Redha k Times Westwood High School
Oct/Nov 2013
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180 Turkey Farm Road Blythewood, SC 29016
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Let’s Get Redhawky!
www.richland2.org/wh
Vol. 2, No. 1
Sorry, we’re closed: The US government shutdown By Katie McCarthy When the government shut down on Oct. 1, it left many Americans wondering what was yet to come. So what exactly is a shutdown, and what should you know in case it happens again? Congress has many duties, one of which is to pass a bill to fund the government by the end of the fiscal
year, which ends Sept. 30 and starts over the next day, Oct. 1. Over the past few years, it has become increasingly difficult for the Republican-run House and Democrat-controlled Senate to reach an agreement. But why has Congress had so much trouble reaching a decision?
The 2013 Homecoming Court: King Kevin Williams, Queen Jessica Briggs and First Runner-Up Autumn Walters are crowned during Homecoming. Photo credit: Cozette Reschke
This year, Obamacare was a sticking point. According to the Washington Post, the House originally passed a bill that would have delayed Obamacare for one year. Rejected by the Senate, the bill was reworked and voted on again and again. Unfortunately, Congress did not reach an agreement by the midnight deadline, and the government was shut down the next day. There is only one way for a shutdown to end—Congress has to pass a bill. Sixteen days into the shutdown, Congress got their act together, and President Obama signed a bill into law on Oct. 17. During the shutdown, many federal agencies deemed “nonessential” found themselves either partially or entirely closed. This included the National Park Service, which lost over $30 million a day due to park closures. Tourist sites were also closed, including the Smithsonian Museums, the Lincoln Memorial, Library of Congress, the National Archives and the National Zoo. New applications for passports, gun permits and federal housing loans were no longer accepted.
NASA shut down its website and television channel, but mission control was allowed to continue. The WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program was put on hold, while the food stamps program (SNAP) was set to continue for a limited time. Nearly 800,000 federal workers found themselves furloughed (placed on a temporary, unpaid leave) and without a paycheck during the shutdown. Furloughed employees included aviation safety inspectors, food inspectors and a number of agents from the FBI and CIA. Yet, according to CNN, the President and Congress were still paid due to the 27th Amendment, which outlaws any changes to their salaries. The shutdown is estimated to have cost $24 billion. Besides lost wages for workers, The New York Times stated that this shutdown may have slowed an already sluggish economy and reduced the country’s estimated GDP growth. The US may not be out of the woods yet, as government funding expires again on Jan. 15.
College expenses don’t have to be overwhelming Follow these steps to get money you need for tuition, room & board, books, other costs By Brianna Brooks It’s college application time again and with college comes expenses like tuition, room and board, and books that add up to thousands of dollars each semester. How can you pay for it? With scholarships and loans. Here are some quick tips on how to get the money you need to go to the school you want: Step One: Research your schools. Go on school websites and check out what kind of scholarships they offer and what type of financial aid programs they provide. Step Two: Apply for as many scholarships as you can. “You can never apply for too many because if you don’t get one, eventually you will get another,” said junior Alandria Haynes. There are tons of scholarships out there including scholarships for tall people, inventors, bowlers, scuba divers and golf caddies. There are scholarships available for fashionistas who create prom dress/out of Duck Brand duct tape, bakers interested in “confectionary technology” (new candy/sweets invention) and scientists fascinated with crystallography (the science of crystals). You just have to look — and you can start that search in the College and Career Center. Step Three: Look at what kind of clubs or groups you can join that might offer members scholarships. Groups like Beta Club or honor societies are always good bets. AVID teacher Stefanie Glover said, “There are more than just academic scholarships out there.” Even if you’re an average student, having athletic or artistic abilities or community service credits could get you a scholarship for college. Step Four: Fill out your Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application as soon as possible. This is for student loans with low interest rates, which
Senior Shelton Hickmon visits with a recruiter from the Citadel in Charleston. Open to juniors and seniors, this year’s college fair brought in colleges from across the country and provided upperclassmen with the chance to speak with various representatives. Photo credit: Whitney Johnson
you’ll definitely appreciate when you get out of school and have to make those monthly student loan payments. College Specialist Lisa Faulkenberry shared the secret to getting money fast. “Turn in your application as soon as you can because the ones in first are the ones who get their money first. They are going to get a better amount and are almost definitely guaranteed money.“ FAFSA applications are due in January. “To get that money, make sure you turn that application in ASAP,” she added. Step Five: Make sure you stay calm and don’t stress out. Keep those grades up. Apply, apply, apply to both colleges and for scholarships. Save your dollars so you have minimal money worries come next fall.