How to Conquer Finals: a quest that you still have time to prepare for!

Isaac Obert, 2023

Dear Phoenix Post. 

My classes are hard, especially physics. I’m being bombarded with empirics as finals are approaching. I was focusing on the MOTA recitals, but now the impending doom of finals, plus the loads of homework every night, is starting to really get to me. I feel like I know nothing and it just broke in. Need wisdom I do, from Yoda. I’ve got a shortage of knowledge, empty storage. I’m bored and non-absorbent during class. How can I prepare?

Please help me, 

Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

Finals can be quite stressful and dreadful. Like the fires guarded by the Vestals, be careful yours doesn’t go out. It can be mental. But you have the potential to be successful! You may feel alone, but many have existential fear of the unknown. It is just instrumental that you don’t give up or get overblown. Your entrance into this school is not accidental, and you’re not so dumb that you can’t pass your finals. Just show some teachers that you’re ready to receive their teaching and be an achiever. Be cordial and respectful; your teachers will always want to help fill missing gaps of knowledge. A good scholar always asks for help from mentors, and you can go to the Academic Student Center to save your grades. The tutors there are helpful and want to prevent your grade from tanking. On the day of finals, make sure you’re well-rested and in a peaceful mental state. And remember, it isn’t that consequential in the long run. Grades aren’t everything! I hope this poem has been helpful. If you ever need a friend, ask me for a peanut butter pretzel.

• Isaac Obert (The Peanut Butter Pretzel Man)

UHS Debate Team

Mohammad Al-Saber, 2023

Speech and debate has taken University High School by storm, and is appearing to be one of the most popular extracurriculars students engulf themselves in.  Its attractiveness is due to its accessibility of information and appealability due to its wide range of events, ranging from dramatic acting scenes to heated United States and foreign legislation debates.  The spark became ignited last school year, when pupils were interested in getting involved in other methods at school, and speech and debate was one of the only extracurriculars that could successfully transition to a digital platform.  While competitions were not as readily available as they were in-person, a handful of then-sophomore and junior students were tabulated to the national level in June 2021!  Ever since then, Dr. Jarocki and Ms. Der-Torosian, co-coaches of the team, conducted a bootcamp to kick off the 2021 to 2022 school year and competitions have been underway!

What is speech and debate?  In essence, speech and debate is an outlet for those interested in majoring in an English, or social science-related field, such as anthropology.  Those who have expressed curiosity can track the following road map, typically handed to students who are unsure about where to step with such a variety of events available.  From there, students are able to narrow down their fascinations to a mere few; students are then encouraged to speak with either co-coach and see of any opportunities to participate in upcoming competitions.  The extensive speech category consists of fifteen events, either individual or partnered; ranging from humorous, to witty and quick-on-your-feet, to prepared and insightful, to supporting your ideas with external material, to dramaticized and heart-thumping, speech is for anyone and everyone who is willing to dedicate extra hours outside of school to perfect their desired event.  Debate too can be challenging, but thrilling when in a heated round, perfect for anyone who would like to challenge others on any given legislative decision (primarily the work of Public Forum and Policy) or questioning how society functions in the way that it does (Lincoln-Douglas).  Both speech and debate are nationally ranked as one of the best extracurriculars to enroll in, as the benefits are numerous, such as stepping out of your comfort zone and refining your public speaking abilities.

As of early November 2021, two regional speech and one debate competitions have been held; competitors have consistently been ranked as one of the best competitors there!  On the horizon are two more debate competitions (Wahzoos 2 and 3, currently scheduled for the first Saturday of November and December) and two more speech competitions (IE 2 and 3, currently scheduled for the second Saturday of November and December).  These competitions are hosted by nearby high schools, such as Bullard, Sanger, and Clovis North High Schools; IE 2 will, in fact, be held on our campus!  In terms of next semester, co-coaches are inquiring about a potential out-of-town competition, while maintaining the normal state and national qualification structure that has been routinely in place; the season for speech and debate is year-round.  Virtual competitions are also available, a positive for attending school for a year and a half online, which allow for individuals from out-of-state to compete.  Gaining that perspective on how varying sections of the country create a framework for speech and debate can aid in adding tips and tricks to your toolbelt.

