10
Life
Volume 50 Issue 3 DECEMBER 16, 2009
260 less chances to get swine flu By Megan Harrigfeld
Last Thursday, Borah did its part to cooperate with the government’s pandemic flu plan, making H1N1 vaccinations available to all students and faculty in the new gym free of charge. “It’s important to get immunized,” said nurse Barb Thomas. H1N1, or the swine flu, has been very prevalent here, according to Thomas; she estimated 100 to 150 students have been infected with the virus when it hit the hardest during and around Homecoming week. Approximately 260 people got the immunization Dec. 10, but other students such as sophomore Lauren Spengler got it before the vaccine was offered at school. The number of immunizations was surprisingly low, considering that the school blocked out more then three class periods in anticipation that many students would be eager to have more peace of mind. However, some didn’t even get the vaccination by choice. Seniors Tyler Castor and Carrington O’ Leary report their parents are the people that
pushed them to get the vaccination. There are, on the other hand, students that simply choose to be healthy, such as seniors Bryce Johnson and Challis Popkey. Although the virus has seemingly gone down, medical professionals are saying that the virus will come back in the near future. “[The virus] seems to be affecting younger people in a more serious way,” said Central District Health worker Sonja Redden. Commenting that the virus is very contagious, she strongly urges people to get it. Photo by Katie Corp “It lingers longer in the air,” Sophomore Mason Bilger gets the facts straight about H1N1 from she added, “all it takes to get it is nurse Barb Thomas. for someone [infected] to sneeze.” Since the vaccination has been available, it has regardless of health condition. only been an option to certain, high-risk groups of The next point of dispensing for the vaccine will people. Now that it is more accessible, the vaccina- be this Monday from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the former tion is open to all people ages six months to 65 years Comp USA store.
Coffee is the new cup of tea
Photo by Katie Corp
By Katie Corp
“Black Gold, Texas Tea.” Just as the Beverly Hillbilly’s struck it rich with oil, some of Borah’s enterprising business students are finding value in selling their own black gold. “Coffee is a gift from the gods,” said health fanatic Steve Tipping, a biology teacher. One of Tipping’s famous lines is “[coffee] is good in moderation.” Senior Mary Shake agreed with Tipping; “Don’t drink too much, but once in a while it’s ok.” Shake is supervisor of the Java Den’s 10 employees who raise money for Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) and Business Professionals of America (BPA), two
campus clubs. Shake said the Java Den is “the best business experience you can get in high school.” According to Shake and BPA adviser Brad Baumberger, this represents the most profitable year in the Java Den; 30 cups on average are sold every day. Before Baumberger began teaching at Borah, he said coffee sales were non-existent due to lack of advertising. The newly added mural, painted by Borah ’09 graduate Emily Konkel, attracts customers. Why doesn’t the Student Store sell coffee? The answer is found in health laws. Last year many non-nutritional food items such as Airhead candies, Pop-tarts and sodas were sold on a regular basis in the Student Store.
This year those items were taken out because the health department requires a certain percentage of food sold in schools be nutritional. Coffee can be sold in the store now that such items have been discontinued. Baumberger and DECA adviser Mark Bilger plan to sell coffee for the first time in the Student Store after winter break. “It is the perfect time to start sales, when it is cold,” said Baumberger. He also said hot chocolate, cider and tea are available for healthier non-caffeinated alternatives. Caffeinated tea is also available. The coffee flavors in the Java Den are Swiss Mocha, French Vanilla and another flavor that changes periodically; currently the choice is mint chocolate.