Granger high school
Tri-Color Times An open forum for student opinion and expression
TRICOLORTIMES.COM
april 2019 LXI-VIII
Happiness should be taught to every student every year By Emma Pratt LAST YEAR at Yale, roughly 1,182 undergraduates enrolled in a class called “Psychology and the Good Life.” It caught the attention of David Schimer, a reporter for The New York Times because the largest lectures offered at Yale don’t exceed 600 students. Dr. Laurie Santos, a psychology professor and head of one of Yale’s residential colleges, taught the class in which students learned how to live a happier life. “Dr. Santos speculated that Yale students are interested in the class because in high school they had to deprioritize their happiness to gain admission to the school,” as reported on the nytimes.com website. High schools are not making happiness a priority. This lack of focus on happiness has consequences. “In reality, a lot of us are
anxious, stressed, unhappy, and numb,” Alannah Maynez, a freshman that took the course, told Mr. Schimer. With students not being taught how to be happy, they begin to numb their emotions. Essentially, they are taught to focus on success rather than emotions. “The fact that a class like this has such large interest speaks to how tired students are of numbing their emotions — both positive and negative — so they can focus on their work, the next step, the next accomplishment,” Maynez said. When students ignore their happiness, they have more time to focus on their work or next step, just like Maynez said. Focusing too much on their work, school, etc., causes it to be one of few things that makes them happy or successful. “No matter what they did, it wasn’t good enough,” Julie Hunt-
er, an assistant teacher at Bradon Forest School, said. She noticed that her students didn’t have selfesteem or self-confidence. So, she introduced a happiness program to the class. Within a year, the students became much calmer, more positive, and were able to identify their feelings. If just one year of a happiness program changed a class’s mindset, imagine what it could do if it was added to a whole curriculum. The lives of many students would be changed. “When we look at a situation, we tend to think of the negatives before the positives. We need to be looking for the good in people and our situations. If the mindset is changed, then the culture will change,” Ms. Gaskins said. According to Ms. Gaskins, mindset is the key. Once the mindset changes from negative to
positive, people begin to feel happier. A class dedicated to teaching happiness would be very beneficial. When students are taught how to change their mindset, it will affect the culture around them. “When we can understand ourselves better, we can become a happier person,” Gaskins said. Mindset is important, especially when struggling with anxiety and depression. Having a class similar to “Psychology and the Good Life” would help students to learn more about themselves and how to be a happier person. “I’ve struggled with a lot of things. Taking psychology has taught me a lot and has helped me be happier. I feel like we should have a class that teaches happiness because it would be beneficial,” Abigail Martin (12) said. Sadly, Dr. Santos is no loncontinued on page 8
Abigail Martin thinks that a happiness class would be beneficial, as long as it were made a priority.
Taking a vacation can do wonders for mental health By Analicia Montoya THERE are many things that make people happy. Things like drawing, singing, writing, and even traveling can all improve one’s mood. Traveling is good for one’s physical wellbeing, and a significant amount of research suggests exploring a new place can do wonders for your mental and emotional health. When people hear the word travel, they think of vacation, meeting new people, or maybe even Instagrammable sunsets. Going new places and experiencing new things is exactly what travel means. Traveling gives you a chance to step away from the daily grind and have a release from the stresses
at home. There is a lot to look forward to and goals to reach when going to new places. The new events and experiments rewire your brain, hence boosting your mood and self-confidence. Anamaria Zambrano (11) experienced self-confidence when traveling. “I went on a vacation to Hidalgo, Mexico where my family is from. I learned so much more about my culture, and when I got home, I felt happier with myself knowing that I am different from others,” Zambrano said. Traveling to where your family is from is important, because you learn new things about yourself and end up feeling happier with yourself
mentally. Seeing the world for yourself will improve your vision and grip on reality. As a teen, traveling with family can be overwhelming and will feel like everything is taking forever to happen. Teenagers are known to be moody, lazy, and obsessed with social media, so they’re sometimes the ones who can make or break a family vacation. It’s important to stay patient with what’s going on and what’s trying to be reached, otherwise you will become a stressor for those around you. Jacqueline Flores (12) had something to say about this. “Me and my family traveled to Texas for the summer, and it was totally a mess for the
drive. Everything was just getting me mad, but I realized that my mom and dad were trying their best to make sure things were gonna go as planned, so I grew patience for them and helped them out by taking care of my younger siblings,” Flores said. Keeping a fresh mindset can help you keep going and look forward to the trip. Also, helping your parents out and making sure they stay calm as well can make everything go smoothly and result in everyone having much more fun. Becoming tolerant and accepting of your own discomforts can lead to feeling confident in one’s ability to navigate ambiguous situations.
Spring Trends
By Paola Estrada SINCE THE beginning of time, clothing trends have always been an important subject in history. Throughout generations, our clothing trends have changed quite a bit. From wearing neon colors and spandex, to bell bottoms in the late 80’s and 2000’s. Fashion has always been a form of expression in a variety of styles. “It makes me feel confident and empowered when I’m able to dress nice for school,” Brain Haro Gonzalez (12) said. Fashion helps express individuality. As we transition into the newer years, we trend to bring older fashion trends back into style. Sometimes that means taking a new approach on older looks. Tracksuit have always been one of my favorite things to wear. They are comfy and also cute,” Belma Kadic (9) said. Tracksuits have come into fashion in and out for decades. They are made out of cotton, polyester, and terry cloth, making them a silky, smooth feeling. They were most popular in the early 1980’s and are on the rise again today. “Chains on pants make an outfit stand out more, like Cardie dresses. Being different helps you stand out when there is a full crowd of people dressing all the same,” Fabian Hernandez Ramirez (10) said. Fashion industries have always relied on artists to influence their audiences through trends of clothing. For example, Cardi B has influenced millions of women and teens to buy clothes off Fashion Nova. Kanye West and Kim Kardashian also pose as large influencers of fashion today.
Belma sports a tracksuit.
