Tyler The Creator, is Creating Madness

New musical artists rise to fame every year with the passing of others.  These artists use their stardom in a variety of ways, both positively and negatively. Whether they raise awarness about social issues around the globe, or promote abortion and gay rights, almost all artists use their social stature as a way to express their own views. It is quite obvious that not all musical artists believe in, or even respect ,the views and ideals of Christianity; however, one up and coming artist has made it his goal to attack and destroy the Christian faith.

In 2009, artist “Tyler The Creator” released his first album, and in 2011 his first song went platinum. Tyler proclaims that he is the son of Satan himself. His hit song “Yonkers” has over 25 million views on Youtube and is becoming a number one hit song on itunes. When listening to the song for the first time, I could not help but to feel sympathy for the artist. It is clear that he has a genuine hatred for all Christians and that he is surely lonely. His music not only attacks the Christian people and their faith, but attacks Jesus Christ directly. His music is as vulgar and offensive as anything that I personally have ever heard.

I urge anyone holding to the Christian faith not to listen to or support Tyler the Creator in any way. As a Christian community, we must ban together and rid ourselves of this kind of music. We cannot allow the ideas of this man spread anymore than it already has.

Dylan Scully

Shuffling

Recently, something amazing has happened. The Shuffle. I'm not talking about shuffling a nice deck of cards. I'm talking about the new dance craze.

Shuffling is a new type of dance where one slides and jitters about on the floor with his feet. A move created for white people to give the illusion that they have the ability to dance. The Shuffle has been popularized by the song "Party Rock Anthem."

Shuffling is broken into two steps. The "Running Man" and the "Shuffle Step." The craze has erupted so fast that there are now "shuffle crews" who participate in frequent shuffle battles. If you haven't yet experienced shuffling for yourself, you will probably get a glimpse of it at this Saturday's Homecoming dance. Everyday I'm shufflin'.

By: Jimmy Chapman

GAGA BALL

There is a new-fangled game that is quickly becoming a hit among people of all ages. This game is exciting, even addicting, and the name of the game is GAGA Ball or “Israeli Dodge Ball.”  It is an uncomplicated game similar to Dodge Ball, a game loved by many, yet with a different twist in a “Pit,” giving everyone a reason to get out and have fun. It is impossible to play just one game; one round turns into about twenty. Here is how to play:

You can hit the ball with your hands, but picking up the ball and throwing it at a player is not allowed.

If the ball touches a player anywhere on or below the waist (in some versions, below the knee) that player is eliminated from the game.

A player cannot touch the ball two times sequentially. The ball must hit another player or wall before that player can touch the ball again. If the player violates this rule, it is called a double touch and that player is out. Some versions of the game allow double or even triple touches.

If a player pops the ball up into the air, another player may catch it and ground it. Some variations do not allow catching at all.

If a player hits the ball out of the court, and the ball doesn't hit anybody, then the player who hit it is out.

The player cannot kick the ball. (As this is touching the ball below the waist.)

If a player hits the ball out of the arena without touching the wall, ground, or other players that player is out.

By: Kevin Elder

Flamingos

Flamingos are large pink birds that tend to live in lagoons and lakes with a lot of mud and water. These beautiful, flying wonders mostly feed on diatoms, seeds, blue-green algae, crustaceans, and mollusks. They live in large groups of up to 10,000 birds which are called colonies. They have large beaks that filter out small articles of food from the water.

Flamingos can reproduce by the time they are six and they breed in pairs. They do not nest every year, but when they do, they normally lay about one large egg. Baby chicks leave their nest in about 4-7 days after hatching.

Wil Woodhouse

Zebras

Zebras are unique mammals in that each animal's coat has a diferent distinct pattern, like a fringerprint, but much larger.  Zebras can stand anywhere from three and a half feet to five feet tall (at the shoulder) and weigh anywhere from 440 pounds to 990 pounds.  The average lifespan of a zebra is twenty five years. 

Zebras are social animals that spend time in herds. They graze together, primarily on grass, and even groom one another.   Plains zebras are the most common species. They live in small family groups consisting of a male, several females, and their young. These units may combine with others to form awe-inspiring herds, thousands of head strong, but family members will remain close within the herd. 

Zebras must be constantly wary of lions and hyenas. A herd has many eyes alert to danger. If an animal is attacked, its family will come to its defense, circling the wounded zebra and attempting to drive off the predators.

By: Bryce McAuliffe

Mr. Bean

Mr. Bean is the main character from the old television show "Mr. Bean" and from the movies "Bean the Movie" and "Mr. Bean's Holiday."

Mr. Bean first aired Jan. 1,1990, and only 14 episodes were made.  In 2002, Mr. Bean was reborn as an animated series in which there were only 26 episodes.  Mr. Bean also has two movies; in them he is his regular, wacky self with zero social skills and practically no vocabulary.  This is what makes Mr. Bean the funniest person to watch--the way he interacts with others and tries to make people feel good. 

Mr. Bean has been sold to 245 territories world-wide and has received an international Emmy and The Golden Rose of Montreux.  Mr. Bean is an international superstar and has over 15 million fans on Facebook.  Mr. Bean is probably one of the funniest tv shows and movies to watch and if you have never seen Mr. Bean I would definitely recommend that you watch it. It will make you laugh harder than you have ever laughed before.      

By: Colin Brandon

Are all the Facebook changes necessary?

It seems as though every time you log on to Facebook there is a new design or new system to Facebook.  Some changes are good and easy to deal with, but others are not needed and confusing.  Facebook is starting to become more and more complex.  Once you get the hang of the new format, Facebook changes it again.

Now you don’t get what’s happening right away on Facebook; you get statuses that were posted hours ago, which Facebook withheld because they felt that it was not a top story.  In the top stories section there are only one or two statuses and sometimes they aren’t even statuses. Underneath top stories is the section from earlier today.  Nowhere on the home page does it show statuses or updates or pictures that were just posted till hours later.

Now: about how the chat and messaging has changed. I believe that this change is better than the old way they used to do it, and I think they should make no changes to that.  Yet, you never know what changes Facebook is going to make next, or when. More ideas for changes could be happening right now. 

Facebook changes are becoming a constant hassle and an annoyance. Facebook hasn’t even asked its users if they like all the changes, or ask for suggestions as to some changes that may be needed. Automatically, the creators are assuming these changes will make Facebook better and more satisfying for everyone.   Facebook does not need to be complicated. It should be simple and easy to use, therefore making it an enjoyable experience.

 By Mallory Richardson

Sixteen is no big deal

Sixteen is the age everyone seems to make a huge deal about. It was the day I had been looking forward to for years now and once the day finally came it seemed that nothing had changed. I felt no different and nothing exciting happened. So, why is it that everyone makes it such a big deal?

