The Tiger's Eye 2.3 Spring 2024

TIGER’S EYE THE

Volume 2 · Issue 3

By exploring teenage behavior, this issue delves into the impact parents and schools have on shaping adolescent development, decision making, relationship building and resilience in today’s youth.

Fremont Senior High School · 1750 N Lincoln Ave, Fremont NE · (402) 727-3050

The Tiger’s Eye is a student-run publication of the Fremont High School Journalism Department. The purpose of this publication is to inform the students of FHS, their families and the community of Fremont. The content and opinions of The Tiger’s Eye do not necessarily represent the student body, faculty, administration, adviser or Fremont Public Schools district. The Tiger’s Eye encourages letters to the editors, but reserves the right to reject them for reasons including but not limited to lack of space, multiple letters of the same topic and personal attacks contained in the letter. Letters should be emailed to david.stevens@fpsmail.org.

The staff of Fremont High’s Tiger’s Eye Newspaper is proud to deliver quality content that represents the student body, to be the voice of FHS and to provide the truth to our community.

Annabelle Bignell Editor-in-Chief

Gryphon Smith Assistant Editor

Thalia Gonzalez Barrios Community Manager

Aidan Eberspacher Creative and Graphics Editor

Samuel Contreras Staff Illustrator

Xavier Berhow Staff Writer

Allie Voecks Staff Writer Chase Fowler Staff Writer

MJ Ideus Copy Editor

Ariana Ordonez Staff Writer

Spreads designed by Aidan Eberspacher.

STAFF NEWS ROUND UP

The opening of the new FHS CTE (Career and Technical Education) building is highly anticipated and set to coincide with the start of the 2024-2025 school year. This new facility will offer a wide range of classes that focus on practical skills and hands-on training, including construction, welding, healthcare and automated manufacturing. The new building is expected to provide students with exceptional opportunities to learn and develop valuable skills that can prepare them for rewarding careers after graduation.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 brings new actors

FHS to open new CTE building

Keanu Reeves has joined the cast for the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie, playing the role of Shadow the Hedgehog. This film also features other notable actors, including Ben Schwartz as Sonic and Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik. Keanu Reeves is renowned for his performances in popular movies such as “Speed” and “The Matrix Franchise.” The release for the highly anticipated “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” movie has been set for December 20, 2024.

On April 26, 2024, over 20 tornadoes struck the central Midwest. In our state, 9 tornadoes hit, damaging numerous homes and buildings. The storms affected over 450 homes in total with reported damages exceeding a billion dollars.

“Deadpool

and Wolverine” to be released on July 26

Tornadoes bring destruction to Nebraska

Marvel is producing a new movie called “Deadpool and Wolverine,” which is set to be released on July 26th, 2024. This movie is rated R, so it is important to note that it contains a lot of violence and gore. The two main protagonists of the movie are none other than Deadpool and Wolverine. Fans of these characters are eagerly anticipating this exciting new production

On Thursday, April 20th, a bill was passed by the House of Representatives that bans transgender women and girls from competing in school sports, including elementary school. The bill was introduced by Republican Representative Greg Steube, who argued that women’s sports must be protected and upheld. However, this bill has been met with significant criticism and backlash for discriminating against transgender individuals and denying them the opportunity to participate in sports. The decision has sparked a conversation about the importance of inclusivity and equality for all individuals.

Fans are anticipating the new video game

“Kingmakers

House of Representatives pass a bill banning trans women and girls from school sports

“Kingmakers” is a highly anticipated video game that combines elements of city building and ground combat. The game’s storyline involves time travel back to the medieval era, where your character assists a kingdom in conquering new lands. The trailer for the game showcases a variety of weapons and tools that players can use, including swords, guns, grenades, helicopters, trucks and much more. Fans of strategy games and action games alike are eagerly awaiting the release of “Kingmakers.”

Jojo Siwa’s latest song “Karma” received backlash due to criticism regarding her vocals, provocative dancing, and the music video. The controversy was exacerbated by Jojo’s false claim that she had written the song, which was originally meant for an unknown artist named Britt Smith. Despite the backlash, Jojo’s fans continue to support her.

Protests

around

the country are having an impact on colleges

JoJo Siwa’s new song, Karma, has went viral

In recent weeks, many college campuses across the country have seen student protests calling for divestment from anything that supports Israel due to the ongoing conflict in Palestine. These protests have caused some colleges to suspend commencement programs until the situation settles down. However, the protests have also created challenges for some Jewish students who feel unsafe due to the strong beliefs held by some of the protesters. This situation highlights the complexity and sensitivity of the ongoing conflict and the impact it has on individuals and communities.

On April 8th, 2024, the first solar eclipse since 2017 occurred, drawing the attention of sky-watchers across the country. In some states, the moon covered almost 100% of the sun, causing skies to go completely dark. While here in Nebraska, the eclipse only covered about 80% of the sun, it was still a remarkable sight to behold. Many people gathered to witness the rare event and marvel at the beauty of the celestial wonder.

