Past Debate

Do we still need movie theaters?

01.31.23

I want you to close your eyes and imagine walking into a huge cinema, clutching your ticket with glee as you and your friends pile into line to grab a slushie or a Diet Coke and a super buttery bag of popcorn. You all skip to your assigned screenroom and blindly move around the dimly lit space to find your seats and wait excitedly to watch the movie you’d paid for…

Sounds awesome, right?! I mean, who doesn’t love the smell of fresh popcorn! I sure do. But, what if I told you that you could do practically all of these things from the comfort of your home for little to no expense? Sounds even better, doesn’t it?

Movie theaters have been around since 1893, originating in New Orleans, making it fun and enjoyable to watch new movies come out slowly over the years as this idea became all the more popular. But, as the years built on each other, it slowly began to sink. This is because of all the new platforms where you can watch certain things from. Granted, some movies still play in theaters, but others, for example, Enola Homes or the live remake of Mulan, were posted on platforms like Prime Video instead of sent to the cinemas.

In an article from Forbes (sourced below), Kimberlee Speakman states, “Some 61% of adults told Gallup they didn’t visit a movie theater at all over the course of 2021, while 31% said they saw between one and four movies in theaters and 9% attended five or more.”

I talked with a few people about this. Nour Elzohr, an 8th Grader, easily responded to this. “I personally think that movie theaters, while not necessarily needed, are a great place to hang out and are overall pretty mid.” The question of COVID came up later in the conversation. In response, Nour shrugged with a light smile and said, “I mean, it wouldn’t be a weekly thing, but maybe every once in a while.”

Then, I had a short conversation with Carl Broome, another 8th Grader, who had to think for a second before responding. “Well, yes, because some people may prefer going out and some staying in. It depends on the type of person they are. Are they extroverted or introverted? Do they like making food from home or fast-food? It also depends on their likes and dislikes. Since we already have it, why take it away?” He later explains that since the pandemic had an effect on people, it made sense that COVID had a huge effect on the fact that people didn’t really go to movie theaters anymore.

He brought up a good point, however, this very question has been brought up for a while. In an article from Civic Science (sourced below), Jason Collins explains, “It’s no secret that the fate of movie theaters has been up in the air for years. Since the start of the global pandemic, this has become more pronounced, with many questioning the safety of public gatherings in places like movie theaters.”

Finally, I asked Mr. Willis, an 8th Grade Social Studies teacher, about it. He responded, “I think movie theaters are still needed. Many movies are made for the big screen and surround sound systems that movie theaters provide. Sure, we can watch them later on streaming services, but there is something special about going to the movies and being engrossed in the film.”

While movie theaters are great for the experience, you can still have an even better one at home. Try making a pillow fort, making literal bags of popcorn, or even talking and not getting reprimanded for it. The best part? You’re maybe spending $20 instead of paying $50 in the cinema. Even though the overall consensus was a yes, it’s still up to you. Do we still need movie theaters?

Sources:

Written by Lana Harrison

What is the best season?

01.31.23

What is the best season? Do you prefer the hot summer days in the sun? Maybe cold winter days in the snow? Many people have different opinions on what the best season is, but these are the preferences of a few of our Wakefield Wolves.

Winter is such a beautiful season with many things to do. Whether you like to go sledding, have a snowball fight, or you just like to stay inside with your hot cocoa and blankets, it’s an amazing season for all. When Lana Harrison, an 8th grader at our school, was asked what her favorite season is and why, she said, “To be honest, I love winter. One, it snows, and everyone loves snow. Two, I love being able to cuddle up on the couch, drink hot chocolate, and watch bunches of Hallmark movies. And finally, I can wear sweaters and sweatshirts without burning up.” I also think that winter is an amazing season and I love her reasoning as to why that is her favorite season.

Summer is an amazing season also between going swimming, playing in the sand, and going on vacation. Who wouldn’t love it? No matter what you like to do in the summertime, there is always something for everyone to do. I asked Courtney Carita, an 8th grader, what her favorite season is. She said, “I would say summer is my favorite season because of all the different things that you can do in summer like go swimming. I also like summer break. And my birthday is in summer.” With such a fun-filled season, I can imagine why summer is her favorite.

Another amazing season is autumn, with the most beautiful colored leaves falling from the trees and the chilly weather. Going hiking and picking pumpkins are just a few of the fall activities that you could do. Melody Ilardi, one of the 8th graders of our school, was asked what her favorite season is and this is what Melody told us. “My favorite season is fall because the leaves look really pretty when they change and it's not too cold outside so it's nice to be out there.” Autumn is quite a beautiful season and such a stunning time of the year. I can see why it is her favorite season.

Spring is also an amazing season with beautifully colored flowers and nice weather. Taking walks and looking at nature or gardening are just a few of the things that you could do in Spring. An 8th grader, Mason Waechter, was asked what his favorite season was and he said, “It’s Spring because the weather is nice and the flowers are cool.”

Whether you like Spring, Winter, Autumn, or Summer, all of the seasons have amazing things about them that people love. So what do you think is the best season?

Written by Mariah Sanchez

Should Children Get Paid to got to School?

02.28.23

Should children get paid for school? Or should they just go to school and not get paid a dime? I did a survey with 3 students in Wakefield Middle School and asked them the question, “Should Children Get Paid to Go To School?” Here is what they have said.

