least one person is smoking pot.

With regards to such libations, Benjamin Franklin said it best, “everything in moderation.” Nothing is more aggravating as a concert-goer than a group of inxoticated idiots ruining one’s favorite artist’s performance. Have fun and enjoy the show. Most of all, remember that you’re there to enjoy what’s on stage, not hitting on the stranger next to you or taking a phone call mid-song.

Where there’s fuel, there’s fire. Depending on the type of show one attends, there is the potential for a wild crowd. Mosh pits and getting pushed around can happen at most general admission shows. Individuals who aren’t a fan of this or who are prone to claustrophobia would do best to avoid these venues.

I’m all for moving with the crowd and enjoying the show, and even I’ve participated in my fair share of mosh pits. As stated before, there is a fine line between fun and excessive. I’ve attended shows where no one can move, but to have a guy with a very clear glandular issue sweat all over my friends and I made the experience less than stellar.

This brings me to my next point, dress appropriately. In the dead of winter, it might honestly be better to wear a t-shirt, shorts and similar clothing to a concert. Chances are the building itself will be heated and the added heat from others in the audience can make any show a toasty experience. Be generous with deodorant. No one wants to be “that guy.”

Another important bit of audience etiquette to remember abides be the rule of real estate: location, location, location. Attendees of general admission show have likely experienced individuals cutting through the already dense crowd in an effort to move to the front. This is a huge slap in the face to other individuals who arrived early and staked their claim. If one arrives late to a show, he or she should stay near the back.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, beware tech addiction. These days, it’s easy to get caught up in taking pictures with digital cameras or cell phones. The danger in this lies in getting lost in LCD screens instead of the show you’re attending. Take some snapshots here and there, but actually pay attention and watch the show. It gives one a much more rewarding experience.

In short, take a page from the days of Woodstock. Concerts should be about enjoying music with others and the ability to look back with bragging rights. Get lost in the music, not the fray.

ADHD diagnosis comes too soon

By Eleni Antipas Staff Writer

Today, many children are prescribed potent medications for conditions that cannot be diagnosed objectively, and these medications have severe side effects that may be doing more harm than good. I believe children should not be prescribed medication for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Research proves that there is currently no technique for an indisputable diagnosis for ADHD. The National Institute of Mental Health found that the process of glucose metabolizing in the brain of ADHD children was the result of the condition. However, a second round of testing was conducted three years later, and the same results could not be replicated.

Although researchers have yet to find a direct correlation between biology and ADHD symptoms, many psychologists are convinced that there is a way to guarantee a diagnosis of ADHD as a mental disorder.

A commonly used type of diagnostic criteria for ADHD is a questionnaire that lists a number of different behaviors. However, these actions are not exclusively symptoms of ADHD. They are also indications that a child may have been abused, neglected or that a child is simply creative and outgoing. Doctors should not be giving children such strong medications when they cannot even pinpoint the exact problem.

We all know someone that has been prescribed Adderall or Ritalin. These stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD. Both of these drugs are comprised of chemicals, which produce the same pharmacological effect as cocaine. Some doctors feel that it is perfectly safe to pollute children's bodies with these medications. These drugs are classified as Schedule II, which the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) uses to indicate the most dangerous and addictive drugs.

These medications may also cause abnormal body movements, anxiety, depression, insomnia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. ADHD medications can also affect a child's personality because these drugs can cause children to become subdued, apathetic and lethargic. These drugs are stifling the wonderful aspects of youth.

Many of these side effects are extremely serious. For example, children may develop stomach aches, constipation, blurred vision, hair loss and liver dysfunction.

There are several alternatives to medication that have been proven effective in decreasing ADHD. For example, specific diet adjustments, such as the restriction of artificial food colors, flavorings, sweeteners, preservatives, and a strong focus on protein can reduce ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise has been proven to decrease ADHD symptoms in children. This is known as “The Green Therapy.” The key to this treatment is that the children spend time outdoors, in an unstructured setting, where they may feel free and in control of their own behavior.

Research shows that a child’s brain becomes used to their medications, causing the dosage to continuously be increased overtime, whereas, an individual does not become immune to natural treatments.

There is no reason that a child needs to be taking ADHD medications. In fact, it appears that for many parents it is simply more convenient to pick-up a prescription than spend time working on their children's disruptive behaviors. Treatments for ADHD that do not involve medication are simple and effective.

epa722@cabrini edu