OPINION

Money Does Not Buy Happiness

By Andrew Azizollahi

Many people say that money does not buy happiness, and I do not necessarily agree. However, if someone is starving to death, wouldn't they think it does? They could have food to satisfy their hunger if they had money and a grocery store nearby. The problem with most people disagreeing with this phrase is that they will say that you can buy whatever you want and that will make you happy, but that is 100% not true.

To start, this phrase is invalid unless someone dies of hunger or thirst or is destitute with no family to help them. However, suppose someone has a family, and they have one car that breaks often, no TV, and one computer to pay taxes. In that case, both parents work a lot but have bad jobs, and everyone struggles. However, every night, they sit with their cold, not heated-up leftovers, talk about their days, and enjoy talking together and loving each other. After, they could use a set of cards to play a game together and love each other. This is an example of money not buying happiness.

Next, many people disagree with this phrase because they think that if someone had 100s of sports cars, millions of dollars in the bank, a million-dollar mansion, an infinity pool golden card set, and an 80-inch private movie theatre. Would they enjoy having that but living alone? Would people enjoy just living all alone with no one to talk to? Ultimately, it is the same thing, but you cannot do the best things, such as socializing with people or having a good time with them. If I gave you these options, you might pick the rich option over the poor choice, but if you lived it, I am sure you would regret it after about four days.

To conclude, money would buy happiness if you were starving, but otherwise, people would 100% choose to be poor with family or friends instead of rich with family or friends, which is stuff money cannot buy. You can never buy family or friends; if you think you can pay someone to be your friend, they are not your friend. 

Why Getting Animals from Breeders is Terrible

By Skylar Kessler

Too many animals in small cages are waiting for a home; you cannot stop strays from having babies since they do not have a home. However, we can help this cause by stopping buying breed animals. So many animals in shelters share their canals with three to four dogs, but we do not even try to help this cause, and we keep buying dogs from places that have a choice to stop breeding. Breeders also contribute to shelter places incorrectly by putting the animals in shelters that do not get sold or look different or less "pretty ."Many social media platforms also significantly impact getting "prettier" dogs, like Instagram, Tktok, Pinterest, and many more platforms. Not only is getting animals from breeders terrible, but getting animals from pet stores also comes from cruel breeding facilities that need to treat animals right. They are confined into tiny, filthy cages and do not get any veterinary care; if they do, it is a minimal amount. Rescues need help from spending all their days in small cages without a home. We need to stop this and help all the poor animals in shelters.

Cats are Purr-Fect Pets for Students

By Mazu Rakhsha

At a time when anxiety levels are high, and students must work their hardest to succeed, finding opportunities for relaxation has become increasingly complex. Many students of all ages have turned to finding a pet to comfort them in stressful times, but this only prompts a new question: which pet is best? While various animals make unique pets, cats' comforting nature, playful personalities, and low care requirements make them ideal for students.

First and foremost, caring for cats is surprisingly effortless. Cats "do not require formal training, they do not need to be taken out multiple times a day, and they are even able to take care of basic self-cleaning" (Freshpet). Many students have busy lifestyles or are too young to manage the numerous responsibilities of owning a dog or other high-maintenance pet, and cats are the perfect solution to this issue. Being fiercely independent, cats also enjoy independent play, which means that their entertainment needs will be met no matter how much time the owner is willing to put into playtime. Cats are innately self-reliant, making caring for them simple and stress-free.

Moreover, cats are masters at soothing anxiety and stress. This is especially seen in their purring, which has been proven to "significantly reduce the amount of cortisol, a stress hormone, in your body" (Hartz). This is especially helpful for students during finals season or before essential exams, when they may require a relaxing break between study sessions or homework. All in all, the calming behaviors of cats help students soothe their anxiety and maintain a generally positive mood. 

However, some cat owners may claim that cats are not low-maintenance enough for students to care for because of their instinctual drive to mark their territory and hunt, which may be displayed through aggressive behavior towards humans or clawing at furniture. While this may be true, the more feral side of cats can be easily managed in a way that only adds to the fun of owning one. Routine trimmings of a cat's claws can reduce damage to furniture and keep an owner's sofas safe. Additionally, the hunter instincts of indoor cats can be fulfilled through regular indoor play that requires only a few toys that your cat enjoys playing with. By following these steps, the wild behaviors of cats can be tamed to benefit both the owner and the cat. Also, what study break could be more perfect than playing with a wide-eyed, velvet-furred kitten? 

