October Issue
October Table of Contents Jump Off- Page 2 How a Fitness Tracker App Exposed Military by Kami Carter- Page 3 Everyone Really Loves Fall...or do They? By Sawyer Bix- Page 4-5 History of Halloween by Skye Shuler-Soto- Page 6 A Game for Everyone by Connor Mahoney- Page 7-8 Senior Spotlight- Thomas Wolfe by Sawyer Bix- Page 9-10 The Top Treat- by Skye Shuler-Soto- Page 11 The Struggle is Real by Shay Jackson- Page 12-13 Day of the Dead by Lauryn O’Connors- Page 14 Uncommon Mental Health Issues by Kami Carter- Page 15 Mental Helath In Teens - Page 16 Words That Promoted Hope by Julia Robinson- Page 17-18 The Norse Mythology Radnasplosion AD - Page-19
October Jump Off Ryan Moore, Editor- in- Chief Hello again fellow students, we are now into our second nine weeks of the year!! Most importantly though it is spooky season! The weather is getting colder and colder so be sure to bundle up. We are so excited to share our second issue with you guys! We have been working hard in our secret lab and have exciting and spooky articles for you. October is here which means Pumpkin Spice everything is finally back! Pumpkin Spice lattes are my personal favorite out of all the choices. Football Friday Nights is sadly coming to an end soon but we are still cheering like crazy for our Monarchs. This is a message to students, teachers, and adults: Don't be afraid to trick or treat this year, we all love candy. Who cares if someone tells you are too old to trick or treat? We all know that we are still seven year olds at heart, and we all love to still dress up for fun. This month has the best night because you can be a princess, superhero, monster, etc. Don't be afraid to go out and be dressed up, own it because you only get to do it once a year. Back to The Vibe, we have so many fantastic stories to read from like; Kami Carter´s uncommon health article or Lauryn O'Connors Day of the Dead article. We are now into our second and a half month of the school year and already done with our first nine weeks! That means we are that much closer to summer!! My advice get through these cold winter months, stay positive and keep up those good grades and as always GO MONARCHS!!
How a Fitness Tracker App Exposed Military
Advanced Reporter, Kami Carter
Last January, the fitness app came out with a ‘heat map’ of its user activity all around the world. They probably didn’t have the intentions to cause a national security scandal, but they have.
knowledge. Users of Strava’s app can turn off location tracking, but that’s really down to them. When the Pentagon distributed thousands of Fitbits among its personnel— in order to combat obesity—it’s not clear what regulations came along with the perk. After this whole big incident, Strava stated this in an email: “Our global heatmap represents an aggregated and anonymized view of over a billion activities uploaded to our platform. It excludes activities that have been marked as private and user-defined privacy zones. We are committed to helping people better understand our settings to give them control over what they share.”
Map of United States user activity on the fitness app ‘Strava’
Over the weekend over the 29th, an Australian conflict analyst, Nathan Ruser, discovered something on the map. It was clear that had linked activities around the United States military in war torn regions, due to its the soldier’s fitbits and other devices. When Strava released their global heatmap. 13 trillion GPS points from their map showed US bases. Ruser also prompted journalists to check out the activities around military bases that they already knew about, in places like Iraq and Somalia, and even to identify bases that weren’t common
This appears to be a case of people simply not thinking through the implications of the personal data they are broadcasting when they wear a fitness tracker and allow it to constantly connect to a cloud-based service. However, multiple studies have shown that many of these de-
vices also suffer from poor security that can leave users’ health data exposed.
Fall Seasons Reporter:Sawyer Bix Fall is now in full effect and a lot of people are excited for the new season and all that it entails. Everyone loves fall because you get to carve pumpkins, go to the pumpkin patch, and look at how the leaves have changed colors. But, people do not see how maybe this is not the way they truly feel about fall. This could be just that fall is in season and everyone wants to soak it in. Other people like spring because the grass is greener and the weather starts to dramatically change for the better. Other people like winter and how it is around the holidays and most people like getting presents for christmas. Other people like summer where you are away from school and the weather is nice. All the seasons have different characteristics that attract people, but some people could be lying when they say that a season is their favorite of all of them. Fall is a season that most people say they enjoy and some people would say that it is their favorite season. I think this could be the wrong way of looking at it and here are the reasons why. Fall is in season right now and everybody wants to go do fall things, like going to pumpkin patches and carving pumpkins. But, people forget that there are other things to do in other seasons. Like, in the summer you can go to the pool or just relax because there is no school work to catch up on. Or spring, where you start to feel almost done with school and you are ready to finally enjoy the nice weather out. The next season could be winter, where basketball season starts up and there are other holidays in season like christmas and new years. There are many different seasons that people like for different reasons, and I asked people in the school what their favorite season was and my results varied. As most people voted that their favorite season was fall because of the leaves changing and mostly because right now it is in season. Some people said summer because you had no pressure with no school work. But, some people saw some disadvantages to summer as they got bored very easily. And lastly some people said they liked winter because winter was around some of their favorite holidays.
