Organ Donation by Kristin Helms

Kristin Helms
AP Language
Jamie Long
February 18^th, 2016

Death is a topic people typically avoid for as long as possible. It’s a scary thing. Years go by and there are still things that need to be discussed concerning our fate after death. One important topic is organ donation. Should a person donate their organs? The answer is yes. Organ donation helps to save the lives of millions of people.

What happens to internal organs after a person is declared dead? If the organs are not donated, the body begins a process known as purification. Purification causes the organs to basically digest themselves and eventually liquefy (Butler). This nauseating process is generally what causes the odor that the body produces after death. These perfectly healthy organs could have been used to save a life; however, they are liquefying inside a grave somewhere.

Whenever a person needs an organ transplant, they are put on a transplant waiting list. This list includes people of all ages, ranging from newborn babies to elderly people. There are more than 120,000 people currently on the organ transplant list. Approximately 18 people will die every day waiting for an organ (Every Organ Donor). The number of people donating their organs is not increasing as quickly as the number of people in need of them. Whenever an organ donor dies, their organs can save more than 8 people at a time (The Medical Center of Plato). Organ donation gives people a second chance at life.

Money seems to be a determining factor in just about every situation. For a small price of $0.00, a life can be saved. Organ donation is completely free! All costs are covered by insurance and organ recovery organizations (Donate Life NC). The family will never be billed for an organ donation. Becoming an organ donor is free and easy. It is free to give someone the gift of life.

Organ donation gives people of all ages a healthier, happier life. Why let organs go to waste whenever they can be used to better society? There are three ways to register to become an organ donor: register with the state’s Organ Donor Registry, say yes to organ donation when you apply for a driver’s license, or sign a donor card. Becoming an organ donor can save a life.  

 http://kris10helms.edu.glogster.com/organ-donation

Should Couples Live Together Before Marriage? Allysa Weaver

Allysa Weaver
AP Language
Jamie Long
02/19/2016

Should Couples Live Together Before Marriage?

              Considering we live in the Bible belt, the rules and commandments of God have been instilled in anyone that attends a Sunday morning service from toddler age all the way to adulthood.  We are expected to know what to do and what not to do depending on what the bible says about the particular subject; however, have you ever sat down and tried to figure out why certain things are sinful? Or are you just taking your preachers, teachers, and elder’s word for it? As the youth of this generation, one of the biggest sins I see that is reoccurring is premarital housing. While I understand that it’s fun to live with your partner and come home to them, I feel that everyone should consider what is said about this subject in the bible and the world.

What does the bible say about it?

              Although the bible never clearly states, “Living with your boyfriend/girlfriend is a sin,” the Apostle Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 that God’s will for his children is flee from all sexual immortality and be able to control his own body and sexual temptations. According to Dr. Michael L. Williams’ studies and analysis of what God institutes marriage to be, the home is a place that man and woman should become one both physically and emotionally; therefore, if you are living with a man or woman that is not your husband or wife you are automatically opening yourself up to the sin of lust.  

What does the world say about it?
              Today's society leads us to believe that most sins are okay, and usually give a persuasive reason for why the bible is "out dated" or "that isn't what it actually meant," but society is wrong. Going against God's will is wrong. People of today's world tell you that living together gets you "ready" for marriage, when in reality, you'll never be ready. There is not such a thing as being ready for the unknown. You cannot possibly prepare yourself or your partner for failure, success, struggles, strives, pennilessness, or fortune. God intended every person to find the one whom their soul loves and that means learning to adapt to their living habits after marriage. You do not have to live together to know the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, and if you do, you're falling in love with that person in the wrong ways. (Alvarez)

What do I think about it?

              I personally feel that living with someone who is your girlfriend or boyfriend is living in sin, and would not want to indulge in such sin with someone that I truly loved. I feel that if two people love each other the way God intended man to love woman then they should not want to inflict immoral sin on their lives.

              In conclusion, I believe that you should wait until after marriage to live with your significant other because it is right morally and biblically correct, but can also lead to the lust of a person that is not your husband or wife. I encourage all readers to take this into consideration and study about it in your bibles especially as we near the end of high school and will soon be off on our own in the world. You should always take the time to figure out for yourself why things are sinful. 
http://allysaweaver56d4927f36873.edu.glogster.com/glog-from-san-bruno-us-feb-29-2016-5044/

Teenage Curfews

McKenna Beach

Many people argue that curfews are necessary for teenagers under 18 because it will help keep young people out of trouble. Many say that teens are out there causing trouble, drinking, smoking and doing things they know better than to do, and where I could somewhat agree with that, it is not the reality. The majority of today’s teens will not be out looking for trouble, they will just be out looking to live their lives and have fun. Should all teenagers have the same curfew? The answer to that question is no, one teenager shouldn’t be an example for all teenagers.

