Death List: Wait... whaaaat?

Originally posted: October 13

Everyday, the average teen dreads waking up before the sun comes out and getting ready to go to the most intense place we like to call school. Now for some people, facing our classmates may be harder than for others, but there is an extent to what you do about those "tricky" people.

Administrators at Nashua-High School North in Nashua, New Hampshire are investigating a book called Death Notes, based on a Japanese manga, that includes 17 students and the times, dates, and ways in which they will die.  Parents are concerned that the school isn't doing enough about this situation. Danielle Charest, whose daughter's named appeared third on the list because of "a dirty look in second grade, 8 years ago," wrote a note on her Facebook explaining this situation to other parents.

"I REFUSE to take this lightly. School shootings start with a list of people who have wronged an individual... I don't want Nashua to be the next Columbine because we didn't take a death threat list seriously."

Her daughter reportedly brought this issue to Principle Marianne Busteed but was told to return to class because the school was "handling it."

                                                                  

Parents of the students mentioned on the list have been contacted by school officials, according to the  New Hampshire Union Leader.

"An investigation was opened and continued," Deputy Chief Michael Carignan of the Nashua Police Department wrote in an online statement. "It was determined that no criminal threatening, nor any other crimes were committed... At no time did either the police or school feel that any students were in immediate danger."

The high school held a meeting for concerned parents this morning and it appears that all students are safe.

Are you taking every precaution to make sure your school is safe? 

xoxo, Kaila

Remember Ahmed Mohamed?

Originally posted: October 22

Ahmed Mohamed: a 14-year-old making the headlines for all the wrong reasons last month.
Well if you don't remember, Ahmed was arrested at his Texas high school for bringing a homemade clock to school but was unfortunately mistaken for a bomb. Although he wasn't formally charged following a police investigation showing that there was no evidence to support this claim, the high  school freshman was still suspended from school for three days because of his invention.

On October 20th, Ahmed went to the White House for "Astronomy Night," after receiving an outpour of support from people around the world, including our President. President Obama's tweet said"Cool clock, Ahmed. Want to bring it to the White House? We should inspire more kids like you to like science. It's what what makes America great." Like, RETWEET! According to the White House blog, Ahmed was with scientists, engineers and visionaries from astronomy and the space industry, along with students and teachers. DJ Patil, Deputy Chief technology Officer for Data Policy and Chief Data Scientist for the White House, said: "We think Ahmed will fit right in. That's because we think it's really important that kids with a passion for science and technology have the opportunities they need to reach for the stars." He also had the experience to share this experience with those in attendance and spent the evening stargazing from the South Lawn

Following his arrest, Ahmed stated at a press conference that he would not be returning to MacArthur High School in Irving, Texas following his arrest. "If I was a Caucasian male, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have gotten arrested," he said. Even with everyone standing up for Ahmed (#IStandWithAhmed!!!!!) Lesley Weaver, a spokeswoman for the Irving Independent School district, said "We're never going to take chances with student safety." Right.

With Obama's effort and invitation to the White House, it's the big step towards not singling out students like Ahmed.

Thanks, Prez!

xoxo, Kaila

One Step at a Time

Originally Posted:November 23, 2015

Rini Sampath, the first women elected as student body president in nearly a decade at the University of South Carolina, shared an upsetting story that exemplifies why female and minority leadership is so desperately needed in communities like USC’s. On Sunday night, Sampath posted on Facebook:

"Last night, as I was walking back from my friend's apartment, a student screamed out at me through the window of his fraternity house, "You Indian piece of shit!" before hurling his drink at my friends and me. Once his fraternity brothers realized it was me, they began to apologize. This stung even more. Today, as I try to unpack these events, I couldn't quite figure out why their after-the-fact apologies deepened the wound. But one of my friends explained it to me the best this morning: "Because now you know, the first thing they see you as is subhuman." And that's the first thing some students on our campus see when they look at anyone who looks like me. I'm still in a state of shock. There's an indescribable hollowness in me, but I'm going public with this because this can't continue. Some people don't believe racism like this can happen on our campus. Some people continue to doubt the need for safe spaces and the need for expanded cultural resource centers or the need for gender neutral bathrooms or the need for diversity in our curriculum or the need for diversity in our professors or the need for diversity in dialogue. And to those who continue to believe we're just playing the "race" card, I ask you this — what's there to win here? A sense of respect? A sense of humanity? A sense of love and compassion for others regardless of how they look like?This isn't an isolated incident. It happens everywhere. Last week, individuals in a pick-up truck yelled racial slurs at Mizzou's Student Body President, Payton Head. Who knows what will happen to someone who looks like me today?"

In an interview with the Washington Post, Sampath says the USC officials and students have been supportive and the offender apologized but it was too little, to late. "Apologies don't fix these deep wounds," she told the Post. "[The slur] was a verbal assault on my identity — on who I am as a person." Because USC has a zero tolerance policy for these hateful remarks, the Dean of Religious Life Varun Soni asked Sampath to file a formal complaint with the school in order to investigate the case and determine the appropriate course of action.  She wants to create a dialog and spread the word that this type of hate should not be accepted, no matter what. 