spring. The primary answers were that when things or events were happening that attracted more people to say that was their favorite season. I asked people why they said that fall was their favorite season ¨Since it is in season, then I would say that because I can go carve pumpkins and go to the pumpkin patch¨, (Sophomore at MHS about their favorite season). The next component I incorporated was the seasons and how they make people feel emotionally. Emotionally people felt like summer made them feel the happiest because there was no stress of trying to get school work done during the week or sometimes on the weekends. The most stressful season people said was winter and spring, because most people take finals during that time. A lot of people said fall was not too stressful because the school year just starts and there is not too much to do.
The next thing I tried to incorporate was how the seasons made people feel physically. Physically people felt like winter was the worst season for that. A lot of people said this because winter with snow there were more chores that had to get done. Chores like shoveling the driveway and in the mornings trying to get the ice off your windshield. In the summer people felt like that was the second most stressful time because the parents went to work and there were usually chores for the kids to do at home. The spring and the fall were not too stressful for kids are age as there were no outside chores to be done. Favorite seasons I think are most identified by what season we are in, but for now carve pumpkins and go to the pumpkin patch because fall is here to stay christmas and new years. There are many different seasons that people like for different reasons, and I asked people in the school what their favorite season was and my results varied. As most people voted that their favorite season was fall because of the leaves changing and mostly because right now it is in season. Some people said summer because you had no pressure with no school work. But, some people saw some disadvantages to summer as they got bored very easily. I saw many trends in the results as they varied from stu- And lastly some people said they liked winter because dent to student. The most popular trend was that people winter was around some of their favorite holidays. thought that fall was their favorite season because it was in season. The other popular trend that I found was I saw many trends in the results as they varied from that nobody said that spring was their favorite season student to student. The most popular trend was that because nothing really exciting was happening in the people thought that fall was their favorite season
because it was in season. The other popular trend that fall is here to stay. I found was that nobody said that spring was their favorite season because nothing really exciting was happening in the spring. The primary answers were that when things or events were happening that attracted more people to say that was their favorite season. I asked people why they said that fall was their favorite season ¨Since it is in season, then I would say that because I can go carve pumpkins and go to the pumpkin patch¨, (Sophomore at MHS about their favorite season). The next component I incorporated was the seasons and how they make people feel emotionally. Emotionally people felt like summer made them feel the happiest because there was no stress of trying to get school work done during the week or sometimes on the weekends. The most stressful season people said was winter and spring, because most people take finals during that time. A lot of people said fall was not too stressful because the school year just starts and there is not too much to do. The next thing I tried to incorporate was how the seasons made people feel physically. Physically people felt like winter was the worst season for that. A lot of people said this because winter with snow there were more chores that had to get done. Chores like shoveling the driveway and in the mornings trying to get the ice off your windshield. In the summer people felt like that was the second most stressful time because the parents went to work and there were usually chores for the kids to do at home. The spring and the fall were not too stressful for kids are age as there were no outside chores to be done. Favorite seasons I think are most identified by what season we are in, but for now carve pumpkins and go to the pumpkin patch because fall is here to stay The next thing I tried to incorporate was how the seasons made people feel physically. Physically people felt like winter was the worst season for that. A lot of people said this because winter with snow there were more chores that had to get done. Chores like shoveling the driveway and in the mornings trying to get the ice off your windshield. In the summer people felt like that was the second most stressful time because the parents went to work and there were usually chores for the kids to do at home. The spring and the fall were not too stressful for kids are age as there were no outside chores to be done. Favorite seasons I think are most identified by what season we are in, but for now carve pumpkins and go to the pumpkin patch because
The History Of Halloween Reporter: Skye Shuler-Soto
Remember that extremely dark story
english teachers assign called The Lottery By Shirley Jackson. You know, the one where they stoned a woman to death to promote crop growth? Well the origin story of Halloween started off a lot like that. The Celtics (that’s pronounced KEL-tics because it’s not the sports team) followed the Pagan religion most often associated with gruesome sacrifices and dark ordeals. Over the years, Christian teachings have up-played their controversial practices, the holiday of Samhain (the main ancestor of Halloween) had everything to do with sacrifice. Ever think it’s kinda weird how we all dress up for Halloween? You can thank Samhain for that. Samhain was a Gaelic holiday celebrated around four thousand years ago in most of western Europe. Mostly farmers, but also others dependent on the crop cycle, dressed up in animal costumes and burned large fires on the last night of the harvest season. Primarily to symbolize the end of the growing season and the beginning of winter, their new year. In some areas, they sacrificed livestock to their gods for a better crop season in the coming spring. Later on, in 43 AD, the Romans seized control of Celtic land and with it, aspects of the Pagan religion. Roman culture and beliefs in the goddesses Feralia (goddess of death) and Pomona (god-
dess of apples) inspired things like bobbing for apples and the idea that ghosts visit the earth on the last night of October. With the fall of Rome came the rise of Christianity, and the complete transformation.
