V2-I3 Columns and Reviews
Tablets and laptops and iPhones, oh my!
By: Mat Scott
Kids are racking in the tech for Christmas, even though they’re barely knee-high! 6-year-olds are getting iPhones, 3-year-olds are getting tablets, young kids are begging Santa for a PS-4 and threatening to put a cat in the blender if they don’t get it! It’s kinda ridiculous. There is no good reason for a second-grader to have a Nokia Lumia 1020. There is no good reason for a two-year-old to have an iPad. There is no good reason for a 7-year-old to have a PS-4 and all of the “Call of Duty” games (which are rated “M for Mature,” by the way). So why, may I ask, is all of this stuff happening? Why are these things a reality? Why are there so many kids with higher levels of technology than juniors in high school? I know far too many kids in middle and primary school students who have iPhones or the like. I’ve had the same phone since 7th grade; it’s a Samsung Rogue, which at its time was a very nice phone, but has finally reached the end of its life. I'm getting a new one for Christmas, simply because mine no longer functions properly. Not because I feel the need to have the latest smartphone (my new one isn't a smartphone). Yet there are kids who get a new phone every time a new model comes out. And their parents buy them for Christmas and birthdays.
Think about how kids spend their time: texting, playing video games, watching TV, or something to that effect. Now also think about this: as soon as a new piece of technology comes out, the old one is forgotten and becomes obsolete. The Xbox that used to be the primary mode of entertainment fades to the background as the new one comes out. The newest version of the iPhone comes out, and kids are begging their parents to get them a new phone when they have a perfectly good one at home, some even going so far as to “lose” or break their current phone. It’s a ridiculous sense of entitlement that results in a tremendous waste of money and a new product to start the cycle again.
Now, I’m not trying to eat Christmas or anything, but I think it’s not a good thing that this kind of stuff keeps happening. Kids get in the mindset that all they have to do is ask for something and they will get it. Christmas becomes the opportunity to be the owner of latest and greatest technology, and that’s all some kids can focus on. They completely forget about giving to others, or, hey! the whole thing about Christmas being the day of the birth of Jesus, in their lust for digital mastery. Oh, and did I mention that all of the apps and games they buy are completely virtual, and they can be changed, edited, or even deleted at any time? A simple system error can result in loss of anything that was on the device, which translates into, once again, wasted money.
Tablets can have some function for school; a student who uses their tablet or laptop for schoolwork has a reason to have one. But what third-grader is assigned research projects that they can’t do at home with the help of a parent? Unlimited screen time for children has the potential to result in neglect for other aspects of life, including homework, physical activity, family time, and even behavioral issues. Not to mention the blurring of lines of what is right and wrong when kids get their hands on Grand Theft Auto and forget that swearing at your parents is not the best of ideas.
Also, giving kids unlimited access to the World Wide Web is a scary thought. You can find anything – literally anything – on the Internet, and there’s most certainly things on there that kids shouldn’t be able to access. And with kids in some cases being more technologically savvy than parents, parental controls are easily circumvented. Plus, there are the problems of viruses, personal information, and money being put out there.
So before you buy your six-year-old an iPad, think what purpose it’ll really have.
Mat Scott ('15) is the News editor and Web Designer for The Viking Vault.
By: Mat Scott
Kids are racking in the tech for Christmas, even though they’re barely knee-high! 6-year-olds are getting iPhones, 3-year-olds are getting tablets, young kids are begging Santa for a PS-4 and threatening to put a cat in the blender if they don’t get it! It’s kinda ridiculous. There is no good reason for a second-grader to have a Nokia Lumia 1020. There is no good reason for a two-year-old to have an iPad. There is no good reason for a 7-year-old to have a PS-4 and all of the “Call of Duty” games (which are rated “M for Mature,” by the way). So why, may I ask, is all of this stuff happening? Why are these things a reality? Why are there so many kids with higher levels of technology than juniors in high school? I know far too many kids in middle and primary school students who have iPhones or the like. I’ve had the same phone since 7th grade; it’s a Samsung Rogue, which at its time was a very nice phone, but has finally reached the end of its life. I'm getting a new one for Christmas, simply because mine no longer functions properly. Not because I feel the need to have the latest smartphone (my new one isn't a smartphone). Yet there are kids who get a new phone every time a new model comes out. And their parents buy them for Christmas and birthdays.
