The Viewpoint March/April 2019

The Viewpoint Mountain View High School 2135 Mountain View Road Stafford, VA 22556

STUDENT NEWS Magazine MVHS VOLUME 13 ISSUE 4 March | April

Take a peek at pages 20 and 21 for information on the best cars for teen drivers.

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Located at 50 N Stafford Complex Center Stafford, Virginia 22556 Hours 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM (540) 288-2058

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Editorial

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Spring is in full swing, so be(e) aware of the latest buzz when it comes to saving the bees.

Want to help? Learning how to grow your own plants can help immensely with providing habitats and helping the bee population grow. However, this has additional benefits too.

Growing houseplants is good for your health as they can improve concentration and productivity. Look at pages 06 and 07 for more details about these environmental topics.

Get out of your winter blues by pushing yourself to try something new. Learning a new language is a great way to expand your horizons. Check out page 11 for some tips and tricks about adapting this language into your life. Looking to immerse yourself even further into new cultures? Food is a key component into getting the full experience. Flip to page 32 for different countries’ takes on the typical pancake recipe.

It’s also a perfect time to save up your money for summer adventures. See page 29 for tips on how to save your money and slow your spending. Also, make sure to check out the back cover for Virginia trip inspiration.

On the other hand, fellas, if you’re looking to splurge your money, use it to keep up to date on all the new male fashion trends. Take a look at page 26 and 27 to find out what’s in style and how to be clean cut.

Along with these pages, there is a wide range of topics covered in the rest of the magazine.

Be sure to check them all out, so you don’t miss a thing. *name correction Cameron Murray page 11 of the last issue*

e r u t Fea e r u g i F

by Javonna Brigham

Chloe Cecile Stamper was born on March 30, 2000.

She is a former Mountain View Wildcat who graduated in 2018. During her time as a Wildcat, she made sure to leave her mark.

She was a natural born performer, she led acapella and often appeared in districts and all county choirs. She also starred in The Reluctant Dragon chorus musical playing “The Boy.” Many of her friends admired her talents.

“Chloe was known for having a beautiful singing voice that would easily take your breath away. She was kind of a wild card, but in the best and most fun way. Nothing was ever boring when you were around her,” said former Mountain View student Elsa Vinso.

“Chloe was never any nonsense,” said senior Grace Dalton. “She always spoke her mind and was full of hilariously dark humor.”

Chloe loved all things astrology, and she loved talking about how she was an Aries.

Sadly, Chloe passed away on February 18, 2019. Her legacy will forever live on within Mountain View, her friends, and her family.

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Index

18 Advertisement 19 Index 20 Briefs 21 Are you a dog person... 22 Heal the Hive 23 House plant how-to 24 _ is beautiful 25 _ is beautiful 26 Setting your goals 27 Learning a new language 28 Battle of the brains 29 Battle of the brains 30 Epedemic crisis in our... 31 Advertisement 32 Throwbacks 33 Cover

Compete to defeat

1-800-273-TALK (8255) Advertisement Shut up and drive Shut up and drive Winter sports recap Winter sports recap Blackfishing Smoking vs juuling Drip or drown Drip or drown How to deal with your...

Saving and spending NFL ratings are declining...

NBA is the future of...

Pancakes from around...

Life is a highway

The Viewpoint MARCH| APRIL 2019 VOLUME XIII ISSUE IV Managing Editors Ruby Jackson Chloe Reid Extra Editor Lexi Strawder Social Media Editor Sophie Perez Copy Editor Danielle Piper Bella Roeske Photography Editor Gia Morreale Briefs Editor Selena Obregon Adviser Trisha Orndorff The Viewpoint is a cross-section of the news and opinions of the student body of Mountain View High School. It is a forum of expression published

by Staples. Letters and art to the editorial board are welcomed and should be submitted to room 303.

Staff Writers Brody Albertson, Javonna Brigham, Matthew D’Lugos, Emilee Holmquist, Lexi Jackson, Caroline Pollock, Victoria Rogers, Aisha Santiago-Burgos, Adam Skoloda, Jules Torrice, Damien Veal

Front Cover Ruby Jackson Chloe Reid

2018 International Quill and Scroll Sweepstakes Award for Design 2014-2017 International Quill and Scroll First Place Articles 2014-2016 VHSL State Championship First Place Award

2013, 2014, 2015 Free Lance-Star Best Over All Newspaper Mountain View High School 2135 Mountain View Rd. Stafford, VA 22556 index u march | april 2019u the viewpoint u 03

freestockphotos

What‘s Ne w at the Vi ew?

First Friday Art By Audrey Sun

On the first Friday of every month, local Fredericksburg area artists come together at Liberty Town Arts Workshop to meet patrons and exhibit their art. The most recent gathering was on March 1.

The exhibit begins at 5 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. Visitors and patrons can stop by anytime between those hours during their time around downtown Fredericksburg.

First Fridays are held in a cozy little building that’s filled wall to wall with paintings, glass figures, and wooden structures. The buzz of art lovers and intrigued visitors alike, speaking to each other and to the featured artists made for an exciting scene. The first floor is very close walled with the artist’s art on the hallway walls introducing the visitors to a taste of their work. Then, visitors are left to wander into the smaller rooms where the artists are with more of their pieces.

Multimedia sculpture artist, Bill ‘Tex’ Forrest says that First Fridays are great for people to go and meet the artists behind the art they enjoy and that it is an extra benefit to the buyer to speak to the artist.

Artist Tiffany Yates is a new artist attending First Friday and she said, “It gives us a chance to talk to establish a relationship with our patrons and when our patrons get to know the artist it makes them more inclined to buy our works.”

First Fridays are a great way for patrons of the arts to meet and speak with local artists that they are interested in buying from or just to match a face to the art that they have seen around town.

Canstruction Competition

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By Olivia Endler

Helping to end hunger one can at a time, the Learn and Serve team at Mountain View partook in the annual “Canstruction” competition. The event was held at Spotsylvania Towne Centre Feb. 14-18 by a nonprofit organization. It is an organization which provides canned food to local food banks in the cities that host the competition. Contestants in the competition collected cans and made unique structures using only those cans, at the end of the viewings judges voted on the best structure. The local winners go on to compete in international competitions.

Mountain View’s sculpture was just one of many entries in the competition. The Learn and Serve team collected cans from students and faculty for weeks in order to participate. The team, led by Sharon McCamy, constructed a rook chess piece for their submission. The theme of the sculptor was “two can play this game” and the rook was made entirely of canned beans and canned veggies.

When asked, McCamy expressed her admiration for the “Canstruction” program. “The food bank is one of the most important charitable organizations in the community and being able to help an organization that helps the food bank is an incredible opportunity,” McCamy said. By participating in the “Canstruction” event the Learn and Serve team, as well as the students and faculty at Mountain View, were able to help members of their own community.

The annual event has impacted a large number of residents in the Stafford area and the Mountain View Learn and Serve team will continue to take part in this life-changing competition.

Burning Bouche Festival

By Duncan Beaumont

The term “burning bouche” describes the act of taking a flaming marshmallow out of the fire and eating it. The first annual Burning Bouche festival, hosted by the Spencer Devon Brewery, was held on Saturday, February 23, 2019, in downtown Fredericksburg, VA. Because the festival was held in the middle of February, most would agree that the weather was an issue. The 41-degree rain kept pounding down throughout the day.

“The weather kind of killed the event,” said 39-year-old Fredericksburg resident Stella Grace. “I don’t really like eating food truck food in the cold rain, but the event is a great idea,” she continued.

Most people stayed near the fire or under the tents, trying to stay warm and dry. Occasionally someone would leave their post to buy a cheeseburger from the UFO Foodtruck, or a cheesy treat from Gourmeltz.

Different tents were put up by various vendors. There was one with information on adopting pets and another where people could sign up for a Wine and Design class. The Spencer Devon Brewery and Kickshaw Kitchen had tents up as well.

Despite the cold weather, the event was very lively. Music was playing throughout the day and people relaxed and enjoyed good food. The Burning Bouche festival is an event worth attending in the future, especially if the weather cooperates.

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Are You A Dog Person or A Cat Person?

Keep track of your answers as you follow the footprints Do you tend to be a planner?

A) Yes B) No

Are you more optimistic than pessimistic?

Are you enthusiastic or outgoing?

A) Yes B) No

Do you enjoy being around others?

A) Optimistic

A) Yes

B) Pessimistic

B) No

Do you enjoy being in the spotlight or being the center of attention?

A) Yes B) No

Do you enjoy being very clean and neat?

A) Yes B) No

Mostly A’s? You’re a dog person If dogs tend to be energetic, faithful, and easy to get along with, well, so do the people who love them. But survey author and psychologist Sam Gosling, PhD, admits that the differences between cat and dog people aren’t huge. “There are certainly many, many cat people who are extroverts and many, many dog people who aren’t,” Josh Licona says

by Matthew D’Lugos

Do you get easily stressed or worried?

A) Yes

Are you creative or artistic?

A) Yes B) No

B) No

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Do you tend to be a team player?

A) Yes

Are you more open-minded?

A) Yes B) No

Do you follow your own interests or do you like to follow the crowd?

A)Follow crowd

B) No

B)Own Interests

Mostly B’s? You’re a cat person Do you prefer to spend time on your own? Always game to try new things? Then you could be a cat person. A survey done by Psychology.com found that cat owners were more likely to be curious, unconventional in thinking and actions, and more prone to worry than dog people.

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Heal the Hive

Bees are a very significant part of our environment; learn how we can help protect them in crisis

by Caroline Pollock | Graphics by Caroline Pollock

Honey bees communicate with one another by dancing.

The average bee will make only 1/12th of a teaspoon of honey in its lifetime.

Honey bees must gather nectar from two million flowers to make one pound of honey.

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We owe a huge “thank you!” to all the bees of the world. Bees are not only responsible for helping in the process of one in every three bites of food we eat, but also for pollinating the plants that make up 90 percent of the world’s nutrition.

There are 25,000 known species of bee worldwide. You probably know the four most popular species: honey bees, bumblebees, killer bees, and carpenter bees. Lesser known species of bees include leafcutter bees, mason bees, sweat bees, and hoverflies. Each class of bee has a very important role in our lives even if it does not seem like it.

According to Pest World website, a bee colony typically has three kinds of adult bees: the queen bee, the worker bee, and the drones. Every bee has a specific job in the hive and the environment.

