Words so powerful

they could start wars

[anotherwordforjournalism]

The Stress of High School: How Can We Lower It?

Let's be honest: school isn't easy. At some point or another, you're going to feel stressed.. How could we fix this?

As overused as the argument is, I strongly agree with the no homework policy. Us students are already under the microscope for eight hours a day. Home should be a safe haven; a place where you can set down your workload and relax. Why ruin that by drilling more questions and facts into your already tired brain? (Not to mention when it all builds up!)

For all 180 days we're forced to undergo a mind numbing routine. Your classes are the same and the only break you get it walking to your next period. Students deserve time to breathe or even get missed/late work done without having to break the no homework rule.

I have extreme test anxiety and I know i'm not the only one. Although sitting a student down and testing him on what he/she's expected to remember is the way of life, what if we could perfect it? I suggest each student be separated into groups according to the way they learn- so the test is just for them!

The last thing I believe should be change is the grading system. It is so flawed in the way that a test can bring down your entire grade with the stroke of a wrong answer. It builds up nerves towards taking them and nobody like that, right?

[anotherwordforjournalism]

MY Top 5 Best Television Shows

Criminal Minds

The actors portray their roles wonderfully. It's one television show with action, romance, and comedy all tied together.

Friends

You follow the lives of a group of friends and it's definitely a crazy ride... but hey, it's too funny to look away!

The L Word

A fascinating chick series that had me obsessed with all of the crazy plot twists and surprises.

Grey's Anatomy

Every girl has her soap opera.. Grey's Anatomy is mine. There's not an episode that didn't pull the strings on my heart. Not to mention the scandalous hospital tales that come with every day.

That 70's Show

Although in some episodes there might be serious plot lines, I love That 70's Show because it's easy to watch and never fails to make me die of laughter!

[anotherwordforjournalism]

Why Do We Love Facebook?

When last updated October 3rd, 2013 there were 500 million people on Facebook; 250 million of which log on every day. Are you included?

Why is Facebook so popular? When I reached out and asked around I found a few key reasons.

“I like it because it’s the only way I can contact my friend from England,” said Rachel Campbell, a senior. It’s an extremely easy and very useful when it comes to reaching people.

“I can keep tabs on the girl I like without actually talking to her,” A student told me, but asked to stay anonymous. Everybody does it and if you say you don’t you’re lying! Facebook is a great way to scope out friends, family, and strangers with just a click.

“I can stay updated with people’s birthdays and other events easily,” said senior, Savannah Thomas. Facebook reminds you when your friends are having gatherings or their birthdays are within a week away. You’ll never forget again!

“I love Facebook because I can look back at it when I’m grown up and see how stupid I was.” Trey Carter, a tenth grader, responded when asked why he loves the social network. He’s absolutely right too! It’s an amazing source to upload your pictures and videos to. You decide how you look, who sees your albums, and the captions on your photos. People can comment and share them, but you’ll always have the memories to look back to.

These are just a few reasons why people love Facebook and with 500 million users, there has to be more out there! So, why do you love Facebook?

[anotherwordforjournalism]

Krokodil: America's Newest Nightmare

As gruesome as it sounds, I want you to close your eyes and imagine this: your line of sight travels down to see the flesh and skin of your arm decay and slip clean off the bone.

What could cause such a problem, you ask? One thing; a new injectable drug called Krokodil. It’s similar to heroin in the way that it takes you to a state of blankness, but it’s much cheaper and only lasts for an hour to an hour and thirty minutes. The deadly narcotic is made with codeine pills, gasoline, cooking oil, iodine, paint thinner, and lighter fluid. When shot into the body it immediately harms your veins and, after a long period of use, severe tissue damage is inevitable. Black, round dots start covering your body and, after a while, the skin peels and decays off.

Krokodil, or desomorphine, was patented in 1932 when authorities realized it was a lot stronger than morphine. For the past few years it’s been abused mostly in Russia but seems to be moving to the United States at an alarming rate. The first cases were seen in Arizona when two patients went to the hospital with the same symptoms, both ending in amputation. Since that date the numbers are small, but rising nonetheless.

When talking to people who have dealt with it, i learned those who buy are usually unsuspecting heroin addicts or addicts without enough money to buy the real thing. The high is supposedly very addicting and the effects are long term, scary, and just plain disgusting.

[anotherwordforjournalism]

A Review of Miley's New Album: Bangerz

Miley Cyrus is well on her way to becoming the biggest pop star on the planet, which is exactly what she was aiming to do with her new album Bangerz. It hit the charts as number one twice in 70 countries since its release date, October 8th. If you take a listen to the 13 songs with a closed mind you might not understand the story Miley is trying to tell. However, every song sings about a memory of her life with former fiancé Liam Hemsworth and what the love did to her.