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Tri-Color Times VOL. LXIII Issue 8
Student athletes have to go the extra mile By Lina Philip BEING a student athlete requires a goal-oriented mindset. It might be easy for some and harder for others, but being consistent and giving one-hundred percent comes along with it. Motivating players is a priority for coaches and they are one of the top influencers for players. “I motivate my players by making them excited about what they’re doing and why they’re there,” Coach Bewar said. Understanding each player individually is also a big part of coaching. Most players might consider a sport as their second home. “Every player requires something different, so I try to get to know every player to motivate them,” Coach Shipman said. Providing an escape from reality and letting them have their heads in the game is another way of connecting players to the game. Not only does a student athlete have to work extra hard, but they also have to have ambition. “I think what inspired me to love basketball was the love my family had for it and the fact that I can play and get so many emotions out while it helped out physically,” Chancey Leatherwood (12) said. Not all athletes always have positive emotions about a sport, as there may be times athletes
want to quit or they doubt themselves. But many still try to motivate themselves to be positive. “Around last year, towards the middle of the season, I didn’t feel motivated because I felt like nobody believed in me and my abilities to play. I wanted to give up and quit trying but my dad inspired me to continue and not give up on myself,” Ceaser Colorado (12) said. Being a student-athlete is a full-time job; it’s not easy. But in the end, team camaraderie, potential for scholarships, and knowing you’ve been successful makes it all worthwhile. So much effort and time goes into both sports and school, and it’s difficult reaching to be successful at both simultaneously. This is a huge accomplishment, and if you really want it, you’re going to get it. “I want my players to understand that they’re students before athletes. So the sport is just for them to enjoy, but for me it’s their education before anything else,” Coach Bewar said. Good coaching always goes a long way, and for any athletes, having a good relationship with the coach is very important in the sport. Coaches are mentors and want their athletes to become the best version of themselves. This may be why they choose that career. “Making sure you’re mak-
ing a positive impact on players’ lives, teaching them how to grow individually. It’s more than just coaching and more than just a sport,” Coach Vidal said. Some players might be the first generation to go into college with an academic scholarship, and that might be a reason for their success. Players go to practice knowing that their parents are working hard to make sure they have a roof over their heads, clothes on their back, and food on the table. “Not only do I want to make myself proud but also my family, my goal is to become the best version of myself,” Roulervee Vann (12) said. Success looks different in every player, some might stick through for four years knowing they’ll never get to play after that, while some move on to go professional. Others are leaders of the team; it depends on each kid. “What success looks like to me as a player is knowing that I gave my all because when I look back on my games, knowing I didn’t give 100% feels like failure,” Leatherwood said. “For student athletes to be able to have an education is the reason they get academic scholarships and awards,” Coach Shipman said. Scholarships are earned through playing the sport you love while focusing on education.
“My goal for every player is to not limit the opportunities given to them,” Coach Shipman said.
One of Mr. Bernard’s students studies in room E203.
Back on track with CYMC
By Stephanie Gutierrez CONSTRUCTION Youth Mentorship Connection, also known as the CYMC, has allowed many Lancers to get back on track to graduate. This class requires students to take the construction class at the Granite Technical Institute (GTI). Therefore, they will be taking the class at GTI for half the day, and the rest of the day is spent at school doing packets and taking tests once they are ready. “This class is a chance to make up credits by doing online classes in school for two periods each day. The other two periods are spent at GTI doing construction,” Anahken F’agu (12) said. While taking the construction class at GTI, students have the opportunity to gain a lot of knowledge. Gaining skills such as scheduling, leadership and responsibility will get students back on their feet and ready to work. Mr. Bernard said, “It’s impressive to see how much these students have grown from the beginning of the year.” Most students end up having to retake classes because they didn’t go to class or for other reasons that caused them to get behind. Though Mr. Bernard has only been teaching at Granger for one year, he has impacted many students. “The packets feel like they were a lot longer to do rather than being in the class and having it all be easier and faster to finish,”
Osvaldo Castro Cardenas (12) said. The slightest motivation can allow students to know that they are able to succeed and will encourage them to continue striving throughout school. “Getting back on track would’ve been way more complicated and stressful if I didn’t take this class,” Ronaldo Ramos (12) said. The CYMC class has allowed many Lancers to get caught up academically. Though the class is only full of seniors, there is a plan to begin allowing juniors to take the class as well. “I would consider my friends in that class as motivation because we all have the same goal, so we all support each other,” Ramos said. In class, it is required to be focused at all times. If a student decides to slack off or mess around the whole time, they will get kicked out of the class. However, with hard work and determination, the graduation rates at Granger High will slowly start to rise. To this day, Mr. Bernard has helped two students graduate early. He is a great support system and makes sure that all his students aren’t falling behind. “Mr. Bernard has motivated me a lot. When he sees me slacking or unmotivated, he will push me to get everything done,” Jesse Venegas (12) said. “Overall, the credit recovery classes just pushed you to do better and to get things done.”
CTE classes enrich students through hands-on learning opportunities By Tyler Danh CAREER and technical education (CTE) classes are meant to help us find what we can be passionate about or even to find a hobby for the future. CTE can include a variety of things such as cooking, sewing, welding, and includes options for college credit. “I recommend woodworking because it teaches craft skills,” Tonga Falemaka (11) said. Falemaka’s favorite CTE class is woodworking because he loves to do hands-on work. He likes to be able to interact with other students and believes you can save a lot of money in the future if you take this course. Falemaka also plans on taking further woodworking courses in the near future to improve his skills. Moataz Eisa (10) said, “I love working and doing hands-on projects.” The automotive course is Moataz’s favorite CTE class. Moataz has a passion for cars and plans on making it part of his future. He enjoys working on his
car and likes that you can bring your own car to the class. “I like to get my hands dirty,” Francisco Garcia (12) shared. Garcia’s favorite CTE class is Auto II. Garcia likes the class because it is more hands-on work rather than book work. Garcia plans on getting an MK4 Supra in the future and plans on building it from the ground himself. “Class is fun if you put in the work,” Garcia adds. He enjoys cars and definitely wants to make it a future career because it is fun for him. Eduardo Flores (12) is taking child development. He might be the only male enrolled in the class, but he said, “It makes me happy that I know that I can impact children in a positive way.” Flores loves learning how human interaction works, and it not only helps him learn about himself but about other people as well. Ms. Hodgson recommends any of her classes if you really want to be hands-on. You can
make clothes in the sewing class, and she thinks it is a fun course to take to change up your style. If you want to pursue a career in clothing, her fashion design class is for you. “I like making my own creations into stickers,” Isaac Lemus (9) said. Lemus likes taking graphics, and it is his currently favorite CTE class as a freshman. Lemus enjoys making his own creations come to life in clothing and stickers. Lemus recommends graphics if you have not taken it, and he believes you will enjoy the class. Graphics makes Lemus happy because it is fun, and he always looks forward to going to it. “Yearbook is fun because I get to see so many great things about our school,” Adriana Avila (12) shared. Avila’s favorite CTEstyle class was yearbook. Avila likes yearbook because it shows the joy of students and faculty at Granger High. Avila recommends yearbook to get more involved with the school.
Avila met a lot of cool people in yearbook, which will be a CTE class next year.
