EOTT Eye of the Tiger // Bonanza High School
Issue 45 // Volume 2
Table of Contents News: Internet shopping Safe haven Getting comfortable
page 3 page 4 page 5
Melissa Een
The dark, bright sides of self comfort pg. 6 The comfort of being alone page 7
A&E: Through ages and stages page 8 Listening to soothing sounds page 9 Comfort foods for the heart and soul pg. 10
Sports: Cover design by Aryan Passey
6665 W. Del Rey Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89146 (702) 799-4000 eyeofthetigerbhs@gmail.com
Editor in Chief
Opinions:
Playing or watching sports?
Eye of the Tiger
Page 11
Section Editors Sofia Gaitan Yhajaira Garcia Cassandra McCoy Elliott Prehm
Staff Writers Brooklyn Arthur Tiannah Dizadare Lidia Garcia Harmony Hamilton Brody Holloway Seaira Park Aryan Passey Isabel Murillo Chloe Resma
Eye of the Tiger is a public forum for the students of Bonanza High School. The staff will publish news, features, editorials, entertainment and sports stories in an unbiased and professional manner. Editorials are they official opinion of Eye of the Tiger, and in no way reflect the official policy of Bonanza High School, nor the opinions of the administration, faculty or adviser. All content decisions are mae by studen editors. Business advertisements are accecpted in Eye of the Tiger. However, the news publication reserves the right to deny any ad. Those interested in running advertisements can call (702) 799-4000 ext. 4002. Letters to the editor and inquiries may be emailed to hubbab2@nv.ccsd.net, and must be signed. Identities for those who submit questions will remain anonymous. The staff reserves the right to edit letters to conform to style and policy. Letters to the editor will be published at the discretion of the staff. Eye of the Tiger is the official student publication that publishes six o eight issues throughout the year.
Internet shopping
Online shopping booms during Covid By: Lidia Garcia Millions of people spend their money on the internet every day. Anything and everything, from clothes to toys to rare figurines and posters can be found somewhere online. The range for online shopping is limitless. Stores tend to only put rare or limited items online which just increases the chance of spending money this way. People find comfort from anywhere and anything. Especially in the era we are living in, everyone prefers the route of shopping online as a safe alternative. With social distancing happening in the “world”, currently even stores are changing the ways for shopping by adding outside pick up, where employees drop off the items in your car. From perspectives on young kids when asked about how much they spend it ranges from 30 to 100 dollars. People have more stores and options to choose from but the most popular online store is Amazon, it even comes with Amazon Prime to ship your purchases quicker.But why is online shopping so comforting?
“It feels comforting when I can buy what I want or need without contact or interaction.” Brody Hoover said, “I don't get sick very often but I don't wanna carry something that isn't affecting me that it could hit back and affect my family or friends.” Are people scared to shop unpopular websites? Around the internet there are many websites that are unknown by many especially small businesses that are just starting off. Most everyone spends time on popular well known sites like amazon or popular stores like Macy’s. Let's not stop there but great offers and unique stuff come from small businesses. Alike there are websites like etsy and ebay that you can sell your own stuff with the protection of the website. Most websites no a days guarantee the safety of your card information and money back in case of fraud.Look at it this way: people save money on gas, time and energy from going to different stores looking for a certain item. Online provides endless options to find that one item without worrying about being out of stock because one can easily sign up for the waitlist. “Definitely the convenience of it. I feel more rushed when I shop at in-person stores, and it's just not comfortable.
plus, it's easier to find clothes in my style online personally,” freshman Dillyn Hall said. The whole purpose of stress-shopping is to feel good and not feel uncomfortable about the situation. In some scenarios you get better offers online by shopping online and even get a burst of joy when free shipping is involved. It’s the little things about online shopping that make it comforting, like not dealing with no maskers or in general not dealing with aggressive crowds of people. You as well get honest personal reviews from people purchasing the same item you are looking for,the hands free shopping also is better for those that can not deal with carrying countless items. “Shopping in person can take up more time and sometimes confusion, but with online shopping, you can search what you're looking for and find it with ease,” freshman Juan Garcia said. Not only this but people with anxiety or any type of medical or physical problem find online shopping way more comforting. Shopping from home in bed is less stressful.