Picture credits to Kay Springsteen
The Catholic church wiped the holiday of any memory of previous deities while keeping the more harmless activities intact. In place came All Saints day or All Souls day on November 1st. Infact, All Saints day, or Alholowmesse in middle english, is where we get the name Halloween. As per tradition, soul cakes were baked and given to children who knocked on doors, similar to trick-or-treat. As Protestantism grew in popularity, traditions held over time were pushed back to their original date in October and brought to the United States with the Pilgrims and the idea of All Saints day dissipated. Through this tangled web of back and forth religion, our modern day Halloween was shaped. From bobbing for apples to trick-or-treating, our traditions have come from such a large array of sources. Simply put, Halloween is a holiday beloved and celebrated by many. Now, if we could only talk the government into let us having the day off of school...
A Game For Everyone Reporter; Connor Mahoney From time to time, everyone should play games. Not compulsively, it shouldn’t consume your entire life, but it’s something that can be stress relieving or a way to kill time. The daunting problem of everyone playing games is simple; everyone has different tastes. Some people like fast-paced games where they can go from zero to sixty in the blink of an eye. Just as well, there’s someone who likes a game that’s slow, immersive and, forces the player to slow down and think about their choices and options before trying to solve problems. For this reason I have decided to compile a list of various games of various genres to show examples of how diverse games can be. I am definitely biased in some regards, but I think that as far as a mixture of fast paced action and methodical engagements- Heat Signature encapsulates this type of game fantastically. It has perfectly mixed both chaotic and stealthy gameplay. In Heat Signature, you play a top-down third person randomly generated space mercenary attempting to take over the galaxy. The premise is that the character has decided to run odd jobs for whoever hires space mercenaries, to fund their endeavors. With the money and tools they’ve collected they are helping tear apart the areas controlled by four factions and distribute it to a new faction just called The Independent (you’ve probably heard this one before). Aside from just helping the people, they work to progress their agenda of; helping rescue a friend who got kidnapped, avenge a family member or something of the like. All while having a permadeath system that is not a punishing as it sounds, and, a stealth system with enemies neither so smart you’ll never escape or enemies that can see you when you’re in front of them (assuming you don’t have a tool that would let you). One of the key features that the game teaches you from the get-go is that you can pause whenever you want to help you get out of undesirable situations. My personal favorite feature is the retirement system. Once your character becomes too famous to really inspire The Independent anymore you are given the option to retire. When you retire you are able to select one item out of you inventory and give it a name, this item with the selected name can now spawn in ships of enemies when you play as your next character. Overall I would recommend this game with at 9/10; for fun and fast paced action with thought out engagements. For a fast FPS, you have to play Dying Light. Most
people would call it a combinationof Dead Island and Mirror’s Edge, but it’s more than just that. In Dying light you play as a ‘Global Relief Effort’ agent named Kyle Crane who is sent to the Turkish city of Harran to help with the zombie outbreak in the city. Within minutes of getting into the city Crane is bitten and forced to work with the survivors of the city to find a cure. These survivors, in order to survie the apocalypse, learn freerunning to navigate rooftops away from enemies. While the game starts out slowly, but the more you get used to the movement system, level up and, get better items the more your movement through missions and objectives will flow. The city of Harran is a great break from the mostly American cities of other zombie apocalypse games and is more beautiful than you might expect, despite how the population mostly consists of zombies.. The story of the game is lesser than that of other game series, but, has side stories that take a break from the monotony of the story missions. The game is co-op but no so much as other similar games because interactions with NPC’s are limited to when all the players are in the same area. Despite its amazing success with melee combat, once you start to get ranged weapons it breaks down a bit. The introduction of being able to use weapons that don’t put you into the immediate threat of being attacked makes combat more binary in the sense that they get to you first so it wouldn’t matter anyway or you get to them first, but it also reveals your location to scarier enemies helping mitigate how boring fighting gets. Like many modern zombie games the problem of facing one zombie horde, then another, and then another gets boring faster than one might expect. Dying Light uses a common solution; varying types of zombies. Like clickers, tanks and glowing ones of other series Dying Light has its variations. One such are the Night Hunters, and, their name says it all; they hunt at night and they act as a way to make it’s player more cautious because of their resistance to conventional weaponry, lightning fast speeds and one-hit-kills. All of these elements combine with the games base- parkour. The parkour system is the backbone of the movement, from death from above takedowns to destructible roofs that you have to watch out for it makes being chased both tense and skillful. Overall the game’s replayability is poor, but leveling up legend levels is challenging and rewarding. Overall the game is a 8/10 and is great for those who want an open-world zombie game that captures the fast-pace feeling that zombie games are best at.
