The Vista NOTRE DAME ACADEMY*3535 W. SYLVANIA AVE.* TOLEDO, OH 43623*VOL 68 ISSUE 4*Feb. 14, 2017
How Does the World See the United States? Ada Ogbonna The United States seems to be in a season of separation, perhaps becoming more divided than united, and this can be seen through U.S. interactions with the rest of the world. The Pew Global Attitudes Project measures foreign opinion of the United States. According to its findings published on FactCheck.org, citizens in 35 out of 37 countries have a less favorable opinion of the U.S. since President Trump took office. Allies Find U.S. Friendship Strained In the last year, British Prime Minister Theresa May has been put in more compromising situations than in previous years in her career. From being the first world leader to visit the president in January 2017 to scheduling the president’s first official visit to Britain in late February 2018, Theresa May dove deep into the shark tank of political controversy and backlash. President Trump is unpopular in Britain as multiple diplomatic flare ups have put a unique strain on relations between the two countries. London Mayor Sadiq Khan openly celebrated President Trump’s cancellation of his trip planned for later this month. But the ‘special relationship’ between the U.S. and Great Britain limits how Prime Minister May can respond. This ‘special relationship’ outlines the political, diplomatic, cultural, economic, military and historical relations between the U.K. and the U.S. According to The Christian Science Monitor, it is the reason as to why Mrs. May is in a “particular bind” as she is “forced to maintain” the status quo with
believe the U.S. can no longer be considered a leader in terms of establishing peace in the Israeli-Palestine conflict. “This conflict is centuries of disagreements, stemming from the time of Abraham himself. It poses a dynamic question which stuns the brightest politicians of our day and demands either war or aggressive compromise,” junior Sarah Watson said.
Photo by publicdomainpictures.net
the U.S., even as doing so erodes the support she receives from the antiTrump public at home. The Pew Project reports 11 percent of Germans have confidence in Pres. Trump; it was 86 percent under Pres. Obama. Other allies show a similar decline. Leadership of the U.N. The U.S. finds itself in another difficult circumstance after the meeting held by the U.N. on the voting of the Jerusalem status resolution. In the session, 128 countries voted in favor of condemning President Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. This stemmed from the fact that Israel and Palestine have been in conflict for many years as to which has sovereignty over the land. Because President Trump decided to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the U.N. voted overwhelmingly to condemn that decision, many
Support for Mr. Trump “I’m not — and I don’t want to be — the president of the world,” President Trump famously said. “I’m the President of the United States. And from now on, it’s going to be America first.” And some world leaders responded to President Trump’s leadership. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said during his visit to the White House last year, “Now with the birth of the Trump administration, a new genesis will be built between Japan and U.S. in economic relations.” Many in the U.S. who supported President Trump during the 2016 election wanted exactly that. “During the campaign, I liked that he was talking about putting America first and creating more jobs within the United States,” junior Hannah Joly said. Women of Vision Regardless of the political divisions within the country or abroad, the U.S. is still vital to the world. “I would like to see America stay as a leader and continue to work for the betterment of humanity by encouraging leaders to move us forward with other countries,” World History teacher Mrs. Natalie Morgan said.
