The Searchlight December 2022 Magazine

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THE SEARCHLIGHT

DECEMBER 2022

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THE SEARCHLIGHT

DECEMBER 2022

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THE SEARCHLIGHT

DECEMBE

Pseudosciences

By Sophia Brownsword Editor-in-Chief As humankind seems to be consistently evolving, so do the ways we form spiritual connections within the world around us.

Since the beginning of time, humans have attempted to establish meaning to their environment. According to professor Monisha Pasupathio of the psychology department at the University of Utah, we are always attempting to “weave together their past, present, and futures.” From these attempted connections, beliefs such as religion have been formed throughout history. Religion has also provided outlets of order, and led to greater survival of communities, giving it the power to persist for so long. Humans have been spiritual since the beginning of time, whether that spirituality follows traditional or nontraditional patterns.

I was raised around spirituality, specifically organized religion. And despite this, I still find myself having trouble believing in the things I was raised

around. But when it comes to something like astrology, I believe most parts of it wholeheartedly. From an evolutionary psychological standpoint, believing in religion makes sense, as it leads to the greater survival of humankind. So, it is plausible to believe that at some point, this belief was encoded into our genome, making us biologically predisposed to spirituality.

As a matter of fact, there is even scientific research that was used to further this argument, specifically in Dr. Dean Hamer’s book, “The God Gene.” In this book, and other research concluded by other psychologists and doctors, a theory was developed that spirituality is hereditary. An interesting thing that this theory outlines is the idea that while we are biologically predisposed to spirituality, there is no specific religion or belief encoded within our genome. Coming from a very Catholic family does not mean that you will believe the same, but it may mean that you are more likely to be someone that values spirituality more than others.

The latest “trends” of spirituality and connection can be seen even among teenagers. Many wear necklaces with sets of three numbers, all the same digit, called angel numbers. The crystal section at local thrift store, Salvage Angel, is always being picked through by local highschoolers. Most of us have joked around about practicing some form of manifesttion to get accepted by our colleges.

Even the entertainment industry, like Taylor Swift’s new song, Karma, has played into the latest phenomena of natural divinity that has taken over the world.

Dr. Maya Spencer of the Royal College of Psychiatrists defines spirituality as “the recognition of a feeling or sense or belief that there is something greater than myself.” If you had asked me one or two years ago what I defined as spirituality, I would have told you it was just another word for being religious. I cannot exactly place when my beliefs began shifting from God to that of a higher power in general, but it was

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s take over

Modern-age

probably sometime around the pandemic. The pandemic is a perfect example of an event that would force people into becoming more spiritual beings, into believing in some sort of higher power. Every single event that happened during this time period was utterly unpredictable. Despite all of the scientific research taking place simultaneously during the pandemic, people turned towards other forms of reasoning and connection in order to ease their minds from the tumultuous world.

All of these forms of spirituality allow the beholder to be in control. It makes our dreams seem attainable– something that we have power over. Whether or not it is true, believing that these aspirations are personally attainable and not just at the whims of some higher power allows people to feel more confident in their aspirations, and provides greater optimism.

The law of attraction states that what we put out into the world will attract back to us, so within utilizing this belief, people are able to start aligning their

actions with what they want to accomplish in the future.

Most of the things that I previously listed as what teenagers are participating in as forms of spirituality are considered pseudosciences, backed with some scientific information but not enough to be unanimously proven. However, the switch in younger populations from believing in religion to embracing forms of spirituality that is somewhat backed by scientific theory says a lot about the continued reliance on science that the entire world is enduring right now. For a very long time, it has always been religion versus science, scientific reasoning against spirituality. But now, as society is forced to rely on science to ensure our survival, younger gene r -

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FAITH

ations have constructed ways for both of these ideas to coexist. At the end of the day, modern spirituality may be all pseudoscience. None of these practices may have any inclination towards truth, and all their scientific evidence may be fake. But many of these pseudosciences call for greater accountability of our own actions, as well as more confidence in our future. And even if the result is not what we wish it to be, if our manifestations do not come true, there are still so many added benefits of new-age spirituality.

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THE SEARCHLIGHT

DECEMBE

Artificial Dyes: Designer or deadly?

By Kristyn Dentremont Editor-in-Chief

During the Elizabethan era, organic materials such as insects, flowers, salts, spices, roots, berries and copper were the main components in clothing dye. Fast forward about 400 years.

Helindone, anthraquinone, Diarylide Yellow and indophenol are just a few of the thousands of varying artificial dyes used on clothing in the 21st century. Look at these lists, and think about which one is better for a human being.

Probably the natural materials first mentioned, right?

Unfortunately, the clothing sitting on your back and hanging in your closet are probably not dyed with raw materials like lavender. Instead, they are likely laced with dangerous chemicals pro-

duced in a lab, surrounded by dozens of other toxins. Sadly, this is the case for artificial dyes in other consumer-goods, too, such as makeup.

Makeup products use unsafe chemicals that saturate the pigment in lipsticks and help makeup last longer, but ultimately damage the skin.

How can it be that the world advances in complex industries such as technology and scientific research, but synthetic dyes remain a repressive influence in the world that harm humans and damage our environment?

Fast fashion is a formidable aspect of the clothing industry that draws in consumers, chiefly because of its affordability. Like most other Gen-Zers, I am an unintentional

supporter of fast fashion culture as I avidly shop at Urban Outfitters and often overspend after “browsing” through the racks at Zara. However, I—like other consumers—am also ignorant to the fact that clothing like my denim-washed jeans and flannel “shackets” are being manufactured in by cheap laborers in dangerous factories from third-world countries.

Factoryworkers in this industry inhale powdery pigments made from unknown substances, expose their skin to acid-filled vats to dye silk and wool and submerge clothing in sulfur dyes to ensure long-lasting color, just to name a few. Left unprotected, synthetic clothing dyes and chemical mordants damage skin by causing burns, eye irrita-

tion and can even lead to skin cancers.

Furthermore, clothing dyes contribute to a major build-up of toxicity in water.

Water tones fabric in the dying phase, but there is often water left over from this process that is released back into rivers, canals and streams because of weak regulations and enforcement.

Not only is this a health hazard, but has ruinous effects on the environment and wildlife. In recent years, it has been proven that aquatic ecosystems are frequently disbanded and vegetation in wet regions goes extinct because of polluted water. So as long as we continue pressing the “Place Order” button, the planet will continue suffering the consequences.

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It is refreshing to see that the makeup industry is making an effort to create more vegan, crueltyfree products; however, these products are ridiculously overpriced because of their natural qualities. Consequently, many users revert to drugstore brands like Maybelline and MAC Cosmetics. A classic product in the makeup industry is the coveted, glamorous and stunningly beautiful red lipstick.

Icons such as Marilyn Monroe, Gwen Stefani and Taylor Swift trademarked the red lip that is worn by fans across

THE SEARCHLIGHT the world. While this a classic part of pop culture, consumers neglect the fact that they are damaging their lips because the red pigment in red lipstick—along with other cosmetics—known as eosin can cause skin irritation, central nervous system depression and potential organ failure if used too frequently, inhaled or swallowed.

It is with great shame that I admit to using animal-tested cosmetics in the past, funneling my money into these makeup companies. As a matter of fact, makeup companies actually feed off of users’ insecuri-

ties because they know people are often more focussed on making themselves look better as opposed to checking the ingredients. While I now check products to confirm they are cruelty-free, there are still many consumers who do not consider the animals they are killing each time they purchase a new eyeliner pencil. As a young woman with insecurities, I frequently purchase and wear makeup. While researching the harmful effects of makeup, however, I was struck with the insight that makeup can often do more harm than good. I still wear makeup, and in fact, I

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am wearing mascara and blush as I write this sentence—I am not advising against it. If I did that, I would be quite the hypocrite. But, I do urge consumers to learn about the products they use to ensure they are keeping themselves and animals free from harm.

The artificial dye epidemic is slowly eating away at the environment and its inhabitants, and soon enough, our planet will be an artificial wasteland. However, there are preventative measures we can take to save nature on our planet and the human race.

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THE SEARCHLIGHT

Brooke Buckley

“The meaning of the piece is] being between

adulthood and childhood. I saw the fac& es in the painting while looking through a magazine and wanted to put them and their color scheme and in my work.”“

d es an c n e i er d exp g on.“ n a s ion kin emot njoy wor e k a e t I me to mething r o f o ay os is a w them int t r A “ “ make

Leah Clifford

DECEMBE

The true Mea Studen

By isabelle O‘ O‘Connell EDITOR IN CHIEF

Where does one start when speaking on the beautiful concept through forms of the expression and application of physical an themselves and their imaginations through sculpting, drawing, up a large part of student body culture. Led by Sandra Allison, such as Richard Kim, Ryan Conlon and Timothy Bergeron. Within t to partake in, including the favored drawing and painting as w department lists four main courses; Ceramics & Sculpture, Prin and Sculpture allows students to learn the art of ceramics an their creations- foundational techniques, process-based work, narrative. For each project, students must document their pr written reflections and class discussions. Printmaking & Mixed and printmaking techniques, which allows for exposure to a s participate in exploring art different from the baseline: linol raphy, collage and mixed materials. Drawing & Painting serves a responsible for creating advanced creative quality and pieces. portraits, landscape and still life pieces as well as homewor students with the foundations of art in the form of designin media to understand the designing process. Because the art d of students at WHS take at least one art class in their high sc of art throughout the hallways in school. The following is h their time at WHS, using their art to express emotions and expe Senior Sophia Kaselis took five art classes in her time at WHS. D year of Ceramics sophomore year and drawing and painting one Painting as well as Contemporary Art Theory and Practice. Kas communicate her feelings, emotions and even memories. Her ar ings she cannot describe in words.