Lastly, a great sandbox game would have to be Sporea seemingly simple game about growing from a microscopic speck into a space-faring empire.. While a large portion of the game will take place in the Space Stage, the best part is the Creature Stage. In the Creature Stage you grow into an animal and have to roam the world killing or befriending other animals until you evolve and get to the next stage. The stage itself is simple, but not always easy, but it the stage where you will create whatever creature you would like. Almost every time you play you will (at some point) have to stop what you are doing, and admire the insanity of the thing you just brought into the virtual world. Sometimes you unintentionally make a creature with arms the size of giraffe legs, and sometimes the flying spider-monster was exactly the idea you were looking for. The following two stages; Tribal and Civilization are fairly similar to other RTS games where you control a nation in attempts to take over the world. The Tribal Stage was quite unremarkable, but, the Civilization Stage was memorable for the chaos of having various countries scramble for the limited resources. The nations all have relationships with one another and you can form alliances to make taking over one nation easier. The following Space Stage is where you leave your planet behind in attempts to colonize the universe. While each stage might seem completely unassociated besides some small features, the choices you make as far back as the first stage will affect every following stage. The Archetype system means that when you decide that during the creature stage being nice to everyone you meet is the easiest way to go, the action affects your abilities in the Space Stage. Or, in the Cell Stage, becoming a herbivore means that you can’t eat meat during the creature stage, and gives the ability to call a group of creatures to assist you in making friends with other species. In my playthrough I got a Archetype for being all read or all green cards, where cards are red for hostile, yellow for neutral and green for friendly. For having two green cards and two red cards gives Archetype I got game me the ability to convert entire planets to my side, but doubly makes enemies with all neighboring empires. The addition of this means that even when you make what you might call the best adaptations, it can still be different in later stages. Overall one of my favorite games. An easy 9.5/10 for creativity, fun and how unique it is.
Spore’s Cover
Heat Signature’s cover
Dying Light’s Cover and tagline
Senior Spotlight: Tommy Wolfe Reporter:Sawyer Bix Most people think that playing two sports in one season is impossible, because of how academics can weigh on a student athletes mind. Tommy is a star on the soccer field, but since his sophomore year has been a star on the football field, too. Tommy has played soccer ever since his freshman year and has made an impact on the field ever since he has gotten to the high school. Now Tommy is in his senior season for football and soccer and trying to do two sports at once has not been an issue for Tommy. Tommy has been a star soccer player ever since he came in to the sport and he has made an impact on the football team since the 2016 season. Tommyś soccer career took off sophomore year when he got many varsity minutes and earned a valuable varsity spot. Junior year, Tommy was a major contributor to the district final team, because of his leadership on and off the pitch. Tommy says that ¨that district final loss taught him a lot about himself and his team¨. Tommy said that the loss taught him that ¨even though things will not go your way as an athlete you have to bounce back¨, (Tommy on what he learned from last year). Tommy has a presence inside the team huddle that just made everybody else on the team confident. Tommy comes from a family of athletes. His brother Steven Wolfe is a sophomore at Davidson college currently playing football. When I asked Tommy which sport he preferred he smiled at the trademark grin of his and responded ¨I do not want to choose but I would have to say soccer¨, (Tommy on which sport he enjoys playing more). Tommy has had an outstanding football career with clutch kicks throughout his high school career.Tommy said his most memorable football moment would have to be when he kicked three field goals in the central crossing game in 2017. Tommy competes in football not only to help one team but also does it to improve his striking skills as a forward on the soccer team. Tommyś first love was soccer as he started soccer at a very young age.Tommy played for club ohio a local club team in Ohio that goes to a variety of tournaments throughout the state. Tommy played FC Elite since he was 6 years of age and has now played 4 seasons of high school soccer. With