In This Issue: Page 2 Mardi Gras Charity
Page 5 Spirit Week
Page 8 Net Neutrality
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News
Following One’s Desire to Lead Hannah Dailey As the end of the year approaches, it is almost time to start thinking about Student Council elections at Notre Dame. On March 2 during Student Flex Time, there will be a mandatory Student Council Leadership Information Session for all students who are interested in running for any position on for the 2018-19 school year. More information will be given at the meeting about the logistics of how candidates should organize their campaign. Some students may be wondering what personal qualities they should possess to be successful candidates, especially with Executive Student Council elections and Cabinet members appointed by the Student Council moderators. Since candidates do not have a formal interview or campaign, there are still ways to make an application stand out. “Everyone has the opportunity to run for student council. There is not just one specific type of student who will be successful,” Student Council President and
Executive Student Council poses for a group picture after a successful visitation skit. Photo by Caroline Dziubek. senior Carly McGoldrick said. There are some qualities that a potential candidate should possess in order to be the most successful with their Executive Cabinet application or when running for any other positions. “To be a member of Student Council, one must, above all, be willing. They must be willing to lead, willing to follow, willing to be a team player, and willing to help. You have to be excited about what you are doing because it is
an amazing opportunity that is so worth the work!” Student Council Treasurer and junior Hope Thayer said. “The most important qualities to have are initiative, dedication, and leadership. It is also important to have a willingness to listen and let others take the lead,” Hope added. Applicants should be involved in school, but previous Student Council involvement, though beneficial, is not necessary. “This is a great way for students from all walks of life to get involved in the school. If someone has a good reputation and a positive outlook, it can help hold a position of leadership. In order to successfully become a member of Student Council, it is best to avoid the negativity and drama,” Carly said. Those evaluating the applications are looking for individuals who embody the Notre Dame Academy mission and who are willing to work hard to make the school year the best it can be. Anyone interested in running should attend the Leadership session.
Mardi Gras Traditions Continue Elizabeth Pierson It is no secret that NDA goes all out on Mardi Gras, but the reason why it is important is because all the money collected from the tickets and raffles goes to charity. This year, the charity the sophomores are sponsoring is the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. As stated by this charity, they are making cures happen by providing patient support services, ad-vocating for lifesaving treatments, and pi-oneering the most promising cancer re-search anywhere. Mardi Gras has always been a fun and exciting tradition in the NDA community, but its history is equally just as interesting. It refers to the events of the carnival celebrations beginning on the Christian feast of the Epiphany. “It was so fun heling out for a good charity while also helping others celebrate the fun NDA tradition of Mardi Gras,” sophomore Hannah Gomez said. Mardi Gras is a French word meaning
Students celebrated Mardi Gras by eating ice cream and chatting. Photo by Elizabeth Pierson.
“Fat Tuesday,” reflecting the tradition of the last night of eating fatty foods before fasting begins. Mardi Gras is celebrated in countries other than only the United States, mainly those with majority of Roman Catholic religions. As recorded by history, Venice, New Orleans, and Brazil host the holiday’s most famous public festivities, drawing
thousands of tourists each year. According to history, Christianity arrived in Rome and religious leaders decided to incorporate the popular local traditions into their new faith. There, Mardi Gras spread from Rome to other European countries like France, Germany, and England. Not only does NDA enjoy the fun on Mardi Gras, but so does New Orleans. In 1837 the first Mardi Gras celebration was held in New Orleans. Every January 6th the Mardi Gras celebrations begin there. The colors associated with Mardi Gras are purple, which symbolizes justice; gold, which represents power; and green, which shows faith. Mardi Gras festivities include parades that feature floats, marching bands, and a king and queen to lead it “I remember helping out with the Mardi Gras party last year, and it was a blast! I am excited to see what this year’s sophomore class brings and contributes,” junior Taylor Diggins said.
Working Hard for Yourself Ashley Keane Sports are typically associated with teams, but there are also individual events that challenge athletes to push their own limits in order to help the team succeed. Many students from Notre Dame are involved in sports that focus on their own abilities. An athlete's goal in an individual event is to break their personal record each time they practice or compete. Since these events require constant training, athletes are pushed to their fullest potential by their coaches. This can be difficult to achieve at times because there are days when the athlete may feel too tired or overwhelmed to practice. Just like athletes competing on a team, these girls have to take care of themselves physically to be able to train harder and mentally to keep motivating themselves to want to push through the pain. "Every day at swimming practice I challenge myself to work not only on my stroke and technique, but also on my mental strength to complete the workout to my best ability. It is easy to keep myself busy because there is always something to work on," junior Julia Loeb said. Even on days when it seems too hard to train, these athletes think of the bigger picture. Winning an individual event or accomplishing an individual goal motivates the entire team. "Whenever I do not want to practice, I think about how it will affect the team and remind myself that every practice counts. The best part about having a team in an individual sport is that they are always the first to congratulate you on your success and the first to pick you up if you fall," golfer and senior Mattison Kasper said. Teammates provide support even when competing against each other. Athletes challenge themselves to be the best, which means pushing past their own friends. "My teammates always cheer on each other and support one another in our goals. I thank them whenever I win an event or achieve a goal. My coach is also a huge part to thank because she pushes us all hard to swim our best and to leave it all in the water," Julia said.