The only exciting thing about turning sixteen is that you are finally at a legal age to drive on you own. I guess that is a good enough reason to look forward to your sixteenth birthday, however, it seems like any other day. When was little, I used to imagine my sixteenth birthday and I thought as soon as I turned sixteen I would become more mature and have more freedom; but I didn’t. 

A week has gone by since my birthday and still nothing has seemed to change. I feel the same way I did and go about my day the same way I used to. I don’t understand why your sixteenth birthday is supposedly such a magnificent day, or why every little girl looks forward to their sixteenth birthday, because the truth is that it's no different than any other day.

By Rachel Fugiel

Boyce Avenue

Have you ever heard of the band Boyce Avenue? Boyce Avenue is a very skilled band. They started by posting YouTube videos and some videos have reached 11,000,000 views. Their videos are covers of famous songs that almost everyone knows. Also, they have cooperated with famous YouTube artists and have gone on a tour with them. 

On Oct. 21, they will be coming to Chicago to perform.  I think that their covers are amazing, enough to inspire to form a band. Their shows are very cheap, about 20 dollars. 

Boyce Avenue’s website is www.boyceavenue.com. You can see their tour dates, get t-shirts, and buy tickets online. If I was you reading this article, I would visit their site or even go to one of their performances.

 By: Charlie Ji

One Way or the Other

As a student athlete, one of the steps in committing to a college where the student hopes to continue an athletic career while perusing an education is to visit the campus.

There are two ways to accomplish this task. The first is to visit the college on an unofficial visit where you go at your own cost. The second option is to wait until you are a senior and use one of your five official visits. This is when a college that is attempting to entice the athlete into joining one of their teams can invite you down and show you the campus on the school’s time. This method can result in a more in-depth tour of campus. Time is all located for touring the main structures, sporting facilities, and on-campus dorms. In addition, there is significant time spent in understanding the role of the academic counselor.

Often, official visits are on a football weekend so that the perspective student can attend and get a feel for campus life outside of the academic disciplines. There is usually an opportunity to speak with student athletes at the university, allowing for honest dialogue with young people who are already in the situation. Many times official visits are over dinner resulting in long conversations with coaches to get acquainted with one another. 

The final day of one’s visit is spent having breakfast with the coaches to give that last good impression as one is headed home to make the final decision.

By: Kevin Elder

Ryan on the Wildcard

Baseball has been in a panic to see what team is moving on in the wildcard. The Yankees have clinched the AL East, Tigers have clinched the AL Central, and the Texas Rangers have clinched the AL West. However, that doesn't mean everyone else is out of the play offs. The good thing about the MLB playoffs is that there is a wildcard. The wildcard is getting close on both leagues. Right now, the Red Sox are one game ahead of Tampa Bay in the American League.

In the National League, the Atlanta Braves are 1.0 game ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals, who came off a great series against the Cubs. The Cubs are 19.0 games out of a playoff birth, so the chances of them advancing to the playoffs is impossible. The Cubs start a series with the Padres today when Casey Coleman takes on Mat Latos. However, the Cardinals start a series against one of the worst teams in baseball: the Houston Astros. So, the Cards can easily take the wildcard.

Who will win and get to the playoffs? Tune in and be shocked!

By: Andrew Ryan

Cartoons

Cartoons are something that we all loved as children. The hours we spent in front of the TV were some of the best hours of the day. Now we’re considered grown ups, but are we? Cartoons may seem childish, but they can still lighten up our day.

There are so many different types of cartoons to choose from. For kids they have shows like "SpongeBob SquarePants," "Dora the Explorer," and "Barbie." However, there are also adult written cartoons such as "Family Guy," "The Simpsons," and did you know that even Bugs Bunny was written for adults?

Some may say they do not watch cartoons anymore, but I know some of us still do!

By Elisa Hill

Things You May Not Know About Dreams

When it comes to dreams, they might be things you don't remember, or even don't believe happen to you. Or perhaps you're aware of many of your dreams and may experience recurring dreams on a regular basis.

The truth of the matter is, everyone has dreams whether you are conscious of them or not. Within the average life span, about six years are spent on dreaming. Each night, it is possible to have anywhere from four to seven dreams. However, a lack in dream activity can be due to a protein deficiency or a type of personality disorder.

Researchers have proven that brain waves are more active while an individual sleeps than when he or she is awake. A random, yet interesting fact, is that blind people dream too; depending on the point in their life when they became blind, they may or may not have any visual images in their dreams. Rather, they experience dreams of the other senses, especially sounds. After five minutes of awakening from or ending a dream, half of it will have already been erased from your memory. Within ten minutes, ninety percent of it will have disappeared. While dreaming, females tend to come across deja vu more often then males.

These are just a handful of the many interesting facts and statistics about the dreams people undergo.

By: Alison Howey

Panda Bear

Many people think that panda bears are just cute. This is true, but they are also very fierce.

Panda bears were found in China. Their diet consists of mostly bamboo. They are in danger of extinction. One reason of their extinction is because people around the world hunt down panda bears. This problem needs to stop so the panda bears can live. If there is a law about hunting down panda bears, and people break that law, they could receive a big concequence. If there isn't, then there should be a law about hunting down the panda bears and the world should know about it.

By: Charlie Ji

Hannah Montana Gone but Not Forgotten

It seems like just yesterday we saw a preview for a brand new Disney Channel show called “Hannah Montana.”

Her years of living a double life as Miley Stewart and Hannah Montana are over, and to young girls across the nation, it’s a tragedy.  She was an inspiration to many and her spunky music always brought a smile to children’s faces.  Although she still writes music and performs, she has lost that fun and energetic personality that was always entertaining to watch on television.  Now the only time you see her is when she is dancing on stage.

The pop star has changed a lot throughout the years, and although many people would fight to say that she has become more mature, I think she has only become more reckless.  I would prefer for her to go back to being an innocent teenage star, living her dream on Disney channel. Instead she has become careless, hot-headed and even a little desperate.

Hannah Montana may be gone but she will never be forgotten.

By Rachel Fugiel

The Mouthwatering Portillo’s Chocolate Cake

Many people do not enjoy the bitter, mouth-quenching taste of cakes with loads of frosting, or the feeling of dryness in their mouth. However, what many people cannot help butt love and cannot resist is Chicago’s very own Portillo’s Chocolate Cake.

The rich dark chocolate cake coated with irresistible chocolate frosting and a layer of frosting inside the cake gives a “to die for” delicious cake. Freshly made every single day by the most dedicated chefs, it reaches the satisfaction of hundreds of thousands of customers. Have this cake for a birthday party, a family gathering, a reward after a hard day’s work, and even just for that extra dark chocolate craving you have.

Portillo’s Chocolate Cake goes perfectly with creamy vanilla ice cream on the top. Portillo’s not only sells the prize-winning cake, but it also sells their Chocolate Cake Milkshake. It’s a regular chocolate milkshake with chunks of the chocolate cake mixed in together. If you’re not in the mood for a slice of cake, then get the milkshake with little chunks of the cake in it to satisfy your taste.

