Engineering the future

By: Josh Leach

            Computer and robotic technologies are the largest growing fields in America.  According to the workforce and staffing solution company, Kelly Services, “U.S. computer-related or technology occupations are expected to grow at a much stronger rate (21.8 percent) than overall employment (14.3 percent) through 2020.”  People all over the world are competing for opportunities to become part of these ever progressing technologies.  At Seckman, the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) provides students of all ages with experience working in teams, designing, and programming.  The Robotics Club at Seckman High School is divided into two teams and participates in the FTC.  There are thousands of teams across America all competing to show off their ingenuity and hard work.

            The Robotics Club was started Seckman four years ago.  In that time, one team has made it to the statewide competition.  The club has done very well, overall, considering that its funding from Boeing ended after the first two years.  The members have fundraised and even donated their own money to keep the program running.  They have sold water bottles, light bulbs, and worked at the concession stands.  A lot of dedication has been needed to make the club successful.

            The program engages people in every aspect of engineering.  The FTC’s website states, “The FIRST Tech Challenge is more than a robotics program. We are a community focused on building a better world for tomorrow by engaging students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).”  Kelly Steinbrueck, a sponsor of the Robotics Club, says, “The students are getting experience they probably wouldn’t get otherwise.”  Members are learning valuable skills to apply in all areas of life.

            The club has high hopes for the future and is expanding.  More students are becoming interested in learning about programming and robotic technology.  The teams will also be competing at more competitions this year.  The club is currently fundraising to buy new software and parts for the robots.  Ryan Betlack, a senior, says, “All we need is some new equipment.”  The goal is to make it to the state competition again and to be more competitive.

            With all the problems facing the world today, such as climate change and terrorist threats, the next generation will need to be more innovative than ever.  There is a real need to perfect alternative energy sources and utilize technology to make people safer.  Whether students pursue a field in science and technology or not, they will need to be able to problem solve.  Humanity needs people to invent new solutions to old problems. 

Top three ways to maintain a healthy relationship

By: Jordan Bethel

Everyone has probably wondered who they would marry and spend the rest of their life with, but the big question is how do you know when a relationship is right? We all have heard the saying if he is mean to you then he likes you. Well, news flash, ladies, he is just a jerk. Now some of you might have sat in your room and questioned if he really loved you or if he was the one. You ran ideas through your head, such as I know he loves me because or he smiles at me, or he always wants to spend time with me. Those can’t be the only signs, so here are the top three reasons he might be the one for you.

1. No games are being played

Many relationships consist of back and forth game, such as phone tag, not texting back, and annoying the other person to get a rise out of them. This usually occurs when you two haven’t set a boundaries and you don’t know where either of you, which can cause problems and confusion. You both need to sit down and have a talk about where you both want to go. Setting this will end all of the confusion and games. Logan Thomas, from Winfield High School, says, “If you both talk, the relationship will always turn out better.”

2. Everyone is on the same page

Sometimes one person is moving faster than the other. Emilie Dillard, from Winfield High School, says, “I was moving faster in my relationship and it caused too much drama. I finally sat down and worked everything out and we are doing better than ever.” When this happens, the other person feels like they are trying harder, or not receiving the appreciation they are giving. In this case, it would be best to have a conversation about the future between you two. You wouldn’t want to be the one saying you are in a relationship when the other person is going off and dating other people. Communication is the best way to get on the same page.

3. Open the line of communication

Speaking of communication, every relationship needs to have certain conversations. You should never be embarrassed to have a conversation with your significant other. Haley Berkbigler, from Winfield High School, says, “I haven’t had a relationship yet, but when I do I know for sure I’m going to make everything clear before we are too serious.” It’s always better to talk and find out the truth. Say what you mean in a respectful way, so it doesn’t cause tension between the two of you.

Anything can happen to better or destroy your relationship. But why waste time on the wrong guy or girl when you could be finding or loving the right one. Just take your time and go over the healthy ways to maintain, and have a successful relationship.

