Health Fair

   On April 13, at Parkway West High School, we had a health fair in the auditorium held by the seniors. It was about their senior projects that they did research and worked very hard on. The seniors came around to classrooms presenting their PowerPoint presentations to us with their mentors teaching us about their topic and answering the questions we had. Senior Matisse Hill came to our classroom and talked to us about how drugs can have a big impact on someone's life. He told us stories about people who were affected by drugs and also included some statistics. Following that, we went down to the auditorium and there were seniors sitting behind tables handing out pamphlets and telling us about the topic they chose. The first table was about eating healthy and some healthy habits we should engage in. They talked about the good things eating healthy could bring you and they even supplied us with a piece of fruit. The next table I visited was about abortion. Their goal was to help end abortion and they talked about how there are other options to chose rather than abortion such as adoption. The next table I visited talked about how the bad affects of athletes drug abuse. The next few tables I visited basically talked about diseases you can get from having sexual intercourse such as HIV, STD and more. To help us prevent getting any diseases they supplied us with condoms and pamphlets on how to have safe sex. 

   I think the health fair was fun and informative at the same time. I honestly learned a lot of things I didn’t know. I hope we have more because I really enjoyed myself. One day I hope to be the person behind the tables answers the questions that freshmen have. 

13-year-old drives school bus to safety after driver passes out

In Journalism class, I read an article online called 13-year-old drives school bus to safety after driver passes out published by FoxNews.com. This article was about a middle school student that steered a school bus to safety after the driver apparently had a heart attack while driving. It was a normal Monday morning for students until thirteen year old Jeremy Wuitschick noticed the bus driver was strange. This quote from the article stood out to me "I was just thinking I don't want to die," Jeremy said "I turned to the right. Turned to the side of the road. Took the keys out of the ignition. We started slowing down, and I said, `Somebody call 911!"' Quickly thinking Jeremy and another student, Johnny Wood, gave the bus driver CPR while other students called for help. John McCrossin, school administrator, saw the bus on the side of the road minutes later and also performed CPR on the bus driver. Soon the police and paramedics came. Paramedics carried the driver off the bus; they state that on his way the hospital he was breathing. The 43 year old bus driver is in "grave condition" while at the hospital. Jeff Short, Deputy Schools Superintendent, says that students go over what kind of things to do in emergences such as if a bus driver is incapacitated and that he thought they did an outstanding job. 

I think that Jeremy acted quickly and he did a smart thing by taking actions into his own hands and saving everyone. He should get an award for doing what he did because all of them children would be dead and so would the bus driver. It’s a good thing that they learn about that in school and I think all schools should teach that in case of an emergence.

Trayvon Martion

   The biggest new right now is the case of Trayvon Martin. I read the latest article pertaining this case, called Trayvon Martin case: George Zimmerman is held pending arraignment, by Michael Muskal. In this article it says that George Zimmerman was charged with second degree murder for the killing of seventeen year old Trayvon Martin. On Thursday in Sanford, Fla., Zimmerman made his first court appearance and has a set arraignment by the judge to be referred to the highest jurisdiction for all matters. The neighborhood watch captain, Zimmerman, claimed to be acting in self defense in the shooting of, unarmed, Martin on Feb. 26. Angela B. Corey, the prosecutor who charged Zimmerman with second degree murder, which means he will have to do life in prison if he is convicted. The defense team for Zimmerman will make a self-defense claim that will be hear before a judge that could possibly dismiss a case. Zimmerman's layer, Mark O'Mara, said he will use Florida's "stand your ground" law, which means "a person can use deadly force rather than retreat during a fight." The situation happened in Florida, where Trayvon was staying with his father. Zimmerman spotted Martin while walking back from the store and he called the police because he looked suspicious. Even though the police dispatcher told him not to Zimmerman followed the teenager and got into a conflict. Zimmerman allegently was punched in his nose and had his head hit against the ground several times by Martin. In fear for his life Zimmerman shot Martin. The night of the shooting, Sanford police took Zimmerman in custody but was released without charge. 

   I think that if Zimmerman would have just listened to the police Trayvon would still be living today. Zimmerman didn’t have to kill him; he could have handled the situation in a better manner. It isn’t even like Trayvon was armed; he didn’t have any weapons on him. I’m glad that people all around the U.S. are trying to get justice for Trayvon. A lot of people are protesting for him and that Zimmerman to get put away for a long time. People walk with their hoods on with an Arizona ice tea and skittles because that’s what Trayvon had on when he got shot.