The first student is Lana Harrison. Lana Harrison, an 8th grader, answered the survey as yes and no. She replied “I believe we should be paid because school is practically a job! From 8:30 to 3:15, we get educated (with some stuff that more than likely won't apply later in life).” She follows with, “However, some school is necessary (multiplying, subtracting, adding, and dividing in math, reading in ELA, some of Social Studies, and some of science).”

The second student is an anonymous student who is on team Royal. This student had the same reply as Lana did, yes and no. They replied with “I said both but the reason I think they should is because we work all day and because it's not about learning most of the time it's about keeping your grades up I feel like because everyone works on a different level.” They continue with, “And I also don't think so because we are learning and I don't know it just doesn't seem logical. (Money would be nice but it's not a right)”

The third student is Hannah Hamlett. Hannah Hamlett, a 7th-grade student on team Royal, answered yes to the question, unlike the others. She replied with “It is the same amount of work (hours) as a person with an actual job.” She continues with “The only difference is that we don't get paid a penny, instead, we pay for the school.”

I did some research and I found that “Parents constantly hear complaints like, “I don’t want to go to school today,” or, “School is useless, I get nothing out of it.” I went farther down to see what they said. “Paying kids still isn’t a good idea because the pay wouldn’t be equal. It would be wrong to pay someone who slacks off the same amount as someone who works hard.” said Nonnewaug freshman Alexa Celello.

In conclusion, this shows that either side is very valuable. So which one would you choose? Yes or No?

Work Cited:

https://nhschiefadvocate.org/2021/10/should-students-get-paid-for-being-in-school/

Written by Elaynah James

Is a Hotdog a Sandwich?

02.28.23

Some of you might have not thought of this but this question keeps me awake at night. That question being is a hot dog a sandwich? Now some of you might be wondering what the definition of a sandwich is. According to google it is ”an item of food consisting of two pieces of bread with meat, cheese, or other filling between them, eaten as a light meal.” Now that you know the definition, a lot of you are probably saying the bun that has the meat part of a hot dog inside of it is one piece of bread which implies that a hot dog is not a sandwich. Now you're right, it is only one piece, but the sandwiches at the Subway, and Jimmy J johns, have one piece of bread, so are they not sandwiches?

After doing some research a sub role or a “submarine sandwich” is what it is said to be, a sandwich. With that being said, a hotdog is essentially a sub roll with meat in the middle which in my eyes is a sandwich. Meaning that question has found an answer, though I saw that some people were debating if a hot dog was a sandwich or a taco, Which blows my mind! However while researching this topic other questions came to mind such as, Is a burger a sandwich, or what about grilled cheese, or even a quesadilla. There are many questions still yet to answer if you want to find out stay tuned to Wakefield weekly!

Written by Gavin Sibley

Should Hoodies Be Allowed in School?

03.14.23

The use of hoods in schools has been a topic of debate for years. Some argue that hoods provide comfort and protection from the elements, while others believe that hoods can be used to conceal identity and pose a threat to school safety. In this article, we will explore both sides of the argument and come to a conclusion on whether hoods should be allowed in schools.

Those who support the use of hoods in schools argue that they provide comfort and warmth during cold weather. Hoods also provide protection from the sun and rain during outdoor activities, which is important for the health and well-being of students. Hannah Hamlett, a 7th grade student says that having a hood on hides her own insecurities. Furthermore, some students may have cultural or religious reasons for wearing hoods, and it would be discriminatory to prohibit them.

However, opponents of hoods in schools argue that they can be used to conceal identity and pose a threat to school safety. Hoods can make it difficult for teachers and staff to identify students, which can be a security concern. Additionally, hoods can be used to hide headphones, phones, or other prohibited items, making it difficult for school officials to enforce rules and maintain discipline. Furthermore, hoods can be used to intimidate or bully other students, which can create a hostile learning environment.

In response to these concerns, some schools have implemented policies that prohibit hoods. For example, schools may require students to remove their hoods when entering the building, or they may prohibit hoods altogether. However, this approach may not be effective in addressing the underlying issues.

Instead, schools should focus on educating students about the appropriate use of hoods and how they can be used responsibly. Schools can teach students about the importance of maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment and how hoods can impact this. Additionally, schools can implement measures to ensure that students are not using hoods to conceal their identity or engage in inappropriate behavior.

In conclusion, hoods can provide comfort and protection to students, but they can also be used to conceal identity and pose a threat to school safety. Rather than outright banning hoods, schools should focus on educating students about responsible hood use and implementing measures to maintain a safe and respectful learning environment. By doing so, schools can strike a balance between student comfort and safety.

Written by Ashley Smith

Is Cheating Okay at some Costs

03.28.23

When hearing about cheating, you may think it is bad and unfair. Cheating is generally considered not the correct thing to do and can have serious consequences, such as loss of trust and reputation damage. Cheating can also have a negative impact on the person who could cheat. Even if they have short-term gains, they may experience guilt shame, or anxiety I know many could experience a feeling of being an unkind or ruthless individual. Additionally, cheating can lower self-esteem, confidence, and ability to learn and develop essential skills. While it may be tempting to cheat to achieve a wanted goal, it is good to consider the consequences of your actions. It is often better to work hard and achieve success through honesty, even if it takes longer and requires more effort. It is up to each individual to determine their own choice and to decide what they believe is right or wrong, sometimes cheating could ruin your life forever, and sometimes it can save it. It is crucial to treat honesty as important, especially when you feel like you can’t do it. In emergencies, it is essential to follow protocols and seek help from your tutor/teacher. Cheating is generally not a viable option and sometimes makes the situation worse. So my honest opinion would be no.

Written by Aaliyah Vooris

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