Solar Eclipse covers many parts of the country

It has to end

The voices of the oppressed community in Cuba

Thalia Gonzalez Barrios Community Manager

Under the glaring, beating sun, my grandmother, Maura Licourt, stands in line outside the bodega, her body drenched in sweat as she waits for her food ration of the month. Each passing moment feels like an eternity, and Licourt’s chances of securing what she needs diminish with every person served ahead of her. The heat intensifies her frustration, adding an extra layer of hardships that she endures in communist-challenging living conditions in the country of Cuba.

Food rations are not the only hardships Licourt and millions of Cubans face daily in the communist country. Electricity is another problem. Cuba is allied with Venezuela, and in the last 15 years, they have supplied Cuba with 56,000 barrels per day of petroleum. Recently, numbers have decreased because of both countries’ economic systems. With Cuba not receiving enough fuel, the government is rationing electricity like they ration food.

“Quitan la corriente por partes a vez no tengo corriente pero la gente de la otra cuadra si tiene,” Licourt said (They take out electricity from certain parts at a time; sometimes I don’t have electricity, but people on the other block do). In my grandmother Maura Licourt’s city, Pinar Del Rio, they ration electricity; when Licourt’s block has electricity, the other block does not.

On March 17, Cuba was a trending topic on social media, which is a rare occurrence since Cuba is usually not

a trending topic on US social media. People living in Florida also took to the streets to show the Cuban people that they stood with them by going live on Facebook to show them that they also saw their pain.

The protests in Cuba are an outcry against the oppressive regime that has governed the country for over 65 years. The protesters’ struggles are related because, as we all know, the United States is a free country. Here, we have the freedom to protest and freedom of speech. This is not the case for any people in Cuba who protest. If they protest, they get five years in jail or more simply because they have spoken against the communist regime. The struggles are not strange but serious matters, including food shortages, electricity rationing and a lack of freedom and necessities.

In the spring of 2016, my mom and I left the country that we have known for all of our lives. We left because my dad did a family reunification before we got our Visa. It was a long process and a lot of waiting to get our Visa. I am a Cuban

immigrant who left my home country for a better future. I have experienced firsthand the harsh realities that my family members still endure in Cuba today. Despite living in the United States, Cuba is still a place that I call “home.” The situation in Cuba is more than a social media trending topic; it is a fight for human rights for those who share a deep love and connection to the country.

When listening to the stories of my Cuban family members who still live under the oppressed government, they tell me of the hardships that they face every day. Some people worry about not having enough food. Even if they have enough for three meals a day, when they eat all the bread for dinner or lunch, they won’t have any left for breakfast, which adds to their anxiety.

“Yo fui a la tienda, pero cuando era mi turno, la comida se acabó.” (I went to the bodega, but then food ran out by the time it was my turn), said Licourt.

My aunt lives in the countryside of Cuba, where

they get vegetables faster because that is where a lot of farmers are at and they also farm themselves. However, she still has to spend hours in line to get food. In most cases, she leaves empty-handed or with meager rations that could barely sustain the rest of her family in her house—their two adults and a little kid who is 3 years old.

Necessities such as rice, beans and even bread are becoming increasingly scarce for daily consumption. Picture receiving only four pieces of bread for a family of four. At the beginning of February, the government opted to restrict bread distribution to children aged 1–14, eliminating access to bread for adults.

Citizens have to plan their day around when the city schedules power outages to cut off the power to save fuel.

For most items, people get only eight hours or less of electricity per day, which disrupts their everyday lives. Power outages make even the simplest tasks, like cooking meals and studying, more difficult for people who are trying to survive and become educated.

The impact of electricity outages takes a toll on younger children in school. With no power, they struggle to complete homework assignments or even see the work they need to get done.

These are the main problems Cubans they face every day. The Cuban people are not asking for the moon. They are demanding the most basic

human right. They seek the right to speak freely and protest.

Whenever Cuban citizens protest peacefully or not against the authorities, they are arrested. The government also shuts down the internet for the interior country for hours because people are not speaking up against the injustices they face. I know the importance of this situation.

As someone with deep ties to the Cuban community, I know that the protests in Cuba are not just about politics and people trying to gain fame; they are about how much Cubans want to be free from the government that has kept them locked and caged. They do not want to worry about rationing their food or having to give it to the youngest person in the family.

As I watch these events unfold from afar, I am filled with pride and happiness to see my fellow Cubans protest democracy across the country with determination, knowing that one day these protests will pay off. I believe it’s time for the world to stand up with my country and with the Cuban people who flood the streets and sacrifice their

safety to protest and fight against the Cuban government.