Problems with the Common Application

By: Bella Dalba

When applying for college, high school students have an overwhelming number of options. Whereas students used to only apply to one school, contemporary college bound seniors are faced with tremendous, uncertain choices. Due to the revolutions in technology, competition between applicants has become extremely fierce, and this rivalry has led to a substantial increase in the applicant pool: the typical number of schools that the regular student applies to can range from four to ten different colleges, though it is not unusual for some to apply to fifteen or twenty universities. Because there is no certifiable guarantee for admission to any college, applying to a multiplicity of colleges increases the chance of acceptance to at least one desirable university, and, as a result, most admissions offices see 20,000 or more applicants every year. With the sheer number (and caliber) of applicants applying to each school, the pressure to be competitive increases. Participation in a multitude of extracurricular activities becomes a requirement: varsity sports, performing arts, attention-grabbing hobbies, volunteerism, part-time employment, and the maintenance of academic records leaves little time for other pursuits. Unfortunately, this also limits the time spent on the applications themselves; most universities open applications in late August, and implement deadlines that conclude at the end of the year, forcing students to compose entire papers while balancing an academic and extracurricular workload. The situation is incredibly ironic, considering the years of preparation that have gone into this very pursuit.

Recognizing students’ distress, a small group of private colleges agreed on a standardized admissions application that was intended to change the way students applied to college. They developed a system known as the Common Application, often referred to as the “Common App,” that allows students to apply to several colleges with one application. Initially introduced in 1975, the non-profit program has seen a drastic increase in use over the last decade. Today, over 500 colleges accept the Common App, and some top-tier universities (Brown, Washington University in St. Louis, and the University of Pennsylvania, for example) use it as their exclusive application for admission. Regardless of what type of institution a student is considering, and whether a student is currently using the Common App or merely considering it, there are a significant number of pros and cons that must be considered.

Don Fraser Jr., director of education and training for the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), views the Common Application as an invaluable resource: “Competitive college admissions is a time-consuming process that has become increasingly intricate; therefore, students appreciate any effort that helps to facilitate completing and sending college applications. The Common Application offers students the ability to complete one application and essay and send it to multiple member schools, as opposed to having to complete each individual college's application.” It is a popular alternative to applying school by school, and even the College Board, maker of the SAT, suggests using the Common App.

Despite the benefits of the Common Application, it has been suggested that using it rather than a school’s personalized application (some institutions give you a choice between the two) can decrease your chances of admission. While all member schools agree to equally weight this standardized application against their own, many applicants find that the Common App is too generic, and that school-specific applications allow students to adequately represent themselves to the university. Common Application supplements include short-answer questions, additional essays, or questions about the student's choice of major or experience with the university. A student applying to a number of schools requiring supplements may find that the Common App does not save much time or effort, and this is a primary concern for most applicants. However, there have been several articles published recently that criticize the not-for-profit organization behind the Common Application, as well as their increasing control over the college application process. Students are obligated to fulfill each section of the application in its entirety, as well as report all demographic, geographic, and psychographic information that the Common App requires. The Common Application Advisory Board controls both the information and the content of the application, essentially determining the future of each undergraduate.

With only one chance to present compelling reasons for admitting them to the school(s) of their choice, students need to pay careful attention to every application they submit. Georgetown University has voiced concerns that the shared system may encourage schools to take in extra applications to boost rejection rates, in an effort to appear more competitive. Unfortunately, this merely results in the perpetuated cycle of stress and disillusionment that the Common Application was looking to eliminate.

Jags with swag

By: Dorian Jenkins

JagSwag is Seckman High School’s dance team.  They perform at football games, basketball games, assemblies and competitions, including Nationals.  The team is fun, competitive and loved around the school. There are a total of 15 girls on varsity, 12 on junior varsity, four coaches, and one manager of the team. 

JagSwag is a very close team that loves to share their talents with each other. The team has four wonderful and very talented seniors who are also a great set of captains for the 2014-2015 season:  Brittany Drumm, Tenecia Clemmons, Megan Reed, and Janese Watson.  Assistant Varsity coach and Language Arts III teacher at Seckman High, Natalie Como, says, “As a teacher, I know that other teachers think highly of the young ladies on JagSwag.  It is important to me to coach a group of girls that represent themselves in a respectable manner and I am proud to sponsor and coach such a prestigious team. I can honestly say that each and every girl a part of JagSwag is not only extremely talented, but dedicated, hardworking and compassionate.”

Mrs. Fritz, assistant principal at Seckman High School, seems to agree with Ms. Como, adding, “I am always amazed at their performance and all the girls are very talented.  The performances are unique and energizing. I always look forward to watching JagSwag at games and assemblies.”

