Created by MCC Journalism Students
Student Opinions
Are High School Students Distracted by Technology?
By Melissa Rodriguez
Class of 2017
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With the advancement of technology over the last 100 years, the benefits can sometimes lead to detrimental effects. Take today’s technology for instance. Smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc., all consume the minds and time of America’s youth especially students in schools across the nation.
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I believe that high school students are distracted by technology. In most high schools, students are given laptops for classwork, and are required to take it home, do homework, and use it during class. While teachers are teaching in class, there are some students who are not paying attention and go onto different “websites” such as Youtube, and also they watch movies, sport highlights etc. When students are distracted, they are not productive in class, which can conclude to bad test scores. When given school and or homework, students will go on their laptops and start the work, but they get distracted and go on other sites.
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According to a New York Times, many people believe that “Students who tend to multitask or check Facebook even once during the 15-minutes they were monitored were likely to be poor students.” Also, in New York Times article “students reported that even without the constant reminders provided by notification lights and sounds, they were internally preoccupied with whether anyone was trying to get in touch with them or commenting on their statuses.” I believe that having much technology is a long-term consequence because doing well or not doing well in school will impact the rest of the student’s lives.
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The reason why students have technology in class is so they have a better opportunity to learn more and get their work done faster. Another study focused “Students reported that even without the constant reminders provided by notification lights and sounds, they were internally preoccupied with whether anyone was trying to get in touch with them or commenting on their statuses.” In conclusion, technology's effects are both positive and negative. This editorial focused on how technology is not always a positive thing for young students because it keeps them from learning, distracts them from class lessons and lowers test grades.
Has Cheating Become a Problem Across the U.S?
By Morgan Burrows
Class of 2019
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Teachers catch students cheating throughout varieties of high-schools in the United States. The reasoning behind students cheating so often is due to the lack of effort and the abundances of sources that are available on the internet; also the amount of students caught cheating is unbelievable!
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Lack of effort in students is obsessed by many famous authors including Shannon Doyne for the New York Times who says, “Experts say the reasons are relatively simple: cheating has become easier and more widely tolerated, and both schools and parents have failed to give students strong, repetitive messages about what is allowed and what is prohibited.” She is saying that cheating is a subject that needs to be more talked about, as cheating can put students into an educational slump. Copying another student's work is a very severe punishable sin, and it is too overlooked by teachers and students. When students cheat in high school it can ruin their chances of receiving a career that can make good money. About 75 to 98 percent of high-school alumni students have admitted to cheating according to Sara Lenz from New York Times.
Many websites such as Shmoop, Mathway, and Cymath make it very easy for students to cheat on reading, math, writing, and communication tests; this form of cheating shows how students lack effort. This has become a worldwide problem ,according to New York Times author Sara Lenz, that have made it hard for professors and teachers to trust their students and it challenges them to make problems and questions that they know that will help their students learn. These websites that make cheating easy for students cause an absence of effort because it makes plagiarism and cheating so basic for all these people.
All in all, the reasons for cheating are the lack of effort and the sources that are make it so easy to cheat, which is a severe and punishable act; this can get you kicked out of college.
“In a nationwide survey of over 40,000 young adults in 2010, 59.4 percent said they had cheated during a test at school one or more times that year, according to the Josephson Institute of Ethics. What may be even more surprising is that 55.7 percent of honors students said they had cheated during a test at school one or more times,” according to Josephine Institute sought out by Sara Lenz. Students should be taught ways to prevent cheating and teachers should make a better effort to help students who are in need of help so they don’t turn to cheating.
Are Professional Sports Teams with
Native American Mascots Racist?
By JT Whitson
Class of 2019
In July of 2015, according to The Huffington Post, a federal judge ruled that the Washington Redskins could not legally trademark the team name, canceling a grand total of the team’s six previously registered trademarks. Another ruling, held by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Trademark Trial and Appeals Board, found that the team nickname was “disparaging to Native Americans.” As of late, the issue is a popular subject in the media today. Are professional sports teams with Native American mascots racist?