If you haven’t tried the cake yet, I highly recommend it. It’s hard to describe how great it tastes. It’s a cake that is too good to sit uneaten, nor too good to be forgotten.

By Mallory Richardson

Mallory Richardson Revealed

Mallory Richardson has been going to Westminster for several years and has learned to love her classmates and create tight bonds with them. They all know Mallory for her spunky personality and her positive attitude. She isn’t intimidated to talk to new people or do new things.  She is free spirited, independent, inspiring, and energetic--and let’s not forget, gorgeous. She always has something to say and is bold enough to speak her mind; she is an inspiration. She has never been afraid to be herself; she’ll do anything she feels like whenever she feels like. She’ll dance, sing, shout, laugh, and she doesn’t care what anyone else thinks of her. She is someone people may look up to and some may think she’s absolutely ridiculous.

With all this being said, is Mallory really someone you would want to talk to or hangout with? I know for a fact that most people would say yes. She is always fun to be around and most everyone loves her, but how could they not? She’s  a wonderful friend and will be there for you whenever you need her. She may do embarrassing things and say the most awkward phrases, but, after all, that’s what makes Mallory, well, Mallory.

By Rachel Fugiel

Fact, or Fiction?

What is the most ridiculous way to die? Skydive without a parachute? Suffocate from sleeping with tampons up your nose to stop a nose bleed (it's happened)? Actually die of laughter?

As asinine as these casualties appear, they have all happened. However, there may just be another death method so incredibly stupid, due to its apparent preventability, that you might not believe. Ask yourself this question: is it possible to die from being crushed by a vending machine?

Believe it or not, yes; yes it is. In December of 1998, 19-year old Canadian, Kevin Mackle, was discovered in a Bishop University residence stairwell, dead under a Coke machine. Young, silly Kevin had been hard-core drinking the night before with some friends, celebrating the end of their exams. Yes, he was indeed completely tanked-up wasted. His blood-alcohol level was fatal; but, apparently not as fatal as a colossal vending machine. Kevin ever-so-swiftly attempted to shake loose a drink from the 920-pound machine. Shockingly enough, all 920 pounds collapsed right on top of him, crushing his internal organs and squeezing out his last precious breath of life. Poor, poor Kevin.

Statistics show that within the past 20 years, vending machines have caused 140 injuries and at least 35 deaths. So, the next time you walk up to a vending machine, push the button (or two), bend down, grab your drink with quick, ninja-like maneuvers, and get out of there. Don't worry, thankfully there are usually warning stickers to prevent any insane urges to rob those crazy, killer machines.

By: Alison Howey

Toucans
Toucans are very beautiful and colorful birds. In fact, there are 37 different species of toucans that all live in South America.

This gorgeous bird usually lives in flocks and can grow up to 25 inches long and about 20 ounces. Also, their beaks are between 6 and 8 inches long.

Mother toucans lay 2-4 eggs at a time, and the eggs hatch in about 8-9 weeks. Toucans are omnivores, which means they eat foods such as, nuts, fruit, plants, and berries. These birds tend to be extremely noisy in the jungle and because of their bright colors are easy to pick out.

By: Wil Woodhouse

Giraffes

The giraffe, or giraffa camelopardelis, is the tallest of all land dwelling animals.  The average weight of an adult male giraffe is 2,600 pounds, while the adult female weighs only 1,800 pounds. Giraffes are very tall, usually standing 14 to 17 feet tall. The tallest male giraffe ever recorded stood at a towering twenty feet.  

The giraffe is a distant relative of deer and cattle.  Giraffes mostly live in the savannas or grasslands, but if food gets scarce they will journey into the more densely wooded areas.  Giraffes inhabit almost all of Africa.  They can be found from Chad to South Africa. 

Giraffes use their extremely long necks to eat leaves from tall trees.  Giraffes can also go a couple days at a time without drinking.  They get water by licking up moisture from leaves of the trees they feast on. 

The main predators of giraffes are crocodiles, lions, and humans.  For defense, the giraffe will use its deadly kick and then run off with their amazing speed. 

For a long time, the giraffe was known as a camel leopard due to its leopard spots and its distinct little hump on its back.  Giraffes are creatures full of grace, beauty, and very long necks.

By: Colin Brandon

Ryan on Da Bears

The Chicago Bears are off to what looks like a bumpy season. With only a 1 and 1 record, the Bears have had big momentum boosts and momentum stoppers.

For example, on opening day against the Atlanta Falcons the Bears won very impressively: 30 to 12. Middle linebacker Brian Urlacher had a fumble recovery for a touchdown and an interception. Jay Cutler threw the football very well and the Chicago Bears marched all over Soldier Field.

However, last Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, the Bears looked like a different football team, and it is not Jay Cutler's fault (for once). Cutler was sacked 6 times and people claim that it is because the Bears don't have Pro Bowl center Olin Krutz to block for Cutler. However, shall we go back to last season when Cutler was sacked 12 times and ended up with a concussion? Olin Krutz was the center that game, so not one player can save or break the Bears.

In order for things to go back to normal, the Bears will have to have better blocking on the offensive line. In addition, Bears receivers need to push themselves to catch balls that are usually not in their range. Also, Cutler has to make time to find receivers like Devin Hester, Johnny Knox, and Dane Sanzenbacher for first downs and huge gains--possibly touch downs.

The Bears could also use one more defensive threat. Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Charles Tillman, and Julius Peppers have carried the team to the NFC title game, but the job could not be done. So, maybe another threat on the defensive line could do the trick.

People like to blame Jay Cutler for everything that goes wrong on offense, but when the line doesn’t block it, it does not make it easy for Cutler to get the ball off and/or throw the ball to the other team.

The Bears are a solid team, and with the schedule they have, those games are going to happen, and on Sunday against Green Bay the defending Super Bowl Champions. Can the Bears come out over Green Bay? Tune in to Fox on Sunday.

 By: Andrew Ryan

The Vegetarian Way of Life

The ever-growing trend of vegetarianism is becoming increasingly popular today. Vegetarianism is a very healthy way of life that people choose for a variety of reasons, including religion, money, health, animal rights, and those who simply don’t like meat. Many people choose only to eat meat a few days each week, providing healthier and cheaper meal options.

Some like to claim that vegetarians cannot receive proper nutrition. This, however, is a completely false statement. There are numerous ways to consume the same types and amounts of nutrients that meat provides through a vegetarian diet. The vegetarian lifestyle can be extremely healthy and beneficial when done properly, especially for those who have high cholesterol and blood pressure. It can reduce the risk of heart attacks and heart disease and help keep diabetes under control.

In addition to all of these fantastic health benefits, a vegetarian diet can leave all of the gross toxins and preservatives found in packaged and processed foods, which can cause a ton of problems, from allergies to severe illness.

All of these facts make it is easy to see why more and more people are embracing this wonderful lifestyle today.

