Colorado Moves Forward with COVID-19 Vaccinations
By: Jada Jones
Colorado is currency vaccinating eligible Coloradans in Phase 1A and transitioning into Phase 1B. Phase 1A consists of people who have direct contact with Covid-19 patients for 15 minutes or more over a 24 hour period as well as long-term care facility staff and residents. Phase 1B consists of Coloradans age 70 and older, moderate-risk health workers, first responders, frontline essential workers, and continuity of state government
“We expect that the initial supply of COVID-19 vaccine(s) will be very limited for several months. This means that a vaccine will not be immediately available to everyone who wants one,” according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment website.
Monday’s drive thru vaccination clinic reached capacity before it even opened. The clinic was meant for people ages 70 and older and was set to open at 9 a.m.. Just before 8 a.m. the clinic had reached its quota based off of the number of people in line. During an interview by News Channel KRDO 13, Pueblo County Sheriff Kirk Taylor stated that they were forced to turn people away who had gotten in line.
Phase 2 of the vaccine distribution is set to move forward around Spring, after everyone in Phase 1A and 1B who wants the vaccine has received it. Phase 2 consists of higher risk individuals including people ages 60 to 69, people age 16 to 69 with obesity, diabetes, chronic lung disease, significant heart disease, chronic kidney disease, cancer, or who are immunocompromised, as well as other essential workers, and continuity of local government. And after Phase 2 is completed, Phase 3 is set to begin in summer. Phase 3 consists of anyone age 16 to 69 without high risk conditions.
In Colorado there are a total of 401 vaccine providers, and out of the 5.76 million people who live in Colorado, there have been 198,086 people to receive their first dose of the vaccine. 40,618 people have received their full set of vaccinations including the first and second dose.
Scientists have developed several possible vaccines to provide immunity to COVID-19. The pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Moderna have applied for an Emergency Use Authorization with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA authorized the Pfizer vaccine for emergency use on December 11, and Colorado received the first shipment of the vaccine on December 14. The FDA authorized the Moderna vaccine for emergency use on December 18. The companies report that both vaccines are around 95% effective. These statistics can be found on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment website.
Colorado is currency vaccinating eligible Coloradans in Phase 1A and transitioning into Phase 1B. Phase 1A consists of people who have direct contact with Covid-19 patients for 15 minutes or more over a 24 hour period as well as long-term care facility staff and residents. Phase 1B consists of Coloradans age 70 and older, moderate-risk health workers, first responders, frontline essential workers, and continuity of state government
“We expect that the initial supply of COVID-19 vaccine(s) will be very limited for several months. This means that a vaccine will not be immediately available to everyone who wants one,” according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment website.
Monday’s drive thru vaccination clinic reached capacity before it even opened. The clinic was meant for people ages 70 and older and was set to open at 9 a.m.. Just before 8 a.m. the clinic had reached its quota based off of the number of people in line. During an interview by News Channel KRDO 13, Pueblo County Sheriff Kirk Taylor stated that they were forced to turn people away who had gotten in line.
Phase 2 of the vaccine distribution is set to move forward around Spring, after everyone in Phase 1A and 1B who wants the vaccine has received it. Phase 2 consists of higher risk individuals including people ages 60 to 69, people age 16 to 69 with obesity, diabetes, chronic lung disease, significant heart disease, chronic kidney disease, cancer, or who are immunocompromised, as well as other essential workers, and continuity of local government. And after Phase 2 is completed, Phase 3 is set to begin in summer. Phase 3 consists of anyone age 16 to 69 without high risk conditions.
In Colorado there are a total of 401 vaccine providers, and out of the 5.76 million people who live in Colorado, there have been 198,086 people to receive their first dose of the vaccine. 40,618 people have received their full set of vaccinations including the first and second dose.
Scientists have developed several possible vaccines to provide immunity to COVID-19. The pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Moderna have applied for an Emergency Use Authorization with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA authorized the Pfizer vaccine for emergency use on December 11, and Colorado received the first shipment of the vaccine on December 14. The FDA authorized the Moderna vaccine for emergency use on December 18. The companies report that both vaccines are around 95% effective. These statistics can be found on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment website.