some football experience in 5th and 6th grade, but no high school experience, Tommy decided to kick starting his 10th grade year. Tommy decided to start kicking for the football team, to help his soccer kicking abilities as a forward he wanted to get better at striking the ball. But, eventually for Tommy it turned into bonds he formed with his football teammates that have grown now in his senior year. Tommy says ¨Itś a brotherhood and I do anything for my brothers¨, Tommy on his relationship with his teammates. Tommy has been a major contributor to both sports throughout his careers, with it being still amazing that he picked up football in just his sophomore year of high school. I asked tommy what sport do you like better soccer or football, ¨I like to play soccer better, because I feel like I am better at soccer¨, (Tommy on his favorite sport). Then I asked him what he liked to do outside of playing sports ¨I like to walk my dog or go outside and hang with my friends¨, (Tommy on his hobbies outside of sports). My next question to tommy was who his favorite pro soccer player was ¨My favorite soccer player is Ronaldo for sure¨, (tommy on his favorite soccer player). My last question to tommy was regarding if he wanted to pursue a sports career after high school and beyond, ¨Yeah I want to play sports in college¨, ( tommy on his post high school sports career). Tommy has always been a good athlete through his upbringing also as he played in the Marysville pee-wee football league for a few years. I asked tommy what his favorite position was to play in the pee-wee football league and he answered ¨running back definitely because the running back is always involved in the play that or middle linebacker¨, (Tommy on his favorite football positions). Tommy has been doing what a lot of athletes cannot by playing two sports in one season and doing with ease he has shown that you can be the one to defy some odds and succeed in both sports he is playing. Tommy knows what he has accomplished
and is proud of himself ultimately but knows there is more work to accomplish ultimately in the future with him graduating in 7 months. Tommy has his future set on going to college and maybe playing soccer at a university somewhere. Tommy is a great and influential young man and has way more to accomplish in his young athletic career. I loved talking to tommy about his athletic career and his future plans and I wish him good luck with his future endeavors.
The Top Treat Reporter: Skye Shuler-Soto
It’s spooky season, and what does that mean? It mean bats, ghosts, vampires and black cats are everywhere! Facebook, You simply roll out your pie crust and cut Twitter and Instagram are all filling up with halloween-themed posts, and their out appropriately sized circles and mold most popular? Food. I took it upon my- them into shape once you’ve sprayed your self to review theses recipes, and narrow pan. Then it’s time to make your filling (I’m down the options by eliminating the gross, an American so I went with apple). Cans are available at most grocery stores. Fill the pie cliche, and lousy ideas. First and foremost, cupcakes. There is up about three-fourths of the way and then next to no way to go wrong with cupcakes. add the top. For a halloween feel, I used a cookie cutter to make little bat shapes as the They’re delicious and everyone loves them. Thankfully, cake mix boxes have tops, similar to how the picture aboved used hearts. Bake at 350 degrees for about twenty recipes on them to further simplify the spectacular holiday treat. Videos on you- minutes. They’re delicious, easy and you tube can provide insight as to innovative can make a whole bunch in a short amount and creative ways to dress up and decorateof time. Whether you choose something from your cupcakes and there a thousands of sprinkle options. Ultimately, cupcakes are the options above or not, it’s always ima prime Halloween treat, or for any occa- portant that you wash your hands and keep your baking station sanitary. As the weather sion really. Perhaps less likely to be considered, grows colder and we all begin to huddle inbut important nonetheless, are panpies. side, viruses and bacteria will start to circuYou might be thinking, what the heck is a late. Make sure that you are doing your part panpie? Whelp get ready for this revolu- to not only entertain this Halloween, but are tionary treat! It’s pies, made in a cupcake keeping things clean. pan.
