"Ask not what your country can do for you....."

     We've all heard the quote by the late John F. Kennedy. But what does it mean. Community service, to most Americans, is simply a pre-requisite to high school graduation. A chore, one might say. This view is developed from the broad spectrum of what is considered "community service". Nowadays, anything from playing a sport to a PAID internship can fall under the name community service. In all honestly, this shouldn't be the case. A service to the community should not serve a material interest. That would be a "job", not a "service" . Community service is all about charity; giving your time and effort to someone who needs it. Our definition of community service is getting stranger to sign a piece of paper that says you "helped" some inconsequential group.
     With this in mind, let's think about those that ACTUALLY need the help of bright, outstanding citizens such as you and I. Anyone, from orphans to the clinically depressed to the elderly and beyond could go a long way with assistance from those capable. We shouldn't put off doing an activity just because it isn't personally beneficial. If it can go to help another, it can go to help you as well. The selfishness students have developed in the pursuit of achieving academic excellence is detrimental to the human character, and I, for one, am appalled. Being a step up above the rest, I vow to put the needs of the impoverished before the needs of myself.
     The other day, I visited a McDonald's restaurant to have a meal. I noticed a man outside who was looking rather dirty and lost. Upon exiting the establishment, he approached me and asked for any spare change I had. At first, I was suspicious. How could I know this wasn't a scam and that I wasn't a mark for some elaborate conspiracy. In any case, I asked the man who we was. He responded with the story of his forced travel to Florida from Chicago due to a family issue that he couldn't handle. Whether he was lying or not was not on my mind at that moment. All I wanted to do was help the man through a tough time. I pulled out a $10 bill from my pocket and gave it to the man, who looked like he hadn't eaten in ages.
     Before you criticize or applaud me, think. Why would I do such a thing, whether you feel it was good or inadequate? I didn't have much to give the man, but my intention was good. That is what everyone should have before they perform a service to the community. Make sure you're in check before you try to help others. Have the right attitude, and ask what you can do for your country.

Survival of the Fittest

     We often find ourselves pressured in the pursuit of perfection. We garner years of education, make ties with the worst people, and donate every moment of our thought to our success. We all want to be high class. But the truth of the matter is, that's impossible. In reality, and especially in America, a lower group is always necessary for their to be any form of success or progress.
     Think about it logically. For us to even know what success is, there has to be some kind of failure. Success is relevant, so it has to be based on something. Poverty is that base. America's perception of wealth is a 3 story, 7 bedroom , 5 bathroom complex by the beach. The nature of these material possessions (their cost) indicates how financially well off you are. Though the ability to tell a persons social class is slowly fading, it's still prevalent in some areas. Star Island, Miami is home to some of the biggest celebrities in the world. They have their own, isolated ISLAND. It doesn't get more high end then that. Star Island is the pinnacle of American success. Not only are you a social powerhouse, but you're also multi-millionaire. Rags to riches is a common story in America, due to the fertile environment for social mobility. Anyone can make it, it all depends on how we market ourselves. A talented singer who is dirt poor can make a outstanding income if they get discovered. A not-so-smart student with marketing prowess can make millions on a product that they can't even use. The point is , when it comes to the USA, Max Weber is on point with his theory. We have the oppurtunity to rise to the top. It all depends on how we do it

School & Social Pressures

      In modern society, adolescents are exposed to a plethora of social issues. We've all heard the common saying, "Kids can't be kids anymore." Today, children are forced to experience parental divorce at very young ages. Kids have to face violence and discord before than can face pre-school. It isn't the 1970's anymore. School is the major mold for our socialization as teenagers. Our peers have an everlasting effect on our lives.

      During adolescence, peers play a large part in a teen's life and take the place of the family as the center of a teen's social and leisure activities. Teenagers have many peer relationships, and they interact with many peer groups. Some kids give in to peer pressure because they want to be liked, or because they worry that other kids may make fun of them if they don't go along with the group. Others may go along because they are curious to try something new that others are doing. The saying "everyone's doing it" may influence some kids to leave their better judgment behind.

      As children grow, develop, and move into early adolescence, involvement with their peers and the attraction of peer likeness increases. As pre-teens begin rapid physical, emotional and social changes, they begin to question adult standards and the need for parental guidance. They find it reassuring to turn for advice to friends who understand and sympathize; friends who are in the same position them. By trying new things and testing their ideas with their peers, there is less fear of being ridiculed or embarrassed.

Insecurity

Insecurity runs rampant throughout the hallways of most modern day high school. To an extent, it has become a part of the American educational experience. Students form "cliques" in order to save themselves from humiliation and create a sense of belonging. And no high schooler is immune to it. Naturally, we all have the need to fit in, unless you're completely unsocialized. We all have insecurity.

Insecurity wouldn't be such an issue if it didn't spread to other aspects of our lives. Insecurity spills over into things like peer pressure, social grouping, and even our hopes for the future.

We've all heard about peer pressure and bullying several times throughout our scholastic careers. It's almost been crammed down our throats. But interestingly, when we enter high school, we seem to forget. Upon to the more authentic setting of secondary education, we begin to lose social skills that were second nature to us in middle and elementary school. Courtesy, respect, tolerance. Students lose these as they become self-conscious and selfish. The insecurity takes hold like a vice and we become one of two things, the "influencer" or the "influenced". Insecurity is directly linked to peer pressure and bullying. Have you ever heard the old clichés that talk about the bully feeling bad for themselves and taking it out on others. Well, as hard as it is to believe, they're true.

