Vol. 04 Issue 02 December 2010

Ear Candy--music that is pleasing to listen to but

lacks depth

“Happy are those who

dream dreams and are

ready to pay the price

to make them come

true.”--Annonymous

Inside this IssuePage 2-College PrepPage 3-Shelby X-masPage 4-Gift IdeasPage 5-Waiting for SupermanPage 6-Wanted/Page 7-PoemPage 8-Horoscopes

That’s So Gay!!!by: Miroslava Hernandez and Madusu Jawara

The Inside Scoop: On Preparing for Collegeby: Keylena Faircloth

Word/Quote/Slang

Some are forgotten and some re-main, but what if a simple word is causing harm to many people? What if that’s causing emotional problems to teens especially? It’s an issue that has been going on for years, decades, and even centuries. The causes are always different As some of us know,there has recently been a surge in the suicide rate of gay teenagers and young adults. Though many students recognize the historical meaning of gay as be-ing happy and carefree. (see page 2)

December 10th is the day that the Unit-ed Nations General Assembly adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declara-tion of Human Rights, which states “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity”. In honor of this day Eastside Edi-tion decided to do an article on one of today’s pressing social issues: The use of the word/term “Gay” in a negative connotation. It is interesting how the ways of expressing ourselves has changed over the years. Phrases come and go all the time as different people do as well.

Q: What are some things that. you cover in the meetings?A: In the meetings we talk about their

plans for col-lege ad which colleges would best suit them. We talk about their credits and their post-sec-ondary choices.

We also talk and inform them about their re-sources, such as

-tinued on page 2

Circumlocution--a style that involves indirect ways

of expressing things

It’s a stressful time of the year for the seniors, be-cause it’s time to get ready for college. So, I inter-viewed my coun-selor Ms.Wilrett to get information about what the se-niors are doing to prepare. First she let me know that she is not the only counselor who does it, that all of the counselorsmeet with the seniors to help them plan.

Page 2

people of the same sex only. Some people use it offensively and some don’t.”-Zanishka, 12th grade Another student at JFK, Shayla Felling said “It de-

pends, some people use it as a put down, and others use it as in rela-tion to what they like.”

“I don’t usually think about it much. People use it in a bad way.” said Issac Allen, who is currently a Freshman.

It depends on you. You are the one who can make a change.The main idea of students from JFK is that it’s a “bad way to use the word.” So, why do we still listen to it in the hallways? Next time you feel like saying “Oh, that is so gay” just think of how that could

be causing harm to someone. Think about how someone else could feel. And remember, saying something that “everyone” else is saying does not make you any cooler or better, it’s just getting on the pointless bandwagon.

It is still used by many of them in a derogatory manner. So we went around campus talking to the students of John F Kennedy High School, asking them to add their two cents worth to the discussion. Did they think it’s just teenage slang that has been distorted and blown out of porportion? Or, did they think it’s sheer ignorance that needs to be put under con-trol? Here is what they had to say. The thing that seems to be causing controversial argu-ments at the moment is the word.“gay”. Some say it’s just a trend that sooner or later will go away. Others argue that is a way to discriminate homosexual people in an indirect and safer way. “I think it de-pends. It is more offensive in my case, I have gay people in my family”-Tamarera, 10th grade.

Now it seems like more people are starting to consider the word inappropriate. “I think it’s a term for

Q: About how many students do you have in these meetings?

A: It depends on the counselors, some meet with one at

at a time.

Q: Should students start to plan for college before their senior year?A: Of course we meet with the Juniors in February and March. The Sophmores and Freshman should also start thinking about what their future plans for college might be, and they can certaintly talk with their counselors.

A: Absolutly! It’s a great way to have any question you may have to ask, answered.

Also she said to check out the website www.khs.blooming-ton.schoolfusion.com, and to go to counseling for more in-formation. It’s for Seniors, Juniors, Sophmores and even Freshmen. So Ms. Wilrett and the other counselors encourage you to check it out.

That’s So Gay continued

The Inside Scoop: On Preparing for Collegecontinued

Page 3 3

- Build an igloo so you can attempt to sleep outside!(attempt being the keyword here).

your favorite war scene; mine is the lunchroom scene from Mean Girls. Roar!

- Find “clean” snow and try to make snow cones ( not really recommended).

-Create an intricate tunnel sys-tem from your front door to your back door.

- Go ice skating and count how many times the people around you fall. Unless you are me... then it’s just falling.