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Sports Snapshot
Sports
Aqua Eagles swim the 200 IM at home meet against Perrysburg. Photo by Kendall Rejent
Flu Shot Meant to Protect Elizabeth Pierson Every winter, flu shot commercials appear on TV, but what exactly is a flu shot and why is it recommended? The flu shot is a yearly vaccine meant to protect people from influenza, also known as the flu. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it takes two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protects against the flu. “I unfortunately got the flu this winter from a family member who lives in the same house as me. I do normally get a flu shot almost every November, but this year was different and I regret not getting a flu shot from my local pharmacy,” senior Victoria Fullwood said. Since the body’s immune response from vaccination declines over time, it’s important to get vaccine for protection. Flu shots are provided at doctors offices, clinics, and even local pharmacies. Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body just about two weeks after the vaccination took place. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine. One benefit from a flu vaccine is it reduces the risk of flu-associated hospitalizations. As reported by CDC, it has
even been associated with lower rates of some cardiac events among people with heart disease, especially those who experienced a cardiac event in the past. “My little brother and I get the flu shot right before the first snow fall every winter. My family and I swear by it because we have not had the flu since we started going to the doctor’s office to get the vaccine,” senior Alexis Woodby said. A couple of symptoms of the flu are body aches and chills, having a fever, and sore throats and coughing. According to Healthline, these symptoms can easily be avoided by washing your hands routinely, avoiding contact with those who are already experiencing these symptoms or those who have already had the flu, and lastly, limit how often you touch your nose and mouth. “People should get a flu shot to help prevent themselves and others around them from getting the flu,” NDA nurse Mrs. Sara Mazur said. The flu can be a serious disease and without properly taking care of yourself, this infectious disease can spread to you, perhaps leading to other complications as well. It is important to make washing your hands a habit and making sure you don’t touch someone who does have the flu.
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Opinion-Editorial
Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House Crosstalk
Right to Read Kendall Rejent
It seems even President Trump’s closest allies within the White House are doubtful of his ability to carry out a successful presidency...or at least this is the mindset they have impressed upon author Michael Wolff according to his new book, Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump W hite House. Despite Wolff’s questionable background of reporting style, not a single person he interviewed seemed hesitant to let him know how they really felt. Wolff’s sneaky tactics aside, the information gathered from current and former aides to Trump is relevant and exposes what is not being said. It shows what is on the minds of those closest to the President. The fact that Trump’s administration tried to stop the book from making it to publication should only make us want to read it more. What is in there that could be so damaging, and do we not have the right to know why many people think so? Freedom of the Press under our First Amendment should not only protect the ability of journalists like Wolff to publish their personal accounts and views, but it should spark a sense of curiosity in its readers. It should give that feeling even if it means questioning how trustworthy Wolff really is and the validity of his facts. The point is to expose anyone who reads his work and the work of other journalists, to think in a different way. The point is to also get a new perspective from someone close to the action that finds the source and puts it in writing, risking their own necks to benefit ours. One does not have to agree with everything one reads, but everyone should have the right to read it, nevertheless.