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Tri-Color Times VOL. LXIII Issue 8
Seniors pursue happiness after graduation
By Miguel Acosta SENIORS have a lot of work to do since graduation is a few weeks away, especially if one has to complete packets and credit recovery. There are a lot of things to look forward to after high school. One might be focusing on whether they will go to an out-of-state or an in-state college or planning their senior trip. Something that most students after high school are scared of is having adult responsibilities. They fear paying bills, doing taxes, working, and making a living on their own. However, one of the things that is feared the most is losing friends. In school, you see your friends in the halls, classrooms, and at lunch. These are the golden moments of our high school experience. They are the people we choose to surround ourselves with nearly every day. However, as high school comes to an end, so might these friendships because everyone goes on their separate paths to accomplish what they desire. We also have to remember our senior year as one of the happiest years in school. Teachers, counselors, and administration are also so happy to see their students graduate and head on to their next
journey in their life. “One of the greatest joys for me as a senior teacher is watching students in my classes work hard and making it to their graduation day,” Ms. Roberts said. “What amazes me is seeing that I actually made it all the way to my graduation day. I’m last kid in my family, and so it’s finally my turn. I’m really excited for graduation. It has been a long 12 years of school, but it will all pay off when I walk across that stage with my head held high because I’m proud of myself for making it to graduation,” Vanessa Hernandez (12) said. Senior Class President, Omar Sanchez (12) had a great senior year. “What made me happy as a senior were the spirit bowls and seeing all the classes participate. There was always bad blood between the seniors and juniors, but the seniors have to represent! I also loved football season. Knowing that I don’t have to run for student government is also somewhat nice. Don’t get me wrong, I loved being president, but it will be good to try new things. I also loved being friends with everyone and seeing everyone enjoy their last year,” he said. As seniors, we can be very competitive at the spirit bowls
or at sporting events; we root on Granger all the way! Some of the best moments are made in those times. “What made my high school years memorable was going to the sports events and rooting on our teams. Those were the best times here. I always came out and supported the team, even though at times I had to walk to the school. Every game was worth it and like they say, ‘Once a Lancer, always a Lancer’. Yet, I feel like I am definitely ready to leave,” Julian Paredes (12) said. For seniors here, a final year means fewer classes to worry about, which makes seniors less stressed and happier, unless they failed classes in the past. If that is the case, then you have work to do. “What I think the best part of being a senior is having lots of home release. I only come to one class and the rest of the time I use to head into work early,” Victor Gallegos (12) said. Something that all seniors can agree on is the best part of being a senior is that it’s the final year of the 12-year school experience and it’s a time for a choice to follow individual passions. Family, friends, and loved ones get to see all that hard work pay off as they clap and call out as their Lancers walk across the stage.
Tri-Color Times Staff Editor in Chief Jelena Dragicevic
Social Media Editor Jocelyn Roberts
Reporters Miguel Acosta Liliana Arreola Landon Burton Erik Carranza Mirella Chamorro Nevaeh Chavez Tyler Danh Angelica Dwight Paola Estrada Elena Flores Axel Gonzalez Nia Johansson Stephanie Gutierrez
Reporters Karla Landeros Alexis McArthur Analicia Montoya Nancy Otuafi Ivan Padilla Lina Philip Emma Pratt Adan Puerta Carlos Salinas Ivan Siete Mosese Sonasi Leilani Tima Karina Zavala
The Tri-Color Times serves as a student forum for student opinion and student expression. The views expressed herein reflect neither the opinions of Adviser John Carlisle and Granger High School, nor those of Granite School District. The Tri-Color Times invites and publishes letters to its editorial board; all letters will be edited for taste, length, and liability.
Tri-Color Times c/o Granger High 3580 South 3600 West West Valley, UT 84119 (385) 646-5320
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Tri-Color Times VOL. LXIII Issue 8
Exploration of hobbies makes life better By Landon Burton EVERYONE has a hobby that makes them happy. Hobbies can be sparked from a number of things and influences, like friends and family. One of the hobbies some Granger students enjoy modeling. “I model because people told me I could do it and I should join and I model at Empire Model and Talent Academy,” Illiana Dennis (10) said. We are very diverse when it comes to students, and when it comes to the students’ lives outside of school, some students are a whole other person. Darius Cunningham (12) has a passion for football, but he has originally started out by doing flag football. “I started doing flag football because my passion for football and the sport is very fun to me and I strive to be the top in the sport,” Cunningham said. We have many sports teams here at Granger, and some Lancers integrate their hobbies into their school life so that they can practice it every day and be better
at what they love. An example of a sport some Lancers participate in is dance. There are many dance studios outside of Granger as well, and Katt Wilson (12) took advantage of that and has danced her whole high school career and even before high school. “Dancing has been my passion before freshman year, but I really took off with it in 9th grade and loved it ever since,” Wilson said. The hobbies outside of school are the ones that take the most time, because those students often juggle school, homework, having a job, life in general, and their hobby. Soccer is another big hobby many Granger Lancers are involved in. Our school has a team, but there are a lot of community teams outside of school and one of our Lancers is apart of a community team. “I love to play soccer and have my biggest fan out in the crowd,” Aleks Moctezuma (12) said. Lancers are very busy with their lives and usually only have one hobby, because balancing
school, work, and a social life can be a lot already. But some Lancers can do all of that and engage with two or more hobbies as well. “I do so many things, but it’s everything I love to do so I continue to do it. It is stressful at times but that’s my life: busy,” Diana Ruiz (11) said. Ruiz has four hobbies: she plays tennis, walks dogs, is on the debate team, and volunteers at the animal shelter whenever she can. The hobbies she participates in are her passions, so she puts her all into those hobbies. Hobbies don’t have to be extracurricular activities, as some people actually base their job around their hobbies in an effort to make money doing what they love. Some may even have the hopes of one day making it their career and having the ability to retire off of it. “I volunteer at the hospital a lot and do GTI for nursing and am an assistant that learns about medicine, medical utensils, and a lot of other things. I love what I’m doing and hope one day I can make this my full time life.
Parker and Jett enjoy acting, and it’s a hobby they hope to continue.
I’ve been wanting to be a doctor since I was six and my dad pushed me to pursue it and I’m grateful he did,” Andrea Lopez Torres (12) said. Enjoying the outdoors is a nice hobby as well. Fresh air, exercise, and enjoying a gorgeous view are some things that are enticing about this hobby. There are a number of beautiful places to visit in Utah alone. One can go the mountains in the winter and there are various activities in do in the snow, and in the spring and summer when things start to warm up there are many hiking trails to choose from. “I go to my cabin and I have a lot of fun in the win-
ter. I snowboard and walk through the snow with snowshoes, and in the summer, I go boating and hiking. I love the outdoors and being active,” Nathan Musselman (12) said. Our administrators also have hobbies and lives outside of work, just like all of us. There are very interesting. For example, Ms. Oliver has visited countless places during her summer vacations with her parents. “I’m going on a cruise to Alaska this summer and to Oregon with my parents after that. I’ve been all over the United States and have gone to Mexico and many more places,” Ms. Oliver said.
