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Which Path is Right for You?

November 12, 2015 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Every fall, high school seniors are faced with the same difficult situation as the last graduating class, choosing what they want to do with the rest of their lives. The choice may not be as hard for some as it is for others, but, on some level, for everyone, the choice is an important one. Seniors at SLA are all now considering their own choices and hopefully this article will help a lot of you decide which path you should take bearing in mind the next chapter of your lives.

When you should reach for that Ivy League School

Nowadays, Many Ivy League Schools are considered to be overrated, putting kids in hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of debt each year. But, there are some instances in which this may be the best choice for you. If you are thinking of ultimately reaching a higher level degree, then having an Ivy League title attached to you gives you a great advantage. Or if you think you might be pursuing a career in law or politics, then this is the way to go. One thing to take into consideration when deciding on Ivy League is that, most of the time, they have the room to make negotiations. It never hurts to compare the money other schools are offering you with what they have offered because most of the time they can match it. Ivy Leagues are expensive, but in the circumstances above, it may very well be worth the money.

When “any old college” will do

There are a lot of instances, though, when spending the money on an Ivy League is pointless and any college would work. A lot of students are facing the issue at this time in their life in which they are still unsure what they want to do career wise, which is perfectly fine. Plenty of people change their majors multiple times throughout college, so if you are not 100% sure, then don’t worry too much, just don’t waste your money either. This is a situation in which any state (or even out of state) school will do. If you are going in undecided, then you are just getting your basic credits, in which you can receive anywhere, it would be foolish to spend a fortune. On the other hand, if you are set on a career, one of which does not require a higher level degree, than any college could work for you as well – although it’s also wise to look at school’s with specialties in your field . Also, if you want to live or pursue a career in a certain location, looking into the state colleges in that area can be useful. State colleges are also just useful sources of connections to make. These types of colleges, as explained above, do provide lots of benefits in certain circumstances for a lot lower cost.

When college might not be worth it

Aside from what the majority may say, there are some instances in which college is just not necessary. All your life you may be encouraged by your family and by teachers that college is the best way to go, but this is not always true. If you are set on some sort of labor career, such as construction, plumbing, etc., then college is not necessary at all. Also, if you are receiving any job offers right out of high school that do not require a college degree, than this may be the smarter route for you.

The advantages to college, apart from the career potential

It is true that for most career paths nowadays a college degree is not only preferred, but expected. American politician, Bernie Sanders, states that “Today, a 4 year college degree is equivalent to what a high school diploma was 50 years ago.” So, college is almost always necessary, but there are other lots of other benefits to pursuing this path than just for the potential of a better career. As stated above, college of any sort is just great for making connections. You meet people and experience situations in which you never would unless attending college. It can help us all develop better people skills. Just being in a new environment or location could really change your life. It also gives everyone options. Whether you have decided on what you want to do with your life or not, just having a degree opens up so much more to you.

Donald Trump: A Serious Front Runner

November 12, 2015 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Gabriellie Kreidie

Guest Writer

We are joking no longer. Donald J. Trump is on the verge of possibly becoming the next President of the United States of America. The man that has become comedic gold to our favorite entertainers, the man who everyone has an impression of, the man that went after the 44th President of the United States for his birth certificate. That man has been a head of the polls for nearly the whole election season. The next candidate taking the Republican party by storm is Dr. Ben Carson, a decorated and celebrated neurosurgeon who inspired the African American community. That was until he opened his mouth. Both these candidates have never held public office or had any authority in the political landscape. The latest polls across the nation, show a tie between Trump and Carson. Neither seem to be dying out anytime soon.

It’s no longer a strange thought that an outsider could become our president. The latest CNN/ORC poll found that Donald Trump has a 25% support in Iowa. A recent Bloomberg Politics/St. Anselm College poll had Trump at 24% support in New Hampshire. In these polls Dr. Ben Carson is relatively close to Trump’s support (within 10 points of his lead) in the two states. In the Republican party, the outsiders are doing very well and seem to have a great chance of winning the executive branch in the 2016 election. Yet, what we see is a increase in the anti-establishment, anti-Washington, and anti-political correctness from likely voters. What these polls are showing us is that Trump, Carson and Fiorina are increasing the anger of the American people towards the governmental elite.

