[Student Reporters] Warning Against Hazing Incidents

The Los Angeles Unified School District [LAUSD] warned all high school coaches of hazing incidents occurring within sports teams through a circulated email in early October. Hazing which is notoriously known as various rituals and other activities involving sexual harassment physical assault or battery and other criminal crimes occurs frequently in college Greek organizations gangs clubs and sports teams. A ritual meant to initiate new members into a group hazing can lead to severe consequences. "When I think of hazing it reminds me of all the horror stories I hear about college students having to do humiliating tasks to be accepted into a fraternity or sorority" senior Pauline Lee Granada Hills Charter High school said. "I know it happens a lot in sports teams too but I think it's a brutal and cruel way to welcome someone or not welcome someone." Hazing has been known to come in all sorts of different forms. Ranging from traumatic injuries to sexual assault hazing is common within the adult world but lately it has been publicized for several occurrences within high school sports teams. After the incident among Woodland Hills Taft volleyball players where students were punished and school staff temporarily reassigned to different positions LAUSD has been censoring and warning high school coaches about the much needed prevention of these events. "Hazing is horrible. I can't even believe it happens in high schools" senior Tim Lee from Granada Hills Charter high school said. "Sports teams are based on unity. How do they expect to feel comfortable around each other and rely on one another when events like these occur?" Coaches have been reminded of their responsibility to prevent such incidents and their responsibility to report any events should they happen through the email according to the Los Angeles Times. High school coaches should never allow such acts to occur nor should they in any way condone them. "Authority figures should always be the ones preventing them. Or at least be responsible and report them so proper consequences can be implemented" James Kong a junior from Granada Hills Charter high school said. "It's not something that should be taken as a joke or just kid's play."

2009.11.06. 19:08

[Student Reporters] High School Seeks Drug Counselor‘s Advice in Light of Recent Drug-Related Cases

On Monday October 26th Crescenta Valley High School's cafeteria overflowed with the low worrisome murmurs of concerned parents who had been notified of the tide of drug- related cases on the high school's campus. In response to the recent outburst of drug related cases on campus Crescenta Valley's administration organized a presentation on drug awareness and prevention. Principal Linda Evans began the night by briefly explaining the current situation of drug use on campus as well as the comprehensive measures being taken in order to curtail the rates of drug abuse. After the brief introduction Evans passed the microphone to Student Resource Officer Deputy Scott Shinagawa. According to Shinagawa Crescenta Valley has always had problems with drug use but most of the previous cases involved drugs like marijuana and tobacco products. Over the past few years Crescenta Valley has seen a dramatic increase in the use of much more dangerous and potent drugs like Ecstasy LSD as well as prescription drugs like methadone. Shinagawa familiarized the audience with the various drugs that have been found on campus so that parents would be able to recognize them if they ever found any suspicious products under the possession of their children. Shinagawa also referenced recent drug cases on campus. One of the biggest drug busts on campus involved the drugs Ecstasy in which a student admitted to purchasing and using the drug from a student on campus. Pam Erdman a drug counselor took the stage after Shinagawa and counseled parents on how to effectively confront their children on the subject of drugs. "One of the hardest tings to ask your kid is sobriety to be sober from drugs. You may think that it is an easy thing but it isn't because of turmoil" said Erdman. Erdman also presented three key words that parents should always consider before confronting their children: adolescence turmoil and communication. Erdman also encouraged parents to veer away from harsh punishments and instead proposed them to build "bridges of trust" with their children. "Never say that you don't trust them because it hurts them. They really want your [approval. Instead say that you will trust them to make the right decision" Erdman said in her presentation. "It [drug abuse] is more than a school problem. It is more than a law enforcement problem. It is a cultural problem that we must fight" Shinagawa said.

2009.11.06. 19:07

[Student Reporters] Eagle Scout Projects Aid Cerritos

An Eagle Scout demonstrates Scout Spirit on a regular basis conducts Samaritan-like services for the community and practices exemplary leadership in any setting. It is the highest rank one can attain as a Boy Scout and may be held on to for a life time. Two students at Cerritos High School are on their way to receiving such an honorary title after having enacted their own service projects. Once their service projects are completed they must partake in a Scoutmaster conference and a board of review after their 18th birthday to ensure that they fully understand Scouting ideals and morals. Junior Justin Wiguna decided to undergo his Eagle Scout Project on school grounds updating all of Cerritos High School's classroom emergency bags as well as the emergency container located near the baseball fields. "The emergency supplies haven't been updated for nearly 15 years and most of the items are either expired or unusable" said Wiguna. "I believe this is a valuable project that will benefit the school in case of a disaster." Likewise Senior Joseph Moon completed an eagle project in consideration of children who receive special education under Artesia High School's Early Intervention Program. In order to show the children how plants live and grow Moon had built six portable wooden planters at Tetzlaff Middle School's woodshop facility where the tools to build the planters were readily available. Moon's main obstacle proved not to be building the planters themselves but financing them. "Despite the financial obstacles I am quite happy with the project in retrospect. Having finished what I started over a year ago gave me a real sense of satisfaction." Among those who have been declared an Eagle Scout is Senior Christopher Lai. He based his Eagle Scout project on creating an outdoor classroom for students at Carver Elementary. "Having attended Carver Elementary since kindergarten I always enjoyed the garden that was there until it died in the third grade" said Lai. "When it was time to do my Eagle project I almost knew immediately that it was going to be rebuilding the garden for students to enjoy as I did when I was young." Lai's team installed an underground drip system built four benches and a shed raised three garden beds and decorated with color bark along its floor. "During the Eagle Project the Scout isn't allowed to do any manual labor; it is a test for his ability to lead others and accomplish the goal" said Lai. Lai received his "Be Prepared" Eagle Scout badge on Jan. 14 2009.