Work benefits make Lancers happy
“I love how comfortable and happy I am with my boyfriend,” Cecilia said
Relationships contribute to happiness By Erik Carranza EVERYONE has different types of friends they have or that they want in their life to make them happy. Choosing friends can be really hard, especially when you’re somewhere that you haven’t been in for a long time. Each human being is different in their own way, and their unique identity includes the way they dress, the way they act, the way they talk, and overall just everything about them and what they enjoy. Family can also be the ones that bring someone happiness, as they can be great people to spend time with at home when friends aren’t around. Eduardo Galvan (12) has a lot of friends that he looks up to and appreciates because of their amazing personalities and senses of humor. Galvan also has a little sister that is 15-years-old. “I love my little sister because of all the things she does for me. She makes me happy because she’s always going out of her way to help me with things I need to do even if she has a lot on her plate,” he said. Supportive people can be a big part of one’s life, as they are the kind of people that can help when times get rough and help out whenever you’re mad or upset. Alex Rojas (9) also has a lot of friends and family members that make him happy. These people include his dad, sister, and cousins, but Rojas said that his mom has been one of the most supportive people in his life. “I love my mom, she means
the world to me. I honestly don’t know what I would do or where I would be without my mom, she supports so much me with my grades by telling me to stay on top of them and also with my hobbies like playing basketball,” Rojas said. Many moms are always going to be there to assist their kids whenever they can. Unfortunately, not everyone has a mom. “You’re not always going to have her by your side, so take advantage of the time you have and make the best of it,” Rojas said. Brotherhood is something really important to many people, as a brother can be someone that provides confidence, gives you strength, spends time with you, and gives you comfort. Nathan Harris (9) is a student at Granger High School and has a little brother named Ryan. “My brother makes me happy because of the quality time we spend together,” Harris said. Some things that Harris does with his brother are play video games and talk about what goes on in their lives. The Harris brothers also try their best to enlighten each other’s spirits. There are so many ways that people can make other happy. Tanner Smith’s (11) mom has many ways to make him happy and show him that she truly cares about him. Smith says she is super helpful whenever he is feeling frustrated or just needs assistance with little things. “I love and appreciate my
mom so much for everything she does for me, I love how I can go to her for anything, even when I am just bored and want to spend some time with her,” Smith said. Smith says that he wishes he could do more for his mom. He tries his best to show him mom the same energy he receives from her so she can feel happy as well. Most of the time, being around family is going to feel good. Your family is always going to be by your side when you’re alone and is going to be there quickly whenever something is needed. Sometimes it can be hard to express one’s feelings to their family. When talking to family is not an option, though, other people can help. Cecilia Merino (12) feels like her boyfriend makes her the happiest. Merino said that she loves her boyfriend because of all of the things that they have in common and all of the memories that they have made together so far. “I love it how we can do so much together and not get bored,like skateboarding and listening to the same music,” Merino said. Having somebody in life that has the same interests as you and loves doing the same things is fun, because you don’t have to feel like you’re doing something you don’t like just to make them happy. Merino appreciates the little things that her boyfriend does for her like when he buys her things. She appreciates that he knows what to say and when to say it.
By Axel Gonzalez SOMETIMES people get jobs at places they would like to work in order to get benefits there. Some people have worked before in multiple jobs and mainly like working there because they got some really good benefits. For example, there are employee discounts or sometimes free items that are offered to workers. Discounts at some places are really good and could save you a lot of money. “Associates are eligible for a 30 percent discount and occasionally 50 percent on all regular priced, sale priced and clearance merchandise purchases made all at Footlocker,” as reported on the glassdoor.com website. This makes people want to work there because shoes and other things at Footlocker can get really expensive, and those discounts make a big difference on the prices. A lot of different benefits make people happy and make them want to stay at their jobs. “At my job, we get free food, and since we work in the same building as Burger King and Beans & Brew, we get whatever we want there for free as well. That gives us a few more options on what to get for lunch,” Alex Guardado (12) said. That makes them happy because everyone likes getting things for free. Work benefits that make employees happy do not always regard money. “More companies need to consider the benefit of offering employees a flexible work schedule. Many professionals are looking to gain more freedom as it relates to their time.” Nicole K. Webb said on the forbes.
com website. This is does not just make employees happy, but it also makes the owner happy because it saves them a lot of money. To keep people happy, some need to get benefits that include extra money. “Bonuses always make me happy because it’s extra money for doing your job right. Paid time off also makes me happy because you get to miss work and still get paid. Insurance also helps a lot with medical bills and it helps you save money,” Jerzie Johnson (12) said. Extra money for people is always a benefit and has the potential to make them happy. Tuition reimbursement is always good for employees as well. “The main intention of education reimbursement is to encourage employees to take classes so that they can get where they need to. When the workforce is educated, it means that they are more productive. Developing their skills at workplace makes them happier,” as reported on the content.wisestep.com website. When you work for a company and they help pay for your education it makes you want to stay where you are. When employees are happy, it also makes them do better at work. “A study from the University of Warwick found that happiness results in a 12 percent spike in employee productivity. They also found that unhappy workers were 10 percent less productive than average,” recruiter.com said. That means that if employers keep their workers happy, it will benefit them and makes them happy as well because their company will do better.
Job benefits make Jerzie Johnson happy.
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Tri-Color Times VOL. LXIII Issue 8
Relationships don’t have a price tag By Carlos Salinas NO MATTER how much money someone has, they can never truly have everything. There are some things that no amount of money can going buy. Even the richest people can’t buy happiness. Efrain Alaniz (9) believes that the not even the richest people can be truly satisfied with just the status of being wealthy. The millionaires can’t just buy their way out of problems. Hiring people to be close friends is out of the question as well. “You can’t just buy friendship with money. I think if people really have to pay other people to be their friend, then it really shows a lack of good character. All it really does is prove the fact that they are not in a state of well-being,” Alaniz said. Alaniz talked about how a lot of people would do anything to get financial stability, and that if someone were being paid to be friends with someone, they might just want to be a little nicer if it means getting a raise. “Nobody being paid to be around you is going to be their true self. No matter the money, you can’t buy real friendship. A true friendship is built by trust and experiences, not by money,” Alaniz said. Marcos Trejo (9) believes that money doesn’t exactly equal the best life; that money is a solution for many problems in this society,
but living the best life isn’t one of them. “We hear the phrase all the time, ‘Money can’t buy happiness’. There are people that say you could buy a dog that would bring happiness into your life. Money is useful, but buying one dog isn’t going to fix all the problems in the world,” Trejo said. Trejo agrees that money doesn’t equal the best quality of life. He questions that if that were true, everyone below the mark of rich would be miserable. “In my life, there are plenty of things that bring happiness without having a bill attached to it. My friends are one example of that, they’re real and don’t just hang around me because of whatever my financial status may be,” Trejo said. Peter Cohan wrote about money and millionaires. “He donated the vast majority of his fortune to charities, foundations and universities during the last few years of his life, keeping it from his heirs in an apparent effort to lead them to useful, worthy lives,” as stated on the inc.com website. Andrew Carnegie is a wealthy person who instead of making money, he chose to give money away. Carnegie found the result of donating money to worthy causes ended up bringing him more happiness than making money. One thing that you definitely can’t buy is a loving family. Most
of us are born and raised in a family. Others have to realize who their true family is after many years of self-reflection and finding the people who love them. It doesn’t matter how much money is in the bank account, happiness that comes from a real family can’t be bought. Jeanette Valentin (10) knows a thing or two about family. “There’s no way anyone could buy my family from me. My family is not for sale, but I don’t have to pay for them either,” Valentin said. She claims that no one can buy a real family to love and support them like hers do. Family is built over years of trust and emotional support. No one can rush the process of learning to love family- especially not with money. “It’s never going to be the same if you pay people to be your family. My family brings joy to my life each time I need them. They support me and money is never going to take them away from me. I wouldn’t be someone’s fake family member even if they paid me,” Valentin said. These Lancers experience happiness on a daily basis; happiness that never costs a cent. It turns out that all of these Lancers have one thing in common with their happiness: happiness comes from the relationships in their lives.