It’s scary that a Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree (Cason) has said publicly, “a lot of people who go into prison go into prison straight and when they come out, they’re gay.” Where a CEO who had cut thousands of jobs stated, without understanding the different aspects ethnicities face, “If someone believes they are limited by their gender, race or background, they will become more limited.” Where the possible Presidential nominee has said, “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re sending people that have lots of problems. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists.” I’m all for the First Amendment, until the homophobic, non compassionate and racist people of our country start having a great shot at winning the Oval.

Small Stores, Big City

November 11, 2015 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

by Imani Weeks
Whenever people think about stores, they think the big names such as Target, Walmart, Forever 21, just to name a few. They never think of the little stores that we pass by everyday for the nationally known names. The local business shops is where we should be putting our attention. Shopping at local stores helps our community, makes you a community involved person. Lately there has been a boost in the support of smaller business. The Saturday after Thanksgiving is now a new annual holiday Small Business Saturday. After taking all the deals and large retail stores on Black Friday, you can spend your Saturday in your local stores.

Being in Philly, especially Center City, gives you an abundance of options for shopping. For example, there is a store at 107 S 13th St called Open House. They are located around 13th and Pine. In the actual store they have knick-knacks and things such as t-shirts, mugs, magnets, books, stuffed animals, candles, and jewelry. Another store a few doors down, located at 115 is Paper on Pine. You’re on the same street yet you get a completely different theme, a stationary. All your paper needs can be filled up in this little store. They have things such as journals, invites, planners, thank you cards, calendars, and greeting cards. You can even customize your own invitations to send out. And there are many more stores that are just as unique as those. So why limit yourself to the plain old stores that everyone knows about, try something new and exciting, there are little stores all over Philly that can fit to your every need. And don’t forget to participate this coming Small Business Saturday, the little stores are waiting!

The University of Missouri Takes Step In Right Direction

November 10, 2015 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Micah Henry

Tim Wolfe has messed up. Anytime in sports where there is an occurrence in which there is a problem in the administration or higher authority of a major sports organizations that negatively affects players, they tend to grow angry. This has been seen numerous times in sports history. For example, there was the MLB player strike in 1994, when in short, owners desired a salary caps for players. A salary cap is an agreement that limits the amount of money a team can spend on a player’s salary. It’s evident why owners desired this and players were firmly against it. Owners are cheap and players are greedy! But no in all seriousness, owners believed it was only fair to have a limit on what a team can spend on a player so a team doesn’t sign a $200 billion contract for some superstar coming from college. That, however, is a very melodramatic example, but one sees the point. In the end of this strike, the conclusion was made to have no cap, so the players got what they wanted, but they did not win, neither did the owners. For teams lost $100 of millions in revenue and players lost millions of dollars in salary. There were no games played, so no one bought tickets or food or drinks or anything to have anything at all to do with a MLB team, meaning no earnings. Players did not play games, meaning no earnings. No one won, but a salary cap was avoided. As this example shows, results of strikes vary largely.

This developing story in Missouri is troubling. For as everyone knows, racism is a huge part of American culture, unfortunately, and always has been and always will be. Tim Wolfe had the privilege of being the president of a major university. Yet has messed his life up over being involved in situations of racism. On campus, Payton Head, the president of the Missouri Students Association, about a group of students continually calling him the N-word, Wolfe was inactive regarding the situation. During a separate occurrence, a man used a racial slur after interrupting a rehearsal by the Legion of Black Collegians during an event. Another incident was when a student, unknown, used feces to draw a swastika on a residence hall wall. All this incidents were not acted upon by Wolfe or other administrative officials when it clearly should have been. As the president of a university, it is his job to handle all situations such as discrimination, injustices, racism, etc and Wolfe did not do his job. When you do not do your job, sometimes you get fired. However, Wolfe made the decision to resign first.

In all fairness, this could be a simple case of unknowingness and not prioritizing the right things. Being a president of a major university is a very stressful job that many people will never understand. Being in charge of everything and anything to do with the university then hearing about a racism incident. His thoughts were most likely that he’ll get to it later and that it wasn’t as important as other obligations he had to attend to. Regardless, he has to make time, for racism is ever prevalent these days and people of all races care deeply for it. Tim Wolfe doesn’t deserve his job anymore and he understands that which was why he resigned.