The struggle is real…
supporting schools district,Ï think Reporter:Shaylynn Jackson we have one of the strongest schools systems¨she explains.At school for her Have you ever struggled in school was a struggled she knew she wantweather it was with academics ed to teach at a not so typical school or making friends or even staying and were she can help others that awake in class? Many of the kids a struggle as much as she did in high tri has too. I met up with Mrs.Hin- school.Majority of the student at tri derer on a thursday afternoon at academy is from the high school but Tri-Academy as the students were also they come from homeschooling leaving.The interest of one on one and also from other district which I learning came an interest to me be- found very surprising. cause I learn better having a teacher Having a good attitude at school is walk me through things.Tri Acadgood because then you'll want to emy is a school located in uptown succeed in school.She says she has marysville in the hope center.It is a really seen a improvement in the school for kids that need help bechange in their attitudes and grades cause they couldn't focus in a tradi- as well,ever since changing into a tional high school room. High School typical school setting to a one on is a very important time of your life one school.¨There are many advanand for Mrs.Hinderer she stopped tages of teaching at a one on one liking school at high school,it started school,like getting very close with the off right in middle school she start- students.¨she said.While I was their ed to struggle and that continued on students came and made me feel in high school.She was growing up in like home even though I don't even a traditional school and that could go there.She says the students have be a possible reason why she strug- improved, credits go up,attendance gled in high school.She got labeled goes up,and attitudes about school as a certain type of kid and only a goes up.The benefits of that school is few saw the positive side of her and that you go at your own pace since it really inspired her to.”if you seen that school is a lot smaller than a me in highschool you would've of not typical school,the grades also go with predicted me to be a teacher”she your own pace and when u finish explains. a class you move to a new class.The As her life conuited,she went on teachers only allow you to take three to teaching,she taught at Marysclasses at a time,so than the stress ville District Schools.She has taught of having 8-9 classes is not problem at Tri-Academy and also a masto you.Although there's a lot of pros tery school which is at Stem and about that school there's also some than a traditional school which was cons and they are that the option at Marysville high school and that's where I go.She thinks the Marysville District has a very strong and
of elective goes up.You may lose some of your friends,but if their true friends they'll stay no matter your struggles.Some people may find they do not like on your on pace but the teachers check on the students every friday and they set goals so they do check in some their is remidations if your not following along.High school can be very challenging but when u find the way you learn,hopefully you'll enjoy school.At least it's only 4 years,and than oh wait here comes college‌
Day of The Dead Reporter, Lauryn O’Connors Here in America and other countries, we celebrate the holiday known as Halloween. Children will dress up and go trick or treating for candy and have fun. But the question is, do the Spanish celebrate it? While Halloween can be a worldwide thing, the spanish down in Mexico celebrate things a bit differently. They call it Dia De Los Muertos; (dee-ya day lohs moo-air-toes). Celebrated on the same day as Halloween, October 31st, Dia De Los Muertos is all about spooky stuff just like Halloween. But while there are many similarities between the two holidays, there are more differences than you think. Dia De Los Muertos, or in English the Day of the Dead, is to celebrate those before us who have passed and celebrate their ends that stated our beginnings. While this sounds quite somber, it’s actually the opposite! Day of the Dead’s most popular decorations is a Calavera, also known as Sugar Skull, which is a representation of a human skull made of sugar or clay. They can look spooky at first but once decorated with flowers and colors, it will look like it came from a garden; not a graveyard. The Sugar Skull represents a departed soul and is covered in art that reflects the folk art style of big happy smiles, colorful icing and glittery decor.
La Catrina, another symbolic figure in the Day of the Dead, is a skeleton woman wearing a brightly colored dress. Many women paint their face as Sugar Skulls, making beautiful art. These women can be found at the Dia De Los Muertos festivals and parades. These symbols remind us not to be scared of death and that La Catrina is here to laugh and cry with us and to know that in the end, we must celebrate and cherish the life we have. For Halloween, children and adults alike eat candy and sweet, sugary things on this holiday. But for the Day of the Dead, they eat Pan De Muerto, a special kind of bread made once a year that can be eaten with hot chocolate. Most children think it’s tradition to dress up like their favorite superhero, or the scariest monster on Halloween. But for Dia De Los Muertos, Marigolds are a traditional flower in the celebration, and are used as an offering to remind the spirits to find their way back home. Here in Marysville, Halloween is happily celebrated! The origins of Halloween date back centuries. Its original name was Samhain, but changed over time. The holiday was celebrated by Celts, an ethnolinguistic group. If you ever wondered why people wear costumes during Halloween, know that some of the Celts wore ghoulish costumes so that wandering spirits would mistake them for one of their own and leave them alone. The kids go trick-or-treating because the Celts would offer treats and sweets to please the spirits. And those candies definitely please the children! In the end, Halloween and Dia De Los Muertos is something that anyone can celebrate; no matter race, gender, or religion.
Uncommon Mental Health Issues Advanced Reporter, Kami Carter
a majority of the time, many people who suffer from this disorder are able to live happy and productive lives.
