Yosemite High School
Blue Print
October 22, 2004
Volume 28 Number 1

A moment with the editor

Three day weekends mean less stress for us

Badger Backtalk

Along with every beginning we are reminded of what was

If sexually active, chances of obtaining an STD are high

Problems can be solved by looking at the pros and cons

Eliminate peer pressure by making choices for yourself

A moment with the editor
Malissa Trenholm

The American Academy of Pediatrics’ website says that high school and even middle school teens are abusing steroids. A survey titled Monitoring the Future, conducted by the University of Michigan’s Institute on Social Research, found that in 2003, 3.5 percent of twelfth graders had used steroids at least once in the past or present; 2.1 percent of twelfth graders had used them in the past year, and 1.3 percent in the past month. The survey also found that 3.0 percent of tenth graders abused steroids in the past or present, and 2.5 percent of eight graders as well.

Steroids, also known as anabolic-androgenic drugs, are supplements containing male sex hormones. Anabolic is a word that stands for muscle building, and androgenic means increased masculine characteristics. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuses’ website, steroids are only available by prescription to patients if their body abnormally produces low amounts of testosterone, patients with AIDS who are losing muscle mass, to patients with impotence and to patients who have delayed puberty. So, why are athletes using steroids?

Athletes use steroids in order to improve their skill, strength, performance, and to gain large amounts of muscle. By using steroids, athletes are cheating, and are creating shortcuts in order to win or to simply look better faster.

Many dangerous negative effects follow with the use of steroids. The American Academy of Pediatrics’ website states that males will experience the side effects of reduced sperm count, impotence, an increase in nipple and breast size, and an enlarged prostate. Females will experience reduced breast size, an increase in facial and body hair, deepened voice and menstrual problems.

Both sexes will experience high blood pressure and heart disease, liver damage and cancers, diarrhea, headaches, muscle cramps, aching joints, nausea and vomiting, sleep problems, increased risk of ligament and tendon injuries, severe acne on the face and back, and baldness. We can’t forget the emotional baggage such as severe mood swings, hallucinations, paranoia, anxiety and panic attacks, depression and thoughts of suicide.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, Creatine, an over the counter supplement that is said to improve strength, is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Although Creatine is naturally found in foods, it may affect the growth process in teens. Absolute-creatine.com states that when the body is in its growth phase, it is important not to do anything that may interfere with the growth process. They argue Creatine is safe but recommend use for only 18 year olds and up.

Although organizations like the International Olympic Committee, National Collegiate Athletic Association, and the National Football League have banned the use of steroids, President George Bush addressed all athletes and pro sports leagues to completely wipe out the use of steroids and performance enhancing drugs in his State of the Union speech earlier this year, for they had been previously using steroids. Five track and field athletes had tested positive for THG, a new type of steroid, as well as four members of the Oakland Raiders.

“Athletes play such an important role in our society, but, unfortunately, some in professional sports are not setting much of an example. The use of performance enhancing drugs like steroids in baseball, and other sports sends the wrong message: That there are shortcuts to accomplishment, and that performance is more important than character,” said Bush.

So does this mean that all of the athletes we tend to look up to are all false cheaters? Does this mean all of the records and memories we possess about the Super Bowl or the Olympics are not true? That some other team would have won if it weren’t for steroid use? Yes, it does. According to cnn.com, Ken Caminiti, who was named National League Most Valuable Player in 1996 for major league baseball, admitted that he had used steroids in order to improve his performance. Did he really deserve the honor of being the MVP?

If you have a friend, son or daughter, warn them about the use of steroids. Steroids are easily available on the internet and there is also a black market that has estimated sales of $400 million a year. Explain that they are cheating and are extremely harming their body. Although steroids are illegal, they can be found anywhere, even on high school campuses.