Worker bees clean the hive and collect pollen and nectar to feed the colony. They also take care of the offspring. The drone’s only job is to mate with the queen. The queen’s only job is to lay eggs and take care of the larvae.

A world without these pollinators would be devastating for food production. Using a technique unique to bees called “floral fidelity,” they contribute essential pollination for flowers. Floral fidelity is the act of only collecting from one species of flower at a time. Other winged insects are not as effective in their pollinating techniques compared to bees.

“Because of harsh temperatures and different kinds of chemicals, the bees are dying. Without bees, the flower and plant population will be negatively affected along with the natural honey,” said Allie Cuellar, freshman.

Grains are primarily pollinated by the wind, but fruits, nuts, and vegetables are pollinated by bees.

Seventy out of the top 100 human food crops — which supply about 90 percent of the world’s nutrition — are pollinated by bees according to Greenpeace website. Bees and the invaluable pollinating services they provide help humans produce approximately $19 billion worth of agricultural crops in the U.S. alone in 2010.

Jason Raymond, sophomore, said, “I believe bees are a big part of our environment, but they are starting to die. If they continue to die then it will harm the industry of foods that are directly related to the bees’ pollination.”

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Now that you are aware of how crucial bees are to our lives, you will be able to understand the stress that is caused by the depleting bee population. Let me say it a little louder for the people in the back--the bees are dying!

The death of the bees does not just affect the insect world, it affects us as humans just as much.

Colonies and hives decrease in size by 5-10 percent every winter, but the hive is replenished with new bees in the spring. At the end of a harsher winter, a colony might have lost 15-20 percent.

Now, due to a variety of factors-- pesticides, drought, habitat destruction, nutrition deficit, air pollution, global warming and more, according to Greenpeace website-- the bee population is decreasing much more rapidly and hives are unable to replenish themselves at the speed they are dying.

Because of these factors, the decreasing bee population jeopardizes the production of food humans need to survive. The term for this condition is known as Colony Collapse Disorder. Due to this disorder, bee mortality rates have reached 33 percent in the last five years, according to BeeRaw website.

“In order to save our economy and even help save the earth, we need to help save the bees,” said Amanda Bridges, junior.

Similar to just about everything else in life, nothing will change unless we do. If we want to help the bees in this desperate time of need, we need to make a change. First, we can “bee” informed. Learn more about bees and how they live. Next, plant flowers and plants that bees love, for example, crocus and hyacinth plants. By doing this, we can be apart of the pollination process.

Also, say no to pesticides and herbicides. These things might help your garden look pretty, but what is a garden without bees flying around?

If you are really feeling up to saving the bees, start a beehive. Of course, be properly informed while developing something like this, but be a part of the bee movement directly. You can help save them while watching them grow right in your backyard.

With all these tips in mind, go save some bees and remember, it is a bee’s world and we are just living in it.

Houseplant how-to Learn to take care of three houseplants by following these easy steps

by Lexi Jackson | Photos by Lexi Jackson

Spider Plant

Aloe Vera

Spider plants are one of the best houseplants for beginner green thumbs.

It should be potted in a well-drained, moist potting mix. Keep in bright to moderate indirect sunlight because too much sunlight can cause brown tips and spots. Spider plants grow rapidly, so they should be repotted once a year. During the initial growth period, water occasionally. However, once it’s fully developed, water every one to two weeks. The temperature around the plant should be kept between 55 and 80 degrees. Fertilize spider plants once in the spring as well as once in the summer.

Furthermore, spider plants absorb carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and xylene, all of which are harmful to people and can cause (depending on exposure amount) cancer, liver damage, and loss of consciousness.

Emma Stockham, senior, said, “Spider plants are super easy houseplants. They recover easily if you forget water and can live in a variety of conditions. They even help with the air quality of your house.”

If you’re looking for a starter plant, the spider plant would be an easy choice because of these reasons.

Peace lilies can fit anywhere in your home and come in all sizes.

This plant should be kept near a window or in reach of indirect lighting. Keep the soil evenly moist and well-drained. To help with plant growth, the temperature around the plant should be kept at 55 degrees. If the peace lily is growing in bright light, then fertilize it every six with weeks with a 20-20-20 liquid product. On the other hand, if it’s kept in low light, then fertilize it with the same product every three weeks.

Every six months, it needs to be flushed with water to remove salt buildup. According to Southern Living, peace lilies need repotting every two to three days in a larger pot if its leaves are wilting.

Its leaves are prone to dust accumulation, so wipe them with a damp cloth to allow them to breathe.

Cut off leaves that are dead or turning yellow.

Rachel Castellon said, “The plants improve air quality in the house and atmosphere.”

Despite needing extensive care, peace lilies are great house plants because they help remove pollutants like benzene and trichloroethylene, which can cause fatigue, lethargy, and seizures, and absorb them through its roots. It then moves pollutants to the roots where they’re broken down by microbes in the soil.

pixabay.com

Aloe vera plants are easy succulents to take care of and have many benefits for the environment.

They should be planted in a terra-cotta pot with well-drained soil. Mix an equal amount of sand and potting soil, or get a succulent mix. An aloe plant should be put in a sunny place or its growth rate will decrease. Water heavily about once every two weeks or until the soil is dried out.

Junior Sidney Givler, said, “I know that they [aloe vera] can help sunburns, can moisturize, and you can eat them.” As well as being relatively easy to take care of, aloe vera plants have many useful properties. It contains a clear gel that can help heal burns and reduce acne and redness.

Many hair products also include aloe vera because it helps with dry scalp and makes hair smooth and shiny. However, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), there is not enough evidence to suggest that aloe vera clear gel helps heal wounds.

In addition, to being good for health, aloe vera plants contain powerful antioxidants which protect your cells from damage occurring from chemicals, pollution, smoking, and more.

Peace Lily

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is beautiful. onventional American beauty is based on Eurocentric features and places value on those features. For example, if you look up “beautiful woman” on Google images, you’re flooded with results that are mostly made up of white or passing white women, with few women of color (WOC). Now that’s not to say that white women aren’t beautiful, as all features are unique and beautiful in their own way. Rather, there is an emphasis society places on beauty being associated with Eurocentric features. The same concept of this stretches out much further than a Google images search too.

The modeling and cosmetics industry is notorious for a lack of representation of women of color in their products and magazines. Both have slowly started progressing with brands, such as Rihanna’s brand, Fenty Beauty, which set a new standard for shade ranges. In addition, more WOC influencers in media, such as YouTuber Jackie Aina and renowned model Naomi Campbell, controversies and issues still exist when it comes to the makeup and model industry.

There’s a clear problem with appropriate representation at the moment.

These range from a lack of foundation shade range, darker foundation shades appearing gray on the skin, the retouching of WOC models to look paler, and the altering of models’ natural features to fit more Eurocentric beauty standards. In fact, according to a study conducted in May 2015 by the University of Minnesota, results showed that after reviewing 278 magazine covers of popular brands such as Vogue and Cosmopolitan, only 52 featured women of color. Of those 52 covers, 90 percent of the models were retouched to hide “ethnic traits” that they naturally had.

When physical features that many WOC don’t naturally have are being pushed forward as the standard for beauty through media and magazines, unrealistic expectations are set for girls of color to meet in order to be considered “beautiful.” This leads to societal pressures to fit a mold and present themselves in a certain way. For example, not wearing their hair in certain styles. This is something a lot of black women deal with in the workplace, schools, and in the media, and there are countless examples to choose from regarding this type of situation alone. From Zendaya receiving criticism by television host Giuliana Rancic for wearing dreadlocks to the Oscars red carpet in 2015, as reported by Refinery29, to a Banana Republic employee being fired for wearing beads to work because they looked too “unkempt” in 2017, covered by WGNTV, to an 11-year old girl being sent home from school for wearing braid extensions because it wasn’t her natural hair in 2018, reported by The Glow Up, the list goes on.

Another societal pressure on WOC is the encouragement to bleach their skin. Skin bleaching is advertised as a beauty procedure done to help you look “more beautiful.” It’s performed worldwide in plenty of cultures but is infamously known for being popular in India, as well as in the Middle East. This is because skin tone is often associated with a person’s social standing there. The idea of fair skin is also popular in East Asian cultures for the same reasons. While these beliefs have been long instilled in these cultures, colonialism and western beauty standards promoted the idea that pale skin is desirable over the decades. Skin bleaching in America has become popular as well, but more due to the idea that lighter skin is praised more rather than to appear to be of a higher social status.

Not only is whiter skin promoted in East Asia, but other more invasive forms of cosmetic products and alterations are widely desired due to colonial influence. One of the more popular trends that stemmed from Eu-

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rocentric influence at the moment is double eyelids. From double eyelid tape, glue, surgery, and more, double eyelids are being viewed as more desirable than monolids to the Asian demographic.

There’s only a very small, particular number of features that are praised and favored in American society. And while these features are beautiful, they’ve become the standard of beauty. In that happening features that women of color tend to have, such as monolids, darker skin, wide noses, and more, have been generally labeled “undesirable”. This results in a lack of diversity in the media, which continues to go on today even as companies begin to have inclusivity in their marketing.

Granted, diverse qualities amongst women of color have recently gotten more recognition and has become its own standard of beauty on platforms such as Instagram. The only little downfall to this, however, is that ethnic styles and features are being represented as desirable because of white influencers. The most famous of these influencers arguably being Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner for making a trend out of braids, tans, big lips, and more. White public figures making these qualities suddenly seem desirable has led to many mixed opinions. But, with the rise in appreciation for features that people were previously mocked for, many women feel more confident in themselves and the features that they were born with. This confidence sparked online movements in response such as #BlackGirlMagic and #PraisinTheAsian, where people share selfies on social media as a way of showing confidence and love of their features.

American society still has a long way to go when it comes to representation of WOC and changing the “ideal look” to be more inclusive and less focused on Eurocentric features. Understanding the issues present now and the pressures that WOC are forced to deal with daily helps work towards shifting the American perception of beauty so that girls can grow up feeling confident in their own skin. Hopefully soon, with enough of this change, the new American ideal of what makes a woman beautiful can be simply being your own woman.