The Vista Staff Volume 68 Issue 4 The Vista is a publication of Notre Dame Academy by the students of Journalism II and III. The office is located in room 113 of the school. Unsigned editorials represent a majority vote of the newspaper staff. Editor in Chief: Ashley Keane Assistant Editor: Hannah Dailey Adviser: Mrs. Julie Sells Second Year Reporter: Elizabeth Pierson First Year Reporters: Ada Ogbonna Kendall Regent
Wrong Message Elizabeth Pierson
The First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States declares, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” At a certain point, how far is too far? There is a fine line between claiming freedom of the press and disrespecting the life and dignity of another human being, especially when that human being is challenged through a book and is one of the most important people in the world today, President Donald Trump. It is one thing if a blogger on the Internet had his own opinion about the president and what he has or has not done for our country. Publishing a book anyone can stumble upon is taking the matter of the situation a little too far. In the book, Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump W hite House, the author violated the president’s privacy and used his sources against him and his political campaign. “It’s not from the United States government- it’s from the president’s personal attorney,” President Trump’s press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said. Even if the book was about a different political influencer, the same amendment would apply. No matter if the book was about former President Barack Obama or current President Donald Trump, at the end of the day, it is all about respecting the lives of fellow Americans, no matter what their gender, race, or political party may be. Journalists have the right to print their stories, but they also have the responsibility to be ethical in what they observe and write.
Editor’s Corner Hi! This year has flown by so fast already. There have been a lot of great things 2018 has brought thus far. I am excited to see what will happen throughout the rest of the school year. First, we have to get past all these snow days that winter keeps giving us. They can be nice to have when we can sleep in and catch up on homework! Before we know it spring will be underway here at NDA. Until then, I know we will enjoy the chilly air and pretty snowflakes. I look forward to the next issue of the Vista where I guarantee interesting stories you will want to read. See you through the paper! Ashley
Opinion and editorial
I’ve Got Spirit, How ‘bout You? Spirit Week is a beloved tradition of Notre Dame because many students and faculty go all out for costumes to fit each daily theme. Why are there some people that refuse to dress up or just choose to do something very boring? This trend of being lazy and disgraceful to school spirit ends this year. Spirit Week is meant to excite the school and cause energy to increase in the halls. It is meant to celebrate how much we love our school. We dress up to show we care about all the wacky things Notre Dame has to offer. The week could be full of boring themes such as "Wear All Gray Depressing Clothes Wednesday", but instead our school chooses fun days such as "Meme Day Monday". If student council gives us these interesting themes, the least we could do is try to dress for it. Sometimes there are themes that make girls unsure what to wear. If you have no idea what to wear, go on Pinterest or Google and type in the category; it is surprising how many outfits people can come up with that way. Notre Dame encourages girls to avoid being too boring or plain. Often students try to figure out ways to wear
sweatpants with every theme while being thoroughly and com-pletely uninteresting. They may be comfortable, but they are not embracing school spirit. Students who do not want to participate in themes have the option to just wear their uniform; however, when majority of the school are wearing fun outfits, taking the easy way out is not supporting Spirit Week. Student Council announced the themes this year on Mardi Gras which gives ample time (a week!) to think of outfit ideas before the next Tuesday. If someone is struggling to come up with an outfit, suggest different costumes or pieces she could put together. There are always going to be students (or teachers) that have plenty of fun and simple outfits in mind. Spirit Week is not about breaking bank accounts, but it is meant to be a fun way to come together to celebrate Notre Dame. Work harder to show your school pride. Do not even think about being an all gray "rock" in sweatpants.
A group of freshman friends took an outdoor picture in their Date Dance dresses. Photo Provided By Kaylin Meneilly.