In conclusion, students can be too busy or young to properly care for a pet whose care requirements are tiringly burdensome. Nevertheless, there is always a perfect pet for everybody. With simple needs, a gentle nature, and a hint of playfulness, cats qualify as the dream pet for a hardworking student. After all, they are the purr-fessors of relaxation. 

A Wrong Kind of Code! 

By Mielle Bitton

School dress codes should not exist. They are not suitable for anyone and limit others. School dress codes also prevent students from expressing themselves. How we dress should not distract students; they distract themselves by looking at what they are wearing, and the dress code targets girls. People cannot express themselves if they are limited to a dress code.

All people have different styles of expressing themselves. Some like to play an instrument or sing, and others like to use their sense of fashion to express themselves; the dress codes limit that kind of expression. "Clothing is not only a great way to express yourself, but researchers suggest the clothing we wear can affect our behaviors and confidence. By wearing clothes we love, we feel confident in ourselves" (The Emporia Middle School New Paper).

The way we dress should not distract students. The school says that the clothes we wear distract others. We should avoid getting in trouble for others looking or getting distracted. They are the ones who should be in the wrong because they are the ones who are making themselves distracted. "The dress code tells young women that their shoulders and knees will distract their classmates, casting a sense of shame over female students for simply existing in their bodies" (MASD). Although people might say the way students dress discretely. It is not the person looking at fault because it is what they are wearing.  

While this might be true, the dress code focuses more on girls, which is sexist. Girls get dress codes showing their stomachs or their shoulders. For the boys, they get to wear whatever they want. Even though they still have a dress code, the girls are more in force. This is unfair and should be changed to no dress code at all. "The vast majority of dress codes—90 percent—ban clothing associated with girls, a Government Accountability Office report found" (Education Week).

Overall, we should get rid of the dress code. People do not want it, and it should be changed or eliminated.  

iPads are Bad for Gen Alpha

By Andrew Azizollahi

Kids younger than eight years old should not have tablets. I am not talking about TV and watching a kid's show occasionally; I am talking about how parents neglect their kids and raise them with an iPad. This is not only a poor decision because their parents should have paid more attention to them. It is a flawed decision because it will ruin kids' attention spans and make them not socialize with anyone when they are older. Above all, these kids are going to be addicted to their screens and not get off them to greet anyone or cry until one of their overlooking parents gives them the tablet.

To begin with, parents whose kids are glued to their tablets or other devices with screens will never learn to "parent." They will grow to be unsocial, mindless zombies who have never talked to anyone other than asking their mom to get more storage for their devices. Their kids will not develop close relationships, and it will be tough for them to navigate through the real world.

If it gets worse, the kids' attention spans will be so low that they can only get twenty-five minutes into a fun and exciting movie if they get bored. If their family goes to a restaurant and the parent attempts to remove their device, they scream until they get it back. The family will barely ever enjoy many things together just because the kids do not only enjoy their fast-paced educational YouTube videos.

Finally, there are still alternatives to never using devices again. I am not saying that all TV and videos are bad for you. These kids do not need fast-paced videos and TV shows and should only be introduced to internet devices once they are nine.

To summarize, we should only let little kids watch YouTube, YouTube shorts, or fast-approaching shows once they are older. Parents should not give their kids a device to take care of their young kids and have them grow up with poor social skills. To conclude, kids should not be raised on screens.

Help Rescue Dogs from a Shelter

By Skylar Kesler

Don't buy dogs from a breeder; save them from a shelter instead. 

It is heartbreaking to reveal the truth about breeders who often put dogs through pain by keeping them in crates and who do not give them room to run and have fun. Breeding more dogs is flawed since there are already so many dogs in shelters, but people still want to get the more fancy or cute dogs when they are all the same. People must see that breeding more is not suitable for anyone; it only suits social media, but does that matter?

Budget-friendly and just as cute as any other dog that rescues, if you want a puppy that's clean and nice, you may think it would be easier, but a website called Space Coast Pet has proved otherwise. Puppies are great, but they are much work. Some families find that adopting a slightly older dog comes with a sigh of relief. Often, these dogs are surrendered simply due to lack of time, a job change, or even a pet allergy. Many of these dogs will have had some training, understand basic commands, and, in some cases, be much more relaxed.

