opinion3
wingspan • october 28, 2010
• Staff Editorial
Katie Did
Students should not take voting right for granted
9/11 anniversary sparks national controversy
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Do you plan on voting in the upcoming midterm election?
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Cartoon by Emily Miller
merica is known for freedom and democracy. Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly and petition are all guaranteed in our Constitution. Over the years the right to vote has gradually been awarded first to white men, then to all men regardless of race, and finally to women. Today every citizen of the U.S. over the age of 18 can exercise the right to elect the leaders who will govern. Unfortunately, this right is often taken for granted. More than ever before, voters feel disconnected with the election process and politics in general. The ideas that one vote doesn’t matter or that politicians never follow through on their promises weigh heavily on the decision-making process. According to www.elections.gmu.edu, only about 61 percent of eligible voters cast a ballot in the 2008 general election. While this figure may seem relatively high (it is certainly better than the turnout of previous years), it is not one to be admired too quickly. More than a third of Americans chose not to vote — for whatever reason. And it gets worse. In the 2006 midterm elections, voter turnout was only 40 percent. Our Class of 2011 includes 57 seniors who will be eligible to vote on Nov. 2, but only about half actually registered to vote. The midterm elections, although not as widely publicized, are just as important in determining the quality of government America will have. U.S. citizens have the power to choose congressmen, senators, governors and local officials. These people all play a vital part in the success of our nation. According to www.nationmaster.com, the U.S. is currently ranked at number 55 for voter turnout. The world leader in democracy, the nation for which freedom is a core value, is ranked at 55 among all the na-
tions of the world. People in places like Afghanistan face terrorist attacks and fraud to cast their votes, yet Americans sit at home and either forget to vote or purposely avoid it. If every single person had the mentality that “I just don’t care,” where would we be now? It is important for
“No, because I’m not really involved in any political activities at the moment. I’ll care someday when I have to do all my taxes, and I’m out on my own. Obama or Palin? I’d vote for Palin.”
Joseph Lupton Senior
people to stop making excuses, step up and take responsibility for choosing their leaders. We may not like what is going on, but the great thing about democracy is the people have the power to change it. People complain, but if they don’t vote, how can they expect anything to change? The answer? They can’t. “I plan to vote, because I’m 18 years old and I feel like it’s part of being an adult. It’s a big step towards it. I’m not experienced in Congress or the Supreme Court, but I definitely care about who our next president is. ”
“I haven’t decided yet to vote. I hate politics. My reason for voting would be to put someone better in office — someone that would make a difference in our community or our government.” Andrea Barnwell Senior
Leah Webb Senior
“Yes, I plan on voting because I’m 18. That’s one of the big things when you turn 18; you get to vote. It’s just something I have been waiting a long time to get to do. I will probably vote for Heath Shuler.” Chase Andrews Senior
• Viewpoint
Should schools have single-gender classes?
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he subject of single-gender education is a conscenario runs through Sarah’s head as she imagtroversial one. Same-sex educational settings ines her dream date with Kevin, the teenage boy consist of boys and girls attending classrooms who sits in front of her in English class. She is caught dozing off when her teacher calls on her for an an- or schools separated by gender. Recently this debate has gained momentum. It swer. For the third time in a week, she just stares dumbly is an old approach that many private schools have back at her teacher. Some high school and even middle and elementary used, and public schools are now taking an interest school students experience difficulty paying attention in in it. The National Association for Single-Sex Public classes because of distractions from members of the opEducation estimates that about 400 different public Hailey Robinson posite sex. Natalie Rice schools now offer these classes in addition to coed Single-gender classes have Entertainment Editor Junior Editor been debated since the 1990s. classes. Some parents are concerned about social growth. Separating girls from boys is unnatural, they argue. Teachers and students alike have argued whether all-girl and Studies show that single sex classes do not have the benefits they are freall-boy classes are of benefit in educating students more effecquently touted to have. More than one study showed that the higher the ratively or if they are detrimental to the learning environment. tio of girls to boys, the better the academic performance for both boys and With distractions eliminated in single-gender classes, girls in all grades. supporters argue students can focus more on grades Additionally the whole program of single-sex classes is based on and actual preparation for the “real world” rather than the research that shows a significant difference in the mechanics of the flirting. male and female brains, causing educators to believe that they Single gender classes allow students to thoroughmust adapt different techniques to teach each gender. ly prepare for college and the work world. With excepMore recent evidence shows that many of the argutional grades and a thorough understanding of high ments made in favor of single-sex classes are based school curricula, students can better their lives simply on outdated gender stereotypes. by an extra focus in their high school career. The American Civil Liberties Union Much research shows that males and females (ACLU) claims that single-sex classrooms learn differently from each other. In an all-girl class, are unconstitutional. They stated that evfemale students can’t be tempted to sit back and let ery person has the equal right to education the male students do the more “hands on” activifree from discrimination. ties, according to Kendra Henry, an eighth grade ACLU lawyers believe that all children teacher at Rugby Middle School. Henry has exmust have free access to public education perimented with single gender English and sci(based on a survey without restrictions due to their race, religion, ence classes for two years. of 398 students) sex, nationality, origin, language or family cir Students placed in single-gender learning envicumstances. The equality of education is not atronments could be more comfortable. For example, tained through single-sex classes in public schools girls would be more outspoken and competitive rather or institutions of higher education because segregating than worrying about what the boys in the room thought of them. students by their sex violates the equal rights protection “Many girls are more vocal and comfortable when there are not boys around. I have seen on several occasions girls act completely different. One girl in particular was very and guarantees of the Fifth and 14th Amendments. Teachers, administrators and parents continue to explore the educational benclutzy and ditzy when boys were around, but very calm, well-spoken and ‘with-it’ when efits of same-sex schooling, and the debate continues to grow. the boys were not,” Henry said. “Any number of studies show that single-sex education is beneficial for college One of the arguments against gender specific classes is that students coming from same-sex learning environments and entering college will not have the social skills age women. But the work done so far to study the issue for students in kindergarten needed to be successful. However, schools already have single-gender physical educa- through 12th grade is, at best, spotty and inconclusive. In general, the benefits of tion classes. As far as Henry’s classes go, only science, English and physical education sex-segregated private and parochial schools cannot be applied to public schools, classes are single-gender. Therefore, activities such as elective classes, field trips, lunch- since private and parochial schools either admit only high-achieving pupils or es and bus rides home would be co-educational so that students are not completely self-select by expelling poorly performing or misbehaving students,” said Michael Bronski, senior lecturer of the Women’s Gender Studies program. deprived of interaction with the opposite sex.
