Say Goodbye to Cookie Monster
by Hayden Voigt &
Justin Brinkman Opinion Staff Writers Very few agree with the new change to the classic children’s character cookie monster from the highly watched cartoon Sesame Street. Although this change was gradual and started some time ago recently many people have not only noticed but become very frustrated with this dramatic change. Many people who had grown up watching this classic show feel as though they are destroying a hero. They are very angry that people are blaming the cookie monster for childhood obesity. How in any way is it a TV show characters fault? Just because the big blue monster eats a lot of |
cookies do not mean the children watching are trying to do the same thing. If anything it’s the parents who are using a television for the lack of lazy parenting. Instead of plopping your children in front of the TV for a couple of hours, take them outside, to a park or on a bike ride. Teach them that outdoor exercise is more important to a healthy lifestyle then television. Leaving kids in front of the TV all day is only teaching them that it is ok to do nothing more than simply sit down, eat and watch TV. TV can still play a part in children’s lives but it certainly needs to be constricted to a short and well planned schedule that still gives them time to play
|
and concentrate on school work. One very angry child said; “I am 12 but I’m not afraid to speak my mind. Cookie monster is an icon to many children and Michelle Obama thinks that because kids look up to him if she changes him she will change kids… Well she’s wrong it’s not cookie monsters fault that kids are getting fat I’m not fat and I love cookie monster. It’s the parent’s faults for letting their kids eat only junk food. Just because cookie monster doesn’t eat cookies doesn’t mean kids won’t eat cookies, kids will always love cookies and so will cookie monster. But seriously his name is COOKIE MONSTER and they want him to stop eating cookies… Just think about it”.
|
Music: Best Creation on Earth
by Sam Elliot
Opinion Staff Writer In my opinion, music is very important. Music can help people concentrate when they need to, and help close off outside distractions. Music also helps people express how they're feeling. Music is always a special outlet that is always there, for comfort, relaxation, peace. Music is self expression! There is always a genre for every feeling you have. Rock, metal, industrial, symphonic Rock, for when you feel excited, angry, frustrated, or outraged, or even when you just feel like rocking out! Rap, R&B, reggae, pop, and pop-rock when you feel like chilling down. Techno, hardcore, trance, or any other kind of electronic dance |
music for when youfeel like getting up and dancing and letting yourself, be yourself! And don't forget all those other genres like Jazz, classical, opera, and contemporary. They're all self expressing music. They let your mind explore. They tell a story. And sometimes, these stories are stories you can relate too. In every music genre, there is someone talented, who knows exactly how you feel, andare putting these feelings down into rhythms that you can sing or dance along to.
Music gives off this great energy that can affect everyone. It brings people closer together, it makes your heart want to sing, and your body loose itself in the harmonious beats and rhythms. How often do you put on a set of headphones, turn your favorite song on, and just forget the world around you? Well that's what music is for. It's an great for other things. Music has some great health benefits. Music helps you remember things. For example, maybe you remember your first school dance even better because a song you liked very much started to play, and you just jammed out. It helps you remember lists. Adding a rhythm to a list will help you remember it better. |
Listening to music can boost your immune system. Listening to soothing music is known to decrease stress, and upbeat dance music is known to increase the level of antibodies in your system. Also, music works to increase exercising strength by distracting attention and pushing the heart and escape. Maybe not in a literal sense, but it does make your brain wonder off. And it's a great feeling.
Music also adds to inspiration. It can add inspiration to dance moves, or art. Music can be filled with hate, angst, love, and hope. It makes you think, and feel. Music is also muscles to work at a faster pace. Plus humming a tune decrease's anxiety and help's prevent you from choking under pressure. Music can help you sleep. Remember when you were a child and a family member of yours would sing you sweet lullabies to help you fall into a deep sleep? Do you ever turn your radio up just a little bit when you've had a hard day and slowly drift into sleep while listening to the accent of sounds playing with a gentle tempo? Music is great. And of course, in my opinion, music is one of the best creations on this earth. |
MN High School League: Unfair
By Julie Frost Dahl
Op-ed staff writer In August 2011 The Minnesota High School League sent out a letter that made an exchange student unable to participate in any varsity sports in the state of Minnesota. There have been problems with foreign athletes, who came to the Unites States for the only reason of winning competitions for schools, so the schools could be famous and popular. The schools had paid the athletes for playing on their teams. The Minnesota High School League made this rule to protect the high schools, so the sports will stay on high school level, and not on a professional stage, where students are sold and purchased between countries. The main parts of the rule are: |
- An exchange student must be placed with a host family by an international student exchange program.
