October 2025
Student Content Creators
Emmry Alldredge, Noelle Armstrong, Maycee Bangert, Elida Barajas-Garcia, Maxine Beam, Rheanee Beeson-Petty, Dema Dondji, Luna Godinez, Cayleigh Goforth, Clara Hansen, Gabby Hartung, Ava Henson, Caden Irish, Dani Linares, Kemper Mays, Brooke McCormick, Brynley McDaniels, Blake Peek, Abbiey Rabel Fulp, Sofia Ruvalcaba, Greta Smith, Hailey Thomassen, Bridger Thompson, Maryn Wallace, & Ellie Youngblood
Advisor/Editor
Mrs. Carly Clark
Graphic by Clara Hansen
Video by Clara Hansen
Does your messy room ever make you want just to close the door and forget about it? You’re not alone! A cluttered space can feel like a daunting task, but with a few simple steps, anyone can transform chaos into calm. In fact, studies show that nearly nine out of ten people who tidy up regularly experience boosts in both mental and physical well-being.
Make a Plan
Making a plan is the secret to cleaning your room in a way that meets your guardians’ expectations. Start by grabbing a piece of paper and a pen. Sit somewhere comfortable in your room and take a look around.
Find the messiest area—but save that for last! I’ve learned that tackling the toughest spot first can drain your energy, making it harder to finish the rest. Once you’ve identified the messiest area, jot it down on your list.
Next, scan the floor for laundry. If you see any, add “put away laundry” or “start a load of laundry” to your list, depending on whether it’s clean or dirty.
Finally, note any garbage, old dishes, water glasses, or items that don’t belong in your room. The more detailed your plan, the easier it will be to stay on track and avoid feeling overwhelmed. Remember, breaking down your tasks into smaller pieces can make the whole job feel much more manageable.
Take a look at your list and start on the small things. If there's any trash, throw it away. If there are any dishes, get them out of there. Even the smallest things can make a big difference in whether your room is clean or not.
Now that you have done that, you need to do your laundry. Whether it's putting away clothes or starting a load, you need to get it going. If you have started a load, you are going to get started on the big mess.
The one you've been putting off for weeks. You have to start on this.
Start by setting a timer for ten or fifteen minutes—sometimes knowing there’s a time limit can help you stay focused. Don’t worry about making everything perfect right away; progress is what matters most.
As you work, take short breaks if you need them, but always come back to your list and keep moving forward. Little by little, you’ll see your room transform, and you might even find yourself feeling proud of what you’ve accomplished.
Although this is a challenging mission to accomplish, with a plan, you can do it! If you need any encouragement, you could always go to sites like Pinterest, YouTube, etc. I always feel like watching someone else do it gives me energy to clean, too.
Target
Amazon
TJ Maxx
Graphic by Ava Henson
Graphic by Emmry Alldredge
Emmry Alldredge
One of the most infamous, never-ending arguments for pet lovers is Cats VS Dogs. Here is some advice for choosing a pet, and whether Americans prefer cats or dogs.
There are several factors to consider when deciding whether to have a cat or a dog as a pet. Here are some reasons for choosing each, so you can get a pet that's right for you.
Dogs offer companionship- Dogs can offer you unconditional love and companionship, and are often referred to as a “Man's best friend”.
Dogs are more active and trainable.
Some dogs can help protect you. Certain breeds of dogs are bred to guard and provide a sense of security.
Cats are very low maintenance- Compared to dogs, cats are way smaller and are very easy to take care of. They are independent and need less attention and training than dogs.
Pest Control- Cats are very good mousers and can help get rid of unwanted rodents.
Cats are more affordable than dogs.
In America, studies show that more families own a dog than a cat. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 59.8 million households own dogs, while 42.2 million households own cats. So, dogs may be more popular in the US, but what about the world? Well, dogs still win, but cats are not far behind.
Photos by Emmry Alldredge
Photo By Addi Tonseth
Graphic by Blake Peek