By Alexis Brenner

Kangaroos

It can run up to 40 miles per hour, leap a distance up to 25 feet, and clear an object that is up to 9 feet tall. This extremely talented and super interesting animal is the kangaroo.

There are three different types of kangaroos. The Eastern Grey tends to be the largest of the three types of kangaroos.  It primarily lives in the far east side of Australia.

The Red Kangaroo are known for living in huge groups and live all over Australia.

The last of the three types of kangaroos are the Western Grey. They are the smallest of the three and are known for their very strong, curry-like stench. They live mostly in southwest Australia.

Baby kangaroos are called joeys and when they are born they live in their mother's pouch for 5-6 months.

Kangaroos mostly feed on grass during the night.

By: Wil Woodhouse

Ryan on What to Watch For in This Year's Playoffs

The playoffs are right around the corner and everyone is worried about what team will win the World Series. The playoffs this year are shaping up to be exciting and thrilling, and if I were you I would expect great things. Amazing teams like the Tigers, Rangers, Yankees, Phillies, Diamondbacks, and Brewers are bound to make a run for their money.

A thing to watch for in this year's exciting MLB playoffs is the younger players in every team to step up. For example, Ryan Braun, a young powerhouse on the Brewers, has stepped up over the years. This is easy to do when you have someone like Prince Fielder backing you up, but in the playoffs, the Brew Crew needs a third person to step up and carry the team.

Also, look out for sluggers doing what they do best, which is hitting homers. Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers is one of those players to watch out for. I wouldn't be suprised to see a few intentional walks in the playoffs. Hamilton has had a great offensive season, smacking 20 homers and driving in 83 RBI's. Not only is he a threat on offense, but he can make amazing plays happen whenever the Rangers need it.

The playoffs are exciting and amazing to watch, and this year the playoffs will be even better.  From the Bronx Bombers to the amazing rotation in the Phillies system, to the great pitchers in Milwaukee: Who will become World Series champs? Watch the playoffs to find out.

 By: Andrew Ryan

Exhaust Laws

Illinois has recently adopted some new exhaust laws. These laws are very troubling for car enthusiasts.

As of now, all vehicles are required to have an “adequate muffler," or exhaust system, that is in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise. On top of that, vehicles also may not have any cutout or bypass valves. Also, any aftermarket cannot make the car louder than it was out of the factory.

This completely defeats the purpose of putting an exhaust on your car. The only reason they have this is because of noise complaints. This is a really pointless law and they really have no reason for it.

I have a few friends that have been pulled over for “noise pollution” and received a ticket. The only purpose of this law seems to be to pull in extra dollars for the police, which is completely wrong. This needs to go away.

By: Jimmy Chapman

Westminster’s Very Own Rachel Fugiel

A year has gone by since Miss Rachel Fugiel has entered Westminster Christian High School. She came quiet and friendly on the first day of school, not knowing anyone or her surroundings. However, Westminster was able to bring out the real Rachel Fugiel. They brought a lively, spontaneous, outgoing girl from under the rocks. But, does Westminster really know Rachel Fugiel as well as everyone thinks they do?

The real Rachel Fugiel is now unveiled. Rachel dances, sings, laughs, shouts, takes funny pictures, makes funny noises, has the most random thoughts, does the most random things, and with all those fun things, she is smart. Rachel will dance in the hallway or sing a song stuck in her head so enthusiastically that the choir should pay her to sing for them. Rachel will shout and yell anything crazy. She will do something that we consider embarrassing, without getting embarrassed. She will take your camera and you won’t get it back, but when you do, there are about 20 pictures of just her. Besides the fact that she is loud, she will make tons of noises; the most obnoxious noises you can think of. Most of them aren’t even on purpose.

Rachel will come up to you in the hallway or during class and just say the most random things about her day, weekend, life, family---anything she can think of that is completely irrelevant. Rachel isn’t afraid to be herself around anyone. She isn’t afraid to hide who she really is. Rachel is a strong independent young lady who is the best friend anyone could ask for. Now that you know a little more about her, will you take a step towards her in the hall and say hi or become friends with her? Will you get to know the real Rachel?

By Mallory Richardson

'Contagion'

"Contagion" is a new sci-fi thriller focused on the threat posed by a very infectious and deadly disease.  As the disease grows, the worldwide medical industry races to find a cure before panic sets in, driving humanity to its edge. 

The trailer makes this movie seem action and suspense driven, but this is not the case.  "Contagion" is suspenseful, but it is not because of intense action sequences; it comes from an emotion-filled script and a well-written soundtrack to match.  Because this film is so dialogue driven, it does get slow at times, but the overall story and the suspense make up for this.

 Overall, I would give this movie seven and a half wash-your-stinking-hands out of ten.

By Bryce McAuliffe

World Vision: Giving Our World a Brighter Future

World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization, has been changing the world for the better since 1953.

What started as the sponsorship of one Chinese girl by World Vision’s founder, Dr. Bob Pierce, has blossomed into a program that improves the lives of nearly 100 million children and their communities in about 100 different countries.

The organization is perhaps best known for their sponsorship program, though they provide aid to the world in many other ways as well. In this, a donor sponsors one child in an impoverished country from the age of zero to fourteen years through a monthly gift of 35 dollars. This may seem like an incredibly small amount to live on, but, to these children, it means the world. Each sponsored child receives clean water, plenty of food, health care, education, spiritual nurturance, and more. In many cases, this can mean the difference between life and death.

Not only is a child’s life transformed through sponsorship, but many sponsors will attest that God changes their lives through the program as well. Sponsors have the ability to write letters and send small packages to their sponsored child, who then writes letters in response.

It is miraculous to see how God has worked through World Vision to change the lives of so many and make the future of our world a little bit brighter.

By Alexis Brenner

Senior-ness

Seniority comes with a few perks, one of them being senior off-campus lunch. Although I haven’t experienced senior off campus lunch yet, I have heard from a lot of my fellow seniors that it was “the bomb.”

Since the school is conveniently nestled in the bustling Elgin community, it is easy to find a good place to eat lunch. The most popular choice is Panera, but other seniors chose to venture off to places such as Panda Express and Chipotle.

If you're thinking, “That's cool for seniors, but what’s in it for me?”, don’t worry, underclassmen. Getting a coke from McDonalds or a sweet cookie from Panera is as easy as befriending a senior and having them pick something up for you. Showing respect for a senior will get you a long way, including a delicious snack, if you're lucky.

In conclusion, senior off campus lunch rocks and is definitely something to look forward to if you are not yet a senior.

By Taylor DePola

Is It Possible For a Person To Smell like Wood?

Joshua Daniel Caliguire smells like wood. Josh could've been working with wood this morning, but that will never happen because he is not a morning person. Josh told me that he hasn't been out in the woods for at least a week. However, when I was by him, he smelled like wood.