Jeanette knows that her supportive family won’t be bribed away with a couple million bucks.
Overcome obstacles to reach goals By Karla Landeros STUDENTS have always been expected to set up goals and strive for them. Goals can range in complexity, but they all have something in common. If the student is determined enough, after completing their goal, they’ll finish feeling successfully accomplished. Hard work always pays off, and it’s not always about reaching the goal, but the hard way built in order to reach it. A goal is hard to accomplish, to a students it may sometimes feel like an impossible mission. Obstacles and wrong turns can affect the outcome of a goal really negatively if one is not careful. Planning is crucial, and taking small steps is recommended. On the way to accomplishing one’s goals, there is going to be frustration and lessons will be learned from mistakes. It only requires practice and effort. Setting smaller goals that progress to the main goal can help one go at a slower pace. It sets
goals that are easier to achieve and prepares to one do bigger and better each time. Smaller steps are better for building character and strengthening a person. “Start slow, and as time progresses you should take bigger and bigger bumps than just going for it,” Janeth Vera (10) said. People tend to go for the bigger steps and rush everything. Everyone jumps ahead of themselves. As a consequence, they don’t practice or notice their mistakes. In addition, when setting bigger goals, a large amount of faith is essential when trying to accomplish something. Just like with smaller steps, they tend to be easier and are easier to control. It may be easier to trip and fall during the small steps, but eventually the main goal will be reached. Expecting a lot from any kind of effort can get really frustrating after a while. Getting a feeling that a goal isn’t achievable is common. Alternatively, frustration can lead to motivation. Frus-
tration is just a sign to change a goal’s path or change the way it is being done. Feeling frustrated is something that can motivate a student to work harder and put in more effort. “There are times during the process where I feel like I’m frustrated, but that motivates me to accomplish my goals,” Kilisiana Matangi (9) said. Goals can also make many people unhappy. Trying to achieve the impossible frustrates most, but others don’t bother to get goals set up. Time is limited, and some people don’t care about goals as long they do their job correctly. “It is not worth my time, I’m too busy taking care of things not goal-related,” Drea Dumas (9) said. When striving to reach a goal, obstacles will have to be overcome. Hardships are hard to overcome, but there will always be gains from the pain. Every misfortune will always teach something new. It is always better to look at the brighter side.
For Sanchez- creator and certified meme lord.
Lancers create their own memes
By Ivan Padilla MEMES are something that most youth and even adults partake in, so much so that it reaches the point of debauchery. “I have an addiction actually,” Efrain Alaniz (9) said. Now, there is nothing wrong with indulging in memes, as they can even be helpful. “Whenever I was in a stressful situation, I would use memes to make humor out of it. I would make my own memes, so it was more personal and funnier for me,” Brittany Peterson (11) said. Although they can be a distraction from the duties of work or school, they always find a way to make us happy. Memes are a medium for the medicine of mankind: humor. Memes have become a cultural staple in the modern life of the average person. It has allowed us to connect to people online in a way not seen on the internet before. The common man can now vent some of his/her daily frustrations or stresses and even get some due credit and attention in the process. “I look at memes to distract me from stress, and I make them to cope with it,” Peterson said. Besides coping with the stressors of life, there are some memelords who are in it to keep up the reputation they have built up in their formative years in school. “I wanted to continue my reputation of being the funny kid online,” Harley Zissi (9) said. Zissi was always the class clown in middle school. Going to high school, Zissi was unsure of how to continue to do what her namesake would say. So, she looked to the internet. Along with a reputation of humor another, and dare I say noble, cause for the spreading of these online jokes is to make people laugh. “It brings me happiness to see others laugh,” Steven Sanchez (9) said. Sanchez along with the meme addict Alaniz are the two jokers responsible for such slips of paper that include Backyardigans role play, Kermit strapped down by Legos, join the religion, nugs not drugs, and many more.
These entertaining memes spread around the school and bring smiles to all who lay eyes upon them. Amongst many friend groups, who the culprits of these memes were was a mystery. Coming face to face with the legends themselves was satisfying. More interestingly is how these two creators differ in personality and even humor. Alaniz had the motivation to create and post these up in order to make people laugh, but also to get people to talk about them. He enjoyed the anonymity and the smiles that the memes brought. “I don’t like ones that don’t make sense,” Alaniz said. He just wants to make people laugh, and as a result of this, he does not like edgy memes or jokes about terrible things. Sanchez is in a more in-between state when it comes to the veil that obscures his identity. He enjoys listening to people talk about them as he walks on by, but he also likes the surprise when people find out it was him the entire time. “I like dark humor more than other kinds,” Sanchez said. He thinks that what you can joke about is up to the crowd. The process of making these memes is a somewhat length one for these two creators. They first must come up with a concept. They see what pictures they like and what they could caption it. After they have made the meme, they send it to friends. “I send them to friends, and if they laugh, then it is funny enough,” Sanchez said. If they are not funny enough, he will add or subtract from it. One word or phrase at a time, and this will continue until he makes his friends laugh. “I have them lined up,” Sanchez said. Alaniz and Sanchez have a whole folder of these spicy memes and even have some that are date specific for certain school-related activities or just when something big is coming. So expect more of these delightful jokes to be posted throughout the year, and with that, expect more joy and happiness to follow.
April 2019, page 6
Tri-Color Times VOL. LXIII Issue 8
Lancer athletes always find a way
For role models, Anthony looks up to his dad and to Allen Iverson.
