Monthly Archives: April 2015

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April provides many favorites for students

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For some people, the first day of April is the worst day of the whole year, but for others, this day is the most hilarious day ever. Although April Fool’s Day is one of the most playful days of the month, April has many other favorited events, places and moments to offer.

April Fool’s Day is full of envious and malicious pranks on friends and family. Some of the best pranks I have heard of are the ones that are physical pranks, not just someone telling his mom that he got arrested or telling a friend you are moving.

Get a rubber band or tape, and wrap it around the movable spray hose that is attached to a sink. Once the hose is completely compressed with the tape, the next person to turn on the water will get blasted with water from the spray hose.

Another comical prank involves plastic wrap or clear food wrap. If you cover a doorway with the wrap during the night or when someone cannot notice you, the next person to walk through the door will smash through and get caught by the plastic. An even more insidious trick would be to place the plastic wrap on a toilet bowl; however, this one is rather dirty and mean.

On a less mischievous note, April has brought along one of the most beloved seasons. Spring is the savior for everyone’s hatred for the cold and loss of color. Spring is the start to all of the beautiful colors in nature. Many flowers are starting to bloom and the is weather leaving behind the negative numbers.

One of the first signs of spring is the green grass; most people like seeing the pop of green and love hearing the start of lawn mowers. These signs and sounds show everyone that summer is right around the corner. The lack of a wintry breeze and falling snow allows for open windows and afternoon walks. Spring weather is the perfect outdoors activity weather: it is not smoldering hot and is not too chilly.

April’s splendid temperatures make Hudson Springs Park a perfect option for a Saturday afternoon activity or a Sunday morning relaxation place. There is a playground for children to enjoy, along with a beautiful wooded path for walking. This trail encircles a large lake that can be used to fish and also canoe across. I have been going to this park since I was a small child and continue to enjoy everything it offers. I, along with many others, also enjoy using their disk golf course.

Disk golf is an endeavor that may be unknown to many. One tries to throw a frisbee far distances, like in golf, to make it into to a sort of catching post. No matter the activity at this park, there are many entertaining and relaxing aspects. Hudson Springs Park is located at 7095 Stow Road in Hudson.

Another park in the community, which is perfect to visit on an April day, is called Bow Wow Beach. As one can tell by the name, this place is not primarily for humans; however, dogs love to take a trip in the car to this destination. There is plenty of room for you and your dog to play, and there is also a little pond for the dogs. If your dog likes to play fetch or hangout with other puppies, this place is a great hangout for the little pups. Bow Wow Beach is located on 5070 Stow Road in Stow.

April also presents one of the most colorful holidays. With egg painting and egg hunts, Easter is definitely a dream for children. This dream sticks with everyone as they grow up though. Easter candy is what makes the lovely feeling continue on into adulthood. With Reese’s exclusive Easter peanut buttercups and Cadbury eggs, one cannot go wrong with this holiday’s sweets.

Some time after Easter, drive-in movie theaters open. The closest locations are at 2736 OH-59 in Ravenna and at 5602 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road in Barberton. Drive-ins are a totally different experience than regular theaters, and they are even better when one is able to sit in the back-end of a car or truck and cuddle up in blankets to watch the film.

With all of the introductions to spring and interesting places to travel, many are becoming excited to venture outside and leave their houses. April has shown many favorited moments since the break of the harsh winter. Many students are relieved that they can finally step outside without a million layers of jackets on.

Although some may wish for summer right now, try to enjoy the cool weather and blooming trees because before you know it, school will be coming to a close with a rush of final studying and goodbyes.

 

News

Boston Marathon Second Anniversary Brings Good Deeds

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Two years have passed since the tragedy on Boston soil took place. The people of Boston fell silent as bells rang dolefully for those who were killed and injured in the Boston Marathon two years ago.

The Boston Marathon began in 1897 to promote a healthy lifestyle through running and has occurred every year since then. However, on April 15, 2013, the marathon changed forever.

Running to the finish line, participants and onlookers faced a sudden change in scenery. Two bombs exploding in succession of the other put the marathon on halt and left many devastated. Four people were killed, and 254 were severely injured. The injured found themselves paralyzed and/or without a limb.

Recently, the pursuer of the explosion, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, was found guilty on 32 counts. Tsarnaev faced charges in regards to using weapons of mass destruction, bombing a public place and conspiracy, according to CNN.com.

Tsarnaev was responsible for the death of Krystle Campbell, Martin Richard, Lingzi Lu and Sean Collier. Currently, there is a large chance of Tsarnaev receiving the death penalty for his crimes.

However, Tsarnaev was not in the back of Boston’s people as they mourned and celebrated the lives lost and those paralyzed forever.

Martin, 8­, watching the race near the finish line, was the youngest victim of the bombings.

According to CNN.com, Martin was apart of a Peace Walk organized at his school where his classmates and himself paraded around holding signs supporting the end of violence.

Tragically, Martin and his family were victims of the bombings and are only some of the many people remembered from the explosion.

Martin’s father, Bill Richard, spoke to the Boston Globe regarding the death of his son being public.

“It’s unfortunate Martin didn’t die in a car accident on a random night. Martin died at the Boston Marathon. The marathon is going to happen every year, and it’s going to be public whether we like it or not,” Richard said.

Marathon runners remembered and supported many fatalities and injuries by joining together. According to Today.com, those tracking the run via smart phone or watch could see the path of the run spelled Boston. 

The mayor of Boston, Marty Walsh, and the governor, Charlie Baker, revealed commemorative banners at the site of the bombings. According to NBCNews.com, the anniversary of the tragedy will now be called One Boston Day, a day of random acts of kindness.

Walsh said, “[One Boston Day] is a day for us to really, truly rally around the city of Boston and continue the great tradition of this city in the aftermath of the marathon bombing­­how Boston came together at one community.”

News

GLASS students support National Day of Silence

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A national day created by GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network) was created on behalf of a fight against LGBT victims. Many students around the country, and even the world, have dedicated themselves to support this cause.

As a right of all students in the country, many stand up in the fight against bullying. A specific type of bullying is dedicated to April 17 as the national Day of Silence.

According to dayofsilence.org, “GLSEN’s Day of Silence is a national day of action in which students across the country vow to take a form of silence to call attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in schools.

Many students at SMFHS have already taken this vow to be silent. They will carry a card that explains to everyone around them that they are participating.

According to nctsn.org, “The Day of Silence is a student effort to protest harassment, discrimination and hate. Participating students, led by GLSEN, will hand out cards that read the following: ‘Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I am participating in the Day of Silence, a national youth movement protesting the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies in schools. My deliberate silence echoes that silence, which is caused by harassment, prejudice and discrimination. I believe that ending the silence is the first step toward fighting these injustices. Think about the voices you are not hearing today. What are you going to do to end the silence?'”

Although many people have seen the effects of bullying towards LGBT victims, not many students rise to support them. This day was created for students who have went through troubles based on their opinions and sexual orientation.

According to dayofsilence.org this specific day was originally founded in 1996, and, “the Day of Silence has become the largest single student-led action towards creating safer schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.”

For the fight against bullying towards LGBT students register or learn more now about the cause and visit dayofsilence.org.

Photo Source: dayofsilence.org