Similarly, senior Leah Clifford also took five art classes at W on to take Advanced Ceramics and Sculpture her junior year. well as contemporary art theory and drawing and painting. Wi aesthetic and creativity. Her time at WHS was crucial for findin to art school and major in art education.

Additionally, senior Brooke Buckley took five art classes. Sop again went on to take it her junior year. This year she takes Art Theory and Photography. For Buckley, art is a way to expres classes she has taken in her time at WHS has made her discover before.

Senior Kristyn Dentremont took four art classes in her time at and Painting levels one, two and three each year. As a senior, hopes to continue her passion for art in her future college peers; it is something that makes her personally feel special w ent perspective, she finds her deepest inspiration in literature Senior Zoe Jagelski, an advanced art student, brings to a differ ers, Jagelski uses art as an outlet for her creativity, but does meanings at all. As for the future she hopes to use art as a w endeavors.” The art teachers here at WHS have pushed Jagelski

to represent my dad and his brothers and how they’re all similar but still have some differ& ences. My sister and I used to draw faces simi& lar to the ones in the piece with my uncle.

We would draw these faces at my grandma’s house with a big basket of crayons, and that in& spired the bright colors used in the background.”“ background.”“

““Art is a way for me to ex ativity a press my nd aesth self with etic in a my own c piece of re& artwork .““ .“

““M o

““Each of the faces in this piece are supposed

st of my pie ces are ar efl sel ectio f“. no “ fs om ea spe ct of

my&

Sophia

“I created this piece t

have to suppress and d others to fit in. Specifi ing to a person that yo for being too loud or think they want you to that feels to me perso out going personality shrink myself around th

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aning Behind nt Art

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Kristyn Dentremont

t that is art? By definition, art is the use of human creativity nd emotional appeals. More loosely, art is a way people express designing and so much more. At WHS, the art department makes the department contains some of the most gifted art teachers the department, a variety of courses are available for students well as ceramics classes. Under the Program of Studies, the art ntmaking & Mixed Media, Drawing & Painting and Design. Ceramics nd sculpting in modern day, while using four sequences within , realism & observational techniques and personal aesthetic & rocess in their sketchbooks as well as report things such as Media acts as an introduction class to the world of material studio for artwork and innovation. Within this class, students leum block printing, gelli plate printing, monoprinting, photog& as an observational learning style class in which students are . Students within the class complete assignments such as self rk assignments. Lastly, design is a class offered that provides ng text and imagery, here students work with several types of department offers a number of different classes, the majority chool career. Art work is prominent at WHS, one may see pieces highlighting students who excel in their artwork throughout eriences throughout their lives.

During freshman year Kaselis took a full year of design, a half e 1 during her junior year. This year she takes AP Drawing and selis uses her art as a way of communication. In particular, to rtwork is personal as she creates pieces that connect to feel&

WHS. In sophomore year, Clifford took Ceramics, and later went This year she takes advanced Ceramics and Sculpture again as ithin each piece, Clifford uses her art as a way to express her ng what she could both enjoy and excel at as she aspires to go

phomore year, Buckley took Ceramics and Sculpture, and then advanced Ceramics and Sculpture in addition to Contemporary ss her emotions and experiences into pieces she enjoys. The art r her desires as an artist that she never knew she would enjoy

“Technology is consuming the minds of people

and drawing them into a meaningless void. This piece was made during COVID-19, so it became ap& parent to me during this time that technology is a reliable resource in the world, but if it’s used too often it can have a damaging impact.“

e ates m r a p e ts g is wha love havin t I . e te dI iqu me un my life, an so passiona s e k a I’m tm e in is wha the peopl something t r a of to “Also, e rest connection out.”“ h t m ab fro al erson p t a th

Zoe Jagelski

t WHS. Freshman through junior year, Dentremont took Drawing she takes part in Contemporary Art Theory and Practice with e career. For Dentremont, art is what separates her from her while also having a deep connection to her work. From a differ& e; both lines from literature and literary works. rent perspective when speaking on her art work. Like the oth& s so when creating pieces with either multiple meanings or no way to meet others or simply to help her with “other creative i to become more confident in her work as well.

me of ““The meaning of the piece is commenting on

people's perception on technology and how many people believe that it controls us; how& ever, it has more so become a part of us.“” “My pi e meani ces have a ngs: t hats o variety of m ne of the t eanings an hings d som e hav I like e most about no art.“ .“

es

g ssa me nd sa

an me ve ha d.“ to stan r rt y a nde dm nu pan e ca ex n to ryo re eve sa t al tha go my

to show how it feels to degrade yourself around ically when you are talk& ou think would judGe you rude so you act how you o. This piece is how I think onally. As a girl with an at times I found that I hose I want to fit in with.“

“So

Kaselis

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DECEMBE

Conformity: the death

How conformity supresses free

By Liam McDonough One of the greatest aspects of humanity is the gift of free will. Essentially, free will gives people the ability to think and make their own decisions without interference from outside factors such as fate or necessity. Consequently, free will allows people to make their own paths in life based around their wants and ambitions. In theory, this sounds like one of the most glorifying privileges given to the human race, giving people the ability to fully express themselves at their own accord; however, when put into practice, free will often withers away to one of the most restrictive commonalities of modern society: conformity.

The term “conformity” applies when there is some form of compliance with laws or standards. In most situations, a person or a group of people conforms to certain scenarios in order to fit in or avoid confrontation with a larger crowd. On the surface, conformity sounds like a harmless concept that is used for people to get along with each other in social environments, but therein lies the problem. Conformity has become too commonly accepted, and the average person refuses to think deeply into it and analyze how it serves as a counter to freedom.

While fitting in with your surroundings may be beneficial in some circumstances, it often forces people into places they are not comfortable being in because they are playing a persona different from what is true to themselves. This lack of a genuine identity that people face nowadays stems from the judgmental mentality that nearly everyone possesses. Whether intentional or not, people draw conclusions from everything they see, even when those conclusions may not be very fair or kind. And those biased conclusions most often spread like wildfire, creating a specific, but heavily inaccurate perception of somebody that has an entirely different life than the one perceived by those around them. So, in order to avoid this dilemma, society conforms, and it conforms constantly.

Conforming can be quite simple, such as when a student in a classroom is silent because everyone

else around them is silen complex. For example, im a group of friends is reck property, but you make t stand back for a moment to be involved in the act. A join in, though, you com reluctant agreement seen result of people’s own mo

to stand apart from the them. Peer pressure serve instances of conformity, w into habits that they were In other circumstan go against people’s moral to lessen the choices that p The desire to blend in hold ing them to act within a c

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of human expression

e will and holds society back

nt, or it can be a lot more magine a scenario in which klessly vandalizing public the conscious decision to because you do not want As soon as you are told to mply. Usually, this form of from this scenario is not a otivations, but of their fear

group that has accepted es as a catalyst for so many which often leads people e never meant to get into. nces, conformity does not codes, but it still manages people are presented with. ds humanity captive, forcconfined range of action.

Although not crucial in deciding your path in life, fashion standards often throw people’s creative impulses out the window. If you are going out to the movies for an evening, you are expected to dress in fairly casual attire, such as a sweatpants and a sweatshirt. If you wore anything a little more bold than that combination, you would most likely face judgment from people around you. On paper, judgment sounds like a trivial consequence of self-expression, but when put into practice, most would succumb to societal norms to escape countless pairs of eyes and thoughts aiming towards them in a negative manner.

Unfortunately, solving this problem nowadays is the hardest it has ever been because of how much people stress about others’ opinions of them. The latest generations have been tightly wrapped in social media, where the lives presented on these platforms only contain certain positive, vibrant aspects in order to create that perfect, yet false narrative that surrounds the online community. The fact that there is so much effort put into presenting yourself as socially acceptable displays people’s fear of falling into a position where they stand separated from the rest. For the few exceptions that do go against the forceful current of societal expectations, they are often ostracized and looked at as weird and eccentric. The reality is, though, that everyone walking on this earth is secretly weird and eccentric in their own ways, but they lack the ability to show that side publicly because of the influence conformity possesses.

