Do teens display an igornance about driving? Statistics suggest that teens experience higher crash rates “These teens today just have no adults. Most adults tell any teen that I’ll be a defensive driver,” but they are caused by the daily distractions a person respect or pay attention to anything.” they shouldn’t rush to get their permit/ lying. According to www.KeeptheDrive. can have while driving. “They are constantly on their cell license. In fact, a lot of adults say teens com, teens crash four times more often But how do we ATTEMPT to stop phones and the internet.” These are will get into a lot of accidents and tick- than any other age group and take an av- these distractions? Telling horrible just general opinions about teens from ets. In retaliation a teen will say, “No, erage of ten teen lives every day. This is disastrous tragedies? Showing them the consequences they will face if they are Livin’ the dream in those accidents? Max Allen Band returns today for second Speedway performance My sophomore year here, WISH TV passed out rubber rings with W82 TXT Maybe you’ve seen one of the many Speedway, here’s the answer: THE Max the answers was rather disappointing. engraved on them. A lot of people were fliers posted up around the school or Allen was a former student of our very Besides this, we spoke about chasing the attracted to them, but how many really maybe you’ve heard from an overly own Mr. Acton, whom has kept steady dream, the American Dream, and life. understood the meaning of the rings? thrilled friend, but I’m sure by now contact over the years and asked ever so Max has played guitar professionally Some of my newly licensed friends said, we’re all more than well aware of the graciously on behalf of our school for for twelve years, starting at age sixteen. “You’re gonna text at the stoplights, and nationally acclaimed guitarist Max Al- this free concert. Fellow band mate Shaan France holds it jam, and all that.” But my immediate len. But on the off chance that you’re As I was lucky enough to get a one- down on drums while Dace Robie rocks response was, “No. I’m not. I’m going clueless and have no idea what’s going on-one interview, I got to ask all the bass, along with Max on the mic and to have my phone off while driving.” Of on, I’ll fill you in: burning questions everyone must be jamming on guitar. They have six CDs course they started to tell me I wasn’t There’s this band, right? And it’s thinking. Like, “Will there be pyrotech- out with another scheduled for release going to do that, but I personally knew I called The Max Allen Band. They’re nics? Lights? Explosions?” But despite later this year. was at least going to reduce my chances a three-piece band that hails from the how well received these questions were, This will be the second time Max and of being in an accident by turning my greater Avon area, and they now tour all his band have dropped in and cell off while driving. over America with fans ranging all over put on a show, and expecta- So what can we do to help teens it the Midwest. Now, if you’re wondering tions are running high in they aren’t going to pay attention to the why they choose to stop and play for wake of receiving a standing warnings? Well, let’s just see how many ovation he was given for his of them know the difference between first time. The concert is im- some facts and myths about driving if minent, so prepare yourself. they are so confident in knowing the So show him enough love driving laws. and just maybe he’ll stop by next year to bail you out See Myths on page eight of another class for another killer show. DOIN’ HIS THANG Guitarist Max Allen appeared in concert today with his band. Story compiled by: Hunter Smith

Issue 6 March 1, 2013 You’re gonna miss this The tale of Kacey and Meg’s week without internet I don't know if people still say fail but, regardless, my Once upon a time, two seniors named Kacey and attempt at going without the Internet was an EPIC fail. Meg at Speedway High School decided to go old- While my partner in this endeavor, Kacey Ross, overcame THE RULES school for a week. The consensus: go for a week the challenges of an internetless week, I lasted two days. I without internet or texting. tried, friends. I swear I tried. 1 - No internet, except while in class, when No social media. I felt anxious the first day. My morning routine of absolutely necessary and educational; No schoolwork on the internet. checking twitter for the latest news and Tumblr just for 2 - No texting; kicks was replaced with the sound of my spoon hitting the No texting during class. bottom of a cereal bowl, tapping out a beat because I was 3 - Meg and Kacey must tell the absolute No Googling when the next America’s Next Top so bored. Throughout the day, I went for my phone count- truth in their article if they did breach a rule; Model marathon would be on. less times, only to remember I couldn't use the Internet. and Anything that had to do with internet or texting... Well, 90% of the apps on my phone use the Internet. So I 4 - If internet withdrawals require medical kaput. sat, most of the day, just clutching my phone, imagining Were they in over their head? Would it be harder the worst. The world was falling apart. People stopped attention, seek help immediately. than they thought? Would they emerge victorious, liking me. I was the cause of global warming. This all was beating all electronic communication into oblivion? happening because I couldn't use my phone. The second day consisted of much of the same thing. It For myself, the answers are yes, yes, and abso- was still my fault the world was falling apart and still my lutely not. fault the polar bears were losing their homes. It sounds Starting on Tuesday, February 5 and ending dramatic. It sounds completely childish and irrational. But February 8, I was disconnected from the world. the addiction I have to the Internet and the ‘withdraw’, if Meg and I made an agreement: we wouldn’t use you will, was really messing with my mind. the internet for a week. There were a couple of To my delight, I got the flu on the third day we were ground rules: supposed to be Internetless. If I was sick, I decided I 1) If the internet was being used for classwork could at least check twitter. But as I opened up the and was absolutely necessary, we would breach the app on my phone, I opened the floodgate. Every sin- rule for that time. Nobody needed to be counted as gle social media site beckoned me, even the sites I truant. had no interest in actually being on. So, my attempt at a whole week was ruined. I had lost. I had failed. continued on page four continued on page four Why do we do what we do? A method to the madness that is accountability We as humans are constantly looking honestly expected myself to laugh the somewhat enjoying it is talent enough. little out of our comfort zones. for one thing, consciously or uncon- question off, especially as I wasn’t nec- If you can get over the mental aspect So do you ever kind of feel like some- sciously: accountability. And with