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ONLINE EXCLUSIVE ONLINE EXCLUSICE The Sovereign Citizen 1 Million Kids Flee- Movement The Harbinger ing Syria By Nathalie Mairena Issue 2/Volume 14/October 2013 By Laura Gonzalez #syriaspeak | Harvest Fest Preview | A Splash of Color

Blood Marker May Predict Suicide By Samantha Cardet scardet,[email protected] A recent August report indicates in the blood of these nine men changed that a substance in the blood may be along with their suicidal feelings, most responsible for putting people at risk of notable among which was a molecule suicide. made by the gene SAT1. The research, published in the In order to further study the cor- scientific journal Molecular Psychiatry, relation between suicidal thoughts and revealed that there is a notable genetic the SAT1 gene, the team then obtained difference between patients experienc- blood samples from a coroner’s office. ing high states of suicidal thinking and They found high levels of SAT1 activity those with low states of suicidal think- in the blood of nine different men who ing. had killed themselves. According to the Center for Dis- According to the study, “devel- ease Control, suicide is the 10th leading oping more quantitative and objective cause of death in the US and the 3rd ways for predicting and tracking suicid- leading cause of death among adoles- al states would have immediate practical cents. From 2008-2009, an estimated 2.2 applications and positive societal impli- million adults reported having suicidal cations.” thoughts in the past year. As of now, doctors rely on the The new report was based on a symptoms and feelings self-reported by series of four studies conducted over a patients to determine if they need help three-year period. During the studies, or attention. psychiatrists and researchers from the “Suicide is a big problem in psy- Indiana University School of Medi- chiatry…there are no objective markers. cine interviewed a large group of male There are people who will not reveal patients – all diagnosed with bipolar they are having suicidal thoughts when disorder – in order to give the patients you ask them, who then commit it and Equipment for markering DNA is in use at Barry University. Photo Taken By Ruth Reyes a score using the “Hamilton Rating there’s nothing you can do about it,” said Scale for Depression-17.” Blood was also Dr. Alexander Niculescu, associate pro- study refers to as “blood gene expres- University in Montreal said, “There are The researchers hope that these taken from the subjects during these fessor of psychiatry and medical neuro- sion biomarkers for suicidality,” doctors a lot of technical issues with this study. biomarkers will help save lives, but fur- visits. science at the Indiana University School would have an unambiguous indication There’s not a lot we can take from it at ther research is still to be done, accord- hroughout the course of the of Medicine and a lead researcher in the that a patient may be predisposed to this stage.” ing to Dr. Niculescu. “There could be studies, nine of the participants origi- studies. “We need better ways to iden- suicidal thoughts or behaviors. The results are still “amazingly gender differences. We would also like nally showed no suicidal tendencies and tify, intervene, and prevent these tragic The general response from out- strong for a small sample size,” psychia- to conduct more extensive, normative later exhibited many. The researchers cases.” side researchers has been one of caution. trist J. John Mann of Columbia Univer- studies in the population at large.” found that several biological molecules However, by identifying what the Neuroscientist Carl Ernst of McGill sity told ScienceNews.

The Privatization of Prison Good Grades, Better Health By Elizabeth Martinez By Julissa Higgins [email protected] [email protected] The privatization of prisons has Doing well in school is impor- more of a likelihood they would be able become a large source of revenue for tant for obvious reasons, but recent to afford to pay for better living condi- major businesses. States signs contracts studies have found that doing well in tions later on. with private mega-corporations in the school could also be linked to leading a Studies had already been con- hopes that their spending will decrease happier life. ducted showing that longer times in and that they will instead save money. Is this a coincidence, or is there school led to, on average, better health Among these corporations are a much more solid explanation for what in old age, but this new study gives the Corrections Corp of America (CCA) seem to be two totally different subjects? further insight on the importance of and GEO Group, who have offered to Perhaps the reasoning behind this is that schooling and provides a direct correla- own and manage public prisons as long doing well in school can mean more op- tion between both things. as the prisons contain at least 1,000 beds portunities in life which in turn leads to “I think if you’re given a bet- and a 90% occupancy rate for the next long term health. ter education, you tend to make better 20 years. In this case, these two seemingly choices,” says Cindy Hernandez, 18. “Es- Although this “privatization of unrelated things seem to have some cor- sentially what the study is saying is that prisons” brings in big bucks for mega- relation. people who are well adjusted in child- corporations such as the GEO Group What is most fascinating about hood and learn to manage stress from and Cornell Company Incorporated, the these events- as found by a recent study school, live healthier lives. It makes situation has also been shown to cre- conducted in the University of Wiscon- sense; one thing leads to the other.” ate overcrowding because these deals sin- is that on average class rank has ma- It is no longer the case, especially cause petty criminals to be sentenced jor effects on the quality of life one leads in the United States, that societal elites to lengthy prison sentences in facilities many years later. are the only ones with the opportunity with minimum security. In this study, a group of more to advance. About 7% of the 1.5 million pris- ing for prisoners, they pay the company. mates because it’s cheaper than housing than 10,000 students were surveyed As history has changed drasti- oners in the United States are housed The company then spends the least them in Hawaii. throughout a period of time. Among cally, studying a profession can virtu- in private prisons, and this deal puts amount of money on each prisoner in It may be that states are compro- these, those whose class rank was ally guarantee one success on a relative pressure on the state to maintain high order to make a profit. mising security in order to save money. among the highest were found to be scale. These studies are perhaps the best occupancy rates and therefore to cre- For example, private contrac- These mega companies promise gentler much healthier as they aged. evidence for this thus far. ate harsher laws with punishments that tors are able to cut costs by building one prison facilities with minimum security The explanation found for this exceed the crime committed. state’s facilities in another. The Saguaro which has lead to the escape of prison- was that higher grades often meant bet- Instead of the state having to pay Correctional Center in Eloy, Arizona is ers. In August 2010, three convicted ter professions as adults, and therefore for workers, security, and the cost of liv- run by CCA, and houses Hawaiian in- Con’t on page 2