Think about how kids spend their time: texting, playing video games, watching TV, or something to that effect. Now also think about this: as soon as a new piece of technology comes out, the old one is forgotten and becomes obsolete. The Xbox that used to be the primary mode of entertainment fades to the background as the new one comes out. The newest version of the iPhone comes out, and kids are begging their parents to get them a new phone when they have a perfectly good one at home, some even going so far as to “lose” or break their current phone. It’s a ridiculous sense of entitlement that results in a tremendous waste of money and a new product to start the cycle again.
Now, I’m not trying to eat Christmas or anything, but I think it’s not a good thing that this kind of stuff keeps happening. Kids get in the mindset that all they have to do is ask for something and they will get it. Christmas becomes the opportunity to be the owner of latest and greatest technology, and that’s all some kids can focus on. They completely forget about giving to others, or, hey! the whole thing about Christmas being the day of the birth of Jesus, in their lust for digital mastery. Oh, and did I mention that all of the apps and games they buy are completely virtual, and they can be changed, edited, or even deleted at any time? A simple system error can result in loss of anything that was on the device, which translates into, once again, wasted money.
Tablets can have some function for school; a student who uses their tablet or laptop for schoolwork has a reason to have one. But what third-grader is assigned research projects that they can’t do at home with the help of a parent? Unlimited screen time for children has the potential to result in neglect for other aspects of life, including homework, physical activity, family time, and even behavioral issues. Not to mention the blurring of lines of what is right and wrong when kids get their hands on Grand Theft Auto and forget that swearing at your parents is not the best of ideas.
Also, giving kids unlimited access to the World Wide Web is a scary thought. You can find anything – literally anything – on the Internet, and there’s most certainly things on there that kids shouldn’t be able to access. And with kids in some cases being more technologically savvy than parents, parental controls are easily circumvented. Plus, there are the problems of viruses, personal information, and money being put out there.
So before you buy your six-year-old an iPad, think what purpose it’ll really have.
Mat Scott ('15) is the News editor and Web Designer for The Viking Vault.
How to Survive Holiday Gift Receiving
Everyone loves the holidays, right? Well of course. Who wouldn’t love getting gnarly
gifts and praising our Holy Lord and Savior with our lengthy wish list of gifts?
It’s always a grand time seeing your beloved extended family once a year. Especially
when you can relive your great-uncle Chad’s Vietnam War stories every year around the toasty fire. There is one downside to this cherished family time though, the gifts. From past experiences it seems to me that they enter the holidays with a “white elephant gift every year” mindset. I mean, I really do cherish the light-up Rudolph sweater from my great-aunt Bertha every year, but there’s only so much holiday cheer I can sport year after year. Now granted, everyone has that cool, eggnog loving Uncle Dave who gets you a classy “Romney or Bust” and “Republican’t” bumper sticker for your eco-friendly Toyota Camry. I know we all love these gifts but sometimes you have to put an end to the monotony of the "'tis the season terrorists."
You can’t enter the verbal encounter with a mean mindset. Take the sentence “Wow grandma, your gift giving ideas are almost as dry as that store bought turkey you made”; yeah, that’s not cool. One, you make a 75 year old woman cry, two, your family will resent you (I know it sounds just terrible) and three, you blow your chance of ever making progress of getting a better, more desirable gift. Try to ease into it, maybe spark up the topic while you help her prepare the green bean casserole on Thanksgiving or maybe when you’re making pumpkin pie during Halloween. The key is to get them to realize you’re growing into a fine young adult and the only gift we want is one thing; money. We can do so much more with twenty bucks than we can with some nice thermal underwear. We can buy books for our education, pay for dates that could land us a desirable partner, put it towards to college to help alleviate the crippling debt that ensues, or who knows, just save it for a rainy day. Now don’t get me wrong I appreciate every gift I receive, I would just rather have something I will use, much like you do.