Now, in order to rid the effects of conformity, you should not have to be violently breaking the law by setting fires to the streets because you feel like their own desires take priority over the well-being of civilization. Instead, you should attempt to peacefully embrace who you really are without letting the whispering voices of disapproval dictate your every action. Free will should never be trumped by impulsive and inconsequential thoughts, and the only way to truly counter that is by illuminating the authentic characteristics of yourself..

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DECEMBE

Controversial Artist When

do

the

actions

• 21 Grammy Awards • 3.8+ Billion Total Streams • 35+ Million Album Sales Throughout history, creatives such as musical artists or painters are known to generate controversy. In response to the controversies that artists create, many fans advocate for separating the art from the artist. Many artists with questionable pasts still amass great commercial success, with past controversies failing to diminish their presence in the industry. With this pattern in the music industry, when does an artist cross the line? When do the actions of an artist outweigh the art itself?

My dad introduced me to Kanye West in second grade, and he was by far my most listened to artist almost instantly. I played his albums on repeat, even as his brash and sometimes offensive statements emerged. I was one to defend West, using his clear struggle with mental illness to explain his outlandish actions. I liked his brands and I thought his music was consistently great; a few strange statements were not enough to keep me from listening. When Kanye donned a Make America Great Again Hat and suggested that slavery was a choice in 2018, it made me feel less pride in being a fan of him, but nonetheless I listened. Up until a few months ago, I still listened to his albums daily. Only recently did listening to Kanye make me feel guilty. Kanye’s numerous antisemetic rants and wearing a “white lives matter ‘’ shirt made me realize what I tried to ignore for so long: Kanye is a terrible person.

I could not bring myself to listen to Kanye’s music any more and support such a prejudiced artist. After Kanye praised Hitler in an interview with Alex Jones, supporting Kanye was no longer an option for me.

of

an

Even after his countless controversies and discriminatory actions, West maintains his cult-like fanbase, with millions of supporters eager to listen to new music or buy new shoes and clothing from him. Of course a multitude of people have stopped supporting West in wake of his recent antisemitism, but his committed supporters still defend him and look past his actions.

The redundant argument from fans is that “Kanye made Graduation,” a phrase that is constantly put under controversial posts regarding the artist. By making this argument fans point out the quality of Kanye’s work, but completely fail to acknowledge his actions. Sure, he has made great music in the past, but does this forgive any terrible actions he does in the future? Although this phrase is sometimes used jokingly, fans continue to listen based on the argument that Kanye makes great music. Herein lies the issue: fans must take responsibility. There comes a point where listening to an artist is no longer morally correct, and with Kanye that point has most definitely been reached.

• Grammy Nominated • Multiple Billboard #1 Hits • 28+ Million Monthly Lis-

By Tob Sports

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ts: How far is too far artist

outweigh

• 21 Grammy Awards • 3.8+ Billion Total Streams • 35+ Million Album Sales

There are countless other examples of controversial artists crossing the line yet still receiving much commercial success. Chris Brown continues to be one of the most popular RnB artists in the industry, despite brutally assaulting his ex-girlfriend Rihanna. DaBaby has songs with billions of streams despite his homophobic remarks in the past. Eighties band The Smiths still bring in around ten million streams monthly despite the disgusting statements of the band’s lead singer Morissey.

From blatantly racist statements to defending sexual abusers, Morissey is a despicable person who’s music still garners massive attention. Many still listen to R. Kelly, a man convicted of producing child pornography and several other gruesome charges. The late rapper XXXTENTACION retains a die-hard fan base despite admitting to abusing his pregnant girlfriend and committing various other violent crimes. Travis Scott’s upcoming album “Utopia” will reach number one on the Billboard charts despite his recent Astroworld Festival controversy. Although not entirely the fault of Travis Scott, lackluster security and safety measures resulted in the deaths of ten people at his Astroworld Festival in late 2021.

by Moses s Editor

the

art

itself?

Of course, musical artists are human like you and I. Putting artists on a pedestal and criticizing their every move is counterproductive and unnecessary. With that being said, many of these musical artists have done truly horrible things that would often land one in prison. Without expecting a perfect track record from an artist, we should hold artists accountable when they cross the line. The responsibility to hold these artists accountable lies with the listeners. Too often are controversies swept under the rug and ignored solely because listeners do not want to cease supporting an artist. Separating the art from the artist is not useless, but the actions of an artist can outweigh the importance of their art. Each stream of an artist’s song financially benefits them, and financially supporting bad people is not morally correct. An artist is inseparable from their art, and they directly reap the benefits of fans streaming and purchasing their music. Hypocrisy runs rampant with listeners, often with time controversies are simply forgotten.

• 9+ Million Monthy Listeners • 2 Billboard Number 1 Albums • 4+ Million Album Sales

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THE SEARCHLIGHT

DECEMBE

The prepardeness provided by vocationa

By Grace News E

After high school, many students go to college, start a job or go into the military. Even those who do choose to go into a job often further their education post-high school at trade schools. With many routes to go after high school, only 65% of WHS juniors and seniors feel prepared for their futures. How does one know which route to go? With many post-high school options, how does high school prepare someone for their future options?

Different types of high schools and even different towns and states have a different variety of options for classes and activities; therefore, future preparedness changes based on the school and the interests of the individual. Sometimes, there are multiple sufficient high school education options that can provide the needed preparation for the future. For example, if someone knows that they want to be a veterinarian, a public school may give them the needed academic or biology information, and the rest of the information could be learned in college. Also, an agricultural school as well as a vocational high school may also have options for veterinary preparation. Depending on future career goals, different high schools—just like different colleges—provide a more fitting curriculum over others, such as a vocational school having a better program for cosmetology than an academic school.

Students may feel unsure about their intended job field or even major when they enter college, never mind when entering high school. How does a student decide which high school to go to? What if they want to explore being a plumber but are not sure if that is the right choice for them and still want to consider going to college? Vocational schools may be the perfect option for them because they can explore plumbing and receive basic accreditations to start them on their path while still taking academic classes. A student can even take AP level classes just like public schools to prepare them for college while focusing on a trade. Vocational schools allow both academic and job exposure to give students a taste of what they may be interested in.

Vocational high schools are often overlooked, as 24% of WHS upper- high schools can be a valuable classmen would now consider attending a vocational high school. Vocational who find little interest in acad students to try out multiple tr Even if a student is going betw Do you feel prepared for leaving high school? the electrician and culinary sh gives them the freedom to ex the option to go to college if a Vocational schools have may change based on the stud focus on their shop where the plumbing, they have the freed more basic subjects academica focus on both vocation and ac dent may falter in both areas in either. Vocational schools ca trade schools but can also pot

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THE SEARCHLIGHT

al versus academic-focused high schools

e Ryan Editor

e option for those students demics as many schools allow rades before deciding on one. ween different fields such as hops, a vocational high school xplore both while still having a student changes their mind. their pros and cons, which dent. If students want to ey learn a practice such as dom to do that while learning ally. However, when trying to cademics, the school or stuand lack a strong education an prepare students to enter tentially allow less prepared-

ness for college since students are only learning academics in shifts such as every other week.

Public and private schools that focus on academics often have the upper hand in preparing their students for college since they provide a greater variety of options for academic classes and have academic classes year round. Academic-focused high schools may have more variety of academic classes such as International Relations versus just a history course that may be offered in vocational schools. Alongside their academic preparation for areas of biology and calculus, academic-focused schools may also expose students to some job areas such as economics, accounting and computer science fields. Yet, most public schools lack classes for exposure to hands-on jobs that some students may be interested in. While vocational high schools prepare students for a wide scope of fields, academic schools provide a wide scope of academic fields. Academic-focused schools, including WHS, often do not provide a sufficient variety of electives rather than academics. Only 38% of high school students would rank the elective variety at WHS between a four and five in that it provides a great variety of electives. Therefore, with a strong focus on academics, students may not be able to explore all of their interests until after high school.

Both academic and vocational schools often lack exposure to jobs in the humanities. Even with relatively equal interest in the arts and humanities in relation to the STEM field among WHS students, it is more likely that a student takes multiple Advanced Placement or a variety of options in classes in the sciences and math areas in one year rather than the history and english fields. A student could take AP Physics and AP Biology or marine science and genetics in one year while in the english department, they could only take AP Literature or AP Language and Composition in one year.

Overall, high school provides a mixed preparedness and opportunities for college and the future, but often high school students can find outside programs to widen their growth even if electives fall short. There are many options for high school just like for the future, but students can also often fit their high school experience to whatever they may be looking for.

Do you feel there is a sufficient variety of classes at WHS? (1=lacks variety & 5=great variety)

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DECEMBE

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DECEMBE

Recovery is Worth the Wait By: Erin Malinn

I once said that numbers set my life back—bringing me back to my child years. Numbers now dictate my life. They are everywhere and everything. They are in the food I eat, they surround my room, they are the miles I walk. They follow me everywhere and I do nothing to stop them. That is the worst part. I choose to let them have control. I put myself through this and I am the only person who can get myself out. Maybe I do not want to let myself out.