Three day weekends mean less stress for us
KRYSTAL KANE

As the years progress and the months lap over one another, stress begins to mount and anxiety becomes a normal part of life. For many students on Yosemite High School’s campus, they find themselves leading very hectic lives trying to keep up with all that is required of them: Homework, going to work each day, and at-tempting to have a social life. Having time to just be alone and relax is completely un-heard of, and with each new school year the pressure is building. How long must this go on before this chaotic mess wears on each of us emotionally as well as physically?

One option that has been mentioned before in school meetings and discussions, but has never truly considered is having a three-day weekend and a four-day school schedule. This would prove to have many positive effects for many, including teachers and school staff.

For example, students would show more enthusiasm for attending school if they didn’t have as many days to attend each week. This would lead to better test results, and would improve the school as a whole.

Another reason why having a shorter school week would be a good decision is that it would help decrease alternative ways of keeping stress at bay such as drugs, alcohol, violence and depression. With less abusive habits come happier students, parents and teachers.
The rate of those attending college increases, and those who drop out is lowered. With just this simple change a better community and brighter future evolves for each and every one of us.

Badger Backtalk
Compiled by Brian Christenson

What do you think is the best new addition to YHS and why?
“The pool because that way we can swim.”
Amanda Worton, Freshman

“The new track on the football field because it is easier to run on.”
Ryan Wensloff, Sophomore

“The pool because it is a pool.”
Ashley Yaugher, Junior

“The swimming pool because of the swim team.”
Megan Wilkins, Senior

“The football field because I coach on that field.”
Aaron Eames, Teacher/coach

Along with every beginning
we are reminded of what was
CARMEN GEORGE

Along with every beginning, we are also reminded of what was. We start the new school year both excited and sad, ready and reluctant. Memories of the past make it hard to accept change. We look upon our new potential with ready hearts, but we miss old friends and comfortable routines.

We have been forced to part with so many little meaningful moments that used to bring us feelings of stability and happiness. Whether the change is not exchanging hellos with that one familiar face in between classes or no longer having that one role model team captain on your sports team, we all feel the uncomfortable strangeness of growing and change.

No matter where you are in life, change can always feel so unfair. Leaving behind moments for memories always hurts in the beginning. There are certain wonderful people, places and feelings that we don’t ever want to part with, and this is natural.

But imagine who you wouldn’t be today if you had frozen yourself in one moment years ago. Think of all of the smiles, love, laughter and hope that would have never existed if you had allowed your fear to control your life. You would not be you.

Sometimes holding on for too long leaves us holding nothing. As hard as it sometimes feels, life truly is no-thing more or less than how you want to see it.

Change can be beautiful if you want it to be. There is always beauty and grace and good waiting for you down the road if you are willing to recognize it.

I do still hurt from many things. There are passings and partings that we all experience that make us real, make us human. My dog Josh recently passed into the home of my father above. He was my first true best friend and companion, and he knew of all of my life’s joys and sorrows, and sometimes, when I looked at him, I could see myself as four again, and I could remember. I could remember the sound of my laughter as a little girl, and memories of camping and exploring and growing up. I would be lying if I told you that I would ever be willing to let go of that.

But I won’t ever have to. Growing doesn’t come from forgetting the past, it comes from allowing the good of the past to guide us through the future. My dog Josh is living through every moment that I allow myself to live. We cannot bring back the past, but it can help to bring us to the future.

In all beginnings and ends we must remember how to look both directions. The past may have changed you, but you change the future. To only look back is to never live.

As people we are all universally equal in our ability to apply this to all parts of our lives. Although our beginnings are all different, we meet each together as one voice. Don’t favor the past only to forget you are still living. Let the past be the sunshine that makes us grow.

If sexually active, chances of
obtaining an STD are high
VERONICA STEWART

One fourth of all new HIV infections occur in people who are under the age of 21. As many as one third of those who are infected do not know they have the disease.

These figures include those of us who are in high school

HIV will develop into AIDS which will kill you.

At least everyone is clear on that point. It is also known that HIV is spread through intercourse and other sexual contacts.