The JagSwag dance team will perform at all home football games and all home basketball games. The girls support and cheer on their classmates no matter what the outcome may be.  Students and staff enjoy having Jag Swag around.  Sophomore Natalie Strieker says, “JagSwag is outgoing and really cool.”

This year the team will be competing in four competitions.  They will go to two normal competitions, plus state and nationals.  Last year, the varsity team earned second place at Nationals.  This year they plan on taking home the national champion jackets.

JagSwag’s most important goal is to be a close team.  The girls love to do everything together.  Everyone on both squads are equally important to each other. Junior varsity member Caitlin Renwick says, “It is a fun experience, great way to meet new friends, and improve my dancing.”  The girls treat each other like sisters and would do anything for each other, which is probably why they dance so well with each other.

The team is very excited for their 2014-2015 season and cannot wait to create more memories as a team together.  Good luck JagSwag!

Fun in St. Louis

By: Dorian Jenkins

St. Louis, Missouri, offers many attractions and places to visit. Just a couple of fun, outdoor family activities to do in St. Louis include: visiting the Gateway Arch, the St. Louis Zoo, Forest Park, Ted Drewes, and going to a Cardinal baseball game.  St. Louis is a famous town, known for holding the 1904 World’s Fair, right in Forest Park. You can visit this beautiful park in St. Louis today and enjoy the wonderful views it offers. It is the seventh largest urban park in the country and is home to the largest outdoor theatre in the country, The Muny.

You can visit the Muny in the summertime to watch a musical. They offer many styles of shows to watch, from Grease to Shrek. The Muny is fabulous Broadway-style entertainment under the stars at America’s oldest and largest outdoor musical theatre. The shows go from mid-June through mid-August, nightly.

Another feature of St. Louis would be its zoo. The St. Louis Zoo is said to be the best free zoo in the country.  The zoo is a very popular attraction in St. Louis because of the variety it offers. Christian, a visitor from Denmark, says, “The St. Louis Zoo is one of my absolute favorite zoos in the world. Its massive in size, the animals have big and spacious enclosures and the variety of animals is fabulous. And the most crazy thing is… the entrance is free of charge.” The zoo is a wonderful feature of St. Louis and is a great place to take the family for an outdoor adventure.

Another great trip to make while visiting St. Louis would be viewing The Gateway Arch.  The Arch is a magnificent structure of 630 feet of steel.  You can visit the museum under the Arch and admire the history of St. Louis.  While visiting the Arch, you can also ride in a capsule 63 stories up, all the way up to the top of the structure.

Next, you can visit Ted Drewes and enjoy some delicious, famous frozen custard.  Ted Drewes has been in St. Louis since 1931 and was opened by Ted Drewes Sr.  This frozen custard shop is a very popular attraction in St. Louis and loved by all. If you get the chance to go you won’t regret it. Alyson Tidwell, a sophomore at Seckman, says, “I love their frozen custard and I highly recommend visiting them while in town.”

Finally, the best part of visiting St. Louis would be going to a St. Louis Cardinal baseball game. The Cardinals are 11 time World Series Champions. The team plays at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis and every game the Cardinals play is fun to watch.  You can go to any home game you want for a price range from $10- $11,000 per ticket.  It is a great time outdoors with the family to enjoy some baseball.

St. Louis is a wonderful city full of fascinating places to visit. You can do anything outdoors, from having a fun time playing with the family to learning all about the St. Louis history.  You can visit St. Louis today and enjoy any of these fun activities.

How to make a dream catcher

 

By: Sadie Raddatz

Dream catchers are a product of the Native Americans who inhabited this country before Europeans and other foreign cultures came into play. According to dream-catchers.org, lore states that when dream catchers are hung by your bed, swinging freely, they catch the dreams, good or bad. The good dreams know how to pass through. However, bad dreams, or nightmares, do not know how to pass through; they get tangled and perish with the first light of the new day.

Let’s be honest, dream catchers have always been cool. Even with their eccentric design and mystic powers, dream catchers are actually very easy to make, as long as you know what you are doing, that is. Here are step-by-step directions to help you on your journey to make one.

Materials: A rattan hoop, feathers, beads, thread, scissors and craft glue.

Step 1: Cover the hoop.

According to www.crafts.tutsplus.com , take the string or yarn you have selected and use craft glue and glue down the start of the yarn or string. Then circle it around the rattan hoop. None of the actual hoop should be showing, so make it tight and close.