2009.11.06. 19:06

[Student Reporters] Dr. Simmons Inspires Lawrenceville Students

On September 30th Dr. Ruth Simmons the first African American woman president of Brown University gave a lecture at The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey to commemorate Lawrenceville's 200 years of history. Prior to the speech Head Master Liz Duffy H'43 described the tradition of inviting special guests to school that started a century ago. This tradition was founded in 1852 by the Calliopean Society the oldest society on campus for the purpose of nurturing active dynamic discussion on campus. Honorary members including the U.S. President Woodrow Wilson and Fidel Castro were involved in this discussion. Dr. Ruth Simmons' story grabbed the attention of 800 students and faculty members. Raised by sharecropper parents in Texas Dr. Simmons faced racial discrimination and hardship during childhood. However she pursued her studies by reading books. She earned a scholarship to Dillard University and pursued graduate work at Harvard. In the year of 2001 she assumed her position as the first African American woman president in an Ivy League institution. Dr. Simmons shared her goal of promoting global education and explained how vital it is to build "sound human relations." As the first person to achieve college education in her family she quickly learned how education and connections can be useful for anything she chooses to do in life. "The new century will need thinkers and practitioners who grasp the complexity of modern problems" she said. She also emphasized that "Facebook Skype and blogs: these tools while they facilitate communication can never be a worthy substitute for a sound human relations." Applauding the 200 years of endless innovations at Lawrenceville Dr. Simmons advised students to "wear intellect with humility... never use your education cheaply and hold it over others." "Be kind. Be true. Be ever humble and grateful for all that life has given you" said Dr. Simmons.

2009.11.06. 19:05

[Student Reporters] Admitted HAFS Students Leave the Dormitory

"Susi" admission which is equivalent to Early Action admission in the United States has been busying many students. Its first admission cycle which generally does not require the Korean SAT score is almost over for most of the universities. Some HAFS students have been admitted to universities like Korea University and Yonsei University during this cycle. Therefore they do not have any reason to take the Korean SAT anymore. For such students HAFS offers an opportunity to get out of school and participate in programs for personal experiences. These students are permitted to move out of the dormitory and stay at home until the final exams begin. Some of the admitted students plan to visit foreign countries like China and Japan especially those with families living abroad. Others plan to take internships at such institutions as hospitals and law firms. Some plan to intensively learn foreign languages at institutions outside of school. This opportunity allowed for admitted students is very special because normally the maximum number of days per year allowed for one student to gain personal experience outside of school is seven. On the other hand it is limitless for those already admitted to universities and students are only required to return to school for final examinations. These students can learn useful knowledge outside of school at such a time. Also moving out of the dormitory saves money for many students. Thus an admission may mean more than just an admission for many at HAFS.

2009.11.06. 19:04

[Student Reporters] What a Day!

Halloween is a popular holiday not only in the United States but also in Korea. At Kent Foreign High School the student council organized events so that everyone can enjoy Halloween. The first event was a dodge ball throwing contest. Students paid one thousand won for three balls which they could use to throw at student council members excluding girls. The event was intended to help raise money for the student council. Many people including teachers participated. Next a beauty pageant was held in which all the boys in the student council dressed up as girls and walked down the runway. Everybody was laughing when they saw all the boys posing seductively. They put makeup on inserted tissues into their clothes and wore high heels to enhance their beauty. The audience chose who the best was by cheering for the person they thought was the most beautiful and well-dressed. There was an award ceremony at the end to bestow the banner that read "Miss Kent" to the winner. The highlight of the Halloween Party was the talent show. Students from all grades danced sang songs and played instruments. The last show was the climax as some teachers had prepared a surprise dance for all the students. They danced to a popular Korean song "Mr." by Kara. Students seem to appreciate them for sacrificing their time to practice entertain the students and make Halloween memorable for everyone. Kent Foreign High School students and teachers certainly had a remarkable time on Halloween. It was a busy day of throwing dodge balls cheering for boys dressed up as girls and watching people dance and sing.

2009.11.06. 19:04

[Student Reporters] Homecoming-A Night of Dancing or Drugs?

For dancegoers Ruben S. Ayala's Homecoming dance on October 10th was an eventful night. Nina was also excited to go to the first dance of her senior year. However she did not expect to see so many of her peers intoxicated and drugged out. Aside from illegal substances even the dancing itself was an issue. Kelly Liu a senior at Ayala described how several people had their wristbands cut and were ejected from the dance for their sexually provocative "freak" dancing which is not allowed at Ayala or any other high schools. Wikipedia defines freak dancing as two individuals explicitly grinding on each other. According to Liu freak dancing is a "social norm that happens everywhere. It would shock so many parents if they only knew." When asked for an estimate of how many people had been kicked out Liu replied "Definitely not enough." This type of dancing was only one issue as alcohol and drugs were factored into the mix. A few students described their Ecstasy experience and said there were many students "rolling" that night. The "love drug" also called "E" is popular among teens. According to Wikipedia Ecstasy induces several effects on its users such as a feeling of euphoria decreased negative emotions increased sociability and enhanced senses. "Touching feels unbelievably good to someone on E" said a student. "Though the users look nasty and gross they actually feel really good on the inside" added another student. Ecstasy can ultimately be fatal if the user catches hyperthermia. Ecstasy also has a host of negative side effects and a potentially addictive quality as stated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. In the end one question comes to mind: do parents have any clue what is going on? More importantly illegal substances should not be the outlet of fun for teenagers. However as that continues to be the case and as more and more instances of substance abuse occur an increased number of accidents and mishaps are bound to happen.

2009.11.06. 19:02