Safe haven The importance of a comfort space
Elliott Prehm // EOTT
By: Elliott Prehm Everyone needs some stress relief, a place to forget the day. A warm cup of tea and your favorite songs. Having a place to sit and let all worries and stress melt away makes that a comfortable space. Many people with comfort spaces find it has many benefits mental health-wise. But what exactly makes a comfort space a comfort space? A comfort space is different for everybody; some people find rooftops a comfort space while others find it as their bedroom. “While I’m in my room I have plenty of time to think and I can just get away from the world,” junior Kalea Manner said. A comfort space is less of what is physically in the space and more of how space makes a person feel. Lots of teens spend a ton of time in their rooms doing their everyday activities because it's the most comforting place in the house where they feel the most comfortable to be themselves, and it's where most of their possessions are. “My cat makes my comfort space the most comfortable place in the house,” sophomore Carmen Torres said.
“A little Pikachu stuffy that a friend gave me for Christmas is one of my comfort items,” Manner said. There are a ton of benefits to having a comfortable space like calming anxiety, overstimulation, and stress. Life is hectic and full of ups and downs, but having a place to be able to just sit down and relax really helps. “My Comfort space would have to be my room and my great grandma's garden,” sophomore Samatha McAlister said. “I’ve always found nature comforting and a great way to get away from the world.” Lots of people find comfort by being outside and in nature going for a walk around the neighborhood, hiking, or just sitting on a park bench. Being outdoors is helpful for the mind and body. Getting out and breathing some fresh air can brighten up the day and have you feeling happier and healthier than before. In vegas, the mountains are always a good option for going hiking and get your mind off of things. The air is always crisp and fresh compared to the city air and there are lots of hiking trails to follow. So why do people retreat to their comfort spaces?
“Sometimes I just wanna be alone and by myself,” McAlaster . “I go there when I don’t want to socialize with the people I live with,” Torres said. While some people go to their comfortable space to be alone others go to theirs to be with other people. Comfort spaces aren’t always at home by yourself, while some people find comfort in just themselves, others prefer people by their side when they're most comfortable. A comfort person is anyone from a childhood best friend, family member, or loved one. “My grandma Cowley has always made me feel calm and wanted and when I’m with her she makes my life feel so much better,” Mcalister said. A comfortable person is someone who doesn’t judge and lets you be yourself around them. After a long day of stress sometimes all you need is to sit down and just breathe, life is difficult and there’s gonna be a lot of ups and downs so it’s nice to have a space to call yours.
Getting comfortable By: Isabel Murillo Comfort can be seen as a sense of stability and a freedom of pain or stress. However, what does comfort look like specifically? Is it getting a hug from your favorite person at the end of a stressful day? Or is it curling up with a good book on a cold winter evening? The perception of comfort is quite complex, there are countless events, experiences and emotions that play a big role in comfort. Fortunately, comfort is in the eye of the beholder. “I believe you can't put a look on comfort, it's an expression that you can see when someone has that comfort that they get,” freshman Emma Zike said. There are roughly four branches of comfort, the branches include: Physical, consumption, familiarity, and social comfort. Although comfort is complex and can be seen as countless concepts, comfort usually falls under these categories. Physical comfort can be viewed as curling up with a blanket and reading a book. “I use art or reading as a way to soothe myself I guess you can say. Art helps me release/show emotion which I can be really bad at, and is something I struggle with. And reading just gets me outta my head. Because my brain is always thinking, and sometimes I need a way to take a break from my head, constantly thinking of the past or the trillion possibilities that can come out of me doing something,” said Freshman Alexandra Ureno. Consumption comfort is finding comfort in consuming food or drinks. “When I have comfort food it makes me feel okay, and it makes me feel better in some cases, especially if it is healthy food,” said Freshman Emma Zike.