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Going Solo on a Day for Couples Kendall Rejent The cold months leading up to Valentine’s day are what teenagers call “cuffing season”. It is said to be a season spent seeking someone to settle down with and start a serious relationship, though more accurately described as a desperate attempt at avoiding the loneliness that comes with low temperatures and time changes that force everyone indoors for the night by 5 pm. Next time you feel pressured to scroll through your followers and randomly pick out a target to claim for the winter, ask yourself, what is so wrong with being alone? Why not spend these months catching up from the hectic start of the school year? Prepare for the start of an entirely new year. Reorganize, regroup, get your work done, and enjoy the few times you can get a moment to yourself. It is also key to recognize the love already in your life from your family and friends. Dedicate this time to thanking your parents for all they do for you and return the favor by showing them how much you appreciate them. Maybe stay home one night of the weekend and have dinner with them or even get them to go out to show your appreciation. Get together with your friends to watch one of those sappy romantic comedies that you have seen a million times but still love to sob over, and then proceed to laugh because you know this will never happen in your life. Show your inner Leslie Knope and have a “Galentine’s day”; get all of your girl friends together to treat yourselves by “kicking it breakfast style” and ordering a feast including all your favorite sweets. You should probably leave the creepy personalized gifts with your friends faces on them at home, though. We are only in high school, and despite what you may think, not being in a relationship is not the end of your social life. This 14 of February should not cause any stress (or any amount more than your usual), to announce to the world that you are single and surprisingly, okay with it.
Feature
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His Name Jeff, But You Can Call Him Mr. NDA Ashley Keane On January 6, 2018, the new Mr. NDA was crowned in front of a sold-out crowd. Jefferson Edwards took this treasured title from former winner Carson Borkosky. This Notre Dame Academy tradition has grown widely popular in the community over the last 12 years since it was created. This year there was even an Instagram page dedicated to the show which featured different escorts and shenanigans from each practice. The social media page urged people to vote for different boys and to come to the show. The show featured 4 men from St. John's Jesuit High School and 10 from St. Francis de Sales High School as well as numerous Notre Dame girls on Core Team, in Hip Hop, and on Dance Team. The night full of dancing, laughter, fancy outfits, and lots of fun ended with Jefferson Edwards adding a crown and sash to his wardrobe collection. He is currently a senior at SFS where he is involved in track and field, Campus Ministry, Afro Club, and the Tea and Coffee Club. He also played football in
Jefferson Edwards makes closing remarks after being crowned Mr. NDA 2018. Photo courtesy of Lifetouch. the fall. After graduation his plans are to attend Siena Heights University up in Adrian, Michigan, to play football and track and field. He also plans to get involved at SHU by joining a fraternity and clubs. "The best part of my experience in Mr. NDA was being able to bond with all the underclassmen at SFS and SJJ. I
also created a great relationship with all the Eagles I met!" Jefferson said. Even though he will be off to college soon, he plans to stay in touch with Notre Dame. He will be found cheering on the Eagles at different sporting events to stay involved. He is also planning on participating in NDA's Open House next year to promote the school and the Mr. NDA show. "If you do the show, make sure you just be yourself and have as much fun as possible. Once it is over, you will miss it forever," he said. Jefferson is grateful for all fun times and memories he had throughout his experience. "I would like to thank Mrs. Parks, Mrs. Brookover, Ms. Emily, and Dr. Michelle for all the support and for surprisingly turning a football player into a fantastic dancer. I also want to thank everyone who helped make the show a success and a memory that I will keep forever. Lastly, I would like to thank my tall glass of Gatorade, Hannah Rubel, for being my wonderful escort and for making every day with her amazing!" Jefferson said.