            Though many teenagers these days feel the need to be “bad kids” and act out to get attention, the majority of today’s teenagers are just looking to hang out with their friends and to make memories. “If there were more legitimate nighttime activities for teens that would deter some of the illegitimate activities from happening.” (Reed). I agree with Reed one hundred percent, instead of setting curfews to keep kids out of trouble I think people should realize that kids actually need to go out more and do more with the right people and at the right places to keep them out of trouble. As a pastor’s kid, and a kid that has served God my whole life, I strongly believe that all teenagers can turn their lives around and maybe a little freedom and trust that teens can make the right choices is just the way to go about it.

            Some critics argue that a curfew is unconstitutional in that it gives the government right to interfere with the family’s privacy and chosen practices for parenting. For the most part, curfew restricts everyone under 18 whether or not they are rebellious or delinquent. This means that even the good kids are “punished” for offenses they didn’t commit. According to an article by The Green Garage, teenagers will always behave like teenagers. After all, they are merely kids. However, not all kids are the same, and a one-size-fits-all parenting tool such as a curfew may not really work on every teenager out there. So with this being said, I must stress that every teenager is different and a curfew that is set for a teenager that goes out and parties every weekend should not be the same as a child that does things like attend church events on a weekend. I believe that rules shouldn’t be set until they need to be set. I believe that a 17 year old who has never drank or smoked or lied to his/her parents about where they were at or where they were going do not deserve a curfew period until the point comes where they need one because they have broken their parents trust.

            Has anyone thought about the danger a curfew could put a teenager in? Say a 16 year old has a curfew of 10pm, but instead of watching the time he/she is too busy having fun with their friends to realize that they have to be home in 10 minutes but they live 15-20 minutes away. “5,864 teen drivers ages 15-20 were involved in fatal car accident. Young drivers between 15- and 20-years-old accounted for 6.4% (13.2 million) of total drivers on the road. An average of nine teens ages 16-19 were killed every day from motor vehicle injuries.” (Teen Driver Car Accident Statistics). What if that child was speeding to try and get home to meet their curfew and then out of nowhere they get hit or they hit someone else? If teenagers were just allowed to have fun and not worry about a curfew, I feel like it could potentially eliminate this problem.

            In conclusion I feel like all teens should not be held to the same standards, and a law forced curfew should not take place. All teenagers are different and I believe they should be treated with different amounts of trust and respect. Though a set curfew I’m sure has many pros as well, I do believe that the cons outweigh them. Teenagers need safe and fun things to do, not a curfew.

http://mckennabeach.edu.glogster.com/teenage-curfews/

Which Bow is Right for You- Jon Milligan

All of my life I’ve been a hunter. For the past years of my life, archery has been my only option when it comes to hunting. One of the biggest arguments in the hunting society is the topic of compound bows versus traditional. After many years of hunting with both types of bows, I can honestly say that I believe traditional archery is the best way to hunt whitetail deer. I am going to do my best to show you why I believe this and why you should believe it. The ability to shoot in different positions, enjoyment you get from shooting and, the reward are just a few of the things that make traditional style archery my favorite.

How often do you see professional compound archers running around shooting these crazy shots in the weirdest positions possible? The answer to that question is none. A compound bow, with all of its attributes, cannot be shot in any type of complicated situation.  The Traditional bows allow for more awkward shooting stances than a compound can. I know that in an ideal hunting situation you won’t need to make your body move in order to get a shot off at the animal; however, there are many instances when you aren’t able to shoot in a comfortable position. As bow hunter Randy A. explains to us, a traditional bow is one smooth draw which allows you to aim at any target no matter what your positioning. Using a recurve for these situations could make all of the difference.

The enjoyment alone is enough of a reason to pick up a traditional bow. There’s not a similar type of fun when it comes to shooting recurves or long bows. “Traditional target shooting is fun and hunting with traditional equipment brings the bow hunting challenge to a whole new level” (Walrath). Although compounds are also fun to shoot, they do not have the same level of excitement as a traditional bow. Their owners quickly become bored by simply going through the motions with every shot: hardly getting to challenge themselves. So if you’re looking for joy: you’re looking for a traditional bow.

The biggest reason that anyone could ever have for choosing traditional over modern is the reward. Every kill with grant you the feeling of success and excitement, but a traditional bow will give you more than that. The primitive ways that are in every old bow connects you to the woods and animals like nothing else in the world can. Nothing that you ever do can give you the same feeling of accomplishment as harvesting a deer with your recurve that you spent the past year learning can give you. Killing with a traditional bow is proof to yourself of your own capabilities. “Traditional archery tackle offers simplicity and a primitive weapon feel ...” (Dolbee). A high tech compound simply can’t bring you the same rewards or feelings that a recurve or longbow will bring you.

Everyone has their own preferences and ways of doing things. Many choose modern, while many choose traditional. The road you choose is completely your own; although, I strongly suggest traditional. Just keep in mind all of the benefits and advantages that come with using an older style bow. Make sure to consider what circumstances you’ll be shooting in, what you want to feel when you shoot your bow, and what kind of rewards you want from archery. Now go, choose, and have fun. 

http://jmilligan12.edu.glogster.com/edit/archery

Hop on the {Band}Wagon

Grace Wilson

Freshman Composition

Ms. Long

February 22, 2016

Hop on the {Band}Wagon

                “Being in band during high school won’t benefit you at all once you graduate”. If I had one dollar for every time someone has said that to me, I’d have enough money to pay for all six years that it will take me to get my Master’s Degree in Music Education. In my opinion, more students should join band during junior high and high school. Many people believe that there is no benefit for joining their high school band, but I know from experience and research that there are many benefits.