Speech and debate, lastly, is an extracurricular where bonding occurs on an unprecedented level.  Waiting for rounds to begin in in-person events, working on cases with your partner, or performing your speech for others to watch and comment on are moments where you feel connected not only to your event and your colleagues, but also to society and its establishments.  Celebration in speech and debate is frequent; the entire team is captivated in the midst of awards when the judge’s booming voice calls out “From University High School…”.  By prying at speech and debate, you’re prying at crossroads of varying worlds that, by taking part in, you are enriching yourself in the current moment and laying the groundwork for a better educated future as a young adult.

Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 Vaccine Approved for Children Aged 5-11

Brian Molina, 2024

On October 29th, 2021, the United States Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, approved a COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5-11.  The vaccine in question, manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech, was authorized by the administration for emergency use.

A large amount of public discussion, as well as controversy, surrounded the approval of the vaccine.  As early as September 28th, Pfizer had submitted data confirming that it would be safe and effective in children in the under-12 age range.  Around this time, although there was a general support for the vaccine, parents of younger children expressed concerns and reservations about getting them vaccinated.  One survey of over 10,000 parents, conducted at the Indiana University Fairbanks School for Public Health, identified that 60% of surveyed parents would not vaccinate their children even if another household family member had COVID-19 due to beliefs of their “natural immunity” or higher resistance to the virus; 15% expressed a desire to “wait and see.”

By early October, Pfizer and BioNTech had requested FDA approval for the vaccine.  At the time, an official ruling was tentatively scheduled for around Halloween.  Plans were made to use a smaller dose than a usual adult vaccine—a third of the original dose—following earlier concerns of its possible side effects on younger children.  With the adult dose a size of 30 micrograms, this meant the 5-11 vaccine would contain a 10 microgram dose.  Trials showed that this dosage was perfectly safe and just as effective in that age range.  The CDC and multiple medical officials emphasized the FDA ruling and approval as an important step in the goal of getting the general public vaccinated, particularly in children, who in September had accounted for one in four infections, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.  Children have additionally died from the disease despite rumors or beliefs denying it, heightening the push for the vaccine.

The FDA, upon evaluating the data thoroughly, found it to have a 90.7% effectiveness rate in children aged 5-11, comparable immune responses to those aged 16-25, and no serious side effects.  It met their criteria and the benefits to younger children were determined to outweigh the risks.  Following the October 29 authorization of the vaccine, states and healthcare providers started preparing to distribute it, with some states like Michigan hoping to commence vaccination of children 5-11 by Wednesday, November 3.  As recently as November 2, the CDC released a media statement recommending the vaccine, reiterating its safety and its lack of severe side effects, the most severe being a sore arm.  With the oncoming distribution and use of the vaccine seeming well on the horizon, it is increasingly hoped that more parents will choose to have their children vaccinated and the spread of COVID-19 and its variants can be reduced.

Works Cited

“CDC Recommends Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine for Children 5 to 11 Years.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2 Nov. 2021, www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1102-PediatricCOVID-19Vaccine.html.

Carroll, Aaron E. “Many Parents Won't Vaccinate Their Kids. Here's Why.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 24 Sept. 2021, www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/09/how-many-vaccinated-parents-will-vaccinate-their-kids/620191/.

Commissioner, Office of the. “FDA Authorizes Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Emergency Use in Children 5 through 11 Years of Age.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-authorizes-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine-emergency-use-children-5-through-11-years-age.

Lafraniere, Sharon, and Noah Weiland. “Pfizer Asks F.D.A. to Authorize Its Covid-19 Vaccine for Children 5 to 11.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 7 Oct. 2021, www.nytimes.com/2021/10/07/us/politics/pfizer-fda-authorization-children-5-11.html.

Zhang, Sarah. “Vaccine Data for Kids Under 5 Are Coming 'Before the End of the Year'.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 29 Sept. 2021, www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2021/09/pfizer-ceo-vaccine-young-children-2-4/620236/.