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The short answer: no. The majority of the teams that are drawing attention from the media are organizations that have been around for several decades and are only now causing a disturbance. Take the Chicago Blackhawks for example; the NHL team has been in existence since 1926 but most people come to believe that these professional organizations are racist. But why would they want to make the face of their franchise something they feel animus towards? Organizations choose names like The Indians and The Braves to commemorate the Native American fighting spirit. These teams take pride in what those tribes stood for; bravery in battle, honor, and tradition. Also, teams with Native American ties not only give a face to a franchise, but they help preserve the Native American way of life. Let’s assume that all professional sports teams with Native American mascots do change their team name; that will only aid to what feels like an already forgotten culture because every time you hear about Kirk Cousins and The Redskins, or Bartolo Colon and The Atlanta Braves, or Patrick Kane and The Blackhawks, one remembers what Native Americans stood for and how important these people are to this nation. A poll held by The Washington Post also found that nine out of ten Native Americans are not even bothered by professional sports teams with Native American mascots.
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However, others could argue that these teams are racist and should find alternative names for their organization. The Washington Redskins, for example, are derogatory and they belittle the Native American people by referencing them only by their skin color, which is racist. Also, the Cleveland Indians are clearly referencing the Native American people through their mascot, however Native Americans have no relationship to the Indian people genetically or geologically. But most importantly, it is almost animalizing our country when the most important part of Native American heritage is use the of their names for sports teams. The mass majority of mascots are animals, environmental phenomena, or people that usually exhibit traits that are unfavorable, i.e. The Timberwolves, The Heat, and The Pirates. When we, as a country, categorize an entire people into the same group as those formerly referenced we are literally calling them animals.
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Even if you believe that Native American mascots are racist the probability that you, yourself, are Native American is very low. So my question to you is, why do you care? It’s not your heritage and it’s not your culture. So why bother?
Are Restaurants Hiding Nutrition Facts From Their Customers?
By Renata Pereira
Class of 2018
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When visiting a favorite restaurant do you skim over the menu or do you really look at the nutrition facts? Honestly, what is the point? According to Prevention.com, most restaurant food contains an average of 18% more calories than what appears on the menu. In the latest studies of menus for popular restaurants, nutritionists have found that most restaurants lowball facts because they want more people to buy the food. To have the proper number of calories listed on the menu is the best for everyone because anyone with health issues can make a serious case with the restaurant in deciding what to order.
Even some restaurants that claim to contain healthy foods sometimes have twice the amount of calories in their food. Two of the most popular fast food chains in America, McDonald’s and Burger King, have caught the attention of health inspectors.
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Stephen Joseph, president of BanTransFats.com, claimed McDonald's failed to mention their delay in cooking oil change. In September 2002, McDonald’s was supposed to change its oil but instead never informed the public of the delayed change. McDonald's lost their court case and agreed to give $7 million to the American Heart Association. After that case with Joseph, McDonald's spent over $1 million to update the public on information about the trans fats in the oil used.
Burger King was another target in the food corporation. In 2007, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) claimed Burger King was putting their customers health at risk. CSPI wanted Burger King to stop using trans fat in its food, which most customers do not even realize is in their food. After hearing about the case, Wendy’s and KFC started to change its food to healthier options.
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I believe that there is no point in hiding the facts in your own restaurant. If your food tastes good, I would come back even if the calories state I should not. Also it is very important the people who suffer from obesity know what they are eating. I understand why some people try to ignore the fact there is a lot of calories in some fast foods but it is always best to look at the facts. Restaurants tend to price healthier foods more expensively. In my opinion, this is horrible. The food we eat is very concerning and everyone should be aware of the food they put in their bodies. It is best that most fast-food chains now have websites that show the nutrition facts of their most popular foods.
Are Parents Giving Their Children Smartphones
at Too Young of an Age?
By Carly Warr
Class of 2018
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The average age of children receiving smartphones is 11-13 years old but is used for emergencies only. According to nytimes.com, nowadays two-year-olds are using smartphones for media use and 21% of children as young as eight years old are given their own smartphones.
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According to pbs.org, before purchasing a smartphone for their child, parents should ask themselves what functions are age appropriate for their child. Many parents feel that handing young children smartphones opens them up to a world of communications with strangers and tools beyond their age. Other people argue smartphones prepare young children for school, which primarily uses technology as a teaching tool in class. So what is the appropriate age for children to receive a smartphone?
I do not think a toddler should be given a smartphone, especially with no boundaries or blocked apps, however, a tablet for a child with educational games and apps could be useful. Over 70% of households with children own a tablet, most say for educational purposes only.