Each picture I look at shows a different person: thinning hair, gray skin, fake smile. Most people can relate to that on a certain level—looking at yourself a few years ago and wondering why you chose to style your hair or do your makeup the way you did.

The main difference is that those were all choices.

The most frustrating part of this experience used to be getting stuck in a loop in my mind.

Spiraling thoughts telling me what to stay away from and what I was allowed to have. I think what people do not realize is how irrational these thoughts become. When the mind is not functioning in a healthy way—in the way it should be—it reflects in your actions.

I was once at a point where I was afraid to drink water.

When you deprive yourself of something and suddenly allow yourself to have it, you will end up binging. To this day, I cannot drink from a water bottle without chugging it all. This kind of stuff sticks with you.

As I said, racing thoughts were once the most frustrating part of this experience. Now it is the people. Everyone is so afraid of saying the wrong thing that they treat you like a child. You have to get used to those looks of sympathy, even if there is no real reason people are giving them to you.

I have been told many unnecessary things in the past few years, but the words that stuck with me are the ones that came from people close to me. One of my closest friends had told me that they felt like they were “walking on eggshells around me” and immediately proceeded to ask me how much I eat in a day.

These are not normal things to ask your friends. I am still not sure if they understand that.

Facing a loss of control is demeaning. Living in a false sense of independence only to have that stripped away in seconds feels like being knocked down, it is like falling off of a high cliff—you are on top of the world one minute and buried below the earth the next.

Losing something you have always had makes you fight against everything to get it back. I lost the ability to make my own decisions, to choose what I got to eat, to make my own food. I found out the hard way that I had to earn these back. They quickly became privileges, not rights.

The way to cope with this is finding other small things to control.

Your hair, your clothes, your daily routine. Unfortunately, most of the new sources of control you’ve found are not healthy.

Last year, I wrote down my struggles in a very detailed personal essay. It is my favorite thing I have ever written. I cannot say the same for this. As time goes by, you find new ways to cope, which is what happened here. Writing still stands as one way to cope, but writing about my problems might not anymore. I’ve become prone to shutting down when brought to talking about this topic, which I could not even bring myself to name in this piece. Funny, as I did not think this would be one of the harder things I would have to write.

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By Liam McDonough & Toby Moses

When was the last time you got excited about Santa Claus coming down your chimney to stuff stockings and deliver gifts? Unfortunately, if you are in high school, it was probably several years ago.

As students move through their adolescent years, their vibrant spirit surrounding Santa Claus begins to fade, and the jolly red chap that generated countless childhood memories exits the minds of teenagers who used to anxiously wait a full year for this magical figure’s return.

Oftentimes, the rapid deterioration of this spirit is because of parents or siblings breaking the news that Ol’ Saint Nick “is not real” or “does not exist.” The reality is, though, that everyone has fallen victim to this ancient lie, and rightfully so; however, in the aftermath of a deep-dive into one of the world’s most notorious fibs, it is finally time to yank away the blinds and uncover the greatest truth to date: that truth that Kris Kringle does, in fact, exist.

Ultimately, what keeps Santa labeled as a myth is a practically universal refusal to accept what lies right in front of humanity’s faces, in which detractors of Santa Claus fail to acknowledge the clear evidence pointing towards his existence. On Christmas morning, when millions of children run down their stairs, they are usually greeted with gifts sitting under the tree. However, Christmas after Christmas, naive cynics point to the parents as the real gift-givers.

Often, these gifts have a tag or label indicating their givers, which in the eyes of Santadeniers, are the parents. Interestingly enough, though, these non-believers consistently seem to be unable to read the labels that blatantly state “From Santa” on the present. Given this mind-blowing fact, it is ridiculously obvious that these gifts were cautiously plant-

ed by none other than Saint Nick.

Every once in a blue moon, the common scrooge will boldly attempt to make the argument regarding how it would be impossible for Santa to deliver gifts to homes that do not have a chimney; however, what said scrooge fails to acknowledge is that there is a simple solution to this problem known as the front door. You walk through it everyday, so why would Santa not utilize it? It is almost certain that Santa does not possess a phobia of doors.

Of course, Claus needs assistance delivering presents to each and every house as doing it all by himself is impossible. For efficient transportation across the sky, Claus calls on his highly-trained fleet of reindeer, headlined by star-player Rudolph and his iconic red nose.

On the night of Christmas Eve, countless children report hearing the footsteps of Claus’ very own reindeers on their rooftops. With the average male reindeer weighing around 350 to 400 pounds, the reports of these children check out. A fleet of reindeer on a roof would absolutely make a noise audible to children, further showing that the Christmas miracle is only perceived as a miracle by those who think Santa Claus is a product of one’s imagination.

If you have not found yourself convinced thus far, undeniable proof can be found through a tradition that countless families participate in each holiday season, coming in the form of an elf on the shelf. These devoted elves travel directly from the North Pole to their assigned household each year before Christmas, changing locations daily to keep the children guessing.

Santa-deniers often point to the parents for changing the location of the elves, but fail to recognize clear evidence making this impossible. If the elf is touched, it will lose its mag-

ic, preventing them from carrying out their ever-so-important Christmas duties. To validate this theory, we caught up with 100 families who dared to lay a hand on the magical messenger. To nobody’s surprise, all 100 families reported that they had gotten nothing but hunks of coal and several burnt scratch tickets.

Unfortunately, though, a large crowd takes the bait on one of the oldest marketing tricks in the books, leaving them with no choice but to lose all faith in Kris Kringle. Around Christmastime, thousands of corporations foolishly place a “Santa” in the center of the mall in order to garner the attention of children and parents alike.

What takes place after is nothing short of a disgrace. Children wander up to this pretender, sit in their lap and whisper meaningless requests for presents into a stranger’s ear that gift them with nothing more than disappointment. This disaster of a transaction inputs great doubt into countless people’s minds about Claus and gives greedy commercial businesses unprecedented profits.

While it may seem easy to give up on a figure so dismissed by the general population, it is imperative that people open their eyes to the facts. Look at the labels pasted on presents that exclaim the truth.

Look toward the vanishing of the milk and cookies that were so generously offered the night before.

Listen to the thousands of children who have seen the magical truth of the reindeer, and the devastating truth of the coal and several burnt scratch tickets. Look not at the deceiving “mall Santa” as a way to request gifts, but at the classic, everlasting Christmas list. In the end, even when there can be millions in the dark standing against you, you can be the light shining the truth for those who stand with you.

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As a result of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, a mental health crisis has steadily increased in prevalence, and therefore, should be at the forefront of schools’ attention. Subsequently, students seek a school more willing to provide them with various options to accommodate their mental health needs. Currently, there are many policies in place for students who desire such an arrangement from their schools—although many still yearn for more.

“Every student, in some way, shape or form, has an individualized plan. What works for one student is not necessarily going to work for another student, and we try to be sensitive to that fact,” Imbusch said.

DECEMBE

Mental Heal for Studen

A 504 plan is a plan developed to ensure that a child who has a disability identified under the law and is attending an elementary or secondary educational institution receives accommodations that will ensure their academic success and access to the learning environment. 504 plans are unique in the fact that they allow for many different options for the students to support them in their schooling. There are common suggestions that are made to the students to help aid them in a direction that will help mold their plan to their needs. Some of these suggestions include: alternate testing taking areas (usually the library or the transition room), taking breaks throughout the day, shortened classes, inclusion of a full-year study, etc. These plans are manned by the social workers, Wendy Thornton and Keith Wick, the school psychologist, Kelley Ryan and the school counselors. Despite these accommodations being implemented, the school can still improve upon their mental health resources. Most of the resources mentioned above seem to favor students with a 504 plan. Students without a mental health diagnosis are often left in the dark with false pretenses. Many believe that only those with a diagnosis are provided with such assistance. It would be greatly beneficial if the school put into place many more resources for students, because a lack of medical diagnosis does not mean a student should be left without assistance to make their schooling easier on them.

“We have to be sensitive to the fact that you guys have things that you bring from home, some things that you can’t necessarily check at the door. We try to make it so that every single one of you, individually, can be successful,” Walpole High School (WHS) principal Stephen Imbusch said.

Focusing specifically on the transition room, operated by Karen Bekker, it proves to be a safe haven for students with a 504. Many who have a 504 plan choose to use the

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lth Resources nts at WHS

room as an alternative setting for test taking, others choose to eat lunch there due to the hectic feel of the cafeteria, while others find refuge in the Counseling office.

“The altered Wednesday schedule was an attempt at reducing the amount of instructional time but increasing the amount of time where students could make their own mind up as to where they needed the help,” Imbusch said.

In spite of the fact that many policies have been made to aid the mental health of students, as previously mentioned, many new policies could be introduced as well. A suggestion would be to introduce a longer snack time to allot some more time when students are allowed to decompress and relax. Even though that extra time for students does take away from learning time, it allows students to grasp their studies and social life with a balanced hand. Another policy that could be introduced is the mandate that no homework should be allowed over longer vacation breaks. This mandate would greatly help students as it enables them to differentiate their school lives and personal lives–an important skill to have. Although many students are not aware of these resources, there are an abundance of policies in place to aid them through their troubles.