this essarily planning on running this year. of it, it’s such a fulfilling activity. You thing’s missing in your life? Now’s the comes a sense of responsibility, belong- But I caught myself responding with a can physically see progress, whether perfect time to discover it. Find some- ing, and self-worth, all vital to a com- yes, which was really rather surprising. it’s in dropping time or simply making thing that pushes you to be a little more. plete sense of worth and being. What’s So when I was then asked why I did it, it through a 3.1 mile race. It’s simple: if Give a bit more of yourself. Commit to dif- or why I enjoy it, I think I may have you push yourself, you’ll get some sort something and say you finished it. ficult is surprised even myself a little bit. of reward out of it, the best of which is The summer before my sophomore finding Now, don’t get me wrong: I am by no self-satisfaction. Even if it’s just a few year, I had a random impulse to start the means a great runner (I’d be the first to seconds, dropping time is one of the running. Though I still consider it to be right tell you I’m the farthest thing from). But most amazing feelings in the world. It’s one of those “crazy” sports (you know, place there’s something about the aspect that’s difficult, but it’s highly rewarding, mak- the ones that seem to be the equivalent to rather appealing - to me, at least. I enjoy ing it more than worth the hard work of torture that you never saw yourself obtain the fact that it’s mainly an independent and constant effort. There’s an account- doing in a bajillion years), when people this ac- sport. You have a team, but you run by ability to self that truly makes the sport. asked me why I did it, I told them it was count- yourself - you don’t have someone to In relaying this in response to the because I could; physically, anyway, and ability, pass the ball to, and you can’t depend on original question, I realized that’s what I it ended up doing way more for me than espe- anyone else to get your legs going for like most about running: an accountabil- keeping me in shape physically: it cre- cially you (which is really too bad sometimes). ity to self. I’m here to tell you that most ated a sense of accountability to self for as it is It’s you and only you, a relaxing but days are harder than others, and that me, which is an invaluable lesson that most often seen as simply another thing driving activity. I don’t always take advantage of that often goes untaught in the classroom. If to keep track of and preoccupy oneself I would also say that running is one of accountability, but having something you can do it, go for it. You could find with. the most difficult sports in the hard fact outside of school to push you (physical- that it fills in a void you didn’t even The other day, I was asked if I was that it’s almost completely mental. There ly, emotionally and mentally) somehow know you had. planning on running with the track is obviously a physical aspect to it, and makes all the difference in the world. team for a consecutive year. In the back some are more apt to be better run- That’s all we need, in a way. A place of my head, there’s always a sigh of ners than others. But at the same time, where we can hold ourselves account- resentment when anything regarding you don’t need to have a special talent able to something, especially something See accountability on page three the thought of running comes up, and I for running. Being willing to do it and tangible. A place that pushes us just a Gonzo for a new age Remembering Hunter S. Thompson and his dream I was raised a deconstructionist. I could be. Expression, I found, is not with a different set of credentials set Gonzo journalism, that which threw was not reared on the postmodern flam- always orderly, it is not always precise. out to tell stories this way? Could it be out the fact-checking to let the de- boyance that passes for deconstruction Sometimes it is a Benzedrine-fueled rant that a person with a responsibility to the bauched narrative of the Nixon admin- these days, but it would be dishonest to that leaves the reader off exactly where public, a reporter, a journalist had the istration stand on its own—a symphony call it anything but deconstructionism. he started, other times it’s a stream of audacity to engage his audience with all of manic scripture, a subjective lens Meaning in life, if there was any mean- consciousness meditation on Eastern the hedonism and decadence that he ex- into the topsy-turvy, acid-headed ing at all, was contextual from the time religion, and often it’s a sexy jumble of perienced while getting the scoop on the whirlwind of Las Vegas casinos and I heard my first bedtime story. I was fast cars and French Surrealism. In read- Kentucky Derby? Hunter S. Thompson, hazy horseraces. Rarely seen without a taught that a text was a circumstantial ing their stylized discord, in experienc- born July 18, 1937, wrote a very impor- cigarette and a glass of rum, Thompson object, and it could only relate what it ing their harmonious anarchy, in the tant piece of journalism in 1970 called squelched journalistic objectivity in related by an associative sequence of divine contradiction of the Beat Genera- ‘The Kentucky Derby Is Decadent and order to create his story. words—No more, no less. “Nothing tion, I learned that the Word is also art. Depraved.’ Published in the June edition exists outside the manuscript; it cannot We credit Kerouac and Ginsberg of Scanlan’s Monthly, it would be the See GONZO on page three mean what it does not say!” I must have for striking up a revolution of applied first of its kind. uttered tortuously as I conceded to the pleonasm in poetry, but what if someone prose. Goodnight Moon, The Berenstain Plugged In Bears, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Editor-in-chief: Kacey Ross Green Eggs and Ham—these were Managing Editor: Haily Merritt serious titles, and understanding them, Entertainment Editor: Hanna Vongpraseuth understanding them well, was a serious Opinion Editor: Sam McGlone undertaking. News Editor: Katie McDonnel In the beginning was the Word, I Features Editor: Sam Scott Layout and Design Specialist: Ryan Dailey learned, and the Word was God. These Staff: Amelia Berry, Justin Brent, Quentin Ellett, Jon Gregory, Will Harris, conceptions changed however, when I Maddie Kenny, John Minniear, Megan Ochs, Sarah Proctor, Hunter Smith, was exposed to the literature Adam Warren. of the Beats. Ginsberg, Ker- Plugged In is the official school newspaper of Speedway High School. It is intended ouac, Burroughs all painted to be a public forum. The newspaper is distributed free of charge to every Speedway new and poetic pictures in student. JS Printing is responsible for printing Plugged In. my head of what the Word Adviser: Derek K. Doehrmann

A Call To Arms A plea to the common man in this most critical hour

