Is it safe enough for school?

By Kyra Klay

We students are definitely not the most experienced drivers. When it comes to snow and inexperienced drivers, it will result in a recipe for disaster. Spring in Colorado tends to bring most of the snow. It could be 55 degrees and sunny one day, but 20 and snowing the next.

According to studies from SafeWinterRoads.org, over 1,300 people are killed and more than 116,800 people are injured in vehicle crashes on snowy, slushy or icy pavement annually. This statistic is referring to all ages, not specifically new or younger drivers but out of the 1,300 killed a large amount of drivers are high school students.

Just this year alone there have been multiple days since second semester started that we still had school and did not even a delay when the roads were extremely unsafe. I am a junior at Legend High School, and I drive an all wheel drive Volkswagen which does not do well in the snow at all. When I wake up in the morning and know the roads are bad, I get nervous when I have to drive in unsafe road conditions. We as students have no choice in going to school and our district needs to be sure they are taking all aspects into consideration before making the decision of keeping school on a normal schedule in adverse weather.

High school students are new to the roads, and are not experienced with driving in bad weather or just driving in general. Having thousands of students on the road during a snowstorm is no where near safe for the students, or anyone on the roads. All in all, Douglas County School District along with all other Districts for K-12 schools need to be on high alert for incoming weather alerts and consideration for students safety when making decisions.

Music Releases from the Week of December 3rd

By Ronak Dsouza

Even though the Grammy nominations came out this week, signaling a wrap-up to this year, there are still many music releases to quench your constant thirst for new music.

The biggest album that was released this week was Skins by the late XXXtentacion. Even though his untimely death occurred earlier this year, he still has a lot of unreleased music, which was released on his album, Skins. The lone feature on the album is the hip-hop star, Kanye West. The standout track is “BAD!” which does not have any rapping, but is pretty catchy.

Another big rap release this week came in the form of Evil Genius, Gucci Mane’s brother. Evil Genius has nineteen tracks and numerous features from Atlanta favorites like Migos and Lil Yachty to relatively new rappers like Youngboy Never Broke Again and Lil Skies. The standout track is “Wake Up In The Sky,” which features Kodak Black and Bruno Mars. While song has been popular for a while now, it still stands a great song to lift your mood or spirits.

Switching genres to electronica, make sure to check out Benny Blanco’s new album, FRIENDS KEEP SECRETS. As with many electronica albums, the list of features is long even with the album only containing seven songs. While the album contains the hit “Eastside” with Khalid and Halsey, the song you must listen to on the album is “Roses,” which features Juice WRLD and Brendon Urie. While this may seem to be a weird pairing, this also turns out to be a pretty entertaining collaboration.

Also be sure to check out Brett Young’s Ticket to L.A., the Mary Poppins Returns soundtrack, “Good Years” by Zayn, and “Testimony” by Kodak Black.

By Maddy Schick

DISCLAIMER: This is not a reason to wait till the last minute, this is just tips in case you found yourself in this situation.

1. Don’t study in your room.
   • Your home can be distracting, try an office or the library for a quieter environment.
2. Caffeine
   • Although not good for you, if you’re stuck cramming it should help you stay awake enough to get everything done
3. 50-10 Rule
   •  Study/Work hard for 50 minutes, then take a 10 minute break. This will help keep you focused and in working mode.
4. Take a friend with you.
   • Preferably from the same class, they’ll be able to help answer questions and get more covered in a shorter time.
5. Study out of order.
   • Don’t go in order of unit, your brain will remember more if you study different things in different orders

Cram studying isn’t a safe way to prepare for finals, but the tips above should help you with getting everything covered and in a good time. Next time, start studying a week before the test day for best results.

To Kill a Mockingbird Reboot

By Caleb Stuart

On December 13, 2018 To Kill a Mockingbird opens on Broadway starring Jeff Daniels. The new script has been penned by Aaron Sorkin and I, for one, am very grateful that a reboot of the famous book and movie is finally occuring.

To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my all-time favorite novels but I didn’t really appreciate the movie. I felt that it did not do the book justice because it focuses more on the Tom Robinson trial and less on the actions of Scout, Jem, and Dill. That is not to say that the film is not good (Gregory Peck won his only Oscar for his portrayal of Atticus Finch) but it missed, what I felt to be, the central components of what made the novel incredible.

It has taken nearly 60 years for there to be a reboot and I cannot be more excited that it has been written by Aaron Sorkin. Sorkin is the writer of my favorite movie (A Few Good Men) and my favorite television show (The West Wing). He knows how to give even minor characters the characterization and credit that they deserve. Sorkin knows how to create a compelling courtroom drama while also showing what is going on when the lawyers are off the clock, which is something I find extremely fascinating.

It has been nearly 60 years and I assumed that we would never get another version of To Kill a Mockingbird. In today’s day and age, with the racial conflicts that we have, I think it something that we need and I excited that it Aaron Sorkin is taking the helm.

So, Aaron Sorkin, I say “thank you.”

