January 27, 2006 Vol. 34 Issue 8
Editorial: Start leading young
By:Jesse Lundine, senior
for the Editorial Board
Students go through high school for many reasons, which can
consist of trying to find themselves while growing into who they truly are,
developing strong friendships, and making memories that will last for the
rest of their lives.
However, as some students focus upon such reasons, more and more other students
are starting to develop additional leadership qualities, which can truly benefit
them throughout their lives. Whether the class president or the officer of
an organization, students need to lead as much as possible without relying
on extra assistance from teachers or adults.
By leading, students can earn a sense of self-motivation in addition to the
skills necessary to survive in life beyond high school. Is this not what teachers
have been trying to teach students?
Cartoon by Haley Huffman
While to some students leading comes naturally, others need
guidance from peers or other sources on how to step up and take charge.
One important quality any leader must possess is the ability to have an open
mind. They should look at all aspects concerning their fellow students and
consider the opinions of others before making any major decisions. Leaders
need to be charismatic, and they also need to have an established goal. Once
others see that the leader is on the right track by making the proper decisions,
then others will soon follow and give them additional assistance.
Another reason people sometimes become leaders is to be able to set a positive
example for others. Displaying these positive characteristics can also lead
into the workforce.
Being a leader and taking control helps students excel faster when they enter
the workforce. Most bosses want someone with good potential that they know
can handle the pressure, succeed their expectations, and lead others to excel
as well.
Perhaps the most important aspect of becoming a leader is to establish a sense
of leadership within one’s self. Leadership is a very beneficial factor
of self-esteem, as it makes people feel good knowing they can help others
achieve their goals.
If people start leading while in high school, whether it be small or large
contributions, they will benefit themselves by becoming better equiped to
handle situations they may face in the future.
Use opportunities to brighten future (Pro)
By: Haley Barton, senior
Photo Editor
Leadership opportunities are plentiful in high school. Some
things like being Student Council president, drum major of the marching band,
or cheerleading captain may help students get a few extra brownie points when
applying for college and scholarships. Students should take advantage of all
leadership opportunities.
Being a leader in high school can have several benefits. Colleges often like
to see extracurricular involvement, especially if a student was an officer.
Leadership can help bring self-discipline in some aspects of people’s
lives. This can help individuals be more organized; with more organization
there is less stress and fewer lost assignments.
Leaders are often looked up to by younger siblings or underclassmen,
so they begin to become better people because of the attention they receive.
If students help themselves to become better today, it could help the future
generation to realize the importance of leadership.
Students who are in leadership positions have opportunities to attend special
conferences. These conferences can teach students to have better leadership
skills, which can be to the students advantage in future jobs. Although many
high school students may not be thinking about their lives in ten years, some
may be managers of a big time company using the leadership skills they learn
now.
Leadership is an important quality everywhere, not just in high school. Think
of what it would be like if there were no presidents. Our country would not
be what it is today if there had not been those founders who became leaders
and took control. Without leaders, where would some organizations be? More
than likely, nonexistent. If there are no individuals to be in the position
to take charge, there would be no organizations. Everything would be out of
control and the groups would not be able function properly.
Backseat
roles suited for some students (Con)
By: Haley Huffman, sophomore
Cartoonist
Being a leader is not always the most optimal choice for everyone.
It takes a lot of extra work and creates additional stress and not everyone
can afford the time for that. An already hectic or busy schedule can create
problems of becoming a leader in extracurricular or other activities, tending
to push a person’s limits. A better motive, especially for lower classmen,
would be to wait and see how these things are managed and directed first.
Lower classmen are not as experienced with programs and clubs at school,
and by rushing in to be leader, they can cause frustration for themselves,
as well as other people.
Being a leader does not just mean more responsibility for one’s self,
but also becoming responsible for other people, their problems, and their
work.
People in authority are tempted to duck adaptive challenges,
because adaptation always involves some type of loss. Becoming a leader
is a big risk of marginalization for anyone pushing for change from a position
of lower authority to a position of higher authority. Opponents may agree
superficially, but then find ways to rob a leader of their influence. For
example, being made champion of an issue within an organization can undermine
the role as a generalist.
Others may question the style, character, or record of the leader in order
to divert attention from the issues. They only succeed when the leader is
drawn into the rebuttal, which most of the time is the case. Leaders busy
themselves with trying to please other people so much that they lose sight
of the bigger picture. They get forced out on a limb by being expected to
do so much, and then trying so hard to receive approval as well.
For some people, maybe that challenge is something they want to strive for,
but for others, sometimes taking the learning experience of listening to
authority and not overstressing themselves with everything else is a preferable
alternative.
Review: Crashers keeps viewers
laughing
By: Shawna Dawson, senior
Reporter
Going out to the movies is too expensive for most students these
days, so many of them often choose to rent movies instead.
Students can then watch their movies choices at home for a fraction of the
cost of a theater ticket. They can enjoy the movie as much as if they were
in a theater in the comfort of their own home.
Wedding Crashers is a movie that has just been recently released on DVD and
VHS. It is a hilarious comedy film with a plot that is easily understood.
However, this film should only be viewed by mature audiences due to content.
The stars of the movie are the lovable Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn. Wilson
and Vaughn play the two party crashing guys in their mid-twenties named John
Beckwith and Jeremy Grey.
These men go around charming their way into weddings, even though they do
not know anyone, and they have not been invited. Beckwith and Grey con their
way into the hearts of pretty much every bridesmaid in attendance.
The men are guided by a set of wedding crashing rules that they created on
their own to assist them in their party-hard lifestyle.
However, Beckwith breaks those crashing rules and falls in love with the daughter
of the Secretary of Treasury. This leaves his buddy, Grey, left at the mercy
of her ‘stage-five-clinger’ sister, to use the movie’s description
of her.
Because he is such a good friend, Grey goes with Beckwith and stays with him
at her family’s house for a weekend that ended up being almost too wild,
even for these two professional party guys.
All in all, Wedding Crashers provides a fair amount of laughs and has lines
that will be repeated in hallways for weeks to come. I believe that several
students could enjoy the movie, just as long as they are mature enough to
handle the content of the film.
What defines good leadership?
 Kristin Castle, fr., “Someone who follows the news and helps with clubs and organizations.” |
 Britany Sellman, so., “Someone that gets along with everyone and provides a good example for them.” |
|
 Jonathon Combes, sr., “The ability to get along with their followers.” |
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