What you want to do is go into each holiday gathering with an open mind. If you go into
things with a negative attitude the world will repay you with negative things. So instead of
pouting and preparing for the worst, be cheery and hope for the best. Who knows, that attitude adjustment could be the difference between an “Ultimate Guide to Scrapbooking and Craft” with a fourteen page foreword from Barbara Walters or a simple Hooters gift card.
So fellow adolescents, take heed in the words I say and this possibly a holiday season for
the memories. Good luck out there.
Trevor "The Truth" White ('15) is the Reviews Editor for The Viking Vault.
Everyone loves the holidays, right? Well of course. Who wouldn’t love getting gnarly
gifts and praising our Holy Lord and Savior with our lengthy wish list of gifts?
It’s always a grand time seeing your beloved extended family once a year. Especially
when you can relive your great-uncle Chad’s Vietnam War stories every year around the toasty fire. There is one downside to this cherished family time though, the gifts. From past experiences it seems to me that they enter the holidays with a “white elephant gift every year” mindset. I mean, I really do cherish the light-up Rudolph sweater from my great-aunt Bertha every year, but there’s only so much holiday cheer I can sport year after year. Now granted, everyone has that cool, eggnog loving Uncle Dave who gets you a classy “Romney or Bust” and “Republican’t” bumper sticker for your eco-friendly Toyota Camry. I know we all love these gifts but sometimes you have to put an end to the monotony of the "'tis the season terrorists."
You can’t enter the verbal encounter with a mean mindset. Take the sentence “Wow grandma, your gift giving ideas are almost as dry as that store bought turkey you made”; yeah, that’s not cool. One, you make a 75 year old woman cry, two, your family will resent you (I know it sounds just terrible) and three, you blow your chance of ever making progress of getting a better, more desirable gift. Try to ease into it, maybe spark up the topic while you help her prepare the green bean casserole on Thanksgiving or maybe when you’re making pumpkin pie during Halloween. The key is to get them to realize you’re growing into a fine young adult and the only gift we want is one thing; money. We can do so much more with twenty bucks than we can with some nice thermal underwear. We can buy books for our education, pay for dates that could land us a desirable partner, put it towards to college to help alleviate the crippling debt that ensues, or who knows, just save it for a rainy day. Now don’t get me wrong I appreciate every gift I receive, I would just rather have something I will use, much like you do.
What you want to do is go into each holiday gathering with an open mind. If you go into
things with a negative attitude the world will repay you with negative things. So instead of
pouting and preparing for the worst, be cheery and hope for the best. Who knows, that attitude adjustment could be the difference between an “Ultimate Guide to Scrapbooking and Craft” with a fourteen page foreword from Barbara Walters or a simple Hooters gift card.
So fellow adolescents, take heed in the words I say and this possibly a holiday season for
the memories. Good luck out there.
Trevor "The Truth" White ('15) is the Reviews Editor for The Viking Vault.
Fashion advice:
Christmas edition
McKenzie: What is one of the best parts of the holidays? CHRISTMAS SWEATERS!
Trevor James White: Christmas sweater are becoming such a crappy trend in the music industry it actually makes me ill. The last thing I want during the holidays is to see some “partycore” metal kid wearing an Attila sweater with two deer having romantic relations pictured on the front.
McKenzie: But think of all the other types of Christmas sweaters. Snoopy with tangled lights, Santa and presents galore, and Christmas trees with actual Christmas lights sewn in.
Trevor James White: I’m going to have to disagree again. Snoopy is just a poor excuse for your dysfunctional family to pretend to like each other to “enjoy” and Christmas classic which you probably couldn’t care less about.
McKenzie: But think of how alternative it is. No one will be as ironic or edgy as you. Christmas sweaters put you above all others. This holiday season, wear a Christmas sweater and be super indie.
Trevor James White: Christmas sweater are becoming such a crappy trend in the music industry it actually makes me ill. The last thing I want during the holidays is to see some “partycore” metal kid wearing an Attila sweater with two deer having romantic relations pictured on the front.
