Going to the Derby…
By Tevor Truex, Staff Writer
Steam and gasoline flew as cars crashed into the dirt barrier separating the blaring fans from the metal fusing-action. On May 9, Logan City held a demolition derby. This demolition derby had no cowards just circulating around; this was just an all-out war with great performances from all drivers. It was a sight to see the cars, pretty much just rusted over, bent up metal, plowing into one another. Driver’s heads moved from side to side, like bobble heads on a Santa’s stomach as he laughs.
Saturday around 7 p.m. cars started their engines and began to destroy one another in a three round elimination process. Every round started with six vehicles and ended with just one top dog going to the final round to claim the $1000 prize for the 1st place winner.
The first round started off with a bang as early hits were made, causing one car to spit out steam and go into the barrier while others connected as if they were box cars on a train only to be separated by another car making a huge hit. Though this round’s battle ended in the barrier, it was a close match.
After that came the second round where one driver drove a mini coop into a fray of old-town cars. It was tossed around like a rag doll and almost surpassed the dirt barrier when another brown car smashed into its side. One car looked like it was going to take all, sporting yellow paint and a large pirate-looking flag. However, it was also taken out in the beginning of the round and into the dirt barrier.
Finally, came third round with some good hits but nobody really going into the barrier. A lot of the brawling round occurred in the center of the ring. Many cars were intertwined in this round giving less of a spectacle and not as many hits to cheer for, but all the same, there were no cowards running around the ring like chickens with their heads cut off.
Demolition derbies, though fun to watch on the TV, are a blast to watch in person with all the gut-wrenching, near-death action. Though in your gut you don’t want to watch the drivers’ bodies bounce around in their cars, these events are once-in-a-lifetime experiences. There will be demolition derbies to come. Please check Logan City’s event calendar for the next one.
Just Keeping it Clean
By Brett Salisbury
The body has approximately 50,000 bacteria per square inch. The hands come in contact with more foreign objects by touching doorknobs, telephones, toilet seats and handles, shaking hands and by getting sneezed into or coughed upon. Of course, we can eliminate some of these germs by washing our hands. Unfortunately, not many people take advantage of this opportunity to eradicate germs.
As you enter the bathroom and observe people coming out of the bathroom stalls, how many of them wash their hands? And of those who do go to the sinks, how many actually use soap to wash their hands and then dry them? Chances are good that not many do.
In a study done by the American Society for Microbiology, only 2/3 of all Americans wash their hands with soap and water and dry them after going to the bathroom. That means that of the approximate 303,824,640 people in America, approximately 101,274,880 aren’t getting to the sinks after they finish with their trip to the toilet.
Not only is not washing your hands unsanitary to you, but also to those around you. Every time you shake someone’s hand, pat them on the back, or a touch a community object, you pass your germs. Most people aren’t too fond of being touched by piddle ridden hands.
As Stefan Shwaery, junior, so passionately put, “It’s freakin’ gross! When I see someone not washing their hands I think of the word gross.”
Don’t stop with the hand washing at the toilets, though. You should wash your hands often to avoid getting sick. Disinfecting your hands after your use of the latrine is only one time. You should wash your hands after touching animals, handling garbage and raw meats, blowing your nose and treating a wound.
Now you may ask, “How do you get your hands cleaned properly, then?” According to the Mayo Clinic, you should first wet your hands with running water. You then should apply soap to your damp hands and make sure to lather well. Rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds. Keep in mind to scrub all surfaces of your hands. Then rinse your hands thoroughly. And finally, you should dry your hands with a clean towel or air dryer.
Now that you know how and when to wash your hands, go out and make the world a cleaner place by stopping the spread of those nasty germs. Be considerate of others and the fact that not washing your hands does not only affect you. Let’s not make people think of the word gross by not washing our hands. Remember, he/she who maintains cleanliness keeps away disease.
Witch Hunt Mania
By Seth Hummiston, Staff Writer
Warning: Much sarcasm in article, do not be insulted if you are a Wal-Mart greeter or have Wal-Mart greeter affiliations
In the safety of the Rocky Mountains, Cache Valley is isolated from certain influences such as tornadoes, foreigners, and culture. However blessed we are by such isolation, it is also a curse. The very mountains that hold the dangers of the outside world out, also hold us in and make us a very secluded people.
Seclusion has a habit of bringing out the most suspicious parts of human nature. When locked safely away from the world, the citizens of Salem Village managed to convince themselves that witches were in their midst, as was proven when odd neighbors refused to float like normal people in the river.
Theodore Kaczynski, when cut off from the world, grew suspicious and frightened of other people and like any other sane person, decided to get rid of people. Similarly, witch hunt mania is coming to Logan.