Older dogs usually come trained and understand at least basic commands. Most older dogs are potty-trained and have mastered the basic commands such as "sit," "stay," "come," and "down." Adopting an already-trained dog will save you the time and energy you usually dedicate to training a young dog.

Overall, rescues, old or new, are way better than breeding. As you can see from these facts, getting old is better. They have been in there for way longer and deserve a chase. It is unfortunate.

Dogs or Cats, That is the Question

By Mielle Bitton 

When you have a little one at home, you want to ensure they are always safe. The only problem is that you want a pet, but which is better: a dog or a cat?

A dog is the better choice. Dogs are sweet and could be a great addition to the family with the proper training. Dogs are fun-loving animals that love to cuddle and play. Dog Time's website lists nine compelling reasons dogs are better than cats for kids. 

1. Dogs are more loyal than cats.

2. Dogs can protect their owners.

3. Dogs are more social than cats.

4. Dogs are trainable.

5. Dogs can be therapeutic.

6. Dogs take their business outside.

7. Dogs get people moving.

8. Dogs are more accessible to contain.

9. There is more variety in dogs.

One of the best things about dogs is that there are so many different breeds.

Dogs are great. You can get a small dog if you need more space. The good thing is you do not need a backyard because you can take dogs on walks. For cats, you have to have a litter box, which is bad for kids because they could touch it without knowing what it is, which is not good.

In conclusion, dogs are better pets than cats or kids because they are loving, sweet animals that would make a great addition to any home.  

Are Dress Codes Necessary?

By Sophia Gagunashvili

Do we need a dress code? What if I told you we did? Most students wear revealing clothing, making learning and distorting their environment difficult. Many students are abusing the dress code by wearing whatever they want. They are not following the rules, which makes it ok for other students, so other students are doing it too. Then it is this whole team, and then the administrators have to continue to tell them, and it is hard for them to tell the entire group to wear appropriate clothing. We should make it easy for the TAs that work at the schools.

People are wondering if a dress code is necessary, but it is; dress codes provide safety and caution, and if we did not have a dress code, the school's image would not be good, and it would not be a good school. It would go bankrupt; all the schools know that if they stop having a dress code, and even if the dress code means something like " no belly button" or " no open-toed shoes," we should always follow the rules because it is for a good reason, open-toed shoes are hazardous to wear. After all, you can step on glass, which would not suit the school. We should always follow the school's rules because it is for our safety.

Dress codes contribute to a positive and focused learning environment. When students are dressed appropriately, they are less likely to be distracted by fashion trends or peer pressure, allowing them to focus better on their studies. Also, a standardized dress code reduces bullying or discrimination based on clothing choices and creates a safer and more inclusive school environment; the dress code also promotes a sense of discipline and decorum among students. By adhering to a prescribed dress standard, students learn the importance of following rules and regulations, which are essential life skills. Moreover, a uniform dress code fosters equality among students, irrespective of their backgrounds, as it eliminates visible markers of wealth or social status.

If we had no dress code, everybody would wear whatever they want, sending a bad image to everyone. The schools would lose their money, and most schools cannot afford to go bankrupt. Dressing well is a form of good manners.

If a dress code (or even uniforms) were required, there would be less emphasis on how you look and more on learning. In conclusion, our schools should adopt dress codes for many essential reasons. Getting an education is easy enough without being distracted by inappropriate clothes.

TikTok Is a Danger To Our Society

By Jordana Danielpour and Andrew Azizollahi    

You are probably familiar with the popular social media app TikTok. Well, if you are not, all you need to know is that it is a danger to our society and youth because "influencers" can spread and provide misinformation and trends that could lead to people going to the hospital and even death. 

Many trends, such as the Tide Pop challenge, involve putting as many Tide pods in your mouth as possible without passing out. This is placing chemicals into your mouth that are horrible for your body and immune system, or the cinnamon challenge, where you eat a spoon of cinnamon and try to swallow it. It may seem pretty harmless, but cinnamon is very thin, and if you choke on it, it can lead to time in the hospital or, even worse, death. Many people do this to get followers, likes, or attention on TikTok, but they need to be made aware of the dangers it can cause to their bodies. 