McKenzie: But think of all the other types of Christmas sweaters. Snoopy with tangled lights, Santa and presents galore, and Christmas trees with actual Christmas lights sewn in.
Trevor James White: I’m going to have to disagree again. Snoopy is just a poor excuse for your dysfunctional family to pretend to like each other to “enjoy” and Christmas classic which you probably couldn’t care less about.
McKenzie: But think of how alternative it is. No one will be as ironic or edgy as you. Christmas sweaters put you above all others. This holiday season, wear a Christmas sweater and be super indie.
Fashion advice:
Teacher edition
Trevor- Now, if you’re like me then you probably think the everyday teacher attire gets monotonous and boring. It would be nice if things got spiced up a bit, ya know? Who wouldn’t want to see Mr. Wentz in acid washed denim jeans and a Reel Big Fish t-shirt?
McKenzie- I couldn’t agree more, Trevor! If we could shake the outfits up a bit, students would pay way more attention to your lectures. Who likes snoring students interrupting your class!
Trevor- I tell you what, you put Mr. Bennett in a cutoff Rolling Stones shirt and his punk childhood jorts, theres no way I wouldn’t be looking at that all day.
McKenzie- Okay, now imagine Sned for a second. Pop a funky fedora, dark shaded glasses, and a string tie on that fresh dude. His lectures become 100% more interesting!
Trevor- I say we appoint a teacher the head of the teacher fashion club. And Ms. Carrie Baker has my vote because she seems to shake it up a bit from time to time with new threads.
McKenzie- And the vice president should be the beloved Junior English teacher, Mrs. Garee. With a pant overall and shoulder-less long sleeve tee, she would rock the school.
Trevor- If the teachers want to attract more attention, then they should dress up in their weekend threads.
McKenzie- With more hip and cool apparel, students would be more engaged in classes. So teachers, think it over and hopefully we’ll see you in some sick attire soon.
Trevor White ('15) is the review editor and a staff writer for the Viking Vault.
McKenzie Messer ('15) is the literary editor, columns editor, and a staff writer for the Viking Vault.
McKenzie- I couldn’t agree more, Trevor! If we could shake the outfits up a bit, students would pay way more attention to your lectures. Who likes snoring students interrupting your class!
Trevor- I tell you what, you put Mr. Bennett in a cutoff Rolling Stones shirt and his punk childhood jorts, theres no way I wouldn’t be looking at that all day.
McKenzie- Okay, now imagine Sned for a second. Pop a funky fedora, dark shaded glasses, and a string tie on that fresh dude. His lectures become 100% more interesting!
Trevor- I say we appoint a teacher the head of the teacher fashion club. And Ms. Carrie Baker has my vote because she seems to shake it up a bit from time to time with new threads.
McKenzie- And the vice president should be the beloved Junior English teacher, Mrs. Garee. With a pant overall and shoulder-less long sleeve tee, she would rock the school.
Trevor- If the teachers want to attract more attention, then they should dress up in their weekend threads.
McKenzie- With more hip and cool apparel, students would be more engaged in classes. So teachers, think it over and hopefully we’ll see you in some sick attire soon.
Trevor White ('15) is the review editor and a staff writer for the Viking Vault.
McKenzie Messer ('15) is the literary editor, columns editor, and a staff writer for the Viking Vault.
Spotlight on a substitute teacher
By Megan Hatfield
NORTHRIDGE- Northridge has brought new substitutes to fill in this year at the high school. One woman, Beth Cavadish, known as
"Ms. Beth" at school, is seen at Northridge almost weekly. Ms. Beth told me that subbing at Northridge "is a ball" and she loves it. Ms. Beth
is a big fan of all the aspects of Northridge. She says the kids are respectful,
the teachers are professional, the school is nice, and Ms. Anderson keeps things
in order.
Before Ms. Beth started subbing, she was in sales. She has retired from the
sales world, and decided to sub because she says it gets her thinking again, she
enjoys it, and she likes to bring some color to people's days with
her outfits (and personality, of course). Many people know Ms. Beth for her
fun, colorful outfits. She plans out all of her outfits ahead of time, and her
favorite color to wear is pink.