At some point many of us have wondered why Wal-Mart seems to hire only the creepiest of people as greeters. Many of us have also noticed that the Logan City seems to attract a strange crowd from the outside world, if movies made before the 1995 release of Toy Story are to be believed, these outsiders are all evil and may even be part of one large diabolical plot. Whether it is the wart on the nose, the hunched backs, or the general feeling that these people each have a voodoo doll of you, there is something that just doesn’t sit right about greeters and outsiders.
There are a number of oddities about Cache Valley that could be caused by these people in their heathen practices. These oddities can be observed by the facts that there is always someone else on your block that has a greener lawn, our roads acquire potholes in the most inconvenient of locations, and for some unexplained reason Cache Valley residents tend to vote republican.
There can be only one solution to the possession of Logan by witches; we need to hunt them out. As citizens we can watch our neighbors closely for irregularities in their routine. If someone seems odd to you, it is your responsibility to monitor that person so that your neighbors don’t get turned into voodoo dolls or toads.
If indeed we have been infiltrated by these heathen influences we need to purge Cache Valley of the evils that they bring. We need to burn the evil out of those in tune with the devils and crush confessions out of those possessed. As a community Cache Valley citizens need to find the witches and see to it that they stop working their evil upon us. We need to decide now before it becomes too late, so we will not be possessed.
Movie Review: The Last Song
By Alice Aldenhoff, Staff Writer
Take two teenagers, Ronnie and Will, let them meet over the summer at the ocean in Georgia and make a love story out of it. That sounds like the base of a cheesy chick flick, which “The Last Song” is.
The previously convicted Ronnie comes with her brother from New York to stay with her divorced father in Georgia over the summer. Wandering madly around the beach, she meets Will, and because of Will’s consistency they come together. But the cheesy story gets dramatic when they find out Ronnie’s dad is sick and Will’s family doesn’t accept her as his girlfriend.
The fact that Disney-star Miley Cyrus plays the rebelling main character ‘Ronnie’ made me skeptical about it because it was hard to imagine that crazy, spoiled Hannah Montana was able to play in a serious, sensitive movie is based on a bestseller of chick-lit writer Nicolas Sparks.
Now that I’ve seen it, I recommend the movie for people who like to cry because tears in your eyes are guaranteed. But still, the movie is not nearly as good as the book “The Last Song” by Nicolas Sparks. Exceeding your imagination from the book is probably impossible.
A Teacher’s Right To Free Speech
By Kellianne Smith, Staff Writer
Earlier this month, a teacher from Ogden High School, Mr. Johnson, was asked to cover his tattoos while at work. He claimed that this infringed upon his right to express himself. However, the school board stated that his tattoos were distracting and unprofessional.
Mr. Johnson’s tattoos are not objectionable. He does not have any satanic symbols imbedded in his skin, but he has many Star Wars tattoos that represent his son. Should he be allowed to show these in a classroom?
As high school students, we are asked to abide by a dress code. The Logan High School dress code says nothing about students needing to hide visible tattoos. Should tattoos be allowed to be seen on a teacher? Or does the school board have the right to discriminate against ink?
In the professional world, no matter where you work, you will be asked to dress appropriately. If you work at Subway, for example, you are only allowed to have one piercing in each ear. If you have others, you will be asked to remove them while at work, but a tattoo cannot be removed quite so easily. If you have visible tattoos, most employers will ask you to cover them while at your place of work, and they have the right to do this. But is it ethical?
While some may say that a teacher’s tattoos can distract a student from learning at the highest capacity, tattoos are a part of our society that has become a common sight. Students may be distracted for a day or so, but once they adjust, they will not be spending all of their time staring at the ink someone has placed on their own body. For the most part, students are responsible enough to pay attention to the whiteboard or the lecture being taught, not the teacher's appearance.
Teachers should maintain a professional appearance, but they should also be allowed to express themselves. Teachers are placed into our classrooms not only to teach, but to inspire students. If we do not allow our teachers to express themselves, then they will only inspire their students to become closed shells with their ties and dresses. If a teacher is allowed to express him or herself, they can better relate to their students.
Healthy self expression is a necessity for the “real world” we will grow to become a part of. Whether you choose to express yourself through the clothes you wear, the way you style your hair, or even the tattoos you have chosen to wear, you need to express yourself in a way that is right for you.
To Mr. Johnson: wear your tattoos loud and proud. You're teaching your students that they do not have to accept things as they are. You may lose your job, but you'll remain a hero to all of those students who have had the opportunity to sit in your classroom and learn more than English from you.
Global Warming: An Event with Disasterous Consequences
By Tina Kasin, Staff Writer
On the Millennium Challenges list, climate change is decidedly the most important issue. Should the forecasts by the UN's Climate Panel come true, every single one of these other ”challenges” will be enhanced by the effects of global warming, and in turn, climate change. In other words, every problem will worsen, which demonstrates that carbon emissions are a key factor to people's health, happiness and well-being, especially in the already less developed countries. The worst predictions raise the question of human survival, which reitrate that climate change is the number one threat and issue at hand. To demonstrate the enhancing effects climate change has on the other issues on the list, I've chosen to highlight the consequences in regards to fresh water shortages.