Alice and wonderland syndrome, also known as Todd’s syndrome, is one of the most interesting neurological symptoms ever existed. It was discovered in 1955 and is estimated that only around 10-20% of the population suffers from this syndrome and is believed to occur only a few times throughout the lives of affected individuals. It’s crazy because the experience that people go through during this affect, they can describe with exceeding levels of detail. So, what is alice and wonderland syndrome? It is a condition that affects that individuals perception. People experience size discornation which makes objects look bigger or smaller than their real size. Although there is no treatment for alice and wonderland syndrome, the best way to prevent experiences is to become more comfortable with it and figure out the cause. For example, if the problem is caused by migraines, the treatment for the migraines may be the best way to prevent alice and wonderland syndrome.
People with mental health conditions deserve just as much support and compassion as people with physical health conditions. In honor of mental health week that was this month, I decided to write about a few of the most uncommon mental health issues. These include dissociative identity disorder, alice and wonderland syndrome, and alien hand syndrome.
Alice and Wonderland Syndrome
Alien Hand Syndrome
Photo found on www.news-medical.net.com
Dissociative Identity Disorder
All of us have experienced mild dissociation at some point in our life; like daydreaming or getting lost in the moment while working on a project. However, “dissociative identity disorder is a severe form of dissociation, a mental process which produces a lack of connection in a person’s thoughts, memories, feelings, actions, or sense of identity,” ( www.webmd.com). Dissociative identity disorder, or other wise known as multiple identity disorder, is usually caused by a combination of factors including mental or physical abuse. Anothugh this disorder affects around only 2% of the population, it is incurable. Although, some people and even high trained experts question if this is a real issue some of these people deal with. I mean, trying to wrap your mind around some who has more than two personalities can be difficult and confusing to someone with only one. The diagnosis is controversial among mental health professors. “With some experts believing that it is really an “offshoot” phenomenon of another psychiatric problem, such as borderline personality disorder, or the product of profound difficulties in coping abilities or stresses related to how people form trusting emotional relationships with others,” (www.webmd.com). Treatment for this disorder often involves psychotherapy and medication. Although finding an effective treatment plan for the patient is difficult
Alien hand syndrome is a rare neurological condition that causes one hand to act on its free will. Sometimes one leg is affected, but it is uncommon. During this syndrome, the hand isn’t under control of the mind, it moves as if it has a mind of it own. Although, alien hand syndrome can occur in children, it occurs in mostly adults. Alien hand can be cause by several factors. Healthline.com states that “some people develop alien hand syndrome after a stroke, trauma, or tumor. It’s sometimes associated with cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and brain aneurysms.” The most obvious symptom of alien hand syndrome is the inability to control one’s hand as if it acts independently. The hand my do movements repeatedly or compulsively. The alien had can also start to levitate on it’s own. Healthline.com also states that “the hand may also engage in self-oppositional actions such as closing a drawer that the other hand just opened or unbuttoning a shirt that you just buttoned.”
In conclusion there are countless mental illnesses that should not be taken lightly. Some included were alien hand syndrome, alice and wonderland syndrome and dissociative identity disorder. Everyday you should be aware and open of other peoples life struggles. Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. So be kind. Always.
Mental Health In Teens Contributing Repoter, Kyndra Antrim
Have you ever walked up the stairs and your heart starts pounding so loud that you think everyone can hear it? Did you think you were having a heart attack but it turned out to be nothing? That's called a panic attack, which is a mental illness. A mental illness is anything that affects a person’s mood, thinking, and behavior. One in five teens in the United States have a mental illness, which is twenty percent of our population. Anywhere from anxiety or panic attacks (31.9%) which are one of the most common, to ADHD, also known as attention deficit disorder (19.1%) to mood disorders such as depression (14.3%) (livescience.com). All mental illnesses are very serious. They stop people from doing things they love. People with anxiety can't talk to people in big groups without having a panic attack. People with ADHD can't focus on tests, causing them to get bad grades. People with depression can´t get out of bed in the morning without feeling sad and thinking the day is already going to be miserable. People with mental illnesses their behavior will change significantly. Some changes would be: excessive neglect of personal appearance or hygiene , feelings of hopelessness, sadness, anxiety, crying often, physical symptoms (stomach aches, headaches, backaches). They also have big changes in energy levels, eating or sleeping patterns, problems with memory, attention or concentration, decrease in enjoyment and time spent with friends and family, and significant decrease in school performance, (http://www.asmfmh.org). Some changes won't only be with how a person looks or how they feel; could be how they think. They could think about hurting themselves, which hurts others. In life, we all have adventures that we take. Some of our adventures are bumpier than others and mental illness is just another part of the adventure. A part of that adventure is gonna be rough, especially
when you feel as if you’re alone or if you have anxiety or stress, but you have to remember it won't last forever. So, if you see any of your friends start to show symptoms encourage them to seek help whether its simply talking to their parents, a trusting adult, or there doctor. No matter how alone they feel there are others out there going through similar adventures.