Step 2: Making the Net.

1.      Start by taking one end of the string or yarn and tying it into a knot. Work that sting clockwise and every few inches make another knot. Make sure that as you are going around the hoop that the knots are evenly spread apart. Continue until you reach the beginning.

2.      Wikihow says the next step is to take the end of the string and weave it under the loop created between the first and second looped peaks.

3.      Then, make a “hitch” by using the thread to make a loop over the loose string. After making the first hitch, make another hitch at the thread between the second and third knots.

4.      Continue weaving the thread in this manner until you’ve made a hitch at the thread between every knot.

5.      Each hitch should fall at the exact midpoint of the thread between the knots. As you weave, pull the thread snug, but not too tight.

6.      After making the first row of hitches, continue weaving the thread between the new segments you’ve created and make a hitch in the middle of each one.

7.      The circle you weave will become smaller and smaller. As this happens, pull the thread tighter and tighter.

Step 3: Finishing the Web.

Once you have gotten to the middle of the web and it’s a tiny circle, tie the end of the thread over the place where you would have made the final hitch. Make a double knot to make sure it stays and doesn’t come undone. Pull tightly and snip off the end.

Step 4: Adding Feathers.

To add a feather, tie a new piece of string around the base of the feather, and make sure it is secure. Tie the other end to the dream catcher; use a double knot to ensure security. Snip off any extra strings. If you want to add beads, make sure they are placed on the sting before you tie it off onto the dream catcher.

To dance or not to dance?

By: Janese Watson

Everyone does something they love at least once in life, whether it’s a sport, hobby, or maybe even walking the dog. There are always pros and cons for those things. Dancing is a perfect example. Being a dancer, you develop many good things in life, but lose some too.

            Have you ever noticed dancers to be more outgoing, very entertaining, and always will to do anything to make someone laugh? Dancing does that to you. To be a dancer you have to be able to change moods from left to right in your dances. You have to act really happy in one dance and as if you’re sad in another. Being able to do that so easily makes it easy to be loud and outgoing in front of other people, creating a better environment and happy life.

            Like every sport, dance keeps you very busy. In some cases it’s a good thing to keep you out of trouble, but sometimes it can be too much. If dance is something you want to take seriously, you have to be ready to sign your life away. Dancing keeps you fit and makes it easier to adapt to many things. Did you know that most sports use dance moves in stretching and warm up routines? Football players are told to take ballet classes to help their balance and strengthen their legs. Lynn Swann, a former Pittsburg Steeler and 2001 inductee in the Pro Football Hall of Frame, claims his ballet training greatly improved his athletic skills and helped him become a better football player.

            Dancing also has a positive effect on self-esteem. Being a dancer, no matter what you look like, you always feel pretty. Dancers wear a lot of makeup, fake eyelashes, red lipstick and use a full can of hairspray on their hair. It’s like you’re in a movie when you’re on stage. It also great knowing that people are watching you wishing they could do what you do.

            Dancing is an amazing sport, but nothing is perfect. There are downfalls that dancers have to live with. It is extremely expensive to dance; all studios are different, but an average monthly cost would be $350. There are a lot of random expenses when dancing that also run up the cost. Costume quality matters and a single costume could range from $50 to $1,000! In order to be a dancer, you have to be willing to empty your pockets for it.

            Despite all the positive health benefits of dance, there can be some negative impact too. You are sore every day to the point where it changes the way you walk. By the age of forty you will feel like you’re eighty due to bad knees and bad back from dancing. In a study by Dona Krashnow, psychological stress and perfectionism was examined in three groups of young elite performers: ballet dancers, modern dancers, and artistic gymnasts. Similar to the adult population, a high incidence of injury was found for all three groups. Results revealed a greater number of hip injuries in young ballet dancers and gymnasts than typically found in the adult population. The sooner you plan to quit working out, the sooner your body will tighten up and shut down. That’s why it’s important to keep dancing every day. Once you start, you can’t stop. There are a lot of pros and cons with dancing, but overall it is a great sport.

Seckman fall sports

By: Janese Watson

            Not enough people know about every fall sport at Seckman, so The Prowl interviewed coaches to see what kind of new information they could share with the public. Some of the answers you wouldn’t expect and some are probably what you would have imagined.

