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December , 2013
Volume 89, Issue 3
Influential age
By Derrick Johnson Reporter
We are the age of the influenced. At TJ, there are teenagers everywhere trying to keep up with the latest, most popular trends and with pop culture becoming more relevant, it is only just the beginning. Everyone wants to fit in and it seems like the only solution is to copy what is seen on T.V. and heard in music. Take beats by Dre for example. People would rather pay $300 for the name, instead of just buying another good brand all because their favorite musicians and athletes do, too. Teenagers watch the influential commercials and then make
An advertisement used for beats by Dre.
influenced decisions. It is a continuous cycle that happens with other popular products too. Senior Marc Gwennap believes pop culture is the reason high schoolers change their personalities so often.
“People are affected by the way celebrities act, because they look up to that person and want to be like that,” said Gwennap. He thinks that people like Miley Cyrus, and their actions, contribute a lot to the decisions teenag-
Missing: class By Trystan Brock Expressionist
OPINION Failure to fail, apathy towards attendance, complacency with the efficacy of the brutalist; these are the reasons responsible for classrooms remaining at a lacking capacity. “I skip because class is boring,” said freshman Ismael Camacho. “I'm not worried about failing. Even when I go, I don't do classwork. I just pass tests and yeah that’s just getting a D, but it's passing, so I don't care.” Camacho is just one of an estimated 7 million kids across America with at least 18 days of unexcused absences according to getschooled.com; the initiative that our school
has chosen to go with on improving attendance. Truancy, in most districts, is a decision teenagers make that does not go without consequences, it can result in direct failure. Camacho’s case is not a rare one within the halls of TJ. Many Jackets whom ‘skip’ class miss all of the practices and lecture time, but are still able to
come in and make up the mandatory performances. There is a modern business proverb that goes: What is given in moderation will be taken in excess. Students, such as Camacho, still have the potential to graduate if they continue this behavior. Such behavior needs to be changed by intrinsic motivation.
Junior John “Skip” Class; have you seen him?
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ers make. Marketing experts are not the only ones that influence teenagers. Peer pressure is a big reason why teens change some of their more important decisions. Guidance Counselor Kathleen
Rice sees the effects on the students and feels it should change. “Students can be really judgemental, so kids feel like they need to look or act a certain way,” said Rice. “When you talk to them one on one they are nice but when they are in a classroom they act like they are putting on a show.” When high schoolers experience their teenage years, they are trying to decide who they want to become in life. Wanting to fit in is very understandable. With lack of confidence and the struggles that come with growing up, the question is whether you choose to be yourself or change because of today’s society.
Growing up too fast
ian. “I didn’t think it would be a good idea,” said Brophy. “I just thought it Seniors at TJ are would be really fun to live starting to plan for the with my friend, and have a future. Whether it is starting to apply for colleges, lot more freedom.” choosing a major, or looking The bright side about moving out before at possible different living college is that if a plan fails, environments. you can always go back to Some seniors are your parents. already looking for a place of their own or have already A lot of things can moved out. Getting prepared go wrong when renting an apartment with a friend. for life outside home takes “We argued a lot many serious steps that people may, or may not take about money and we just spent way too much time into consideration. Seniors Matt Brophy together,” said Brophy. The pros and cons and Nathan Kesselberg took “moving out” to a new level. of living on your own can Before college these range from small to drastic. The freedom is endless two high school students made a decision to move in while the money is limited. together, on their own. They, Brophy states that he would for some reason, wanted to still prefer to live with his pay their own rent, buy their parents while attending high own food, and they take care school. of themselves without any “I really don’t think help from a parent or guard- it’s a good idea for students By Isabella Moore Reporter
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