I believe it’s time for the world to stand up with my country and with the Cuban people who flood the streets and sacrifice their safety to protest and fight against the Cuban government.

- Thalia Gonzalez “

King takes stage as director

Allie Voecks Staff Writer

With Caitie Hays’s decision to accept a position in a neighboring district, a drama teacher and directing position opened up.

Chase King is about to embark on a new journey at Fremont. “I am very excited. I have only heard positive things about the community and the school. I am excited to work with a group that has an appreciation for theater,” King said.

Many of his responses show that he is excited and thrilled to be coming to Fremont, King is currently teaching at Waverly High School in Waverly, Nebraska. Transitioning to a new school will be a significant change for him. Chase King’s academic achievements are a testament to his qualifications. “I hold a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Peru State,” King said. “I am currently pursuing my second Master’s in Communications from UNK.”

King’s credentials show he is qualified for this position. “I went to Wayne State College. I graduated with a Communications degree and then went back to get my endorsement in Language Arts (English, Theater, Speech, and Journalism),” King said.

King proves he is ready for this new position at Fremont, “I am excited to see how we can all grow with each other. I think if we are growing as thespians and as people, we are doing something right.”

King has been expecting some of the challenges: “Every school has different expectations, traditions and culture,” King said. “It takes a while to understand that. I know there will be a bit of a culture shock, but with friends close by and some cool assistants, I know that we as a company will prevail.”

King will meet with the current assistant to discuss over the summer so he will be prepared for the 2024-2025 school year.

Photo provided by Chase King.

FROM DOJO TO DESK Grossman reflects on time in the ring

When students get called into Dillon Grossman’s office they see a stereotypical administrator, yet they may not realize what Grossman used to do.

Before assigning homework or tardy blocks, Grossman served punches in the ring. Grossman started fighting before he was a teenager.

“I started martial arts when I was 11 – I started with Taekwondo,” Grossman said.

“I got a black belt in Taekwondo and then when I was 14 I found out my martial arts instructor was also trained in Brazilian jiu jitsu. I decided to then compete in Brazilian jiu jitsu just because it was a different kind of martial arts.”

Grossman continued Martials Arts in other forms when he entered high school.

“I wrestled in high school, and I thought someday I want to compete and fight to see what it is like,” Grossman said. “Everyone has dreams and aspirations of making it big, but as you go those things kinda change. Kinda like some people think that one day they can make it to the National Football League (NFL), I thought that someday I could fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).”

For Grossman, fighting was not just a hobby, it was his life. He not only put hours into this sport, he also put in hard work and dedication.

“When I used to fight it was very timeconsuming,” Grossman said. “it wasn’t something you just did on the weekends. I started training to fight when I was graduating high school because during high school I was focused on wrestling,

In the early 2010’s, around when Grossman was first starting, the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) may not have been big, but he was still trying to get his name out there.

“The UFC had not

exploded as much back then because we are on UFC 300 almost and back then it was UFC 100, but we just referred to it as Mixed Martial Arts, or Cage fighting.” Grossman said. “So I fought for a couple different things, I fought for something called Disorderly Conduct, and then I fought for Victory Fighting. That was all run through the Nebraska Athletic Commission.”

Eventually, after many hours of training, and several fights, Grossman’s hard work started to pay off.

“I went from fighting in smaller shows and like ballrooms kind of, to fighting in an arena, and walking out with lights and smoke and that was an amazing experience,” Grossman said. “I won my first three fights. Then I took one [match] on short notice, that I didn’t train as much for because I kinda just wanted some money, and that’s the one I lost.”

Unfortunately due to a bad hand injury, Grossman had to stop training and fighting until it was healed.

“I broke my hand so that was probably part of it, I have a plate and six screws in one of my hands,” Grossman said.

After recovering from his previous hand injury, Grossman decided to take the path of education. He thought his fighting days were over, but he has continued to be surrounded by it.

As you get older you kind of see what you are doing, and you kind of adjust your goals and change.” Grossman said. “I would say it’s more just like a part of my life, and it was just the things that I did back then and as you grow you change. Your interests and hobbies and those kinds of things change.”

In addition to using his MMA skills for coaching, Grossman also uses them in a new role as a dean of students.

“I have broken up a few fights,” Grossman said. “But I would say my MMA career helps me stay calm.”

After Grossman became an administrator, he also wanted to coach. He used some of

his tactics and strategies that he learned in his past to help coach high school wrestling.

“When I coached wrestling it helped a lot with that.” Grossman said. “A lot of the kids knew I had a background but didn’t know much about it, but if they asked questions I would tell them they would have to do that to earn it and then I would answer the questions. We would kinda use it as a bargaining tool. I would say in reality the biggest things, helping teach kids motivation and help them set and achieve goals if they put their mind to it.”

For students thinking about becoming a fighter, Grossman offers advice.