By Kaitlyn Jones and Sahithi Ajjarapu Staff Writers

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DECEMBE

Makeup combines self-expressions with misconception

Today’s makeup use poses questions about its harm to self-esteem

By Gianna Pompeo Staff Writer

There are a broad range of ways to alter appearances, not only for yourself but for the people around one; to conform to the ever-changing and still unobtainable stereotypes of today; to define a vulnerable teen’s perception of body, mind and value; and to redirect a teen’s focus to insecurities and self-hatred, rather than confidence and positivity. This range is due to one and only one thing: makeup.

Whether in commercials or on social media, makeup is often perceived as positive.

With a variety of colors and designs, makeup can be whatever a person wants or needs it to be. Because of that, makeup is seen as an innovative way of self-expression. Many people often use makeup for self-expression but routinely fail to recognize the negative aspects that come with constantly altering your appearance. In changing your appearance and emphasizing your self-expression, your natural beauty is covered up, which takes away from feelings of confidence and self-love when someone has no makeup on.

Natural beauty has been lost within the trends of the beauty culture, a movement of incessantly conforming oneself to fit the beauty standards set by society. Many makeup wearers often feel as though they cannot leave their houses with a bare face. While some wear makeup as a means of personal expression, most wear it as a means to alter their appearances. With this, there are clear personal issues that come with regular makeup use. Feeling ugly and unattractive is often

Makeup often does everything but allow people to embrace their true and authentic self. a result of only loving yourself while masked by a facade.

When that facade goes away, there can be a lack of love for their own natural appearance.

Women in general have a significant factor motivating them to change their appearances: the male gaze. Though many women are already insecure about their beauty, the male gaze can motivate women to make themselves prettier for men.

“Women tend to feel more appealing to men with the use of makeup,” said Nura Abdalla in “The Effects of Makeup on Self-Esteem and Personal Perception.”

Makeup is a practice that users implement into their own understanding of their personal and natural beauty, distorting that understanding, and creating a misconception of what females are supposed to look like. Women do not only play into standards set by men but also the standards set by society. Wearing makeup should be a form of self-expression, but with expectations of what girls should look like, women change themselves in order to conform to these standards.

Makeup often does everything but allow people to

embrace their true and authentic self. When makeup is not used, women often describe themselves as ugly, a term that women use to emphasize that they do not feel they are living up to the beauty standards.

In a survey by Women’s Health and Wellness, 48% of women wore makeup because they liked themselves better with it on and 32% shared that makeup makes them feel good.

Furthermore, 44% use makeup to cover their imperfections.

Feeling confident in one’s appearance is a goal for many people. However, only feeling those emotions with the presence of makeup takes away from that goal. When natural appearances are considered, that creates a larger issue than an insecurity. Females should feel confident in their own skin.

Makeup can distort women’s understanding of their beauty to the point of feeling ‘ugly’ without using it, which people would not expect from something promoting self-expression.

Makeup increases feelings of insecurity not only for beauty, but also how people view their bodies. In the short term, wearing makeup diminishes problems of feeling ugly, but it

only enhances the overall sense of self-hatred in the long term.

People equate their beauty to the size of their body. Whether obese, skinny, or somewhere in between, the human body is beautiful. People fail to understand this and continue to desire changes in their appearance and size. Since makeup can help people conform their face to the beauty standards, it can affect how they view other parts of their body. The desire to change your appearance only starts at the face but spreads to the rest of your body.

“I had mastered ways to alter myself, and make-up was just one of the ways,” author Angela Huntley said in an interview with Abdalla.

With the media encouraging makeup, children of younger and younger ages can consume the media’s information everyday. From every makeup wearer you see to accounts about makeup, consumption of the excessive use of makeup has the ability to alter how the viewer sees themself.

With this overconsumption, makeup has become a way to change appearances, enhancing chances of depression, anxiety and a variety of eating disorders.

Self-expression is an important part of everyones’ lives, but it should not cause discontent and self-hatred. Makeup has the ability to be a form of self-expression, but with the way people are using it nowadays, it is more harmful than beneficial.

Finding confidence in true and authentic appearances is worth more than a surface-level solution to a deep-rooted issue.

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How To Choose The Best Jewelry Metal For You

By Sophie Murray Staff Writer

Gold, silver or mixed metal jewelry- which do you wear? In 2022, there has been a lot of debate about which jewelry metal is best to wear, solely on people’s opinion of what compliments your complexion best. Typically, it has been said that combining both gold and silver jewelry is considered weird or makes you look like you are “indecisive” and that everyone is either strictly all gold or all silver. Data was gathered from students at WHS to see which metal is most popular between gold, silver, mixed metal or another material.

According to a survey taken by Walpole High School students, the lowest percentage were from people who wear mostly gold jewelry, which came out to 40%. Next came people who admitted to mixing metals, coming out to 41%. With a close tie, the most worn jewelry at Walpole High School are people who mostly wear silver jewelry, sitting at 44%. When asking people what other type of metal they wear some popular answers were rose gold, as well as jewelry like diamond and pearls. Yet still came nowhere close to the top percentage. In an additional area of the survey, students were asked what stereotypes are associated with the type of metal you wear. Some said silver looked “cheap” while a lot of students said they liked silver because of its affordability. Some students said gold metal looks too “basic and trendy” and some comments talked about how you should not mix your metals unless it matches your “vibe” or “personality.” Several said that the only way to pull off mixed metals is if you can “style them right” and “pick the right pieces.” And a good amount of students said any metal looks fine as long as you mix it with the right fashion choices. Some way your metals can be styled is by either layering necklaces or keeping a minimal look by wearing one dainty necklace. You could stack multiple rings or keep it to one or two. Depending on how many piercings you have, you can layer lots of earrings by using some studs and some dangle earrings or keeping it simple with one or two studs. Based on what you like best, layering or keeping it very simplistic both look great.

In another part of the survey, WHS students were asked why they chose to wear their preferred metal. Some wear their metal based on what they think looks best on them. Some base their decisions off of their vibe, outfit, occasion or the season. Others wear a certain metal due to health reasons such as skin sensitivity or allergies to certain metals. Others chose their metal for affordability as well.

Some wore their metals based on symbolic meaning, like if it was preferred in their religion and or culture, or if it was valuable to their family and passed down.

Lastly, some wore it based on what they believed suited their facial features, hair and skin color best. Jewelers and websites have done extensive research to help people pick the best metal to suit their face and you can easily figure it out for yourself too.

According to Silver Rush Style, the best way to figure out which metal to wear is to first figure out if you are warm or cool toned. To do so, the website suggests that, under natural light, look at your veins to see if they are clearly blue or teal. If it is blue “then you have a cool skin tone.” If closer to teal “your skin tone is warm.” Going off of your answers you can easily figure out what suits you best. Based on research from Grazia Magazine, they have an extensive list of metals that will bring out your tones best. For example, if you have pale skin, stick to silver jewelry as it looks “very fresh” on light skin. If you are someone with tanned or olive skin, you basically have free range and any metal type looks good on you. If you have dark skin, “silver can get a bit lost in your color” so gold will bring out your tones the best.

When basing what you wear on hair color, it is pretty similar to your skin tone as well. From The Latest News, if you have brunette or really dark hair, you are usually suited to all metals. If you have blonde hair you should stick to silver metals because gold may bring out the yellow in your hair. If you have red or copper colored hair, yellow gold looks great and will highlight your hair’s warm tones. With white hair, you also have pretty much free range with what you wear since all metals harmonize with the neutral tone. Lastly, if you have balayage hair, stick to gold jewelry because it will bring out the ombre in your hair.

With all of these resources, you now know the best looking metal for you based on your facial features, skin tones and hair color. Along with other students’ insight and opinions on what they think is best metal, you should now be able to easily pick the perfect metal and type of jewelry.

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DECEMBE

Improving of Winte

By Violet Bur Many young kids look forward to the winter season and the fun experiences involving family, school and friends that come with this season. However the winter season for several teens and adults comes with a large workload, and creates stress from the holidays instead of remembering the more positive feelings.

Many of the stress teens face comes with midterms, applying to colleges, which also falls with being accepted into colleges, and being dropped with loads of work that teachers try to cram in before break. Similarly, many adults deal with loads of work involving buying loads of presents and trying to find everything that loved ones want, hosting holiday parties, and finishing work that needs to be done for their companies before they take their time off for break.

The best way to bring back

high winter spirits for teens and adults is to revive nostalgic memories. Reminiscing on the memories you had as a child rekindles the fun and carefree memories that we grew up with. Bringing back these memories can include baking at home, watching movies with family, playing out in the snow or visiting the city.

