Opinion

NEWS CONT. /OPINION

Pop culture trends, divine or disaster: Bieber Fiever

By Nora Weiske

Seventeen-year-old teenage heart throb, Justin Bieber is simply fantastic.

Yeah, he might be overrated, but who could dislike a cute kid that sings?

In 2008, Scooter Braun discovered Bieber when he happened to come across a video of Bieber singing on YouTube. He later became Bieber’s manager.

Braun, having connections with Usher, introduced Bieber to the world-renowned pop artist at the age of 13.

After a joint venture between Braun and Usher, Bieber was signed to Island Records.

Bieber’s first hit single “One Time” charted in the top 30 in over 10 countries. That is a lot in a little time for such a youngster.

Now, at the age of 17, Bieber has one movie, two CD’s, three biographies and 27 articles written about him. He also has managed to make the cover of 28 magazines. Photo: N. Weiske

As if the young man’s voice is not enough to make women want to pinch his cheeks, Bieber released a movie on Feb. 11 titled “Never Say Never.”

The movie includes behind-thescenes footage of Bieber’s concerts and clips from home videos of him as a child.

Justin Bieber was even a stud when he was two years old. A little kid pretending to play the drums, c’mon!

Along with stardom comes rumors and all the other good stuff jealous people post about celebrities. Recently, a picture was released of Bieber kissing a fan. I bet his celebrity girlfriend, Selena Gomez, was not very happy about that. Maybe that is for the best since she is too old for him anyway.

Dating an older woman will not make his young fan base very happy, either.

Fans with Bieber Fiever range in age. Screaming girls from the ages of five to 20 cheer him on.

I suppose there are some screaming boy fans too, but I am not going to go there....

Anyway, at 17 he is more than on his way to puberty and can date who he wants -- is it weird that his voice has not changed?

All in all, a 17-year-old with this much recognition deserves to be 100 percent divine.

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor, ‘“Children” Our First Priority’ is the motto written right outside of the administration office. If students were their first priority, then many things would be done differently. I personally have been cheated by the system.

Many students are placed in a cookie cutter schedule, and there is little room for deviation. Now, this isn’t bad, but I want to be an art or music major and I am unable to take these classes because of scheduling. Each day, the band and choir students have to alternate their classes. Often times, I question what is being taught to me. I do this because what is being taught to us is said to always be right. Every time I question, I am told to be quiet and to stop asking questions. This is a learning environment and I wish to learn to my maximum. ‘“Children” Our First Priority’ is a bunch of rubbish.

Junior Andrew Karr

Knowing the UnKnown: SUperStitionS: good lUcK vS. Bad lUcK

By Julie Kalupa

“Everything happens for a reason” is one of my favorite quotes. Superstitions were created to explain these things, which I think is just crazy. In the off chance that they may be true, and for amusement, I think everyone should know what events will “change one’s life.”

First, we will begin with good luck. There are tons of things that symbolize good fortune, such as:

Seeing a new moon on a Monday.

Eating an apple on Christmas will bring good health the following year.

Sleeping facing south. What happens if I go to bed facing South, then roll over? Do I get half as much luck?

Finding a pencil in the street. So I have a choice to make, having good luck or getting hit by a car. Or will the good luck be powerful enough to prevent me from bodily harm?

Avoiding cracks in the sidewalks. They must have gotten this one from the children’s chant, “step on a crack, and break your mother’s back.”

Cutting one’s hair during a storm. Picturing a man getting his hair cut on his porch in a storm is just hilarious.

Meeting a chimney sweep on one’s wedding day. I do not understand why this would be a good thing. Chimney sweeps are dirty and brides wear white dresses.

Sneezing three times before breakfast. What happens if I sneeze after breakfast?

Sleeping on unironed sheets. Really? Honestly, who irons their sheets anymore?

Having a white butterfly be the first one of the year seen.

Carrying the back left foot of a rabbit that was killed in a cemetery in the moonlight. I am glad this one is not too complicated.

Hanging garlic in the house. The scent is just for personal enjoyment.

I will now touch upon all of the things that one should refrain from doing for fear of bad luck.

Walking beneath a ladder. This one was designed for the person at the top of the ladder’s safety, obviously.

Breaking a mirror. If one does, he must wait exactly seven hours before picking up the pieces. Then he must bury the pieces in the moonlight.

Dealing with the number 13. Apparently this is one that still affects people today. Surprisingly, many hotels do not even have a thirteenth floor due to this superstition.

Spilling salt. If one does, he must immediately toss a pinch of it over his shoulder.

These creative stories did not stop with just luck, they provided excuses for almost everything insignificant that could happen.

If one’s right hand itches he will earn money.

If one’s right ear is ringing someone is speaking well of him, but if the left is ringing someone is talking smack.

If one’s nose itches he will kiss a fool. Like a leprachaun? My nose has itched on many occasions, yet I have never seen a leprachaun let alone kissed him.

If one feels a chill up his spine, someone is walking upon his future grave. Creepy.

If one’s necklace’s clasp touches the pendant it signifies somebody is thinking of the wearer.

Well, I am officially convinced. I will never ever type the number 13 again .... oops.

The Red ‘n’ Green

Berlin High School 222 Memorial Drive Berlin, WI 54923 920.361.2000 redandgreen@berlin.k12. wi.us

The Red ‘n’ Green is printed monthly by Berlin High School and circulated free to students. The purpose of the Red ‘n’ Green is to be a public forum for our staff, students and readers. We want to create close ties between the administration, faculty, students and the Berlin community. We will give readers the opportunity to voice opinions. The Red ‘n’ Green will accept only signed letters to the editor, although names will be withheld upon request. We reserve the right to return letters for corrections before publishing. The staff will not print any material that is libelous, obscene or malicious. Editorials are unsigned as they reflect the majority opinion of the staff. Editorial topics will be covered in a fair manner. However, controversial topics will be covered. Subscriptions are available. Please contact the business manager at the above email address or phone number.

Editor-in-Chief: Julie Kalupa

Business Manager: Nora Weiske

Reporters: Karnpal Cheema Halle Daul Caleb Draves Amberlee Perry Jostun Pomplun Quinn Thompson

Advisor: Shannon Kuehmichel

Editorial: Super Bowl commercials provide laughs

Many people dislike watching if nobody likes it. commercials. They are boring Doritos, Coca-Cola, Budweiser, and once a commercial comes on, Bud Light, Pepsi, Best Buy and numost people change the channel. merous car companies were just a

However, Super Bowl commer- few of those who advertised durcials get a different reaction. Since ing the Super Bowl. Many of these the Super Bowl is one of the great- corporations aired more than just est sporting events in the world, one commercial during the game. millions of viewers tune in to the Time slots not filled go to smallgame each year. er local companies or are filled by

During the Super Bowl, people that network advertising its prostay glued to their TVs during grams. Maybe they should lower commercials. Almost every com- the price of these commercials mercial is new and many are hi- so the spots do get filled. If these larious, which is what makes them spots were filled, the network so great. would make more money. Then

Most who watch the Super Bowl viewers would be able to laugh at are avid football fans, even if their more Doritos commercials. team is not playing in the Super Even if one dislikes commerBowl. But, there are plenty of oth- cials, it is recommended to watch ers who watch just for the com- them during the Super Bowl. mercials. Viewers will laugh at them, even if

These commercials can be very they are dumb or nonsensical. expensive. In 1967, the aver- These commercials are why the age price for a 30 second ad was Super Bowl is so great. $37,500. For Super Bowl XLV, Of all the commercials aired on prices were around $3,000,000. television, the ones during the This is a waste of money, especially Super Bowl are by far the best.