Familiarity comfort is finding comfort in the things that are already familiar to you, this comfort can range from finding nostalgia in old movies, tv shows and even old toys. Social comfort is finding comfort socially, it can be venting to friends about a problem or it can be spending time with friends as a distraction from problems in life. Nonetheless, the good in finding comfort must always have a downside. Being too dependent on comfort can have negative effects on emotions, behavior and the day to day life. For example, being too dependent on physical comfort can interfere with sleep, relationships and can cause emotional instability, likewise for familiarity comfort. Being too dependent on unhealthy comfort foods can lead to an unhealthy diet and lifestyle. In addition, being too dependent on social comfort can not only cause emotional stress to the over dependent person in a relationship but it can cause emotional unwellness to both parties. Furthermore, any unhealthy comfort habit can be a likely sign that another problem is occurring. Similarly to how comfort is in the eye of the beholder, comfort is quite complex from an outside perspective. Watching others get a hug after a negative experience or watching someone relax themselves by playing video games after a long day of work can give many emotions, these emotions are impacted by other events and experiences that eventually build up the way one may see comfort altogether. In general receiving good comfort may seem like it brings great relief and happiness. However, watching others asking or receiving comfort may not feel the same. Insecurity, jealousy, negative experiences and events often play a significant role in how comfort is perceived. In general receiving good comfort may seem like it brings great relief and happiness. However, watching others asking or receiving comfort may not feel the same. Insecurity, jealousy, negative e
Isabel Murillo// EOTT experiences and events often play a significant role in how comfort is perceived. “Seeing others seeking comfort sometimes makes me feel a bit sorrowful, but also makes me feel responsible to comfort them,” said freshman Seth Thaoxaochay. Being in the state of emotional distress not only can take a toll on the person feeling the strong emotion, it can also take a toll on the people around them. Watching someone be in the state of needing comfort can make one feel sorrowful, however watching someone finally receive the comfort they needed can give off a surprisingly positive emotion. “I feel that seeing others seek comfort is a beautiful thing. Especially when it's someone you know and you know that they have problems seeking it and trying to get help that it brings you happiness. I try to be there so people can feel comfortable enough to seek that comfort they need from me because it is honestly very refreshing and it makes my heart happy that someone is getting that love and support they need to get through something,” said Freshman Emma Zike. In summary, there is no specific look on comfort, whether it's watching someone receive a hug after a negative experience or watching someone curl up with a book to find peace, comfort is in the eye of the beholder, it is a complex concept that everyone can experience in any situation.
The dark, bright sides of self comfort By: Chloe Resma Taking time away. Therapy. Meditation. Deep breathing. All of these are ways some use to cope with undesirable emotions, along with many other methods. Finding the strength to take these steps towards healing isn’t always easy though. Being in a vulnerable and troubled state can make it hard to help oneself, and may lead to a self detrimental mindset. Coping in healthy ways is a struggle among many. What brings comfort differs from person to person. Whether that be yoga, watching movies, playing video games, connecting with nature, scrolling endlessly through TikTok, or some other form of relaxation. Oftentimes in moments of sadness we turn to the things we find comfort in, but using positive distractions to mask emotions isn't always healthy. It ultimately gives the same effect as applying a bandage to a wound, the wound may still remain after removing the bandaid. Although there is a distraction blocking out the negative thoughts, doesn't mean they’ve gone away. This all depends on the individual and
the problem(s) they are facing. Coping methods bring a sense of release, meaning that they can be unhealthy. These include Cutting, Drug, sex and alchohol abuse, undereating or overeating, numbing out and fighting with others. Knowing and understanding the difference between healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms is important. Just because it helps ease the pain in that moment, doesn't mean it’ll help resolve the problem in the long run. Finding what works for you can be hard. Different people react differently to certain methods. Also, what may work at one point in your life may not help at another. Every moment and situation is different. Gaining consciousness of how oneself is doing in that present moment might help in finding ways to cope. For some, being in a dark state brings along thoughts of self harm. Diverging these temptations can be a struggle but they should always be avoided. Replacing these tendencies with other coping mechanisms is crucial to the healing process. Losing hope that the situation at hand resolves could leave an individual
lacking the desire to practise self care. Reaching points such as these is completely normal and bound to happen at some time or another. Experiencing mental health struggles happens to most, it's part of character development and growth. Using healthy ways to deal with these bumps in the road will make struggles easier to overcome, even in just the slightest. Finding comfort within oneself can be really difficult though, especially if the struggle is driven by self created lies, ideas and concepts. As a response to pain, some choose to numb out feelings and consciousness of emotions. This slows down healing. Instead, a healthy response would be to allow feelings, good or bad. Whether that present moment is a good one and you feel amazing, or if it’s terrible, live in it. That's the first step, from there, using healthy coping mechanisms and allowing space for all types of emotions is sometimes the best one can do. Taking it back to healthy coping mechanisms and bringing awareness to one's mental space makes obstacles easier to heal from and overcome. Practise healthy coping.