HIV is a major problem in the United States today and, as it turns out, we are a part of the problem. It is a known fact that the greater a person’s sexual activity, the more chance they have of contracting HIV or any other sexually transmitted disease (STD).

However, many young people do not think it will happen to them, or even more absurd, believe that there is or will be a cure for HIV. Stupid as it may seem to some of us, that there are actually people out there who believe that, it is true.

Not all people who have HIV respond to treatment. Further-more, the treatment is very expensive.

The point of all this is that teenagers need to be much more responsible. Condoms do have a rate of failure. Even a miniscule hole in a condom can lead to a person becoming infected.

Birth control will never protect girls from contracting an STD. So, if condoms are no guarantee and a person really wants to avoid a life-long disease like genital warts or something more short term, say pubic lice, the only answer is the “A” word.

That would be abstinence.

And guess what? It really does work. In the African country of Uganda, the rate of those infected with HIV is actually declining. This is due in part to the fact that that the government has its sexual education programs stress the importance of abstinence and being faithful to one partner for your entire life.

How many sexually active teenagers actually plan on being faithful with one partner for their entire life?

The funny thing about abstinence is that by not having sex, including oral sex, you actually decrease the chance of contracting an STD like HIV. Imagine that.

So, wake up people. You can get an STD, maybe not in high school, but if those who are sexually active continue to be, your chances are higher. More than 20 different STDs have been identified. The chances of contracting one are not as slim as one might think.

Problems can be solved
by looking at the pros and cons
CHARITY MONAHAN

The issues of dress code are a big deal these days. It seems as if everything you wear can somehow go against the dress code. A lot of teachers feel that school uniforms would be a good solution to this problem.
Uniforms would ensure that everyone is following the dress code, as well as giving a professional air to our school. But, is this the best way to go?
Most students are against it. Being able to wear what you want is a way to express yourself and be different. But, kids can also show too much skin. So, what would be the best solution?

If you were to look at the pros and cons of each, maybe we can figure it out.
First of all, if students were forced to wear school uniforms, they would be able to express themselves in a different way, such as their talents and personalities. Way too many people judge others based on the way they dress.

Another good thing about having school uniforms is that they give an air of professionalism to our school. It makes our school more widely known. But the bad thing about school uniforms is that clothes are a big way to express who you are.

If school officials were to take that away, a lot of kids might feel lost and not know what to do. The good thing about dressing the way you want is that you can wear your favorite colors, prints and stuff like that. You can have fun accessorizing and playing with outfits that you like to wear.

So, in the end, I think we should keep the rules the same. Let us dress the way we want and we’ll respect the dress code.

Eliminate peer pressure by
making choices for yourself
DOTTI JACKSON

Peer pressure is a problem that will never be solved. Most people think that peer pressure only comes from a group of so-called “bad” people, or people who would influence you do so something that is going to harm you.

However, peer pressure comes from many different kinds of people. Friends, sisters, brothers, other family members and even people you would normally acquaint yourself with will try to pressure you into doing something that you might not want to do or something you don’t agree with.
Drinking, smoking, doing drugs and having sex are the main problems. Peer pressure can also include dressing a certain way or picking on someone who your friends do not like, even if you don’t have a problem with them.

People do things like drink, smoke and do drugs and have sex because it gives them a sense of belonging. Sure, it might be exciting and exhilarating in the beginning but it could hurt you in the long run. Usually people get backed into a situation to try illegal drugs, alcohol and cigarettes and more times than not, these behaviors become habit forming.

One of the major issues with peer pressure occurs when you get sucked into something that you really didn’t want to do and many become addicted to it.

I made a decision and I truly feel that my decision was the correct one. By making my own decisions and not caring who thinks I’m cool for not having a certain label or acting like a jerk to somebody makes me in charge of my life.

The only people who matter to me are my friends and family who I trust and I know that they will never steer me wrong.

Return to Blue Print index