-Play hockey and check that su-per annoying kid!

-Play football: snow edition.

-Make snow aliens! They’re like snow angels but backwards!

-Make an army of snowmen in a random person’s house. They’ll love it!

Step four: Three words. Hot. Co-coa. Indoors.

Shelby X-mas

It’s Winter Break.You’ve woken up to a quiet house. You’ve eaten your breakfast, watched three lame television

showered until the hot water ran out and spent twenty min-uets just sitting in your towel, clipping your nails. In other words, you’re bored. And probably haven’t seen your buds in a few days. Woo-hoo.

But why sit arounnd in your house all day when there’s a winter wonderland to be ex-plored just out your window? All you need for this great how-to project is a best friend, mittens, and your face! Yeah!

Step one: Get your best friend(s) on the tele-phone and forc- ask them to come over!

Step two: Get your “outside” clothes on. Aka: stuff that keeps you warm plus mittens and hat.

Step three: Go outside and...

- build a snowman, and give him a snow woman of a wife and a snowdog! Then make a zombie snowman apoca-lypse!

Page 4Christmas Gift Ideas

Who is Allstar Week-end? Well, let me introduce you to this awesome band. Allstar Weekend is a band made up of four very good looking guys from San Diego that play great mu-sic. Their style of music is Pop/Rock.With Nathan playing guitar, Micheal on drums, Cameron on bass, and Zach singing, they make a great team.

Their new album “ Sud-denly Yours” came out on October 19th. This in-cludes all the songs from

new tracks, including

“Come Down With Love”, “Catching up”,”Can’t sleep To-night” and “Here with You”.

This album is very fun to listen to, and bet-

The best song has to be “Come Down With Love”. It’s fun, and the lyrics are very different from all the other songs they have written, but you’ll have to hear it yourself. If you want to hear all the new tracks buy “Suddenly Yours”. It is now available at any store and iTunes.Don’t forget to check them out on Facebook!

Allstar Weekendby Andrea Benitez

For Boyfriend:A watch-- If he’s hard to shop for this is the perfect gift be-cause it’s personal and practical.Head phones-- Most guys like music and would get a lot of use out of a quality pair of head phones.Xbox Live point cards--If he loves video gamesMovie poster or tickets.Magazine Subscription--Get one pertaining to his hobbies.Some magazine ideas Hot Rod, Mad magazine.

For Girlfriend:Night lamp-- Most girls love reading and would appreciate this useful gift.Silver Bracelet-- A great way to show you care.Handbag-Useful and fashionable.Jewelry Box-- This is a cute gift that she would take to heart.Earrings--You can’t go wrong with a pair of cute, simple ear-rings (if her ears are pierced).

For Mom:

“Me”time.GPS Navigation--With this, she may actually get to your soccer matches on time.Cook her supper--She would really appreciate this kind ges-ture.Slippers.Chocolate--What woman doesn’t like chocolate?

For Dad:Tools- -Every man needs tools.New Wallet-- He will value this gift and its practicality.Formal shirt--There will always be a need for a nice shirt.A belt.--Who wants their dad to look like a gangster!Moccasin Style Slippers--They’re comfortable and durable.

by Kayla Tincher

Page 5

Waiting for SupermanBy Lauren Holm

I recently watched a documentary called “Waiting for Superman” about the current state of the education sys-tem in America. It alerted me to the need for change in our schools, and other schools around the nation.

Did you know that the spending per pupil (amount of money spent on each student) has doubled in the last thirty years? Did you know that despite that, test scores have remained about the same? We are falling behind in the world’s competition to grow. Our test scores are re-lated to our countries, we are 26th in math, and 21st in science. In al-most every category on these tests we have fallen behind; except one. American kids are ranked number

So what can we do about this? The documentary conveyed the mes-sage that it’s the teachers’ fault. If we aren’t listening, then it must be because they aren’t good at teach-ing. To a certain extent, I agree. I think that the tenure system for teachers is hurting students and good teachers, and securing jobs for teachers who may not have been cut out to teach. For those reading who don’t know, tenure is a system for American teach-ers where if they teach for 3-5 years (depending on the states’ standards), they are pretty much assured that job for as long as

teacher based only on their lack of ability. This leaves us students with some sub par teachers and in especially bad schools, almost no good ones. I asked a Kennedy teacher, who wishes to remain anonymous, his opinon of the tenure system. “I have yet to be

convinced as to why teachers should get tenure. It seems like there are more reasons why they shouldn’t get tenure. For example, if teachers are really good, they aren’t going to lose their jobs. However, if a teacher is really bad, why should they automatically get the right to stay on their job until they retire? It leaves them without any motivation to improve.”