If driving places do not fit into your schedule, there are still many other options for things to do at home. Most people do not enjoy staying in, but some of the best times can be created right by your house. On a cold miserable day, it is easy to want to stay in bed and not do anything. For some people laying around all day doesn’t increase their spirits, but there are still so many easy and enjoyable activities to do. Being with friends or family truly is one of the best ways to increase your mood. Putting on a movie—which is similar to the holiday

As people get older some may say their holiday spirit gets lost with that age. As a kid, the holidays are filled with fun activities, snowy weather and spending quality time with family. So what happened to all that fun? Age is a heavy reason for the sudden decline of holiday spirit. Peoples’ priorities as they grow up turn from baking cookies and watching movies to exams, sports, and overall teenage stress. Fixing this problem can seem simple, by laying off any work over break, but is much more complicated.

You cannot stop doing work over the holidays but you can evenly manage this time of

year with the stress of work. The nostalgia of holidays as a kid and how much more free and happy you were can also make someone even more upset during the season. Clinging on to the fun from a youth during this time of the year does more harm than good, and if a person lets go of their childhood they can begin to appreciate their current age and how they can make their holidays enjoyable.

Although the holiday season is not exactly the same as it was when people are younger does not necessarily mean you cannot enjoy that time of year. Actually, the older age can lead to even more

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g the Lack er Spirit

rgess & Alexa Dayaa mood—and making a fresh batch of cookies and hot chocolate is a simple way to have a relaxing night, release all the built up stress and just build up the good feelings of winter.

Living in Massachusetts, we get to experience all four seasons, and only one includes snow falling down from the sky. Many people dislike snow, which can be understandable. Quite a lot of individuals do not appreciate the chilled, and wet feeling after being out in the snow, but there are so many enjoyable possibilities that can come out from the snow.

Simply watching snow slowly fall from the sky can be one of the most mesmerizing and peaceful moments to take advantage of.

Going out with friends and sledding down a close hill, no matter how short or tall it is. Even piling up snow and having a snowball fight can be just what you need.

There is also always the option for a simple snowman to be made.

Although it may not seem like it, even just shoveling snow outside with your parents can be enjoyable.

Winter is enjoyed the most when you just have a positive attitude and enjoy the little things, instead of feeling like you’re missing something or want to be somewhere you’re not. To enjoy the winter season you simply just need to have the right mindset, and bring back memories that you enjoy and can easily do.

Winter does not need to be a miserable time of the year, and should be an enjoyable time for everyone to relieve stress, spend time with family or friends, go out or just stay in and have fun. It is a time to make memories and enjoy the things that are taking place in the moment. and continue making good memories.

activities and ways to make the holidays fun. People with driver’s licenses can take part in winter festivities on their own time and holiday parties can be easier to attend.

“Forced happiness makes us feel more sad, upset and lonely because we are faking our feelings..

Putting on a false front to impress others or prove to them how fine we really are can make us feel like a total impostor,” Dr. Judith Orloff said to the New York Times.

This evidently shows that faking holiday spirit and forcing ourselves to be joyful can make someone even angrier. Instead of sitting inside being upset

about not feeling the same holiday spirit, people can do something about it and have so much fun that they do not even realize the holiday spirit has come back.

And while friends and classmates may appear to have a “perfect” holiday season on social media, this is rarely the case. If “FOMO” kicks in when viewing social media people can remind themselves social media is hardly accurate.

Making your own fun and creating your own happiness during the holidays can be easy if you spend time with the right people and doing the right activities, you just need to find what you love.

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DECEMBE

Autoimmune My mental health diseases is affected cause more by mental autoimmune health problems diseases.

I

am

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defined

by

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diseases:

I

am

oustanding.

Graphics/ Max Grant

By Max Grant By Max Grant Staff Writer Staff Writer

There is an outbreak across the country of teenagers’ lack of knowledge about autoimmune diseases and their effect on the mental health of high school students.

Autoimmune diseases are seeing a steady increase among adolescents.

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), it is only supposed to get worse with protein increases inside the blood that are damaging the tissues of teenagers especially.. Having to deal with these autoimmune diseases as a teenager is extremely challenging and it takes a toll on your mental health.

I have two autoimmune diseases that I have put up with everyday: Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac Disease. These two diseases are classified as autoimmune diseases because my body doesn’t know the difference between cells that are not from my body and my own cells. This causes my cells to be hurt mistakenly because of this. Beta cells in my pancreas are harmed by the foreign cells, which led to the development of Type 1 Diabetes. My body produces little to no insulin and I have to give myself insulin manually through injections. This was enough for a sixth grader at the time, but there was another bitter blow to come. I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in sixth grade and it drastically changed my life. Celiac Disease is when an abnormal reaction occurs in your immune system if you eat articles of food that contain gluten.

My diet changed completely, as I was now having to eat strictly foods that are gluten free (foods that do not contain wheat, barley or rye).

There is not a day that goes by where I do not question where I would be in my life if I did not get diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. I wonder if I would still be

playing sports. I think about if I would be catching touchdowns in the endzone at Turco Field and hearing the roar from the crowd as they celebrate my accomplishment. I wonder about the friends I would be talking to if I did not worry about whether or not my blood sugar is going to drop to a low level. I wonder about the parties that I could have been to and the great food I could eat if I was not dealing with the everyday effects of Celiac Disease. The childhood memories I could have made from trick-or-treating with my brother, the New Year’s parties I could have gone to or even just simple moments such as enjoying a delicious chocolate cake while laughing about the stupid things my friends and I did as kids.

Although Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac Disease have prevented me from doing certain activities, it has not stopped me from becoming the person that I am. Since being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, I have had to manage my blood glucose levels while also having to stay on top of day-to-day necessities like school work, self-care, exercise, etc. Type 1 Diabetes has made me more mature in handling situations that most teenagers would not have to deal with until their older years. Staying responsible with counting the correct carbohydrates that I am going to eat for a certain meal while considering and double checking if the food I am about to eat is gluten free or not. I have delved into becoming mature when problems arise from these diseases. It has helped me advocate

for myself in times of need with a low blood sugar or telling the waiter that I have an allergy to gluten.

I probably could not talk to a waiter today if I did not get diagnosed with my autoimmune diseases.

There are good periods and rough periods with both diseases, but that is not going to hold me back. There are times where I do get quite emotional about my diseases, vocally expressing how much I wish that I was not born with these diseases. I often blame my

religion, crying out that God put these two diseases on me to make me suffer and to hurt more. I also blame my old habits of eating unhealthy. If I ate those vegetables like my mom and dad told me, I would not have Type 1 Diabetes or Celiac Disease. Now, I learned to not be so negative about myself.

To take the lessons I have learned from these diseases and think of it as a good thing. I am outstanding in so many ways and my two autoimmune diseases are just a fraction of why I am outstanding.

THE SEARCHLIGHT

ER 2022

The Greatest NBA Christmas Games

By Adonai Paulos Staff Writer

Christmas Day in the NBA is one of the most exciting times of the year. Fans get to see their favorite players go off against each other in playoff rematches, pass the torch to the next generation, and watch spectacular scoring performances.

In the 1992-93 season, the New York Knicks were one of the Chicago Bulls’s most notable rivals, giving them a run for their money every time they went against each other. The rivalry was compared to the one the Bulls had with the Detroit Pistons.The Knicks beat the Bulls miserably in late November, and it’s safe to say MJ took it personally and was looking forward to the next game. Jordan and the Bulls were able to come away with the win 8977, as Air Jordan dominated against the defense and had 42 points.

The 2003-04 season introduced a legendary set of players in the draft like Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony, and, of course, Lebron James. On Christmas Day, though, Lebron would get a “welcome to the league” moment when his Clevland Cavaliers went up against the Tracy McGrady led Orlando Magic. McGrady put up 41 points and 11 assists compared to Lebron 34 points off of great shooting. And thanks to Juwan Howard hitting multiple shots in overtime, the Magic were able to come out on top as the Orlando beat Clevland 113-101.

After MJ’s first retirement in 1993, the Bulls had lost their best player and now had to rely on Scottie Pippen, Michael’s partner in crime in his entire Bulls dynasty. The rest of the league saw their chance to finally win big now that his Airness was out of the way. But Pippen would show that even with out the G.O.A.T., the Bulls could still contend with the best. On Christmas Day of 1994, the Bulls faced off against a very tough Knicks team that was considered a serious title contender, and their battle was legendary, Pippen went off for 36 points and 16 rebounds, and played hard on defense with 5 steals and 2 blocks. Bulls sophomore Toni Kukoč also showed out this game, going off for 25 points and 6 assists. The Knicks also put up a good fight. Their star center, Patrick Ewing put up 30 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and a block. The game would go into overtime and the Bulls would win 107-104.

At the end of the 2003-04 season though, the Los Angeles Lakers would say goodbye to one of their star players, Shaquille O’Neal, through a trade with the Miami Heat. It was well known at that time that rising star and teammate Kobe Bryant had developed a dislike for O’Neal. So on Christmas Day, on 2004, fans would get a taste of the stars’s beef. Shaq fouled on Kobe every time he entered the paint, not allowing any easy baskets, and

dominated the paint. But Kobe hit shot after shot on offense to keep the game as close as possible. Luckily for the Lakers, Shaq fouled out around the end of the 4th quarter, and the game went into overtime.