We live in a tumultuous time, com- to finally rise up against the aristocratic fellow citizens to in- rades. Countless nations the world over stranglehold the federal government has spire an Enlightenment are experiencing everything from civil them placed under? That is why I am amongst the popula- unrest and protest to all out war as the overjoyed to tell you, my brothers and tion in order to suf- oppressed rise up against their tyranni- sisters in arms, that the Rapture is at ficiently place the fear cal leaders. From the hand. of the people back into which has experienced rioting since the No, not the Rapture in the biblical the government, and financial sense, but the rebirth of a once great remove the fear of the collapse, nation brought to its knees by far too government from the to Syria in many years of poisonous men leading a people. We have been the midst of wounded nation. I blame not our current intellectually deficient all out civil president solely for the far too deep pit for far too long, and war, to Rus- we now find ourselves in, though he this malnourishment of sia’s em- shares in as much blame as his predeces- the mind has allowed broilment sors in his inability to hear a nation cry the parasite to infiltrate against a out in pain, though the blame is not only the very heart and soul citizenry that of the government but of the people of our country. What largely un- as well. We have failed, comrades, in parasite you ask? Why, happy with that most important duty of an Ameri- the very same beast SOLIDARITY Man of the people, Quentin Ellett, holds a photo of out of control political corruption we are can. In our nations birth we were gifted that insured the fall of Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara. Ellett speaks for socialist reform in witnessing what can easily be described the right of abolishing any government Rome, the Crusades, an age of corporate tyranny and American imperialism. as one of the greatest long -term transi- which has become destructive to the and the rise of Hitler, tion points in the past century. It seems ends of life, liberty, and the pursuit of and that my friends is the cancer of an means to be a human. I beg of you rise as if a global conscious was awakened happiness; and yet in its hour of needed ignorant populace. up to the Rapture that comes with intel- as the global market fell, resulting in an we surrendered the Power of the People So rise up, comrades, if not for ligence and once again, my beautiful overwhelming show of civilian anger in favor of ease and now we are paying yourselves for your children and your America, we will truly be “One nation, against government by both the middle the piper for our abominable sins. We children’s children. Rise up in the name under God, indivisible with liberty and and lower classes. Though, for a country have become a lazy people, unwilling to of the American Dream and all that it justice for all.” born in the heat of independence fueled stand for against any and all in the name passion, the United States population of freedom like our ancestors before has been comparatively silent against us, and that has lead us to the brink of The search for something more its government. Not taking into account absolute desolation. A sea of darkness the aimless ”Occupy” protests, the U.S. is rushing towards us, comrades, and Accountability to self comes from just citizenry has appeared to be largely doc- indeed all seems lost. And that is why I that: yourself ile for a country experiencing one of the implore you to stand up and throw off contnued from page two most substantial plummets from grace the shackles of reckless government tyr- in its history. Now, maybe it’s just me, anny in favor of a brighter future. Now, I Getting your head wrapped around with it (sometimes literally). You never but this cannot be an eternal peace can beg you not think of this “Call to Arms” something that seems strange/crazy/in- know what you might get out of it, and it? Time and time again Americans have in the literal sense of taking up physical timidating/consuming in the way that it at the end of the day, you have a new ex- been one of the primary active com- arms, but the figurative action of arming may force yourself to hold somesort of perience under your belt. And isn’t that munities in the face of a government oneself with the knowledge necessary accountabilty (God forbid!), that’s one what high school is for? making poor decisions, so where are to know when you are being played for thing. Once you get past that, you find Mark Wetmore, head coach for the they now that the entire globe is calling a fool, and what action is prudent in re- out a lot more about yourself than you University cross country team, for blood, and what will it take for them taliation. I am calling upon the aid of my ever really planned on doing in the first once said that running is like “Getting place. And it’s really pretty awesome. up every morning and shooting your- Gonzo We all find this sense of accountabilty self. You know that you are going to in something, whether it’s in sports, mu- put yourself through something really The crazy never die sic, community organizations, church- painful, but you also know how much contnued from page two related activites, theater, to name a few. strength and speed are going to come Describing his first gonzo piece as “falling down an elevator shaft and landing in a It’s just a matter of finding what it is that with it. The passion of the runner is to pool of mermaids,” the genius and wordsmith was able to see an ever-growing cult drives you specifically. force forgetfulness on that pain and em- of readership willing to jump with him until his death in 2005. One can’t lose anything from attempting brace the benefits that will without fail The raw excess of Hunter S. Thompson’s life is the raw power of words. Thomp- something in hopes of finding more. So make you a better person.” It’s just like son was the words he used, he became the stories he told. The division between the go for it: find something that interests that for any other activity: find one and text and the real, truth and falsehood, confirmed fact or half-baked rumor are all torn you, even if it’s only slightly, and run immerse yourself in it. I dare you. down in the furiously psychedelic dispatches of Thompson’s alter-ego, his pen- persona, Raoul Duke. We live in an age of lies. Fox News and Hollywood are the punch line to a joke that reaches as far as the American eye can see. We forget the shallow impotence of rhetoric as we chant for the better candidates and the hotter celebrities, condemning all that doesn’t shine in a fluorescent media gleam. But what if our words expressed an excess akin to reality? An unadulterated (yet fabricated) celebration of the under- ground, the nitty-gritty, the elusive, the ideal. What if we owned, what if we created our language? What if we elevated meaning above jargon? That would be gonzo for a new age. My not-so-strange addiction How Meg survived her internet-free, week-long nightmare continued from page one time, but does that mean we should whom are always on the Internet can to try again. Because