The comfort of being alone The comfort in being alone. At first I couldn't stand being alone, I always wanted friends. Everyone sometimes feels like they're alone at some point of time. ¨The outsider¨ everywhere you went. I was the same exact way. I've always wanted solid friends. However you'd be very surprised how amusing and safe it is to just stay to yourself and not worry about any of those things. There are a few comforts and benefits that come with being alone. For instance, you will be able make your own decisions. There will not be no one telling you what you can and can´t do. You will be able to do your best at your own pace. No one can hold you back or stop you from doing things, that's good or bad. It will give you freedom to live and learn a
Also, people can just be straight annoying. They dislike you for no reason. Whoever the person is that's annoying, can bring down your energy. It can ruin your whole day and your whole vibe, which causes you to have bad days instead of good days. That causes people to have no interest in friends, and it also causes you to feel no need to have friends. It shows you that people really just want to bring you to your lowest, and that you don't need friends, it's more comfortable with being alone. You will have a lot of time to yourself. Having time to yourself can be very good for you. It can help you better handle negative emotions and experiences. Things such as stress and burnout. It can also help you get through a family member's death. If you have all of these people around trying to cheer you up and pity you, believe it or not it's only going to make you feel sadder. Being alone helps you know when it's time to put
Tunnel vision staying focused. Now listen up, i'm not saying that you cant have friends and stay focused. Of course not, what i'm saying is that it is far more comfortable. Trying to stay focused, when you don't have a lot of people in your circle. When you're alone trying to stay focused, it's better because you're only focused on that one goal. But when it's a lot of people in your circle it's hard because now they're problems are now your problems, which causes you to lose focus on what you're focused on. In conclusion of being alone. They're are a lot of comforts that come with it. I might have not covered all of them but they are a lot So if you are a loner and you don't fi in, remember don't ever think that you have to fit in. You don't fit in for one reason you're not meant to. Be comfortable with being alone, because they're are benefits to it.
Through ages and stages
Melissa Een // EOTT
By: Melissa Een Imagine coming home after a particularly draining or emotionally turbulent day at school. What do you do? Do you hug a parent and cry to them about what your friend said in the playground that afternoon? Do you go to your room and huddle under your blankets? Do you listen to sad music or rant into your journal? Although we all have probably done most of these or at least something similar in our lifetimes, it really depends on age. A young elementary schooler might find solace in a parent’s understanding, while a middle school tween would prefer to hide under the covers until it all goes away. As people age and mature, we develop new interests, habits, fears and comforts while growing out of old ones. When I was five, even my greatest sadnesses could be fixed by a cup of hot chocolate, a nap and a hug from my mom. This is common in children, who have strong emotional attachments to their parents and or guardians. Parents are the primary providers of comfort to kids, and
and children depend on them for both their physical and emotional needs. As we grow into our teen years, we start to self-comfort more and become less dependent on a parental figure. Self-comfort is different for everyone. It could be talking to friends over video call, watching a comedy or playing games on the computer. Maybe it’s reading a book, listening to music, writing in a journal or screaming into a pillow. It could even be running or yoga, dancing or taking a walk. The possibilities are endless, and different things work in different situations. We often learn these things through trial and error. After an online conversation with a now-former friend last September, I was so angry that my hands were literally shaking with rage and I couldn’t type well enough to respond to his message. I ended up throwing a punch at my wall, which did not help and just made my fist hurt. Later, I mentioned this to my best friend, and she told me something to the effect
of: you idiot, don’t punch a wall, punch a pillow. This is very good advice which I have implemented with much more success and much less pain. Life goes on and we will continue to explore new ways to vent and calm ourselves down. Of course, old comforts never completely fade away. I still cuddle my stuffed bear Mr. Snuggles as I fume about politics or lay in bed as my brain insists that I have to remember the title of a book I read seven years ago before I go to sleep and I doubt that will change in the near future. As time passes, however, the things that used to comfort us might become less effective as we grow and change, and that is okay. We might feel nostalgic about our younger years when life was simpler and apple juice still tasted like liquid sunshine, and that’s okay too. The important thing is to keep looking ahead into the future, to keep making choices and trying new things. Change is an unavoidable part of life, and that simple fact is one of the most comforting things in the world.