Unfortunately though, the Lakers fell apart as Kobe couldn’t make anything happen fo LA as Dwyane Wade and Eddie Jones hit consecutive daggers to win the game.

Kobe had a chance to win the game with 3.2 seconds left with possession, but fumbled the shot as the Heat survived and won 104-102.

The 2016 NBA Finals was one to never forget, as Lebron and the Cavs became the first team to come back from a 3-1 deficit in the Finals. And on Christmas Day on the next season they still made the case that they were superior. After the Warriors became the team everybody hated by signing superstar Kevin Durant, fans knew that this rematch on Christmas Day was bound to be an exciting one. The arena sold out the game as fans prepared to watch what could be one of the greatest games of the century. Durant had 36 points and 15 rebounds LeBron went off for 31 points and 13 rebound and Kyrie had 25 points, 10 assists, 6 rebound, and 7 steals as he hit the most important shot of his life to win the game.

From forty point explosions to games coming down to the wire, these are some of the greatest Christmas games in NBA history.

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How the season W

By Nicole Martin and Emily Botelho Staff Writers

As the weather gets colder, days get shorter and school gets harder, it is extrem of emptiness. These desolate feelings can be known as a seasonal slump. A seasonal s and drop in temperature outside during the winter months.

A lack of motivation is common especially for high school students who feel process, and the balance between school, social life and actual work. On top of that, m pressures. On Nov. 6 2022, the time zone switched, resulting in shorter feeling days a overproduction in melatonin, resulting in feelings of drowsiness and adding on to the lesser sunlight, several people are unable to get a desired amount of Vitamin D, and t English teacher Mackenzie Gould struggles with an annual seasonal slump. To comb production of serotonin in her body.

For some people, seasonal slumps occur without a rhyme or reason. While the ch is often a big trigger for the seasonal slump. The pressure of making the holidays the emptiness. As we grow up, we hear all the time how the holidays are not what they u the passing of the season the older we got. As teenagers enter young adulthood, they bring back what feels missing. The nostalgia in old traditions can be a big help to som case for everyone; to some people, the holidays can greatly improve their mental stat ones, and the holiday cheer acts as motivation to others as well.

It is important to notice that everyone experiences a seasonal slump in differe on which season it is. Some people may experience these feelings of isolation in the s called a “Summer Pattern Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)” and similar to winter nine months of forced socialization, students get used to experiencing intense social i realizing what kind of person they are. Summertime can be extremely isolating espec are not experiencing much social contact. The pressures of summer also hold a big ro friends especially as you enter high school. The pressure of keeping up with that cons just one’s friend group is extremely redundant. Many people have also likely experie heavily in the summer due to the constant pressure of hanging out with people daily.

The seasonal slump may go by a different name, Seasonal Affective Disorder diagnosable mental and physical disorder; whereas the seasonal slump is a self-procla slump, they will be reluctant to reach out to anyone for help, in hopes that these feeli it is vital to reach out to someone. Whether it is simply to talk about how they feel o The lack of motivation that follows the seasons is inevitable, but what matters who are feeling very similar emotions; you are not alone.

mber 2022

The searchlight

nal slump affects WHS

mely normal for students to begin feeling a lack of motivation and an overall sense slump may be triggered by a mix of causes, mainly resulting from the time change

bombarded with tasks regarding: intense school work, the college application multiple characteristics of the winter season seem to add on to those preexisting as darkness approaches earlier in the evening. The lack of sunlight may create an e lack of motivation people may face. From a biological standpoint, due to the therefore have a Vitamin D deficiency resulting in lowered serotonin levels. WHS bat this disorder, Ms. Gould “take[s] vitamin D supplements” in order to increase the

hanges in weather and time certainly make people feel down, the holiday season e “most wonderful time of the year” often leaves people with a greater sense of used to be. It feels as though all the childhood holiday magic was swept away with often go through the motions of how childhood holidays used to be in attempts to me, but the idea that something is lacking often takes over. This is certainly not the te. All that time spent with family is good for people who are close to their loved

ent forms. One big difference amongst different peoples’ slumps occurs depending summer months rather than the more typical winter months. Diagnosed, this is SAD, there are many possible reasons for people to feel this way. For example, after interaction daily, especially high school students who at this point in their lives are cially for people who do not have a steady group of friends, do not work, and overall ole in Summer Pattern SAD. Summer is known as the time to do activities daily with stant social interaction while also struggling to spend time with more people than enced the FOMO phenomenon or “fear of missing out,” which likely picks up more

r (SAD). Seasonal Affective Disorder is the same as a seasonal depression, it is a aimed set of desolate feelings. Often when people experience an intense seasonal ings will pass by. In reality, this could be the start of something long term, therefore or to reach out to an expert for help, any source is still a step in the right direction. most is how you deal with these feelings. Remember: there are many other people

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DECEMBE

2022 Trends

By Me Social Medi Ma Liv C Staff

2022 has flown by and the world saw a lot of recurring trends, but also many new and upcoming trends. Between fashion, purchases, and social media, people began to pick up on new trends. Many fashion trends that had been popular in the past began to come back around, like flare leggings and cargo pants. Influencers play a big role in popular trends, as they have a lot of viewers who are inspired by them and it slowly starts to pick up. When someone who is well known does something, others tend to follow because they are inspired. Social media apps are also spread by influencers when they share the apps on other platforms. The main way trends spread is by popular influencers and their viewers who look up to them.

Trends are constantly changing and not all of them stick for an extended time, but throughout this year there were some that became popular. The more influencers post about these and announce new apps and clothing makes more people want to try them. One way trends end up lasting for a while is because people do not want to seem “basic” at first but eventually end up giving in. Over the time period when more people begin to take part in trends, they last for longer.

Music genres, such as pop, grew in popularity this year, specifically artist Taylor Swift and her release of “Taylors Version” of her albums has grown her fandom exponentially in 2022. Trends of music relied heavily on the influence of social media apps such as TikTok and its sounds that people were dancing or lip singing too.

Tik Tok had a large influence on how trends skyrocketed. In terms of fashion, some trends that grew this year have been baggy jeans, blazers, boots, oversized sweatshirts and leather pants. Social media has had a lot happening this year too with BeReal, TikTok, Poshmark (clothing sale sites), and changed algorithms. Shopping is always a big one and some purchases that grew this year include phone holders, skincare, video games, online pickups.

A Year in

Looking back at 2022 trends and

THE SEARCHLIGHT

ER 2022

eg McNeil ia and Business anager Carney f Writer

2023 Predictions

During the year 2022 there were several memorable trends, popular and not so which captivated the eyes of the beholder. Many trends are predicted to stay “in”;however, new trends of all different types of popular culture will start in the upcoming new year. Leather, a trend started in 2022, has all the right circumstances to create a new fad. This year, leather pants started to come in style but all forms of leather style are likely to come into style this year.

Specifically, leather skirts will become a popular trend in the fall of 2023.

Leather clothing is In stock at stores such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Nordstrom, and Zara.

Influential celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Bella Hadid, and Katy Perry are all rocking these jet black pants, styling them with leather tops that iconically add a full leather vibe.

Along with the leather trend, popular colors of next year will stay neutral going toward a darker tone, for example Doc Martens, popular in 2020, are going to make a comeback this year. Their popularity in 2020 stopped the expansion of the popularity due to limited in person school or work, however, now these shoes have a chance of sparking traction.

BeReal, an app that has been gaining in relevance in 2022 is slowly dying out, brings up the question- what will the new app of 2023 be? Well, the answer is a continuation of last year, having Tik Tok still having its reign of most popular app; additionally, similar to 2022 there will be a few new apps that grow in popularity just as fast as there “out”.

In recent years, several “new” trends are actually just remodeled trends from the 80’s or 90’s. The following year will most likely continue previous trends, with neon colors making a comeback in the summer season of 2023 to counter the neural/dark color tone of other seasons of the year.

With 20th century styles rising in popularity over recent years, it can be determined this will affect many industries, not just fashion. For example, records, vinyls, cassette tapes will all grow in popularity as they have been growing in influence ever since being highlighted in prominent TV shows such as Stranger Things.

n Trends

d predicting trends for the new year

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Year’s

Eve

DECEMBE

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By Ciara Foley and Nicole Scotton A & E Editor and Staff Writer

BY CIARA A&E ED AN NICOLE S STAFF W

With the final month of the year, most are scarcely getting by, impatiently waiting for the arrival of what some could argue are the most anticipated holidays. Each rejuvenates optimistic holiday spirit, as the world is celebrating religion while reuniting with loved ones, and additionally forgetting about everyday stress. With the core December festivities also carries the worldwide celebration of New Year’s Eve and Day, a nonsecular holiday intended to reflect on the past year and embrace the upcoming one. Some consider the holiday a burden: a two-day special filled with pressure to list improvements that most will never carry through with. On the other hand, most fail to recognize the spirit and unification that the holiday brings to any person who celebrates. Cultures around the world celebrate with varying traditions to bring forth luck and prosperity for the upcoming year, along with celebrating through parties, TV specials and plenty more. The negative aspect that so many associate with New Year’s Eve drives the potentiality to continue the “holiday ecstasy,” producing an anticlimactic introduction to our futures. Overseen for multiple factors, New Year’s Eve is a eulogy for aspirations and ambitions typically considered unrealistic, celebrated through lively events, and at the same time, it is one of the few holidays that offer a choice of individual or group observances, providing enjoyable aspects for any who choose to honor the holiday.