The societal beauty pressures women of color face in their day-to-day lives

by Selena Obregon | Photos by Bella Roeske, Danielle Piper, and Pixabay

“I do think beauty standards have changed throughout the generations. I believe standards used to be really strict and specific to certain looks.

But in this generation, we’ve had so many pop-culture figures that have broken typical standards and made beauty unique and up to people’s interpretations.”

Angel Nguyen , junior

“I believe so many people of color have lost themselves trying to fit into the eurocentric beauty standards that I don’t think they know what their natural beauty is. It took me time to find my own beauty, apart from the image ingrained in my memory about what beautiful is.”

Andrea Amihere, sophomore

“We don’t think that European beauty standards really affect American standards...Beauty standards are affected by the whole world and Europe doesn’t make up the whole world.”

Arianna Ventour and Eraka Hayward, freshmen

Seniors: Ashley Ngeihm, Angela Tran, Audrey Sun, Hajera Ahmadi, Jordan Hall, Alicia Armah, Nyah Graham, Rachel Delgado, Jordan Ortiz, and Jasmine Ortiz Juniors: Angel Nguyen and Priya Signh Sophomore: Andrea feature u

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Setting your

Learn how to understand and set your long and short term goals by Javonna Brigham

Are there things in your life that you want to do, but you have to work to get there? In the Merriam Webster dictionary, a goal is defined as “the end toward which effort is directed.” When dealing with goals, you have different types. Smaller categories include financial goals, spiritual goals, career goals, and health goals. These can all be placed under two larger categories: long term goals and short term goals. Goals come in our everyday lives. It can be something as simple as waking up early to get to school on time, or seeing a car drive by that you wish to get in the future.

As titled in the name, short term goals are short.

They are to be achieved in days, weeks, or months.

These are usually, but not always, less expensive and easier to achieve. According to the Examined Existence website, short term goals serve as mini-milestones while making your way to long term goals. “Every paycheck, I put away $100, so I can buy a car soon,” said junior Mariah Childs. Buying a car can be an example of a long or short term goal, but since Mariah has hopes of getting the car soon, it is a short term goal.

Just like long term goals, short term goals need effort and dedication in order to reach them. It is easier to still achieve your short term goals even if you have more than one, but it is important for you to still eliminate distractions and keep your motivation. Examples of keeping up the pace for your goals include, waking up early tomorrow, getting a good grade on your test, or working out when you get home from work or school.

“I have a goal to pass my personal finance class this semester,” said junior Sasha Davis. Make sure your goals are realistic and can be achieved with some work. Plan out the steps you need; even if they’re really simple, it’s better to have a plan than to not. Just like long term goals, celebrating your smaller accomplishments will help keep you motivated when other goals come around. Reward yourself and keep up the good work!

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GOA LS A long term goal is something you plan on accomplishing in the future. These goals usually cannot be achieved in anything less than a year. An example of a long term goal is becoming a doctor. Obviously, this is not something that can be achieved within a year and has many steps to take before you get to it. You must begin with some research and deciding a general idea as to what kind of position you’d like to have in the medical field.

“A long term goal I have is to join the Peace Corps after college to further my international studies and help people in need around the world,” said junior Brennan Rhodes.

An important factor in long term goals is writing down precisely what you want to achieve. A Harvard Business Study found that the three percent of graduates from their Master of Business Administration program who had their goals written down, ended up earning ten times as much as the other ninety-seven percent put together, as little as ten years after graduation. When planning to achieve your long term goal, it is also important for you to not have more than one at a time. Focusing on multiple long term goals can distract you and make it harder to achieve any of them. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to make this goal a reality. Break down the long term goal into smaller parts and make deadlines for them. Using the medical career example, plan on applying to a medical school before a certain date. This will make a long goal seem easier since it will be in smaller pieces.

Understand that obstacles will come when dealing with long term goals. Getting frustrated with waiting, financial issues, and negative thoughts may disrupt your focus and take you off track. Set a little bit of time aside for dealing with these setbacks. Don’t get pushed too far behind and make sure you keep motivation with you at all times. Take breaks so you aren’t in a constant state of panic and fear of not finishing.

Celebrate the little accomplishments within your long term goal. Rewarding yourself for smaller achievements will act as a smaller form of motivation and a push to keep working for the end of all goal. In the end, hardwork and determination will send you to complete your goal and feel accomplished.

learning a new language Helpful tips and resources given by professionals for picking up a language faster and more efficiently

by Selena Obregon | Graphics by Selena Obregon

settings switch-ups If you have a cellphone or a computer, you have a major advantage in starting a new language. In fact, one of the ways to start adapting to a new language and integrating it into your life through your device is a lot easier than it’d seem. By changing the settings on your phone to the language you’re practicing, your mind will begin to associate the words you see with what they stand for. Additionally, the icons for apps and you’re existing knowledge of what app is which will help you learn the terms faster. I n fact, Olga Dmitrochenkova, an interviewee of the TEDblog and a translator for TED Talks said, “A funny thing like resetting the language on your phone can help you learn new words right away.” Dmitrochenkova is fluent in German, Italian, English, and Russian. She studied at the Minsk State Linguistic University, Universita di Roma Tor Vergata, Universita per stranieri di Perugia, Italy.

casual conversations

There’s no getting around it, in order to learn a language you have to practice speaking it with someone.

Trying to converse in a new language can be intimidating, especially as a beginner. But, with application comes memorization. Find a friend, teacher, or parent that will be patient with you and help you with pronunciation and responding. There are even online resources that allow for beginners to practice with fluent speakers.

On the Middlebury Interactive Languages blog, Olly Richards said, “I find 3-4 times a week is ideal. By speaking regularly, you’ll quickly build confidence, and that will catapult your progress forward!” Richards is fluent in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Arabic, Cantonese, and German. He studied at Blatchington Mill School and Sixth Form College, as well as Brighton College. When asked how he gets help in practicing, junior Steven Flores said, “My mother from Mexico helps me get better in speaking Spanish every day and I’m also taking classes in school so I can learn the language and communicate with my family in Mexico well.”

Practice Programs Everyone’s heard the saying “practice makes perfect” before. And fortunately, there are a lot more resources available for people to practice or learn more vocabulary in their spare time. With more apps and programs out, with Duolingo arguably being the most popular and convenient one out right now, and it is free on the Apple app store and Google Play. There are other resources at your disposal as well. In fact, Susan Steska, the French teacher at Mountain View, said, “Duolingo does help because it just helps the students familiarize themselves with and immerse themselves in the language. Quizlet also helps the students learn vocabulary and is a great study tool.” These apps and websites may not make you fluent, but they can help you pick up on the language a bit easier.

television tricks

Watching movies and television in another language is a great way to learn the pronunciation of words, as well as get your brain to start associating certain words or phrases with what you see. Kids’ shows like “Ni Hao Kai-Lan” and “Dora the Explorer use this technique for younger audiences, but the strategy works for older people too.. In “Dora the Explorer,” Dora would say a word in Spanish like “zapatos,” and point at a pair of shoes so the viewer knew what she meant. Children’s entertainment is meant to be simple and comprehensible, which is why it’s such a good resource.

According to the Foreign Language Immersion Online blog, “foreign language cartoons tend to use easier language than other authentic language resources, so they’re perfect for beginners. Whether you’re a child or an adult, the language won’t overwhelm you, and cartoons can be an easy step towards more advanced listening practice. Plus, cartoons usually offer plenty of context clues if you can’t understand all the language, making it easy for you to keep watching even if you miss a few words.”

The key to learning a new language is as simple as this: practice. Find different methods and resources that help you and stay consistent on it.

“As an adult or teenager wanting to learn a language in a place that does not speak that language, you have to work a lot harder. I try to memorize some basic verbs and nouns and practice conjugating them first”, said Kimberly Sharp, senior. Sharp is fluent in English and German, studies Latin in school, and is currently learning Korean.

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battle

of the

brains

TAKE A LOOK INSIDE YOUR BRAIN TO UNDERSTAND WHY YOU MAY ACT AND RESPOND THE WAY YOU DO BASED ON WHICH SIDE OF YOUR BRAIN YOU USE MORE BY LEXI STRAWDER | PHOTOS BY HANNAH GALLIGAN | GRAPHICS BY GIA MORREALE

overview According to Healthline website, The brain is in charge of numerous functions including maintaining voluntary and involuntary bodily functions, receiving and interpreting information, storing memory, coordinating muscle movement, conducting autonomic functions, and giving people their personalities. The brain contains billions of neurons that are responsible for transmitting information from one part of the brain to nerve cells, muscles, or glands. The transmission relay between neurons is unique to all people based on how their brain functions and thus will affect how they think, respond, and feel.

Personality is first developed during your infant years.

According to the American Psychological Foundation, “As infants try to meet their needs, something important happens. They start building beliefs about their world and their role in it: Is the world good or bad, safe or dangerous? Can I act on my world to meet my needs?” Over time these emotions and action based tendencies develop into personality traits that evolve from habitual tendencies and emotional patterns. Your parents are the biggest contenders by influencing your behavior patterns thus giving you a personality.

Typically, your neurons are more active on either the left or right side of your brain. While the overall brain is responsible for bodily functions, dependant on which side of your brain you use more, you develop a certain personality type.

According to Healthline website, “The theory is that people are either left-brained or right-brained, meaning that one side of their brain is dominant. If you’re mostly analytical and methodical in your thinking, you’re said to be left-brained. If you tend to be more creative or artistic, you’re thought to be right-brained.” People who are more right-brained are usually easy going, open minded, artistic, and social while left-brain thinkers are more logical, orderly, closeminded, and objective focused. Personality runs on a spectrum with both sided either left-or right-brained, middle-left or right-brained, or dead middle. If you are considered to be a middle left or right brained that means that you lean towards one side more; however, you still have some characteristics from the opposite hemisphere of the brain as well.

It may be beneficial for you to understand if you are more left brained or right brained so you can understand which academic methods can benefit your personal learning style at school. According to Sarah Demmy, a psychology teacher, “If you are more left-brained, then you work best alone on assignments. You don’t thrive in a messy environment, so try to keep your papers and documents organized as well as structure your notes in a logical order. If you are more right brained you strive in working in groups, [and] since you are more creative, you engage well in group discussions. It is most beneficial for you to work at a table with other people, so they can have your own class discussion if you’re confused or need to brainstorm ideas out loud. You may also find it beneficial to take a break, use up your energy, and walk around the room so that you can get re-focused on learning the material.”