Ms. Beth first subbed at Johnstown, and then subbed here at Northridge
some, and was recently a sub for Mr. Jervey for a couple of weeks. She really
enjoyed teaching the Biology class. Mrs. Beth says she likes all the kids, even
though they are all taller than her.
When Ms. Beth isn't subbing she does volunteer work at hospitals,
goes to the library, helps out at Wittenberg University, and
does other types of charity work. Ms. Beth graduated from Northridge herself.
She said Northridge has made great improvements since then and has become more
sophisticated since she went to school here. She says it's cool to sub at her alma mater.
Ms. Beth had all positive things to say about Northridge. She
likes to see that the teachers are from different places so kids get different
perspectives from them, and she likes that Northridge has many advanced and AP
classes available to students. Ms. Beth says she loves subbing at Northridge,
and wants to continue to come back to the school.
Megan Hatfield ('15) is the Features Editor for the Viking Vault
NORTHRIDGE- Northridge has brought new substitutes to fill in this year at the high school. One woman, Beth Cavadish, known as
"Ms. Beth" at school, is seen at Northridge almost weekly. Ms. Beth told me that subbing at Northridge "is a ball" and she loves it. Ms. Beth
is a big fan of all the aspects of Northridge. She says the kids are respectful,
the teachers are professional, the school is nice, and Ms. Anderson keeps things
in order.
Before Ms. Beth started subbing, she was in sales. She has retired from the
sales world, and decided to sub because she says it gets her thinking again, she
enjoys it, and she likes to bring some color to people's days with
her outfits (and personality, of course). Many people know Ms. Beth for her
fun, colorful outfits. She plans out all of her outfits ahead of time, and her
favorite color to wear is pink.
Ms. Beth first subbed at Johnstown, and then subbed here at Northridge
some, and was recently a sub for Mr. Jervey for a couple of weeks. She really
enjoyed teaching the Biology class. Mrs. Beth says she likes all the kids, even
though they are all taller than her.
When Ms. Beth isn't subbing she does volunteer work at hospitals,
goes to the library, helps out at Wittenberg University, and
does other types of charity work. Ms. Beth graduated from Northridge herself.
She said Northridge has made great improvements since then and has become more
sophisticated since she went to school here. She says it's cool to sub at her alma mater.
Ms. Beth had all positive things to say about Northridge. She
likes to see that the teachers are from different places so kids get different
perspectives from them, and she likes that Northridge has many advanced and AP
classes available to students. Ms. Beth says she loves subbing at Northridge,
and wants to continue to come back to the school.
Megan Hatfield ('15) is the Features Editor for the Viking Vault
Under the desk:
Pride and Prejudice!
Do you know what 2013 is the anniversary of? Pride and Prejudice! This year Pride and Prejudice celebrates its 200th year of publication. Oh, what’s that? You don’t know what Pride and Prejudice is? Well, well, well, let us begin!
So, here’s the basic summary. Lizzie Bennett is the second oldest of five sisters with a dear father and a - how do we put this- loony mother. A man named Bingley comes to town with his two sisters, a brother-in-law, and his dear friend, Mr. Darcy. Bingley and Lizzie’s older sister Jane immediately hit it off, whereas Darcy is extremely stand offish and refuses to dance with anyone. The Bennett’s cousin Mr. Collins comes to stay and tries to engage Lizzie in marriage, but she refuses and he flees to her dearest friend Charlotte Lucas. Later on Bingley leaves just when Lizzie thinks they will engage. Lizzie meets a charming man from the regiments name Wickham. She goes to stay with her aunt and uncle and sees Darcy again. He explains to her that he loves her and wants to marry her and that Wickham is evil. Utterly repulsed, Lizzie makes Darcy leave. But she sees Darcy again and starts to fall for him. Shortly after her realization of her love, Lydia, Lizzie’s 15 year old sister, runs off with Wickham. Darcy hears and hunts them down to pay for the wedding and restore the family’s honor because the same almost happened to his young sister, Georgiana. Bingley comes back to Jane, Darcy comes back to Lizzie, and they have double weddings and live happily ever after!