Rini Sampath is an immigrant that struggled with her body image and learning english which made it that much harder to fit in so being targeted because of her skin color and race was not fair. She doesn't want the first thing to be seen to be skin color but rather the wonderful knowledge the person acquires or other great talents the person may have. Would you let someones skin color effect you? 

xoxo, Kaila

Winter Wonderland

So, unlike you, not everyones Christmas list contained macbook pros, wireless Beats, and a puppy. Some people, big or small, want just one thing: to get better. And although Santa is magical, there is only so much he can do, so he sprinkled his snow-sparkle sprinkle's and paths magic to the test.

A Winter Wonderland SurpriseThe secret is out! This year for the holidays I've teamed up with Air Canada to surprise patients of the Montreal Children’s Hospital! We transformed the atrium into a special Winter Wonderland! It was an epic experience. Enjoy, and Happy Holidays everyone! #PKApproved #HolidaySurprise #givingbackiscontagious
Posted by P.K. Subban on Thursday, December 24, 2015

A professional hockey player for the Montreal Canadiens, P.K. Subbing, is a wish-granting elf by night. Subbing and Air Canada managed to surprise all of the patients at the Montreal Children's Hospital and their parents yesterday by transforming their hospital into a winter spectacular.

All  of the pediatric patients were brought down to celebrate with face-painting, magic tricks, presents, and candy on top of candy on top of candy waiting for them. Some of the kids were so excited, they were speechless!

Subbing took his miracle-working one step further by presenting a $5,000 check to a family, who on top of dealing with their child's illness, lost their home to a fire last week.

This is so sweet, I think I have a cavity! JUST KIDDING. But seriously, how are you not pooping rainbows after this?

xoxo, Kaila

The American Dream

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the 'american dream' as an American Social ideal that stresses egalitarianism and especially material prosperity. 

While all American kids dream of a 9-5 job, two cars, two kids, a dog, and amain mansion (maybe even a beach house in Florida or some exotic place!). But according to a new poll conducted by Harvard's Institute of Politics, 48% of millennials believe that this does is, well, dead. Over 2,000 young Americans between 18 and 29 years old were interviewed about the government, military, the future of the country, and the collective outlook on the future isn't looking so hot.

Granted, half of young Americans said they do think it-- whatever it is-- is still attainable. But the American Dream, as we know it, has shifted in the last decade. Earlier this year, 60 Minutes of Vanity Fair teamed up with Teen Vogue to poll millennials on what it means to them, and found that 44% believe it comes down to giving their kids a better life, while 22% describe it as having a successful career.

Who needs two cars in the garage with you have Uber these days? Am I right?

Because this survey was done between October and November, most of the findings about millennials' thoughts on the 2016 presidential election have most likely evolved a bit (at the time, Trump polled the best among young GOPs, but that was before he made all of those very Trump-like remarks about Muslims, whether they are right or wrong). However, it is pretty astonishing-- and probably accurate-- that the majority (60%) said they support sending the U.S. troops to fight ISIS, and that 16% would be willing to serve in the military if necessary.

One thing is for sure: 2016 sure is going to be interesting!

xoxo, Kaila

SOS: Oversleeping May Kill

So if you are like me (or the million of other teens in school) you are lacking sleep.

WELL BAD NEWS, BED QUEENS! Sleeping can KILL!

A new study from the University of Sydney has a new discovery for those of you that don't want to escape the confines of your bed: regular sleeping can have adverse health effects. In addition to the regular taboos of eating too poorly and sitting to much, researchers have found that sleep for over nine hours a day can have some bad side effects.

Over a six year period, regular oversleeping meant a 44% increased risk of death. Surprisingly, sleeping less than seven hours a day 9% mortality risk.

So, sleeping less is better now..? So should I feel better about the lack of sleep I am getting?

xoxo, Kaila

COVER UP!

So I decided, that because 2015 is coming to an end, we should indulge ourselves in the greatest struggle that every student has faced this year: the dreaded dress code.

Many schools claim to reduce "distractions" by creating dress codes, restricting the "obscene-messaged graphic tees" and "too sexy shoulder feat. straps" situation. But in recent years, dress code scandals have reached an all-time high. Everyday, girls are suspended or sent home for their outfits-- keep in mind I said girls, not boys. But lucky for you, out of the dozen scandals that have occurred this year, the 10 most shocking cases were rounded up.

*P.S. they are in chronological order*

1. Cameron Boland lost her National Honor Society title for wearing spaghetti straps during a speech. 

2. Evette Reay was suspended for wearing a dress that hit mid-thigh on her FINAL day of high school. 

3. Dozens of girls were sent home for dress code violations on a 90-degree day. 

there was more girls in the back of me too 😴 pic.twitter.com/sqiXVg53po

— babygirl. (@qiiaaannnaa) June 9, 2015

 

4. Stephanie Hughes was sent home for exposing her collarbone. 

5. Miranda Larkin was forced to change into a "shame suit" for wearing an almost knee-length skirt. 

6. 8-year-old Kylie was suspended for wearing the wrong shade of green. 

7. Tessa Wisloh was sent home for wearing a sleeveless top under a jacket.

8. Coeur d'Alene High School banned spaghetti straps & strapless dresses 2 days before homecoming. 

9. 40 girls were sent home for wearing leggings without a dress, skirt, or shorts on top. 

10. A girl was humiliated and sent to the principle for her natural hair. 

My dear pal Mary Callahan posted this in her school and she went viral, but was threatened not being able to graduate if she came out that she created this. 

So I guess everyone has problems and I am thankful for our lenient dress code but man, some people push their luck using authority... So this is me for the rest of the year. 

xoxo, Kaila