Athletes have lots of role models By Angelica Dwight A ROLE MODEL is someone you can look up to, count on to set an example, and someone for you to believe in. Whether that be in general or in sports, a majority of people would say they do have someone to look up to. It is especially important for athletes to have role models as a way to gain guidance in their sport. Role models can vary from coaches to parents to celebrities. All athletes have a coach or teacher that shows them right from wrong in their activity. Some would even say coaches are their greatest role models. Usually, coaches have already played and starred in their sport, which is why they are qualified to coach. Journals.sagepub.com reported that, “Studies show that children usually look to their parents when they need athletic guidance.” Some studies also show that sports are hereditary in the sense that a child is usually interested in the sport their parents played. Athletic educators are very important and needed. Role models are definitely needed to succeed in your sport. Being an athlete can come with many different challenges besides just playing the sport. Many athletes would say they automatically become a role model when they are older or when they are more experienced in the activity. Celebrity athletes can face great pressure when people are watching all that they do, simply because they’re famous. Similarly, by being an athlete, you can assume that you are also watched carefully by children or other athletes. Physchologytoday.com reported that, “Athletes are role models whether or not they choose to take on the responsibility.” With athletes being looked up to constantly, whether they choose to or not, perhaps they should take on the responsibility of setting a good example to not only their peers but everyone who watches them. Physchologytoday.com also reported that, “Athletes have an
incredible opportunity to use their ‘celebrity’ power or influence to positively direct the next generation.” Many athletes locally have their own opinion on role models. The majority of athletes here at Granger High School have said they do in fact have role models. Anjelus Lettig (12), president of the drill team, said that her older sister was the one who influenced her to dance, and she feels that newer dancers look up to her as their role model. Anthony Chacon (10), a football, basketball, and baseball player, said that his role models are his dad and Allen Iverson. He also states that his sibling and other players look up to him, so he likes to set a good example for them. Many people look up to athletes—not only for their sport but as a person. A good athlete will always be a role model whether they are playing on the field or not. Jaydon Semeli (11), varsity basketball player, said he constantly feels like a role model to not only younger basketball players but also to general people who don’t play sports. Athletes are natural role models. One question to ask is if having a role model makes someone a better athlete. Having someone to look up to for guidance and reassurance in a sport, or maybe just in general, could benefit many athletes. The majority of people have role models, but maybe they would perform differently if they didn’t have one. Many believe that having a role model does have an influence on performing better in a sport. Role models are very much needed to set a good example as a person and how to perform well in the activity. Everyone has role models— especially athletes. Most athletes even become role models in their sport without trying to be. Role models are someone to look up to for direction. Whether that’s a parent, coach, or celebrity, role models are important and needed to perform well in a variety of activities.
By Leilani Tima THERE is always a time when everyone has a problem about something, particularly on sports. Athletes here at Granger have experienced problems in their lives when it comes the sports they play. Everything isn’t easy when it comes to playing sports. Although, through experience and time, athletes learn how to become better every second. “I just do a lot of practice in my free time and I consider what coaches tell me what to improve on,” Jennifer Bano (12) said. Bano explains how in order to keep trying and improving, she has to work hard and always listen to what her coaches tell her. It is important to always listen and reconsider every bit of feedback that has been given. People around the world make mistakes, but they find ways to get back up on their feet and keep pushing through, because they find motivation and purpose through the sport they play. “What motivates me is just that I’m not a quitter and I want to get past through everything,” Malachi Lolin (12) said. Lolin explained how his regular life is different than his athletic life. When he plays, he plays seriously and with anger. Not all athletes play for the same reason though. Athletes have different reasons and inspirations for why they joined a sport. Many people join more than one sport, and yet they are happy, and it helps them become successful students here at Granger. Everyone always tries their best when it comes to a certain sport that they’re interested in. A sport can certainly help someone get good grades, and it can be their motivator to try their best in school. “The reason why I love to play a sport is because it can help me get into my work,” Monica DeBrum (10) said. DeBrum described that the reason why she’s doing so well in school is because of the sport that she’s in right now, which is softball. Softball is a sport that she’s been working hard on, and because the coaches want her to have good grades, she does her best in school.
DeBrum is glad that she’s on track with her work, and she is thankful for the courage she had to join a sport. Because of softball, DeBrum has always worked hard and she feels that softball is the reason why she’s always on track with her work. As said before, many people have different reasons why they may want to join a sport. It could be for fun, for experience, and so many more things. However, Brianna Suazo (10) has always had many reasons why she felt courageous enough to try out for the drill team here at Granger. She’s currently an Excalibur and she has so much talent in that class. “Who or what inspires me is a lot of dancers I see,” Suazo said. She explained how she tries really hard to be like some dancers that really inspire her and motivate her to work hard. Even though Brianna has inspirations, she still works hard for her own benefit. Dancing is a sport that she feels is the best for her and she feels she will cherish this sport for the rest of her life. She also hopes to inspire many dancers like her one day, and to let them know that they should never give up no matter how hard it gets. No matter how hard things may get, nobody should ever give up on their passion. Even though it can be hard at times, no one should fall and not ever get back
up. In fact, they should always get up, brush it off, and keep going forward. Many people can help someone get back up if their intentions are to help succeed. “Honestly I’ve been falling down a lot, but having the right friends will help you get back on your feet and keep trying,” Bano said. Bano explained how everyone should have a group of friends or at least a friend that wants them to succeed. It’s beneficial for that person and their friend when they help each other succeed in something. She adds how not everybody has to be friends with the popular group or have fake friends. That’ll be a toxic relationship. Someone should always have friends that will always be there for them and lifts them up. Friends will help you push through with anything. People can have so many problems in the sports that they’re in, but they’ll always find the solution to their problems. It’s never impossible to think outside the box and just become positive with every problem that someone would have. Always find a way to solve the problem instead of giving up so quickly. Giving up is always easy, but everyone should challenge themselves and think of how they can deal with the problem that they’re in. It’s better to find the solution instead of getting stuck in the problem.
Brianna feels she will cherish dance for the rest of her life.
April 2019, page 7
Tri-Color Times VOL. LXI Issue 7
Athletic effort brings rewards
Lancers play with family, not just classmates By Adan Puerta GOING from not knowing anyone in the first week of practice to becoming best friends and having that special bond: having each other’s back in any situation and everywhere. They’re so close that no one can break up that bond: from eating together during lunch to playing with each other in the game—not just being friends, but brothers and sisters while having those family bus rides to games and dinner nights. Sports teams have an unbelievable bond. Football players bring a different vibe from the rest of the teams since they are bigger and have more spirit. Having those Friday night games with everyone from the whole school and community come out to watch brings out such a unique energy. Football games really bring out the family feelings in every student. “Coming into the program, I didn’t know anyone, so I went from that to eventually knowing the whole team and even some of their family,” Machael Magallenes (11) said.
Softball has the same spirit. “Getting my players together and making sure they are inclusive to one another is what I prioritize,” Mr. Vidal said. Coming into the softball program two years ago as the new head coach, Vidal really tried to find ways to have the team connect. He did this by letting the team members find a partner and work out together. Being in those tough moments with one another builds trust and a bond. “Being a part of a team is great because you are in a group that pushes each other to become a better version of themselves,” Patricio Vazquez (10) said. He has been on the wrestling team for two years and is already doing better because of the support the team provides. The wrestlers connect with one another really quickly and makes sure to make everyone feel welcome. “I love getting to have fun with friends while competing,” Lincoln Lindsey (9) said. Not many people like golf, but these people enjoy it, and that is what makes it really fun.
“I like being a part of a team because you get to know more people and connect with others more,” Eli Flores (10) said. Teammates help each other balance the stress of being a student-athlete, which is great when someone is going through a difficult time. “I loved competing as a family and giving it our all on the court” Celena Clark (10) said. She wasn’t going to play volleyball, but she tried out and made it on the team. It was hard being a newbie, but the team welcomed her and made her feel better. “We all know each other and hang outside of school,” Clark said. “I enjoyed competing with the others on my team,” Eric Maeata (10) said. “As part of the football team, all of us became so close. Nothing was personal but rather shared amongst the team,” Maeata said. However, these incredible bonds extend to the families and parents that support the teams. So many of them provide food and organize dinners for teams that allow everyone to bond together.