            For instance, did you know that the Seckman boys’ soccer team has scored 20 goals this year thus far? They practice everyday on the main field and are working to perfect their quick passing and drills. Soccer is a sport where you have to be consistently organized, but without breaks to reset. A compliment that is most often said to the boys is that they never quit and always feel they are in the game. That is a wonderful quality to have. Coach Bookstaver was asked what he would do if soccer was taken away from Seckman and his reply was: “It would be extremely disappointing to take the opportunity to play and develop away from students who hope to play beyond high school.” He couldn’t have said it any better. Good luck to the boys in the Suburban West Conference, as that is their toughest competition. Seckman soccer is amazing and only getting better.

            A lot was found out about the girls’ golf team. Did you know our Seckman gold team has beaten Fox seven years straight? These ladies practice four days a week at Pomme Creek Golf Course or sometimes even the driving range. Their way of working out is walking the entire golf course, which could get lengthy. “Our golf team has been told they are the friendliest to play,” says Coach Kennedy.  Seckman golf has also said they admire every sport at Seckman. The girls’ golf team is a true success story here at Seckman High School.

            A sport at Seckman that is not talked about as much as it should be is girls’ volleyball. Coaches Artinger, Eplin and Ehlmann helped fill in blank pages. Artinger informs us that the most challenging thing for a volleyball team is playing together as a team. It is 100% a team sport. Most would agree with Artinger because that is usually the best way to win. Seckman volleyball practices are everyday from 2:50-5pm at the high school and focuses on their weaknesses from previous matches. Artinger was asked about hardworking players and she said, “We have many players that work hard, but I would have to say Hannah Arras and Leah Blocker are some of our top girls who put their heart and soul into each practice and game. They always give 100% every time they play and are great leaders on the court.” Seckman volleyball’s toughest opponent is Lafayette High School. However, as long as the team works together and gives it their all, they could win state this year. Good luck girls!

            Cheer has always been a hard sport. Seckman varsity cheer is something everyone likes. They are always giving spirit and cheering on our football team. At their last camp, the ladies took home first place and, on top of that, the leadership award! “The girls never fail to have a great time together,” says Coach Wingo. People often complement this team’s skills and how the girls are always nice. Some people call cheer easy, but, as Coach Wingo would say, “You lift weights, but they lift people.” Seckman Cheer makes us proud.

            The final fall sport at Seckman that was interviewed was the Seckman varsity dance team, also known as JagSwag. Ms. Como shares the amazing opportunity to teach this group of girls with Kelly Stevens. JagSwag was brought to life three years ago when Kelly was first hired. Ever since then, magical things have happened. In 2012, JagSwag went to nationals for the first time ever and brought home a second place trophy. In 2013, the ladies earned fourth and, in 2014, JagSwag again came home with a second place trophy, losing first by less than a point. As far as this year, Coach Kelly said, “We have had this dream for three years, but this year will be it. This year JagSwag will get those Jackets.” This is a group of girls that never give up no matter how hard things get. There is constant improvement in the girls and endless friendships. The best thing about JagSwag is not only are they nationally ranked, but they also get along with everyone. They practice every day after school for two hours in the Café to perfect their dances. Good luck to all the girls at nationals this year.

Standardized testing

By: Bella Dalba

            For twenty million high school seniors, the end of summer indicates the beginning of the most stressful event of their lives: applying to college. Yes, most of the deadlines for regular decision are in January, so why worry in September? Well, if you’re applying to a school with an acceptance rate higher than 40% (typically state, community, and public colleges), you could afford to wait until the January 1 deadline. If you’re applying to a more selective institution, however, November may be your only opportunity for admittance. When competing against 30,000 other applicants during regular decision, most of who are valedictorians and salutatorians that sport flawless academic records, excessive amounts of both extracurricular and volunteer activities, and have been training for the SAT for years, what possible advantage could you gain over them? It ultimately comes down to how well you scored on a standardized exam. But why is standardized testing so important in the first place? Many studies indicate there is a correlation between your ACT score and your success within a more rigorous academic environment.