            Playing a musical instrument can increase mental activity and ability. It is one of the only activities that uses all seven parts of the human brain. A study conducted in 2007 by Christopher Johnson showed that students in schools that had advanced music programs scored higher in math and English than students who went to schools that did not. One thing that could possibly be related to this is that students who play musical instruments are proven to be able to remember things easier than others. This effect can last throughout the students life (Matthews). When reading music, you must respond with your hands to play the correct notes. Because of this, students who participate in band have been proven to have better hand eye coordination. When playing a musical instrument, the musician must focus on pitch, rhythm, tempo, note duration, and the quality of their sound. Because of this, musicians usually have better concentration skills than non-musicians.

            Being a member in a band can rank you higher socially and give you opportunities that might not have been available to you otherwise. When I first joined Riverside High School band over five years ago, I was a very awkward adolescent. I didn’t like to meet new people and I especially didn’t enjoy having to talk to them. After being in honors bands and going on band trips, I have made a lot of new friends that I believe I will be in contact with for the rest of my life. If you are currently in band, or have ever been in a band, you know that there are many rules and instructions. Because of this, students who are in band or who have been in band are better at following directions. This can help them in their future workplace (Matthews).

            Most importantly, playing a musical instrument is one of the best and most common ways to express yourself. You can express almost any emotion when playing your instrument. Playing music can also make you feel something. Slow, haunting melodies make me feel the most emotion. Some people believe that playing to and listening to music is therapeutic (Brown). The music that you play could bring happiness not only to you, but to those that hear you play (Gordon).
            Music Education and band programs are not a waste of time. They can and will benefit those who are involved in them. Band has made me, as well as other people, better and more well-rounded members of society. If you weren’t in a band when you were younger, then I encourage you to think of someone you know who was in band. Think of their behavior, emotions, and life. Band isn’t useless after high school because of all the things that you learn while you are in band. The lessons you learn aren’t lessons that you will easily forget.


Here's my Glog! : )
 http://oliviawilson56cca86e569f2.edu.glogster.com/ms-long22216/

Matthew Sanders

Freshman English II

Jamie Long

2/22/2016

Gun Control: Facts and Myths

     Gun control should be lessened, because rather than solve problems, it just creates more. Crime and murder rates rise when our weapons are taken away or restricted, and people can’t defend themselves. Most people who advocate for gun control laws are uneducated about guns, giving them no right to limit ours.

     Crime and murder rates rise when our weapons are taken away or restricted. Take London, for example. “When it was legal to buy a shotgun in London in the middle of the 20^th century, there were very few armed robberies there. But, after British gun-control zealots managed over the years to disarm virtually the entire law-abiding population, armed robberies became literally a hundred times more common. And murder rates rose.” (Sowell) The same thing has happened in other countries with similar gun control laws.

     People need to be able to defend themselves. Many robberies and murders today can be stopped by a weapon used in self-defense, but our media has turned self-defense into something just as bad as being the murderer. According to this anti-gun article by Carimah Townes, “The reality of self-defense gun use bears no resemblance to the exaggerated claims of the gun lobby and gun industry. The number of justifiable homicides that occur in our nation each year pale in comparison to criminal homicides, let alone gun suicides and fatal unintentional shootings,” the study reads. “The idea that firearms are frequently used in self-defense is the primary argument that the gun lobby and firearms industry use to expand the carrying of firearms into an ever-increasing number of public spaces and even to prevent the regulation of military-style semiautomatic assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines.” This is not true. Many lives could be saved through the use of guns for self-defense. Robbers used to be scared that a homeowner might own a weapon and be able to harm them if they were caught, but now, most people have become so afraid of guns, that robbers have more confidence that they will meet no resistance upon robbing a house or establishment.

     Most people who advocate for gun control are uneducated about guns, and have no prior experience with them. People who have never fired a shot in their life are more than willing to say how many bullets should be allowed in a clip, or what type of guns people can buy. They go ballistic when police report the number of shots fired at a crime scene, but anyone who has dealt with guns are not the least bit surprised. Many shots miss, even at close range. And sometimes even a bad wound doesn’t stop someone from being able to fire back. And according to the National Review, “The rate of gun ownership is higher in rural areas than in urban areas, but the murder rate is higher in urban areas.”, and “For the country as a whole, hand-gun ownership doubled in the late 20th century, while the murder rate went down.” (Sowell

     So, gun control should be lessened, and more people need to be educated about guns. We could just take everyone’s guns away, as the gun control advocates want to do, but that would only just increase crime and leave people without any way to defend themselves. This is the truth: Gun control doesn’t save live, it costs lives.

Glog:
http://matt2786.edu.glogster.com/gun-control-facts-and-myths/