“Take it slow,” Grossman said. “The biggest thing is to find one aspect and start training and working at that. If you are in high school, wrestle in high school. If you look at most pros, most of them are or were a wrestler at some point and that helps a lot. Hard work can help too.”

Dillon Grossman roundhouse kicks his opponent in the face. Photo provided by Grossman.

Dillon Grossman walks into the spotlight as he is about to go fight in the ring. Photo submitted by Grossman.

Spread designed and written by Chase Fowler.

JUST A BLOCK AWAY

Annabelle Bignell Editor-in-chief

Boom. Sirens. Screams.

The 2013 Boston Marathon was supposed to be a momentous occasion for Claire Wilson, a Fremont High School math teacher and lifelong runner. Having qualified for the race after running her first marathon, Wilson looked forward to take on the challenge of the historic 26-mile race.

“I was running my first marathon,” Wilson said. “I wasn’t even aware of my pacing. I ran it in three hours and thirty-one minutes. You needed to run three hours and thirty-five minutes to qualify for the Boston Marathon.”

As a lifelong runner, dreams of the cheering crowd and sweaty competition filled Wilson’s head. Thrilled, Wilson convinced her family to come along with her to Boston. The grueling training and countless miles on the pavement had all been leading up to this special moment.

“I mean it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Wilson said. “I just needed to focus on getting into shape now.”

Hesitant at first, but with her family in tow, Wilson arrived in Boston ready to make the most of the experience. The marathon was a festive affair, with thick

crowds and a celebratory atmosphere. No runner could tell if the drops on their face were sweat or tears of joy.

As she approached the finish line, her body was giving out on her, her legs feeling heavy and her mind consumed with doubts. Despite the pain and exhaustion, Wilson refused to give up. She dug deep, drawing on every ounce of strength and determination she had to push through the final miles of the race. Every step felt like a struggle, but she knew that she had come too far to give up now. Wilson crossed the finish line and felt a surge of emotion wash over her. She had done it. She had completed the Boston Marathon.

It was a moment of triumph, a validation of all the hard work and sacrifice that had gone into her training. But that moment was short-lived. Just as Wilson found her parents and began

to walk to the train station to return to her hotel and rest in the basking glow of her accomplishment, the sound of the explosion shattered the air.

The joyous celebration turned to chaos and confusion.

“We were just so unsure,” Wilson said. “There was a giant boom. This was when Twitter, now X, was very popular. It’s kind of silly, but our first instinct was to check Twitter.”

The booms turned out to be the beginning of what is now called “The Boston Bombing.”

“After that sirens went off and every single person in a uniform of any kind raced to the source, which we found out was the finish line. We couldn’t see the explosion. We could hear it. We could feel it and we were able to get kind of to the train station and sort of run away,” Wilson said.

The Boston Marathon bombing was a terrorist attack that took place on April 15, 2013, when two bombs were detonated near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. The bombings killed three people and injured hundreds more.

“I remember to this day. I remember just that heart-wrenching moment where I saw that video where you could see where the bombs exploded and seeing the picture, seeing the video, the finish line and seeing where the bombs had exploded,” Wilson said. “Just 30 minutes ago, this was full of people and now it is empty. I was a block away. The marathon moment is over and people’s lives are forever changed.”

Despite the distress and chaos, Wilson and her family were safe. But the events of that day had a profound impact on her perspective. Like so many others who have been affected by mass shootings and other tragedies, Wilson became acutely aware of the potential dangers of crowded spaces.

“You cannot know when something like that is going to happen that’s always living there in the back of my brain that at these big events, there are, you know, the potential to have scary moments,” Wilson said. “For me, I just want to continue to still enjoy those, even though I can’t let that anxiety of something that could possibly happen overwhelm my enjoyment of the day.”

Now, 11 years later, Wilson looks back on the Boston Marathon bombing with

a mixture of sadness and perspective. She acknowledges that time has helped her to process her emotions and view the event differently. And while she knows that there is no way to completely erase the trauma of that day, she remains committed to honoring the memory of those who were lost and finding hope in the face of tragedy.

In the aftermath of the bombing, Wilson found a sense of hope and resilience. She reflected on the randomness of traumatic events and came to trust in fate. She also found solace in running, using it as a way to honor those affected by the bombing and to process her own emotions.

“At the end of the day running the Boston Marathon and the experience that I have is my biggest takeaway from that day. It was one of the coolest things that I have ever done,” Wilson said. “It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life to just be in this giant celebration of running that this entire state has, and be able to be on the same field as these world elite athletes running this course.”

SAFETY CONCERNS

Chase Fowler

Staff Writer

At Fremont High School, safety is the number one priority. Fighting, stealing, and vandalism, have been a problem across Fremont schools, having an SRO would increase safety across the district.

Most class A schools in or around our district have a School Resource Officer (SRO). An SRO is an officer who has the responsibility for preventing any sort of crime, and keeping students and staff safe. While most schools have an officer, Fremont continues to struggle to find someone to fill this position.