NEWS PG A2 WORLD NEWS PG B4 FEATURES PG C6 OPINION PG D11 Does a Taser Update on Colombia SAT For Dummies Change in Inside this issue: By Alejandra Mendoza By Ruth Reyes mlecharbinger.wordpress.com Beat a Bullet? Lunch Schedule By Maria Sanchez By Jessica Plazas A2 News #SyriaSpeak Trends on Does a Taser By Flavia Cuervo Beat a Bullet? [email protected] In an age of global awareness Alberto Carvalho, has been saying for like Anthony Horta, a senior at North presence for the past two years. Using By Maria Sanchez and hashtag activism, a large part of some time. Miami Senior High School --and from Twitter, they reported on the Presiden- [email protected] civic involvement in journalism occurs “We have to meet students alumni across the country – like Javon tial Debates and Election; they later Tasers and stun guns have been on social networking sites. On Thurs- where they are,” Carvalho said, refer- Brown studying at the University of brought both to MLEC, hosting a Mock a controversial issue since police began day, September 5th, the staff of Miami ring to technology and social media. Chicago in Illinois. Long after stu- Debate and Election. their use in the 1970s. Some believe it Lakes Educational Center’s (MLEC) The The student-created hashtag became dents had finished their discussion, the Staff of the newspaper started is wrong to use them because there is Harbinger made the hashtag #Syria- a trending topic on Twitter for 15 hashtag continued to be used by people the conversation by asking questions such a high risk of causing death while Speak trend on Twitter throughout minutes and was 141st in the country, all across the country. like “Can we afford another war?” and others blame deaths on previous health an hour and a half long, student lead, receiving thousands of tweets from Ricardo Romero, student at “What happens if Congress votes no?” conditions. discussion about the crisis in Syria. several hundred accounts. A topic MLEC, said, “The discussion was a and the conversation took off from Amnesty International is against Although some may see social trends on Twitter after a large number good idea. I liked that a lot of people there. the use of these weapons. Their research media as a distraction, the tide seems of people tweet about it. were able to join in on Twitter, even Over the next hour students and shows that 550 people have died since to be moving the direction of using it Within minutes of starting, people who don’t go to our school.” other Twitter-goers engaged each other; 2001 because they were zapped by as a teaching tool, something Superin- the event had gained the attention of The staff of the Harbinger has questioning viewpoints, providing solu- tasers. Although the rate is high, coro- tendent of Miami Dade Public Schools, students from all over Dade County – been working on building their online tions, and supporting ideas. “It seems that throughout this ners and medical examiners say that the discussion, some contributors have only reason these people died is because changed their minds. Power of conver- of narcotics in their system or preexist- sation?” Neyda Borges, advisor for The ing health problems. Harbinger, tweeted. It wasn’t until 18-year-old Israel Students at MLEC started the Hernandez-Llach was killed by a taser discussion to raise awareness and in Miami Beach, that the department consciousness. They hope to continue had any problems with stun guns. Chief Twitter talks about other global issues. Raymond Martinez said that the officer, Superintendent Carvalho, Jorge Mercado, who chased and tasered chimed in on Twitter after the discus- the teen was in the right. sion to say this: “Proud of Miami- Hernandez’s offense (graffiti) Dade’s students and their impressive was not a serious one but it was a crime global awareness. Our future is promis- nonetheless. He was also running away ing because of them.” from the police, resisting arrest. Mer- The superintendent also lent his cado had the right to tase him. own opinion. The number of deaths caused by “As the world’s superpower, tasers is much lower than that of other America does not have the moral right weapons used by law enforcement. of silence on human rights abuses,” Taser International says that the threat Carvalho tweeted. being presented by a stun gun or taser is To see tweets from the discus- less than that of firearms. sion follow this link http://storify.com/ A warning about tasers was FlaviaCuervo/miami-lakes-educational- issued in 2009 by Taser International center-s-the-harbinger-tre or search the stating that it is best to avoid hitting hashtag #SyriaSpeak on Twitter. a subject in the chest because some people may go immediately into cardiac arrest. Steve Tuttle, spokesman for Taser International says, “It’s not a ‘shall not’- it’s simply a best practice to avoid the chest when possible.” Martin Manley’s Suicide Website- The First Of Its Kind Some might argue, however, that anytime someone is being electro- Michan Walsh cuted, they are at risk of being harmed. [email protected] Some medical studies show that most On August 15parking lot, stood “I didn’t want to die. If I could the same group for 24 years. lice station. While one may try to look people have high levels of adrenaline beneath ai tree, pulled out his phone, have waved a magic wand and lived for Not only is Manley’s website underneath Manley’s peaceful exterior present in their bodies when they are and dialed 911. 200 years, I would have. unique in purpose, but the tone of the for hidden traumas and cries for help, being chased or have some sort of al- “I want to report a suicide at Unfortunately, that’s not an op- writings with which he filled his website not much can be found. Manley does tercation which causes the heart to beat the south end of the parking lot of the tion. Therefore, since death is inevita- is surprising. Instead of the desperate talk about how his independent and faster and harder. Overland Park Police Station at 123rd ble, the better question is... do I want to ravings of a miserable man longing for- (to an extent) lonely upbringing may Dr. Joel Strom, a professor of and Metcalf.” live as long as humanly possible OR do companionship, lost love, or relief from have influenced his choice not to have cardiology at the University of Florida He then pulled out his .380 pis- I want to control the time and manner his sorrows, one finds the calm work kids, and about his grief over the loss says, “The data is clear that they are tol and shot himself in the head.Hours and circumstances of my death? That of an analytical man. One who wanted of his first two loves, his parents, and not totally safe. Is it safer than a bullet? before making that phone call, Manley was my choice (and yours). I chose to show that his decision to kill himself he and his ex-wife’s beloved dog- but as Probably yes. Is it entirely safe? No.” published a website he had been secret- what was most appealing to me.” was not the spontaneous whim of a he states multiple times in his “Death” ly working on for 14 months- Martin- Unfortunately, even though coward, but the best conclusion to his section, he did not consider himself ManleyLifeAndDeath.org- which was Manley prepaid Yahoo to host his site life he saw possible- one which he had unhappy. The Privatization meticulously created as an incredibly for 5 years, Yahoo has taken the site fully come to grips with. He did, however, state that while detailed public suicide note and autobi- down due to its “harmful” nature. But In the 34 categories and 44 he was sure that he had always been ful- of Prison ography, the first of its kind. before it was shut down, Anonymous subcategories he divides his website ly content, he was not sure whether he Continued from page 1 On the website, which was di- and other internet groups posted mir- into, Manley makes it clear that he has had known true happiness as an adult. vided into two sections, Life and Death, ror sites exactly the same as the one he no hatred or feelings of ill-will towards And as for how confident he really was murders escaped from a prison. They Manley claimed that the main reason published, for the public to read. In ad- anyone, including himself, and that he of his decision right up to the moment escaped from a facility in Arizona that he chose to end his life was not on dition, Manley’s sister, Barbie, is trying lovedeveryone he knew up to the very he pulled the trigger? No one will ever was run by the Utah-based Manage- the usual list: loss of loved ones, legal to have her brother’s last wishes fulfilled last minute. In his “Life” section, he know.. ment & Training Corp. issues, financial ruin, depression, and by getting the site put back up. recalls fond memories, talks warmly What is certain is that Martin loneliness. He asserted that he suffered Martin Allen Manley was a 60 about his first encounters with love, Manley wanted more than anything to The accounting firm MAXIMUS from none of these. Hesaid he did it year-old sportswriter who loved num- about his two marriages, his Christian- imbue his identity into his website, so conducted an audit in Arizona in 2007. because he was afraid of old age. bers. He wrote three books on sports, ity, hismany interests in sports, fiction that he could leave the world a legacy of It compared public, and private cor- Manley, who showed self-re- invented the standard efficiency rating writing, symmetry, choir , pizza, who he really was. He spent the last 14 rectional facility costs. Private facilities, ported signs of early stages of demen- system used by the NBA, and was a fedoras, and four leaf clovers, even months of his life putting his heart and on average, saved the state about $2,004 tia, said he was terrified ofbecoming a sports reporter for the Kansas City Star. cracking lighthearted jokes- some about soul into it, and it is safe to assume that every year per inmate in 2007. feeble, mindless, dribbling old waste to He married and divorced twice, never his death. in his last chance to speak frankly with society – stuck in a nursing home with had children, sang in a church choir At 5 a.m. on his 60 birthday, the world, he was as honest with it as he Recently, a report was released no clue who or where he was. weekly, and played poker monthly with Martin Allen Manley walked into a po- could be. by the Arizona Department of Correc- tions that found that the state’s savings The Harbinger Staff increased to about $1,004 per inmate Publication Policy Neyda Borges Carina Vo Staff Writers per year in 2009. However, it was also Advisor Copy Editor Stephanie Brito MLEC’S Harbinger staff pledges to: Publish Lessenitt Campos articles that will not disparage any individual found that, at times, privatized facilities James V. Parker Michan Walsh Principal Copy Editor Rosaly Casanueva Follow us on Twitter: and will not interfere with the rights of priva- cost the state more than if they had run Marissa Echeverria cy. We publish this newspaper for the student Flavia Cuervo Sana Chaudhry Natalia Fernandez @HarbingerMLEC a public prison. Editor-In-Chief Photo Editor Julissa Higgins body, faculty, and community members. No Many question the benefits of Gabriella Indart articles will convey bias or be based on per- Daniel Deleon Ruth Reyes Krisna Maddy states making the prison system privat- Managing Editor Photo Editor sonal motives. We will not take credit for the Nathalie Mairena Like us on Facebook: ized and whether or not it keeps in line Chloe Baldino Karina Padron Elizabeth Martinez work and publication of others. Any opinions Layout and Design Editor Online Editor Ana Mijares MLEC’s The Harbinger expressed in this publication are not neces- with the justice system. Although there Jessica Plazas are faults, the privatization of prisons, Amanda Delgado Rachel Rnoh Salwa Raza sarily those of the faculty and administration Layout and Design Editor Business Manager Daniel Saiz but rather those of the newspaper staff and according to IBISWorld USA, is a 22.7

