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    Some of Our Features
    Families of a person with disabilities or handi­
    caps are looking for different solutions to help them
    live a better life. Many of these families are turning to
    therapeutic horseback riding for a solution. Thera­
    peutic horseback riding centers are mostly located in
    the country away from all other distractions. These
    centers are created to help people with disabilities
    and handicaps work on their weaknesses. In addi­
    tion, these centers help the riders strengthen areas of
    their body affected by their disabilities by working
    with trained instructors. Many skills are worked on
    in these horseback­riding classes.
    These classes have to do with the rider’s
    physical skills. In the classes obstacles are set up to
    help strengthen motor skills. The rider might have to
    ride to a barrel and take a stick out of it. This activity
    requires the rider to use his/her motor skills. Many of
    the classes help the riders strengthen their muscles
    and get the riders moving. Riding a horse requires the
    rider to use leg, back, upper body and many other
    muscles. Some areas that are improved in the classes
    are balance, motor skills, muscle strength and also
    social skills. Social skills are worked on by having
    the rider give the horse verbal commands and by talk­
    ing to the instructor about how he or she feels. Emo­
    tional skills are also worked on. These skills are
    worked on by having the riders out in nature and out
    in a peaceful environment. By working on these skills,
    the riders gain self­confidence and independence.
    Because of therapeutic horseback riding,
    many people who are disabled are able to feel im­
    portant. Therapeutic horseback riding teaches people
    with disabilities to look past their weaknesses and
    focus on their strengths. Therefore, therapeutic horse­
    back riding should be an option to consider for people
    with handicaps and disabilities.
    Therapeutic Riding
    Justin Lucia, Senior
    Anyone who drives a newer car is much
    safer, as technology and new design have helped
    make cars safer in the last thirty years. The chances
    of a person getting in an accident are now less likely
    to happen. Even if a person does encounter an acci­
    dent, they will most likely come out injury free.
    In an event of a car crash, new crumple zones
    would save a person. All cars are now constructed
    differently. The front and back of a car is like an ac­
    cordion, and when a crash occurs, the car is demol­
    ished. The person who was in the car remains un­
    harmed. Air bags and seatbelts have also helped
    make cars safer. Both attempt to keep a person in
    the car and are very successful at doing so. Small
    things like brighter brake lights and stronger glass also
    help keep a person safer while driving. New tech­
    nology has also helped bring about greater safety in
    cars.
    New softer tires are wider and give a car
    better control. Cars today sit lower and handle much
    better. In addition, the suspension of a car is now
    independent. This means that there is a separate shock
    for each tire, which results in better handling and a
    smoother ride. Some cars also have sensing technol­
    ogy. Can you remember a time when you fell asleep
    and almost crashed? That will not happen in newer
    cars. Now there is sensing cameras that alert you
    when your car is going off course.
    Sure a newer car is going to cost more. How­
    ever, all the time and research put into these cars has
    to result in a price increase. Then again what is inex­
    pensive today? Hopefully after reading this you’ll see
    how much safer a new car is. After all, a few extra
    dollars is a small expense if it saves your life or a
    loved one’s life.
    Safer Cars of Today
    Jake Ternoois, Senior
    Everyone has his or her choice of what to
    like and what not to like and what to think and what
    not to think. Many people in our school have formed
    stereotypes on each other as if being different was
    the biggest sin in the world. Think about this: if ev­
    eryone were the same, how would it affect you? If
    everyone would be a little more open minded about
    whom our peers are, it would be a lot easier to wake
    up every morning and go to school. Let’s face it,
    whether we want to go to school or not doesn’t de­
    pend on the school work itself, it’s based upon how
    people classify you and who you are to the school. I
    don’t care who you are, everybody is bothered by
    what people think of him or her, and it gets under
    everyone’s skin.
    Everyday in school students face many chal­
    lenges to make it through the day; we didn’t do home­
    work the night before, there’s a huge test today, I left
    my lunch money on the counter, or I don’t want to
    go home, but I don’t want to be here (school). On
    top of everything else on our minds, we have other
    kids standing in our way. There’s always that person
    that bothers you everyday. What would happen if
    that person were to stop? Would you have a differ­
    ent outlook on at least one thing? Maybe your Glo­
    bal class would be a little easier to stand, or maybe
    in gym class you won’t have quite as many dodge
    balls thrown at your face. If everyone were to rec­
    ognize that bringing people down around us affects
    not only that person but also everyone around us
    watching, going to school everyday would be…do­
    able. Do you ever wonder what would happen if all
    the kids liked each other? Maybe we could all go
    against authority and do something horrible! Like…
    chew gum in the computer lab without getting in
    trouble! (Just kidding)
    I’m not asking for “world peace”; it’s just
    obvious that with all the stereotypes in our school
    and with all the tension between people that it’s un­
    bearable. If there’s someone you just can’t stand,
    take it outside or get over it.