Words that Prompted Hope Reporter: Julia Robinson
Online bullying, war, stress from work and school, all things in life messing with your head and trying to steal happiness. As a state, as a city, as a school I believe it’s important we focus on the positive in life. Many people do this by living with a moto or something they repeat to themselves each day to reinforce gratitude and joy. This is what is going to be portrayed, discussing words that prompted hope, not just for my well being but for some others that might help you as well.
Photo found on the site: Photo found on the site: https:// www.sabusinessindex.co.za/can-you-let-go/
First live generously. Most of us are blessed with a good education, a roof over our heads, clothes, food etc. Did you know that 100 million people are homeless in the world or, that 795 million kids are starving. Just think if celebrities or wealthy people lived more generously instead of buying tons of Gucci or spending millions of dollars on huge houses’, they give that to a multitude of charities or programs. If we live by the saying, “give generously” so much more could be accomplished are shared. Some companies that you could get involved with to help this thesis is American Red Cross, Feeding America and there are plenty more that you can discover and research more yourselves. Next is be the person you wish you had when you
were young. I don’t know about you but I definitely wish I had a mentor with me wherever I went to guide me along the right and wrong paths. Ponder on this question, what would happen if every teen/adult could be someone that a little kid needed. Whether that was a father figure or a friend even someone to encourage them to do their best, to congratulate them on everything they are doing right. Do you see how we could stop so many mental health issue, self deprecating thoughts at a young age. The next generation would be ready to do that for others, raising them right. Thankfully with social media we can have a good variety of role models that share good messages. Along with that however, are bad influences just a click away, adding to the negativity that is already occurring. With this it makes us double check not only what we post online but the words we say to one another. Sometimes you just have to let go. Consider this possibility, what if everyone forgive each other of their wrong doings? Wouldn’t the world be so much more peaceful. This especially is useful in everyday life. Some things hurt more than others or some are just accidents. Holding a bunch of little grudges in your mind, doesn’t hurt anyone else but ourselves, so many things can build up and lead yourself to explode. “Forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace.” If we remember sometimes we just have to let our baggage go it is less painless to continue relationships and our day to day lives.
Photo found on the site: https://www.hidabroot. com/article/193919/Helping-Others-Overcome-Challenges
Finally, “ you can’t start the next chapter in your life if you keep re-reading”. Sometimes it’s painful to realize you’re moving on from something, whether that’s a grade, a place, relationship etc. It’s not always ideal but sometimes it is what it is. If dwelling for months on end is what you are doing about the sadness occuring, it is not healthy for you. You have to embrace the challenges that come your way. It also is easier said than done, but the same rules still apply, that will practice comes results. To sum up, there is more good in the world than evil, though it might not always be presented in this way, we can live by these few motos it will be easier. Can you be kind to others? Can you find the good in yourself? Can you be the one some child looks up to? “Anytime you try to be a loving person, you’re doing your part to save the world” -Marianne Williamson.
On November 9th and 10th, at 7 P.M., we will be holding our newest production, The Norse Mythology Radnasplosion. Tickets are $5.00 for students and seniors and at 7 P.M., we will be holding our newand 10th,seating 9threserved $7.00 for adults. Thereber is no On Novem est production, The Norse Mythology Radnasplosion. Tickets are and $7.00 for adults. There is no seniors ts and studen forThor Follow Norse$5.00 Gods, and Loki, through their comical slapstick adventures of reserved seating
pillaging and raiding Norse Mythology. Imagine the brutal Gods invited to your ThanksgivingFollow dinner. Hilarity as we meet Loki’s giant wolfl son andk Hel, the slapstic comica h their throug Loki, Thor and Gods,ensues Norse e battle of Goddess of the Underworld. Thegplay ends with Ragnarok, theImagin epic final Mythology. Norse and raiding ures of pillagin advent y enHilarit ing dinner anksgiv to your destruction. the Thisbrutal wild Gods ride isinvited the most funTh you can have with. the apocalypse. sues as we meet Loki’s giant wolf son and Hel, the Goddess of the Underworld. The play ends with Ragnarok, the epic final battle of destruction. This wild ride is the most fun you can have with the apocalypse.