Samantha Cardet Vivian Bermudez Maria Sanchez Email us at its editors. MLEC’s Harbinger is intended to billion dollar industry and has an an- Head Copy Editor Business Manager Emtanis Shoukry Christian Steiner [email protected] inform, entertain, and communicate to the nual growth rate of about 4.7%. Alejandra Mendoza Laura Gonzalez Maria Vasquez public in an open forum. Copy Editor Marketing Manager Angelie Yglesias A3 News Harmful Effects of Internet Addiction By Julissa Higgins [email protected] By Maria Sanchez [email protected] It’s no surprise that the Internet ternet usage (Wieland, D. M. (2005), such as cocaine, marijuana, and even plays such an important role in our Computer Addiction: Implications for methamphetamine. This might have to everyday lives, and the importance of Nursing Psychotherapy Practice). Per- do with the fact that it’s the same part of the internet has certainly translated spectives in cases of Internet Addiction the brain that control addictions and no into a large number of the population- Disorder, or IAD, have continued to matter what it may be, addictions are especially the younger generations- that rise in the United States and, currently, serious disorders that are health com- have developed internet addictions. But likely much faster. promising and can lead to downfalls. what does this really mean? Other effects of IAD included Social networking sites like We figured such a depend- decreased attention spans, anxiety, and Facebook and Twitter have also signifi- ence on the internet would have severe a lack of the ability to properly engage cantly contributed to the prevalence of effects on the population and surely in social relationships. Knowing this, internet addictions since their boom. enough we are beginning to see the ef- what can we conclude about what the More than an approximated 50 million fects of it on internet addicts. internet has done to our generation? It people use twitter and about 1 billion Aside from common side ef- begs the question: Has it helped it or people use Facebook worldwide. fects from using computers for such has it ruined it? “The internet is a great source of an extended period of time, what has There is certainly no doubt that infor mation.” says Carlos Garcia, 16. been found is a larger accumulation the internet has revolutionized the way “It’s a library that can be accessed at any of abnormal white matter in the brain we do everything. No longer do we have time of the day. If used right, there is for those people that spent extended to search for anything in an encyclo- nothing you can’t learn about.” periods of time on the internet. pedia, and online games or movies are Internet addiction is a grow- The study was conducted by available at the click of a button. How- ing problem and while it may seem as Researchers in China that tested about ever, as the internet continues to evolve if it helps us a lot in our everyday lives, 18 people for the amount of abnor- it is likely IAD will become an even many people, especially in this genera- mal white matter accumulated in the bigger problem. tion, cannot even remember a time be- brain. The group that had admitted to Many of the people who are fore the Internet existed. The advantag- internet addictions was found to have prone to becoming addicted to the In- es the Internet brings are so great and it a larger amount of abnormal white ternet are gamers that become fixed on is so infused to everything that we do, matter than the control group. Though certain internet games. As much as “54 that trying to change its importance in it is important to consider that it was percent of respondents feel some level our everyday lives is nearly impossible. a small number of people tested, the of addiction to their social network “I think Internet usage is a results still indicated the possibility that of choice,” according to PR Newswire catch-22 in almost [every] aspect,” internet addiction could have caused report on findings made by Webroot, an says Cindy Hernandez, 18. “With the this. internet security service company. privilege of having the world at our The rate at which people use Perhaps the most surprising fingertips, we’re also at a loss for words the Internet in the United States was thing about studies conducted is that when that same resource that is used for increasing by 25% in 2005, with 9-15 they have linked internet addictions to social media, is frowned upon.” million people engaging in daily in- very similar types of addictions of drugs Football’s Effects on the Human Florida Jails: Back on the Spot Mind By Nathalie Mairena [email protected] By Christian Steiner back and ankle in the fall. According to In April 2013, Miami-Dade nothing had changed, neither due to [email protected] an interview between him and MSN, County agreed on a new and costly way her report seven years prior nor from doors opening all at once had happened to treat inmates, especially the mentally the changes agreed upon in April two before. ill. months prior. The public has put Miami-Dade The new deal was made after “The bottom line is change is corrections on the spot after these the Department of Justice ended a three needed. It’s too slow. It’s a shame that incidents and the death of eight inmates year review and concluded that jails in it takes you to go in championing the while in custody. The Corrections De- Florida were rampant with unsanitary community and our vulnerable to say partment Director stood before county conditions, overcrowding, excessive let me come back and get an update. commission members of public safety force, and an apparent lack of reporting No, let me come back and re-expose and animal service and was questioned such incidents. you because not enough has been about all the incidents and about what The plan has a total investment done,” Miami-Dade Commissioner was being done about it. cost of millions of dollars and would Sally Haymen told Gillen after she saw Some members of the com- include money to pay for better training the conditions on the floor. mission suggested passing over the of corrections officers, a new electronic Many of the changes that were construction of a new building and jail management system, and the con- proposed have not been put into effect. funneling the money towards the care struction of a treatment facility for the In August, a man was attacked by a rat of inmates and training of staff. Others mentally ill. in his cell, a common occurrence, de- suggested not keeping those with minor In the 1970s, inmates sued for scribing that there are “rats everywhere” charges or immigration issues in county overcrowding and eventually won the and “no one is doing nothing to help.” jails. Thirty three football players Roethlisberger has been accused nu- settlement 25 years later. Inmates and In another instance, every safety on “I’m not demanding perfection, have been arrested since the 2013 Super merous times of sexual assault. When officers alike have complained of rats, the inmates’ doors was simultaneously I’m seeking better,” Commissioner Sally Bowl. In that same amount of time, 160 journalists were asked how they felt mildew, and mold found inside facili- unlocked by the new electronic man- Heyman said at the meeting. “The cur- players suffered from concussions. about these two players after an inter- ties. agement system. An inmate was nearly rent operation borders on problematic Football has been proven to be a view, both defined them as “reckless Many have viewed Miami- attacked by another prisoner after they — that’s as polite as I can be.” stress reliever. It allows people to let out and aggressive.” Dade’s prison system negatively for were let out of their cell. He escaped their aggression on the field, making Football has a visible, physical the lack of care given to the mentally by jumping a story down. He broke his them less likely to be aggressive off the effect on the brain; roughly 2 million ill inmates. field. However, after a long time of con- football players suffer concussions and The floor stantly focusing all their energy being the number is growing. The NFL is where these aggressive during a game, some cannot working hard to implement more rules inmates keep that aggression from moving into to help prevent concussions; however, it are kept is their lives. happens naturally in such an aggressive known as CNN has recently reported that contact sport. The concussions lead to the Forgot- in 2010 there were roughly .679 con- issues such as short term memory loss, ten Floor, cussions per games in the NFL. Mean- frequent headaches and may lead to which, ing out of 321 football games in 218 of comas they cannot wake up from until according them atleast one player suffered from a much later in life or ever. to a 2005 concussion. Players like Junior Seau and news report There are cases, like that of the Chris Henry suffered many concus- by CBS, is former tight end for the New England sions during their careers, which led in indecent Patriots, Aaron Hernandez, which are to a disease called Chronic Traumatic condition. extreme. He experienced signs of near Encephalopathy (CTE). This is a brain CBS insanity and has been indicted for first disease, much like dementia, that led to Miami’s Mi- degree murder; he could even be seen early deaths for both men. chelle Gillen smiling when he heard of his indict- Although efforts to reduce con- revisited the ment. He also resisted arrest, proving cussions remain, the numbers continue Forgotten further his extensive aggressiveness that to rise and there is a long way to go Floor in July, could have been derived from his long before playing the sport is risk free. seven years running football career. President Barack Obama has after she first He is not the only professional said, “ I love football but if I had a son brought at- football player to have trouble with the I would have to think long and hard tention to it. law. Michael Vick found himself in a before allowing him to play football.” She reported federal prison for dog fighting, and Ben that little to B4 World News Japan’s Fukushima Power Plant Update on Leaks Radioactive Material Colombia By Alejandra Mendoza By Gabriella Indart [email protected] [email protected] As Colombia deals with its guer- Recently, Tokyo Electric Power rilla forces, it’s also dealing with its own Company’s (TEPCO) main nuclear people. plant, the Fukushima Daiichi, leaked Towards the end of August, the radioactive material, despite efforts to Colombian government began setting stabilize the power plant’s infrastruc- up peace talks with the National Lib- ture after the Tohoku earthquake and eration Army (ELN); yet, the Revolu- tsunami in 2011. tionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or Since 2011, TEPCO has main- FARC, delayed ongoing peace talks on tained the Fukushima nuclear plant as August 23rd after Juan Manuel Santos, a storage area for contaminated water the Colombian president, proposed that used to cool nuclear reactors. Much any agreement during the negotiations of this contaminated water was stored would be held to a nationwide vote. hastily in 1,000-ton vessels which were Peace talks with the ELN are set to prone to leakage. begin soon, since they have released a Masayuki Ono, a spokesman for Canadian geologist they kidnapped in TEPCO said that due to these leakages, January. a plan is underway to remove con- They have talked before, but taminated soil. TEPCO has also been nothing was agreed upon. relying on a solution to the contami- The ELN has almost three thousand nated water, which is to clean it using fighters and is the second largest terror- an elaborate system that filters out the ist organization in Colombia after the radioactivity. FARC. However, this is a work in Peace talks with the FARC have progress and may still not be possible been happening in Havana, Cuba since according to the International Atomic November of last year. Energy Agency (IAEA). Another plan Although pauses are expected is to release the contaminated water at during peace talks, Santos told report- low levels into the ocean, but fishermen ers that “time passes and the patience protested this. of the Colombian people has its limits,” The relinquishment of contami- even as the FARC uses this pause to nated water into the ocean, however, is evaluate what has been decided. already underway. Tests on the local fish Meanwhile, free trade agree- in Fukushima area show high enough which can result in the development While some reports are showing be released into the sea doesn’t change ments have stirred Colombian citizens levels of radiation that the Japanese of cancer. When stacked against the regulations affecting Japanese fisher- t h at .” to protesting as of August 19th. Protes- government will not allow certain fish possibility of cancer, fishermen failed to ies as well as American fish markets, According to the New York tors include farmers, who want gov- to be caught or sold for consumption. provide a strong enough argument for Lily Kosminsky, a student at Barnard Times, “The triple meltdown at Fuku- ernment support to compete against Back in 2012, a year after the continuing consumption of the radioac- College who recently visited Japan shima in 2011 is already considered the agricultural business, as well as labor Tohoku earthquake and tsunami the tive fish. said, “Eating in Japan was a wonder- world’s worst nuclear accident since unions and students. Los Angeles Times reported, “A year af- According to the World Health ful experience. For the most part, each Chernobyl... As the environmental According to Arivel Avila, a ter the accident, many people still won’t Organization (WHO) 300 becquerels restaurant was small and specialized damage around the plant and in the Colombian political analyst, guerilla travel to Japan. Sushi sales have taken a (the SI unit for radioactivity) per liter of in a certain food: they would serve just ocean nearby continues to accumulate groups have been involved in the acts hit from consumers afraid of radiation cesium-134 is currently leaking into the sushi, just ramen, or just tempura, and more than two years after the disas- of vandalism taking place in the capital poisoning.” Pacific. This is the equivalent of to 10 they prepared that food expertly. Food ter, analysts are beginning to question of Colombia, Bogota; however, guerrilla When radiation is consumed to 15 chest X-rays. The maximum level in Japan isn’t just a means of sustaining whether the government and TEPCO, infiltration in the civil unrest is very un- it accumulates in the organic tissue of of radioactivity in drinking water is 10 yourself, it’s an art, and the possibil- have the expertise and ability to manage likely, since there has not been guerrilla the inner glands and causes ionization, becquerels per liter. ity that irradiated water might have to such a complex crisis.” activity in the capital for over a decade.

Polio Cases are Rising in Africa One Less Fish In The Sea and Pakistan By: Lessenitt Campos By Marissa Echeverria [email protected] [email protected] There is more life in the sea talities (9) since In May, two cases of polio were that don’t have access to it, the disease than ere are humans on land. To think, 1959. reported in Africa (one of them in continues to reappear. the billions of species swimming in the Somalia and the other in Kenya), both Several organizations, such as oceans have been decreasing over time The marine concerning the strand of polio that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control at a very rapid pace. ecosystems do causes paralysis. and Preventions, and the Global Polio Most of this is due to the drastic undergo con- This was the beginning of an Eradication Initiative, have been work- climate changes that constantly occur stant change, outbreak of the nearly extinct polio ing to send polio vaccines to most of on Earth. These changes affect the coral but human disease infecting the citizens of Pakistan the countries around the world. Unfor- reefs in the ocean, not allowing other alteration has and Eastern Africa. tunately, political issues have made that animals the shelter and protection they been a greater In 2013, there have been a very difficult. might need from predators. factor in the total of 121 cases of polio in Somalia, Dr. Tomas Higgins, a doctor “The ocean responds much changes in Afghanistan, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and specialized in general medicine, stated more slowly to warming than the population. Kenya. how important it is for children to get atmosphere... As the ocean continues Offshore oil Poliomyelitis, or commonly vaccinated for polio. to warm and become more acidic over and burning known as polio, is an infectious disease “Getting your child vaccinated can help the next century, coral bleaching and fossil fuels that is passed from person to person. eradicate polio from the world,” he said. disease outbreaks are likely to become contaminate There are two types of the dis- “Polio will cause limitations for your more frequent. Coral reefs also protect the fish and pollutes the sea water due the normal rate in 2011. Thousands of ease. The abortive polio, where there child; they could have muscle problems, shorelines and provide food for people to drilling operations. This drilling species were killed due to the oil spill, are influenza-type symptoms, isn’t it’s possible for them to be eternally living along coastlines,” said Dr. John interferes with the commercial fishing ranging from fish to sea turtles to ma- paralytic. The second type is the para- bound to a wheelchair, and never walk Walter from the Southeast Fisheries activities taking place in that area. rine mammals to birds. The effects of lytic polio, where the disease enters the again. It is extremely vital for your child Science Center. “Since fossil fuel burning is this disaster, such as stranded dolphins spinal cord and causes spasms, a loss of to get vaccinated if possible.” Many humans see certain sea leading to higher rates of CO2 being and thousands of pounds of tar still on reflexes, and flaccid paralysis (when the Many parents want their chil- creatures as a “threat to their lives.” emitted into the atmosphere each year, coast lines, are still being seen today. limbs are very floppy and loose). dren to get vaccinated to prevent This has caused an increase in fishing the ocean is also absorbing higher This has affected the marine life severe- With the help of the polio paralysis, but in countries where there in open ocean to capture and kill these amounts of these gases each year,” said ly. vaccine, the virus has almost become is little medical help and vaccine avail- “evil beasts.” Dr. Lisa Murphy from the Rosenstiel Although there has been a wiped out, but since there are countries ability, preventing the virus is difficult. Over the years, shark fish- School of Marine and Atmospheric decrease in marine life, humans have ing has increased all over the world. Science. “By the year 2100 the acidity restored lost marshes, stopped overfish- Sharks, the top predators in the ocean, of the ocean will cause calcium car- ing and cleaned up polluted waters. play a critical role in the ecosystem by bonate shells to dissolve very quickly. What many people don’t understand is keeping populations of smaller fish in This will have great consequences on that the decisions someone makes can balance. Shark killings allow the fish coral reef ecosystems.” have a greater outcome them what they population to become overabundant. Back in 2010, a BP oil rig in expected. Simply tossing a Cheetos bag This can later leave to negative conse- the Gulf of Mexico leaked oil into on the beach can choke a bird that misi- quences throughout the ecosystem, like the gulf for 87 continuous days, from dentifies it as a fish. Next time, instead an increased consumption of clams and April to July. About 210 million gal- of throwing the bag of chips away in the scallops. lons were released into the sea, putting ocean, toss it in a garbage can because The Discovery Channel stated a halt to commercial fishing around that little acted can save a life. that “for every human killed by a shark, the spill. The oil spill had lasting ef- humans kill two million sharks.” In fects on marine life for the next few Florida, there have been more lightning years. In a study conducted by NOAA, fatalities (459) than shark attack fa- dolphins and whales were dying twice B5 World News Trouble in Syria By Vivian Bermudez [email protected]