I don’t want to feel I asked one of my moms friends why depend on it? Probably not. grow to have a deluded view of real life. entitled, when I get older, to anything. he thought I had become so dependent This particular discussion led me to a Eyesight can also be affected. Just like I don’t want to grow up and have kids on the interweb. His answer didn’t thought I had been avoiding. Addiction. addictions to cigarettes, there are conse- who are lazy because that’s all they shock me. It’s an answer I’ve heard a Don’t scoff. Addiction to the Internet it quences to being addicted to the Internet. know. No. I don’t want that. I don’t want thousand times but refused to believe a real thing. It didn’t occur to me until sitting down that at all. applied to me. Mr. Greg Bledsoe said, Today, on every addiction recovery to write this how close to being com- Society today is all about apps and “It’s convenient. And today, kids feel website, like addictionrecov.org, there pletely addicted to the Internet I actu- websites. Social networks are a way to entitled to the convenience of always are pages dedicated to people whom are ally am. I count on social media and the stay in touch and stay connected. If this being in the know because it’s at their addicted to the Internet. Though I’m not Internet to provide me with so much. continues, why do we even need to talk fingertips. Also, people have become downplaying the existence of addic- Things like communication, news, enter- to each other? Let’s just text it. #ar- lazy. The paper at the end of the drive- tions to alcohol and drugs in teenagers, tainment, etc. It didn’t occur to me until eyouserious #idontthinkso way is so much farther than your phone I believe addiction to the Internet is far I failed so miserably this last week that Cheers to the letters my friends will be on a charger.” Do I feel entitled? I don’t bigger. Anyone around you can be ad- maybe this is a problem. getting in the mail and the color I may believe so. But I know that I am lazy. dicted to the Internet and it’s not healthy. In order to make myself a better per- get on my pale skin when I actually go I know that I find it a hassle to pick Did you know that this addiction can son, essentially relearn how to interact outside instead of hide in my basement up something instead of just scrolling cause problems at home, school, and with people face to face, get back into looking at a computer screen. through a timeline. Society is in a digital work? Or that depression can result reading those old books that smell so age. Everyone is on the Internet all the from excessive Internet use? People good, and smell the fresh air, I am going A significant absence from everyday life Kacey’s week without internet: a different kind of educational experience continued from page one decided we would start on Tuesday, with to Tumblr or Facebook, I didn’t check though we ditched the no texting rule, I 2) If one of us did break the agreement, a clean slate. my email, I didn’t jam out to my Lana tried to only do it when important. Talk- we would write about it honestly. We So on Tuesday, I woke up and didn’t Del Rey Pandora station, and I did all ing on the phone made me genuinely wouldn’t lie to our readers. What you text. I didn’t put on my Jonas Broth- my schoolwork the old fashioned way: happier. Hearing the voice of the person guys get is the true recollection of what ers Pandora station, nor did I check my with a book. gave so much more to the conversation happened. Tumblr. I was set and ready for the day. There were a couple of hardships than just reading words. I could tell So, here we go. Our week without When I asked Meg how she was doing, along the way, like: when the person was being sarcastic, or internet, recounted as it happened. she was having a rougher time. Meg, to 1) I wasn’t able to check Power- smiling, or laughing when I was on the The journey was supposed to start underexaggerate, likes her social media. School. Which seems like it wouldn’t be phone with them. It was nice. on Monday. I woke up and stumbled Without Twitter, she said, she was get- as big of a deal as it was. In some of the 2) Throughout my life, I’ve been an haphazardly into the bathroom, ready to ting anxious. classes I take, the teachers don’t return avid reader. All but this year, that is. I shower, and almost went to flip on the And so was I, without texting. It the tests. They expect us to get on Pow- put it on the backburner. I thought I had Pandora account on my Kindle, when wasn’t only with Josh; I couldn’t call erSchool and find out for ourselves. So I no time, but once I gave up internet I I realized that Pandora needed the fuel my mom during class to search for the was left in the dark on some of my tests. realized I had a lot of time; I was just us- of the internet to work. My shower was earring I lost at home. I couldn’t text my I broke the rule once, for my Calculus ing it all up being plugged in. I finished sadly Taylor Swift-less. best friend Maddie and ask her some test. But as far as I’m concerned, that a book during the week and vowed to When we originally made the deal, homework questions. I felt as if I was cheat was justified. As any of my fellow spend more time reading after the week the rules were no texting and no inter- disconnected from the world. There Calc classmates would agree; that test without internet was over. net. I knew I wouldn’t have a problem everybody was during free time in class, was terrifying. 3) I realized that people are people, with the no internet thing. I have a Tum- on their iPhones or on the internet, and I 2) Almost all of the teachers have not the machines they hide behind. I de- blr and a Facebook, but I’m in no way was sitting at my desk, feeling incred- Promethean boards these days. And the cided to put the phone down when I was addicted to them. I used the internet to ibly left out. boards are a useful tool, as I realized. around other people. I saw when I spent research for school, but I knew I could How does that define us as teenagers? The teachers would bring up websites more time with the people I was around, do without it. We’re so plugged into our electronics that fueled their points, and I couldn’t I treated them as more of a person. We The texting was going to be the prob- that we don’t talk to each other. We can protest it. Imagine me standing up in had more in depth conversations. One lem for me. My boyfriend of over a year sit in complete silence at lunch, play- Mr. Lindhorn’s class saying, “Excuse of my friends even said, “Man, lonely lives in Brownsburg, and we don’t get to ing games or texting on our phones. me, sir? I cannot view this webpage, as Kacey is more fun.” And after I got over see each other much. The only way we We don’t appreciate the people that are I am not allowed to use the internet in the initial sting of that, I realized that talk during the school week is through around us when they’re around us; we any way this week. Please take it down.” putting down the phone made me more texting. So