I’m not blaming only the teachers for the issues. There are many other things that contribute to the problem, such as

family issues, lack of student moti-vation, overcrowding in classes, low expectations set by schools, and our society’s teenagers view that excel-ling isn’t “cool”. Why is it that what we learn Monday through Friday isn’t as important as who we hang out with on Saturday and Sunday?

Dropping out of school is also a big issue. Did you know that every twenty-six seconds a student drops out of high school? According to the movie, “These drop-outs are eight times more likely to go to prison, 50% less likely to vote, more likely to need social welfare assistance, not eligible for 90% of jobs, are being paid forty-cents to the dollar earned by a college graduates.”

There are many issues that the gov-ernment should resolve in order to decrease these drop out rates and

increase test scores. If you feel as strongly as I do, you should at least consider contacting your local representa-tive and speak out about the importance of improving pub-lic education.

Page 6

Can You Figure Out These Wuzzles...

(Answers: 1.) You can count on it 2.) Foot in the door 3,) Honest to goodness)

their coach Leslee Wright. If you are

interested pick up the

paper work in the

-

perience is needed and

the deadline is coming

-

terested you should

get started.

Wanted!By: Keylena Faircloth

The Kennedy Girls Gynastics Team

(pictured from left to right: Kelly Jeans

-

-

one more one more

gymnatist to complete

their varsity team.

Their practices are

held at Jefferson High

Editors:

*Kaitlyn Majewski*

Layout:

*Keylena Faircloth

*Peter Olson** Miroska Sparrow*

*Mr. Robinson*

by Keylena FairclothWinter is comingthe best time around.When kids start to chant“Santa claus is coming to town”

Time to snuggle with your loved onesand enjoy a hot cup of cocoaas you sit around the christmas treeand watch the beautiful ornaments glow.

Evey kids favorite holidaya real cheerful one at that.A time for love and caringand ultimately giving back.

Cookies, cakes and treatsto treat that sweet tooth of yourslike pumpkin pie, gingerbreador maybe even smores

Maybe Christmas is not every kidspreference, but it’s one of mineespecially decorating a treeusually a tall, strong pine.

Winter’s here to stay awhilesummer will be back next Juneso for the time beingMerry Christmas from me to you.

Come join the Eastside Edition staff. It’s a great way to get more involved at JFK. Meetings on Mondays and

Thursdays from 2:30 to 3:30 in room C227.

We want to make Eastside Edition all about the students

at JFK, so tell us what you want to see in your school pa-

per by looking us up on Facebook, or emailing us at eastsideedition@gmail.com

Page 8

ou have a lot on your plate, instead of procrastinating,

try setting yourself a schedule so that you don’t have to get it all done in one night.

You have a very agile mind, which is great for handling problems. So don’t be afraid to share your

opinion with friends of family that are having problems.

you have to make a big decision, which can be hard to do. It would be smart to make your decision sooner than later so that nobody

can distract you from your goal.

You are great at solving big issues, but that doesn’t mean you will handle every one perfectly. Take some time to think things

though before jumping to any conclusions.

You’re getting kind of bored, and you don’t feel like just hanging out. Think of something fun to do and

see if your friends would like to

join you.

probably more so than you realize. Someone close to you might be able to change your mind if they can give it a good reason.

Make more time for things that will help you reach success! Instead of just going along with

someone else’s plans, study for that test coming uo or get a head start on some

homework. You’ll be happy that you got it done.

You have two different points of view on a certain topic, and you’re having a hard time deciding on which one to go with. If you can’t decide, try merging them

together. That might be the best way to handle it.

You’ve been under some stress lately,but you need to be brave and take on the

challenges you have. You will feel much better after you have and will be able to focus more.

Even if you already have a

full calendar, you need to do some more socializing! The holiday season

is the best time to get out and catch up with the people you don’t get to see very often.

You’re facing a big problem right now, and you are not sure

how to solve it. Instead of blowing your friends off, spend a little more time with them. They could be

a big help.

Someone you know could

you don’t know it yet. You are the perfect person to turn to for advice, so pay

attention to what your friends tell you. It may be one of them that needs your help.