‘Tis the season full of shopping

By Zoe Cox

Two of the biggest shopping days of the year have recently passed. From places such as the mall, or a local clothing store, everywhere around us, retailers do everything they can to attract shoppers to their Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. Whether you choose to stay at home to shop, or you decide you want to complete your Christmas list in stores, these days have both pros and cons in order to get all our you shopping done for the holiday season.

Although they have the same concept, Black Friday and Cyber Monday have their differences. In both situations, stores provide several deals for all of your shopping needs. However, Black Friday is in stores, and Cyber Monday is online. In the past few years, Black Friday has extended to more than just one day of the year. Stores have advertised their Black Friday deals starting as early Thursday before, in order to draw in as many customers as they can in such a short amount of time. For some, Black Friday is a holiday tradition they spend with their friends and family. Despite the long lines, busy stores, and chaos, Black Friday’s massive sales give everyone a head start on their holiday shopping.

For those who prefer to shop from the convenience of their own home, Cyber Monday offers a more cozy and less chaotic alternative to waiting in a long like before the sun rises. Cyber Monday is a more calm day of shopping, less advertisements and chaos, but still an amazing set of deals. Obviously, it hasn’t been around for as long as Black Friday, but it is just as popular to people all across the United States.

Of course, both of these nationwide shopping traditions come with a lot of stress. Black Friday is full of chaos, long lines, and crowds. Cyber Monday is filled with stress of shipping, finding the right size, and items selling out before you are able to purchase them. However, both Black Friday and Cyber Monday have better deals than any other days of the year, and they get everyone in the holiday spirit.

So, if you are up for an adventure of hustle and great deals, Black Friday is the perfect option for you. However, if you would rather stay at home and clean up the house after a long Thanksgiving with the family, Cyber Monday is the better fit for you in finding the best deals for the holiday season.

The effect of portraying disturbing characteristics as desirable, persisting in movies and delineated by men, on society

By Lauren Penington

80’s movies hold their charm and popularity in today’s society. However, a good portion of these retro films hold a worrisome amount of rape culture properties that have managed to assimilate themselves into society’s most revered characteristics. Stalkers, rapists, and haressers are praised for their disgusting behavior; getting the girl and setting a disturbing standard.

What passes for love is truly mediocrity, urged along by the presence of troubling factors in the media, namely the acceptance of trash as treasure, the acceptance of lackluster men as paragons. Due to these character traits displayed on the big screens, people have welcomed a new wave of low. Truly concerning aptitudes that reveal themself in the scum of the earth are romanticized to the point that it appears ludicrous not to. This, in turn, not only damages our morals and beliefs, but our perception of the world and thereby our standards and self worth.

For instance, the idea of pursuing the girl until she submits. Critics praise the boy who sticks it out, the boy who waits for the girl to settle for him or suddenly realize her overwhelming love for the underdog. He who respects rejection and doesn’t pursue the girl is an instant joke, seen as a pushover, lacking the balls to continue on his “quest.”

There are several classic cinema examples that ring this warning bell. This isn’t to say that these movies aren’t of quality, but that they hold these troubling themes within them, pushed along into society by the films’ success and popularity.

One of the most prominent that emerges from the mix is Sixteen Candles. Traditionally thought of as a sweet romcom, the movie holds some questionable details within. The entire relationship of our protagonists begins with a drunk fling. After drinking too much, Caroline is sent home with our oh-so-sweet underdog, the Geek. These two get busy, while Caroline is too drunk to consent of course, and afterwards decide that they had fun and are obviously soulmates. Now, we can’t unload all of that… But, in essence, it is this type of portrayal of men in cinema that is so toxic to the general population. The idea that all men have this habitual instinct that can’t be denied, and the further idea that it is sexy. Frankly, there is nothing more disturbing than the idea that men are controlled by an innate desire for sex. Not only is it an untrue theory, but spreading it into the minds of society as a desirable and alluring trait poisons the minds of our youth. People have accepted it as an irrefutable fixture, and both boys and girls seem to be raised on the fact that it is their duty to fulfil.

This can also be seen in Revenge of the Nerds whereupon, yet another nerd, initiates intercourse with the “girl of his dreams.” In this version of the tale, he does so under the guise of being her actual boyfriend – wearing his costume and acting as the persona. After their erotic scene, she removes the nerds mask to display his true identity and decides that it was truly the pair of them that were meant to be, not her and her actual boyfriend and based upon nothing but the mere interaction that had occured moments before.

These are movies that are revered as classics, as “must-sees.” With the sordid details contained within them, this arguably the most provoking fact of all. Why does society continue to lavish praise atop these individuals that commit frankly heinous crimes? The first step is noticing the pattern, which we have found. The next step is breaking it. Break the chain and show the world what love truly is, not these illusory fabrications of life. Be a part of a healthy relationship, based on respect and true love, not a drunken fumble of a creepy, possessive man. No one loves a rapist. No one loves a stalker. Leave the girl alone and find the one that loves you back.