when I ditched the texting, I appreciate them when we’re sitting in Yeah, no. alert. I laughed a lot more. ditched my boyfriend. front of a screen, seeing what they’ve 3) I didn’t break the rule on this one, 4) I also decided to stop using my phone When I had arrived at school on chosen to show via social networking. but it was very antagonizing. Prom dress in class. When there was a lull in class, Monday, I had already texted Josh. I The emotionless words on the screen are shopping was put on pause for the week. I’d normally text if it was allowed. broke the rule plenty of times, and felt missing the body language, the empha- Traumatizing. During the internet-free week, I brought awful about it. I looked around for Meg sis. 4) I plan to attend Indiana University other work to do during those times. to see if we could maybe change up the I learned this by the end of the week, in the fall, and they emailed me a total I stayed on top of my homework the rule a little, and saw her storming into though. After school that Tuesday, I of eight times during the week. Most whole week. school a little later than usual. broke the no texting rule once again. were spammish, but a couple were The internet and texting are beneficial. She looked at me, said, “I “TEMPORARY TIME-OUT,” I regret- important, especially about me emailing They provide us with communication already broke the rules...a tably texted Meg, “I can’t do the no the School of Journalism about my at- and information that is necessary for lot...” and so I knew texting.” We talked, and we discovered tendance. If my mom hadn’t been CC’d life. But there is no way it should be our I wasn’t the only it was rough on both of us to do both on that one, I could have been screwed. whole lives. I found myself not wanting one. Later at the same time. We disbanded the no There were some hardships, but I also that day, texting rule and stuck to the no internet. gained a lot from the experience. Like, continued on page five we And I stuck to that one. I didn’t get on 1) I talked on the phone more. Even Burn, baby, burn The dangerous effects of indoor tanning

Around this time of year, many high the most dangerous form of skin cancer, more common and can still be danger- tanning, school girls will start to go indoor than people who don’t. For young adults ous. Basal cell carcinoma is the most and are tanning, otherwise known as using a aged 15-29, melanoma is the second common cancer in America. Although it instead tanning bed. There are a few reasons most common form of cancer. Both the doesn’t often spread and there may not advising for this: it’s winter and they’re pale, United States Department of Health and be long-term effects, it almost always “sunless they want to get a “base tan” for spring Human Services and the World Health requires surgical removal. Squamous tanning:” break, or they want to start prepping for Organization have stated ultraviolet cell carcinoma is not as vicious as mela- using prom. Everyone knows tanning nega- radiation from artificial sources, like noma, but it can spread to other body cosmetics, tively affects health. But just how bad tanning beds, is a known carcinogen, or parts if not treated. It also often requires self-tanner, is it? cancer-causing substance. surgical removal. or getting According to the American Academy In a study conducted by the British Skin cancer isn’t the only side effect a spray of Dermatology, almost 28 million Medical Journal in late 2012, it was dis- of tanning, either. The UV radiation tan. Even people in the United States will use a covered that indoor tanning may cause you get while tanning can also cause just laying out in the sun is better for tanning bed annually. 2.3 million of up to 170,000 cases of non-melanoma aging of the skin, immune suppression, your skin than using a tanning bed; the them are teenagers. People under the age skin cancer (like basal and squamous cataracts later in life, and melanoma of UV rays are ten times less intense. So of 35 who use tanning beds have a 75% cell carcinoma) per year. Although these the eye. please, next time you decide to “tan all higher risk of developing melanoma, cancers are not deadly, they are much Many doctors are condemning indoor you can” at a tanning salon, consider your health. The decline of America Is the demise closer than you think? Every successful civilization experiences its don’t know that it has to be permanent,” Lindhorn said. decline. The mighty Roman Empire fell. The British In contrast, some maintain the position that America the Beautiful is simply Empire lost many of its colonies around the world. experiencing an age where we focus too much on the numbers. Librarian Joe Troyer More recently, the Soviet Union disbanded. This pat- reminds us, “You have to move beyond the statistics.” He acknowledges that we are tern leaves us with an ominous thought: when will the a prosperous industrialized society, yet “there are problems inherent in being that.” Almighty America collapse? Or are we already headed Troyer agrees with Lindhorn in that we should encourage more high school in that direction? graduates to pursue two-year degrees or attend technical school, rather than rough it As news reports grow increasingly negative, it at college. becomes harder to maintain an optimistic outlook on To ensure a “Golden Age,” Troyer strongly advocates “innovative and the future of land of the free. Newsweek has (falsely) forward-thinking, looking for ways to make things better.” reported that U.S. students’ test scores have dropped “We do have some serious problems that need to be addressed,” but Troyer in relation to other competitive countries (like France, believes “We’re still going to be a major player on the world stage… Saner heads Japan, and Sweden). Prescription drug usage and reliance has grown. Poverty rates have to prevail.” and unemployment figures are disappointing. Troyer believes America is merely experiencing a rough patch, something all Although there are more facts behind these figures, the data suggests we’ll superpowers have. However, as seen in superhero movies, the good guys always royally screw ourselves over before the official Apocalypse gets a chance. Govern- win. ment and AP English Language teacher Robert Lindhorn sees a very long and rocky He simply attributes the increase in prescription drug usage to psychological road ahead of us. “If we do not get a handle of long-term debt,” Lindhorn stated as- and medical advances. “More people are taking medications because it improves suredly, “America will lose its ability to influence world affairs... America has been their quality of life.” the one force that kept the peace since World War Two.” This statement raises an interesting question: Is America giving up economic As far as declining test scores and increased college dropout rates, Lindhorn stability for quality of life? Thus, do Americans value happiness more than money? places the brunt of the blame on the students. Although other countries often assure Could our misplaced