At the beginning of the album Cyrus sings Adore You, but a little later she throws in a song that’s a little shows a little more raw emotion in both the lyrics and music video.

Before Bangerz exploded onto the charts, the video for Wrecking Ball caused people to talk everywhere. She was nude in some of the shots to show how her love for Liam stripped her; but let’s not forget the scene where she was licking a sledge hammer.

Shortly after the bedlam started, Miley tweeted saying the action was to show how she loved the pain of the relationship. Fast forwarding to track 10, the song FU tells a tale of Hemsworth cheating on her. To tie all of the pain and love that went into the album, Someone Else was the very last song.

Everybody has something to say about Miley Cyrus, Bangerz, and everything else that has to do with her. Although there were one or two songs I didn’t exactly take to, I say this album is the best one she’s produced. I love the pop star she is becoming and wait with anticipation for the next album. Good job, Cyrus.

I give Bangerz an A.

[anotherwordforjournalism]

Rumors of James Island

By this time next year, you’ll all be wearing uniforms. Have you heard this? High school is a rumors natural habitat. Whether they’re true or not, countless of them pass through our hallways every day.

I sat down with Mr. Glickman to discuss the truth behind three of the most common rumors around James Island.

Rumor 1: “Seniors will not be able to leave for lunch next year.” Mr. Glickman replied to give a clear yes or no answer, but responded with “Again, this is a privilege and not a right. If you are late or abuse the privilege it could get removed for those students.”

Rumor 2: “The school is getting uniforms next year.” Mr. Glickman responded “Uniforms? I have not heard that one?”

Rumor 3: “James Island is going to be redone soon.” Mr. Glickman said “Yes, there are plans for renovations and remodeling of the school in the next few years.”

There you have it, answers to the top rumors around campus. Now that you know the truth, have you heard any rumors around James Island? Aren’t you curious whether or not they’re facts or just plain lies? Message me your favorite JICHS rumor; but remember to keep it clean.

[anotherwordforjournalism]

Top 5 Best and Worst Reality Television Shows

Best:

Tattoo Nightmares

 Real people. Real stories. Horrible tattoos. Tattoo Nightmares features three amazing artists (Jasmine, Big Gus, and Tommy) and their adventures with complex and almost impossible cover ups. In the midst of hearing their customer’s stories when it comes to the tattoos etched on their bodies, the show goes as far as playing reenactments of the actual doing. Over all Tattoo Nightmares is a very interesting show that tells not only drop dead hilarious tales, but heart wrenching ones too.

Here Comes Honey Boo Boo

 Straight from Toddlers and Tiaras, 12 year old Honey Boo Boo stars in her very own show! The cameras follow the Shannon’s everyday life from pageants, to grocery shopping, to their crazy family gatherings. The show is larger than life and is sure to give America so many hardy laughs.

Big Brother

13 strangers pile into one large house wired with cameras and microphones in pretty much every room. Not only do they have to learn to live with each other, they have to compete in various types of competitions that will push them to the edge. If the contestants can stay in the house for three months with no outside communication, and manage to stay sane enough to play their best game, they win the grand total of $500,000 dollars.

Cat Fish

When Nev Schulman’s brother documented him meeting his online lover for the first time they didn’t expect a TV series would grow from it. Yet that’s exactly what happened. After making the trip and experience into a movie, several people saw it and sought help from Nev himself. He received various emails from people asking to help make such a thing happen to them. Taking the opportunity by storm, Nev and his brother (camera crew too) go all around the USA to help people find out if their online knight and armor is really who they say they are. It can be anywhere from funny to tear jerking, but it promises a story you won’t forget.

Duck Dynasty

A camera crew follows the very unusual employees of Duck Commander and believe me when I type this, more than work goes on. Not a day goes by when one of the men, wives, or kids don’t do something worth watching. Not only does it make you laugh until you cry, it views in on hunting, the country life, and the merchandise that comes with the business.

Worst:

Jersey Shore

Six crazy people, one huge house, all legal to drink, cameras rolling, sex, alcohol, and oh so much drama. Jersey Show followed the adventures of the cast, along with good and the terrible that came alongside them.

Teen Mom

Tells the story of teens that got pregnant at the age of 16 and fearlessly broadcasts all of the horrors that come along with growing up too quickly.

Keeping Up with the Kardashians

Cameras stay rolling and shows the ups and downs of being a part of the oh so famous Kardashian family.

Amish Mafia

Shows the lives of the men who protect the Amish people. Most of the Amish do not believe or trust the law enforcement, and because of that, the Amish Mafia was invented. Those who are a part of it go to no ends to save and protect their people, while you get to sit back and watch all the struggle and craziness.

Mob Wives

The stories and chronicles of not so normal woman who are in some way related to the mafia and the effect it’s had on their lives and loved ones.