    “I Do What I Want…”
    Tiffany Graham, Sophomore
    For many people music plays a constant role
    in their everyday lives. Its rhythms and melodies are
    most often playing in the background of most activi­
    ties. However, people are always aware of the melo­
    dies and rhythms; what people are unaware of are
    the messages that are sent in a stealthy manner. Many
    teens often subconsciously internalize these messages
    and carry them over into their emotions.
    When a person is feeling happy, it’s most likely
    that they will listen to music that maintains the feeling
    of happiness. The same is true for a person who is
    feeling unhappy. However, when an unhappy person
    listens to music that coincides with their emotional
    state, they will probably become even unhappier. For
    example, when a suicidal person listens to music with
    a depressing theme, their suicidal thoughts are ampli­
    fied. This is not true for all suicidal people; however,
    very impressionable young people are more likely to
    take what is being said more literally. Genres such as
    Rock N’ Roll and Gangsta­Rap are known for their
    angry themes and messages. These genres are more
    likely to influence a person’s emotions. Classical and
    Country music send very neutral messages, and there­
    fore, don’t have as great of an impact on emotions.
    Intensifying emotions can also carry over into actions.
    Gangsta­Rap often glorifies committing vio­
    lent crimes and can often influence an impressionable
    teen to act in the same way as the rapper. This may
    be because the teens can relate to where the artist
    comes from. If a teen is dealing with pressure to com­
    mit a violent crime that is described in a song, then
    After watching the renowned television show
    CSI
    , one may think they know everything there is to
    know about forensic science when in reality there is
    more than meets the eye. Although forensic science
    has been aiding police work for a long time, it is only
    in the last two decades that it gained any real reputa­
    tion. With better technologies being adopted by po­
    lice departments worldwide, forensic evidence stands
    a better chance of entering formal investigations. Da­
    tabases for cases involving DNA and ballistics are
    just a few examples of the increasing technology. But
    while these technologies have helped emphasize the
    significance of forensic science, they have also played
    a dominant role in discrediting forensic evidence. For
    example, finger printing, which is the oldest form of
    forensic evidence, is widely being considered part of
    junk science that should be kept out of the court.
    Similarly, no case using DNA matching as primary
    evidence has ever made it to the Supreme Court in
    the United States.
    Therefore, it is important to note that it takes
    a variety of good, scientific based evidence to con­
    vict a criminal, not just one piece of forensics.
    Forensic Science:
    ‘Behind the Scenes’
    Michael Matthys, Senior
    Kendra Shelters, Junior
    the teen may feel that whatever path the artist chose
    to sing about is the right one to follow. Music can
    also influence a person who is suicidal to go through
    with their thoughts. Since music impacts emotions, it
    can influence a depressed and suicidal person to carry
    out their deranged thoughts. Many musicians, pri­
    marily rappers, refer to women in derogatory ways.
    This may influence a young child to believe that abu­
    sive names and comments used in the songs are okay
    to use in everyday situations. Over all, a child or teen
    may grow up with a negative attitude toward women.
    Music’s surreptitious influence on people has
    underlying effects, such as a negative attitude toward
    women. The glorification of violent crimes in some
    music may cause youth to believe those actions are
    legitimate and justifiable, as well. However, when lis­
    tening to lyrics with potentially harmful messages, it
    is important to understand that most artists do not
    fully mean what they’re saying.
    Music and You
    Animal Abandonment is the shocking and dis­
    turbing truth of what happens to animals every single
    day. There are multiple reasons why people aban­
    don their animals. However, animal abandonment can
    be avoided if people carefully considered the respon­
    sibility of owning a pet. Before you decide to pur­
    chase a pet, you should ask yourself these three ques­
    tions:
    Animal Abandonment:
    The Shocking
    Disturbing Truth
    Sierra Gonzalez, Senior
    Continued on page 4

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