The brain is a frontier still not 100 percent well known to humans even after all of these years. While we have made a lot of progress in an attempt to understand the brain, there is still so much more to discover. The brain contains billions of neurons, numerous bodily functions, memory, and personality.

Understanding how your brain functions can help you understand your strengths and weaknesses to succeed in everyday encounters whether that be at home, with your family, with your friends, at school, or even with your own personal habits; you can use the knowledge you have about your brain to benefit you and make adjustments to your flaws and embrace your strengths.

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If you are more right brained you strive in working in groups and are more creative when you engage in group discussions. It is most beneficial for you to work at a table with other people so they can have your own class discussion if you're confused or need to brainstorm ideas outloud.

left brain planner You work best when you plan out your day and have a fixed schedule

logical You excell in math and science

rational When it comes to making decisions you put aside your feelings to make the best decision

precise Because you think logically, you often refer to realistic stories, non-fiction, or statistical facts

right brain impulsive You are a go with the flow kind of person, you like to be spontaneous rather than keep a schedule

emotional

You tend to act on feelings and emotions

creative and artisitc Youre talent is being creative. you have an eye for art, and are skilled at sports, playing music, and writting

optimistic You are always looking for the positives in life. You rely on hope and faith that things work in your favor.

If you are more left brained, then you work best alone on assignments.You don't thrive in a messy environment, so try to keep your papers and documents organized as well as structure you notes in a logical order. featureu march | april 2019 u the viewpoint u 13

Epidemic Crisis in our Midst A growing anti-vaccination movement has caused recent epidemics of measles, mumps, and whooping cough

by Caroline Pollock | Graphics by Caroline Pollock

The question of whether or not to vaccinate children has become a pressing matter due to the recent epidemics of measles, mumps, and whooping cough. The growing anti-vaccination movement has led to thousands of cases of these diseases to pop up worldwide. These cases can all be prevented with safe and lowcost vaccines.

Vaccinations are a special medicine that trains the human body to fight disease. According to MedlinePlus website, “Immunization shots, or vaccinations are essential to preventing diseases that can be life-threatening. They are important for adults, as well as children.” Vaccinations make many diseases preventable and many have been eradicated thanks to rigorous vaccination campaigns.

Without vaccines, the body is open to diseases and vaccines protect 93 percent of diseases. They not only prevent diseases but they also hinder the spread of extremely contagious illnesses to people who are unable to take vaccines.

With this being said, vaccinations are a choice. One can choose to get them, or not to get them. There is only a small number of people that have special medical conditions, like allergies or weakened immune systems, that prevent them from being able to be vaccinated safely.

The anti-vaccination movement is due to vaccine hesitancy. The World Health Organization’s definition of vaccine hesitancy is a delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services. The majority of the population that contribute to vaccine hesitancy do so because they are uninformed about the extreme risks of not vaccinating themselves or their children.

Many are unaware of the effects that can be worse than those followed by not being vaccinated.

Vaccinations are one of the greatest health developments in the 20th century. Opponents to vaccinations say that infections can be overcome naturally thanks to immune systems and injecting questionable vaccine elements into a child can have immense side effects. The possible adverse reactions to vaccines are extremely rare and are an incredibly small risk compared to the positive effects of saving millions of lives every year.

English teacher, Allison Kingston said, “I understand the concern for vaccinations. I believe traditional vaccinations should be given at the appropriate scheduled time period. There is a direct corre-

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lation between the lack of vaccinations and the recent outbreaks of diseases. I also believe vaccinations are very important when diseases are contagious.”

According to NewsforKids website, measles is a disease that has killed millions of people. It is not usually deadly, but it can be very unpleasant. It brings a high fever and an itchy rash that covers most of the body. Doctors and scientists have controlled measles outbreaks with vaccines, after starting it in 1963. Before the use of this vaccination, there were hundreds of thousands of cases every year in the U.S., but by the 1980s, barely thousands of cases were reported. 37 cases total in the entire country were reported in 2007. Recently, the graph’s numbers have started to increase once again. There have been nearly 80 cases of measles reported in January.

The scientific name for mumps is parotitis. The mumps is a contagious disease caused by a virus and causes swelling of the salivary glands and can affect other organs. Because they are now preventable with vaccines, there are less than 20,000 cases in the U.S. every year, where there was once 186,000 every year.

Junior Slater Sparks said, “In my opinion, it is important for people to get vaccines. It protects them and others from potential diseases. Scientists made them for a reason.”

The U.S. is not the only nation that has been experiencing an increase in outbreaks of measles, mumps, and rubella. In the last decade, Africa has experienced hundreds of thousands of these diseases because of the limited access to vaccines, human, and infrastructure resources.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 17,325 cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, were reported in the U.S. from Jan. 1 through Aug. 16 in 2017 — a 30 percent increase from the same time period in previous years.

This statistic is relative to the U.S. where access to these common vaccines is extremely accessible. The accessibility to these vaccines is extremely different in places such as Africa.

In conclusion, vaccines have become extremely beneficial to human health. The decreasing numbers of vaccinations being used have led to increasing numbers of cases of preventable diseases.

This anti-vaccination movement can become harmful to the American people.

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How to deal with your problems Find out different ways for you to solve your problems

by Aisha Santiago Burgos

Family problems Family problems can really affect the way you act around people and can also affect the way you take certain issues. If your parents are always arguing it can be hard for you to focus on other things. Some ways that can help you cope with problems you may be having with your family are, talking to a sibling you trust and see how they feel and talk about how you feel, it’s good to talk about what you’re feeling because holding in everything you’re feeling can come back to bother you later. Also, you could possibly try talking to your parents and see what they can do to prevent all the arguing and problems that are going on.

If that does not go as planned, you could also try talking to your school counsellor or school psychologist because they are not only there for school problems they are there for you for any problem that you’re having trouble overcoming by yourself.

Heather Donald, senior, said “ You can’t give up on family, fix your problems and forgive. They have always been there even when you think they’re against you.” In conclusion family is forever and no matter how hard you fight and disagree they will always be there. And if you’re parents are fighting try to find ways to distract yourself and occupy your time. Always keep your head up!

Flickr

School Problems

Pixabay

In school staying on top of your schoolwork can be challenging if you’re going through other challenges as well. There are many ways to cope with any problems you might be facing at school, some ways include talking to your teacher and telling them that you are having trouble and can’t figure out what to do. Counselor Lopes, said “When they feel like they can’t handle what’s going on by themselves anymore, they should try talking to a faculty member.”

You could also try talking to a trustworthy friend and tell them what’s going on and how you feel about it. If you feel stressed with your homework, take breaks in between them, give your mind a break and yourself one too. Avoid drama at school because it’s less things you need to worry/stress about. If it’s something that is not going to matter in the future, don’t let it bother you now.

If you’re having trouble understanding something, don’t be afraid to ask your classmates, or raise your hand in class, or even stay after school for extra help on what you don’t understand. The teacher will see that you’re determined and she will help you with anything you need help on. The faculty is not only here to teach you but they’re here to help you and listen to you on other things going on in your life.

The teacher will see that you’re determined and she will help you with anything you need help on. The faculty is not only here to teach you but they’re here to help you and listen to you on other things going on in your life.

Friendship Problems

Flickr

Friendships come and go but some are meant to last when you meet the right person. If you are in an argument with a friend, give your friend space don’t pressure them to do something they don’t want to do, by giving them space you let them calm down and you are letting them think about everything. Then after you give them a couple days and you think it’s the right time try reaching out to them and seeing how they feel and see what they want to do about everything. Cassidy Butler, said “ Confront them and tell them how you feel and explain why you feel that way and don’t allow people to walk all over you. Try solving the issue instead of making it bigger.” If you think a fight is solvable ask the person to sit down with you to talk things out. Instead of over text because sometimes messages are taken a different way than you intend for them to.

Listen to what the other person has to say, don’t judge them by what they’re feeling or get mad at them because they are feeling that way, instead take time to listen and understand them. If you were wrong for something, don’t be afraid to admit you were wrong because it shows responsibility and shows character. If the other person really knows that the friendship is worth it, they won’t give up on it.

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Compete

TO

Defeat

Sports, academics, and social media all have one thing in common and it’s affecting everything we do by Matthew D’Lugos

Sports

Teenagers today experience a lot of benefits from competing in sports in school, from developing team building, physical, and personal skills. High school athletes also face the challenges of both winning and losing.

There are many benefits to playing high school sports, but there is always something that is dangerous. For example, an athlete can get too focused on winning which may lead to destructive behavior, as stated by Public Schools Review website.

“I’ve played many kids that were very dangerous because they were too focused on winning,” says Sophomore, Sam Wiler.

Playing sports is one of the great high school experiences, and parents should support their kids to play sports. They should also, however, be aware of the risks that high school athletes can face, such as, injuries, stress, and lack of sleep.

When teens compete in high school sports, it’s supposed to help them develop stronger personal and interpersonal skills. As hormones alter teens’ moods, sports give them a chance to let out their anger, troubles, and emotions.

As competition gets higher, it gives teens a chance to meet new peers, as well as coaches and mentors, as they help teens find their abilities and talents.

caterina.net

Social Media

pngimg.com

It should come as no surprise that the competition on social media is a very real challenge for today’s teenagers.

Social media dramatically changed the way we communicate, socialize, and make and maintain friendships. While there are benefits to living in a digital world, there are also risks.

Today’s teens lack many social skills and they spend a lot of their free time connected to a screen. They can also get lost in a world of unrealistic comparisons, cyberbullying, and feeling left out, according to psycom.net.

“No one really sees it, but cyberbullying is a big problem,” says Senior, Rafe Croce.

Everyone wants to look better and have more followers than everyone else, but it might be hurting more people than helping.

“Research shows an increase in major depressive episodes from 8.7 percent in 2005 to 11.3 percent in 2014 in adolescents and from 8.8 percent to 9.6 percent in young adults,” states psycom.net.

Clearly, depression is more common among teens, the question we need to ask ourselves is how much does technology and social media contribute to it?

Academics

When you hear the word “competition” you’ll probably think of winning a race or getting a trophy after your soccer tournament. School never really comes to mind when someone thinks of competition, but teens are just as competitive for better grades than they are for sports.

Every parent wants their child to be motivated in school and the competition for good grades might be help with that.