I know that was a long summary, but give me a break, a lot of stuff happen in this book!
Dear Elizabeth Bennet. I love her more than some of my classmates, if we’re going to be honest here. She’s so head-strong and intelligent and lovely and basically everything that makes a kick-butt character. Elizabeth is still the same person even after 20 years with her crazy mother and sisters. Elizabeth Bennet is probably my biggest literature friend crush in the history of literature.
Now let’s get talking about the real money maker here. Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. In the beginning I absolutely despised him. But by the time Lydia ran off, I was on the verge of finding a time machine and running off as well, but with Mr. Darcy. I mean who wouldn’t love a tall, mysterious dude with killer chops? His stare gazes directly into Elizabeth soul with the kindest implication possible. But how he went to Lydia’s wedding, even after Lizzie announced her disgust toward him, makes me heart swell up until it explodes.
Their relationship is one for the ages. They went from loathe, admiration, loathe, then love. Or something in that order. There were a lot of mixed feelings all across the board. But their story was basically the starter for many romance novels. Without Pride and Prejudice, we wouldn’t have many of the stories we have today.
Also, if you don’t want to read the book because that’s not your thing, watch the BBC and A&E five part mini-series. The movie with Keira Knightly is absolutely awful, doesn’t follow the book that well, and has been changed to fit Hollywood. I actually couldn’t even finish it because it made me angry. Do yourself the favor and watch the mini-series. Plus, you get to watch Colin Firth for five hours, so I really see no way to lose here.
McKenzie Messer (’15) is the literature editor, the columns editor, and a staff writer for the Viking Vault.
So, here’s the basic summary. Lizzie Bennett is the second oldest of five sisters with a dear father and a - how do we put this- loony mother. A man named Bingley comes to town with his two sisters, a brother-in-law, and his dear friend, Mr. Darcy. Bingley and Lizzie’s older sister Jane immediately hit it off, whereas Darcy is extremely stand offish and refuses to dance with anyone. The Bennett’s cousin Mr. Collins comes to stay and tries to engage Lizzie in marriage, but she refuses and he flees to her dearest friend Charlotte Lucas. Later on Bingley leaves just when Lizzie thinks they will engage. Lizzie meets a charming man from the regiments name Wickham. She goes to stay with her aunt and uncle and sees Darcy again. He explains to her that he loves her and wants to marry her and that Wickham is evil. Utterly repulsed, Lizzie makes Darcy leave. But she sees Darcy again and starts to fall for him. Shortly after her realization of her love, Lydia, Lizzie’s 15 year old sister, runs off with Wickham. Darcy hears and hunts them down to pay for the wedding and restore the family’s honor because the same almost happened to his young sister, Georgiana. Bingley comes back to Jane, Darcy comes back to Lizzie, and they have double weddings and live happily ever after!
I know that was a long summary, but give me a break, a lot of stuff happen in this book!
Dear Elizabeth Bennet. I love her more than some of my classmates, if we’re going to be honest here. She’s so head-strong and intelligent and lovely and basically everything that makes a kick-butt character. Elizabeth is still the same person even after 20 years with her crazy mother and sisters. Elizabeth Bennet is probably my biggest literature friend crush in the history of literature.
Now let’s get talking about the real money maker here. Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. In the beginning I absolutely despised him. But by the time Lydia ran off, I was on the verge of finding a time machine and running off as well, but with Mr. Darcy. I mean who wouldn’t love a tall, mysterious dude with killer chops? His stare gazes directly into Elizabeth soul with the kindest implication possible. But how he went to Lydia’s wedding, even after Lizzie announced her disgust toward him, makes me heart swell up until it explodes.
Their relationship is one for the ages. They went from loathe, admiration, loathe, then love. Or something in that order. There were a lot of mixed feelings all across the board. But their story was basically the starter for many romance novels. Without Pride and Prejudice, we wouldn’t have many of the stories we have today.