values be our Achilles heel? Have we reached our pinnacle? Or “weaker students are weeded out” so “they’re testing their upper students whereas is America even that great? we test all the students,” American students have become alarmingly lazy. Many of us students have heard our teachers complain about the lack of work ethic and Something gained increase in zeroes in recent years. “We have been guilty of steering too many students to a four-year college,” A harsh week with no technology Lindhorn believes. We’re doing them a disservice by trying to shuffle them off.” contnued from page two Many students simply aren’t meant for college. “[Students] don’t start preparing themselves for college. They coast through [high school]. They aren’t ready.” These to get on social media. I didn’t miss it seniors, we’re not going to be here much students then expect admission to a prestigious university. They are intimidated by one bit. I was able to spend some time longer. Fuel the relationships you have professors who require nothing unreasonable from them and consequently drop out. to myself that week, and I didn’t have to here while you’re actually here. It’s Yet this government teacher doesn’t simply blame Congress, our prescription constantly worry about how I was being worth it. drug reliance, or slipping school systems. “As a country, it seems like a decline in perceived. morals. We’re more likely to destroy ourselves… Our moral decay will become our I convince you to try it for yourself. demise.” Lock your phone in a drawer, or ditch However this rocky road is not completely devoid of the relieving light at the the social media for a week. It sounds end of the tunnel. To avoid a Second Great Depression or a Rome-like fall, Lind- cheesy, but you do really find your- horn suggests we “seriously tackle the national debt, get entitlement spending under self. People are more than what they control, and operate with a balanced budget.” America may be on the decline, “but I seem behind a screen. Especially for us Irish in Atlanta in the green, sunny south March is almost here once again, so Egyptian Room in Indy, but a massive This was the sixth time I I believe it’s only fitting to say a thing quantity of people managed to squeeze had seen Flogging Molly, and or two about something relating to the in regardless. their performance never ceases Land of EÍre. What better relates to If you aren’t aware of Flogging Molly, to amaze me. It’s always a Ireland than Irish music? Nothing. I highly recommend them to anyone thrilling thing when they begin On February 9, I made a trip down to who has any sort of musical taste. They playing songs such as “Seven Atlanta, Georgia to see one of my fa- are part of the second generation of Deadly Sins,” and a whole vorite Irish bands, Flogging Molly. My loud, drunken Irish musicians who have theater full of Georgians starts scream- dad and I have an ongoing tradition of made a name for themselves. This musi- ing about being pirates and jumping into seeing Flogging Molly every year before cal movement began in the ‘80’s when each other. That is not an experience one St. Paddy’s Day. We usually catch them made became hits around can find anywhere. They consistently in Chicago, but circumstances this year the world with songs like “Fairytale of have a stage presence like none other, led us down south instead. They played New York” and “If I Should Fall from with singer/guitarist Dave King shouting in an old theater called the Tabernacle Grace with God.” Flogging Molly’s gen- and dancing around the stage and Bob in the heart of downtown Atlanta. It’s a eration primarily consists of themselves Schmidt attacking his like no one relatively small theater compared to the and the . ever has thought possible. The opening acts for the show were Dave Hause and . Dave Hause, a solo act from Philadelphia, was a very talented artist; however there was not much excitement to his perfor- mance. He ended up just singing along They kept up with their thrilling perfor- with either his electric or acoustic guitar. mance playing loud songs with Accor- By himself. It was rather awkward to be dions and Bazoukis. The bassist of the honest. On the opposite end of the spec- band wound up crowd surfing while still trum was Skinny Lister, a group from holding his stand-up bass, which was . As soon as they came out on taller than him. That is a rare thing to stage they began wailing out an old sea see in Atlanta. The best way to describe shanty called “South Australia.” Being a the band would be that they sound like fanatic of sea shanty’s and songs about the music child of an old, salty fisher- boats, I was thrilled to hear such one man and Mumford & Sons. An unusual Flogging Molly’s Dave King and Bridget Regan. being sung out by a room full of people. combination, yes, but they nailed it. Photo courtesy of www.floggingmolly.com

Do Advanced Placement classes The Heavy Stuff cause advanced stress? AP students, the choice was their own. to three pages of verbs in the French more stressful, just because you have a But others, like me, feel like have been dictionaries. In Spanish, 80 flashcards much larger work load than you’re used pushed into taking a heavier course load are assigned two days before the test,” to,” says junior Conner Tiffany. “But, I by either our parents or by society. This says an anonymous student from Utah hope it will all pay off in the end, that’s is especially common of top ten students who posted on a student stress forum. why I’m taking these classes. I guess who are virtually forced to take AP Let’s play Guess Their Grade. Are they we’ll find out.” classes if they want any hope of holding a senior in high school? Junior? Sopho- Even with the higher intensity work their spot, even if they know they would more? that comes with an AP class, I think it’s do better in a “normal level” class. If you guessed none of the above, worth it. Even if you don’t pass the test, By looking at other student’s work- you’d be right. This kid is a middle you’ll still have much more knowledge loads across the country, it’s evident that schooler, meaning he is anywhere walking into college than a student who our AP classes aren’t that rigorous, at between 11 and 14. Even in taking three didn’t take AP courses in high school. least homework wise. “In pre-algebra, AP classes, the most homework I’ve had Over all, the stress is worth it, because we get at least three pages of home- was only about half that much. eventually it will lead to greater Do you remember a night when you had work. In English, we get at least one So are Speedway students being knowledge and opportunities in the no homework, no papers due in a week page and a reading assignment, at least overloaded with AP work? “Yes, it’s future. and no test in the foreseeable future? 