When children face competition in school, they are not only gaining personal skills, like motivation, but they also build interpersonal skills, according to School is Easy Tutors.

Parents.com states that competitive activities actually help students learn to let others have their turn, see things from others’ point of view, and build a strong character even when they fail.

“I feel like it helps us learn when we play games in class because we learn the about the topic and have fun at the sametime,” states Junior, Travis Miller.

This will also help prepare kids for jobs in the future.

Competition might seem like a good thing, but it comes hand in hand with stress. Too much competition can easily lead to stress and anxiety and may end up hurting someone’s confidence.

libreshot

feature umarch | april 2019 uthe viewpoint u 17

1-800-273-TALK (8255) Mental health awareness is everywhere in the digital age and here’s how to apply it

by Danielle Piper | Photos by Danielle Piper

M

ental health education and awareness is easier than ever now, and considering that according to Mental Health America, 13 to 20 percent of children will experience a diagnosable mental health disorder in a given year, this is a blessing. Minors can access trusted online chat services to work through their issues and check in with motivational accounts and services.

There is also a rise in the use of spam and “finsta” (fake-instagram) accounts where users keep a lower follow count and focus less on maintaining a perfect social media image. Users can instead post memes and updates on their feelings and ideas as they differ dayto-day, rather than as a whole.

The use of spam accounts has pros and cons; it allows users to vent their feelings and get support from their close followers, but senior Zach Ebert discussed the drawbacks that trend has. Ebert said, “We’ve created a community where it’s so okay to just talk about how much you want to kill yourself, about how much you hate yourself, about how much you hate your situation, and because of how normalized that’s become, you can post that, and no one bats an eyelash.” Ebert also said, “Maybe if you hadn’t posted about it, if you had just tried to talk to somebody about it, or do something that would make you feel better instead of going online and talking about it, it might have helped.”

With more and more people becoming aware of mental health issues, the phenomenon of self diagnosis has risen. Self diagnosis is beneficial because people become more aware of different ailments and can walk into a doctor’s office with an idea of what is wrong with them, but ultimately, self diagnosis doesn’t work for mental health. Doctors are professionals for a reason; they can accurately diagnose mental health disorders that have lots of overlapping symptoms. An article from Psychology Today gave the symptom of mood swings as an example, which depending on their type or severity, can relate to bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, major depression, or others. It noted later that self diagnosis can also cause medical diseases that accompany psychological diseases, like hyperthyroidism or an irregular heart beat, to be left untreated.

Just as one shouldn’t Google symptoms and believe WebMD’s diagnosis, it is important to get a professional’s input on mental health.

False self-diagnosis also makes people with accurately prescribed mental health issues less credible to skeptics. The people who need it most constantly have their validity questioned by people asking if they are “actually depressed.” Other warning signs for suicide, according to Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE), like increased substance use; isolating; talking about wanting to die, harm oneself or others, or about being a burden; increased or decreased appetite or sleep; and many others may be disregarded if this person has “cried wolf” or if the people around have become desensitized to the severity of such behavior.

Aside from inaccurate self-diagnoses creating a stigma around mental health, people who exaggerate their feelings, both consciously and subconsciously make life harder for sufferers. People who say they are “so depressed” about a specific event, or say they

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are “so bipolar” when they are only experiencing regular mood swings add to a bubble of the bad type of normalization of mental health. It may not seem like a big deal if someone says they’re depressed after a rough day or week, but there is a distinct difference between being sad every now and then and causes of depression like biological differences, brain chemistry, hormones, and inherited traits.

Ebert has been struggling with his mental health for a long time and said there are good days and bad days, but his normal life has just been clouded by tiredness and lack of motivation. To put mental health disorders into perspective, he said, “It’s like if you had a bad knee: you get used to it after a while, but it’s still affects everything and there are worse days than others.”

The main takeaway is that open conversation about mental health and the tragic paths disorders can lead people down is of the utmost importance. According to the Center for Disease Control and World Health Organization, suicide is the third leading cause of death in the U.S., and second leading cause of death in the world for people ages 15 to 24. As much as people like to rely on their friends and family, a professional intervention can be the most important step in recovering from mental illness. Recovery should be a top priority for those suffering from mental illnesses because according to SAVE, it drops their risk of suicide from 90 percent down to 10 percent.

Sophomore Cassie Sturgill, pictured, occasionally vents about her issues within an online community and receives validation and support, but feels a certain pressure to help her friends. Sturgill said, “I just want to help anyone that’s in a bad place. Sometimes I feel that it [reaching out] does help, but sometimes it feels like nothing can be done.” Despite this, Sturgill still feels like what she’s doing is making a difference.

Even though the conversation about mental health has been normalized in fairly recent years, there is still more to be done.

“It’s hard for me to really gauge how much of a problem it [mental health] is outside of the community of spam accounts, finstas, and talking about how depressed you are online. There are whole other communities and groups of people that just don’t do that,” Zach Ebert, senior.

It is important for people to have open discussions about their mental health issues around people they may not be completely comfortable with. If the hidden online communities become public ones, venting about being sad and frustrated becomes casual conversation with anyone, and everyone can feel unashamed to seek therapy if they need it, then the beast that is mental health disorders and suicide can be defeated.

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11

Shut Up & Drive Take a look at these top ranked safest cars for teen drivers by Chloe Reid and Ruby Jackson | Graphics by Chloe Reid and Ruby Jackson

Introduction As most high school students know, driving is an important privilege that comes with getting older. Overall, it’s a huge milestone in high school, and several people have countdowns, study endlessly for the test, and talk with their friends about fun road trips that they’re going to take once they can finally drive.

However, with the fun also comes responsibility. Especially if you’re the first driver out of your friends, you need to know how to practice driving safely in order to set a good example. First off, make sure you’re always following passenger restriction laws, and second, make sure everyone is always wearing a seatbelt.

In addition to driving safely, before choosing a car for young drivers it is important to examine the safety features, as well as other benefits, of the vehicle.

For a midsized car, the Toyota Camry is one of the best options. In terms of a small car, the Honda Civic is ranked high on the list. Lastly, for a larger car, the Honda CRV is widely recognized as a top pick.

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“In the 1960s, the public demanded seat belts in cars, but automakers balked. Not until [the] government intervened did seat belts become standard equipment.

Now, no one would consider buying a vehicle without this basic safety feature.”

- Eric Schneiderman

Toyota Camry The midsize Toyota Camry is leading in safety with features like pedestrian detection, energy collapsible steering column, and more. The detail put into Toyota’s safety features has allowed them to be a front-runner when it comes to car safety.

Along with the features previously referenced, the newer models of the Camry have a lot in store when it comes to safety. Providing elements around the vehicle to help prevent accidents, according to Toyota, this car offers collision sensors, blind stop monitors, and lane departure sensors. More commonly found add-ons include a backup camera and no cost roadside assistance. In addition to this, there is also whiplash injury lessening seats, 10 airbags, and of course, seatbelts.

Sophomore Julia Gaskins said she looks for the quality of a particular safety feature in a car: “A seatbelt. Because if you get into a car accident it’s the thing that’s gonna be holding you back.”

The 2019 model of the Toyota Camry starts at $23,945 and gets 29 miles city mileage, 41 highway mileage, and 34 combined mileage. According to Buy A Toyota website, “Over 90% of all Toyota Camrys sold over the last 10 years are still on the road today.”

Highly equipped for the road, the Toyota Camry has won several awards for best car and safety. Its rating is a 3.9/5 on Kelly Bluebook and a 10/10 from J.D Power. Lastly, they are an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) 2019 Top Safety Pick.

Honda CR-V As the largest option of the three, the Honda CR-V is well equipped with safety features ranging from a multi-angle rearview camera to rain-sensing wipers. Also named as an IIHS Top Safety Pick, this Honda is a perfect option for a teen driver.

For drivers and passenger protection, the CR-V offers LED headlights, smart entry, and Honda sensing that includes blind spot monitors, collision sensors, lane departure sensors, and pedestrian detection. For comfort, this vehicle has heated seats, seat covers, and a dual-role climate control system. In addition, it also has push start ignition and remote for accessibility.

Senior Bryant Graham’s favorite feature of his own Honda Civic is “The push start for the ignition.”

With the basic model starting at $24,350, the Honda CR-V gets 32 highway mileage and 26 city mileage. Considering that this car is a large vehicle, the mileage is quite impressive.

Claiming many awards this year, this car has made its presence known. It has been named U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 Best SUV Brand, Kelly Bluebook’s 2019 Best Buy Compact SUV, and Edmunds Buyers 2019 Most Wanted.

Honda Civic As the smallest of these three options, the Honda Civic is one of the safest cars on the road. Also, as the most cost-effective of the options, the standard model of the Civic starts at $19,450.

Similar to the Honda CR-V, this car also has Honda Sensing. Providing blind spot monitors, collision sensors, lane departure, and pedestrian detection. In addition, it has advanced airbag technology, child locks, adaptive cruise control and more.

For convenience, the Civic has a push start and a remote start. Offering Apple CarPlay and a multi-angle rearview camera, this car features high technology in the interior.

“My car has this eyesight thing, so it’ll beep at me if I’m crossing the road, and it’ll light up if there’s a car on either side of me. This has saved me so many times because it’ll let me know if someone’s in my blind spot,” said senior Samantha McKinnon.

The Kelly Bluebook’s Best Small Car Buy of the Year (2018), 2018 AutoWeb’s Buyer Choice Award, and Motorweek’s Drivers Choice Award in 2018 are some of the many awards that the Civic has recently received.

feature u march | april 2018 u the viewpoint u 21

winter sports recap

check out how the winter sports performed this season by gia morreale | photos by lifetouch and gia morreale

boys basketball

Record: 6-18 Senior Will Pataki earned First Team All-Conference and First Team All-Region.

The basketball team made it to the first round of regionals.

Senior Dallen Coon said, “My favorite part of this season was the atmosphere of the home games. The crowds always got me pumped up.�

girls basketball

Record: 9-15 Senior Maggie Sharp was chosen for first team All-Conference, first team All-Region, and Conference Player of the Year.

Freshman Emma Stalteri was chosen as Honorable Mention All-Conference.

Maggie Sharp led the area in scoring with 25 points per game, made the record in the area for 77 threepoint baskets, and finished her high school career with 1,784 points which is the most in school history.