In late August, a chemical at- David Cameron moved to make a attack that would allegedly exonerate President Vladimir Putin of gressional vote on the military action. tack released on the Syrian population military strike against Syria in hopes of them,” Kerry said. “Instead, it attacked Russia spoke about Obama’s decision to The decision derived after Syria agreed left 1,429 dead, according to American deterring their attacks against the popu- the area further, shelling it and system- a journalist in the Russian eastern city with Russia to hand over its chemical intelligence reports – including 426 lation; however, his request was denied atically destroying evidence.” of Vladivostok and urged Obama to re- weapons to the international commu- children. by the Parliament. Later in the same week, concrete consider his decisions as a Nobel Peace nity. The United Nations dispatched On August 26th, 2013, Secretary evidence was released that Syrian gov- Prize laureate. Putin asked for Obama America and Russia are set to investigators to the site of the attack in of State John Kerry released a statement ernment was responsible for the chemi- to consider the victims that would be work through diplomatic means to hopes of finding the culprit behind the that indicated that the Syrian govern- cal attacks, since hair and blood sam- caught in the crossfire if force were to achieve successfully removing chemi- attack. They spent four days in Syria, ment was to blame for the chemical ples of the Syrian victims showed that be used. cal weapons from Syria. Although on gathering evidence they took back to attack. He said that the Syrian govern- Sarin gas – a deadly chemical agent that Putin also said that it would September 12th, President Bashar al- the Organization for the Prevention ment would respond for this “moral can cause death in one minute due to be ridiculous to suggest that the Syr- Assad revealed to the public that Syria of Chemical Weapons. The samples obscenity” that shocked the world and suffocation – was the chemical used ian government was behind the attacks had filed to join the chemical weapons included soil, as well as blood and hair that the Obama Administration would in the attack. President Obama made stating that the attacks were, “[pro- treaty. The process had been delayed from the bodies. not stand for such warfare. the decision of a “limited, narrow” voked] by those who want to drag other due to his weapon usage in August President Bashar al-Assad of Kerry told the Syrian Foreign military strike against Syria that would countries into the Syrian conflict”. against his people. Syria denied all claims of government Minister, Walid al-Moallem that if they require no “boots on the ground”. Early in September, Obama took According to the treaty, Syria involvement in the acts - he also re- had nothing to hide, they would have In return, Russia warned that the military resolution to Congress for will have to submit a detailed declara- leased heavy propaganda that blamed provided UN investigators with imme- “any unilateral military action bypass- approval stating that the country fought tion about the quantities, locations, and the rebels for the attacks. Russia, Syria’s diate access to the site. ing the UN Security Council” would be together when it was united. During types of chemical weapons in their pos- closest ally, supports the Syrian Presi- “Instead, for five days, the Syr- a “direct violation of international law”. Obama’s address to the country about session, as well as their ability to prduce dent. ian regime to allow the U.N. Both Russia and China have previously Syria on September 10th, 2013, Obama them, within 60 days of formally join- Great Britain’s Prime Minster investigators access to the site of the vetoed resolutions for Syria. revealed that he would postpone con- ing the treaty. Wind Turbines on the Rise Russia’s Ban on Gays By Chloe Baldino Stephanie Brito [email protected] [email protected] Britain and Germany have Despite the fact that these wind for the energy to reach the people, thus Russia has implemented bans that between 2006 and 2008, Russia changed the way we depend on toxic turbines drastically reduce environ- decreasing its’ value. Also, like most oil on gay propaganda and has forbidden banned 164 pride events and marches. fossil fuels, relying more and more on mental risks and energy costs, there is companies, the wind industry is turning outside gay couples or couples, protect- These new laws have encour- wind power each day. a fear that seagulls might crash into the to hotels and helicopters to transport ed by marriage equality, from adopting aged more violence towards the LGBT The wind industry is grow- large turbines, especially on foggy days. and house the workers. Russian children since 2013. community. A poll conducted by Russia ing, and growing rapidly. It has grown Also, there has been a complaint that There has to be a balance be- In Russia, there are over six- Today shows that 88% of Russians sup- so much, that right now, in Germany, these large turbines obscure the view tween the advantages and the costs, hundred-thousand orphaned children. port this ban. Organizations like Oc- there is a shortage of people working on in key areas, even though there have otherwise it would be foolish to con- Each child is waiting on loving cupy Gerontophilia have tried to reform the 300 foot, 100-ton turbines. been many companies inclined to more tinue these endeavors. However, so parents to take them in; however, there gay teens and adults in Russia. Onshore wind has definitely further away from shores to satisfy the far, the wind industry has been able to are now restrictions In August of become a large business, but it can’t complaints. build past that and has been expanding. on who can provide 2013, a gay journal- compare to the offshore wind industry. Costs, however, are affecting Hopefully they will continue to expand them with love and “The European Court ist named James Although wind turbines are expensive the companies more than they would and with time will replace oil and gas support. Kirchick was to build and tricky to install and main- like to admit. When wind turbines are companies. The Russian of Human Rights re- invited to speak on tain, the windy countries of Germany further from the shore, it takes longer government has not Russia Today about and Britain are perfect places for the only delivered blows ported that between Bradley Manning. advantageous wind power to serve as a to pro-gay countries, 2006 and 2008, Rus- Instead of dis- curb for the emissions of carbon diox- but to gays them- cussing the army ide from other energy sources. selves. Laws have been sia banned 164 pride private’s sentence, Wind farms have grown so large passed that allow po- Kirchick threw on that they are known as “power plants” lice officers to arrest events and marches.” rainbow suspend- among the coal and gas stations. anyone they suspect ers and spoke out Britain holds the worlds’ largest of being LGBT. Since June 30, 2013, it is against the anti-gay legislations. wind plant, the London Array, which also illegal to promote gay propaganda He said he wanted to “let the costs $3 billion and is more useful than in Russia to minors. Russian gay people know that they have regular 630 megawatts generators. This is a blatant violation of friends and allies in solidarity from Britain does not, however, plan the Universal Declaration of Human people all around the world.” to stop there. The country has already Rights. Article 16 of the UDHR docu- As the 2014 Russian Olympics made plans for a larger offshore project ment states, “Men and women of full near, fears over how gay athletes and called the East Anglia, which might age, without any limitation due to race, fans may be met have risen, since Rus- stand 10 times larger than the London nationality or religion, have the right to sia is exerting a strong anti-gay senti- Array. marry and to found a family. They are ment to its own people. Not only is the offshore wind entitled to equal rights as to marriage, industry catching heat in Europe and in during marriage and at its dissolution.” China, the U.S. already made plans in The oppression of LGBT people early June to start a commercial wind is not a new thing in Russia. The Euro- energy project. Wind Farms are rapidly growing in the seas of Germany Taken From the Huffington Post pean Court of Human Rights reported October

