Stem Cell Funding Bill Creates Controversy Among Leaders

Story by Kristin Sippel
Congress has created a stem cell funding bill which would provide federal funding for stem cell research. President George Bush has continuously repeated his threat to veto this bill. read more

Global Warming Problems Need Resolution Very Soon

Story by Emily Connor
“If we allow this [global warming] to happen, it is deeply, ethically immoral in every way.” read more

Point - Higher Drinking Age Holds No Benefits

Story by Peter Zlebek
One of the few countries to have a minimum drinking age of 21 is the United States. The benefits of such a strict drinking age are almost nonexistent. read more

Counterpoint - Higher Drinking Age Is Meant to Keep Youth Safe and Healthy

Story by Emily Connor
At age 18, one is considered an adult. An 18 year old can vote, be subjected to a possible draft, and be called for jury duty. If they can be trusted with all these adult responsibilities, many students find themselves asking why they can’t purchase and drink alcohol. The answer is very simple: health. read more

Hall Passes Cause More Problems Than They Solve

Staff Editorial
Hall passes have been here at PHS for the last two years. Within in those past two years, they have been vandalized, stolen, and even mutilated. read more

He Said - Hughes Explains Prom From The Guys’ Point of View

Story by Elliot Hughes
Easier said than done accurately depicts what the male must do to prepare for any formal dancing event. In this case, the trademark high school event of prom. Showering, throwing on a tux, tying the rented shoes, and picking up the girl for a night on the town is an oversimplified gist of the so called “breeze” guys go though while anticipating the formal night to come. read more

She Said - Erdmann Demonstrates the Issues Brought Upon a Girl for Prom

Story by Sarah Erdmann
Prom night is a night to remember. It is supposed to be magical and exhilarating, but none of it would be what it is without the clever minds of girls. The boys have little to do, and are barely involved in the planning of this special night. From the process of getting ready to planning the entire night the girls take care of it all. read more

Teen Diets Can Prove Dangerous to Health

Story by Katie Kiedrowski
Many teens are on diets these days, but not all of them are helpful to the body. read more

New Dress Code Should Replace Current, Vauge Dress Code at PHS

Story by Katy Murphy
Summer means going to the beach, fun in the sun, short shorts (even shorter skirts) and tank tops. But how do you deal with this climate change at school? Is dress code a simple suggestion to think about or a strict guideline that’s meant to be followed? As hotter weather approaches, problems with the dress code are rising as quickly as the mercury in our thermometers here at PHS. read more

Censorship Increases Tension Between Government and Citizens

Story by Jessie Fields
Censorship has been around for a long time. Parents tell their kids not to swear, and preachers teach people not to take the lord’s name in vain. Over the years, censorship has become more and more evident in our everyday lives. read more

Mayfair Mall’s Ban Creates Controversy

Story by Andy Newman
Mayfair Mall used to be a place where kids could go after school or on the weekends. This kept many of them off the streets where much more gang violence, drug use, theft, and other illegal activities are going on. read more

Maryland Sets Course for Other States to Follow in the Future

Story by Paige Broeckel
Most people know about the Electoral College, but what people don’t know is that it causes more harm than good. read more

Vaccine for Cervical Cancer Gives Hope to Teen Girls Today

Story by Bridget Ceilley
HPV, Human Papilloma Virus, is a major concern in the U.S. right now. read more

Tanning Beds Provide Beauty, But Bring High Risks of Cancer

Story by Emily Connor
Golden skin is in. But is it worth the risk of losing your life? The countless number of teens who lay outside and in tanning beds in order to get darker skin are subjecting themselves to a very possible health risk: skin cancer. read more

Letter to the Editor:
Myspace Mishaps

Dear Editor,

In the last issue, one of our students engaged our tech support department with a debate regarding the appropriateness of "MySpace.com" as an educational tool.   I wanted to share with students, especially graduating students, another and seldom discussed reality of “MySpace.com” and any other internet bulletin board/online community.

Most users of the internet, especially young people, tend to believe that the internet is a safe, confidential, and consequence-free environment where they can share anything with anyone.  The reality is that the internet is not inherently “safe”, nor is it confidential despite claims that some internet service providers may make so-called privacy software often claims.

Many students tend to not realize the very real and possibly lifelong consequence of using and participating in online communities, chat rooms or websites such as “MySpace.com.”  The reality is that what you say online lasts forever (even after you delete it).  Comments made in chatrooms are logged and stored indefinitely. The contents of bulletin board discussions are also archived.  Not only are these items saved, but they are also very easily found by “anyone” doing little more than typing someone’s name into a search engine.

The reason this should be of concern to students graduating, looking for jobs or applying to colleges is because an increasing number of colleges and employers are more thoroughly checking the backgrounds of their applicants.

This includes doing an internet search to see if an applicant has a MySpace web site, which in many instances displays information about a student that usually isn’t shared on applications for jobs or to colleges.

If a student has ever made comments on a bulletin board, MySpace website, or other online chatroom, it can be found by doing an internet search using their name.  The employer may have to dig deep into the results of the internet search, but depending on the job, many employers will do just that.

Often students with MySpace websites make their websites “private” in an attempt to keep their information from being seen by someone they don’t know or don’t want viewing their account.   Making a MySpace account “private” sends a clear message to employers.  It screams “contents are inappropriate” and employers know this as well.

My suggestion to students looking for work or a college is to do yourself a favor and delete your MySpace accounts.  Also, don’t adopt the false security in believing once you have a job you can say anything online.  Unless you work under a contract, you are hired  “at will,” which means that employers can fire you without reason at any time.   Put simply, you could lose your job if your employer discovers that you use vulgar language or have inappropriate content on your MySpace web site, even if someone else posts the materials or comments.  It’s your website, you are responsible for its contents.   In other words, if your MySpace account is offensive to your employer, you may find that you suddenly have a whole lot more time to spend in “YourSpace”.

What’s inappropriate?  That is a question I am asked often.  Here is the test.  If you cannot sit down by your computer with your mom, dad, grandpa, grandma, pastor, priest, or 5-year-old brother or sister at your side and read or view the contents of your MySpace account, it is probably inappropriate.

Use your heads, be wise, and be safe.
Good luck!
Carl Graf
PHS School Psychologist