Collaboration by Joe Reitz, Nick Kollar, Ashley Sager and Megan Kaliszewski.
Sally Dean addresses suicide prevention
By Lexi Ostrander
Life is the most important thing on Earth. Sadly there are people that feel as though they are insignificant to the world around them and take their own life.
Every year since 2009 the high school has Sally Dean, one of the councilors, come down and talk about how students can help prevent suicide.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for teens in the United States. This needs to change. There are many steps in preventing suicides and it can start right here in school by looking for the right signs.
During her presentation, Dean told the class what signs to look for and how to help.
“One of the major signs is self harm or having a disinterest in things that used to give the person happiness. Another is giving personal possessions away and saying things like, ‘I’ll miss you,’ or ‘I wish I could sleep forever’,” Dean said.
Since Dean has been talking to students about suicide prevention, more students have come to see her about their problems and how to overcome them. Students can come to her with any problems they have such as family issues, break ups or any other conflicts.
Everything a student tells her will be kept between herself and the student.
“There will be no other people involved unless the student tells her they want them involved,” Dean said.
At the end of her talk Dean handed out “Bulldog Resource Cards” that have hotline numbers and websites that students can go on to to ask questions and go to for help. There is no need for a person to take their own life. Every life matters.
Second GOP shifts the polls
On Wed., Sept. 16, the second Republican debate took way. The moderator Jake Tapper laid out the debate rules: The candidates would be questioned and would have a chance to respond if they were criticized in an answer.
The debate started off heavy with questions and comments directed to Donald Trump, with the
debate continuing on Trump was quiet when the questions on foreign policy arose. On the other hand
Marco Rubio came in strong in opinion of what the nation’s leaders should do with foreign policy.
Carly Foirina shined during this debate which was good seeing that she was not invited to the first
Republican debate. Foirina stood her ground and at one point fired a comment back at Trump about what
the American women heard from him earlier in his campaign.
On the other hand, Ben Carson failed to successfully bring his game to this debate. Carson was
quiet and often times more conservative in his answers then he was in the previous debate. Carson will
most likely go down in the polls after this debate.
The next Republican debate will be held on Oct. 28, on CNBN at the University of Colorado.
New club opens creative environment for artists
By Emily Schinker
A new opportunity is coming to the students of the high school this year. Kennedy Adams, renowned competitive cyclist, and junior Dani Noble, are collaborating to create an art club for the school’s aspiring artists.
Both Kennedy and Dani are artists in their own right. The club will be open to everyone interested in art, from students who sketch on their homework to those who create large, detailed paintings in their free time.
All types of art will be embraced, and more experienced artists will be able to give honest, constructive feedback to those newer to the art community and get some similar feedback in return. The group will also serve as a creative, friendly environment where artists can gather to create their art.
Noble described the club as, “perfect for anyone looking to improve their art skills”.
Sept. 14 was the first meeting for the club; this informational meeting was hosted by Noble and Adams in the loft of the high school’s art room. The art club will most likely serve as a more open, productive environment, in terms of creativity, than the typical art classroom environments provided during the day by the school would due to several factors. Namely the relative lack of rules and guidelines, the supporting presence of friends and other artists, and the lack of certain pressures present during the school day, such as time constraints and grades on the work produced.
The quality of the art produced during these sessions could also be used to help beautify the school, with the permission of the artists, and the skills the artists learn and hone, could be used in several other ways to benefit the high school.
Time will tell how much this art club will benefit both those involved and the high school as a whole, but many people see this new addition to the school as a purely positive one.
SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING--Anyone can call the tip line: 1-844-723-3764 or email safehs@smfschools.org 