With the sparkling disco ball illuminating the room, glittering confetti traversing through the air and yelling along to the all-too familiar countdown to midnight surrounded by loved ones is what makes the holiday so remarkable for many. However, people fail to see the thrill that the festivity conveys. New Year’s Eve allows one to spend quality time with friends and family, celebrating the previous year and the memories that occured with it. The holiday is immensely diverse in regards to celebration, as people can choose their own traditions to create. Popular activities include watching fireworks, creating resolutions and perhaps even sharing a New Year’s kiss with someone special. However, perhaps what makes New Year’s a favorite for some is that people can choose to spend it in any way that they please. Other cultures embrace their own new

TH LOST VA NEW YE

year and rebirth such as Chine glorifies the new year and a time harvest for the upcoming year. F typically enjoy big celebrations spent celebrating the year that w one the opportunity to make a themselves for the new year. It c or friends traditions, such as eat or having game nights. Regard it, essentially the day is a break stresses in life, so it might as w holiday can be used as a time to to cherish the good memories, ones. Having a new year to loo goals and to envision where one less of whether or not traditiona arating countdown until midnig breathtaking fireworks, or even together to create a holiday wor anticipation and high spirit for t i

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RA a FOLEY DITOR ND SCOTTt ON WRITER

HE ALUE OF EAR’S EVE

ese New Years—a celebration that e to ask the gods to provide a good Furthermore, even if one does not or parties, New Year’s Eve can be will be put behind them, and gives any personal changes or goals for can also be celebrated with family ting certain food, watching movies, dless of how one chooses to spend k from work, school, or any other well be enjoyed. The end-of-year o reflect on the previous year and and to reflect on the not-so-good ok forward to is a great time to set e wants to be in the future, regardal resolutions are made. The exhilght, the spectacular parties and the just a relaxing night-in all conjure rth celebrating. There is so much the new year, so why not celebrate it?

With the final month of the year, most are scarcely getting by, impatiently waiting for the arrival of what some could argue are the most anticipated holidays. Each rejuvenates optimistic holiday spirit, as the world is celebrating religion while reuniting with loved ones, and additionally forgetting about everyday the core December Astress. largeWith contribution to the decline of New Year’s Eve is festivities also carries the worldwide celebration the fact that it lingers during an idle period, where many are of New Year’s Eve and Day, a nonsecular holiday accepting the thatand theembrace highly anticipated holiday season is intended to reflect on thefact past year now another 360 daysthe away.

For the upcoming one. Some consider holiday a many, the season is a time that burden: reminds a two-day special with pressurenostalgia to list mostfilled of childhood and enjoyment, pushing improvements that most will never carry through the globally celebrated day into the spotlight. WHS student with. On the other hand, most fail to recognize the survey shows that 74.1% of tostudents would not consider New spirit and unification that the holiday brings any Year’s Eve toCultures be one of their favorite holidays, many associatperson who celebrates. around the world celebrate traditions bring forth ingwith thevarying holiday withtoeating out with family and friends when luck and prosperity for the upcoming year, along most would rather be at home asleep. While yes, the bustling with celebrating through parties, TV specials and drains some, others plentyweek more. The negative aspect that sofind manyfulfillment in the commemorative “I feel it is very enjoyable, and very appreciative of associate withnight.

New Year’s Eve drives the potentiality to continue the “holiday ecstasy,” producing an come to everyone in the new the new opportunities that will anticlimactic introduction to our futures.

Overseen year” one anonymous student at WHS said. Many students for multiple factors, New Year’s Eve is a eulogy for findand theambitions holidaytypically to be considered boring and unimportant, while others aspirations claim that they likelively theevents, atmosphere of it and enjoy the partyunrealistic, celebrated through and at the same time, it is one of the few holidays that ing. offer a choice ofUnlike individual or group observances, most December holidays, there is not much inproviding enjoyable aspects for any who choose duced stressthewhen it comes to New Year’s Eve. No presents to honor holiday. need to be purchased, no special With the sparkling disco ball illuminating the dinner has to be planned and room,no glittering confetti traversing through the to have a good time, so essenone even needs to be invited air and tially yelling the alongholiday to the all-too familiar countis fairly laid back. New Year’s Eve has been down to midnight surrounded by loved ones is normalized tosoberemarkable a low-pressure what makes the holiday for many. holiday as it offers great flexibility, allowing one unwind However, people fail to see theto thrill that the and to use the day as an excuse festivity New Year’s Eve allows oneFor to the party-goers, the day proto conveys. do whatever they please. spendvides qualitythe timeperfect with friends and family, celjustification to stay up all night dancing with ebrating the previous year and the memories that Moreover, variety of worldwide traditions occuredyour with it.friends.

The holiday is immenselythe diverse furthers individual connections in regards to celebration, as people can choose between religion and family as theircelebrations own traditions to create. activities such asPopular parades, enjoying certain food and drinks, include watching fireworks, creating resolutions and admiring fireworks. While the two day celebration is not and perhaps even sharing a New Year’s kiss with forspecial. everyone, theperhaps variety ofmakes aspects and flexibility the holiday someone However, what brings call for reunion new New Year’s a favorite for some is that and people can beginnings that are generally choose to spend it in any way negative that they please. underlooked.

The views many tie back to New Year’s Other Eve cultures embrace their own new year should be reconsidered and as the holiday enforces intermitrebirth such as Chinese New Years—a celebra-

tent routines and a positive atmosphere that is generally under appreciated.

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Normalizing the Stress of Senior Year

DECEMBE

By Emily Sullivan Staff Writer

As students enter high school, they tend to hear broad generalizations about their next four years. Freshman year is the year to adjust to a new school and new people. Sophomore year is when students start getting settled at the high school and it’s a year that nothing special really happens. Junior year is a year of stress and constant studying to prepare you for college. Last but not least, senior year is supposed to be the best year filled with fun activities and a last time for everything.

People describe their senior year as one that they will never forget and will always look back on later in their life. However, there’s a part of senior year that always gets overlooked. There tends to be a lot of stress senior year due to college applications and making big life decisions while at the same time keeping up grades and participating in sports. Often, people overlook the stress of senior year, but it is important to normalize the pressure that everyone will experience at some point during the year.

When entering senior year, students know that this is the year to make decisions that will impact the rest of their lives. It is a time to determine what paths they want to take after high school.

Being a 17 or 18, this can be a huge decision to make, especially at such a young age. Another choice that students will have to start thinking about is what career they are interested in for declaring a major. All these decisions being made during such a short time period can lead to late nights, stressful days and a lot of uncertainty. There are a lot of deadlines to meet and priorities that are not in any other year of high school. It is important for students to recognize that they are not alone in this decision process and a lot of their peers feel the same way about the process.

“I see a different type of stress senior year.

Because there is a finite time to apply to colleges, many students have a lot of nervous energy and urgency in particularly the first quarter or semester or senior year.” guidance counselor Victoria Noyes said.

On top of senior applications and deadlines, there is the pressure of still performing well at the high school level. Students are told to keep up their grades because most colleges still look at senior year grades. In addition, seniors may have a new responsibility that they did not have during the rest of their high school years. Some people who participate in sports have the responsibility of being a captain which means they have to lead the team in many different ways. Likewise, students who take part in clubs may be the president of a club which leads to more responsibility in their senior year. Overall, senior year can lead to a lot more responsibility on top of school and keeping grades up plus meeting deadlines for the future.

“Senior year is one of the most stressful years because of the expectation to have your future decided. Not only do we have to worry about applications and the applying process but also the stress of maintaining grades so your GPA will increase puts a lot of stress on a 17 or 18-year-old high school student.” Senior Aine Corrigan said.

According to research.com ,a platform that analyzes research by scientists, 75% of students between the ages of 17 and 18 reported “often or always feeling stressed” during this time of their lives. The generalization that senior year is the easiest should be looked at in a different way.

It is normal to feel this way due to all the pressure being placed on students. Using the help of guidance counselors and other teachers can be crucial to making senior year the most enjoyable.

“The more students can do a junior year and over the summer before senior year, the less stressful senior year will be. Managing college applications and writing college essays while also trying your best academically is a lot of managing on top of everything else students have going on. If students can fill out their common app and decide on where they’re applying before returning to school for senior year- they will have a huge weight lifted!” Walpole High School guidance counselors said.

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