Listening to soothing sounds By: Mia Molina Visualize being awake at 3am and flipping through your playlists and not having a song that really gives you solace. Here is a list of songs you should consider putting onto your playlist. “Sign of The Times” by Harry Styles. This tune is one of the more loud ones on this list. Though this is an intense song, it has a deep message about a young mother not surviving child birth. The beat and instruments make a calm and solace environment for wherever it's being played. “Michelle” by Sir Chloe. This song is about Michelle being in love with the singer and the singer being confused about her feelings for Michelle and can't accept that shes a lesbian because she was brought up homophobic and by saying "you are a monster from hell" in the lyrics. Or it could be thought as about someone having a crush on someone so much, but they deny it. They hate the person for being so beautiful, and they can’t help but fall in love with them. The reason this may be comforting is because many teens or even adults struggle with their sexuality. This song may help them by knowing they are not alone. “Sofia” by Clairo. According to
Clairo, she wrote this song about her first girl crushes and the confusion that came with them. These feelings are normal for teens starting to explore their sexuality, which is why this song is perfect to comfort someone during those tough times. “Selfish” by Madison Beer. In a Genius Interview, Madison Beer explained how she based it off a toxic relationship she had. In the song, she explains how she always tried to “fix” her partner. This song can be relatable to anyone, not just teens, going through a rough time in their relationship. “Daddy Issues” by The Neighborhood. The song follows the band’s lead singer, Jesse Rutherford as he talks about how his father left him. About one in four children live without their fathers so this song could potentially be relatable for them. “Violent” by Carolsdaughter. This song is about a toxic relationship where the singer doesn't know where or not her partner really loves her or not and even though they always fight, they always crawl back to each other. According to Healthline.com, girls start dating at around 12 years old and boys at about 13. “Drivers License” by Olivia Rodrigo. This song talks about being replaced in a relationship by someone else. She sang how she knew things were not perfect but she’s never felt the way she did for no one else. Drivers License can be applied for many
people and their relationships which is why it makes it reliving. “Flaming Hot Cheetos” by Clairo. This is about being unsure in a relationship, where it is easier to pretend that they don't have something real. “As the World Caves In” by Matt Maltese. Many people have a fear of the world ending. This song gives a sort of ease to the fact by making it sound almost lovely. Of course most people tend to think that the world ending is terrifying, but this song gives a calm simplicity. “Heather” by Conan Gray. “Heather” is a song about painfully watching your crush gush over someone else. The reason this song is soothing, is because this situation happens a lot in real life. Many people have felt the discomfort of seeing the person they love with someone else. This song makes the listener know that the feelings that they are experiencing are completely normal. Most of these songs have to do with relationships and very real situations that many teens go through. Some of these songs may even have a deeper meaning than what it perceives, but that's what makes them so comforting.