Sports make teens more confident and happy By Alexis McArthur MANY STUDENTS at Granger High School play sports. However, it is the ones that play multiple sports that really stand out and are the main focus of this topic. Athletes are generally more happy and successful in everyday life because they play sports. This is normally because athletes are inherently more social and outgoing. Studies show that being a part of a sports team or club during adolescence helps integrate students into society. “It helps stop young people from going down the wrong path and keeps them involved in good things,” HansPeter Hutter said, as reported on the sciencedaily.com website. Rayden Boguslawski (12) is an athlete of three sports. He plays football, wrestles, and participates in track and field. Boguslawski said that his favorite sport is football and he has been playing it for five years. “I love playing multiple sports because it helps me keep my grades up and stay out of trouble. I like to stay active.” He also said that he has been doing wrestling and track for four years. “Since I’m always doing something, I sustain injuries more often, but I love sports so it’s a small price to pay.” “Being involved with three sports can be difficult at times when I’m trying to balance them all and figure out my schedule, but I have a passion for sports so it makes it all worth it,” Kelis Brown (12) said. Brown is a cheerleader, a gymnast, and is on the track team. “I like being a
multi-sport athlete because all the sports kind of connect in a way. They all have aspects that help me with the other ones,” Brown said. When it comes to why sports make people happy, Robert Tabile (12) gave a great response. He said, “Playing sports makes me happy because it keeps me out of trouble and keeps me in shape.” Tabile plays football, baseball, and is on the wrestling team. “Playing sports has taught me to never give up and always finish what I start.” Tabile said that his dad is the main reason he plays sports. “Wrestling is probably my favorite because football and baseball are both team sports so you all work towards a common goal, but wrestling is completely an individual sport and it has taught me a good work ethic.” Gates Leatherwood (12) plays both volleyball and softball. She has been playing softball for fourteen years and volleyball for six years. “I like being a multisport athlete because I like being a part of a team and making new friends.” Leatherwood also added that sports have helped her learn how to be a good leader and how to have confidence in herself. She added, “The hardest thing about being a multi-sport athlete is being able to manage my time because sometimes my sports clash with each other, so when I got home after having softball and volleyball practice, I wouldn’t have any motivation to do homework because I was so exhausted.” Leatherwood said that playing sports has helped her
feel confident on the field, on the court, and in every other aspect of her life. “I’ve been playing baseball for fourteen years now and have participating in swim for two years,” Lance Larson (12) said. Larson has been on the baseball team since his sophomore year and stopped doing swim his senior year to devote most of his time to baseball. “Playing two sports has helped me learn to work on a team and has taught me to give everything I do my best effort,” said Larson. “The hardest part about playing two sports is trying to make sure you’ve done everything you need to outside of sports- especially when it comes to grades.” Destenee Zumwalt (12) is the true definition of a multi-sport athlete. Zumwalt plays seven sports: karate, basketball, track and field, tennis, soccer, and golf. “Karate is my favorite because I’ve been doing it the longest and it has helped me improve as an athlete and as a person.” Zumwalt added that in karate, to be able advance to a higher belt rank, they have to read books as well as advance physically. She continued, “To someone that’s thinking about playing multiple sports, I would tell them to know their limits.” Zumwalt also said that working out before and after school helps her retain information better which in turn helps her excel in school as well as sports. Students who participate in multiple sports are finding new ways to push their limits and succeed in every aspect of their lives.
By Karina Zavala WHEN IT comes to playing a sport and being part of a team, there’s a lot of effort that has to be put into it so you can succeed. Whether it’s competing or it’s the first game or the last meet, you need to push yourself and keep putting in effort so you can do better than the last time. The feeling of winning a game or improving during a meet is one of the best feelings someone can experience. “I feel amazing winning a game, especially if it wasn’t just me but also my teammates that had their work pay off, too,” Kaleb Breeze (10) said. Sharing the win as a team makes everything better because all the struggle and hard work pays off collectively. It adds to the unity of the team, which can only help everyone’s performance. “After improving in a race, I feel proud because it was worth all the sweat and hard work during practice,” Matt Brooks (12) said. When playing a game or competing in a meet, it’s up to oneself to choose what strategies they want to take onto the field and what to leave behind. Either there’s improvement, or there is not. What is learned in practice can be made better during a game. “After winning, I feel motivated because it helps me with my drive, especially after a good game,” Breeze said. “When I improve in a meet, I feel extra motivated; it teaches me to be better, and I push myself even more,” Claudia Lopez (12) said. Of course, winning isn’t a thing someone has to do on their own. There also needs to be commitment from the teammates and the coaches. “I feel proud of my coaches when we improve as a team because all the struggle they put in also pays off,” Lopez said. Sometimes, there are those times when a team doesn’t do its best. There will always be times when life is challenging and loss occurs, but that loss and mistakes can help one to improve and become strong in their craft. “When I lose a game, I take it as a learning opportunity because Coach J has taught me to accept it and
move on,” Breeze said. “Even if we don’t win, I still feel proud of my team because I know we all made an effort,” Melissa Zavala (9) said. In a sport, it’s all about learning new techniques. So even if one way didn’t work out, there can be another technique that might work better. “The work you put in pays off because with time you can get better,” Zavala said. Overall, putting in hard work can be one of the best things because it can lead to great things. Sometimes, it can even lead to scholarships because of all the hard work that’s put into a sport. A person can choose what kind of effort is put into their sport, and that effort can say a lot about someone. “In one of my first races, I didn’t do well, and I wanted to give up, but I’m glad I didn’t because I’m doing so much better now,” Brooks said. “Last season, I was able to compete at state for track. I felt proud because all the work I put in throughout the season was paying off,” Lopez said. Having the opportunity to compete at state can also be a great feeling because the effort being put throughout the season is building up to one big thing. Just the fact of being at state can be satisfying for people. “I’m excited for this season. I feel really confident and prepared. I’ll be running the 400, 800, and 4x4. I know what I’m getting ready for,” Brooks said. Knowing what a person is working towards can be a good thing because there is only focus on a certain thing. If during practice there’s focus on different things, it makes it hard to know what someone is working towards. Winning a game can be a good feeling for athletes. It can be one of the best feelings that makes an athlete happy. Anyone can do good in a sport, but it all depends on the effort being made. Sharing the victory with teammates and coaches makes a person feel good because everyone played a part in that victory. Appreciate yourself and everyone in a team and also the coaches. It’s the best way to work up to a win.
“All the work I put in throughout the season was paying off,” Lopez said.