Unfortunately, due to past altercations and false rumors, there is no longer an SRO. Many students were spreading harmful things about him. One thing that they were doing was hanging posters on the walls with his face and damaging his reputation.

FHS pushes for SRO regardless of absence

surgery in August of 2023,” Kavan said.

“It was supposed to be a 4-6 month recovery period, however, during his recovery, he encountered unexpected setbacks and is still not cleared to full duty status.

“In addition to the medical care, Kavan sheds light on the status of the police department. “The Fremont Police Department also experienced the departure of several officers and they are very short on manpower,” Kavan said. “They did not have the manpower available to backfill the SRO position while the officer is on injury leave.”

would possibly feel safer.”

The ongoing problem of students smoking and fighting at schools is awful, this is why it would be helpful to have an SRO in the buildings at all times during the school day. Teachers do a lot, such as bathroom duty between classes, finding time to grade and plan for their next class. Most of them don’t have the time to teach and try to prevent these bad things from happening at the same time.

“With the recent fights and threats going on, Fremont would greatly benefit from having an officer at the schools.” - Chase Fowler

Why would an officer step into this position if they saw what happened to

Without an SRO, students have noticed a big change in behavior ever since our previous one left. We asked a few students their opinion on if an SRO is necessary. Many students agreed that we need one and gave reasons as to why.

“There is a big issue with smoking weed and vaping at school and physical fights,” sophomore Zoey Kenny said.

With the recent fights and threats going on, Fremont would greatly benefit from having an officer at the schools.

“It would be nice to have an SRO in the school” junior Aislinn Miller said. “It

The school has advertised not one, but two positions for an SRO. Two advertisements have been sent because with how bad these schools are getting with fighting and vandalism, one might not be enough. These advertisements have been sent out to the whole district for over a year now. If hired, the SROs will work at the school for the school year and then return to the city during the summer break.

An SRO could keep the school protected from internal and external threats. The high school needs to prioritize hiring qualified security guards and an SRO to ensure that these schools stay safe. Fremont High School has been and will continue to be unsafe and at higher risk as long as we do not have a school resource officer.

21

Tiger’s Eye Newspaper conducted interviews with three different vape stores to gather their opinions on minors and their access to vapes and vape-related products. The first interviewee was Chasing Clouds Fremont, located in the community. When asked how they think teenagers obtain access to vapes and vape-related products, the store’s representative stated that they believe teenagers most likely acquire these products through their parents.

When asked, “What’s your opinion on companies targeting their products to teenagers?” This is what they said: “I think it shouldn’t be targeted towards teenagers but a lot of companies are coming towards that a lot of blank

Local vape shops’ opinions on teen’s access to vapes

packaging is coming around with it just like one color one single thing it’s not colorful so I think it’s kind of more not geared towards children and that’s kind of what they’re trying to avoid.” The store also has an age requirement of 21 to be a customer.

Kure CBD & Vape, a local store, was asked, “What’s your opinion on companies targeting their products to teenagers?” The representative said, “I think it depends on the company because certain companies are great about carting people and making sure they are not selling to anyone underage, but you can only do so much when kids are going to try and try their best to get their hands on vapes and things like that. When asked how teenagers get access to vapes and vape-related products, they responded “Probably by having someone of legal age buy it for them. That would be the only way they could get away with it.” Kure

% of high schoolers that vape by state.

Source: CDC, 2019.

CBD & Vape tries to prevent underage people from purchasing their products by checking IDs when people are coming in and making sure they are diligent and staying on top of getting to know the people in our store, like Chasing Clouds they also have an age requirement of 21.

The last interviewee was a store called Catapiller Vapes. Similar to the previous interviewees, Caterpillar Vapes has an age requirement. They said that they do not allow anyone under 18 in their store. When asked “How do you respond to professionals who claim that vaping companies and stores are responsible for underage vaping?” When asked this question, a representative stated “I don’t think it’s the store’s fault. I believe that children will do what they want to do, whether it’s vaping or drinking. If they want to do it, they will.”

1 in 5 Americans ages 18 to 29 use vape products. 3.3% (380,000) of middle school students vape. 14.1% (2.14 million) of high school students vape.

Almost 5,000 kids under five have went to the ER because of a vape product.

THE CONSEQUENCE:EXPULSION & SUSPENSIONS

cMJ Ideus

Copy Editor

Backtalk, cursing, stealing, hitting – misbehaviors are common among children and usually warrant a consequence. This idea of consequences for misbehavior is translated into high school life where teens can be given punishments for skipping class, being tardy, disrespecting teachers and peers, etc. Like in most high schools in the country, when students break rules at Fremont High School, they are given consequences. With the recent rise in tardies, vandalism and fights, one has to wonder if these consequences truly succeed at deterring misbehavior?

