Romantic movies in America



 

By: Autumn Hill

 

            Romantic movies have been around since the invention of movies, and romance has always been an audience favorite. According to amctv.com, “Whether it’s about a long distance relationship or a stranger who walks into the protagonist’s life, anyone can relate to romance.”

Sleepless in Seattle is a modern classic romance and a perfect example of a long distance romance between two people who fall in love with one another. Though they haven’t met, they relate to each other’s struggles. A Walk to Remember portrays a different type of relationship, where the protagonists are totally different from one another yet they fall in love.

Romantic movies have been favored for a very long time. According to imbd.com, one of the top movie websites, romantic movies are exciting because of what the protagonist(s) goes through in the process of trying to get through struggles in life. Whether their love interest(s) gets in the way or disappears for a while, they keep you interested in the story. The website adds, “In the celluloid world of romantic comedies, shy but decent men get the girl, arguments set up sweet reconciliations, and couples separated by tragedy are always reunited through improbable coincidence.”

Romantic comedies normally don’t exactly mirror similar relationships in real life. Maybe that’s why most women love a good romantic movie. Romantic movies are easy to get lost in, because they often portray men who don’t give up too easily on the girl they are with. In the end, romantic movies may make us cry, smile, and sit there with our hopes high for the girl or boy trying to pursue the person of his or her dreams. Romantic movies have always been favored for that reason.

Bring or buy?

By: Brad Tripp

It’s 11:45a.m and the bell rings.  Students from what seems like nowhere appear, their eyes wide, mouths watering, and all they want is food. They grab a cafeteria tray and the food is now within inches of their fingers. The food is then paid for and consumed. What did they just buy? How healthy was it? Is the American lunch program good or bad? Here’s a look:

 

History:

In 1946, the 79^th U.S Congress started to look more closely at the things public schools needed, like equipment and food to feed the students. According to the United States’ Department of Agriculture, this is when President Harry Truman put into effect the National School Lunch Program. The take off of this program was slow, but it was eventually authorized by Congress and any equipment, food or space needed would be provided to feed the students (if the school hadn’t the funds for it). In some cases, this is still in effect, but requires pay back.

Nutrition:

How good is the food being served to the students today? According to the Massachusetts Department of Secondary and Elementary Education, “all food brought in for the school lunch program must meet all federal requirements in order to be served in schools.” The most current dietary guidelines for Americans instruct that the food served in schools includes no more than 30% of our dietary fats be saturated and 10% unsaturated fats and no more than 30% of your daily protein, vitamin C, vitamin A, protein, calcium and calories.

Changes:

As time has moved on, what changes have we seen in the lunch programs? These changes include better nutrition and meal size in school lunches. However, many think the proportions aren’t big enough. Why is this? Michelle Obama has worked to put in place guidelines for school lunches nationwide, which will try to save money and still provide proper nutrition. Included with this, schools were only to serve diet sodas. This is because it helps to limit fats and sugar and, hopefully, aid in combatting childhood obesity.  Some schools are just ignoring this program, claiming that it is unworkable. According to newsmax.com, some schools are beginning to lose money trying to meet the new guidelines, so they’re resorting back to the old means of feeding the students.

Bring or Buy?:

So, should lunches be brought or bought? This depends if the person is getting the nutrition and fullness they desire. For instance, it’s better to bring for more food, nutrition and control over what is consumed. However, this may not be the most cost effective means of lunch. The average price of a school lunch ranges from free to $3.00 a day. It can be tough to spend less than that if you’re bringing your own food.

 

 Some lunches may not look so good, but they do meet standards of the federal government. Whether you prefer this or making your own lunch, it’s your decision.



The problem(s) with processed food

By: Brad Tripp

Lying on the couch, you get bored, which makes you a bit hungry. Instead of preparing a nice lunch, you decide to order some fries and munch on them until dinner. The fries go down your throat and then to your stomach. What happens next? Well, the food is further digested and then circulated through the blood. Depending on what you just ate, this can lead to clogged arteries and, eventually, death. This is one of the main problems with fatty, fast and fried food.

When you sit down at the dinner table, what do you see? Food loaded with fats and salts, straight out of a box, or a meal of balanced nutrition that wasn’t unfrozen 20 minutes ago? To many people, food should be fast and easy, but in the long run is that making us faster or slowing us down and harming us to near fatal consequences?

According to jonbarron.org, a site that examines the impact of fast food, on average, (between 2007 and 2010), 10% of American overall meal intake was fast food. What, exactly, is fast food? This is food from any restaurant that fries food to make it fast for a quick meal and often on the go. How bad is this for you? The little bit of extra fat and calories can add quite a few pounds after a while, which can lead to diabetes, clogged arties or even death when eaten regularly.

Alright, now picture yourself walking down the aisle of a market. What are the main things you see in your cart? Do you see more fruits and vegetables, or out of the box, processed goods? According to market place.org, over 70% of Americans’ annual food intake is “processed,” or factory made food. Is this good for us? No. The flavors may be delicious, but, according to marketplace.org, in all of our pre-made food there is in excess of over 5000 different additives added. All of these additives have various (mostly negative) impacts on our health. Believe it or not, not all ingredients have to be revealed to the FDA (Federal Department of Agriculture), so next time you take a bite of a cookie from the store, think of what might have been added to make it that good. 

When you eat, think about where it comes from. From a fryer to a conveyor belt, you never know exactly what is in that burger or processed snack. Single ingredient, non- processed, food choices (fruits, vegetables, etc.) are not only simple and quick, but typically much healthier than processed snacks. With each bite, it never hurts to wonder, is this really helping or harming me?