TikTok can collect your email address, phone number, age, search, and browsing history. Regardless of age or size, anyone could be a victim of identity theft or stolen or shared information. A minor thing that TikTok can do, for example, is sell your phone number to scam callers, so if you have TikTok, you might have noticed that you have received spam calls. 

In conclusion, TikTok Is a terrible social media website that is harmful to our society and youth in many motives, such as trends, identity theft, shared information, addiction and overuse, and even disclosing or amplifying depression or suicidal information. 

Source 

CNN.com

Marijuana Should be Illegal In California

By Andrew Azizollahi

Marijuana is legal in California, and I think that it should be banned. The thing about the law in California is that you can buy as much as you want, and you can still use weed for medical purposes if you have cancer or another disease. The problem is that it can still give people severe issues with their bodies, as well as anxiety and other mental health problems.

Marijuana, however, still has laws about it. According to sacbee.com, those twenty-one and older can legally possess 28.5 grams of flower. You can also grow up to six plants for personal use. The law shows that you must still be twenty-one and older and can only legally have 28.5 grams of flower, and it is not like you can grow as much weed as you want because you can only grow up to six plants to smoke. 

The problem with this is that if you have 28.5 grams a day, it can still lead to serious medical issues such as heart problems, raised blood pressure, and reduced blood capacity. The reason most people smoke it is because it can give them a "high" feeling and can make them feel good for about 2-3 hours, but if you have it often, it may cause you to be anxious, worried, or even panicked until you have that weed again. That is how addictions start and how horrible marijuana is.

I think the only reason it should be legal is for medical purposes. It can ease the pain and help you out if you have cancer or other diseases. The good part of medical marijuana is that it does not have THC, so it does not make you high, and it just eases the pain.

In conclusion, weed has been a severe problem in California, and it gives you serious health and mental health problems. In my opinion, marijuana should be banned.

Source: https://www.sacbee.com

Companies are Destroying Teens by Creating Vapes 

by Aston Amirianfar

Companies are destroying teens by designing vapes targeted to Teens. Vapes that have nicotine or tobacco affect the growing body of a teenager. 

Vaping is bad for teens because the smoke enters the lungs and can ruin the breathing. There have been people who got their vocal cords removed because of Avapes and people who have been hospitalized or even died from vaping. Vaping also affects the brain and can ruin the process of growing. 

Research has shown that vaping affects the lungs and brain because vapes include chemicals in it. The vape smoke also goes into the lungs and can do bad stuff. Vapes are also addicting, so if something is even used one time, the effects are harmful. 

Vapes are addicting because the flavors taste good, the smoke is cool, they are trendy, and the nicotine or tobacco has a chemical in it that makes you addicted.

People might argue that "There are vapes with no nicotine." While this is true, the smoke still harms the lungs because you are inhaling smoke in your lungs; it is also addicting because of the flavors and smoke.

I feel this way because vaping ruins people. Vaping kills people and makes them not care about anything else except vaping. I would have a rehab center where vapers are monitored, not allowed to have vapes, and are there till their addiction is done.

Are Fossil Fuels Better than Renewable Resources?

By Jordana Danielpour

There are many sustainable and unsustainable resources in today's world. However, the real question is, are these sustainable resources that do not harm the environment and are classified as natural resources better than fossil fuels?

There are a variety of fossil fuels, such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas, and even though these fossil fuels are affordable, they can burn quickly and be prepared and ready on demand. They harm and damage the environment in many ways, such as by inflicting pain on animals, producing air pollution, being shown to increase death due to fossil fuels and greenhouse gases, and even being proven to be associated with autism disorder and Alzheimer's disease. 

Different renewable energy sources exist, such as solar, wind, hydro, and biomass. These energy resources do not run out; renewable energy sources are accountable. They have multiple environmental benefits and can improve general physical conditions, among many others. 

Although these are many beneficial and significant advantages, many disadvantages could affect the public in unfortunate ways. 

The disadvantages include being expensive, renewable energy sources need a large amount of space to operate, and the organization of renewable technology needs to be more significant. 

Everything has been said before, and many types of renewable and unsustainable energy sources exist. Both energy sources have many benefits and cons, and they continue to show and prove to the public which one will be used for years to come and be the most accountable.