Detentions are a common consequence for minor misbehaviors, yet suspensions or expulsions are given to students who violate the FHS code of conduct within the student handbook,which details the

expectations of FHS students.

“The suspensions could be anything that we have to deal with, any sort of major defiance or disrespect towards a staff member,” Kody Christensen, assistant principal, said.

Minor defiance includes misbehavior like vulgar language and tardiness usually constitute a detention or even an ISS (in school suspension) OSS (out of school suspension). Administration considers fighting, threats, and other more extreme misbehaviors as major defiance.

According to administration, determining the consequence for a misbehavior is on a case-by-case scenario. For instance, depending on the severity of the misbehavior, the consequence could range from either a detention, ISS, OSS, or even

Wageman

“Dumb.” - Sofia Ludwig

Chase Fowler

cGROW UP PARENTS ALREADY

Staff Writer

Not many days go by when I hear about how so-andso either got suspended or expelled. That’s just for the kids who get busted. Every day I see students vaping in the bathrooms, talking back and arguing with teachers, or even students vandalizing school property. If I were to do any of these activities, my mom would backhand bop me in the face and I’d be grounded for a lifetime. Wifi – canceled. Xbox – thrown out. Friends - no longer exist. My hands - tired of scrubbing the walls.

I don’t do anything to get into trouble because I understand that bad decisions come with bad consequences. It seems like the kids who are repeat offenders and constantly getting into trouble don’t care.

Parents need to have an effective blend of being strict and soft when it comes to parenting. Neglectful parenting often results in children who are not afraid of the consequences of their own behavior. Many of these kids avoid responsibility and sidestep accountability in many situations.

My friends who tend to be more responsible and successful have strict parents. These parents more often than not, have a handful of rules and punish their kids for the mistakes they make. On the other hand, I’ve noticed that many of the kids who are disrespectful and rude have neglectful parents. While strict parents have more rules and are tougher on their kids, soft and neglectful parents are the total opposite. They have fewer rules, and give the kids more freedom than they need.

You may think having strict parents sucks, but trust me it will pay off. For instance, I’ve always been taught to use yes ma’am and yes sir. I get complimented on this daily.

From what I have seen, soft parenting can be a good way to stay close to your children since it mainly focuses on creating strong relationships with children. When parenting children without discipline you are teaching children bad habits and not preparing them for the future.

By implementing basic parenting skills parents will be able to show their kids what life is going to look like for them in the future by teaching the importance of chores, saving money and respectfulness. These skills should be a necessity in any parenting style.

There is a line where strict parents should not cross. It's one thing to limit screen time, but to take away time from friends or playing games is just too far because friendly relationships and interactive alone time are keys to developing healthy mindsets in young children.

Parents should find a balance between teaching manners and fun. Setting boundaries like not allowing kids to hang out with certain friends can be helpful, but it's important to have an open conversation with them about why.

Parenting websites and the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) explain why consequences are important. The CDC states that “negative consequences let your child know you do not like what he or she has done. The child is less likely to repeat

the behavior when you use negative consequences.” Consequences can teach children what to do and what not to do in certain situations, preparing them for the real world.

Some examples of affective consequences may look like grounding, taking away phones and electronics and limiting time with friends.

When parents treat their kids like friends, they may unknowingly confuse the difference between authority figures and friends, leading to inappropriate actions. For instance, it may teach children to argue and fight like friends, which is not healthy.

It is possible to balance a friendship with your child while also being a responsible parent. However, it's important to have open and honest conversations about why certain actions were wrong, and to enforce consequences when necessary.

Soft parenting inhibits independent growth. While some parents may gravitate towards soft teachings, they need to understand that without discipline their kids will grow up to be demanding and unappreciative. Strict parenting may be good for raising children with respect and manners; it could also make them develop a distaste for their parents from time to time. If parents could find a healthy blend of both soft and strict, kids would grow up with respect, manners and a fun personality.

A HARD HIT

Annabelle Bignell

Editor-in-chief

under the rug in different families across the globe. This glorification of abuse and neglect is not only harmful and counterproductive in raising healthy and well-adjusted children, but it promotes the idea to young individuals that it is okay to stay with someone even if they are putting you in harm’s way.

A common misconception about gentle parenting is allowing children to get away with any form of misbehavior while walking all over their parents. This is not the case. Gentle parenting is not permissive parenting. Instead, it’s about fostering positive and respectful

relationships between parents and

Gentle parenting approaches values like communication and understanding

children are individuals with their own thoughts, feelings and desires and that the role of parents is to support them in their growth and development. This means listening to your children, validating their emotions and engaging in constructive problem-solving. By valuing these emotional structures parents are teaching their children to regulate and process their intense emotions while also being able to communicate with others and provide a

Punishments are not absent with gentle parenting, they just are not physical punishments. Groundings and other consequences are still put into place varying by each parent.