College Profile October Movies Krisna Maddy By Alejandra Mendoza Emtanis Shoukry [email protected] College Profile: University Florida Even though October is cat- Name: University of Florida egorized by it’s blockbuster thrill- Location: Gainesville ers, there are always other options. Student Population: 32,598 Here’s a list of movies that premiere Tuition: In-state: $5,656 out-of-state: this month: $27,933 Gravity (October 4th) Application Deadline: November 1, Sandra Bullock and George Cloon- 2013 ey team up in Gravity, a thriller Acceptance Rate: 43.2% that takes you 372 miles out into space. When an engineer and an Student Housing: Around 80% live on expert astronaut are sent on a shut- campus, while others live in primar- tle mission, their spacewalk turns ily college student apartments in the out to be anything but normal. Complications arise when the shuttle is area. Founded in 1853, the University her church and her one time rock star, feld and Douglas Booth, this new Brit- classmates, Carrie unleashes her powers destroyed. Their survival is up to them of Florida is one of Florida’s top ranked one hit wonder, father. Faced with her ish adaptation will follow the traditional in a bloody massacre at her high school and them alone, as they drift off into the public universities. Ranked #54 on US dream and the harsh and demanding setting of the classic, ageless tale. prom. vast emptiness of space with nothing News’s Best National Colleges, the cam- music industry in glittering Los Ange- Carrie (October 18th) All Is Lost (October 18th) but each other and the oxygen in their pus spans over 2,000 acres and resides les, it is unclear if Grace will turn back It’s the same story that’s been told, Robert Redford stars in this dramatic suits. in Gainesville, a small college town. The to her religious roots, or abandon them except it is much darker, and this time, tale about a man who is stranded at sea Grace Unplugged(October 4th ) school is popularly known for its Divi- completely. after being delayed from its premiere in after his yacht is impaled by a shipping Starring AJ Michalka, Grace Unplugged sion 1 sports, especially football. Most Romeo & Juliet (October 11th) March, much more intense. Played by container. Without any technology, the is about a Christian teen who wants of the students at UF major in business, In certain theaters across America, Chloë Mortez, Carrie is a sheltered girl, man sails into a storm that almost takes nothing more than to chase her dreams management, marketing, engineering, viewers will get the chance to see the until an incident at school causes her to his life. A story about self reliance and of being a singer. Anxious to make it biomedical sciences, and health. About fated tragic love story of Shakespeare’s develop telekinetic powers. Pushed too the harshness of nature, this man must on her own, Grace breaks away from 60% of students receive needbased Romeo and Juliet. Starring Hailee Stein- far by a religious mother and unfriendly face death, and find a way to survive. financial aid, and about half of those students’ needs were fully met. With 14 sports and 983 clubs and organizations, SAT For Dummies – The Condensed there is plenty to be involved with at UF. Version Henry Bernal- By Ruth Reyes [email protected] Finance The Scholastic Assessment Test tice. ing practice exams before the SAT will swer to a question, circle the number By Krisna Maddy and Emtanis Shoukry (SAT), more commonly known as every Start studying a couple of make you more comfortable during the and move on to the questions you do [email protected] student’s nightmare, is a ticket to college months before the actual test. Buy actual SAT, and the more comfortable know how to answer. Making guesses [email protected] all aspiring graduates have to buy – by yourself an SAT book of choice - The you are, the more right answers you’re on the SAT will hurt you (points are buy, I mean sit in a room for nearly four Official SAT Study Guide, a Barron’s likely to get. deducted for wrong answers), so don’t hours, take a ten section math, reading SAT book, or a Kaplan SAT book are a Three hours and forty minutes is guess unless you can cross at least two and writing test, and pray to God that few of the best - and stick your nose in a long time to be taking a test, particu- of the answers choices out. In that case, at least half of your answers are right. it from the first page to the last. larly when the average attention span take an educated guess, or in times of That’s why working towards that ticket Review, review some more, and then of high school students is two hours desperation, result to one of the cheap and learning all the tips and tricks for review again. maximum. That’s why you should try to tricks: go for the short and concise an- the test is crucial for an above average Try the official College Board get a good night’s sleep the day before swer and keep it simple. score – which is what this is for: provid- website. Under SAT, there are free sam- – I know, everyone says the same thing, The SAT is a test most high ing some helpful hints that’ll help you ple SAT questions, and even free full but seriously, nobody needs to drool all schoolers love to hate. It’s long, im- ace that test. SAT practice tests – there’s also an SAT over the paper, especially not you. Also portant and we think it’s useless (even First and foremost, let’s be a lit- Question Of The Day if you can’t find eat a regular breakfast meal the day of. though it’s not). It defines what colleges tle cynical and say that without prepa- time for anything else. Now for the actual during-the- we go to, what careers we end up with, ration, even the highest IQ will get you Also, instead of buying a $14 test tips. and what our futures will be like. But nowhere. McDonalds meal, spend your money Start at the beginning. Skipping it’s just a test, and like most tests, all you Henry Bernal, a senior in the The average SAT taker com- wisely with a sample SAT test at school. around and switching pages is a waste have to do is study, practice, and sleep Finance strand is doing something most pletes 75% of the assessment, and the The PSAT is available, free of cost, for of precious seconds that you’ll need well the night before to get a nice big teenagers don’t get to do. He is one of incentive is to get 99% of that 75% all sophomores in the U.S. For juniors? later on. 2400. the few Finance students working at the right. This can only be done with prac- It’s $14 well spent. Remember: tak- But if you don’t know the an- Jaguar Credit Union opening in Oc- tober. Currently he’s involved in clubs such as National Honor Society, Junior Statesmen of America, and Mu Alpha Theta, but his involvement in the world of business started at a young age. Tak- ing after his mom, Henry found an in- terest in learning about different aspects of running a business, like vendors. “Seeing my mom run her busi- ness is what inspired me to join finan- cial services. I get to do a little bit of everything.” His first experience at busi- ness will come with his position at the credit union. There he’s hoping to gain knowledge that will help him succeed in business—from stock fluctuations, to how banks work. “The most important thing about the business world is having ex- perience. I get a taste of how everything works by working at the credit union, and seeing how things move.” After struggling with public speaking, being in Finance allowed him to improve his skills. Countless presen- tations in front of his class and others have helped him hone his ability to stand up and speak. Henry has hopes to study economics or business econom- ics in college, looking at schools such as UCLA, MIT, UPenn, UM, and FIU. “I’m thinking about a profes- sional career in finance industry, as a financial analyst, or accounting.” Fest

Harvest Fest Preview By Jessica Plazas jplazas.harbinger@gm There are many things that ing pastries, the African American club people associate with the coming of fall: will sell chicken wings, and Student sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes, holidays, Government Association will be selling and most importantly, Harvest Fest. water. This year, Harvest Fest will be on Octo- Among other food items usually ber 18 sold at Harvest Fest are brownies, ice For freshmen, who are prob- cream, popcorn, french ably unaware of the stigma surrounding most of our school events, Harvest Fest fries, cotton candy, and everyone’s fa- is one of those dances everyone actually vorite – fried Oreos. wants to go to. Last year, the National Honor It is the most attended dance of Society hosted a pie in the face booth the school year and it is hosted in the where you could pay to pie someone gym from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. (preferably somebody you didn’t like) in You are free to bring any friends the face. you’d like as long as they are also in Another fun feature of Harvest high school and have a school ID. Fest is the haunted house. The haunted Harvest Fest is the only Hal- house is set up in the boy’s locker room loween themed dance in the area where where there are people waiting inside to students are encouraged to wear cos- pop out and chase you as you stumble tumes, paint their faces, and basically through. For those of you who love to dress as scary or bummy as they want. embarrass your friends, Harvest Fest A few of the typical costumes usually has a “jail” where you can pay include zombies, “kitty cats,” cops, pi- for your friends to be “arrested.” Once rates, ladybugs and angels. your friend has been “arrested,” he/she Some of the more creative is put in a “jail cell” where everyone can costumes seen in the past are homeless see them standing in the gym. people and grape bushels. You are free to point, laugh and Unlike previous years, this year take pictures of them for evidence. The the Student Government Association best part? If your friend tries to run officers will be hosting a costume con- away or escape, the officers will chase test with a prize. him/her until they catch them. This is also the only dance in Tickets for Harvest Fest will go which each club sets up a booth and on sale October 14th and you can buy sells an item, usually food, of their them from the Student Government choice. Per usual, Key Club will be sell- Association officers.

How to Incorporate School Uni- Few Students Who Take the ACT forms with Fall Fashion are Ready For College By Sana Chaudhry By Laura Gonzalez [email protected] [email protected] Bright vibrant colors, animal with somewhat of an edgy feel. be easily wrapped in a bun, straight Only one-quarter of the high tested group was the most diverse in print and intricate patterns are all Depending on your individual or just natural, but watch out! Miami’s school seniors who took the ACT col- all of the test company’s history. This incorporated in 2013 fall fashion. Here style, it varies in what to use. For an heat will definitely ruin your hair, so try lege admissions test this year scored shows that more students are taking the at Miami Lakes Educational Center, edgier design, one can use pants with applying anti-frizz product to keep the high enough to be considered ready for needed steps to apply for college; how- students are required to wear uniforms, studs, combat boots – yes these are still frizz at bay and pull your outfit togeth- college or to enter the workforce. ever, most minority students (African so sometimes it can be hard to stand in style – and leather jackets. Absolutely er. The company that makes the Americans, Hispanic, and American out. no leggings, the school has a policy Another way to incorporate the ACT reported that only 54 percent of Indians) did far worse than their peers. We can do almost anything against it (you don’t want to get in trou- new fashion trends is to use the new high school graduates from last year Less than half of these students met any with the uniform rules because the only ble.) nail color trends from brands like Essie took the ACT. The ACT tests measures of the benchmarks. things we must have are the school IDs For a girly style, flower pattern or OPI. Boldly colored nails look great four benchmarks: English, reading, Studies show that 88 percent of and the uniform shirts. If you find the skirts and possibly colored stockings on anyone and everyone. Gold nails mathematics, and science. Only 26 students want to pursue a higher level uniform shirts ugly and unattractive, underneath add a feminine touch to an bring glitz and glamour to the finish- percent of students who took the test of education; according to their test you can easily cover them up with intri- otherwise boring uniform. As fall ap- ing touch of your wardrobe. Metallic met all four benchmarks. There were 64 results, there are some skill level strug- cate pattern sweaters, military inspired proaches one can also use scarves and nails express your artistic and creative percent who met the English goal, 44 gles. The good news is that the study jackets, plaid sweaters or floral sweaters. small, tight plain colored sweaters or vision by giving a sophisticated feel to who made the reading, 36 that met the never correlated these scores to their A definite fall must-have is the cardigans. the trends that you wear. Lastly, nail art science goal, and 44 percent that met life outcomes. full length skirt. High-waisted skirts are For a casual look, khakis and a makes a huge statement by incorporat- the math. However, because there is no officially outdated. The new “it” looks dated sweater are a simple way to look ing small details into everyday wear. Jon Erickson, president of ACT’s direct effect on life outcomes, there are include vibrant but sophisticated looks low-maintenance yet chic. Hair could education division says that the results some skeptics questioning the method- have roughly been the same since 2009. ology of ACT. These test results signify trouble Many people believe that ACT as many states prepare to implement has a correlation with our future. It’s the Common Core State Standards. more of a: if you do well on the ACT Common Core State Standards are a set and high school, you go to college, and of educational goals that hold students if you graduate from college you are accountable for the ACT’s college and likely to get a job. workforce readiness exam. States have Statistics can show how pre- agreed to begin using the Common pared the people are, but it doesn’t Core in place of standardized tests, necessarily measure the success one will since most educators consider stand- have after high school. It does show that ardized tests easy in comparison to college may be a challenge for the other the more challenging Common Core 74 percent, but it’s not impossible. exams. “Maybe high school isn’t prepar- This means that states will see a ing students for the long term. I think drastic drop in standardized test scores. the goal of most schools is to have you The Common Core test results will be graduate and not necessarily pursue lower than those on the ACT tests. higher learning. Standardized tests Only in two states did more in schools are more of a priority than than half of the students meet three those that are optional,” says Gabriella or more requirements. In no state did Nunez, Class of 2013 graduate. more than 56 percent of the ACT-tested The good news is we all have a graduates meet three or four require- chance to go out and still be successful, ments. regardless of our ACT score. Erickson said that this year’s C8 Features Fall Releases Thrift Shopping By Amanda Delgado By Maria Vasquez [email protected] [email protected] People are discovering that thrift shopping is a simple and cost effective way of getting unique cloth- ing. When going shopping at any store, one tends to look for themselves in the clothing they choose. If someone were to go to a very popular store and get a nice shirt from there, chances are someone else will also have that shirt. When that hap- pens, the value of originality decreases. Thrift shops, known for their “one-of-a-kind” clothing, fix that prob- lem. The way thrift shopping works is through the donation of clothing from various people to their local thrift stores. The most common in Miami are Good Will and The Salvation Army. The donations vary from store to store so there are never the same items any- A.M. – The Arctic Monkeys the band’s latest album, Collide with the performed their first single off the -re reworked pop standards and covers. where at any time. Sky. The reissue is an expanded ver- cord, “Violence (Enough Is Enough)” as New will feature 12 tracks, including a Not only is “thrifting” an easy Mixing the raunchier sound of sion of the original release, featuring an well as “Right Back at It Again,” which song of the same name, which is already way to find diverse clothing – it is also a the Black Keys with rap and hip hop extra track called “Kissing in Cars” that has only been performed live. available as a digital download. lot more economical. beats, the Arctic Monkeys released their was only available on the Japanese edi- Due to an unresolved lawsuit “I save about $75 to $100 when fifth studio album on September 10th. tion of Selfish Machines. with Victory Records, ADTR will self- Prism – Katy Perry I go thrifting in comparison to buy- The band released “R U Mine?” as a release Common Courtesy. The band ing my clothes at the mall,” said Joshua single in 2012 and has received posi- The 20/20 Experience 2 of 2 – Justin funded the record themselves and After much teasing, the pop Rosales, a sophomore in the Communi- tive feedback for “Do I Wanna Know?” Timberlake tracked the album in a studio set up in singer will release Prism, her fourth, cations and Entertainment Academy. “Arabella,” and “Why’d You Only Call Jeremy McKinnon’s home with produc- highly anticipated album, on October The average price for an article Me When You’re High?” Front man After releasing the first install- er Andrew Wade. 22nd. In early September, Perry un- of clothing at Good Will is $6. They also Alex Turner, has cited the Velvet Un- ment of this two part project in March veiled 12 songs from the record in front offer an additional 50% off when the tag derground’s VU as the inspiration for and reuniting with NSYNC for the 2013 Bangerz – Miley Cryus of an audience of 100 industry insiders is a specific color, and on Wednesdays AM’s title. VMAs, the singer/actor will be releasing and journalists in New York. The album they give an extra 15% off to students. 8:18 – The Devil Wears Prada his fourth studio album on September The twerking 20 year old singer is expected to be filled with several No. “Thrifting” is becoming more popular 30th. The album features collabora- will release her fourth studio album on 1 hits. due to fact that current fashion trends Ohio natives, The Devil Wears tions with Jay-Z (“Murder”) and Drake October 8th. Earlier this year, Cyrus derived from 1970’s fashion. These Prada, released their fifth studio album (“Cabaret”). Timberlake has hinted a promised fans that if “Wrecking Ball” See the Light – Less Than Jake trends include circle skirts, cropped on September 17th. Frontman Mike possibility of a future album with the became ’s most played video in tops, collared blouses/shirts, and high- Hranica stated that the new album Canadian rapper. “Drake and I have its first 24 hours, she would release the On November 12th, the ska- waisted shorts/jeans. will focus more on finding love, unlike been trying to get at each other about track list for Bangerz. She did just as she punk veterans will release their “first When the people who were in Dead Throne, which focuses on losing doing a record,” he said. “And I think promised when the record was broken. proper full length in over five years.” their youth during the 70’s changed it. Hranica wanted the album to capture we’ll probably do more as time goes on The album will feature collaborations The new album will feature 13 new their styles as trends faded, they often his expressive live performances, which a s w e l l .” with big names such as Britney Spears songs, all of which were recorded in got rid of their clothing by donating explains the record’s raw vocals. This and Nelly. Gainesville, Florida, the band’s home- them. That clothing ended up at thrift will be the band’s debut album with town. See the Light will be supported by shops. Roadrunner Records. New – Paul McCartney a North American tour courtesy of Fat “I often get [approached by] Selfish Machines Reissue – Pierce the Common Courtesy – A Day To Re- Wreck Chords which will feature Less people asking me where I got my sweat- Veil member Sir Paul McCartney will be re- Than Jake, Anti-Flag, Masked Intruder, ers since they’re so different and not leasing his 16th solo LP on October 5th. and Get Dead. common in stores,” said Rosales, “I tell The post-hardcore band rere- After a set of delays, the Ocala This is the first time in six years that them I got it while thrifting.” leased their 2010 album on September natives are set to release their new the former Beatle will release an album 17th. The new version is remixed by album on October 8th. During their comprised of new material; his last Dan Korneff, who produced and mixed Right Back at It Again Tour, the band album, Kisses on the Bottom, featured