The “Buzz” on NDA’s Newest Club Kendall ReJent Notre Dame’s newest club, the Quiz Bowl team, is rallying for students with a competitive edge to test their knowledge by participating in this Jeopardy-style challenge. Complete with a buzzer system and all, these twenty-four question meets are comprised of a team of four players who are switched out as needed. For example, during a change in categories, players are usually switched after every twelve questions, to give all teammates a fair chance at contributing. “I have been a history geek since my grade school days, so the second a question about anything historical or political is asked, it is my time to shine!” junior Manar Kashk said. Any given set of questions can earn up to forty points depending on quickest answering time; buzzing in before the asterisk (marker early in the question), may earn the player extra points for their team, though answering incorrectly can
Quiz Bowl teammates setup with their buzzers for February 5 home meet against Maumee. Photo by Kendall Rejent cost the team to lose five points. “Tossups” are what the individual questions are called and if answered early and correctly, the team gets three bonus questions where they can help each other and work out the answers for those extra points. NDA’s team got started at the beginning of this school year after a successful finish at the WNWO academic challenge aired on local tele-vision station
NBC 24. Whitmer dropped out giving NDA a spot in the league. Senior Ellyn Jarrell brought the idea of starting a team to Mrs. Margaret Fitzgerald, who now serves as the moderator for the team, spearheaded by Ellyn and other seniors. “Quiz Bowl has been one of my favorite experiences of my high school years. I started this team not for college applications, but just for the fun of trivia knowledge and competing with my classmates and friends. I hope when I come back to NDA I can hear all about how well the team is doing and remember why I wanted to bring this to our school,” Ellyn said. The team is still playing catch up, having started late in the season. They are putting in the time at practices held every Wednesday during lunch in room 105 to prepare for five upcoming meets. There is still plenty of time to join and get in on the action by showing up to the next practice if interested.
Feature
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They Marched to Protect Lives of the Unborn Ashley Keane The 45th annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., changed many lives of Notre Dame students who had the opportunity to stand against abortion. This is the fourth year Notre Dame has attended this event in the nation's capital. It has become a tradition that interests students who want to speak out against the concern of abortion in the world. "March for Life has been the best opportunity that NDA has given me. I am very passionate about being a part of the Pro-Life Generation! Being in D.C. for the march is something I feel everyone needs to experience," senior Kaitlynn Stumm said. Notre Dame sent 45 people, including students, alumni, faculty, and chaperones. The actual event took place on January 19 in honor of the National Sanctity of Human Life Day that was designated by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. He issued that day only 11 years after the Roe v. Wade ruling by the Supreme Court to make abortion legal.
Two juniors hold up signs with big smiles on their faces while at the March together. Photo by Julia Rothweiler. "This trip was something I will truly remember for many years to come because of the impact it made on my life," junior Bridget Bishop said. The NDA group had the opportunity to attend Mass, a concert, and the actual march down the streets to the Capitol. They also visited different historical monuments around the city such as the
Lincoln Memorial. For some students, it was their first experience of D.C. ever. "I went to the march last year which was just as special. Being able to see all the people gathered in one place was amazing," junior Gabriella Baker said. There were thousands and thousands of people covering the streets for hours while they walked. Many held signs in the air with anti-abortion messages and women's rights phrases. The most commonly used sign was the "I Am the ProLife Generation" since it was the theme of the overall march. "Our generation now is more conscious of protecting life in all its forms," Campus Ministry Co-director Mrs. Faye Smith said. Many students intend to return to the event each year until the day when there is no longer a need. They will continue to be a voice for the voiceless. "I hope to be able to attend in the years coming, and I cannot thank NDA enough for providing me with this opportunity," Kaitlynn said.
NDA Adds National Art Honor Society Hannah Dailey Notre Dame Academy has a brand new and exciting program for students enrolled in visual arts classes that will bring more excitement to the arts. The National Art Honor Society is being implemented this year, thanks to Art Department Chair Mrs. Susan Kozal and art teacher Mrs. Nicole Mettler, “The NAHS was created for the purpose of inspiring and recognizing those students who have shown an outstanding ability in art,” according to the NAHS website. Mrs. Mettler initiated this movement to continue to improve and foster the culture of the art department at Notre Dame after seeing the program implemented at her previous school. “Students in 10th through 12th grade who have already taken a year of art and are consistent in maintaining a B or more average in art can take advantage of this exciting opportunity,” Mrs. Kozal said. “It is partially scholastic and partially about service and character. By being
Freshmen working on their clay projects while thinking of which art classes they will pursue next year. Photo by Ashley Keane. inducted into the society, students will be doing art-based service for five hours each semester,” she added. The NAHS has over 50,000 members globally and opens up many scholarship opportunities for the students as well as opportunities to have their work on exhibit.