For example, a child becomes angry and smashes their iPad on the ground. Rather than spanking, hitting and/ or screaming at the child. “Gentle parenting” firmly and calmly begins a conversation with the child asking why they got upset, why throwing and breaking items when we are upset is not okay and how it can lead to dangerous situations. Then, the parent may create a plan to teach the child about material items and their worth. The parent can

bring up how expensive of a gift the iPad was and how the child can help work off and appreciate the hard work their parent put into buying that iPad. A punishment following may include doing chores for money to earn back the iPad, or simply just not being able to own another iPad until they are old enough to understand and contain their emotions.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one-third of children who have been abused in their life, tend to become abusers to their later in life partners and/or abuse substances. 30% of abused and neglected children will abuse their children. This highlights the dispurse of abuse along generations.

Being proactive in cultivating empathy and emotional development in children is crucial for breaking the cycle of abuse that has continued through generations.

Physical punishment does not teach children why their actions were wrong, nor does it teach them how to appropriately behave; instead, physical punishment teaches them to be afraid of their parents and to avoid getting caught and/or how to manipulate the situation. The effects of physical punishment can be traumatic, inflicting long-lasting and damage that can haunt an individual for a lifetime.

Continue Reading on page 18

Multiple studies have shown that children who are spanked or hit are more likely to develop mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression and may also experience physical injuries past puberty.

Parents have a responsibility to raise children in a safe and nurturing environment. This means setting clear boundaries and expectations for children, but also responding to their needs with empathy and understanding. When parents resort to physical punishment, they are essentially telling their children that

violence is an acceptable way to resolve conflicts.

You may often encounter the term “gentle parenting” on social media and online platforms. However, it’s crucial to understand that this is not an alternative or trendy approach. In reality, gentle parenting encompasses the fundamental practices that every parent should adopt to promote healthy and positive relationships with their children.

Being a parent is hard, parents get angry and frustrated, but that is no excuse for

them to treat their child as a punching bag.

The effect of abuse and neglect as a way to discipline children is a tragic and concerning reality. Hitting is not a punishment, it’s abuse. Although parents may not “hit hard” their child will take the toll.

Prioritize open communication and empathy with children and teach them to recognize that physical punishment, nor physical abuse is inhumane and outright wrong.

EXPULSION DATA

PUNISHMENT or Vacation: THE TRUTH BEHIND EXPULSIONS

Annabelle Bignell

Editor-in-chief

Picture this: you break the code of conduct and are filed with a two semester-long punishment, expulsion. At home you normally play video games and Snapchat your friends. With this new punishment, you have even more time to indulge in your “hobbies” and discard your 86 missing math assignments.

Schools have used expulsions as a form of discipline for students who violate school policies or engage in unacceptable behavior since the 17th century. However, recent studies have shown that expulsions are not effective in changing students’ behavior or improving school safety. In fact, expulsions may do more harm than good by pushing students out of the school system and into potentially dangerous situations. Many students who are expelled tend to fall into drugs and alcohol, as well as a low academic spiral.

One of the biggest problems with expulsions is that many students view them as a vacation or a break rather than a punishment. Instead of being held accountable for their actions, students are simply removed from the school environment and sent home, where they are free to do as they please. Inadvertently, this sends the message that bad behavior has no real consequences and may even be rewarded with time off from school.

According to EducationWeek, expulsions often exacerbate the underlying issues that led to the behavior in the first place. Many students who are expelled come

from disadvantaged backgrounds, where they may face issues such as poverty, trauma or lack of parental support. By removing these students from the school environment, school administrators are further isolating them from the resources and support they need to overcome these challenges.

Education Resources Information Center says, 71% of students that are suspended in the tenth grade do not graduate from high school, while 94% of students who aren’t suspended graduate.

Young children who are expelled or suspended are also 10 times more likely to drop out of highschool, have poor grades or be arrested. The reason why, however, is simpler than most believe.

Some cases are often used disproportionately and push for expulsions against students of color, students with disabilities and students from low-income families. These systemic inequalities undermine efforts to create a more inclusive education system because of the continued marginalization and exclusion of historically disadvantaged groups, rather than providing them with the support and resources they need to succeed.

Instead of relying on expulsions, schools should focus on implementing restorative practices and providing students with the resources they need to address underlying issues. Restorative justice practices emphasize repairing harm and restoring relationships rather than punishing students with lengthy and ineffective

punishments.

Restorative practices, such as peer mediation, mentoring, community service and restitution, provide an ethical and effective alternative to punishments like expulsions. By engaging students in a safe environment and involving them in the process of resolving conflicts, students can communicate effectively and students can develop the skills they need to make better decisions in the future.

These practices emphasize accountability, empathy and responsibility, and can help students learn from their mistakes and become better members within the school and their community.

