Features

By Will Amari

Staff Writer 

November is known for cooler days, shorter school weeks, and large leaf piles. Thanksgiving too comes in November and can serve as a national symbol for remembering what we’re thankful for and marks the start of the Holiday Season. However, this November students, teachers, and parents at SLA have something else on their mind, and it isn’t turkey.

Its called “No Shave November” or, “Noshember” as many call it, when guys and gals let their hair grow out all month to show their support for a special cause.

Some people might find this to be a little silly at first, but the concept goes much deeper then rocking the wolf-man. Principle Lehman explains, “It (Noshember) is the raising of money for men’s health.”

Last November, Principle Lehman’s father passed away of prostate cancer. This November Principle Lehman feels like not shaving is a wonderful way to honor him.

The idea of Noshember is not a new trend. In fact, it has been going on for four years straight. On November 2009, The Hill family started this hairy tradition to remember their father who died after an 18-month battle with colon cancer. At that time the Noshember Facebook page had just under 50 participants. Today thousands of people from all over the world have joined the Noshember team, and they are not afraid to show their support with their bearded faces or fuzzy legs.

The Noshember Foundation has raised over 170 million dollars worldwide. The United States alone raised over $7.5 million for cancer charities.

Principle Lehman believes that more people will do it next year and that eventually it will become a tradition. He thinks that more students would’ve joined if they were able to grow beards. “For me this was an attempt to raise awareness and raise a little money for issues of men’s health.”

Junior Richard Yoeun feels rather passionate about No Shave November, but he’s not doing it for cancer. “It is a tradition that usually runs in my family.” Yoeun explains. “I want to see how long I can grow my beard out within the course of one month.” When Yoeun was asked what one could get out of growing a beard he stated, “The sense of pride, dignity, warmth for my chin and a good look of manhood.”

It just goes to show you the importance of beard-growing and the many things it represents. To some it is a way to express their feelings for fallen love ones. To others it’s a symbol of manhood. In the end it all goes to a good cause. Even if that cause is masculinity.

By Will Amari

Staff Writer

Picture this: empty milk cartons abandoned on the ballroom tables, gum wrappers on the Cafe floors, and ketchup smeared on the walls. To some people this might sound like a bad day at preschool, but according to Physical Education Teacher, Pia Martin, this is just an average day at SLA. Students at SLA seem to have fallen into some nasty habits.

Everyone is familiar with Principle Lehmann’s famous announcements about litter, but some students have noticed that these trash updates have become less frequent.

Is SLA becoming cleaner? Junior Michael Nicolella doesn’t think so. “I think it (the trash) is staying the same. Look at the Cafe and the walls; there’s dried up milk and stuff.”

Michael has been attending SLA for three years and feels that the trash problem is not everyones fault. “I wouldn’t really blame it on a grade.” Nicolella says. “I know most people would, but I think it’s just people who are ignorant.”

Nicolella says that he himself tries to keep SLA clean by throwing away the garbage left by his peers and reminding his friends to keep SLA litter-free. However, he would agree that just one person trying to keep SLA clean cannot make much of a difference.

In fact, most people who tend to spend a lot of time in the Cafe are consistently inconvenienced by the litter. Physical Education Teacher, Pia Martin remarked, “It inconveniences me all the time because I cannot teach in the cafe after lunch because I don’t want (students) to have to put their hands on the floor or their hands on the table.”

Mrs. Martin explains that she doesn’t have the time or the desire to clean up after people. She believes that everyone is responsible and that they should be punished for their disrespect. “I think that there are some people who forget the rules at home. I think people are taking advantage of the maintenance staff and Officer Berg.”

Currently SLA has hired staff to clean up after the students, but most teachers and classmates have come to the consensus that everyone should take ownership of the litter problem and clean SLA.

Teachers are worried that the litter in SLA might create a bad first impression among visitors who might want to ether attend SLA or do something that would benefit the school. Most SLA teachers including Mrs. Martin were able to recall times where visitors left SLA, complaining about how dirty the building was.

This upsets them and they believe that something should be done about it. “I have this fantasy.” Says Mrs. Martin. “That we just don’t clean up and see how long it takes for people to get the hint.”

The SLA community hasn’t determined a way to solve the litter problem yet, however it is clear to see that students and teachers feel passionate about the school’s lack of cleanliness. There are “No litter” signs in the hallway walls and students are constantly reminded to clean up their trash. Little by little the school is improving in an attempt to become a better-looking and more inviting school. It’s important to keep SLA tidy and clean. As Nicolella says, “I don’t want to look like a bunch dirt bags!”

 

 

By: Zoe Schwingel-Sauer

Staff Writer

Girls and guys rating each other and checking each other out is old news.

These ratings have moved online. This has been made possible by the app called Lulu, created by Alexandra Chong.

The app allows girls to anonymously rate guys based off their looks, personalities, habits, and hobbies.

This app was created in April 2013, and since then has amounted over one million users.

Many claim this app sexist, as girls are rating guys in a demeaning way. While others say that this app allows people to cyber bully. 

Colleges are where this app has been proven to be most successful. Girls are constantly rating guys, and guys are constantly trying to get a good rating.

An important thing to note is that while you are anonymous, you must log in through Facebook and be over the age of 18. As a result, the app has not taken off in high schools.

 The purpose of the app was to be a way that women could share their thoughts and opinions with others, in a positive way. However the opposite of that has been achieved.

 The app almost seems to be pro-cyber bullying. Girls are allowed to give hateful reviews, because there are no filters on the app. That is definitely not the intent, but it is what it has come to.

 While Chong says that crazy ex-girlfriends, and girls only wishing to give guys a bad name are not a part of the app, that is far from the truth.

 The app lets you rate guys anonymously, therefore anyone can put any kind of review about a guy. You can hashtag a guy with anything you wish. It is very easy to say cruel and negative comments about a guy.

 This app is also creating a double standard. If guys were to make an app that rates women anonymously, women would become outraged and find it very sexist and degrading.

 Since it’s women, it’s apparently ‘okay.’

 Hopefully the creator will come to her senses and get rid of the app before it gets more out of hand and continues to grow and prosper.

To all guys; watch out, you may be the next victim of Lulu.