Also, if you don’t want to read the book because that’s not your thing, watch the BBC and A&E five part mini-series. The movie with Keira Knightly is absolutely awful, doesn’t follow the book that well, and has been changed to fit Hollywood. I actually couldn’t even finish it because it made me angry. Do yourself the favor and watch the mini-series. Plus, you get to watch Colin Firth for five hours, so I really see no way to lose here.
McKenzie Messer (’15) is the literature editor, the columns editor, and a staff writer for the Viking Vault.
Everyday I’m Hosslin’: Playground Justice
By Zach Hossler
Have you ever wondered why people are less considerate now and more inclined to back talk a figure of authority? This has been caused by a lack of playground justice. What ever happened to the phrase “let boys be boys?" A lot of us have heard stories from our fathers and grandfathers starting off with “back in the day," about all the scuffles and heated arguments gone wrong they had been in while they were in school.
Kids who used to disagree used to be able to slug it out and learn lessons from these mistakes. Getting hit in the face hurts, and if you’ve been hit before for being disrespectful. you are less likely to do it again. Walking through the halls and sitting in classrooms, you will hear the most disrespectful and cruel language toward students and even teachers.
With the way the laws are now, a student has to sit there and take abuse because they can’t fight back without the risk of getting criminal charges or severe school punishment. If every student had the thought in their head that if they say something to the wrong person it could end up badly, the amount of attitude and cruelty towards others could be lessened.
With the amount of laws and rules out there, how can a student stop people from harassing them? Are these laws really helping students stay safe? Or are they giving kids the idea that they can do and say whatever they want without fear of retaliation? The return of playground justice could help kids who are bullied stand up for themselves in life, and it could help set bullies straight.
Zach Hossler ('14) is a Senior Writer for the Viking Vault
By Zach Hossler
Have you ever wondered why people are less considerate now and more inclined to back talk a figure of authority? This has been caused by a lack of playground justice. What ever happened to the phrase “let boys be boys?" A lot of us have heard stories from our fathers and grandfathers starting off with “back in the day," about all the scuffles and heated arguments gone wrong they had been in while they were in school.
Kids who used to disagree used to be able to slug it out and learn lessons from these mistakes. Getting hit in the face hurts, and if you’ve been hit before for being disrespectful. you are less likely to do it again. Walking through the halls and sitting in classrooms, you will hear the most disrespectful and cruel language toward students and even teachers.
With the way the laws are now, a student has to sit there and take abuse because they can’t fight back without the risk of getting criminal charges or severe school punishment. If every student had the thought in their head that if they say something to the wrong person it could end up badly, the amount of attitude and cruelty towards others could be lessened.
With the amount of laws and rules out there, how can a student stop people from harassing them? Are these laws really helping students stay safe? Or are they giving kids the idea that they can do and say whatever they want without fear of retaliation? The return of playground justice could help kids who are bullied stand up for themselves in life, and it could help set bullies straight.
Zach Hossler ('14) is a Senior Writer for the Viking Vault
Is there a sixth sense?
By Amelia Kyle
NORTHRIDGE- Having the ability to sense things the average person could not seems
interesting, but is it real? Ever see a student peer over their shoulder
usuriously? Ever have a feeling something is not right? This is called having a
sixth sense. Having a sixth sense is our ability to perceive the subtle-dimension or the unseen world of angels, ghosts, Heaven etc. It also includes our ability to understand
the subtle cause and effect relationship behind many events, which is beyond the understanding of the intellect.
The students around you can offer perfect examples of having that “feeling.” Seniors Charlie Hathaway and Matthew Hudkins say “we can usually get that feeling when it feels like someone is staring at us.” Usually kids have a feeling in the pit of their stomach and do not truly understand the meaning it may hold.
Having a sixth sense is usually used through our five senses; smell, touch, sigh, sound
and taste. Most people do not realize how extensive the world is around us.
Scientific researchers who study such abilities call them extrasensory perception (ESP),
but lay people often refer to them as the sixth sense.