The New iPhones: 5C and 5S By Maria Vasquez [email protected]

Apple has officially released at 112 grams and measuring only their new iPhones: the 5C and 5S. These 7.6mm thin. It will be available in new iPhones will include a new operat- 3 basic colors: white, black matte, ing system called iOS 7. The system’s and gold. design is completely different from any “The iPhone 5C is in many previous operating system Apple has ways the distillation of what people launched. love about the iPhone 5. It’s sim- “While iOS 7 was completely pler, more essential, and definitely new, it was important for us to make it more colorful,” said Ive. The iPhone familiar,” said Jony Ive, the Senior VP 5C will weigh 131 grams – slightly of Design in a video posted on Apple’s more than the 5S – due to its plas- website. “We wanted to take an experi- tic, durable, and rigid casing. It will ence that people know very well and come in 5 colors: pink, yellow, blue, actually add to it, to make it more use- white, and green. ful and enjoyable.” The front camera has been The new system includes an renovated and will now be in HD. update on important apps like “Set- “It really is the only way that we be- tings” and “Notifications.” The settings lieve provides the best experience,” will be a part of a new “Control Center” said Ive. Although the back cam- accessed by dragging the bottom of the era in the new iPhone models will screen upwards. This new control center remain at 8 megapixels, it will have will allow users to turn Airplane Mode, a larger and modernized sensor. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Do Not Disturb The camera will also have settings on or off. The user will also be filters and will record the time and able to quickly access their flashlight, location of a picture and organize timer, and calculator. them into moments and collec- A new feature to the iPhone tions. 5C and 5S is called “multi-tasking.” It New features that iPhone allows you to jump from app to app. lovers will appreciate are the smart phone in the world. way to unlock your iPhone and ap- Whether the new iPhones live up to This app will come in handy for many improved battery life and performance. “It just makes sense to us that prove Apple Store purchases using your expectations is up for debate, but the iPhone consumers in their work and The latest A7 and M7 Chips work your iPhone should recognize you,” fingerprint. ubiquitous Apple phone is now more school environments. together to provide a faster system. The says Ive about a brand new feature that These new updates, renovations, accessible and customizable than ever The iPhone 5S will be the thin- iPhone will be two times faster and will Apple has included on their newest and modifications will surely bring with the 5S and 5C. nest and lightest iPhone yet weighing in have more LTE bands than any other iPhones, “Touch ID.” Touch ID is a new iPhone lovers to their knees very soon. C9 Features Thrift Shopping Upcoming Fall/Winter Concerts By Carina Vo [email protected] Summer, along with its free va- , Haw- cation days that were just waiting to be thorne Heights, Capture The Crown, filled with concerts, has been over for Set It Off, and I Am King quite some time, but don’t be discour- Post-hardcore and electronic aged; the end of 2013 is already look- will run rampant at this ing pretty exciting with South Florida’s show. With such a stacked line-upthat upcoming shows. ranges from moderately heavy to quite dang heavy, any fan of this genre should October be able to find something to enjoy.