- The foreign exchange student may not be selected or placed on any basis related to their athletic interests or abilities. - Neither the school, the student attends or any person associated with the host school have input into the selection of the student.- No member of the school’s coaching staff, from any sport, paid or voluntary, shall serve as the host family. - The foreign exchange student must comply with all League eligibility requirements. If the student doesn’t, the student is only eligible for com-petition at the junior varsity or lower level. (Information’s from The Minnesota High School League handbook 2011-2012). I have asked Tech High Schools activities director, Ms. Johnson, if she agreed or disagreed with this particular Minnesota High School League rule: “I understand the rule completely and I agree |
with every word in it, but I think there need to be room for exceptions” (Ms. Johnson).
The rule is understandable, but it creates problems. It closes the possibility for exchange students like me, to participate in any varsity sport. I’m an exchange student from Denmarkand my story is kind of unique. 30 years ago my American host mom lived as an exchange student in Denmark and lived with my grandparents. There has been a connection between our families since then. Therefore we asked the organization I’m traveling with, if I could live with that family here in Minnesota, for one year, so our family history can continue. But asking for that makes me a direct placement student, which is considered under one of the rules the Minnesota High School League made. “I think it is unaccept-able that the rule is punishing exchange students who are not valid”. Ms. Johnson said. “I recommend the Minnesota High School league to look at every single exchange student, they send a letter to and give them a change to explain and tell their story”. |
Top Five Summer Activities
by Mariah Petschen
Managing Editor We all need to unplug once in a while, to stop working, stop obsessing, stop stressing, and just relax. Summer of 2012 is the perfect time to do so. By making a bucket list or a summer to-do list, you force yourself to relax and enjoy all summer has to offer. For many people the hardest part of living in the moment is thinking too hard about the opportunity that is presented. So, to fix this, start a list of all of the things you want to accomplish this summer. Having a general idea of what you want to do will help make the decision |
Coming up with a realistic but worthy list is always the hardest part. To get you started here are a few ideas that may be worthwhile.easier and as an added bonus you will rarely have a boring summer day.
1. Teen Night/ Open Studio at the Paramount Theater and Visual Arts. This program offers people of all ages the opportunity to develop skills in ceramics, hand building, painting, drawing and fused glass by working with an experienced studio mentor on one-night or ongoing projects. No registration necessary just a fee of $5 for students and $10 for adults. 2. Take a class. There are many classes offered through Community Education, Crafts Direct, or local schools. They have classes for almost every interest; cooking; baking; arts and crafts; swimming; mechanics; babysitter training; CPR; and many more. |
3. Summer Time with George, put on by The Rotary Club of St.Cloud, is a 12-week event starting June 13th and ending August 29th. Every Wednesday from 5:00-9:00 Lake George will hold a free concert for all ages. It is a great place to gather a group of friends and check out.
re to a new place. 4. Go swimming! Swimming is a classic summer activity you only really get to enjoy for three months out of the year. Although we don’t have a community pool to enjoy, there are plenty of other places to enjoy; Warner Lake; Grand Lake; The Quarries; or Avon Beach are just some of the many lakes located in the St.Cloud area. 5. Go on a road trip. Road tripping is the perfect excuse to get out of town and away from all the stress in your life. Whether you’re traveling in state or out of state, gather together some friends or family and take an adventure to a new place. |
Disclaimer: this website is a tool for learning. All names, information, and articles may be fabricated or fictional.