One student was at a four way stop on Bennington Chapel Road. His friend was in the passenger seat, both not wearing a seatbelt. The driver took a pause and then told his friend to put his seat belt on because he has a weird feeling. After about a half a mile down the road, a truck cut a curve and took the car holding the two boys into the ditch. Both boys walked away with few damages. These were two local boys who were graduates of Northridge High School. So, a local kid driving had a 6th sense feeling that saved the life
of him and his friend.
Having a sixth sense gives people the ability to feel things
others may never pick up on. It extends the body’s normal senses.
By Amelia Kyle
NORTHRIDGE- Having the ability to sense things the average person could not seems
interesting, but is it real? Ever see a student peer over their shoulder
usuriously? Ever have a feeling something is not right? This is called having a
sixth sense. Having a sixth sense is our ability to perceive the subtle-dimension or the unseen world of angels, ghosts, Heaven etc. It also includes our ability to understand
the subtle cause and effect relationship behind many events, which is beyond the understanding of the intellect.
The students around you can offer perfect examples of having that “feeling.” Seniors Charlie Hathaway and Matthew Hudkins say “we can usually get that feeling when it feels like someone is staring at us.” Usually kids have a feeling in the pit of their stomach and do not truly understand the meaning it may hold.
Having a sixth sense is usually used through our five senses; smell, touch, sigh, sound
and taste. Most people do not realize how extensive the world is around us.
Scientific researchers who study such abilities call them extrasensory perception (ESP),
but lay people often refer to them as the sixth sense.
One student was at a four way stop on Bennington Chapel Road. His friend was in the passenger seat, both not wearing a seatbelt. The driver took a pause and then told his friend to put his seat belt on because he has a weird feeling. After about a half a mile down the road, a truck cut a curve and took the car holding the two boys into the ditch. Both boys walked away with few damages. These were two local boys who were graduates of Northridge High School. So, a local kid driving had a 6th sense feeling that saved the life
of him and his friend.
Having a sixth sense gives people the ability to feel things
others may never pick up on. It extends the body’s normal senses.
Viking Thanksgiving traditions
By Hunter Adkins
As Thanksgiving drew closer, many families were looking forward to seeing each other, hanging out watching football, and of course eating the traditional food. Most families just go to a relative’s house, socialize, eat, then leave ... but others may have something different going on.
Mikaela Pankuch (15’) and family go and spend thanksgiving with her mom’s parents. But before that, they wake and watch the Macy’s Day Parade on television. Then they get ready and go to her grandma’s house. They usually eat around 2 and then when they are finished they go and ride four-wheelers and go-carts. After they are done with riding around they go inside and enjoy some pies and desserts. Then, to top it off after they get home, the family goes out and enjoys a movie together.
Speaking of the Macys Day Parade, Yang Lao Shi went to New York to see it! She went with her friends from China, and they all got hotel rooms and stayed for four days. She planned on shopping to experience Black Friday and definitely planned on having a lot of fun. This is her second trip to New York and she is very excited about it.
While some people have different Thanksgiving traditions, most will be just spending quality time with family. Isn't that what this holiday is about?
By Hunter Adkins
As Thanksgiving drew closer, many families were looking forward to seeing each other, hanging out watching football, and of course eating the traditional food. Most families just go to a relative’s house, socialize, eat, then leave ... but others may have something different going on.
Mikaela Pankuch (15’) and family go and spend thanksgiving with her mom’s parents. But before that, they wake and watch the Macy’s Day Parade on television. Then they get ready and go to her grandma’s house. They usually eat around 2 and then when they are finished they go and ride four-wheelers and go-carts. After they are done with riding around they go inside and enjoy some pies and desserts. Then, to top it off after they get home, the family goes out and enjoys a movie together.
Speaking of the Macys Day Parade, Yang Lao Shi went to New York to see it! She went with her friends from China, and they all got hotel rooms and stayed for four days. She planned on shopping to experience Black Friday and definitely planned on having a lot of fun. This is her second trip to New York and she is very excited about it.
While some people have different Thanksgiving traditions, most will be just spending quality time with family. Isn't that what this holiday is about?