            The SAT and ACT were never meant to be exact measures of intellectual preparedness. In 1959, University of Iowa education professor E.F. Lindquist launched the forerunner to the contemporary American College Test. Intended to be a competitor to the Scholastic Aptitude Test, the ACT was designed to assess students on practical knowledge rather than cognitive reasoning. Primarily administered in the Midwest, the test was constantly altered to compete with the SAT, which ultimately led to the development of benchmarks. Benchmarks are scores on the ACT subject-area tests that represent the level of achievement required for students to have a 50% chance of obtaining a B or higher, or about a 75% chance of obtaining a C or higher, in corresponding freshman courses. Based on a sample of 214 institutions and more than 230,000 students from across the United States, the benchmarks are median course placement values for these institutions, and, as such, represent a typical set of expectations.

College admissions policies have been shaped by these research-supported “prediction models.” Studies compiled data generated by students during high school, seeking the combination which had the highest indicator of predicting their success in college. In some of these studies, conducted by Noble & Sawyer and published in 2002, ACT composite scores have been shown to be a better predictor of college GPA than high school GPA. This is especially true at higher levels (3.25 and above), where a high school GPA of 4.0 is not a strong predictor of a college GPA of 3.25 or above. However, composite ACT scores (combined with high school GPA) are a stronger predictor of college success than the ACT subtest scores. Guidance Seckman High School counselor Keith Mayer agrees: “Generally, kids who score above a 26 on the ACT are more successful in college than those who score lower.”

Using ACT scores as a component of college admissions seems well supported in the research, but the system relies heavily on high school teachers. Though ACT scores can be highly successful in predicting future success in college, students’ performance on the ACT is largely determined by the courses students take during high school, and the high school they attended. In most studies, high school GPA has been shown to have a higher “predictability contribution” than ACT scores. The efficacy of combined high school GPA and ACT (or SAT) scores as a predictor of college success is much stronger for groups of students (e.g., all students within a particular grade point range) than for individual students. In essence, important individualistic differences, such as perseverance and other non-cognitive qualities, also play a role in a student’s future college success. When asked her opinion, Seckman High School ACT preparation teacher Stefani Fesi said, “I’ve had kids with a 3.0 GPA get Bright Flight, and others with a 4.0 score 25s. It just depends on the student’s work ethic, their teachers, and their natural ability.”

Due to this controversy, universities are continually revoking their standardized testing requirements. The Dean of Admissions for Bates College, William Hiss, led the study which tracked the grades and graduation rates of students who submitted their test results against those who did not over a period of several years. Hiss’ data showed that there was a negligible difference in college performance between the two groups: only 0.05 percent of a GPA point set “submitters” and “non-submitters” apart, and the difference in their graduation rates was just 0.6 percent. With multiple studies offering evidence to both support and condemn the dependability on ACT and SAT scores, and the mounting pressures on students to perform well under strict testing conditions, should colleges be forced to disregard standardized testing altogether? Does it even the playing field for all applicants, or favor those who can afford test prep?

 

Five fun do-it-yourself gifts

By: Sadie Raddatz

Do you have a special someone in your life? Someone who you care a lot for? Have you ever just wanted to do something special for that person so they know how much you care, but don’t know how or where to start? Well, here are some homemade gift ideas that you can make yourself. These ideas are affordable, but may be time consuming. However, being able to make something that will make that special person smile makes it worth the time. It’ll also be something that they will want to show off and tell all of their friends about.

Crayon Project

Needed: crayons, a blow dryer, newspaper, and a canvas.

1.      Lay down some newspaper.

2.      Put canvas down.

3.      Remove wrappers from crayons.

4.      Arrange the crayons on the canvas.

5.      Add any kind of details.

6.      Glue crayons down so they remain still.

7.      Use blow dryer and heat up the crayons.

8.      Continue to heat the crayons until they are melted just the way you want.

You can easily customize it to whatever you want, by adding a phrase, quote, or a picture, making this gift a good one for a best friend.

Deck of Cards

Needed: A deck of cards, some string or yarn, and a hole puncher.

1.      List 52 reasons why that person is important to you.

2.      You can type them out and print it off or just write on the actual card with a sharpie.

3.      If you decide to type, make sure they are big enough to read, but can fit on the card.

4.      Glue or write your reasons onto the cards.

5.      Hole punch the cards.

6.      Run yarn or string through the holes and tie a pretty bow (sturdy enough not to come undone).

This is a great gift for a boyfriend, girlfriend or maybe even a friend. It gives exactly 52 reasons why that person means something to you. For most of us, sitting down and thinking of 52 reasons can be pretty difficult, so it makes the gift even more special.

