Walden teaches student how to live simply
By Erica Rohde Staff Writer My copy of Henry David Thoreau’s Walden is a thick little book I am not prepared to read entirely, but what I find through reading bits and pieces are simple truths; truths that could further our understanding of our deepest desires and ourselves in a wildly materialistic world. Walden, published in 1854, is Thoreau’s reflection of his discoveries as he spent a course of two years living in a cabin he built near Walden Pond in Massachusetts. The idea was to be immersed in nature, and unveil the truths of living life. When I say deepest desires, I refer to our wanting for love and to be loved. For whatever…
Coppell ISD adapts to 21st century learning
By Christina Burke Staff Writer As the world continues to spiral into a more technological and communicative time period, its education systems are taking the liberty of transforming their students into 21st century learners. In the last 10 years or so, methods of education have changed drastically along with society. Along the way, they have blended in, being masked by the public’s new sense of normalcy. Top-notch school districts such as Coppell ISD have always been known for their unique opportunities that make for an award-winning learning environment. They accomplish this by providing the optimum experiences to keep up with today’s technology and expectations. After a decade of attending CISD schools, I have noticed the…
Illegal immigration within our borders: pro
Kimberly Del Angel Staff Writer America is one of the most culturally diverse nations in the world—all because millions have been fortunate enough to embark upon a piece of land with such immense potential it is labeled the “the land of opportunity”. Some might argue this opportunity has been abused, that those who fought to build us up gave us too much freedom. To be frank, too much freedom for non-American citizens. We should not ignore the topic—illegal immigration is a controversial topic heating up in time. A topic that hundreds of years later, has the American youth at the most uneducated state in history. As a Hispanic, I have been asked the dreaded question:…
Illegal immigration within our borders: Con
Corrina Taylor Staff Writer America was established by immigrants with the intent of making a better life for themselves and their families. America today is one of the most medically and technologically advanced countries in the world. Who would not want to have a chance to prosper in a country as great as ours? However, this opportunity does not give people the right to illegally come to America just because they do not want to have to wait the appropriate amount of time, or cannot meet the qualifications to enter the country. Even in 1921 immigrants were required to provide a passport, visa, and pass a literacy test. Even after the immigrants provided the correct…
Princesses promote poor values
By Kara Adkins Online Copy Editor With drool stains on his T-shirt and boogers running from his nose, I was rejected on my preschool playground by my first crush. In that gut-wrenching moment, I realized everything does not end in happily ever after. For the majority of my life, I searched for a Cinderella-type romance. I thought having high standards meant waiting to be chased, saved and swept off your feet by Prince Charming. These ideas were put into my mind by none other than my preschool pastime: Disney. Aurora, otherwise known as Sleeping Beauty, spends the entire movie waiting to be rescued by a prince. Snow White’s goal is to have a prince take…
Writing about writing again
By Mary Whitfill Features Editor I love the media. #unpopularopinion. I think the media is the only industry that works more than it does not. I think it is the most fulfilling profession of all time and I completely understand why so many people despise it. I think the media is a perfectly reasonable thing to hate. There are plenty of reasons that normal, sane people want to throw a shoe at media personalities every time they write another column or open their mouths, but there are an equal number of reasons as to why journalism is the most necessary field in the world. Journalism is a public dialogue. The people who work in…
Colbert surprises GOP with a legitimate chance to win
By Lance McCaskey Staff Writer In true Man of the Year fashion, comedian Stephen Colbert announced on his show that he will enter the GOP race for a shot at becoming president. In 2006, Robin Williams starred in a hit film called Man of the Year, where a comedian on a network television show announced he would be running for president as an independent. While it began as a joke, he joined the debates, showing he knew the issues and had a plan to fix them. The public related to him, and he won the election. This same situation is beginning to unfold before us in the form of Stephen Colbert’s campaign. While most everyone…
Satire, comedy or news? Comedy Central programs provide alternative to mainstream media
Corrina Taylor Staff Writer When we tune into Comedy Central, we see shows such as The Colbert Report, The Daily Show and South Park. We turn these on to have a few laughs before bed, but we may not understand the significance of the shows and what they are saying The actual definition of satire is the use of irony, or sarcasm in exposing or denouncing, and it is on display on these Comedy Central programs . The Colbert Report takes real political disputes and spins them into comedic skits for the viewers’ enjoyment. It uses satire to denounce the major conservative programs such as Fox News’s The O’Reilly Factor. The more liberal stance the…
Stewart ponders censoring oneself
By Kelly Stewart Opinions Editor Last night, when I was finally done with the studying I had to do, I did not get on the Internet or watch TV. I did not read a book or plan for the week ahead. I spent what was probably two and a half hours at my sewing machine, working with my fabric, trying to piece together my costume before the anime convention in June (and for those of you who are wondering, yes it does take that long for me to make a good costume). But for those who have no interest in anime or conventions, do not stop reading. This is for you too. Because while I…
Self-righteous hearts
By Jordan Thompson Staff Writer I have a lot to say about the elephants in the room; one of them is Christian, one of them is gay. They are not bullying each other. They do not want to make a scene – they are not even talking. One of them is just trying to be a good Christian while the other is just trying to be himself. The tension between Christianity and homosexuality is powerful in a quiet way; it involves less brutal name-calling than most of the bullying geared towards homosexuals. When it comes to Christianity, homophobia is simply the fear of something “bad” or “wrong,” and the lack of a malicious tongue is…