 

The wood I'm talking about is wood that you use to build stuff, such as cabinets. Josh was wearing a cookie monster shirt and there is a possibility that he wore that shirt when he was working with wood and didn't wash the shirt afterwards. 

 

Can you imagine one of your friends smelling like wood? I never thought that a person could smell like woods unless they worked with it and got dust all over them. However, it is possible for a person to smell like wood even if they didn't work with any wood. Joshua Daniel Caliguire is proof.

 

By: Charlie Ji

The Big House Finally Gets Lights

Recently, the University of Michigan played its first ever home night game.

Last year, the university made the decision to make the 1.8 million dollar addition of lights for the football field. They vowed that the lights would be finished and ready before Dec. 11, when they are scheduled to play hated enemy Michigan State. However, they finished the project three months earlier than expected and played their first night game at Michigan, also known as “The Big House,” on Sept. 10 against the fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

Michigan fans were quite excited about the lights, as 114,000 people stormed the stands to make history. The game was no disappointment to those fans.  However, the lead traded between teams three times in the final 1:21 of the game. It ended with Michigan scoring the winning touchdown with 2 seconds on the clock.

Prized quarterback Denard Robinson was the superstar of week two in the NCAA. He finished the night with 338 passing yards, 108 rushing yards, 3 passing touchdowns, and a rushing touchdown. Michigan fans were energized after the game and refused to leave the stadium.  Almost three hours after the game ended, there were an estimated 50,000 people still celebrating in the stands. Wolverine fans believe that this was a good omen and the first of many wins to come this season.

By Dylan Scully

Chicago Bears

The Bears pre-season did not go the way they had planned with a 2-2 record, only beating the Buffalo Bills and the Cleveland Browns. Many experts were expecting the Bears not to do too well this season, but the Bears are doing their best to prove them wrong and started the 2011 season off by putting a hurting on the Atlanta Falcons.

The Bears, led by their fearless quarterback Jay Cutler, won 30 to 12 with Cutler completing 22 of 32 passes for 312 yards and 2 touchdowns.  The Bears defense, lead by middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, gave up a mere 12 points to the Falcons and forced three turnovers, with Brian Urlacher taking a fumble back for a touchdown. 

Even though the rushing game for the Bears did not go so well, they still came out on top in this one. With the help of Cutler's precision passing, they beat last year's division champions by a wide margin. 

This looks to be a very promising start for the Bears in this 2011 season.

By: Colin Brandon

A Tough Decision

When one is a child, one seldom, if ever, thinks of the many decisions they will have to make when they are still young, yet old enough to embark upon a life journey of their own. Some decisions seem a little easier than others, but nonetheless, they all generate a certain amount of anxiety.

High school for some is the end of the road for their educational career; still for others, it is another stepping stone on the way to further education.  The earlier one starts contemplating their college preference the better. Some think junior year is soon enough, yet for those with educational goals, middle school may not be too soon to begin considering what school will help them attain their goal.

Certainly by the end of the sophomore year, at the start of the junior year, one should have a serious list of schools to consider.  At first, there is a mountain of correspondence from colleges with tons of information attempting to persuade the student that their school is the only school that should be considered. The reality is that one can only visit just so many campuses. Therefore, the list has to be narrowed.

The process of eliminating schools can be difficult, but eventually it gets done. All along the way, there are a lot of mixed emotions. Yes, there is anxiety; still, there is a feeling of excitement about the future. When the decision is made it feels as if a ton of bricks is removed from one’s shoulders. The feeling is one of the greatest in the world. One can focus on the senior year of school without the plaguing thought of, "Where to go?" or "What will next year bring?"  Now the thought is, “I can’t wait!!”     

By Kevin Elder

Animal Cruelty

Did you know that over 7,800 dogs are abused per year just in America? How about the fact that over 3,000 cats and over 350 birds are also abused. Why?

One reason may be that some people think they are better than animals. News flash! They’re not.

Another reason may be that people think animals don’t feel the same way we do. Animals understand more than people think. They feel happiness, pain, and fear just like we do! People abuse animals by beating them, starving them, neglecting them and other things of the sort.

Think about your pets; you know when they’re happy, sad, and even when they are sick. All animals have these feelings, so why don’t people respect them?

By Elisa Hill

Steps to go down a bunk bed

Do you have a fear of heights or a bunk bed?

I have a fear of heights and I could not go down a bunk bed until I was encouraged and was taught to get rid of the fear and go down a bunk bed. You could read this article or you can just keep the fear.

There are three simple steps to going down a bunk bed. First, you need to calm down and take a deep breath. If you panic or become crazy, I can't do anything about that.

Then try and go down to the second to the top step. When you have done that, you are almost there! For this step, you have 2 options: you can turn yourself from the step you are standing on and just go down. Or you can ignore the fear, and just jump! If it is too high, than the first option would be the best.

If you have done all of these steps, you will be standing on the floor. Did you get rid of the fear and go down a bunk bed? If you did, you are a brave person that knows how to go down a bunk bed and has defeated your own fear of bunk beds.

By Charlie Ji

Movie Review: The Help

“The Help” is a new movie that is based on the bestselling novel by Kathryn Stockett.

The movie is about a young girl named Skeeter. After graduating college, Skeeter finds herself troubled by how African-American employees are treated in her home town of Jackson, Mississippi. Her anger towards the women she once called her friends and the mistreatment of the African-Americans inspires Skeeter to write a book about their experiences.

Without her friends knowing, Skeeter decides to get the real stories about these women. She fights for their rights and treats them the way they deserve to be treated.  The women of color, along with Skeeter, fight against what is socially accepted and write a book that will tell the stories of these women, in a time where speaking against racism could get them killed.

Although the women are scared of what could happen to them if people if the town found out what they were doing, that doesn’t stop them from doing what they believe is right: sharing their stories.

The movie is full of laugh-out-loud moments but is also heartbreakingly sad.  “The Help” is an excellent commentary of civil rights and may be the best movie of the summer, if not the best movie of the whole year.

By Rachel Fugiel

Labor Day

Labor Day!

Not a lot of people look forward to Labor Day, since it takes place on the first Monday of September, because it tells us summers coming to an end. However, you can have a fun celebration to say goodbye to the all the nice weather.

There are many ways to celebrate this holiday. One example is a cookout. Invite family and friends and enjoy some good food.

Another example is having a Labor Day party. Besides all the good food, games and music are a great way to have fun with family and friends, or, my personal favorite, just sitting back and relaxing.

It doesn’t really matter what you do as long as you enjoy your Labor Day.

By Elisa Hill

NASCAR is Out of Control

In recent years, professional sports boards have worked to make their sports safer for both the players as well as the fans. One notable change is the NFL’s new rule on helmet to helmet contact to stop concussions and other head injuries around the league. Also, Major League Baseball now requires all third base coaches to wear helmets. However, one sport in particular has made no changes to make their sport any safer; in fact, it has become more barbaric than ever. Plain and simple, NASCAR is out of control.

