January 13, 2006 Vol. 34 Issue 7
Editorial:NHS needs revised
By:Melanie Weilert, sr.
for the Editorial Board
It is a complete privilege for a limited number of high school
students to be inducted into the National Honor Society annually through
process of academic qualification and later by teacher selection. Upon meeting
strict grade point average criteria, students who have worked diligently
throughout the years are considered for recognition through induction by
teachers within the high school, some that have had those students in class,
while others have not. Unfortunately, it is not academic accomplishment that
ultimately decides whether or not those students are inducted into NHS, but
rather teachers who judge their worthiness, despite exceptional scholarly
standing.
While many of the students, if not all, who have qualified for and obtained
membership status within NHS certainly deserve this form of recognition for
their academic accomplishments, there have been, and will continue to be,
countless others who go unrecognized. This present process of selection is
most obviously reminiscent of a high school royal court candidacy. Regardless
of intent, selection is essentially due to association, and in this case,
it is with every teacher in the high school.
Cartoon by Haley Huffman
Nominations are frequently left up to teachers who may or may
not have had a student in their class. If the latter is so, then they are
in no way justified
in making judgments about this student’s academic abilities or leadership
qualities, let alone their character. Only teachers who have instructed a
student during their high school education should be given the opportunity
to nominate them for induction.
In addition to minimizing the amount of people involved in the voting process,
students who wish to be inducted into NHS would be allowed a fair and equal
opportunity to do so by means of application. This could be achieved through
a summary of necessary information about their academic careers and a clear
indication of their ability to lead in a positive manner. No longer would
any student be immediately eliminated from consideration if they were unfamiliar
with the majority of people that were involved in the voting process.
Although it is by no means the fault of any individual affiliated with NHS,
the current process of selection is obviously flawed and negligent of many
other deserving, promising, and intelligent students. It is understandable
that not everyone will be allowed the opportunity to be involved with this
organization and that teachers do not necessarily choose this process of
selection. However, it is not acceptable that scholarly accomplishment fails
to be the deciding factor for induction.
Higher education goals affect course selection
(Pro)
By: Katie Hauser, jr.
Opinion Editor
As students go through their high school years, they are faced
with many choices. One important choice is what classes to take when considering
future options.
The Regents curriculum classes are difficult, and some students struggle through
them. However, they may be the best choice. They can offer new challenges
to students and will provide benefits when students begin thinking of future
education and career options.
That is not to say that vocational electives are not necessary for students.
They offer many importnat life lessons, but the classes may not be as challenging
or offer as much future benefit. These courses can be great for some students,
but they are not for those who wish to do well in college or some future careers.
The Regents colleges expect students to take classes in high
school that will prepare them for university classes in the future. That is
why the Regents recommended curriculum courses are more challenging. Completing
the coursework can even get a student accepted to a college, as several universities
have a minimum grade point average on the Regents curriculum coursework that
is one option for admission.
The classes that are on the Regents list may seem impossible to pass, but
they are not as bad as students believe them to be. Students in the same class
can help each other with homework and study together before tests. If anything,
taking these classes offers new groups for students to fall into and can enhance
the high school experience.
The Regents classes can also improve a student’s ACT score. Much of
the course material is included in the test. This is of great importance,
as these test scores can affect a student’s future, as admission to
college and scholarships can hang in the balance.
On graduation day, no one is going to worry about exactly which classes each
student has taken. However, for those students wishing to perform to the utmost
of their potential, the Regents courses will provide many more benefits than
other classes offered.
Regents
classes not for all students (Con)
By: Ben Allen, sr.
Reporter
Many classes are available in Humboldt High School. With all
these classes, students have to decide which classes are the best for them.
Many factors can go into this decision, and there is nothing wrong with
any choice.
Some students take classes they believe are easier just so they can get
out of high school. They can then go on to what they enjoy. Often, their
career choices do not require Regents classes, so they take the minimum
level of challenge to graduate.
The fear of failure sometimes drives many students away from
tough classes. The number of classes required to graduate does not leave
room to flunk many classes, so students decide to take the ones they know
they will do well in, instead of pushing themselves to take classes in which
they may possibly receive a failing grade.
Sometimes, students end up having to pass every class their senior year
to get their 25 credits, so they take classes in which they believe they
will not have to put a lot of effort in to pass.
Some people have to work during their high school years. This often means
that they just do not have enough time to do the homework required by Regents
courses.
Many students would like to enjoy high school, so they do not take classes
they believe will be too challenging. They would rather have fun after school
instead of having to study or doing piles of homework to pass.
One more factor, and perhaps the most important is what a student plans
to do in the future. For example, if a student plans to go into journalism,
living in the newspaper room will most benefit him or her. If a student
plans to work with computers, he or she should take classes that will feed
into that field. Students need to take the classes that will be of the most
benefit to their future career choices.
While some students may believe that taking Regents courses is the only
way to get through high school, that is not always true. Taking other courses
can have just as many benefits, and all students have to decide for themselves
what classes are best for them.
Review: First Impression not
the best
By: Erica Greve, sr.
Feature Editor
When I recently found out that The Strokes were
releasing their third album, First Impressions of Earth, early last week,
my first
reaction was one of pure jubilance. I rushed downstairs one evening to find
their new single, “Juicebox,” playing from the television speakers,
and I listened intently.
The sound was brilliant; The Strokes delivered a single that took their style
in a different direction. After their last two albums, Is This It? and Room
On Fire, I have been drawn to the sleepy, laid-back vocal melodies of singer
Julian Casablancas, but have long since found the lyrics a bit vocally repetitive.
The newest single seemed promising, so I raced out to listen to the entire
album.
My first impression of the album was one of ever so slight disappointment.
The new sound was streamlined and less distorted than that of The Strokes’ other
albums. I missed the distinguished cardboard-box sound of the vocals that
had originally captivated me, and was under-whelmed by the lyrics. The entire
second half of the album seemed, upon first listen, out of place and somewhat
confusing. Heartbroken, I wondered if all the while I had overestimated the
classic quality of this band.
However, as was the trend with the other two albums, First Impressions grew
on me after a few listens. My faith in their pioneering sound was slowly
restored as I found myself really enjoying the album. The Strokes won me
over once again with experimental tracks like “Heart in a Cage” and “Vision
Division,” and made up for a few lyrical blunders by amping up the
energy with catchy, ever-impressive guitar riffs.
The result is fresh and strangely energetic despite the intriguingly lazy
sound of the vocals. While I did not think it quite lived up to the standards
of The Strokes’ previous two albums, I would suggest the album to a
new fan of the band and recommend that everyone to catch “Juicebox” on
television.
Cub Voices
Do you think your classes prepare you for college?
 Billy Schomaker, fr., “Yes, somewhat.” |
 Drake Tilman, so., “Yes, because the classes I take in college will include stuff from the classes that I am taking now.” |
|
 Vici Corban, sr., “Yes, they do because no one is there to help you. You must depend fully upon yourself, just like at a real college.” |
|
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