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EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Katie King Brandi Martin MANAGING EDITOR Kim Randall SENIOR EDITOR Kiersten Ellsworth (News) ASSISTANT MANANGING EDITOR Alisha Carland WEB EDITOR Josh Wentzel
JUNIOR EDITOR Natalie Rice ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Amy Taylor OPINION EDITOR Kayla Sciupider ASSISTANT OPINION EDITOR Hailey Johns ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Hailey Robinson
ASSISTANT ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Diane Gromelski SPORTS EDITORS Kevin Robinson Camen Royse ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Michael Turlington FEATURE EDITORS Meredith Cole Whitney Howell ASSISTANT FEATURE EDITOR Ashley Heywood
FEATURE WRITERS Collin Armstrong Zac Cole Rachel Shoemaker Aury St. Germain Marissa Treible STAFF WRITERS Katie Miller Austin Downing Patrick Martin Blake Hill Lauren Stepp Sierra Fender Kelli Bishop Shannon Miller
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wingspan
Talons & Feathers Feather to the school spirit at the first pep rally and during homecoming week and to the senior meeting/ice cream party Talon to the unsportmanslike conduct at the West-North Henderson football game Feather to the warm welcome given to the new staff members Feather to the Flying Falcon Marching Band for the superior performance at Enka High School on Oct. 2
s the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 drew closer, the general feeling in the air was not one of quiet reflection and respect, but rather tension and fear. The first indication that this year’s anniversary would provoke controversy came during the summer when Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf made the Katie King decision to build an Islamic center two blocks from the site where the World Trade Centers had once towered over New York City. According to the Imam, his Islamic center and mosque close to Ground Zero will accommodate the growing number of Muslims in New York City. His intention is not to smite Americans, train terrorists or create a monument to the terrorists’ “triumph,” but to give peaceful Muslims a place to practice their religion. Among the more than 2,000 people who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks were dozens of Muslims working in the World Trade Center. People from 115 countries were killed that day, according to New York Magazine. Like any other American citizens, Muslims across the country grieved for their loved ones lost to the destructive power of terrorism. The second event occurred shortly thereafter when the Rev. Terry Jones announced his plan to host an “International Burn a Koran Day” at his church in Gainesville, Fla. to commemorate Sept. 11. Had he followed through with his plan, it would have been tactless and insensitive, and it is quite likely that it would have put American civilians and soldiers abroad in serious danger. The nation breathed a huge sigh of relief when Jones backed down. Despite the negative connotation it has in America, Islam is typically a very peaceful religion. One of the members of Rauf’s mosque told CNN, “Feisal (Rauf) only ever talked about one subject: love.” Another member said, “The one theme that kept coming up was how to adopt Islam for America. The main idea was that there is no conflict between the two to begin with.” Unfortunately, there is a conflict between Islam and America. Because the Sept. 11 attacks are still fresh in our minds, the logic behind the protests in New York City as well as Jones’ “Burn a Koran Day” may not seem so farfetched. Muslims did attack us, right? No, something is definitely wrong with this picture. People need to understand that it was not the Islamic religion that crashed into the Twin Towers. It was a select group of radical Muslims that wanted to make a point. And they did make it. Nine years later we still have not recovered from the wounds to our national psyche. But we will never be able to heal if we cannot accept the differences that we have. Prejudice is difficult to overcome, but there is hope. Many people are taking a greater interest in these issues and trying to create a more peaceful world. The first step is accepting those that are different. That one is the hardest. If we can do that, the rest will fall into place.
The student forum of West Henderson High School is published seven times each year by the newspaper journalism class. The purpose of Wingspan is to convey school and community news to the students, faculty, administration and community. Wingspan content is determined by an editorial board of student editors. Wingspan is a Southern Interscholastic Press Association All-Southern, National Scholastic Press Association All-American, Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Medalist and N.C. Scholastic Media Association All-North Carolina and Tar Heel Award publication. Staff editorials express the opinion of the editorial board. Columns reflect the opinions of the writer. Circulation is 1,200. Printed by The Mountaineer of Waynesville, NC 28786. Contact the staff at wingspan@henderson.k12.nc.us.