30-50 pages in our For some of you, it may have been last books. Then there Are College level classes causing us to much stress? Photo provided by Google night, but for others, such as myself, is science, five-six images. those days are few and far between, but pages are assigned that is just the life you take when tak- all days except ing multiple Advanced Friday. In Utah studies, we get one Placement, or AP, page with the op- classes. tion of extra credit, For some which is another page. In French, we have to do two Life after the dream Coming home after ! made a name for themselves. Even Not all American Idol winners though they weren’t the winners, they have had a success story. What still got the publicity that they needed to happened to , winner make it to the next step. One example of American Idol season 5? We would be Dia Frampton. She was on never hear his name anymore! season one of The Voice and she came Taylor’s fan base, aka the “Soul in second. She has gone from the show Patrol” have lost sight of the and got a record deal and she has made a singer-songwriter. IT seems like he has new album. just gone under the radar and we no Scotty McCreery, winner of American longer hear his name anymore. To think Idol season 10, thought it would be a that he beat Ace Young, , crazy road once he returned home. He Katherine McPhee, and Kellie Pick- Have you ever wondered what it would thought that life would never be the way ler!!! We hear these four name much feel like to win American Idol? Or even it was before he was in the spotlight. more than we hear Taylor’s name. So to be in the top 10 on any talent show? It On his return home he found out that it’s not just about winning, it’s all about would be a dream to be on the big stage life wasn’t that much different. “My getting your name out and to be seen on and share your love and passion with hometown has really allowed me to national television. America. come home and be normal whenever I American Idol and other talent shows Watching talent shows on TV seem am home. Going home to school, the are not a bad thing at all. They do help like they would be living a dream, but kids didn’t treat me any different. They those who want to become big and make if you think about it, it’s anything but treated me like the same ol’ kid. Because a name for themselves. If you want to be that. Millions of talented people have of that, I got to kind of be normal and on one of these shows, just be ready for been told that they aren’t good enough live life in both worlds. It was fun for rejection. Hope for the best and plan for and they get shot down. And if you are me. High school’s over now and we’re the worst. Just know that there are mil- ENJOYING THE SPOTLIGHT. Ameri- can Idol champion Scotty McCreery is a fortunate enough to make it to the top, on to college in the fall. It’s been a good lions of talented people in the world and successful country star. Photo Courtesy there is only one winner. couple of months for me.” Yes people some may be better than you. So if you of last.fm Where do people go when they are knew his name worldwide, but Scotty are looking to get on the big stage, then voted off the show? Some people have stayed true to himself and he didn’t lose go for it. You never know; you could be gone from these talent shows and have sight of where he came from. the next American Idol!! A story about a sweet boy and his loving mother The French Assailant suggests that you keep watch for this acclaimed television experience

wants the best for young Norman, Norma who loves Norman very, very take the role of Norma Louise Bates to even if that means she has to kill for much indeed. In this case, Norman has an entire new level of acting that not her son’s well-being. Or is it the to become “part” of his mother literally even I could fathom. nameless town in which they inhabit in all of the senses to fulfill his life in In all my years I have never been so to construct a new and improved whole. Whenever there is some sort of excited for a new series such as this. life for themselves in the shadowed danger or contact with people (women Only the most famous of critics and past of death and destruction. Well specifically) he acts out in a complete actors alike understand how I really feel it seems to me that this “Psycho” re- and erratic behavior that unleashes his about this show, yet it could be a disap- lated show has so much to offer in the “mother” to deal with the problematic pointment. It could completely destroy form of entertainment and an intel- situation at hand by killing said indi- the whole aspect of its own source ligence to work upon off. (You have vidual (usually with a butcher knife). material to an extent that not even just entered the with a Over the years Norman is able to control Hitchcock would be able to redeem. very warm welcome of sweet emotion this evil persona even after his mother This comparison to the original film and and deadly love.) “dies”. Of course I am referring to the novel (written by Robert Bloch a year Where to begin? Shall we describe how , a young 17-19 year film while describing the new series at before the movie even came out) seems insane and tame a character such as Nor- old in this series, only wants to live a hand. like a long-term pet project of sorts by man Bates could be in a dire situation? normal life with his mother. Yet because Inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s creator of Friday Night Or shall we introduce his loving and of his inability to socialize with oth- genre-defining film, “Psycho,” “Bates Lights fame. This shall fulfill your carefully examined mother who only ers, he must confine within his mother Motel” is a contemporary exploration of every dream and nightmare because of the formative years of Norman Bates’ the sheer terror that is Norman Bates but relationship with his mother, Norma, that’s up for the good old writers to de- and the world they inhabit. Viewers will cide, for I have no control over this but have access to their dark, twisted back to tune in every week to understand who story and learn firsthand how Norma kills who in such a manner. So with this helped forge the most famous serial I say good night and good luck. killer of them all. This series debut in 2013, requiring an explanation for doing this switch of settings, but I have no doubt that this prequel series will be an American masterpiece. I do in fact be- lieve that is eligible enough to take on the role of psychotic and uncontrollable Norman Bates, yet he could never overshadow the legend- ary Anthony Perkins but will definitely A BOY’S BEST FRIEND IS HIS MOTHER. Norman Bates (Freddie Highmore) and defeat the overall crap that is Vince () enjoy a peaceful moment outside the family home. Photo courtesy of ign.com. Vaughn. Vera Farminga will no doubt The dark secrets behind Te’o Hoax a sick, twisted prank On January 17th , the Notre quiet time to myself because I you do?" Dame athletic department held always have somebody calling In an interview with Dr. Phil a press conference indicating me, asking, 'Do you want to go Ronaiah Tuiasosopo says the that a story about Manti Te'o's to the movies? Coach is always voice of Manti Te'o's girlfriend, girlfriend dying, which he said