Tim Wolfe and these incidents of racism happen often. Racism is everywhere and people need to be aware that it is very real and very problematic. The great things that come out of situations like these are seeing the community coming together. Blacks, whites, hispanics, asians, all races coming together to show their detestment towards racism and people who support it directly, or indirectly like Tim Wolfe did. These situations anger people yet bring out the good in others. In conclusion, Missouri needs a new president who will pay attention to everything that happens on campus, especially social problems such as racism. The University of Missouri is headed in a positive direction now.

We Need To Talk About Birth Control

November 10, 2015 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Michaela Peterson, Staff Writer

Picture Courtesy of Getty Images

Birth Control is a bit of a taboo subject, especially for teenage girls. They talk about it in hushed whispers, and if you bring it up first, you are open to everyone’s judgement. Because of this secrecy, there are so many myths about birth control, it’s nearly impossible to know what to believe. I want to set the record straight.

First things, first: this piece is about hormonal birth control. That means no diaphragms, condoms, or female condoms. Those need their own article.

Secondly: birth control isn’t bad, and it shouldn’t be treated like a dirty word. It’s a healthy and helpful option for many girls. It comes in several different forms, including the pill, an IUD, an implant, and the ring. Each of these has different sets of side effects and conditions attached to them. But in the end, it’s all about finding the right one for you.

The Pill is the most commonly used form of birth control in the United States, especially for teenagers. There are 3 different types of birth control pills: the combination pill, the mini pill, and the extended pill. The combination pill uses a combination of progesterone and estrogen. The mini pill is only contains progesterone and has to be taken at the same time everyday. The extended pill is a form of the combination pill that regulates your period to every 3 months.

Still worried? Here are some of the most common myths surrounding the pill that you might have heard.

The Myth: The pill makes you gain weight.

The Truth: Not true. Some women do experience weight gain while on the pill, but that is more because of water retention than actual weight gain. That problem can be fixed by shifting to a lower dose pill.

The Myth: You have to take the pill at the same time everyday.

The Truth: Only if you are on the mini pill or if you feel like you need to keep a strict regimine to remember to take it. As long as you take a pill for the day, the effectiveness of it won’t change.

The Myth: The longer you are on the pill, the harder it will be for you to get pregnant later.

The Truth: The pill has no effect on reproductive system once you stop taking it. This is why it’s important to not miss pills–but not to worry about your ability to have kids years from now.

The Myth: The pill causes cancer.

The Truth: The pill doesn’t increase any chance of cancer. In fact it can help prevent it in some cases, like ovarian, uterine, and endometrial cancers.

The Myth: The pill is only used to prevent pregnancy. If a girl takes birth control, she must be having a lot of sex.

The Truth: The pill has number of medical purposes a side from preventing pregnancy. It regulates your period, reduces menstrual cramps and menstrual flow, as well as protect you from excess facial and body hair, acne, ovarian cysts, and menstrual migraines.

All of these answers can be found quickly and easily, just by searching online. But most girls are so misinformed that they never even look or ask. We can’t just let girls walk around uninformed. Thankfully, because of Health Class with Ms. Martin in 10th grade, most girls at SLA have their answers. Every year, Martin brings in Upper Classmen who are on various forms of birth control to talk to her health classes. This helps get rid of the taboo and controversy surrounding birth control. I went to Martin to ask her if she had had any girls talk to her about starting birth control.

“I have not had a conversation with anyone about the birth control pill in quite some time,” Martin said. However, she speculated that that was because most girls come out of her class informed enough to make the right decision for them.

For me, and for a lot of girls, starting birth control was about being in control of my body and my health. When I tell people that, they generally ask for specifics. And I don’t give them any. What goes on your body is between you and your doctor. You don’t need to tell anyone you are on birth control or why. It’s your body.

Our society treats contraception like such a taboo that we shame and scare girls into thinking that wanting to start on the pill makes them a slut. The choice of whether or not you start on the pill or some other form of birth control is between you and your doctor. You have to do what is best for you and for your body. Putting yourself first isn’t shameful or bad, it’s something that you need to do. If you think that maybe you want to start on birth control, talk to your parents and your doctor. Find a method that works well for you. It might take a while, but you’ll get there. Birth Control is not something that should scare you. It’s healthy, helpful, and safe. So do your research and talk to your doctor. And remember, birth control isn’t bad.