Category: Opinions

Written by: Noelani Janey

Did you know that people have been gossiping since the 16th century? Gossiping is a common practice that has been going on for a long time. Well, what even is gossiping? Gossiping means to spread rumors or false information about something or someone. We know better than to partake in gossip, but it occurs constantly in schools all over the world. 

In my opinion, gossiping is immature. I think this because stories can get twisted easily. Primary sources are way more reliable than secondary sources, and using time and energy to talk bad about others is a waste. 

If a rumor is going around, then it’s not always the best choice to believe the first story you hear. Stories can get warped and twisted for many reasons, on purpose or by mistake. It’s the same way with the internet. For example, TikTok is not a good source to receive news. People can change the story and make it more dramatic than it actually is for views, and some stories can be completely made up. People can have a variety of different motivations to change the story, which is why it’s not wise to trust everything you hear or everyone who tells you something.

That brings me to my next point; primary and secondary sources. A primary source is something like a diary, journal, manuscript, or a person that was actually at an event, something or somebody that was there first hand. A secondary source is like a book written by a person who lived way after the person the book was about, or someone who heard a rumor then spread it to another and so on. A story going through so many people makes it unreliable. What good is the story if it’s untrue or hurts others?

A third reason gossiping is immature is that when you’re gossiping, you’re wasting time and wasting energy to spread negativity. Even if you think the person really deserves it, you forget to focus on yourself and use your time for better things. You can use your time to do more productive activities. 

These are all the reasons why I believe gossiping is immature and a waste of time. To not want better for yourself shows immaturity. We need to do better.

Written by: Madison Marshall

When going around the school,  interviewing a bunch of different people from the same age range and asking them about one thing you couldn’t live without, you’d expect a bunch of similar answers. However in my case, I received a different range of answers which was a bit of a surprise considering the situation. Other classmates from Journalism received repetitive answers like “My phone” or “family”. I guess that I ended up with the lucky bunch of this school.

5. Hairbrush

To be honest, this answer was probably the most surprising one out of all the interviews. I mean, a hairbrush can be very useful but out of all the things in your life. I guess if it’s that important, they take it everywhere, you really can’t argue with being safe rather than sorry. Personally, I wish I loved my hairbrush as much as they do.

4. Cheer

I can totally see why they chose cheer to be this important. It is a well respected sport that deals with flexibility and coordination, it can also be really fun! Most people that are in cheer start from an early age, so when growing your life kind of revolves around the sport. To some it can be the core to your life.

3. My Dog

A pet is probably one of the best things this world has to offer. You can really depend on them and nobody else, especially a dog. They can become your life long companion. The both of you care for one another, depend on one another. It’s something that you can’t wait to get home to. Literally everything you need in this scary world.

2. Journal

Journals weren’t really my thing when I was little, but growing up, a journal lets you talk about things that are sacred to you and it won’t judge you or talk about it to others. I can see why someone would choose this as one thing they couldn’t live without. Writing stuff down allows people that don’t know how to express themselves get everything off their chest and overall, getting stuff out is so healthy for yourself mentally.

1. Boyfriend

This was definitely the one I found really important, almost like the 3rd interview.  Having someone by your side is a very important thing. Another person you can relate to, depend on, and care about can be very enjoyable for you and your partner. It feels like you can never feel alone even when you’re not near them. I can definitely see how you couldn’t live without them. 

By: Katarina Rendon
At just fifty years old, being alive for half a century should be celebrated with family and friends, maybe catching a bite to eat at a nice restaurant. This is not where my uncle found himself. Instead of chowing down on fine cuisine, he was bed ridden, sick with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, otherwise known as COPD. All of this because of a simple nicotine addiction that started when he was just fifteen. All of this because tobacco companies insist on continuing to sell cancerous products wrapped in paper. A cigarette is known to many, however, those same people may not know about the severe and almost deadly consequences of smoking. Tobacco has committed repeated offences against the whole of humanity by poisoning our lungs, by continuously being made to be addictive, and by absolutely destroying a smokers hopes for a healthy future. This logic calls for the need to completely eradicate tobacco, and forever rid of its evil doings on planet earth.

Cigarettes have been known as a controversial item because many people know that the smoke exhausted from the cigarette is very harmful and can permit you to become terminally ill. However, the tobacco companies refuses to admit to their faults. This is the main reason many smokers learn misinformation about the harsh smog. Because of this, chronic smokers are pushed by the poisonous fog into the open arms of sickness and death. All the while, big tobacco companies are running away with the unfortunate smoker’s coin.

Big Tobacco companies have been found at the center of many accusations concerning the levels of addictiveness present in their products. These products have been shown to be loaded with chemical compounds that literally make it easier for someone to get addicted quicker. Different types of chemicals such as bronchodilators have been added so that the smoke has an easier passageway to the lungs. One might think that tobacco and other “unknown” chemicals might be the only thing composing the cigarettes. However, sugars, flavors, and menthol levels increased in order to dull the sting of smoke and make it easier to inhale.

The demand for tobacco started in the 1840’s, people wouldn’t shop for brand, just for quality. But, the first nicotine advertisement for people in the United States was placed in the New York daily paper in 1789. This created the spiral of competition for brand names such as Philip Morris International and Marlboro. Ever since the number of hospital admissions because of complications with the lungs and teeth have increased ten-fold. Now in our modern society, ads showcasing real survivors of addiction to cigarettes shows the long term side effects it can have. From lung cancer to having to speak through an electro larynx, these things and turnouts are real and very dangerous. Smoking can leave you with a massive scar that will not shy away from damaging your mental and physical state.

It is not a big secret that anti-smoking ads are EVERYWHERE. However, it’s also no big secret that many chronic smokers completely ignore these warnings and continue to bring harm to themselves through this pernicious product manufactured and sold by big tobacco companies. Usually, being in a hospital is not a good experience for anyone. Hospitals generate a distressed emotion in many and rarely bring good news. Having been in the hospital twice for the same reason ought to be a huge warning for health risks. Unfortunately for my uncle, this was not the case. Still, he continues to corrupt his lungs for a short “fix” of the virulent poison that comes from tobacco. In a perfect world, tobacco wouldn’t spread havoc, practically suffocating humanity with a single puff of smog. All the problems that have arose because of tobacco, would cease to exist, therefore pushing us just a bit closer to a euphoric society.