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.
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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.” By Molly Merson Staff Writer A currently debated topic within our school is the dress code. As the temperature rises, clothing styles also change. You may be asking yourself: “What can I wear and not wear?” Well we have the answer for you. Here at our school, we do have restrictions on certain styles, however many students aren’t aware of the guidelines we have. Guidelines and additional dress code information is listed in the student handbook issued in the beginning of the school year. In most cases, this information remains unread or overlooked by students. Excessively short shorts are not permitted, especially if the pockets are longer than the shorts altogether. Also, visible undergarments, including men’s undershirts, are not acceptable. “It’s a matter of modesty,” Principal Mary Smith said, in regards to clothing choice. Compared to the Red Lion Area Junior High School, our dress code may seem a lot more lenient. Although there are restrictions, trust is put into the student body to choose appropriate attire for school. “The older you are, the more freedom you have to choose,” Smith said. Dress code is not a major concern for this upcoming Spring, because most of the student population follows the dress code guidelines. If students do not follow the guidelines, they will be asked to change. If they refuse to change, disciplinary action will follow. A student is only asked to change clothing if it “causes a disruption to the learning process,” Principal Smith says. If students aren’t aware of our guidelines on dress code, it’s available on the school website or on the disc given out at the beginning of the school year. Our school understands that as seasons change, so does style. Make sure your spring wardrobe is filled with plenty of magnificence, modernity, and most importantly; modesty! By Taylor Bosley
Sports Editor This past December, Sony was set to release “The Interview,” a “comedy” surrounding the assassination of North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, featuring Seth Rogen and James Franco. After a group who calls themselves “The Guardians of Peace” threatened the movie theaters that intended to play the movie, many theaters pulled the movie and it could only be found online and in select theaters. Many Americans viewed the pulling of the movie due to the threats a violation of the First Amendment and cried out the infamous phrase “freedom of speech.” The attention surrounding “The Interview” has no ties to freedom of speech, it ‘s an issue of human decency, or rather a lack there-of. Early in the movie there is a scene where Rogen and Franco are driving through the city and ask about the “speculated” starvation of the North Korean people. They are pointed to a “grocery store” and then an overweight boy to dismiss the allegations. An overweight kid eating candy is hilarious, right? Maybe it would be if it was not found by the United Nations that one fourth of children in North Korea suffer from chronic malnutrition. That means 25% of all kids living there do not receive enough food to grow properly, which often leads to stunted growth. Besides the staggering 25% malnutrition rate, the UN also found that two thirds of all North Koreans are unaware if they will even have a “next meal.” To make a movie that centers jokes surrounding an issue like starvation will desensitize viewers to the actual hardships the North Korean people face each and every day. When there is a land of people ruled by a power hungry leader who dictates almost all aspects of life, including the haircuts of the citizens, there is not much room for laughter. While Kim Jong Un does not deserve any support, the people he rules over do. To make a mockery of the struggles they face is indecent. The use of satire, as “The Interview” is said to use, is an important aspect of media. Although when that “satire” desensitizes others to the starvation and complete dictatorship a land faces, not much good can come from it. By Claire Krackow
Marketing Editor Navy Seal Sniper Chris Kyle’s pinpoint accuracy in the December 2014 movie, “American Sniper” (based on a true story) saved countless lives on the battlefield and turned him into a legend. After returning home to his wife and kids after four tours, Kyle discovers that he can not leave the war behind. Chris Kyle, who was nothing more than a cowboy from Texas, found out that maybe his life needed something more, something where he could express his talent and help America in the fight against terrorism. Kyle joined the Seals to become a sniper, a person who operates alone or in a team to maintain close visual contact with the enemy and engages from concealed positions. Kyle’s biggest struggle wasn’t with his missions, but it was with the relationship he had with others because of the reality of the war. Eventually, he develops Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from the obstacles he faced with being involved in the war. This causes him to struggle with being a husband and father to his family back in the States and although he is home, he cannot leave the war behind as it haunts him everyday. This film does more than portray the horrors of war, it focuses on the horrors that come after; the post war suffering when those who served have come home. In this film, Kyle was not killed by an Iraqi, but by a U.S. veteran whom Kyle was trying to help heal, long after he had returned from the battlefield. Allegedly, this veteran had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This film raises awareness of the effects on veterans after they return home that more people should be aware of. Not only are they hurting physically, but they are hurting mentally as well. These obstacles can change a man’s life forever, the friends that they lose and the horror that they witness will live in their mind forever. Many people referred Chris Kyle to a “bloodthirsty warmonger” but he was a smart warrior who fought hard for his country and for his fellow troops.This film brought many people to celebrate and believe in America again, but also to realize the sacrifices that our troops made and to appreciate them. There is much success in the film, “American Sniper” and much more to learn. By Claire Krackow
Staff Writer What qualities would your peers say you have? Every year at Red Lion Area Senior High School, Senior Superlatives are chosen according to what qualities pertain to different students Recognizing students who have been at the school for four years in giving them a title as superlative is a great confidence booster as well as a final ending to their high school career. It is also a way for their peers to remember them as they move onto the next chapter of their lives. Without recognizing students who stand out in those aspects, homecoming or prom court would not be possible. As well as team captains or lead roles in the school musical. The buzz and excitement about superlatives never fail to keep the Seniors anticipating. However, they are not always a good idea. Many conflicts can be started when finding out who won which superlative. During this year's voting of superlatives, many people were campaigning for what they wanted to win. In reality, people will vote for who they think deserves the title, not for the student who wants it the most. Students will be feeling very insecure once the superlatives are revealed because they may not get the one they wanted. Others may get the title that somebody else wanted, which will cause much conflict as well. "I just think it's bad because people might get down and upset if they don't get the superlative that they wanted," said Senior Paige Taylor. "I'm just not a big fan of them, although they are definitely very fun and exciting." In recent years, having Senior Superlatives has caused problems because of these same reasons. Senior should be chosen for a superlative based on the qualities that their peers think about them. |
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