19th – The Talent Farm – Vanna, Alpha November & Omega, The Betrayal, Greenery, Vio- lence!, and Omissions 1st – Revolution Live – Minus The Bear, INVSN, and Slow Bird It’s a hardcore/post-hardcore show. If you’re looking for a pit or some This will definitely be quite a really angry music, this is the perfect chill show. It’s a nice break from the show to attend rough and tough metalcore shows to listen to some softer alternative/experi- 23rd – Revolution Live – Tracing Back mental rock. Roots Tour – , Silverstein, Chunk! No Captain Chunk!, 4th - BB&T Center - The Self-Titled The Color Morale, and Dangerkids Tour - , Metric, and Hello- goodbye There should be quite a few pits at this show as well, yet also much After three years of not tour- more singing along, maybe even some ing or releasing any , Paramore Streetlight Manifesto Photo Taken By George Felder rapping. Celebrating their latest album will set off on their second tour cycle of release, We Came As Romans headline their latest, self-titled album. Because 8th – Culture Room – Frank Turner & house artist Robert Delong and rapper tive to technical hardcore, the bands this metalcorefocused tour. their new sound incorporates more The Sleeping Souls, The Smith Street Sirah, it should be quite a party. on this tour will easily get the crowd techno-inspired and upbeat elements, it Band, and Koo Koo Kanga Roo pumped. Each group is notorious for 23rd – House Party Tour – A Day To only makes sense that they bring along 30th – Revolution Live – Glamour Kills either their ridiculously well controlled Remember, All Time Low, Pierce The Metric and Hellogoodbye on this tour. Frank Turner & The Sleeping Tour – Mayday Parade, Cartel, and instrumentalism () Veil, and The Wonder Years Souls and The Smith Street Band are Stages & Stereos or just their ridiculously high energy 6th – Culture Room – The End of the both folk rock bands. Koo Koo Kanga (). These are some of the first Beginning Tour – Streetlight Manifesto, Roo is an experimental techno band. With three prominent pop rock/ post-hardcore or pop punk bands any Mike Park, and Dan Potthast The change in genre will probably be alternative bands on the same tour, 10th – Revolution Live – The Devil alternative fan may hear, so a wave of a little jolting, but it definitely has the there will be no shortage of dancing or Wears Prada, The Ghost Inside, Vol- nostalgia is bound to hit. Each band is The cries of Streetlight Manifes- potential to be a pretty fun show. teenagers screaming along to every last umes, and Texas In July pretty high energy, and with A Day To to fans are heard from miles away: this song. Remember’s latest album soon to be is the ska punk veterans’ last tour before 20th – Revolution Live – Twenty One This will undoubtedly be a very released, the tour is perfect for hearing retiring into a hiatus. Still, it seems like Pilots, Robert Delong, and Sirah December metal show. The tour is The Devil Wears their long-awaited new songs. it would turn out to be one of the most Prada’s circuit to promote their latest feel-good shows of the fall, considering Twenty One Pilots are so easy to 8th– Revolution Live – August Burns album release, allowing fans a chance to 29th – Revolution Live – Scream It Like the two accompanying folk/rock artists jam to that it would be a shame to miss Red, Blessthefall, Defeater, and hear their new music. You Mean It Tour – Story Of The Year, and Streetlight’s relentless energy. experiencing their live show. Plus, with Beartooth Ranging from - A Splash of Color Are you a Vine Loyalist or an Ins- By Gabriella Indart [email protected] tagramaholic? By Rosaly Casanuevva While “tasting the [email protected] rainbow” may apply to eating Instagram’s new video feature on Vine, but came with the new update. skittles, Miami’s first annual includes 15 seconds of footage, filters, Instagram also came out with an update five kilometer ‘‘Color Run’’ stability technology, and it is already- recently called “Cinema Mode,” which marathon is definitely a time embedded user behavior. Not only can makes sure that videos don’t come out to feel the rainbow. people post pictures of their lattes, pets, shaky. The Color Run started and of where there are, but now they But even with these differences, in 2012 with 50 events and can post videos too. many tech experts are saying Insta- 600,000 participants. Since Twitter’s video sharing app, gram’s new video feature won’t lead to then it has exploded to over Vine, exploded to 14 million iPhone Vine’s demise. 100 events and a million and Android users in just six months, Chris Brogan, CEO and President of participants in 2013 and it but the day after Human Business continues to expand across Instagram video Works, wrote on the globe. launched, mentions his website: “No, The run caters to all of Vine on Twitter Instagram will not ages from 2 year olds to 80 dropped by half a But even with these dif- kill Vine. People year olds, first time runners million. While both who like Vine and to professional athletes. The sites have seen a ferences, many tech ex- Twitter a lot will Color Run celebrates healthi- drop in usage since use that. People ness and happiness and is less perts are saying Insta- June 20th of this who like Instagram about the five kilometer race year, Instagram gram’s new video feature and Facebook a lot and more about individuals seems to be do- will use that. Some having the time of their lives. ing far better than won’t lead to Vine’s de- people will bleed Monica Hernandez, Vine. Until recently, over and do every- a sophomore at MLEC in the mise. the statistics were thing.” Health Academy said: ‘’Al- looking good for The big question though I couldn’t go to the Color Run The Color Run is the first paint Rainbows.” Vine: the number still remains: Was what attracted me to it was that it’s great race of its kind and was inspired by Registration can be completed of Vines posted on the video feature practice for those who will go to other events such as Disney’s World of Color, online on The Color Run website. They Twitter has almost doubled in the last on Instagram launched in response to marathons in the future and besides paint parties, mud runs, and festivals start on September 15th and continue few months. Twitter’s Vine? that it’s great for helping families get throughout the world such as Holi. until days before the race. For a solo The major differences between “The company has actually into shape. I also enjoyed the fact that The Color Run will be held Oc- runner, the cost is $50, while for a Vine and Instagram are the lengths of been working on the video feature for we go in completely clean, but come out tober 12th, 2013 at 8:00 A.M at Grand group of four or more the cost is $45 the videos and the filters. Vine videos more than two years,” said Kevin Sys- splashed in color.’’ Central Park, right off the Dolphin per person. A check-in party will be allow about 6.5 seconds of footage, trom, founder of Instagram. “When we While going in waves through Expressway. The rules of the Color Run held at Sports Authority at 8364 S. Dixie while Instagram videos allow 15 sec- decided to work on Instagram, we left the untimed five kilometer race individ- are simple: just wear white at the start Hwy. on Thursday October 10th and onds. Instagram provided 13 new filters video on the shelf. All we’re doing today uals are doused from head to toe in dif- time and finish plastered in color! Friday October 11th from 11:00 AM to for its new video feature, while Vine is bringing it back into the product.” ferent colors as they approach the next When signing up participants can select 7:00 PM. doesn’t offer filters at all. kilometer. At the end of the race is the to be either a solo runner or they can So grab those white shirts and Both applications allow you to “Finish Festival,” where more colored create a group of four or more run- sign up for The Color Run! Prepare to switch back and forth between front- powder is splashed upon participants as ners and represent a team name like be splashed with the colors of the rain- and-rear cameras while shooting the a grand finale. “The Roy G Biv All-Stars” or “We Sweat bow! video. This was not previously available D10 Opinion Who takes the Crown of the Third Golden Age: Wal- ter White or Honey Boo Boo? By Karina Padron [email protected]

“The third golden age of TV,” is novels of Updike, Roth, and Mailer had and attracting all sorts of attention for “Many claim that shows like tionary France-esque class gap forming what they’re calling it: or at least Brett been to the 1960s.” their sensational character development Mad Men, Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, in the US. It’s in our politics, it’s in the Martin, an acclaimed magazine writer Woah. If anyone is as much of and phenomenal acting. Homeland, and other narrative-driven way we look at art, and now it’s in our and author of the new book Difficult a Scorsese fan as I am, those are some Now that television has become dramas have defined this age of televi- TV shows. Men, is. But wait, isn’t this the same pretty massive claims. Here’s the thing: the new wave of entertainment that sion. However, I still believe the real It’s as if being smart and think- time in TV when a show literally called he’s not wrong. While the visual cruci- everyone indulges in, shows are able to golden age of television is the reality TV ing in an educated way removes people Here Comes Honey Boo Boo attracted fixion that is Toddlers and Tiaras is well develop their characters and plots to era,” Carles, a writer for Grantland, says from the part of society that the every- 3.2 million viewers for its season finale, into its sixth season, Vince Gilligan’s new standards without pandering for ever so boldly. “These shows are easy to man, and the working Joes, who may according to Nielsen ratings? Breaking Bad, a show that is as brilliant ratings purposes. produce with the right subject matter, not have time to indulge in shows such How is it possible that this is the and thought provoking as it is fiercely “Since the late 1990s, a wave of and they provide a form of media that as Deadwood, live in. However, if art is “Third Golden Age,” when Real House- entertaining, is breaking TV into the hour-long dramas had been scrapping deeply resonates with the audience.” not for the purpose of challenging the wives of God Knows where roam the age that David Chase created with his the rules of traditional TV by introduc- So perhaps these two forms of Televi- mind and to explore who we are, than small screen waiting for something to groundbreaking show, The Sopranos. ing complicated characters and raising sion may coexist, I’m just not buying is it just pandering to the distracted smash into their “frenemies’s” faces? While most new reality shows the quality – in terms of production, that there isn’t something bigger going masses who would rather face The Bad “Television became the signa- on TLC, Bravo and other cable net- writing, and visuals – to a cinematic on here; that there may be a greater Girls Club than the hard facts of their ture American art form in the first dec- works seem to pander to an excep- level,” says Hope Reese, a writer for The divide. own lives? ade of the 2000’s,” Brett Martin writes in tionally low level of “guilty pleasure” Atlantic. If anyone tunes into Fox News So, we are again faced with that Difficult Men. “The equivalent of what entertainment, shows such as Netflix And yet, there are those who for just a few minutes they’re going to age old question, “Is ignorance, bliss?” the films of Scorsese, Altman, Coppola, Originals – “House of Cards,” “Orange come to the defense of the not so real, hear the words “class-warfare” at least Is reality TV actually what separates us and others had been to the 1970s or the is the New Black” – are turning heads reality TV. once. There’s this almost pre-revolu- from reality?