In addition, students congregate mainly because of their common insecurities. If you can take one group of people you regularly see together, you can find a weakness they all share. Subconsciously, they know this, and group together to overcome this weakness. The maxim, " United we stand, divided we fall" was written by 9th gander wise beyond his years. Take a step back and look at our school values. Those who have many friends are generally looked at as popular and desirable. However, not everyone can see that those who have many allies have many weaknesses.

People say success is based on education. Quite honestly, that's a blatant lie. Success is based on who you know, and how they perceive you. Having friends in high places is always a good thing, even more so in the work force. Any kind of weakness can be detrimental when searching g for work, and that's why testimony from a higher up is essential to getting a decent job. Therefore, insecurity doesn't just stop in high school, it continues well into adulthood, and for some, forever.

Shangri La

The America we know today is in no way homogeneous. To be honest, it never was. But to think that such a wide variety of ethnic and religious vices has taken hold of this "Christian Nation". Many different peoples have been integrated into the American way of life while still maintaining. Foreign tradition has become a staple of the American lifestyle, especially Gaming.

Gaming has become an actual subculture. People make a living off of being "Video Directors" of Video Game Commentaries. Companies like Machinima and IGN, which are invested in using and explaining game mechanics, are important contributors to the international economy. There are now multiple conventions and meetings centered around gaming. Even a language, named "1337" (Leet). Gaming has truly expanded from a simple hobby to a Subculture all on it's own.

Blue Tape : The Savior of Education

Blue tape. An object that needs no explanation or introduction. We've all most certainly heard of blue tape, and I for one, can't function without it's presence in my life every waking moment. Be that as it may, I find myself tortured by the grotesque lack of blue tape on white boards all round my school, Fort Lauderdale High. This is why I was delighted to find out that an ever-so-needed resolution was proposed at a recent staff meeting. One of my instructors brought it to my attention that blue tape (which takes space up on a 3 ft by 6 ft board) will be mandated for teachers in my schools social studies department. Imagine my glee when I found out that my already-budgeted school was spending money on something as necessary as blue tape. I was.... ecstatic to say the least. Just think of all the benefits that blue tape can have on our education. Not only will it give students a reason to focus on a board they seldom use, but it will also give teachers more responsibility (applying and removing the tape whenever necessary). It's not like teachers, especially my social studies teacher whose part of an experimental program, have anything better to do than mark the remainder of their limited space with blue tape.
So, now that you've seen how seriously I take my blue tape, I'm sure you'll understand my reaction to this: not only are department heads telling teachers to use blue tape, but teachers who don't will receive punitive measures!! Oh joy! All the horrible teachers who spend their time teaching classes instead of using blue tape can be fired. I mean, if a teacher doesn't utilize their planning time by pressing blue strips of sticky paper onto their boards, they're obviously undeserving of there jobs. They could even be considered criminals
I applaud the god-send who decided that it was a good idea to require the use of. America's in an educational deficit right now, and the only logical way to approach this monumental problem is with a monumental solution, blue tape. Why are we wasting our time transforming educational paradigms when there is a discerned solution? Programs like STEP-UP couldn't compare to a program like TAPE-UP ( Tape Advancing Paradigms of Education with Unparalleled Perfection).
The bottom line is, blue tape is essential to my success as a high school student dealing with college classes. Putting blue tape in the classroom will finally allow my colleagues and I to finally gain an understanding of sociological study, business interaction, SAT test taking skills, and advanced English comparisons. The necessity of blue tape is unparalleled in the education setting.

Su Drogas Es Mi Droga

     The 1920's was a dark time in American history. With the Prohibition of alcohol lifted, everyone started drinking heavily, leaving the United States in a drunken stupor. After this period however, we reverted back to our old ways. Enforcers cracked the whip that was the law one those who decided to drink in public. People were forced to make "bootleg" alcohol, or "Moonshine". The United States developed it's first true fear of drug use.
     Somewhere along the line, this has changed. The societal fear of drugs of any kind (cannabis, alcohol, cocaine, tobacco) has diminished significantly. The Music community praises those who indulge in smoking and drinking. This has rubbed of on the teenage / young adult demographic. High school students across the country have fallen into addiction with drugs.
     Businesses have flourished around drugs. Selling and buying narcotics is one of the most immediately gratifying commerce hubs to date. Commercial franchises have been built upon the Tobacco companies and the Beer sellers.
     So why is this all important? In the past century, the US has gone from fearing drugs to using them as a base. We stitch clothing with cannabis by-product. We make money off of commercializing drugs. We have come to develop a dependency on drugs. And not just the taboo, illegal ones. Even prescription medication has grown to be a threat in our society.   So much so that the most recent generation has come to be known as Generation Rx. Never before has America been so candid about drugs as a catalyst in social development. Never before has America been so hooked on drugs.
     Drugs are even apparent in our media. We often see the stories of washed-up celebrities making their way through rehab. Drugs are often the butt of comedy. The concept of being intoxicated is romanticized almost to the point where it is a delusion of grandeur. Because drugs are so publicized, they tempt people to try  them. The media may have a good intention by raising awareness about the prevalence of drugs in our community, but any publicity is good publicity.
     The fact of the matter is, we have become what we feared so long ago. No longer do we have to mix alcohol in our bathtubs; its given to us without much difficulty. The government has hopped right on board with the Tobacco companies, taxing those who purchase cigarettes. There is no more restraint on our use of drugs. Everyone uses drugs. Now you may think I'm a raving lunatic, but think about it. It's taxes off of cigarettes that pay for road work. It's drugs that cause more police men to be hired. It's drugs that cause our politicians to redirect federal-funding. Despite our strong adversity, we have become what we feared so long ago. We have become.... "hooked".