For years now, it appears that going to a NASCAR race has been nothing more than an excuse for rednecks to get intoxicated and be crazy. As if that weren’t crude enough, now NASCAR can’t even keeps its drivers under control. Recently, owner Richard Childress reportedly attacked Busch after the Truck Series race in Kansas because Busch had bumped one of his team’s trucks during the race. How can these savages be trusted to drive cars at speeds upwards of 200mph and remain composed if they can’t even restrain themselves to back down from a fight with a fellow driver?

NASCAR is by far the most unsophisticated and vulgar “sport” ever conceived. NASCAR gives other countries the perception that Americans are as uncultured as those dreadful NASCAR fans. America needs to be restored to the proper society it once was. The nation needs to come together and get rid of NASCAR entirely. I assure you that the so-called “fans” will find something else to waste their time on.

By: Dylan Scully

Kangoo Jumps

Want to be the coolest kid on the block? Tired of having nothing to do on the weekends? Are you a fan of the marsupial known as the kangaroo? Well then I have some good news for you, sad sorry stranger!

You can have the life your friends and you desired but never had, with one easy purchase of Kangoo Jumps! Moon shoes with a kangaroo twist! Have you ever seen someone bounding in moon shoes unhappy? I don’t think so. So it's only logical to assume Kangoo Jumps are going to make you ten times happier!

These shoes come in all shapes, sizes and colors and are easy to get online. Popular in Australia, the shoes are now making their debut in the USA. I guarantee the next issue of Vogue will have a model wearing a shiny new pair of Kangoo Jumps. They are exercise and fun wrapped into one! So what are you waiting for? Go and buy yourself a pair of Kangoo Jumps now!

By Taylor DePola

"50/50"

"50/50" is a movie about a 27-year-old man, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and his experiences when diagnosed with cancer.  The film follows his transformative and sometimes funny journey to recovery.   

"50/50" is loosely based on the life of writer Will Reiser and friends when he was diagnosed with cancer.

This movie looks quite promising.  Joseph Gordon-Levitt has not disappointed so far and most likely will not this time around ,either. However, Seth Rogen is kind of a wild card in this cast.  He could either show up in a major way, like Will Farrell did in "Everything Must Go," or he could fall flat and bring the whole movie down with him.  Hopefully, he can meet the standard set by the rest of the cast.

Bryce McAuliffe

Westminster Baseball

Positions for Westminster Christian School’s upcoming baseball season are all up in the air. The baseball team lost a couple key players from this past year. Coach Moeller’s greatest concern for this 2012 Warrior baseball season is who the starting catcher will be.

As of right now, there are three players who all are fighting for this position. The first is senior Tyler Greene, who, although he did not catch a whole lot last year, is an outstanding baseball player all around.

Our second candidate for this position is junior John Michael Wawro, who was on the varsity team as a freshman and sophomore and is a fairly versatile player. He is familiar with catching the two star pitchers at Westminster Christian School, Kevin Elder and Ryan Perez, and would be more than capable of fulfilling this role.

Sophomore Clay DeHaan is also a great baseball player and if needed could be the varsity catcher for this season.

By Wil Woodhouse

College Football Week One

The 2011 college football season is underway and off to a great start. 

There were many good games and upsets this weekend, but the best games were most likely Baylor against 14th-ranked TCU and 5th-ranked Boise State against 19th-ranked Georgia. 

Baylor came into the game with many people expecting them to lose.  It sure looked that way after the first quarter when TCU was up 16 to 14.  Baylor then proceeded to start destroying TCU, outscoring them 33 to 7 in the second and third quarters, with their quarterback Robert Griffin completing 21 0ut of 27 passes for 359 yards.  TCU didn’t go down without a fight, though; they scored 25 points in the final quarter, but despite this effort Baylor came out on top winning 50 to 48. 

Boise State, even though they are ranked higher than Georgia, was on the road and expected to lose.  The game was off to a rough start when Georgia went up 7 to 0.  Boise State then came right back and got a touchdown to tie the game.  Boise State's solid defense and great passing game led them to a 35 to 21 victory.  Kellen Moore, the quarterback for BSU, helped his team out by  throwing for 261 yards and 3 touchdowns with only 1 interception.

By: Colin Brandon

The top five players of MLB

Baseball is a very exciting sport that makes memories that some may never forget. Also, there are players that change the game forever. People such as Joe DiMaggio, Mickie Mantle, Roger Clemens, Reggie Jackson, and Greg Maddux are examples of retired legends, but in this article I will list the top five current players who fall among those standards.

Number one is Roy Halladay, who has transformed the way people look at a good cutting fast ball. Halladay has thrown no hitters and perfect games multiple times. This year, Halladay was one of four all star pitchers for the Phillies, making the Philadelphia pitching rotation one of the best of all time, consisting of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, and Roy Oswalt. The Phillies are in first place by 9.5 games over the Atlanta Braves.

Second is the Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamiltion, who has a wonderful story about his life as a ballplayer going down due to a severe drug addiction, and then down the road he found Jesus Christ. This season, Hamilton has hit 19 homers and has a .299 batting average. When he steps up to plate he has a huge chance of hitting a homerun. Hamilton is also a great outfielder, making unbelievable diving catches and throwing people out at homeplate.

Third is the powerhouse Red Sox first baseman, Adrian Gonzalez, who goes by the nick name of "Gonzo." Gonzo has sent 23 over the outfield wall and has drove in 105 runs. Not only can Gonzalez hit towering homers but he can make amazing scoops at first base. Boston signed the powerhouse last off-season from the San Diego Padres.

Another dominant player is "The Freak" Tim Lincecum, the tall, shaggy haired, and unorthodox right hander from the San Fransisco Giants. Lincecum has 12 -12 record this year with a 2.75 ERA and fanning 200 batters so far this year. The defending World Series champions Giants have key players that help make Tim as good as he is. Players like Buster Posey, Pablo Sandoval, Cody Ross, and Brian Wilson.

Finally, Prince Fielder of the Milwaukee Brewers is just unbeatable.  Whenever he gets a pitch he can swing at he can easily send it out of the park. The Brewers are in first place in the NL Central by 9.5 games and he is a big contributer for their success. Sharing a clean-up spot with Ryan Braun, Fielder has hit 31 homers and driven in 108 RBI's. Prince Fielder is another all-around player; he can hit balls 400 feet but he can really make amazing plays on defense as well.

By: Andrew Ryan

Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees are very interesting animals. These extremely intelligent creatures primarily live in Western Africa among tropical rain forests, woodlands, swamp forests, and grasslands.

Chimpanzees tend to live in groups of about 6-7, and stay together for long periods of time. Chimps are omnivores, which means they eat plants and meat. They eat leaves, fruit, seeds, bark from trees, tender plants, flowers, termites, and small animals.