The team won the first round of regionals, but their season ended against Potomac.

gymnastics

The gymnastics team placed third at the district meet and second at the regional meet.

Sophomore Zara Christophe and senior Abbey Whitehead both qualified for the 5A state meet.

Whitehead finished in third place on Vault at states with a score of 9.65 and in second place on bars with a 9.75.

This season, the team broke their total team score record with a 139.85.

Whitehead broke four records this winter with a 9.85 on vault, a 9.85 on bars, a 9.7 on floor, and 38.85 all around.

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u news

indoor track

Kendra Williams was the district champion and set the school record for shot put.

Jordan Vennings captured first place in the district championship in the long jump and triple jump, and she set school records for both events. Vennings said, “My favorite part was celebrating personal records with my friends.”

The girls 4x800 meter relay with Laura Peterson, Karrington Owens, Grace Muratore, and Jordan Burzynski also won first place at districts.

TJ Beckford won first place in the triple jump and Colton Ocetnik won first place in long jump.

The girls 4x800 meter relay and Jordan Vennings (triple jump) made All-State.

TJ Beckford (triple jump), Jashaad Santiago-Boatwright (triple jump), and Anthony Solorzano (1,000 meter run) made All-State as well.

Colton Ocetnik made All-State in pole vault and also set the school’s record of 13 feet.

wrestling

Record: 32-5 Dalton Arce, Elijah White, James Mooney, and Stone Summers were all district champions.

Ethan Heitchew was the regional champion in the 106 pound weight class.

The wrestling team was second in the district, second in the regional, and seventh in the state.

Elijah White got his 100th career win this season.

swimming

Girls Record: 7-9 Boys Record: 0-9 The girls swim team won districts for the sixth year in a row. Juniors Shay Walker and Georgia Johnson were both named All-Area Team by the Free Lance Star. Georgia Johnson was also named Swimmer of the Year.

Shay Walker and Jack O’Reilly were named the MVP for the season having the most points of the season.

Georgia Johnson, Shay Walker, Lena Steckler, Anka Whelan, Lauren Meyer, Chloe Schmitz, and Bridgette Pearson all qualified for the state tournament.

Junior Georgia Johnson said, “My favorite part of the season was states!”

news u march | april 2019 u the viewpoint u23

Blackfishing A look into the controversy over Caucasian women altering their looks to appear as women of color by Jules Torrice | Art work by Skylee Jones and Jules Torrice

N

o, “blackfishing” is not a sport for fishermen. It is a controversy over Caucasian women altering their looks to appear like women of color.

The term “blackfishing” has made its way into the spotlight after someone accused a popular Swedish Instagram model, 19-year-old Emma Hallberg, of passing herself off as black to gain more followers.

Hallberg was confronted by a Twitter user who shared a screenshot of the response from Hallberg.

The Twitter user asked her if she was black and when a photo coupling two pictures of Hallberg with a spray tan alongside a much fairer skin photo of her had then circulated on social media.

“Seeing the side photos, it just seems weird. I don’t know what to really think about blackfishing,” said Destani Carter, sophomore.

According to Inside Edition website, Hallberg’s response was, “Yes, I’m white and I’ve never claimed to be anything else. There are no ‘before’ pictures, the pictures that has been spread are just two different pictures taken on two different seasons of the year.”

Emma Hallberg is not the only one who has been called out for “blackfishing”. Another Instagram model named Jaiden Gumbayan was accused of black fishing in 2018. On her Instagram she posted a picture on August 26, 2018, that received comments like, “You done tryna play black?” and, “still white.”

Unlike Hallberg, Gumbayan did admit her actions were wrong and agreed “blackfishing” was a form of cultural appropriation.

According to Dictionary.com, cultural appropriation is “the act of adopting elements of an outside, often minority culture, including knowledge, practices, and symbols, without understanding or respect-

24 uthe viewpoint umarch | april 2019 ufeature

ing the original culture and context.”

Those engaged in “blackfishing” are being associated with women of color and capitalizing on these to land sponsorship deals that actual women of color may not have access to.

“I have not met or know of anyone who altered their looks to look black, but there are some people who act black to try to be cool, or to fit in when all they need to do is be themselves,” said Michael Shelton, sophomore.

This has also raised concerns about “blackfishing” in the beauty industry. According to Quicymetro, “As the founder of luxury skincare line, Elle Johnson, says calls for diversity within the industry have created a need for more women of color influencers and brand ambassadors.”

Some of these influencers have also been accused of manipulating their photographs or undergoing plastic surgery to change their appearances in photographs to have curvier figures and fuller lips. Critics of “blackfishing” describe it as a form of cultural appropriation, where a minority culture is adopted by those in a more dominant culture without crediting the origin.

Juuling

V.S.

Smoking

Knowing the real effects of Juuling and smoking

by Jules Torrice | Photos by Flickr

Juuls have been a popular products since they entered the e-cigarette market in 2017 and they now make up 33 percent of it. This popular vape resembles a flash drive and can be charged with a phone charger or a charging dock. Juuls are largely being used by people younger than 18, which has concerned many parents and health professionals. According to the National Center For Health Research, the nicotine is highly addictive, but it is also known to impair brain and lung development if used during adolescence.

“I know of some people who Juul. I believe they know that Juuling can be bad for you but they still do it anyways,” said Chase Bradshaw, sophomore.

Although Juul products are made to be alternative to smoking, each Juul cartridge has as much nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes.

The chemicals like antifreeze and formaldehyde ingredients in Juuls and other e-cigarettes. The side effects of these toxic chemicals include increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, insulin resistance that can lead to type 2 Diabetes, and lung disease.

“If I would to ask a room full of high schoolers if they smoked, they would look at me as if I were crazy. A cartridge filled with vape juice contains as much or more nicotine than cigarettes, and no one really knows what they are putting in it,” Chelsea Tryon, Assistant Principal

A cigarette is a thin cylinder filled with tobacco that is rolled in paper for smoking According to Cancer Council’s website, “Tobacco has been growing wild in the Americas for nearly 8000 years. Around 2,000 years ago tobacco began to be smoked mainly during cultural or religious ceremonies and events.”

Smoking is a habit that may be hard to break due to the addictive nicotine in every cigarette, which the Juul contains as well. Smoking can damage your airways amd smaller air sacs which cause lung diseases. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoking has caused about 90% of all lung cancer deaths, and it has caused 80% of all deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

“I think it’s one of the worse things you can do.

It has a cancer causing agents, it is absolutely addictive, it can deform and break down all of you bronchial tubes, it can cause emphysema, and heart issues.” Gallagher, Honors Biology Teacher Smokers are at more of a risk for diseases that affect the blood vessels and the heart. For example, smoking causes stroke and coronary heart disease, which are both on the list for leading causes of death in the United States.

Besides lung cancer, COPD, and heart diseases, smoking harms almost every organ of the body which affects a person’s overall health.

news umarch | april 2019 uthe viewpoint u25

Drip or Drown

Find and create your own unique style with simple tips to help improve your wardrobe and overall look by Damien Veal | Photos by Damien Veal

W

ith changing trends and styles, it’s easy to lose sight of which outfits work well together and which should be forgotten about. This especially applies when trends go from clothes torn in half fitting in because of who made it and a well-fit shirt is childish. So how do you tell what is fashionable and what isn’t ?

Well nothing new here, but everyone is different, and so is their sense of style.

Not everyone can look great in the same outfit nor should they. If everyone wore the same thing, it would no longer be unique making it no longer fashionable.

The key is to find

26 uthe viewpoint

what not only find what fits your look but your personality.

Wearing an outfit you completely hate will only ruin your confidence, and in turn, ruin your look.

Whatever the outfit you put together, make sure you wear it with confidence and poise. Voted best dressed, Senior Bryce Antoine Washington, voted best dressed, says that Fashion isn’t about a trend, it’s about what you like and who you are.

Fashion to him is how we express ourselves in how we dress.

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Grooming

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“Girls like a baby face” - Bryce Antoine-Washington ” Many of us can’t grow a beard. If this is the case for you, then don’t worry because looking good doesn’t depend on facial hair. Don’t let the beard you’ve never had try to grow out since it just looks like patches of dirt. Instead, shave consistently and stay properly groomed. Often an issue with keeping these patches away is just not taking the time of the day to get it done. Try to figure out how long until your hair begins to grow again and create a schedule for when to shave. When shaving, take things nice and slow to avoid cutting yourself. A big gash on your face hurts your look as well as your reputation. Invest in a quality razor and cream to make the experience as easy and quick as possible. Shaving doesn’t always have to be a chore, if done right it can be a smooth, soothing time. The end result is always worth any hassle because you will come out looking and feeling fresh. Invest in regular haircuts, don’t be afraid to try out new styles until you find what suits you the best. Having longer hair does not exempt you from getting a trim or a shape up now and again to prevent fuzzy, dead hair from growing.

Hygiene

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“Wear both deodorant and cologne”- Bryce Antoine-Washington Looks only can help so much when you stink.

Bad breath can be an issue as well. Senior TJ Beckford says to avoid this he constantly brushes, uses mouthwash, and is always carrying a stick of gum. Breath isn’t the only part of you that can stink though. Deodorant and cologne are a good idea, but only with proper execution. The amount of sprays will separate the perfect scent and a fuming disaster. A two spray maximum is always a good route to take. PS. Deodorant doesn’t help when you’re sweating like a pig. Try to dress accordingly for the weather: don’t wear a winter jacket mid-spring.

Most importantly, make sure whatever product you wear actually smells good because putting on a deodorant that stinks worse than sweat will help no one. Whether you choose to wear deodorant, cologne, or even both be sure that the smell is a pleasant one.

Senior Jashaad Santiago-Boatwright says he saves cologne for special occasions or whenever he is dressed nice. “I got cologne three years ago and I just got down to half a bottle,” said Boatwright.

Trends

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“It’s all about the name” -Senior Jashaad Santiago-Boatwright From whoever could wear the baggiest clothes in the 2000’s, to who can wear the most raggedy now, trends are not an easy thing to keep up with in the fashion world. One day it’s hot, the next day it’s not. If following a trend is your way to go, then keeping up with current events is a must. From events like Fashion Week to simple celebrity appearances, what outfits are being worn should catch your eye. With apparel such as Yeezy, the name is all that matters. No one is wearing a shirt with a hole in it because it fits right; the brand is purely what makes the look. Keeping up with trends, however, can be risky and often expensive when always looking out for name brand clothing.