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According to growingwireless.com, parents use some of the following methods to help control their child’s media content: 57% of parents watch or play the content before letting their children use the application, 34% of parents listen to recommendations from friends, 31% say they listen to the reputation of the company, and 13% of parents check website reviews.
Parents have the ability to control what apps can be accessed and downloaded, and even have access to other parental controls within the smart device. These controls make it easier for the adults to monitor exactly what is happening within the smart device. Parents should also set a time limit that determines how long each child can use the tablet per day. The limit should be no longer than an hour, as the longer parents let their children have access to smart devices, the more addicted they become. Children who spend more time on smart devices become far more dependent on them as teenagers or young adults than kids who split their time wisely on smart devices. As for giving a child a smartphone of their own, I do not think the child should be any younger than 12 years old. Even at 12, I believe the child should have restrictions on what apps can be used and seen.
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By the age of 14, I believe all kids should have a phone with the ability to at least text and call. As for young children, I do not think they should be given smartphones at all. Smart devices are only okay for toddlers if the parents monitor the device closely and limit the amount of content and time the child uses the device. The youngest age I believe a child should be given a smartphone is 12, with restrictions. Otherwise, they are too young.
Dire Need for High School Drug Test as Numbers for Addicts are Higher than Ever
By Eric Johanning
Class of 2018
High school is a new stage in a minor’s life as social groups begin to define who they are, students start to walk down their own path of life with life choices. Some of those choices are made because new temptations are introduced to them. One of these new temptations are usually illegal drugs, especially marijuana. According to the Washington Examiner, about 35% of students in high school have had experience with marijuana. So should it be required for all students above an eighth grade level to be drug tested?
Besides the stimulating effects of marijuana, there is no positive reason to smoke pot.
However, the negative side is more extended. It is imperative that all high school students be drug tested once a semester at random because even a single use of an intoxicating drug can affect a person's judgment and decision making, resulting in accidents, poor performance in school or sports, unplanned risky behavior, and the risk of overdosing. Repeated drug use can lead to serious problems, such as poor academic outcomes, mood changes (including: depression, anxiety, paranoia, psychosis), and social or family problems caused or worsened by drugs.
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So many students now have such bright futures whether it be with academics or athletics, but waste their scholarship money by taking a mandatory drug test in college and failing. One example is Chris Herron; coming out of college, Herron was expected to be the new face of the NBA All-Stars and to become ‘the new Allen Iverson.’ However, in the early parts of Herron’s professional career he struggled with marijuana, which led to suspensions and made Herron succumb to the temptation of more hardcore drugs like cocaine and heroin. Eventually after so many suspensions from the league, Herron was asked to go to a rehabilitation center, and never returned to the NBA. All of Herron’s struggles started with the most common drug in the high school world today, marijuana.
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By doing drugs at an early age, young students and athletes are setting themselves up for failure. That is why it should be required to drug test all high school students and force some kind of rehabilitation for those who test positive. It is time to start making high school a cleaner, better place.
Dire Need for High School Drug Test as Numbers
for Addicts are Higher than Ever
By Eric Johanning
Class of 2018
High school is a new stage in a minor’s life as social groups begin to define who they are, students start to walk down their own path of life with life choices. Some of those choices are made because new temptations are introduced to them. One of these new temptations are usually illegal drugs, especially marijuana. According to the Washington Examiner, about 35% of students in high school have had experience with marijuana. So should it be required for all students above an eighth grade level to be drug tested?
Besides the stimulating effects of marijuana, there is no positive reason to smoke pot.
However, the negative side is more extended. It is imperative that all high school students be drug tested once a semester at random because even a single use of an intoxicating drug can affect a person's judgment and decision making, resulting in accidents, poor performance in school or sports, unplanned risky behavior, and the risk of overdosing. Repeated drug use can lead to serious problems, such as poor academic outcomes, mood changes (including: depression, anxiety, paranoia, psychosis), and social or family problems caused or worsened by drugs.
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So many students now have such bright futures whether it be with academics or athletics, but waste their scholarship money by taking a mandatory drug test in college and failing. One example is Chris Herron; coming out of college, Herron was expected to be the new face of the NBA All-Stars and to become ‘the new Allen Iverson.’ However, in the early parts of Herron’s professional career he struggled with marijuana, which led to suspensions and made Herron succumb to the temptation of more hardcore drugs like cocaine and heroin. Eventually after so many suspensions from the league, Herron was asked to go to a rehabilitation center, and never returned to the NBA. All of Herron’s struggles started with the most common drug in the high school world today, marijuana.
