By Rachel Lau Senior Editor Only a few months remain until I graduate and leave high school behind. It seems like it’s a long, long time from now, but I know it isn’t at all. When I started my senior year, I was so excited to finish it. And now, here I am, wishing it would all slow down a little. I’ve been accepted into the college I want to go to and I picked out my dorm with my soon-to-be roommate. But I think what really made me realize I’m transitioning into an adult is the fact that I’m now making a list of what I need to get for my dorm room. When I saw the words microwave, detergent, and plunger, it hit me-- everything is changing. My parents won’t be there to make dinner, do my laundry, or clean, it will be my job to do all of those adult chores and more.
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By Shayla Scallorn Social Media Editor We learn, we work, we live, we die. That’s it isn’t it? That’s the natural order of things. Sounds a little cut and dry when you think about it. I’m going to let you in on a little secret and it’s pretty cliche so bear with me. Amidst the humdrum of everyday life, opportunities will always arise. Don’t ever pass them up. For those entering college there is one opportunity that I urge you not to overlook: studying abroad. Study abroad programs are growing in popularity and are offered at more and more colleges nationwide. For a few weeks, a semester or even a year, students can earn credits towards their degree while continuing their education in a foreign country. Common destinations include Spain, Italy, Germany, Australia, and France. By Brianna Lehr
Business Manager Junior Robert Lewis, senior Eric Baldwin, and senior Kayla Moore give their overall opinions of this year’s past election and the candidates. The Leonid staff writes letters to the President-elect Donald Trump. The staff shares their hopes and wishes for his presidency. The letters cover all aspects of the election, from Trump's prior experience to his economic plans.
By Mike McCarty Staff Writer Girls may have trouble buying clothes, and men may have trouble deciding what new kicks they want, but everyone has trouble buying a decent car. There’s a lot to think about when buying your first car; it’s not as simple as picking out the “nicest” pair of Jordans that just came out or the “cutest” top on a clothing rack. The most important thing needed to buy a car is figuring out how to budget your money and what you can afford. This includes any down payments you may need to pay, monthly payments you might have to make, the cost of your insurance, or the cost of any customizations you may want. “If I could do anything to my car, I would love for it to all be leopard print,” senior Jennifer Hedrick said. Most teenagers would love to own and drive a brand new car for their first car. Realistically, this is not the case for many of them. Hand-me down vehicles are common amongst teenagers, and owning a pre-owned car for your first car is an excellent choice for many reasons. The big reason is that the overall cost of your car and the cost of insurance will be much lower than a brand-new or recently new model. Since you will be new to driving, the cost of repairs will be much cheaper, also. “I would rather own a pre-owned vehicle than a brand new vehicle, as long as it gets me from point A to B and back to point A. There’s no point in spending hundreds and thousands more on a brand new car just to say it’s new,” senior Gloria Maldonado said. Now, if you are buying a used car it is greatly recommended that you check the vehicles’ VIN number. When searched, the number will bring up all of the cars past information such as how many accidents it has been in, the manufacturer, car model, and more. “VIN numbers alone will tell you more about a vehicle than what any dealer will,” senior Austin Russell said. If you buy a used car from someone directly rather than a dealership it is always good to bring a mechanic with you to make sure everything runs how it should. The money spent to hire a mechanic could save you money in the long run. “First check the car’s VIN number then bring a mechanic so you don’t find any unsuspected surprises,” Russell said. Another aspect of car buying is the maker of the car and what type or model you would like to have. Many teenagers picture having a nice fast Lamborghini or Ferrari to ride around in, but we have to be realistic when it comes to car buying. Don’t try to buy anything you can’t afford. When it comes down to power versus performance, performance wins every time. The performance of the vehicle is the main focus of any car, you need something that will last. If you are wanting to spend less on gas, you should look for a nice six-cylinder engine car rather than a gas guzzling eight-cylinder. For the average teenager a good price to pay for insurance every month is between $70 and $100 for one who owns a used car. Now remember, these prices are decided on your age, occupation, type of car you drive, your driving record, and the type of coverage you buy. Everyone has their own unique style and personality which really influences the type of car you buy and want to drive. Remembering these tips can help you save buckets of cash in the long-run, which can then help you buy your dream car later down the road. By Helen Zeidman Staff Writer A table lined with multi-colored papers dominates the Career Center. These papers come in every color of the rainbow, from neon orange to fluorescent pink, advertising the latest job and volunteer opportunities. Countless posters occupy the space above the table, with even more information. All kinds of jobs, from S & S Produce employees to FedEx workers, are available and waiting to be filled by high school students. There are also many job opportunities over summer break. Summer jobs are a good way to make some saving and spending money, but there are other benefits too. “Summer jobs are setting yourself up for down the road when you need a job.” Mrs. Morris, the Career Awareness Coordinator at the high school, said. “Networking is always good.” Going for a job might be overwhelming, but Mrs. Morris, the Career Awareness Coordinator at the high school, has some tips to make the process easier. Before anyone applies for a job, they must be aware of the rules. For teenagers, this includes limited working hours. According to the Pennsylvania Child Labor Act, no one under the age of 14 can work with the exception of a few jobs. Also, students under the age of 16 can work eight hours a day, and no more than 40 work hours a week during the summer. Teenagers over the age of 16 may work 10 hours a day, but not exceed 48 hours in a week. Also, a work permit is necessary to apply to any job. “You need to bring your Social Security card and birth certificate to the ladies in the office and they will get a permit for you.” Morris said. After the paperwork is taken care of, the application process can begin. Morris’ first tip is to “do it ASAP.” College students tend to get out of school earlier, so they have more time to snatch all of the jobs. Being prepared is also very important. “Even if you are just asking for an application, dress nicely. That first impression is so important.” Morris said. “They say that people judge you in the first five seconds. You do not even have to open your mouth.” Morris also had a few tips to ace the second and third impressions. “Shake their hand. Introduce yourself. Answer honestly to the best of your ability. Thank them for their time. Ask when they will contact you.” Morris said. “The last piece is a vital piece of etiquette--write a thank-you note. It really makes you stand out.” Morris last tip is perhaps the most important. “Don’t work so hard that you can’t have fun. Summer is for rejuvenation. Remember that you are still a teenager.” |
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