The Truth Behind Video Games Teachers, Students, and Facebook: NOT COOL By Daniel Saiz and Christian Steiner [email protected] By Maria Sanchez [email protected] [email protected] People, especially “know-it-all” the brain to have less P300 amplitudes, Teachers spend 180 of the 365 a computer and was held on $25,000 your teachers is bad. Having a relation- mothers, say that videogames are bad these amplitudes appear when the brain days of the year in a classroom with bond. ship outside of school could actually for you -- an excuse so that their chil- reacts to violent images. about 30 kids. Over the course of those Although this student was the help you in the future, especially when dren don’t spend excessive hours play- However, studies from the 180 days, teachers and students learn first to speak up, authorities believe that it comes to college and job opportuni- ing on their game consoles. However, Education Development Center and the a lot about one another and, in a way, there are other victims as well. Howev- ties. Your teachers are mostly the ones something most people don’t know is Ready To Learn Initiative have shown school feels like a home away from er, some were in complete shock when that write your recommendation letters that if they found the right type of video that young children, as early as four home. they heard about her arrest. so having a good relationship with game for their children, it would actu- or five years old, involved in a “cur- Whether your school family “When I saw her image, it hurt them, aside from a professional one, ally benefit them. riculum of digital media, such as video is functional or dysfunctional, you all me to the core. I wouldn’t have gradu- might be crucial,” says Wilmer Menieur, Statistics from videogames.pro- games” were shown to increase letter learn to live with one another. In good ated without her,” said Stacy Williams, former MLEC student. con.org show that 97% of children ages recognition skills, associate sounds with cases, teachers are a parental figure to 17. She believes that Glasspool was be- Lourdes Rodriguez, Carol City 12-17 in the U.S. play video games and letters, and be able to understand basic their students. The teacher might grow ing set up. Other students showed their High teacher and mother of two boys over 50% of them consider games rated concepts in stories. fond of certain kids. Friendships might support via Twitter. agrees with this view but to an extent. M for mature to be their favorite type of For teenagers, popular games blossom. Is it right for teachers and “Speaking as a teacher, some students video game. Ten out of the twenty top like World of Warcraft can help teach But when do you think a teacher students to have each need more attention selling video games in 2008 contained various things, including team work, has crossed the line? When they have other’s personal num- than others and teach- violence. responsibility, and how to unify to ac- your number? When you guys are Face- bers or be Facebook “I don’t think teachers ers can be a positive Video games get a lot of criti- complish a common goal. book friends? Or when they ask you to friends? Some might say influence on them cism for the way they constantly express Adults can benefit from video have sex with them? that this incident could should get so personal outside of a school violence. It is believed that when chil- games as well. Games such as Brain Pompano Beach’s Mavericks have been prevented with their students,” setting. However, this dren are shown violence, it affects them Age, Tetris, and can im- Charter High School teacher, Stevie had that line not been all depends on the psychologically and desensitizes them. prove hand-eye coordination, enhance Glasspool, used social networks such as crossed. said Oskar Hernandez. maturity of the stu- There is quite a bit of evidence split second decision making, help Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and MyS- “I don’t think dent and how profes- supporting this theory. There have been fight Alzheimer’s, and potentially boost pace to lure her students to her home in teachers should get so personal with sional the teacher is. A teacher might be numerous cases where serial killers auditory perception; however, for Boca Raton to have sex with her, using their students,” says Oskar Hernandez, the one to set a kid on the right track,” were huge fans of violent video games. these attributes of accuracy, vision, and marijuana as an incentive. former high school student. “A student/ she says. The video game most notorious for multitasking to come into place, players The former teacher was using teacher relationship should be strictly “Speaking as a mother, however, these accusations is Grand Theft Auto; must improve and learn over a period Facebook to send suggestive messages professional. Yes, a teacher should help I don’t think that teachers and students just recently, an 8 year old child killed of time. to her 15-17 year old students. “I don’t their students whenever possible, but should be so involved in one another’s his 90 year old caretaker just after play- “The success of complex video want you to fall in love with me but I having a student’s number or being private lives and they most certainly ing the controversial video game. games demonstrates that games can also don’t want you to hit it and quit it their Facebook friend is unnecessary should not be Facebook friends. The Video games also are blamed teach higher-order thinking skill,” the either,” she said in one of the messages. and just unacceptable.” personal information that teachers and for the desensitization of the player’s Federation of American Scientists an- It wasn’t until a 17-year-old stu- Others, however, may feel that students are being exposed to about one minds. An experiment done by the nounced in a 2010 report. “These are dent confessed to his parents what was there is nothing wrong with being so another’s lives is out of their control; Department of Psychological Sciences the skills U.S. employers increasingly happening that action was taken against close to your teachers. They consider it’s in on the internet. That’s crossing at the University of Missouri-Columbia seek in workers and new workforce her. His parents called the police. it something natural and actually very the line between professionalism and that took place in 2005 proved this. In entrants.” Glasspool was charged with soliciting a positive to be on such a friendly level. privacy.” the study, violent video games caused child for unlawful sexual conduct using “I don’t see how being close to D11 Opinion Teenagers Have More Stress Than Parents By Rachel Rnoh [email protected] With computers, laptops, and Most teenage lives basically revolve smart phones, information is becom- around these technologies. Their ing easier to access by the day. There is homework usually involves the usage of no need to make time for inconvenient computers and the Internet. Back in the trips to the library to check out a book day, people of the older generation had when there is portable technology that to somehow find transportation in or- allows one to access the Internet on the der to get to their library for resource- spot. ful information; they had no other So one would think that with source other than books to understand all the technological innovations that a concept, and they had to handwrite have emerged in the past decade or so, everything. life has become much more convenient Parents think teenagers have it for everyone, especially for children. easy. They don’t. In fact, teenagers prob- However, this is a mislead theory. ably have it worse than them. The irony Despite the expedient ben- of technology is that their efficiency has efits that all these technologies have increased making it convenient for the provided, they have made individuals users, while the efficiency of the indi- rather lazy and distracted—this is the viduals has decreased. problem for all teens. Parents assume One can’t help it. Many times, that kids have it easy, but let’s be hon- teenagers find themselves doing home- est; they were never in a position where work on the computer one second and they were tempted and distracted by a opening another tab to Facebook, You- computer screen. Tube, or Twitter the next. The amount Laptops, cell phones, television, of distractions that they receive leads and cars—all these technologies merely to inefficiency and they find themselves serve to make our lives much easier and stressed out when they realize that they simpler, but they also carry a detrimen- are not getting work done. And believe tal effect. Many teenagers suffer from it or not, this distraction and tempta- Alejandra Mendoza, a student, turns to the internet for help and questions regarding an upcoming test. Photo Taken By Ruth Reyes something other than procrastination, tion that lies one tab away is not some- and that’s distraction. Many times, teen- thing one can control like a on and off ment of a 3.5 GPA. courses that were considered “rigorous” Teenagers in high school these days are agers find themselves in front of their switch. But aside from all of this, and “challenging,” now are not even experiencing tremendous amounts of desks for hours and hours with their Now, aside from the stress that competition has increased outside of basic courses for those who want to get stress—trying to balance the rigorous pile of homework laid before them. teenagers obtain from temptations and the academic force as well. Because accepted into good 4-year universities. amount of academic work and extra- What could’ve done in about 3 hours, distractions, students these days have colleges are now looking for a more Students are filling up their plates with curricular activities, all while trying to they find themselves finishing it in a a more serious problem to add to their “well rounded student,” rather than all AP courses and, on top of that, extra be a normal teenager. matter of 7 hours. stress. bookworms, students are doing what- classes with dual enrollment and online If parents were to live as a teen- It’s true. One can’t deny the fact Competition has increased as ever they can to involve themselves in classes. The competition so high, it is ager in today’s generation, they would that innovation has led to simplicity the years have passed. A lot of colleges community service and extra-curricular very hard to really stand out from kids think twice when they say, “teenagers and efficiency in life. Cars have made (even ones that were not recognized be- activities so that their names can be who excel at a very high level. don’t have stress, they’re not suppose to transportation easier, the Internet has fore) have gained recognition, and the glowing once they send in their applica- So, if parents/adults think that have stress.” made obtaining information faster, and acceptance rates have decreased. Some tions. teenagers have it easy and are only smart phones have made communica- colleges that accepted students with 2.5 It’s not easy for the teenagers of indulging themselves with the benefits tion simpler. GPAs now have a minimum require- this generation. AP classes and honor of technology, they are highly mistaken.

Are We All Truly Equal? Change in Lunch Schedule By Elizabeth Martinez By Jessica Plazas [email protected] but more so among the African Ameri- to be done and the African American [email protected] On Wednesday, August 28th, can community. community, along with other minori- The recent change in the lunch the lunches did not actually change – 2013, thousands of Americans with Having been born and raised in ties, has become complacent. schedule has sparked controversy they were simply switched. different religions and backgrounds, Miami, I thought the whole world was The flame that once ignited among teachers as well as students. Mr. Parker, however, comment- gathered at the Lincoln Memorial, just this culturally diverse. But lurking be- almost an entire nation to walk, hitch- In previous years, the second ed that this is “the first time in ten years like they did 50 years ago in 1963 for tween the lines, outside of melting pot hike, and travel to march in peaceful floor of building five had second lunch that we have not had to extend lunches the March on Washington. On that day regions like and Miami, protest for the opportunity to have life, while the other buildings and first floor in order to get everyone fed.” five decades ago, Martin Luther King still lies a nation that is unjust to those liberty, and the pursuit of happiness has of building five had first lunch. Now, all Another issue regarding first led hundreds of thousands of people that don’t fit the description of a “true” since been shuttered. Minorities have of building five and Trade and Industry lunch in building five is the interrup- to fight for equality and civil rights. He American. There lies a nation that accepted their circumstances claiming have first lunch while the others have tion of most core classes. Nearly all core delivered his powerful I Had a Dream still faces the issue of creating gender that at least it is better than what their second. classes are held in this building, which Speech in front of the memorial for equality, equal rights for gay men and ancestors faced in the times of Martin This change has resulted in pro- is why many teachers are not pleased. a president who fought for the same lesbians, and a path to citizenship for Luther King Jr. Such communities have test on behalf of the students. This is particularly detrimental to cause and abolished slavery, Abraham undocumented immigrants. forgotten the idea of the American Luis Arreaga, Engineering sen- science classes; most science classes Lincoln. When the Trayvon Martin case Dream, that hard work creates oppor- ior stated that the change “didn’t solve conduct labs, which are interrupted by But on this day in 2013, people became popular, many people looked to tunity for prosperity. Such communities anything because they just moved the the new schedule. gathered in a different America. They racism as the cause, and claimed that if have accepted the idea that inequality people to first lunch. The problem is College Board has reformatted gathered in a nation that was no longer Trayvon hadn’t been black, the verdict will always exist. that there are too many people in one the Advanced Placement Biology and physically segregated by race, religion, would have been different. Whether And so, as the 50th anniversary lunch.” Chemistry courses so that labs make up and background but instead they gath- that is the case or not, the fact that rac- of the March on Washington came and The switch was prompted by a a much larger part of the AP exam. This ered in a nation that has made strides ism is still considered a plausible motive went, and politicians passionately urged shortage of lunches and overcrowding creates a serious problem for those AP to hold true to the idea that “… all men by a massive group of people is a sign America to do better, this – just like during second lunch last year. “Ad- science classes. are created equal....” that minorities feel as though equality many other movements – will soon be ministration says that it’s more evenly “We are looking into the adjust- Although the progress made in is culturally and socially nonexistent. forgotten and many people will con- distributed now but honestly, everyone ments that can be made to accommo- the African American community is It also shows that they believe that the tinue to live unjust lives, believing that just has first lunch now” said Kevin date certain classes,” the principal said. undeniable, as shown by the election of government still leans in favor of the they are not significant enough to make Arab, senior. “Everyone just gets angry Upon being asked to elaborate on the first African American president, majority, and that it’s indifferent to what a change, that they are just a drop in an earlier instead of during second lunch.” which classes would receive accommo- the question still remains as to how is actually right. endless mass of water. They will hope he said. dations he stated that he would “leave it far equality has truly come. Although Now, to say that nothing has that the next generation will fight hard- “We [have] been looking at at that” so as not to make any binding physical barriers are no longer present, truly changed and that progress is non- er and be stronger, forgetting that they [the lunch schedule] for years so this promises. in the sense of separate restrooms and existent dishonors those that marched have the opportunity to act for justice summer we finally sat down and tried Mr. Parker also stated that the water fountains, and civil rights laws for freedom and justice on that same now. They are forgetting that “…what is to figure out a plan” said Mr. Parker, new schedule is beneficial to both secu- have been passed, there is still an invis- day five decades ago. A lot has been an ocean but a multitude of drops?” principal of Miami Lakes Educational rity guards and cafeteria workers. ible impediment that divides minorities accomplished, but there is still so much Center. “The cafeteria workers now have from the white population. As President Because of the large number of a more equal distribution of work and Obama stated, “we would dishonor students in building five, second lunch by having all of building five go to those heroes…to suggest that the work only contained students from that lunch at the same time, we are able to of this nation is somehow complete.” building last year. Now, however, all shut down the building so that security The barriers are evident eco- of building five shares lunch with the guards can eat lunch too” he said. nomically. The median household Trade and Industry Academy. Overall, it seems as though the income of an African American family “It doesn’t even seem like administration of MLEC is pleased with is still 36% less than that of a white fam- anything has changed in regards to the the changes made this school year while ily and the poverty rate is still nearly fullness of the lunches,” said Nancy the student body and teachers are op- double that of the national rate. Black Truong, Health Academy senior. posed to them. unemployment is two times higher than If anything, the students in that of white unemployment. The na- building five now share lunch with even tion decline of the economy has caused more students; the number of people in inequality to grow among all minorities,