By engaging students in a safe environment and involving them in the process of resolving conflicts and repairing harm, administration, parents and students can work together to teach students basic fundamental skills every teenager needs.

Schools should provide students with access to mental health services, counseling and other support services that can help them deal with trauma, stress and other underlying issues that may lead to problematic behavior. By addressing the root causes of behavior, we can create a safer and more supportive learning environment for all students.

Taylor Swift

The Tortured Poets Departments

Genre: Synth Pop Highlights:

Fortnight (Feat. Post Malone) Down Bad I Can Do It With a Broken Heart

Beyoncé

Cowboy Carter

Genre: Country Highlights: BODYGUARD

YA YA TYRANT

Future Metro Boomin

WE DON’T TRUST YOU

Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap Highlights:

Like That (Feat. Kendrick Lamar) Type S***(Feat. Playboi Carti)

We Don’t Trust You

JoJo Siwa

Karma Genre: Pop

Bewitched: The Goddess Edition

Genre: Vocal Jazz Highlights: From The Start Promise Lovesick Laufey

Expresso

Genre: Pop Sabrina Carpenter

A

GOOD GIRL’S GUIDE TO MURDER

HOLLY JACKSON

From Amazon: Pretty and popular high school senior Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who then killed himself. It was all anyone could talk about. And five years later, Pip sees how the tragedy still haunts her town.

THE SUMMER OF BROKEN RULES K.L. WALTHER

From Amazon: Meredith’s family’s annual game of assassin at Martha’s Vineyard during a summer wedding is the perfect chance to honor her sister’s legacy, and finally join the world again. But when she forms an alliance with a cute groomsman, she’s at risk of losing both the game … and her heart.

NETFLIX MAX IN THEATERS

The Fall Guy Film Challengers

Abigail Film Dune: Part Two Film

Bridgerton

Gossip Girl

THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT EDITOR OPINIONS

Taylor Swift has provided fans with yet another album. Her 11th studio album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” debuted on April 19 with a double album being announced and released two hours later. The two albums combined equate to over two hours worth of listening with 31 poetic songs.

ANNABELLE BIGNELL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

As a passionate fan of Taylor Swift, I must say that “The Tortured Poets Department” is unquestionably my favorite album. At first listen, some of the songs may sound similar, but after a few listens, one can truly appreciate the subtle differences and unique characteristics of each song. This album is a masterpiece that showcases Swift’s exceptional songwriting skills and her artistic growth in a way that is truly remarkable and moving.

“The Prophecy,” “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived” and “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” are some of my absolute favorites. I particularly love “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” because I feel like I can really relate to the lyrics, and it always gets me in the mood to dance. “The Prophecy” is just so special to me. It’s almost like the song was written specifically for me because it speaks to my experiences on such a deep level.

It is often said that those who criticize Swift’s lyrics simply do not possess the ability to comprehend and appreciate their depth and complexity. I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. The lyrics on this album are nothing short of brilliant, filled with raw emotions and vivid imagery that capture the essence of the human experience. Each song, from the emotional ballads to the upbeat dance-your-heartout songs, tell a unique story that is both relatable and resonates deeply to many. Swift had recently ended a fouryear-long relationship at the time of the album’s creation, and some of the songs reflect her heartbreak. However, this is what makes the album so powerful. The album is a testimony to Swift’s resilience and her ability to pour her heart into her music, creating something that is both beautiful and cathartic.

IAIDAN EBERSPACHER CREATIVE DIRECTOR

chose my sleep over staying up for the new album and started listening to it the next morning. Opening my Spotify app and seeing two albums instead of one didn’t shock me. Swift had been dropping “2” easter eggs since the announcement.

The real shocker was how many songs were released, 31 in total. I expected this album to be similar to “Folklore” and “Evermore” lyrically, but to be more like “Midnights” sonically. I love the sound of “1989” and “Reputation,” Swift’s two peak pop albums. I enjoyed “Midnights” but it’s not one of my favorites, so the idea of a similar album didn’t enthuse me. However, after my initial listen of the album, I still was able to find multiple songs I wanted to listen to on repeat. Immediately after listening to “Florida!!!” and “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” I knew they would be two of my favorites. I don’t mind a long song because then there’s more to enjoy, but I felt like some of them didn’t have a lot of variation between them. I found myself struggling to differentiate the end of one song and the beginning of a new one on my first listen. If Swift continues this “synth-pop” feel, the critique of all her music sounding the same will start to be true.

The album has still been successful in sales and streams but I would choose to listen to one of her old albums rather than this one. Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” and Ariana Grande’s “Eternal Sunshine” have more unique sounds and deserve more credit for the best new music in 2024 rather than “The Tortured Poets Department.” Although it’s not a bad album, I think it was made for true Swifties who enjoy an abundance of poetic lyrics over a catchy pop beat.