Antoine Washington, however, said that trends are a waste of time and money. “What is a Gucci belt really gonna do to help the outfit?”

Having one or two name brand items is great, but there’s no need to go overboard and make yourself broke. Try to make an outfit of your own and save yourself some money while your at it.

Accessorizing

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“Accessories are a necessity ” -Senior Jashaad Santaigo-Boatwright Accessories seem to be crucial to anyone’s look, almost as if it is the icing on top of the cake. After wearing them for a while, going out without any accessories just won’t feel right. Glasses, hats, watches, bracelets, rings, you name it, it’s time to take the dive and start accessorizing. Even though they help to some extent these accessories have their limits.

Wearing sunglasses inside where there is no sun is pointless and irrational. Wearing a broken watch leads to a broken reputation. Make sure your watch works and has the right time; knowing how to read a clock helps here. Bracelets are great, but don’t go full silly bandz and wrap up your entire arm; four or five should suffice. Wearing these can be fun and help your overall look with very little effort.

Boatwright said, “Accessories are a necessity.” Boatwright says that accessories are crucial to completing any look. Not only are they fashionable but functional as well: a pair of sunglasses tops off a great outfit as well as lets you be comfortable on a bright sunny day.

Name brand is not necessary, Gucci glasses will work just as well as a pair from the dollar store. The only plus of having a name brand is having the ability to say so. No one is going to notice that you are wearing a diamond anklet so don’t waste your time or money.

Keep things simple, affordable, and of course fun.

“Just

Relax.

You don’t have to be the best dressed all the time,” senior TJ Beckford.

feature umarch | april 2019 uthe viewpoint u27

Throwbacks

Throwbacks from the late ‘90s to the early 2000s that are still very well known by Aisha Santiago Burgos

TV TV Shows Shows Kim Possible is just your daily average cheerleader and honor roll student. But at night she’s your favorite crime fighter. Watchers love this show because she can do anything and people want to be like her. But it also teaches you some life lessons that many people still go by such as you can do anything you put your mind to and also that any troubles you may be having right now, it’s only temporary and it will get better soon. Kim is a great role model for her audience, she is loving and caring.

This show promoted self-acceptance and showed and told you to always show your true colors to others. It was a show where female characters totally defied the normal gender stereotypes and showed that females can do more than just what people think they’re meant for.

Drake & Josh was your favorite show to watch with your siblings because it was relatable at times. But it never failed to put a smile on your face, it’s goofy and enjoyable, it was worth watching. It shows how a teens life can be and it’s not all fake, a lot of what they go through is what some of us go through as well, such as problems with work or arguments that you might have had with your brother or sister. It was also a show that you can watch at anytime with anyone and still get a laugh out of it.

Flickr

Pixabay

SONgs Songs

These throwbacks songs can have you singing at any given time.

Everyone either knows or has heard about these songs. Say my name by Destiny’s child has an amazing beat to it and some women might even relate to her song, which is saying, why did he change if yesterday he was saying all these affectionate things to her and the next day he’s lying and not being the same way as the day before.

But going to Britney Spears, everyone knows her songs either from hearing it in a movie or in a show or to on the radio. Her voice is unique and not a lot of people can match it because her tone changes throughout the song. Fugees, “Killing me softly with his song” has a soft melody and can really keep you calm and relax while you’re listening to it.

Around the time that these throwback songs came out, there was no iPhones or androids to listen to them, you either waited till the CD came out, or until it came out on the radio, or if you had yourself a iPod. But with these iPods depending on which one you had, you could be listening to music and playing games. It was way we listened to music and the iPods even came in different colors, it came in colors like black, blue, green, and etc.

Flickr

\ Flickr

Shoes Shoes If you had yourself a pair of Heelies or Jordan’s you were really caught up with most of the trends in late 90s and early 2000s. If you were tired of running you could just run and get on the heel of your foot and you could skate around and it was much easier to get to places. Jordan’s have always been a very popular item in stores, but when they first came out they were hot sellers.

Shoes have always been something that a lot of people want a lot of. It shows your sense of style and what you’re into. Many shoes around this time were very good sellers in stores, but many kids were rocking the Heelies and Jordan’s inside and outside of school. With Heelies you can race to see who’s faster between you and friends and with Jordan’s you could go to nice events with them because they can be used for semi-formal events.

These shoes will forever be remembered and loved by many people, and sometimes if you’re lucky you will see people wearing either of the shoes and you will be shocked because you will remember about the time you either wore them or saw a friend of yours with them on.

Wikimedia Commons

eBay

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the viewpoint q march | april 2019 q feature

SAVE IT

or

SPEND IT

Take a look at these tips, and you’ll be a saving and spending professional

by Javonna Brigham | Graphics by Javonna Brigham

Learning to save and spend as a teenager can be hard, but it makes things easier as you get older and have to rely more on yourself. Starting early to prepare yourself will be a helpful teaching resource as an adult.

For some, saving money is a piece of cake. On the other side of the spectrum, there are people who constantly spend their money. Many teenagers get jobs as a way to have money to save, while others get jobs so they have money to spend.

“I love having a job. It allows me to save money for my future, but also buy the things I want” said junior Grace Lacy.

Everyone knows money is a substantial part of the human life. It usually determines your way of life and the things you do. Being able to manage your money is a more than useful tool to have in your life, whether you’re a teenager or an adult. Saving and spending are two different things and understanding the difference and keeping them separated is highly important.

Saving money isn’t as hard as people make it out to be. It’s as simple as keeping some of your money to the side and not spending it. Saving is usually easier if you have a job. However often you get paid, calculate 20 percent of the money you made and put that into a savings stack. Saving is important to learn as a teenager. You learn more responsibility and control which will be an extremely helpful skill to have as you grow older. Listen Money Matters website expressed that starting a saving plan early will help you stick to it for the rest of your life.

Setting aside money in case of emergencies will save you from a constant state of worry or struggling when emergencies come around. Even without a job, you should consider saving any amount of money that comes your way. Saving money will also be a help if you plan on attending college. You will be able to pay for more things needed while you’re there and even possibly help pay your tuition in some way.

“Saving money is really important when it comes to our future. If we spend what we earn rapidly on anything and everything we want, we won’t have as much to invest in things for our future like college,” said junior Diana Amaya.

By starting the habit of saving at a young age, you will carry it into your adult years and use it for the rest of your life.

There are times in which it’s necessary to spend money. Needing to buy a new backpack after yours breaks, or a new pair of shoes once the soles in your favorite shoes are finally worn down are good situations in which spending money is essential. Create a budget for yourself when spending your money and understand your needs versus your wants. According to Money Under 30 website, having a spending plan makes it easier to stay on track with your money and spend wisely. Temptation comes with everything, but teaching yourself how to resist the urge to buy unneeded things will help you be conscious of your money.

“I wish I had better money saving skills,” said junior Morgan Andrews. “I had $2.00 in my bank account and just spent “1.35 on a Nutrigrain bar.”

It is important to keep track of your purchases. Write down your purchases and keep your receipts. This allows you to know your spending habits and if you need to make changes to how you spend in the future.

how-toumarch | april 2019uthe viewpointu29

“NFL Ratings NFL ratings Are Declining...” are declining

Find out why the NFL and its ratings have been hitting an all-time low by Brody Albertson

Over the past three years, the NFL has been experiencing a severe decline in its ratings. In the 2017-2018 season, the NFL’s ratings dropped 10 percent from the previous season, according to Forbes.

Some of the reasoning behind this may be due to the fact that big market teams, teams like the 49ers, Giants, and Jets, aren’t very competitive. But the viewership dropping might also be because of Colin Kaepernick and his kneeling for the anthem. Although this was nearly two and a half years ago, according to Forbes, most of the viewership dropping was directly related to the kneeling of Kaepernick.

Other than that, the NFL has been increasing the pace of play and the scoring has gone up, but in the Super Bowl, Tom Brady has played in three of the last four. It gets boring seeing the same team play, and win, in the biggest game of the year, especially when there’s controversy about how the Patriots got there and won.

The Patriots have won two of the last three Super Bowls they’ve appeared in. And in any sport, when a team experiences great success over the course of five to 10 years like the Patriots have, it starts to bore fans.

But with new, high-scoring teams like the Chiefs and Rams, the NFL has been drawing in more viewers for their Monday and Thursday night games.

The problem for the NFL lies in the Super Bowl, as Super Bowl LIII became the lowest-rated Super Bowl (98.19 million viewers) since Super Bowl XLII (97.448 million viewers) in 2008.

Will the NFL bounce back next year? Well it depends on who plays in the Super Bowl. Despite ratings being down there’s hope for the NFL. Ratings could potentially surplus if we see some new faces in the Super Bowl.

If Patrick Mahomes and the red hot Chiefs offense made it all the way to the Super Bowl then that would bring along a lot more viewers than the Patriots would.

Who knows? We’ll find that out next season. But if the Patriots make it to another Super Bowl then that could mean bad things for the NFL’s ratings.

MaxPixel

30 u the viewpoint u march | april 2019 u opinion

Cast your vote Keep track of a few 2020 presidential electoral candidates by Sophie Perez

Donald Trump In June of 2017, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders confirmed with reporters that sitting president Donald Trump would be running for reelection. Trump based his 2016 campaign off the slogan “Make America Great Again.” This was something he planned to do through increased immigration policies, repopularizing manufacturing jobs, imposing tariffs on some foreign goods, and various other fairly conservative ideals. Even before Trump’s election he had been involved in multiple controversies, and they haven’t faltered during his presidency. His advisers have expressed concerns regarding his popularity with women and minorities, concerns that likely stem from incidents like the infamous “grab them by the [redacted]” quote, to his attempt to declare a national emergency and gain funding for a southern border wall. Despite any and all controversies, Trump’s approval ratings currently sit at 46%. This likely attributed to an increased GDP and stock markets rates.

Bernie Sanders Bernie Sanders became a staple name in politics after the 2016 presidential election. The democratic candidate was known for his unique ideas that hes acknowledged were seen as “extreme” and “radical” and that made up the foundation of his campaign. Two of these ideas were free college and a Medicaid for all single-payer healthcare system. Sanders liberal ideologies and his long record of political activism are some of the most prominent components when looking at what makes him appealing to voters. However, some of the adversities he faced in the previous election seem to already be reappearing in this campaign. Some believe that Sanders only claims the Democratic party as his platform when it’s convenient for him. His age also excludes him from the increasingly popular “young government” narrative.

