This next summer will be the first year of our college, as we jump into this stage, student debt follows. Which got me thinking of the prices, I had recently heard about people’s loans getting forgiven, this is of course middle aged people that have had debt for ten or more years. College is expensive and this is something that we all know, yet currently college is more expensive than ever. The average debt ranges from 30,000 to 100,000 dollars over four years, depending on in state or out of state tuition. Skyrocketing prices such as these are becoming unmanageable, the question is; should self-sufficient millennials and gen-xers have their student debts covered, or should incoming students have lower costs because of higher government aid?
This may already be in action, but this topic puts into question why the government is not offering nearly as much aid to younger students compared to established adults. Now, I am not necessarily claiming that aid should not be offered to older generations, however, they are getting up to $10,000 dollars covered. Considering this, should students seeking secondary education receive more funding and grants? Or would that be unnecessary?
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Graduation is around the corner and the reality is finally sinking in that we are almost done with school. For me personally, I am being hit with a wave of emotions from being excited to go and take the next step, and being very sad that there are so many “lasts” that have happened this year.
What is the final “last” you’re least looking forward to, or have done, and what is your favorite? For me, I’m not looking forward to the last day of school with everyone. As exciting as it is to graduate, I know that it is going to be bittersweet knowing it’ll be one of the last times I’m in school, and with my classmates. The one I’m most excited for is prom. I love dances and the chance to dress up for the night, and it’s always such a fun time with friends. "For, while the tale of how we suffer, and how we are delighted, and how we may triumph is never new, it always must be heard. There isn’t any other tale to tell, it’s the only light we’ve got in all this darkness" (Baldwin, James. "Sonny's Blues"). In the quote above, the narrator of "Sonny's Blues" is experiencing a revelation about the music Sonny plays, as well as its function in Sonny's life and the African American community at large. Baldwin has also made this claim about his own writing, and there are undoubtedly structural connections between the jazz music Sonny plays and the story Baldwin writes. In fact the title itself, "Sonny's Blues," sounds like a song title, so the narrator, it seems, is essentially playing his brother's blues via the text. What do you make of the statement that "There isn’t any other tale to tell, it’s the only light we’ve got in all this darkness"? Do you agree that these are at the heart of all works of art? Explain. Do you think literature and music share elements of style, structure, and the ability to communicate? Why or why not? Strauss, Vivienne. Sonny's Blues. Oil Painting. https://www.viviennestrauss.com/product/sonny-s-blues-original-oil-painting. Accessed 14 Apr. 2024.
Well, I hope everyone had a wonderful spring break. Now that we're on the other side, I'd like to hear the highlights of your spring break. Personally, I enjoyed spending time at home, recuperating a bit from the musical, and catching up on some house projects that had been put on the back burner. I didn't get nearly as much done as I had hoped, though. Is there anything you planned on doing but didn't get to?
Also, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on having a spring break or just powering through and getting out of school a week earlier like Fernwaters does. Which do you think you'd prefer and why? Finally after the three long, cold, slow months of the aftermath of Christmas are over and we are on our way to the warmer months. With that being said we have to push through one more week of school and then we are on our way to spring break! It's also crazy to think that when we come back to school, there are only two months left until graduation! Whatsoever, focusing on the here and now, what are your guys plans for spring break? And if money or travel wasn't a problem, what would be the dream spring break vacation?
Right now my dream vacation is to go somewhere warmer. Yes it is starting to warm up here but I am just ready to leave the cold winter behind. My family is going on a three day cruise and then spending a few days in Florida. And while I'm very grateful to be going, a dream vacation for me would be to either go to Hawaii, Greece, Ireland, or Scotland. I want to experience an adventure out of this country at least one time in my life and if money or time wasn't a problem, that's where I would be. Mandatory age limits have integrated themselves into our society for years. It's a factor of life that we've become accustomed to being 13 for social media, 15 or 16 for driving a car and fighting for our country at the young age of 18. However, there's an age limit that's always been confusing to me: the legal age to drink is 21. The question I'm asking is, should the legal drinking age be changed? And if it should, what age should it be changed to?
I personally think the legal age to drink should be changed down to 18. It has never made sense to me that if I wanted to, I could join the military and fight for the USA, grab a gun, and do what I’m told. But I’m not allowed to take a sip of alcohol legally, and that’s just pure ridiculous. I think 18 is a solid age to lock alcohol behind, as we’re adults by law. The age for tobacco in most states is also 18, and it’s shocking that I can ingest one type of poison but not the other. Just overall, I think 18 should be the standard age limit, and alcohol should follow the other liberties we’re given when turning into an adult. Throughout the past couple decades, technology has improved immensely. Because of this, video games have become a very popular hobby for some people. However, not all video games are educating people, nor teaching morals and values. There are so many versions of violent games that people continuously play, and some say that because of the games, people are becoming addicted to violence. Do you think that the availability of horror within video games is transforming some kid’s thoughts and emotions?
Personally, I believe that this is true. There have been many studies done proving that a large amount of people who commit violent crimes have grown up playing harsh and graphic video games. In my opinion, parents should not allow their children to view horror content on phones, games, or any other technological device that provides violence, till they are a developed teenager. Children’s brains are not designed to see or hear information like that at such an early age, and it is changing the way they think and view things in the outside world. I believe bullying has gotten worse because of this as well, because kids are seeing different ways to react to certain situations. What do you think? As many of us know humans are releasing more and more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere daily, so much so that the environment can not keep up. However, it is not the consumers that are creating this problem. Large scale companies are the biggest contributors due to their manufacturing process being made cheaper and cheaper. By finding cost efficient ways to produce goods, it may be that companies are emitting more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than necessary. As large companies are combusting large quantities of CO2, should they be taxed for their damages?
While it is hard to place a number on the value of the atmosphere and carbon cycle, it is valuable and necessary to live. If there were a tax on companies that release so many toxins into the air, the government could place that money into projects that are fighting these issues. However, the down side to this is that there would be more money given to a system that many people do not trust. It may not be guaranteed that the government would use that money for the environment, but rather other projects. Should we be worried about global warming? If so, should we tax large companies for emitting CO2? For me, I always see things around that make me instantly think, “that reminds me of something”. Symbolic things can be all over for all of us, and I know that I see these all the time. There are many things that can be symbols for something bigger, and it’s different for each and every one of us. What are some things that are symbolic to you?
For me, whenever I see anything about the NFL, it reminds me of how my grandpa would scream at the TV everytime the 49er’s weren’t doing great. When I see Salt Lake Express buses it brings me back memories of being in New York and all the fun I had there. Lastly, whenever I see the color teal, I think about my grandma and how it’s her favorite color and how she’s painted her living room teal, has a teal themed bathroom and bedroom, all because the color brings her joy. These are just a few of the symbolic things in my life! We have celebrated Valentine's Day since the fourteenth century. It's a day to put that extra effort into showing how much one cares for another either in a romantic setting or friendly sense. With that said, stores and companies put on these big sales throughout the month of February for things like chocolate, flowers, cards, and etcetera. While some go all out I know some couples will not celebrate because they think it's a scam and that they shouldn't give all their money to these hunger money companies. That they don't need just one day to go all out when it's better to surprise their significant other and show their appreciation each day. So my question is what do you all think about the holiday?
I enjoy Valentine's Day. Sometimes I will generally go out and get chocolate and cards but mostly I like to do handmade crafts for the special people in my life, family and friends. While I think that one doesn't need one certain day to show love and care, it's a nice reminder and it brings more love into the community just for that day. |
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