calling me asking me, 'Are you Lennay Kekua, was his and that inspired him to play better as he OK? Do you need anything?' the star had no role in the hoax. helped the Fighting Irish get to This was a time that could Tuiasosopo told him he fell the BCS National Champion- be considered by others where deeply in love with Te'o and ship, turned out to be a hoax. Te’o lied to the media about the that it was a romantic relation- The university issued a news death of his girlfriend. Accord- ship. release after Deadspin.com ing to Deadspin, the only pho- "Here we have a young man reported it could find no record tos that have been found online that fell deeply, romantically in of a Lennay of Kekua are actually pictures love," McGraw told NBC. "I Kekua exist- of another 22-year-old woman asked him straight up, 'Was this ing. Notre named Diane O'Meara. She is a romantic relationship with Dame’s the woman that told Deadspin you? And he says yes. I said, athletic one of those photos likely was 'Are you then therefore gay?' director Jack shared by Ronaiah Tuiasosopo. And he said, 'When you put Swarbrick This was all the information it that way, yes.' And then he stated that provided to the public when caught himself and said 'I am coaches this situation first occurred. confused. " were informed by Te'o and his Now roughly a month later, This whole situation has reputation and harmed his NFL managed to pull in the fourth parents on Dec. 26 that Te'o through interviews with various affected Te’o in a number of draft stock. overall recruiting class with had been the victim of what ap- TV shows, Te’o and Ronaiah ways. More than likely this was From Mel Kiper’s draft twenty three 2013 high school peared to be a hoax. According Tuiasosopo have been able to looked at as a distraction as the board, Te’o has gone from commits. While things are still to a transcript of the news con- speak out on the topic. When team headed into the national the second overall pick in the going great for the Irish, it will ference, “Someone using a fake Deadspin.com exposed the championship game. From draft to around#15. Luckily be interesting to see how things name ‘apparently ingratiated hoax in a story on Jan. 16, the the public eye, it has tarnished the situation hasn’t hurt Notre turnout for Te’o. herself’ with Te'o”, the school report raised questions about some of the All-American’s Dame’s recruiting. They have said, “then conspired with oth- whether Te'o was in on it. But ers to lead him to believe she Te'o denied he was involved, had died of leukemia.” and Tuiasosopo also said the Driving myths stomped on by the facts "On the morning of Dec. former Notre Dame linebacker 26, very early morning, Manti had nothing to do with the Rule of thumb: be a defensive driver and stay safe called his coaches to inform scam. Continued from page one them that while he was in at- For his part, Te'o, in a TV tendance at the ESPN awards interview with Katie Couric, Top 5 Myths (according to http://www.dmv. However, you never know if you’re going to have show in Orlando, he received explained that he lied about his org) The responses that follow the bolded myth a 2 or 5 mph cushion. a phone call from a number online girlfriend after the Dec. are Speedway officer Mark Jones’ comments 5) A few tears, a winning smile or a little cleav- he recognized as having been 6 phone call indicated that she about the myths. age never hurts. This works for some but not that he associated with Lennay may be alive, while maintaining 1) Driving the posted speed limit won’t get you me. Over the years I have been able to tell when Kekua," Swarbrick said. "When that he had no part in creating a traffic ticket. Myth. However you can get a someone is giving me a line or if they really he answered, it was a person the hoax. The television show ticket called statue driving too fast for condi- mean what they say. It’s really under the discre- whose voice sounded like the put Te'o and his parents in front tions. Meaning that if you were in an accident tion of the officer. same person he had talked to, of television cameras for the and there were multiple witnesses to testify for who told him that she was, in first time since the incident. reckless driving then you can be written up a These may seem like stupid myths, but so many fact, not dead. Manti was very With Couric trying to get him ticket for that. drivers ignore the possibilities because they unnerved by that, as you might to admit he was in on the hoax, 2) Following the flow of traffic is a valid don’t pay attention. In A Comparison of the Cell imagine." Te'o said that he believed excuse for speeding. A police officer’s speed- Phone Driver and the Drunk Driver, texting and On Sept. 12, Te'o learned Kekua had died of cancer and ometer can be off due to your tires or not get a driving can increase your risk of crashing by 23 his 72-year-old grandmother, that he didn't hide the truth that good reading on the first few cars. However, you times. If that’s not enough, one text while driving Annette Santiago, had died. she didn't exist until Decem- should never speed. equals four beers; 1 text also equals 0.08 Blood Te'o said he was told just six ber. "Katie, put yourself in my 3) Traffic cops have quotas. Supervisors like to Alcohol Level. So maybe after reading what an hours later that Kekua had lost situation.” Te’o said during the have documentation to see what you have done officer says and seeing the facts, some of you her battle with leukemia. Now interview, “I, my whole world all day. If you’re in an area where there is a lot will stop and be cautious of your driving. Also, what makes this situation even told me that she died on Sept. of action then they expect you to have tickets. as a last reminder from Officer Jones, “Seat belts more bizarre is that after that 12. Everybody knew that. This 4) There is a range above the posted speed save lives.” Jones stated he has pulled over so December date when Te’o had girl, who I committed myself limit that is legal for driving. No, but it’s under many drivers and they will try to come up with an informed his coaches about to, died on Sept. 12," the discretion of the officer. There is no written excuse, but it is better to just be straight forward, what may have been a hoax, Te’o said he only learned of or unwritten say we have to give you a leeway. have no attitude, and be cooperative. on Jan. 3 prior to the BCS title the hoax when he received the game, he was asked about his phone call in December from a girlfriend again saying, "This woman saying she was Kekua. team is very special to me, and Now I get a phone call on Congratulations to our champs the guys on it have always been Dec. 6, saying that she's alive, Look for tributes to our ICC and sectional champions from the winter along there for me, through the good and then I'm going be put on times and the national TV two days later. And with spring sports previews in the next issue of Plugged In bad times. I to ask me about the same ques- rarely have a tion. You know, what would