These animals have black hair all over except on their fingers, palms, arm pits, and the bottom of their feet. Their senses are very similar to humans in that they have hearing, sight, smell, taste, and feeling. They typically weigh anywhere from 60-120 pounds depending on gender. They have very long arms but small bodies.

Wil Woodhouse

Countdown to 9/11 ten-year anniversary

Ten years ago, our nation changed forever. On Sept. 11, 2001, we were attacked by terrorists in the most shocking way possible.

That Tuesday started out like any other. An everyday routine was played out by Americans. The daily job worries and rush hour traffic buzzed in the streets of New York City. No one was prepared for what was to come upon this city and nation.

Smoke, debris, tears, screams, chaos, and sirens filled New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. Family members, friends, men, women, and children tuned in to the news together as they watched the Twin Towers fall to the ground. They watched as people everywhere ran among the chaos. Four planes had been taken over that morning by terrorists. Of those, two planes had been turned towards New York, which set fear in the eyes of all the Americans watching.

As this weekend draws closer, Americans from all over the country gather with one another and remember those who died fighting to save the workers in the building, those who died in the streets, and those who died on impact. Fathers, mothers, daughters, sons, grandpas, grandmas, cousins, and friends were taken away from loved ones. Flags will raise high this Sunday as we remember our loved ones. Ten years later, all of America will stand and send the message that we have not let this terrorist attack corrupt our country. Our hearts will be opened this weekend as we give a moment of silence to those we lost. Our hearts will be opened as we listen to the stories and watch videos remembering this life changing day that will never be forgotten.

By: Mallory Richardson

Mega-Croc

This last weekend, a giant crocodile was captured in a small village in the Philippines.  Apparently, a 21 ft. crocodile had been terrorizing a small village in the Philippines for the last two years.

The hunt lasted about three weeks, but villagers and veteran hunters have finally caught the 1 ton croc. After it was caught it took nearly 100 people to pull the 2,370 lb. crocodile out of the water. After they got it out of the water, a crane was used to put it onto a flatbed truck, still alive.

The croc was said to be responsible for the deaths of a local fisherman and young girl. Obviously, the community was relieved to see it captured. As of now, the plans are to use the giant croc in an exhibit in a new ecotourism park. Not only is this croc gigantic, it is the largest crocodile that has ever been caught.  Locals are celebrating the capture.

 By: Jimmy Chapman

Debt ceiling de-mystified

The debt ceiling is not a wall that separates two rooms of opposite floors.  It is, in fact, a national limit set on how much debt we as a country can get ourselves into.

Yes, there is a limit on how much debt our country can get into, and, yes, we have passed it and so it's been raised. This is where the debate comes in about how we could raise a limit when it's already set so high.

As of right now, the country is in a lot of debt. To write out the exact amount of debt would be far too depressing, so to put it simply, America has one of the highest national debts in the world.

Let me paint this picture for you: about 50 percent of the things we pay for in this country are paid for with borrowed money. This is a terrible situation because it only digs us deeper into the never-ending national debt hole we are currently in.

In early 2011, the U.S. reached its debt ceiling of $14.3 trillion dollars and I do not need an economics degree to tell you that’s a lot of money. After this, there was an argument to raise the debt ceiling another $2.4 trillion, which might not seem like much compared to how much debt we are in; however, it is enough to keep the fiery debt ceiling debate fueled.

By Taylor DePola

Teens planking across the nation

Last year, when people heard the word planking, they thought of getting down on their elbows and holding their bodies up in a straight position for seconds to minutes.

In just months, the word planking had gotten a whole new meaning. Now, planking means to lie in a straight position on any object or surface, capture it with a camera, and upload it to Facebook.

Each picture has become more and more creative.  Teenagers are planking on cars, benches, tables, chairs--any structured piece of cement at a park or area. Anything that people can find a way to plank on, they do.

Some believe planking is immature and a disrespect to property, but there is no stopping these dedicated plankers. They are all searching places or objects to plank on to get the best picture and post it for everyone to see and comment.

Planking has rapidly spread throughout America and isn’t about to slow down anytime soon. Teens are finding new ways and positions to take pictures.

Slowly, Batmanning is now spreading from town to town, coast to coast. This is when a person hangs themselves by their feet from the top of a door. It starts to make you wander what crazy idea teens will come up with.  What insane level are these young adults going to go to next?

By Mallory Richardson

The Unknown Martial Arts of Korea

Tae Kwon Do, one of the Korean martial arts, is very famous in the United States. However, there is a martial art in Korea that nobody knows about. It is called Taekkyon; it is probably one of the unpopular martial arts and it is getting forgotten. I've got to know about this martial art from one of my teachers in Korea. This is also called a traditional dance of Korea and it has remained for such a long time.

The music in the backgroud is very different from any other music. The participants take steps, then they attack with a kick, throws, and locks. It looks very goofy to watch, but from my view I think it is very hard to keep taking steps, listening to the music for the right rhythm, and attacking the opponent.

By Charlie Ji

Hurricane Irene

This last Sunday was devastating for many on the New Jersey and New York coast. 

Sunday was the day Hurricane Irene hit.  The hurricane hit the city of Little Egg Inlet, NJ, then continued its path of destruction up the coast of New Jersey and up to the coast of New York. 

This category three hurricane destroyed over 600 homes over the span of six cities, damaged 150 major highways, and 22 state bridges have been closed.  The estimated damage for this will be close to $1 billion. 

Upstate New York took a pretty huge hit and they will be needing financial aid to help them recover from this disaster.  New York’s governor Cuomo said, “We're not just going to rebuild.  We are going to build back better than ever before.”

By: Colin Brandon

VMAs a disappointment

Last Sunday night were the MTV Video Music Awards. The VMAs are very popular and millions tuned in.

Disappointingly, this year's awards had no shocking moments. In previous years, we have been graced with shockers, such as interrupted acceptance speeches. Even Lady Gaga disappointed this year. Usually we can count on her sporting aridiculous-- I mean, “artsy” outfits. This year Ms. Gaga came to the show as a man. She opened the show as a character, Jo Calderone, and stayed in character for the remainder of the night.

One highlight of the night was when Ms. Gaga was dancing on a piano and she took a tumble. MTV did a good job with their camera work and hid the fall well, but it didn’t get past my eagle eyes.

Lil Wayne closed the show with a fantastic performance, and it almost made up for the rest of the show being mediocre.

Despite slight disappointments with this year's show, it was a fun time.



Jimmy Chapman

The Truth about Creatine Monohydrate

For years now, Creatine Monohydrate has been one of the most controversial and talked-about weight-lifting supplements on the market, specifically for athletes.  It has also been the most lied about by people who are uneducated on the matter.

Simply speaking, creatine monohydrate is used by your body, specifically muscles, to create a chemical called ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate), which is used as energy. The more creatine in your system, the more energy you have, especially in times of increased stress ,such as weightlifting.

What a lot of skeptics of creatine don’t know is that it is actually a naturally occurring chemical, you already have it in your body, and not taking creatine is simply limiting your body from reaching its full potential.