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By doing drugs at an early age, young students and athletes are setting themselves up for failure. That is why it should be required to drug test all high school students and force some kind of rehabilitation for those who test positive. It is time to start making high school a cleaner, better place.
Do College Rankings Really Matter?
By Mia Payan
Class of 2019
Have you ever searched up colleges and looked for how high there are ranked among other colleges and universities in the U.S.? These rankings can have great meaning to prospective students and their families looking into some of these colleges.
These overall total rankings of colleges and universities are received among various different sources of newspapers, websites, and book brands and they all depend on different aspects of each of the differing schools. Some sources will compare and rank colleges solely based upon a single aspect in which a certain school has to offer, such as their staff, student population, acceptance rate, or any of the school’s many other features.
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Multiple people exposed to college rankings express that these rankings among the universities do not have importance and are not valuable statuses of the individual school as a whole, while others have the opinion that say these rankings do provide an overall look at how the college is portrayed as depending upon its social rankings among other school.“The reliance on this is out of hand,” said Jon Boeckenstedt, the Associate Vice President at DePaul University in Chicago. “It’s a nebulous thing, comparing the value of a college education at one institution to another, so parents and students and counselors focus on things that give them the illusion of precision.”
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My opinion on this topic is that rankings that are given to these schools by numerous, differing sources do matter and do show which certain schools are stronger in differing areas. In the opinion column “Why College Rankings Are a Joke” Frank Bruni writes, “Another main factor is the percentage of a school’s students who graduate within six years. But this says as much about a school’s selectiveness — the proven achievement and discipline of the students it admits — as about its stewardship of them.”
This statement explains a lot on how these rankings are separated, as many ranking are based on how a certain area of their school performs and certain aspects rarely will one find overall rankings that incorporate all aspects of a school into one overall status.
In conclusion, college rankings can be both helpful and confusing at the same time, but if one were to search deeper inside a ranking and why a school was ranked the way it did, one will find that each source that ranks a college does so for different reasons. Rankings overall in my opinions are helpful and resourceful to prospective students looking for colleges that may be appealing to them.
Does Technology Cause a Lack Of Communication?
By Alyanna Tennant
Class of 2018
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Parents today have some concerns about technology and the amount of time their kids spend with electronics. Teenagers absorbed by their televisions, phones, tablets, computers, etc., often ignore their parents’ requests to put the technology away. In fact, since the invention of the smartphone and other new technology, young people no longer pay attention to what is going on around them.
In my opinion, technology can be a negative aspect to the youth in America today for two main reasons: kids lack good communication skills and a lack of exercises is causing obesity.
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First, many of us do not exercise our face-to-face conversations anymore as we used to do before smartphones were invented. A lack of communication skills in the youth is causing many problems. According to said Melissa Ortega, a child psychologist at New York’s Child Mind Institute, young people don’t start conversations anymore because they are involved with their devices. Therefore, they don’t have much experience communicating with others.
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Today, we have phones in our pockets available at any time and when a stranger starts a conversation with us, we tend to ignore them. Or, we talk with people without even looking at them in the eyes. Can children these days handle casual social communication? Being social takes a lot of practice and the dependence we have on devices can make it that much harder for children who are already struggling socially. According Dr. Gary Small, a neuroscientist and author of iBrain: Surviving the Technological Alteration of the Modern Mind. “In face-to-face conversation, you’ve got to think on your feet. You’ve got to respond right away,” Small said.
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Second, technology is also causing medical problems with young people, especially obesity. For instance, according to The American Academy of Pediatrics, most children spend almost seven hours using a variety of different technology, such as phones, computers and TV. I believe children need to put down the electronic for a while and spend more time with their family and friends engaged in outdoor activities, such as walking, jogging, or riding bikes. According to the article titled “Obesity in Children and Technology” published on livestrong.com by Elle Paula, “While it’s tempting to turn to technology to help keep your children occupied, too much screen time may instill unhealthy habits that persist into adulthood.” Having a television in your child’s bedroom increases the impact of TV watching on weight status, independent of physical activity this is why electronics are causing trouble.