Comfort foods for the heart and soul Aryan Passey // EOTT
By: Aryan Passey That smell, the taste, the memories of your mom or dad cooking your favorite food. Everyone has it; the food that brings back the best times from your childhood or is just your absolute favorite food. These foods would be considered comfort foods. Home cooked meals are the most likely to bring those nostalgic feelings. Other than home cooked there is of course store bought, like a rotisserie chicken. It might not be homemade, but it can still make people feel great when they eat it or bring back good times. Fast food is also a comfort food that can bring nostalgia and make you feel better then before. Eating Mcdonald's every day is not really healthy for you, but it's alright to treat yourself to some food you're happy with. Fried foods are not very nutritional for you but they do taste really good and make you feel fine. Healthy foods are also an option, but comfort foods are commonly characterized by their high caloric nature, high carbohydrate level or simple preparation. Healthier
comfort foods are not common. Nostalgia is defined as the sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations. If you were with your friends and everyone was talking and eating watermelon in the summertime, then every time you eat watermelon you feel the love of friends and the feeling of summer. Childhood memories of sitting down with the family and eating a home cooked meal or eating fast food while watching tv are great examples of nostalgia that brings happiness and the warm feeling for family and friends. Things that also bring happiness are good deeds like bringing food for the homeless and having that feeling of doing something nice for others and feeding those in need. Drinks, of course, can have the same connections and make you feel the same as food. There are a lot of drinks that can help people feel better about themselves mentally and physically to
keep the body healthy. Tea is one of the best drinks that can have a big effect on people. There is a large variety of different teas that can help with things like stress, depression, sickness, and overall with mind and body health. Hot chocolate is also a very big comfort drink because it reminds people of their childhood or just the sweetness that just fills those with the love of chocolate. Soda is also another drink that helps those comfort themselves with the sugar of the drink and the taste is so addicting. Other than all the sugary drinks, water also helps people who don't really drink soda and keeps them super hydrated and healthy. The all time comfort food is candy. Candy can bring back memories of childhood and sweet tastes that satisfy the sweet tooth. All kinds of candies: chocolate, hard, soft, bitter, or extremely sweet candies can help bring comfort. There are a lot of foods and drinks that can help people get through tough times and remind them of positive things in life and bring happiness.
Playing or watching sports? By: Yhajaira Garcia Some people may prefer playing over watching sports or watching over playing or maybe they prefer both. There are different sports that help make people feel calmer, boxing or football can help people take their anger out, or something like swimming can be peaceful to some people. Sports can be very helpful for some people; they can get their minds off of things that stress them out. “It helps me forget about the real world for just a second while I try to get the best plays out of the game, and only worry about that,” senior Jeslynne Robledo said. Some people might play more than one sport and might like one more than the other or maybe one help them feel better than the other. “The only other sport I play is volleyball and it doesn't really comfort me like football,” sophomore Wishfull Ebcher said. There are many students who may want to pursue career in a sport or want a scholarship for a sport that they enjoy playing. “Yes, i've always wanted to go to the NFL,”Ebcher said. It can make them feel happy
Photo courtesy of Abril Garcia
and excited or relieved that they don't have to worry to0 much about getting into college instead they can focus on there sport. Some people may view sports as a hobby rather than a career. Perhaps they think it’s more enjoyable that way or just wouldn't want to look at it as a career. “I’d see it as more of a hobby type or just a regular hobby but I’ll definitely be doing it more,” senior Britney Salazar said. Every athlete has a favorite part of the sports they play. It could be playing with friends, the physical exertion, the game itself or something else entirely. “I like the adrenaline rush during my games,” Ebcher said. Some people prefer playing or watching sports and some like doing both. “I honestly enjoy doing both. When I watch it I can pick up on new ways to play, and study their moves and later practice it when I play,” senior Jeslynne Robledo said. Many people play one sport when they are younger and then
switch to a different sport as they grow and mature, or they play one sport one grade and another sport the next year. “I’ve only played baseball when I was younger and then transitioned over to softball once I went into high-school. Those two are the only sports that can give me like a reset- a fresh slate in my mind,” senior Jeslynne Robledo said. Having consistent comfort in something that people like to do, and that others do everyday can be very helpful to some people to get their minds off of things and just relax or it can just make them feel better at the end of the day. It can be anything like maybe just playing the sport. “The people around me, the coaches, the encouragement,” senior Britney Salazar said. In conclusion some people play sports because it may help them feel comfortable or just because they like to play it it may also help them with stress or anger, there are different ways sports can help people.