 

Customizing the Small Things

Needed: Object to customize, items to do the decorating, hot glue, and time.

1.      Acquire something that means a lot to that person, like some headphones or a phone case.

2.      Now decorate the item you have acquired for that person. Use hot glue to customize it!

This project shows that you listen and pay attention to something small and customized it. You gave it that special something that makes it even more special. With headphones, you can get yarn or string and cover it, or take a black phone case and add studs or jewels.

Memory Box

Needed: A box and items of sentimental value to remind you of fond memories.

A memory box would consist of a box that has something from a meaningful memory in it, like your first trip to a beach together. You could put some seashells you collected that day. It could also just be full of memories, like ticket stubs from dates at the movies, sporting events or concerts. All you need is a box. A shoe box would work or you could get a nicer one from a local hobby store.

Photo Album

Needed: Photo album, pictures, glue, and accessories.

1.      Take all the pictures off your phone or camera and print them off.

2.      Arrange them how you want in the album.

3.      Glue or place the pictures down.

4.      Accessorize and decorate.

Thanks to camera phones a lot of people are talking a lot of pictures and selfies with their significant other! Well, this is a way to remember the times that were shared with each other and how your relationship and both individuals have progressed.

These are just a few ways that you could express your love or appreciation for someone, or even cool projects you could do for yourself. These projects show that you spent time making something very special for that person. It shows that you remember the good times and these projects could show how much you actually care for that other person. More ideas can be found through Google or on Pinterest, of course.

Animal crackers no more?

 

By: Josh Leach

 

Animal crackers have been a favorite childhood snack since the Nabisco Company began production in 1902.  However, the company may need to retire several of their iconic animal figures within the next 12 years.  Tigers, bears, hippos, elephants, giraffes, and lions are all either classified as endangered or threatened.  Environmentalists are witnessing a plummet in the populations of these animals.  Gone are the warnings of rare South American butterflies dying out, because the devastating effects of habitat destruction, over hunting, pollution, and climate change are now more apparent than ever as the most well known species face extinction.

Just how desperate are the world’s animals?  Well, the Giraffe Conservation Foundation has surveyed nine subspecies of giraffe.  Their populations span from the Masai giraffe at 37,000 to the West African giraffe at a mere 300.  According to National Geographic, “Only about 3,200 tigers can be found in the wild today—a far cry from the iconic cat's situation a century ago, when 100,000 tigers roamed vast stretches of the Asian continent.”  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service believes only 500 grizzly bears are currently living in North America.  Most shocking of all, only 250 lions are left in West Africa.  These animals are always the first to be introduced to young children, but soon they will no longer exist.

The vast majority of people in the world are ignorant of this oncoming disaster.  When asked how many tigers are living in the wild, Austin Hill said, “Around four million.”  He was close to the general consensus of Seckman students, which estimated the world’s tiger population at a million.  They were shocked to discover how close tigers actually are to extinction (only 3,200 left).  In fact, some biologists claim the genetic diversity in a population that small is simply too low for the species to recover.  Inbreeding has already become a huge issue in environmental preserves.  Hopefully, the probable extinction of these big cats will finally bring the severity of this situation to the attention of the public.

People are wondering how to prevent the continuation of the sixth mass extinction in the earth’s history.  Humans have accounted for the extinction of thousands of species since the beginning of civilization.  Josh Kurosz believes, “We should take whatever measures are necessary to conserve our vital resources.”  Ways to end this environmental catastrophe have been tiresomely repeated for over two centuries.  Plants and animals require space to live, and suburbanization has progressively eliminated forests and grasslands.  Furthermore, consumerism has destroyed rainforests to create disposable milk cartons, and mines have ripped into mountains to make soda cans.  Pollution is the greatest of all threats.  School buses emit 270 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer.  A student’s trip to school can release pounds of pollution.  Climate change has been responsible for four out of the five greatest extinctions in the planet’s history.  Carpooling, recycling, reusing materials, and countless other environmentally friendly options exist.

The future is up to everyone alive today.  The human race must redefine its place in the world.  If mankind continues to exert its will over the natural world, then there will soon be nothing left to lord over.  People must make up their minds on whether they want to live in a world completely bare of natural beauty.  Will animal crackers be the only thing left to remind future generations of what they have lost?