The human body is entirely dependent on a continuous access to fresh water. Water flushes out toxins and leftover parts of the food we ingest. It also regulates body temperature. It fullfills two of the needs most important for survival after breathing and blood circulation, and that is why we cannot survive for more than approximately three days without water; a week maximum. The fact that a large percentage of the world's 6.8 billion inhabitants do not have regular access to clean water is highly concerning. The effects of an alleged global warming and climate change would therefore be critical, as several of the world's fresh water reservoirs are highly dependent on a certain air temperature, as they often stem from melting glaciers. The largest, and for many people, the only source of water in the world's most populous region, Central-Asia, is water from the glaciers of the Himalayas. Climate change brought on by global warming would render billions without clean water, which in turn would cause mass-migration; causing the rest to feel the consequences too. As you might have guessed, it is critical for the word to deal with these problems, of which we are already beginning to see effects.
A shift in air-temperature, some argue, could make it rain more, not less, and therefore the connection between global warming and water shortage is redundant. The first part of this argument is indeed accurate, but the second is flawed. While it would rain more in the already wet regions, leaving them even wetter and more hazardous, the dry regions would become drier because of evaporation of the soil-moisture. This would be a catastrophe of epic proportions, as billions would suffer from widespread thirst, whereas people in other parts of the world would struggle to keep their heads above water.
Water shortage will be an increasing problem, regardless of actions taken to prevent it, if we do not make big cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. The West has for a long time, actually since the industrial revolution in Great Britain during the mid-seventeen hundreds, been given a pass for their actions, and in some cases, crimes against the Earth and Mother Nature. It looks like we will once again escape from the natural consequences, at least for now.
Demanding big cuts from developing nations because they are using outdated and polluting equipment, while the U.S. and other wealthy countries would not have to reduce the standard of living for their inhabitants, is both ridiculous and morally despicable. We have to make cuts, even if it might affect our grotesquely high standard of living. If we are to demand anything from developing nations, we should pick up the check. They deserve it. We've been living life's party now for 250 years, and it's our turn to give something back.
A Different Approach to Dances
By Trevor Truex, Staff Writer
It’s 7 o’clock. You’ve just reached your date’s house, and all of the sudden you’re at the bottom of some stairs or in a family room with every member of her family around you. Naturally, you’re thinking… Why, why is she not ready? Five minutes later she makes her way to where you are, looking amazingly beautiful.
This tends to be the usual scene every time one of our fancy school dances comes around. Guys, have you ever considered how long those elaborate hair-do’s take to style? I did, and in my curiosity, I decided I wanted to see exactly how long and what else goes into getting ready for school dances on the girls’ part.
I first needed to ask girls some important questions. Why do you go through so much? Is putting on all that make-up on or doing your hair annoying? Then, I went to all my female sources and inquired of them. “It takes around an hour and a half to two hours to do my hair and make-up,” junior Kirsten Johnson casually expressed.
Taking a long time is nothing new, but that’s not always their problem. “Sometimes half way through, your hair just doesn’t want to stay curled and it will fall down,” said Hayley Kanski, a senior talking about what bothered her about going to dances.
When explaining why a lot of girls go through getting make-up and hair ready dance, after dance Lia Bogoev stated, “Dances are a really big deal in Logan.”
“We do it to impress the guys,” Kirsten Johnson said in closing.
In my search for more answers I, unfalteringly, decided to be a human guinea pig I was basically going to dress in drag. I made a call to Jackie Sellers, a senior at LHS, and asked if she wouldn’t mind putting make-up on me and doing my hair. I want the works when I go into anything this drastic.
So, on Saturday the 17th, we got together. From personal experience, mascara is a pain in the butt, and curling your hair can be terribly painful as well. It took around an hour and twenty minutes and every minute tested my patience. The most annoying thing for me, though, would have to be the eye liner that girls put on. Poking my eye out was not fun at all.
Just remember guys, when you are in the most uncomfortable position sitting with her father remember your date is getting burned by a curling iron, poking her eyes out with eye liner, and putting annoying make-up on to impress you, the guy. Thus, they are just as uncomfortable as you are.
Fashion Through the Decades
By Chloe Kirkman, Staff Writer
Fashion has been considered a form of expression for years, but there are trends that last for longer period of time than others. Decades have been characterized by certain styles popular at that time. Decades have also been reduced to themes for parties, dances, etc. Rather than being known for political policies put into place, often times decades can be known for the clothes worn by the masses at that time. The cause of the passing trends are more likely to be the accessibility of particular styles, the demographics of society and what is considered to be appropriate for young people of the time. Even the last fifty years have shown the diversity in fashion trends that can take place in a short time.
