Sports Two divisions bounce to the beat of the Purple Pacers and Soulja Girlz hoops. Page 7
Op-ed Column A reality every parent must face, Drugs. Is the Academy responsible for making students and parents aware of the dangers of students and drugs? Page 4
Brighter Horizons Academy
Volume 5 Issue 2
Technology Review
First Fall Fest Journalism Department and Seniors team up to raise money by hosting the first Fall Fest. Page 8
The new Verizon Voyager out performs Apple’s i-Phone. Page 6
December 2007
Garland, TX 75044
Chocking game recieves new name Students engage in seemily harmless game seeking a high without drugs By: Zeena Alkurdi Editor-in-Chief It is known to most boys and girls nine through sixteen years old as Space Monkey, Funky Chicken, Grandma’s Boy, Breathing the Zoo, Bum Rushing, and Hoola Hooping, but at BHA it is known as “Halal High.” It began during Drug Free and Character Counts Week, when Laith Alsalih [8] witnessed a group of students spinning around in circles during recess, attempting to attain a “high” sensation as experienced when consuming drugs. “What are you doing that for?” Alsalih asked them, “I know a much better way!” He told them about the choking game; The chocking game is known to boys and girls nine through sixteen years old as an activity through which Space Monkey, Funky Chicken, Grandma’s Boy, Breathing the Zoo, Bum Rushing, a state of unconsciousness and Hoola Hooping, but at BHA it is known as “Halal High.” or near unconsciousness Graphic designed by Anam Bakali
is produced by restricting the supply of oxygenated blood to the brain. It begins with some form of hyperventilation and is quickly followed by putting pressure on the carotid artery, or by choking themselves. When they release the pressure, blood that was blocked up floods the brain all at once. According to G.A.S.P. (Games Adolescents Shouldn’t Play), this sets off a warm and fuzzy feeling, killing thousands of brain cells at a time. “I didn’t know how dangerous it was,” Alsalih said. “but it feels good, and it’s cool to feel something different.” Three days later, Anas Khalil [8] fainted and suffered a cut a
See INCIDENT page 2
Famous Twins visit students No longer conjoined at the head, two years later, Ahmed and Mohamed travel to Dallas for a post operation check-up By: Zeena Alkurdi Editor-in-Chief A pair of famous twins visited the Academy. These twins have been featured in a plethora of newspapers and news stations in both the United States and overseas. They have made appearances on Good Morning America and Oprah. Ahmed and Mohamed are the cranially con-
joined Egyptian twins that were successfully separated after a 33 hour surgery in 2003. After living in Dallas for three and a half years and receiving intensive therapy, the boys returned home to Egypt in November 2005. Two years later, they returned to Dallas with their mother, Sabah Abu Al Wafa, and 14-month old baby brother for check-ups. They stopped by to visit with students at the Academy, be-
cause their family remembered the numerous get well cards and gifts they received during their stay at Medical City Hospital, in Dallas, TX. Teachers who saw the boys for the fist time since the surgery were emotionally moved to tears. Mazena Barakat, 1st grade teacher, remembered being at Medical City at the same time that they were having their sur-
See TWINS page 2
Mohamad and Ahmed (in stroller) are very excited about the candy they just received from students. Mohamad prefer to walk while Ahmed feels safer in the stroller. Photo by NMS