Index Editorials.......................2 Features..................3 Arts & Culture..............4 Valentine’s Day.............5 Sports..................6-8 Volume XXVI, Number 3 Old Bridge High School, 4209 Route 516, Matawan, NJ 07747 January-February 2020 Federal age requirement on tobacco products raises to 21 BY LEXI SOLIMAN Quianna device expectancy is 10 years shorter Staff Writer Sumpter. within the than that of a nonsmoker. The U.S. Food and Drug “But people past month Additionally, there have Administration officially were getting according been 47 vaping-related announced that the federal things to the FDA. deaths reported nationwide. age requirement to purchase illegally T h e “The evidence is clear,” tobacco products has been before, FDA also said anatomy and physiology raised from 18 to 21 years old. so I don’t noted on teacher Catherine Calabria. Twenty states, including New think this its website “It’s a very dangerous thing Jersey, have already implemented will totally that “every to do especially if you don’t the new age limitation. The solve the day, nearly know where it’s coming from. nation-wide effect will take place problem.” 2,500 kids We were meant to take in air; within 90 days of the bill signing. The smoke anything else is going to lead to The law came about as number their first consequences. But unfortunately, part of a new $738 billion of drunk cigarette I don’t think this will stop Defense Spending Bill signed driving and more anyone who is determined.” on Dec. 20, 2019. President accidents than While raising the age Donald Trump tweeted that involving 400 kids requirement is the only action the spending agreement “... teens did Courtesy of mytomthumb.com became that can be taken to reduce the raises smoking age to 21! BIG!” decrease The age to buy tobacco in New Jersey has been 21 since 2017. A newly enacted daily use of harmful products among federal law makes this age requirement unanimous throughout the country. This is the first hike in the legal after cigarette minors, there is still the concern smoking age since 1987, when it the drinking age became 21, cigarette before they turned 21. smokers...during 2011-2015, of people buying them illegally. was changed from 16 to 18 years and many are hoping that Raising the age was driven by e-cigarette use rose from “I don’t think anything will of age. This time it is not limited the same will happen with the major health epidemic that has 1.5 percent to 16.0 percent change if the age goes up. to tobacco, but also includes all use of nicotine products. broken out among teen-agers in among high school students.” People are still going to buy e-cigarettes and vaping cartridges. According to the American America. E-cigarette use among Every year, cigarettes for minors,” said junior Avery “It makes sense since the legal Lung Association, about 94 minors has spiked in recent kill about 480,000 people Cangro. “People will always find drinking age is 21, and they’re percent of adult smokers years. About 25 percent of high in the United States alone. a way to get around it, so raising equally dangerous,” said junior say they smoked their first schoolers reported using a vaping On average, a smoker’s life the age just doesn’t matter.” OBHS senior Disney trip payment Chick-fil-A announces new Old Bridge chain location plan updates for freshman class BY SAVANNAH WARNER BY BRIANNA BOONE “We believe this will be very “However, I decided to start Editor-in-chief Editor-in-chief beneficial to the students,” said paying at a later time; but it’s great Chick-fil-A, the fast This year, a new payment Mackey. “It requires much more that the system is so flexible.” food restaurant notorious plan has been implemented organization, but we think it will The cost of the trip includes for both its chicken and for freshman students airfare and transportation, incredible employees, is interested in going on food, admission to the coming to Old Bridge. the senior Disney World parks (Disney World and The restaurant is planned trip with the intent Universal Studios), hotel, to open in the American Plaza to make it easier to and $20 of spending this summer, which is located manage the hefty costs. money put aside for next to the Costco off Route 9 Courtesy of thechickenwire.chick-fil-a.com Freshman class advisers each day of the trip that North and across the road from A new Chick-fil-A location is set to Cheryl Mackey and Nicole the students can use the Shoppes of Old Bridge. open in Old Bridge this summer. Czysz have decided to for souvenirs, food not “I’m over in that area a just hoping it doesn’t take allow the class of 2023 to included in the package, lot for different things so I’m away from our restaurant,” have the opportunity to and anything extra in excited to have another food said Jade Wurs, seniot. pay for the trip in smaller, either of the parks. place to go to instead of IHOP,” Old Bridge residents are monthly installments Current seniors make said Adriel Pagulayan, senior. optimistic about the restaurant from now until the four payments throughout Prior to this new opening, and hope that it will bring class’s senior year, with the year, with three $400 the closest chain installments more attention to the stores a minimum of $50 asked payments due starting to Old Bridge are located in the in that area besides Costco. to be paid each month. Courtesy of Antonella Mazzola in October, and the Freehold and Woodbridge malls. “A lot of the time I think The new system allows Alumni from the class of 2019 pose with character last payment of $300 “I go to the mall fairly people forget that some of for a greater turnout Winnie-the-Pooh during their Disney World trip last year. due in late February. often, but sometimes I just the stores over there are even of students attending the trip, be all worth it for the students to According to the senior class want quick chicken that’s open because they were closed because it will be easier for most have a great senior trip without advisers, Ryan Geist, Scott not KFC without going out for so long,” said Pagulayan. to pay the $50 minimum a month worrying about the cost.” Beverly, and James Phillips, of my way,” said Pagulayan. Some students voiced than the current $400 every The payment plan is they wish they had done this It is just one out of multiple their disdain for Chick-fil- month- and-a-half for seniors. optional, with students being new system with their class. previously empty storefronts A's seemingly prejudice The freshman class advisers able to decide when they “As current seniors know, that are getting new tenants comments and past behavior. will keep track of deposits would like to begin payments. senior year is expensive. Between before the reopening of the “I don’t eat there being made, and if students opt Some may opt to wait, though. college applications and other plaza in the upcoming year. because they donate to anti- to start payments by January “The system is helpful senior events, the money adds up Chick-fil-A will join IHOP, LGBTQ+ organizations,” of their ninth-grade year, these because it’s not a big cost for the and this payment plan is another Elite Martial Arts, and Rock said Jordan Totten, senior. students will have $1,250 in future and can help those who great way to open up the trip to Out Loud, as well as many However, most residents the bank toward the current can’t afford the cost all at once,” more students and reduce the other new tenants in the plaza. are ready for the restaurant to total cost of the trip at $1,500. said freshman Kristin Gissubel. cost of senior year,” said Geist. “I work at IHOP so I’m open and start selling food. Social All the latest Valentine‘s media app Several Take a look at reviews on the Day movies, TikTok teens sign to what’s inside hottest movies, activities, takes teens D-1 schools music and gifts Knight Life by storm Page 7 Page 4 Page 5 Page 3 Page 2 Knight Life January-February 2020 Viewpoint: Addressing views important to students Staff agrees:US needs to increase tax burden on rich Our View With the 2020 Presidential Currently the gap in the middle class, according election approaching, hot American society between to a New York Times study. button issues have been the those living in poverty and Presidential candidates topic of conversation among the wealthy is much too large. have discussed a variety of voters and candidates. One of Those in the middle class proposals including establishing the biggest issues argued has are most affected by taxes; a tax on households with an been taxation on the wealthy. they receive significantly less income over $50 million and an There is a substantial financial tax cuts in comparison to the increase on the the estate tax. gap between social classes, rich, and on top of that they earn Many candidates for the Cartoon by Josh Gatson and some voters are concerned much less than the upper class. 2020 Presidential election are about how the overly affluent The income of upper- preparing their campaigns, and Take time for yourself people in the United States class families is almost seven the first place to start is increasing on Valentine’s Day may not pay enough in taxes.