I would like to expose some of the stereotypical lies that are often stated by ignorant creatine skeptics.

First: Creatine is a pro-hormonal steroid, which is an absolutely absurd statement. There are no pro hormonal substances found naturally in the body.

Next: Creatine causes excessive water retention. There has been no study to support this theory in recent history. In fact, recent tests have shown that the only gains in weight while supplementing on creatine is muscle-mass.

The final preposterous myth stated by some is that creatine harms the kidney and liver. This so-called danger comes from a study done by the University of Oregon in which one test subject suffered serious liver damage after weeks of creatine use. However, that particular test subject had a previous liver condition. For those without pre-existing conditions there is no evidence to support this theory.

Anyone who bashes creatine supplements on the basis of these myths is proving that they know nothing about creatine, and are speaking out of their ignorance. Creatine monohydrate has gotten the bad reputation in recent years of being a dangerous supplement, when in fact it  is one of the best training supplements out there for athletes and should be treated as such.

By Dylan Scully

Pena Kept off Waivers

Finally, after several days of discussion, the Cubs have officially obtained Carlos Pena off waivers.

While the Yankees claimed him after the Cubs placed him on waivers, neither club seemed as if they had any intention of carrying out their intentions.

This, however, does not mean that Pena will be wearing Cubbie blue next season, since there is some speculation that Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder are some prospects for the job this offseason. 

Granted, the Cubs have enough money to support one of their contracts. Still, for as much money as the Cubs would have to spend to obtain one of these superstars, one has to ask the question, “Is it really worth it?" The Cubs have had their share of monster contracts hanging over their heads over the past few years that did not pan out. 

In addition, the Cubs have some promising minor league prospects showing potential as big time performers at the big league level. In the end, it will be interesting to see where Carlos Pena will be spending his 2012 season.

By Kevin Elder

Facebook Frenzy

With over 750 million viewers, Facebook has become an extremely popular website.

One might wonder why it has become such a well-liked site. Here is my answer: most people that use Facebook are curious.

Let’s admit it-- at least half of the website's population are Facebook stalkers. Most of the friends that we have on Facebook are people we would never even think of calling or chatting with. Yet, we are okay with looking through their pictures and videos and scanning through their profile.

Now that’s not to say that people don’t put their pictures and videos out there for others to look at, because they do. However, the whole reason we read through all the updates and wall posts are because we are curious.

Don’t get me wrong; I know that a lot of people have Facebook to keep in touch with friends and family and I understand completely. However, we all get that happy feeling when our friend count goes up or when we see our crush just broke up with their boyfriend or girlfriend.

The website is a great invention and I enjoy it just as much as everyone else, but maybe it’s time for everyone to stop and think about why they have a Facebook and what they’re really using it for.

By: Rachel Fugiel

Zooey Deschanel Steals the Spotlight

Zooey Deschanel is a very busy woman. The alleged Katy Perry look-alike, known for her big blue eyes and angelic voice, has made several exciting career moves in recent months.

You probably remember her best for her roles in "Elf," "Yes Man," and "(500) Days of Summer." However, the talented actress, model, singer-songwriter, musician, and wife of Ben Gibbard (lead singer of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service) has new treats in store for her fans.

In May of this year, she co-founded hellogiggles.com, a fun and feminine website whose popularity continues to increase.

Deschanel joined forces with M. Ward to form the alternative band She & Him back in 2006. The duo already has two albums out but just finished recording a Christmas album that will come out later this year.

She plays a supporting role in the comedy film "Our Idiot Brother," which premiered in theaters last weekend.

In addition to all of these marvelous accomplishments is perhaps the most exciting news of all. Zooey makes her television series debut with "New Girl," a highly anticipated comedy set to air Sept. 20 on Fox. The show is about a dorky and fun young woman who, after a bad breakup, moves in with three guys.

If all the hype about the show is any indication, Zooey may just steal the spotlight from her sister Emily Deschanel, the star of the television series "Bones" on Fox. For her fans that can never get enough of Zooey, this is all fantastic news. The young woman undoubtedly has even bigger and better career plans in her future.

By Alexis Brenner

TOMS: A Growing Mission

The TOMS mission began with Blake Mycoskie in 2006. Mycoskie first noticed the inconceivable number of children lacking shoes while in Argentina. Thus, his inspiration began.

However, Mycoskie never intended his shoe mission to become an international for-profit organization; he began his charity work with less fortunate inner city children in Los Angeles. It was named "Shoes for Tomorrow Project," where the name "TOMS" originally derived from.

He quickly developed TOMS into a business instead of a charity because he had an entrepreneur background and not a clue as to how to organize a charity. He also discovered that if it were a profitable business, billions of pairs of shoes could be donated based on a one-for-one policy: for every pair of shoes bought, one pair is given to someone without a single pair. 

Over the past five years, as TOMS popularity has grown, so has the business. A more recent idea is based on sunglasses. For every pair of sunglasses bought, someone in need can have an eye operation to restore their sight, and/or help multiple people get prescription glasses.

 By Alison Howey

American League still has tight races

Recently in the American League, things are really getting tight, especially in the American League West.

Currently in first place by half a game are the Boston Red Sox, but hot on their tail are the New York Yankees, who are lighting up the game. It looks like first place is between those two teams because Tampa Bay is behind by 9 games.
   
The Red Sox have the talent to go on and win the franchise's eighth World Series. Behind a very talented left-handed specialist, Jon Lester, the Red Sox are as good as any team that is thrown in front of them. Also, they have a pitching rotation that consists of Josh Beckett, John Lacket, Andrew Miller, and Erik Berdard, players who can carry the Red Sox to victory.

No matter who is on the mound, the Red Sox are balanced and focused hitters like Kevin Youkolis, David Ortiz, Adrian Gonzalez, and Dustin Pedrioa can easily change the pase of the game. Also, the fielding that the Red Sox have by Dustin Pedrioa and Jacoby Ellsbury is tremendous
  
On the other side of the equation, the New York Yankees have proved that they want it by hitting 3 grandslams against the Oakland A's last Thursday in a 22 to 9 victory. They are on a three-game winning streak and are playing the first place Red Sox.

When compared to the Red Sox, they are equal. They have people who can make big plays on the field, hit towering homers, and throw like there is no tommorow. C.C. Sabathia is a big left hander that has the Yankees rolling, and they also have right hander Phil Hughes and rookie Ivan Nova.

Derek Jeter has been a Yank ever since he made his debut and he has made a bang throughout his career, including a clutch homerun to win the Yankees a World Series, hit 3,000 hits, and many more.

As a franchise the New York Yankees have won a total of 27 World Series trophies. With Curtis Granderson, Nick Swisher, Alex Rodreguez, Mark Texiera and Russell Martin, the Yankees are looking to take the AL West with suprise.
   
Who will prevail?

By Andrew Ryan