Top five road trips to take with friends

By: Peter Lewis

Since the automobile became widely commercially available to the American public, the American love for the automobile began and it has been going strong ever since.  As the automobile became popular, so did traveling the roads and highways being created.  With all this, many have become interested in road trips for the exploration, freedom, bonding, and the adventure.  Luckily, the US has some very good road trips for you and your friends to see the country like you’ve most likely never seen before.  Keep in mind, road trips take serious planning and commitment, but are some of the greatest experiences in the end.  Listed are the five top road trips in the US that a group can take together.

 

5. The Great River Road

 

This famous route is not technically a single road, rather a collection of roads and highways that you can choose to travel along the Mississippi River, starting from either the Gulf of Mexico or Lake Itasca in Minnesota.  Covering the ten states that boarder the river, the total mileage you could chose to travel can be anywhere from 1,300 to 2,500 miles.  You will go directly through the major US cities such as St. Louis, Memphis, Baton Rouge, and Minneapolis, as well as numerous cultural areas, hills, and the Mississippi River Basin.   Though a lot of industry exists on the route, the other views are well worth an extened drive.  Those who have traveled the numerous possible routes say this is the best way to live Mark Twain’s “Huckleberry Finn” and is one of the greatest driving experiences possible.

 

4.  Appalachian Trail

 

While the Appalachian Trail is primarily known as a great hiking destination, it also isn’t a surprisingly great road trip to take if hiking is your strong suit.  This route is primarily a two lane road that from Georgia to Maine and has 2,168 miles to view and explore.  The Appalachian Trail’s strongest selling point is its views, plus cutting through numerous national and state parks along the way gives many reasons to have a longer trip and not drive as much and take in the surroundings.  While the route can easily get you to New York City, Washington DC, and Philadelphia to explore, it’s advised by many to stick to the route to get the full experience and save time; however, if you have the time and desire this route may be perfect for a group.

 

3.  Pacific Coast Highway

 

When many think of the Pacific Coast, their minds often wonder to visions of palm tree beaches, surfing, unimaginable beach life, and California. This, however, doesn’t even come close to what this area has to offer and the Pacific Coast Highway proves it.  Only traveling through three states, California, Oregon, and Washington with its famous routes totaling an impressive 1,150 miles. For sites seers, this route offers mountain slopes and rises, beaches, wilderness, and parkland that can allow you to participate in numerous outdoor activities, all along the route.  If you’re into seeing cities, the Pacific Coast Highway will allow you to drive directly into Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego, with all their surrounding areas at your disposal.  With the west coast, the weather is usually great year round, but this is a prime summer trip for any group.

 

2. Atlantic Coast Highway

 

Like the Pacific Coast Highway, The Atlantic Coast Highway travels the Atlantic Ocean from Florida to New York as its set route; but, if you want, you can easily continue up to Maine to get the full experience.  Not taking the infamous I-95, but the two lane country roads that make this route possible, the mileage will clock in around 2,000 miles or more, depending on what you wish to do on this true adventure.  Starting in Key West, the route will take you to some of the US’ most iconic cities like, Miami, West Palm Beach, Daytona, Savannah, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Virginia Beach, Ocean City, Atlantic City, and New York City.  This route will easily have something to offer everyone, from historic sites, culture, or things to do. 

 

1.  Route 66       

 

  Without a doubt the undisputed king of the American road trips, Route 66 is the road trip everyone with a passion for road trips need to take.  This route of classic Americana travels from Chicago to Los Angeles, passes through eight states, and goes for over 2000 miles.  Traveling through major US cities, small town America, the plains, the desert, and the California hills, this route is the best way to see some of the best days of the US’ history.  Over eighty percent of the original road still exists and many original diners and motels on the route still survive to this day and continue to thrive, so the authenticity is still there, which gives the route its iconic identity.

Seckman High School hosts Seventh Annual Heroes' Breakfast

By: Janice House

Seckman High School and Seckman Middle School came together on Monday, November 11, 2013, to honor the heroes of the community with a Veteran’s Day Breakfast.  The guests included veterans, policemen, firemen, EMTs, spouses, and friends.  Students, staff, and community volunteers worked together to make the ceremony a huge success.  Boy Scout Troop 744 presented and retired the colors.  Girl Scout Troop 3533 said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang God Bless America.  Various classes, clubs, and organizations at Seckman High, Seckman Middle, and Seckman Elementary schools helped to create posters, thank you notes, and many other decorations for the table settings.  The gym and hallway were decorated in patriotic colors.

            The ceremony included a breakfast, as well as musical selections from the SHS and SMS choirs and bands.  Three guest speakers, Mr. Richard Simpson, Mr. Walter Crawford from the World Bird Sanctuary, and Mr. Al Cochren from Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, spoke to the guests.   All heroes that attended the ceremony were recognized with a hero certificate, medal of honor, and a thank you card.  The heroes’ spouses were also recognized during the ceremony in honor of their support.  “Taps” was played by Garrett Thomas, an SHS student, and guests watched a video played by the SMS student body to say thank you for what our heroes have done and do every day in our country.  The ceremony concluded with a walk of honor led by the color guard through the SHS gym, which was filled with 2000 students waving flags and cheering as the heroes walked through.  Through the combined efforts of Seckman High School, Seckman Middle School, and members in the community, the Seventh Annual Heroes’ Breakfast proudly recognized the men and women who serve(d) our country.