April 2019, page 8
Tri-Color Times VOL. LXIII Issue 8
Book Review: ON THE COME UP By Liliana Arreola BRI IS a 16-year-old junior in high school. She wants to go into the music industry like her dad, but her mom, Jay, doesn’t want her to. Her dad passed away when she was young, so she didn’t know that much about him aside from his music. She was inspired by his music and other rappers like Tupac, Biggie, Lauryn Hill, and Nas. Jay wants Bri to focus on school and score well on the ACT. But Bri signs up for The Ring, which is where people go to battle. She battles a known rapper, but she is still able to win him in the ring. Her father’s old manager, Supreme, was watching her battle and later tells her she did well, just like her father. Bri has a song and lets Supreme listen to it, and he loves it. Supreme later helps Bri put a song up on Dat Cloud where everyone who is just starting in the music industry puts their music. Everyone is listening to the song where she lives, even at the school she attends. The song talks about things that had happened to her at school. The song is a story about how things are around her neighborhood that no one talks about as well as how she is treated at school. Some people, like her aunt, heard the song and didn’t think she should put it out there for others to hear, but she did anyway. She wanted everyone to know about the things that happen where she is from. Not everyone goes through the same things and
that is what Bri wants people to understand. Bri wants things to get better there and ultimately get better for her and her family. Bri has a manager, her aunt, who has always motivated her to
go into the music industry. But Bri’s aunt doesn’t help Bri get into more things to help get her further in the music industry. Supreme later asks Bri if he could help her to be more known by people. She knows Jay won’t be happy about it and doesn’t tell her anything. Everyone knows Bri has it in her to become more and do good things. Jay doesn’t think it is good for her to go into the music industry because her dad died after getting started in the music industry. Bri goes against Jay and doesn’t want to listen to her about her going into music. At home it is hard for them to have things- sometimes they don’t have food or heat, and they can’t buy new clothes or shoes. Bri’s family is used to just using
what they already have. Bri wanted to change that and make sure they had everything they need, but she also wanted to make Jay and her older brother happy. Her family got an eviction notice, so making music changes from something she wants to do to something she has to do for her family. Her family is her first priority, and she knows she has to put them first even when they say they don’t need the help and encourage her to just focus on school. The messages in this book can be applied to real life. If you’re an upcoming artist on SoundCloud, don’t give up on the dream to make it big one day. Keep going and let out music people want to hear. Don’t just makes songs for your friends to hear, make them known in your school and your neighborhood. If one song doesn’t help, keep making songs and one of them will be worth the work you put in. Make music because it is something you love doing. If you are motivated to help your family, work harder every day and make sure people know who you are and that they know your story. It can get difficult and be stressful but make that the reason you keep going in the music industry. It can be hard to keep going because people are judging you or they say it’s bad, but there are people who will love what you are doing and want to see you succeed. Just keep thriving for yourself and make yourself happy with the people who listen to your music and are singing the lyrics.
Happiness in the Curriculum cont.
continued from page 8 ger teaching “Psychology and the Good Life.” “Large courses can be amazing every once in a while, but it wouldn’t be fair to other courses and departments to take all of their students away. It causes conflict, and we can’t afford to offer this every year in terms of teaching fellows and resources,” Dr. Ahn, head of the psychology department at Yale, told the New York Times. When a large number of stu-
dents signs up for a course that teaches them how to be happy, that means students are feeling overwhelmed and don’t know how to deal with their emotions. Having this course every year therefore might be beneficial to the students, but it might not be fair to the other classes. If the students had been taught earlier on, then the problems associated with having this class wouldn’t be such a problem. By including the class in the second-
ary educational system, students would learn how to be happy and balance their emotions from a younger age. Today, students are taught that success leads to happiness. There is no happiness included in the education system. Happiness is not a class that students can take. It is not incorporated into the lessons they are taught. It is not a club they can join. Happiness is an emotion that everyone should get to experience.
Anthony jamming out while checking out what’s new on social media.
Lancers like their apps By Ivan Siete CELLPHONES are so common in today’s world. It’s a device that many people use in everyday life. Many people spend endless hours on their device. Most of the time, students are on social media platforms. Teenagers are on their phone on average for about nine hours per day. The most popular app for teenagers is Instagram. Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter are other popular ones as well. Every teenager is different, and they might like one app more than another. Other students enjoy lifestyle, gaming, sports, or other apps more than social media apps. Many types of students enjoy gaming apps and spend many hours on them because it creates a happy feeling. Some popular gaming apps would include Candy Crush Saga, Subway Surfer, and Fortnite. There are times when these games can get very irritating, but so can other appsespecially social media apps. David Brown (11) enjoys playing 8-Ball Pool. Brown has spent many hours on the app and has become really good at it. Brown enjoys it because he’s gotten good enough to the point where he’s winning most of the time. Brown enjoyed starting from zero and working his way up to where he is now. Even if there isn’t a big portion of teens that are sports fans, there are also apps that help keep track of any sports teams. The ESPN and Yahoo Sports app would be the best apps to check scores, standings, and winners for any sport. There are fitness apps that will track eating, running, and sleeping habits to provide a healthier lifestyle. These healthy habits combined can help with stress, anxiety, or even just a more efficient lifestyle. Johnny Mejia (12) is a huge sports fan and keeps up with the NBA and soccer leagues. Mejia enjoys the ESPN Fantasy Sports app. Mejia has his own fantasy basketball team and he enjoys the app because he can create a fantasy league with his friends. He likes that he’s able to be competitive with his friends. Christian Robertson (12) loves his Messages app. “I’m on it all day, every day,” Robertson said. Robertson loves how communication is fast and effortless. Robertson is really into business and his Messages app helps him network with many people to set up different things. Robertson
loves it when he gets a message first because it lets him know people need him for something. On average, there are over six billion SMS messages sent by phone. That number doesn’t include apps like, Facebook Messenger, Snapchat, Whatsapp, and built in messengers like Instagram and Twitter. Messaging is a fast way of communication that many people use. Leo Perez (12) also loves his messenger app. Five hours of his day is spent on the Messenger app. Perez likes it because of its fast communication. Perez also enjoys playing iMessage games. He likes playing games like Pool, Cup Pong, and UNO. “I hand out L’s like hotcakes,” Perez said. Danny Rayos (12) loves Snapchat. Rayos isn’t on the app too much: an average two hours a day. Rayos loves the messaging techniques it uses through pictures and videos. He also loves how Snapchat can save memories and show them to others as a method to catch up with friends. Facebook is one of the most popular apps used by millions of people around the globe. It was created in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and other Harvard roommates. Facebook has changed the way people communicate, interact, and keep up with each other. Jason Rivera (12) enjoys being on Facebook and he’s on it for about five to six hours a day. Rivera likes going on Facebook to see what his friends are up to, and he loves seeing all the funny videos and pictures. Rivera created his Facebook account when he was in 5th grade and has been on it for a while now. YouTube is also a very popular app. YouTube is a video sharing platform and is run through Google. Google is the most popular search engine to date. On average there are five billion videos watched per day. Anyone can find anything on YouTube. From finding funny skits to learning math, YouTube has it all. Ricardo Fuentes’s (12) favorite app would be Youtube. Fuentes is on it for about three hours a day. He likes that it is a free app and enjoys the videos. Fuentes enjoys watching car videos—specifically learning how to fix them, install parts, and just learning about the car in general. Apps can be used for an abundance of good throughout students’ lives. As they make good decisions using their apps, they can make a great difference in the world.