College Park's New Year's Resolution, Jasmine Eubanks

In 2003 Leadership Public School -- College Park opened its doors as a small school, but now it's 2009 and a lot has changed for example, we have a new principal and new rules and procedures. We are excited that we have survived previous years and teachers and administrators.

We welcome new years -- the opportunity to turn a new leaf and grow towards adulthood. But, 2009 is a tough year for us to adapt to. Many students feel as if "a lot is being thrown at us this year." I am confident that we will adjust to the new leadership and thrive academically. After all, we survived at least eight years of schooling thus far.

A new year to Briana Williams means “a new number, not so much a new beginning because you can’t start over something that is already done. That is impossible. It’s a fresher start to change and do better.”

Not all students welcome or thrive with change. Ninth grader Danielle Straughton explained that a new year to her means she is going to stop caring about what others say. She is going to be herself and not change a thing. This is what New Year's resolutions are all about -- improving ourselves and our lives.

Roxana Hurtado's New Year’s resolution with regards to school and her future is “to pass the Cahsee, so I won’t have to take it over again.” Her resolution is different than others', because she is a 10th grader, but the grade doesn’t always determine the resolution.

The students feel that the new administration, which took effect in late December had a New Year's resolution too -- which was to throw a bunch of new rules at us. We are not sure if these rules will help or hurt our school, but what we do know is that 2010 will give us a clearer view of 2009.

I choose fresh air, Jasmine Eubanks

As a freshman student, that has been going to this school for seven weeks, I find Leadership Public Schools -- College Park to be somewhat boring; specifically due to mandatory on-campus lunch each day, which feels monotonous with regards to scenery and experience.

Off-campus lunches would be a breath of fresh air -- a time to recharge and to refocus. It will give some students time to clear their heads. It would also be a good idea, because people could go buy their own lunches and choose what they want. Students benefit from choices -- all human beings do! I also believe students would be more likely to eat a healthy amount if they could choose their food -- then they would have the much needed energy to do well in their afternoon academics. All to often, students don't eat their lunches and then crash in their afternoon classes.

Trust the students more, give us freedom of choice. We will make the right choice and our grades will reflect it. I know you keep us on campus for our own safety and I am both thankful and appreciative that you care so much about us, but we just want the opportunity to prove to you that we are trustworthy.

Please give us a chance for a breath of fresh air -- an off-campus lunch -- and I bet our grades will be better for it.

The Great Debate, Jasmine Eubanks

Boom! Boom! Boom! My heart was pounding like a cannon. We, the bloggers, fired point after point at them and won the argument leaving them dumb-founded. We proved that censorship should not be allowed and that the First Amendment should be upheld.

The battle was tough, filled with yelling and screaming and people popping up from their seats like pop-corn. Their voices shivered as they stated their arguments, which were delivered within three minutes. The Bloggers were against the Reporters. Everyone was nervous -- thinking that they were not prepared enough, but to their surprise they were. The students were anxious, some had note cards while some had all the information in their heads.

Everyone listened to the opposing team’s points. We all disagreed passionately and the debate went wild and crazy. Each student shot their ideas at one another, while staying focused and on point.
In the end, the Bloggers won with 75 points to the 68 points the Newspaper Staff earned. Even though we didn’t have our ammo written on paper, we were able to quickly fire our points off the cuff at one another, because we disagreed so strongly!