Cory Booker

Cory Booker, the former New York Mayor and current New Jersey senator, announced his plan to run for president in early February via a twitter video where he stated “We are better when we help each other.” Booker is a democratic candidate known for his work towards alleviating poverty, his support of affordable healthcare and a raised minimum wage, and his advocation for equality for minorities. Although these points may help gain Booker support, he has still had his own controversies that may do the opposite. Booker had been on the Board of Alliance for School Choice (a foundation that advocated for taxpayers dollars to fund charter, private, and religious schools) with Betsy DeVos. Although, he voted against her when she was nominated to be the Secretary of Education. Controversy also shrouded Booker when he voted against a proposal that would lower prescription drug prices. .

Elizabeth Warren After initially launching an exploratory committee, Elizabeth Warren officially announced her plans to run on February 9th.

The Massachusetts senator has not shied away from expressing her belief that “Our fight is for big, structural change.” This belief is likely the fountain for her progressive stances on issues such as student loan reforms and corporate capitalism. Warren has expressed ambitions to rebuild America’s middle class; an issue that she has frequently mentioned hits close to home. The quote “Nevertheless, she persisted,” was said by Mitch McConnell in an attempt to shut down Warren during a senate debate.

It has since then popularized Warren with modern activists who have adopted it as a sort of battle cry.

Kamala Harris California Senator Kamala Harris announced that she would be running for president this past Martin Luther King Junior day.

Although there’s multiple factors that set Harris apart from other candidates in this election, possibly the most notable one is that she’s had government experience in the local, state, and federal levels. She was elected california’s attorney general in 2010, and worked as a deputy district attorney and district attorney before that. The Democratic senator plans to use her experience regarding immigration reforms and criminal justice as a foundation for her campaign, according to Vox. It could be this same criminal justice experience that becomes her most significant disadvantage as well. The New York Times says others in the criminal justice field have expresses “concerns that her actions as a California district attorney and attorney general disproportionately affected marginalized communities.” news u march | april 2019 u

the viewpoint u

31

Pancakes from around the world

Instead of making Aunt Jemima’s pancakes from a box, try these simple recipes by Lexi Jackson | Photos by Lexi Jackson

Japan

Ingredients

1 c all-purpose flour ¼ tsp salt ¼ tsp sugar ¼ tsp baking powder 2-3 in Nagaimo/Yamaimo ¾ cup dashi 1 large cabbage head 4 large eggs ½ c Tenkasu/Agedama ¼ c pickled red ginger neutral flavor oil

Directions

Okonomiyaki Sauce 1½ tbsp sugar 2 tbsp oyster sauce 4 tbsp ketchup 3½ tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Italy Ingredients 1 ½ c semolina flour 1 ¼ c durum flour 3 tsp baking soda 2/3 c brown sugar 4 eggs

Directions 1. Whisk the semolina, durum flour, baking soda, and brown sugar together. Set aside. In a separate bowl, mix the eggs, milk, mascarpone, vanilla extract, and lemon zest together. Add warm brown butter and mix for a minute more. Gently mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. The mixture should be a little watery.

2. Refrigerate for four hours and test your batter. Quickly make a small pancake on the stove to see if the consistency feels right. If the batter seems too thick, add a bit more milk and let the mixture sit and soak for a few more hours.

3. Add 1 tablespoon of clarified butter to a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter starts to smoke, lower the heat to medium and fill the pan with one-inch pancake batter. You now have two choices: Continue cooking your pancake on the stovetop, or place it inside your preheated oven set at 375°F. Cook for 5 minutes and flip for another 2 to 3 minutes. yrecipes.com

Toppings

Okonomi sauce Japanese mayonnaise Katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes) Aonori (dried green seaweed) Green onions/scallions Pickled red ginger Disclaimer: Some ingredients may not be available at some grocery stores, but you can also use substitutes.

1. In a large bowl, combine and mix all-purpose flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder. Peel and grate nagaimo in a small bowl. It can get itchy, so work quickly and rinse your hand right after. Add the grated nagaimo and dashi in the bowl. Mix together. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least one hour.

2. Combine sugar, oyster sauce, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce

in a small bowl. Mix until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove the core of the cabbage and mince it. Set aside to let the moisture evaporate so it won’t dilute the batter. Take out the batter from the refrigerator and add eggs, Tenkasu/Agedama, and pickled red ginger in the bowl.

Mix well until well-combined. Add chopped cabbage to the batter 1/3 at a time. Mix well before adding the rest in a large pan or griddle, heat vegetable oil on medium heat.

.

3 When the frying pan is hot, spread the batter in a circle on the pan.

If you’re new to making okonomiyaki, make a smaller and thinner size so it’s easier to flip. Place 2-3 sliced pork belly on top of Okonomiyaki and cook covered for 5 minutes. When the bottom side is nicely browned, flip over. Gently press the okonomiyaki to fix the shape and keep it together. Cover and cook for another 5 minutes. Flip over one last time and cook uncovered for 2 minutes. If you’re going to cook next batch, transfer to a plate. justonecookbok.com

Madison McDonald, sophomore, said, “I would definitely try to make it, but I feel that they would not be easy to make on the first attempt.”

½ c mascarpone 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 lemon zest ½ c brown butter 1 tbsp clarified butter 3 2/3 c milk

Sweden

Ingredients 8 tbsp unsalted butter 1 c all purpose flour 1 ¾ c whole milk 3 large eggs ½ tsp vanilla extract ¼ tsp salt

Directions .

1 Melt four tablespoons of butter in a nonstick skillet. Mix the flour, milk, eggs, melted butter, vanilla, and salt in a blender. Process until smooth.

2. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Warm the same nonstick skillet over medium heat until a drop of water bounces and sizzles. Add one teaspoon butter. Coat the pan with the melted butter. Pour in 1/3 cup batter and quickly swirl the pan to evenly coat the bottom. Cook until the pancake sets (1 to 1 1/2 minutes). Using a spatula, lift the pancake by the edges and flip; cook until lightly golden on the other side (15 to 30 seconds). Transfer to a plate; keep warm in the oven while making the others. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make about 12 pancakes. If the pancakes seem too thick, thin the batter slightly with warm water. Fold or roll and serve with confectioners’ sugar, syrup, and fresh fruit. foodnetwork.com

Amberleigh Simmons, sophomore, said “Personally, I like sweet things more than savory things and it’s thinner, which I believe will bring out the other flavors more, while the other pancakes are thicker.” feature u march | april 2019 u the viewpoint u 33

“The scenery. It’s all about the scenery. What you look at adds to the vibe if you’re with your friends,” said Senior Bryant Graham

Pixabay

Life is a HIGHWAY

With summer right around the corner, take a look at these popular Virginia road trips for you and your friends by Ruby

Jackson and Chloe Reid

Skyline d rive Looking for a picture perfect view? Located in the Appalachian Mountains, Virginia’s own Skyline Drive has beautiful scenery, local wildlife, and the famous Old Rag overlook.

“It [The Old Rag overlook] was just really cool ‘cause of the view when you get to the top. The rock scrambling was awesome,” said freshman Maren Gingrich.

Starting in Front Royal, VA and going through Shenandoah National Park, the total trip can be as long as 105 miles. Only roughly 60 miles away from Mountain View, this is a must-do for your summer bucket list.

The park itself costs $25 per car, and it offers many options for outdoor activities. This includes anything from fishing, to stargazing, to hiking, or biking. Not only are there many fun things to do, but there are many fun things to see such as various wildlife like bobcats, black bears, otters, and more. In addition, the mountains and waterfalls are a beautiful sight to see. You also can’t forget

34 u the viewpoint

about the intricate geological formations and canyons. According to National Geographic, trees like redbuds, dogwoods, azaleas, and mountain laurels can be seen as well.

Love this destination enough to give back? Look into the many Shenandoah volunteer ranger programs that are available through the fall, spring, and summer.

Wikimedia Commona

V irginia Be a c h Cruise down to the Eastern Shore for a quick getaway and enjoy their family-friendly beaches, waterfront dining, and local activities like kayaking, boating, berry picking, golfing, and much more.

Interested in a beach vacation?

Virginia Beach is the perfect location with lots to do. You can walk to along the boardwalk, enjoy fresh seafood, visit the Virginia Aquarium, and even bring along a furry friend to many of these pet-friendly locations. Escape from the tourists and head to the Eastern Shore for a relaxing, private beach experience. This part of the area is desirable for family vacations and has beachfront housing.

Pungo, located just outside of Virginia Beach, is well-known for its berry picking. Add this rural stop to your road trip the next time you’re headed down enhance your typical beach experience.

u march | april 2019 u feature

Wikimedia Commona

Presidents’ homes Are you a history buff or just looking for something fun out of town? Immerse yourself into the lives of our founding fathers with trips to Mount Vernon, Monticello, or Montpelier.

“I liked it [Mount Vernon] because I’m very nerdy. I liked all of the information about it because knowing certain things I didn’t know before, like things that he did, is pretty cool,” said freshmen Marlinda Hofferek.

The first stop at Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, offers educational tours to learn more about our first president.

These estate tours include the mansion where the Washingtons lived, beautiful gardens and landscapes, memorials, and more.

Not looking to take a tour?

There are also interactive theaters, tributes, musical history lessons, and children’s activities.

Tickets range from $11 to $20, and the residence is usually open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Next on the list is the home of Thomas Jefferson, also known as Monticello. In addition to the regular tours offered, the Hemings tour gives a special look into the life of Sally Hemings. Hemings was one of Jefferson’s slaves who also was the mother to at least six of his children. This tour teaches about the challenges she faced and the lives of the Hemings. Regular house tours are $23 for adults, and a behind the scenes tour is $65.

Also, a trail with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains is available to explore. This trail is four miles long and is wheelchair accessible.

Lastly, you can’t forget about Montpelier, the home of James Madison: aka the father of the Constitution. Located in Orange County, VA, this destination is perfect for a day trip. Along with a wide variety of tours, there are also exhibitions, galleries, and a cafe for dining. The estate is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and tours are offered from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.