This program will bring new opportunities to students that are passionate about the arts at Notre Dame. “I think that the National Art Honor Society is an amazing opportunity for art students. It will open up a lot of unique scholarship and exhibit opportunities,” senior Ava Werner said. The first introductory meeting for this new program was in January. Here, the interested students committed to the program and turned in their formal applications. The induction for all new members of the NAHS will be Wednesday, February 21 in Fitz Commons in the evening. There will be a small ceremony. NAHS is also planning on electing a small group of individuals to be officers. This process is currently happening. Mrs. Kozal said that Art Club will continue to exist as usual. The National Art Honor Society and Art Club are completely separate. Anyone can join Art Club, whereas only art students may join the NAHS.
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Backtalk
Everyday Eagle Ashley Keane
Roving Reporter What was your favorite part of Feminine Genius Day? Hannah Dailey “My favorite thing was our endnote speaker. She was so funny and exciting!” -senior Kiya Marshall “I really liked the speakers because they were extremely inspiring and motivating to hear their personal stories,” -freshman Brooke Seelenbinder
Junior friends have fun on the dance floor at Date Dance: Jurassic Heart. Photo by Claire Pawlecki.
Opinion: Get Net Neutrality (while it’s still free)
Ada Ogbonna According to Dictionary.com, Net Neutrality is the principle that internet service providers should enable access to all content and applications, regardless of their source, and without favoring or blocking particular products or websites. This means that one company cannot control what content people want or when they get it. Groups should not overprice or favor other companies based off of their own personal gain. Big businesses should not have the right to control what apps people are allowed to receive or charge them extra if they want to look at a certain website. Why did the Federal Communications Commission’s Republican majority just vote to repeal Net Neutrality? The repeal occurred because money and power ultimately matter to those in charge. They gain control over the Internet and control over the people. Net Neutrality embodies the Internet’s guiding principle because it preserves peoples’ right to communicate freely online. It protects my freedom and your freedom, and it ensures that internet service providers do not interfere with the content people view or post online. The Internet without Net Neutrality is
not really the Internet. It is a hollow shell of rules and regulations, blocks and restrictions, and censorship and oppression. This pertains specifically to the younger generation as well as anyone who uses social media. Picture this scenario: you get the newest and hottest phone and cannot wait to personalize it to make it your own. You open the App Store and pause. Fortunately, your service providers have a special deal with Instagram, so that one is free. Your favorite app, Twitter, has no deal which now costs two dollars. You may think this is no big problem, but now Snapchat costs three dollars because they are not on friendly terms with your service providers. Netflix is free, but then Hulu costs three dollars on top of the monthly fees already in place. This is just a piece of what may happen with the repeal of Net Neu-trality, but we have the power to stop it before it does. Our generation uses social media the most, so we should use it to take back the power big companies want. We can change the world one tweet, one photograph, and one hashtag at a time.
“My favorite thing about Feminine Genius Day was the incredible and inspiring guest speakers,” -Mr. Feldstein “I loved the chance to connect with the other girls in our school and learn about something we all have in common— being strong females!” -senior Elisabeth Burchfield “I think it allowed our students to take time and explore their own Feminine Genius. The presenters on the Core team, the student body, and even the teachers could enjoy this day!” -Mrs. Beaverson “My favorite thing about the Feminine Genius Day was doing Buti Yoga and getting my ‘buti’ back into shape in the intense, yet surprisingly fun, workout,” -senior Veronica Gonzales “My favorite thing about Feminine Genius day was the power, strength, and grace each woman had in their own way, and how they exuded it. Each one stayed true to themselves and gave real advice on how to follow in their footsteps and be your own Feminine Genius, and that was beautiful!” -junior Katie Schoen “My favorite thing about Feminine Genius Day was being on the core team and seeing all of the hard work pay off!” -senior Morgan Krueger “My favorite aspect of Feminine Genius Day was how it allowed each of the students to explore what makes her unique and loved,” -sophomore Maria Bier