The fifties were characterized by the style portrayed in Grease. Complete with poodle skirts, cat-eye glasses, letterman jackets, white T-shirts and blue jeans. For those who didn’t want to fit into this style, typically known as “preppy,” the look of choice was called “beatnik.” This look is now more likely to be called “gothic,” but it was set apart by mostly black clothing.
As the sixties danced to newly emerging Rock n’ Roll, young people wore miniskirts, go-go boots and hot pants, all of which were loaded with color and sometimes even tie-dyed.
The sixties transferred easily into the seventies as hot pants turned into bell bottoms and the just-as-colorful glamorous looks took shape. Off-setting the glamorous look was the earthy tone the seventies took on. This decade was typified by corduroy, printed polyester and the mood ring.
The eighties certainly were a big change from prior styles. The eighties were the birth of the individuality movement in the clothing industry. Clothing was diversified by the styles that came with Rock n’ Roll, R&B and Pop music, all of which were in a high point in the eighties. Clothing was all about making a statement expressed by everything from shoulder pads to acid wash jeans to “MC Hammer” parachute pants.
Grunge took control of part of the populous in the nineties and the “ghetto fabulous” look took the other part. “Power bead” bracelets were a huge trend with the ability to express oneself through the meanings of the different colors. As music videos started focusing on “hot” girls and tough guys, the fashion industry began to follow with crop tops and so-called “wife beaters” for civilians trying to be like the “cool” people of the music videos.
Nowadays, people continually say “the eighties are coming back” or “the seventies are coming back,” but truthfully any look can be considered stylish. Vintage looks pull from earlier periods, lace is used in a truly eighties fashion, and the bohemian look pulls from the seventies. In the end, whatever style worn is fashionable, regardless of the time it’s pulled from, when following the fashion industry.
5 Ways to Relieve Stress
By Ashley Spillet, Staff Writer
With the end of the year coming fast, students seem to be irritable and stressed to the max. If you are included in this group of students, here are five ways to relieve stress and put you in a better mood.
- Get a good laugh in. Laugh at yourself for being so uptight or emotional. If you can’t see the humor in your life or the way you have been acting, laugh at someone else. There are plenty of comedic movies out there for your entertainment. If you need a quick comic relief, just visit YouTube.
- Listen to your favorite song or artist a few times. Nothing is better than singing along to your favorite song to make you feel dandy. If the music helps you, use it while doing your homework or other tasks. It will keep you calm and motivated to keep you doing your work.
- Take a power nap. You may feel overwhelmed and on the go constantly, so slow down. Power naps will give you more energy and a fresh outlook on your to do list.
- Get yourself organized and priorities straight. Figure out what needs to be done first and do it. Make sure to pace yourself; do not cram everything in at once.
- Take a walk. Go around the block a couple times. If you have a dog, take it with you. Fresh air and exercise will do your body good.
This list could go on there are a lot of ways to relieve stress. The point is, we have control over the way we handle stress. Don’t let it take over. Enjoy your crazy life!
Questions on Gender Roles
By Ashley Leavitt
Picture yourself walking down an isle at a toy store with you little brother or nephew. On the right there are Barbie dolls, princess dresses, talking babies and pink frilly tutus. On the left are remote control cars, Legos, G.I. Joes and plastic shot guns.
As you turn down the isle, your nephew/brother’s eyes light up and he immediately lets go of your hand and runs to the first baby doll he sees. He instantly picks up the baby doll, cradles it in his arms and rocks it. This action catches you off guard and leaves you with the dilemma of what to do. Do you let him play with the doll or try to redirect him towards the nice G.I. Joes or the “manly” guns?
Now picture yourself walking down the same isle with your little sister or niece, and she automatically runs to the plastic guns and starts pulling the trigger, making a popping noise each time she does. Would you react the same way to her as you did the boy?
Why is it that there are specific toys, certain clothes, and even colors for different genders? If a boy walks up to a toy that is specifically for girls and starts to play with it, people might judge him and assume that when he grows up he will be “gay” or a feminist, but when a girl walks up to toys for boys, then people assume that she will be tuff, or she simply just likes to play with G.I. Joes and Barbies.
There shouldn’t be toys, colors, or certain clothes that must fit just to one gender. Boys should be able to feel comfortable wearing a pink shirt, just like a girl would if she was wearing a tie. Dressing or playing with certain things does not set in stone how a child will turn out as an adult. The boy that has pink as his favorite color and plays with dolls might grow up to be a successful business man that is married with a family.
Everyone has favorites, whether it’s colors, toys, friends, or pets. The gender barrier should be lifted. How people dress, how they act, and what their color preference is can say things about them, but what people may perceive of this isn’t always right. So girls, when faced with the difficult decision, wear the tie, and boys wear that hot pink shirt.