China's Version of Communism
By: Javin Martinez
For the longest time political leaders have debated on how China has survived for so long being a Communist country, the answer is still not clear but as of lately some evidence has revealed itself. How much do we really know about Communist China? What have they perfected where other communist countries have failed at?
China’s position in the world is nothing less than a superpower. With their economy being one of the fastest growing their military power is sure to be ever expanding, in fact it seems the only reason China’s trying to bolster their economy is to expand their military power and power over other countries. As you know we buy most of our products from China, this is something that China is looking to dominate for years to come.
While it seems China’s, biggest threat is America it’s not an over-statement to say China's own citizens are a threat to their own power. Most information in China is being blocked by the government such as the Tiananmen Square massacre, if you try and look it up in China, you’ll either get very little information or nothing at all. If you mention it in public, you’ll probably get arrested or severely harassed. There’s also the issue of lack of speech and basic human rights. With their military power they are able to suppress their citizens. Not only are they suppressing information from their citizens, but they are also starving them and working them to the point of collapse. Some media outlets have also suggested that China’s putting religious groups and people who’ve opposed them in concentration camps, since China’s been locked down there isn't that much evidence to provide. This is but many ways China’s suppressing their people.
Religious groups have also been suppressed and harassed. Many religious groups have been forced underground such as Christians and Muslims. Chinese citizens are banned from practicing any religion they deem a threat to their authority. When it comes to having a family, Chinese citizens are also limited on how many kids they can have, no one’s allowed to have more than one child. The punishment for having more than one child is prison and more extreme punishments such as death. They force families to abort if they end up trying to have more than one child. In order to have more than one child, families end up trying to seek refuge in countries the Chinese government has no rule over them.
As a leading country we should at least say something or do something about China. If we allow China to use this kind of power, there’s no telling what they can do to neighboring countries or the entire world.
For the longest time political leaders have debated on how China has survived for so long being a Communist country, the answer is still not clear but as of lately some evidence has revealed itself. How much do we really know about Communist China? What have they perfected where other communist countries have failed at?
China’s position in the world is nothing less than a superpower. With their economy being one of the fastest growing their military power is sure to be ever expanding, in fact it seems the only reason China’s trying to bolster their economy is to expand their military power and power over other countries. As you know we buy most of our products from China, this is something that China is looking to dominate for years to come.
While it seems China’s, biggest threat is America it’s not an over-statement to say China's own citizens are a threat to their own power. Most information in China is being blocked by the government such as the Tiananmen Square massacre, if you try and look it up in China, you’ll either get very little information or nothing at all. If you mention it in public, you’ll probably get arrested or severely harassed. There’s also the issue of lack of speech and basic human rights. With their military power they are able to suppress their citizens. Not only are they suppressing information from their citizens, but they are also starving them and working them to the point of collapse. Some media outlets have also suggested that China’s putting religious groups and people who’ve opposed them in concentration camps, since China’s been locked down there isn't that much evidence to provide. This is but many ways China’s suppressing their people.
Religious groups have also been suppressed and harassed. Many religious groups have been forced underground such as Christians and Muslims. Chinese citizens are banned from practicing any religion they deem a threat to their authority. When it comes to having a family, Chinese citizens are also limited on how many kids they can have, no one’s allowed to have more than one child. The punishment for having more than one child is prison and more extreme punishments such as death. They force families to abort if they end up trying to have more than one child. In order to have more than one child, families end up trying to seek refuge in countries the Chinese government has no rule over them.
As a leading country we should at least say something or do something about China. If we allow China to use this kind of power, there’s no telling what they can do to neighboring countries or the entire world.
A Lawsuit that will Leave you Scratching your Head
By: Madison Lira
DMDM hydantoin, a formaldehyde that’s been linked to hair loss, scalp irritation and cancer (according to EWG.org), is the spotlight of this lawsuit against the hair product TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shampoo.
Plaintiffs have come forward claiming that the company had not properly warned its customers of this chemical and have gone so far as to claim that this shampoo was safe for everyone.
Even the FDA has put out statements that DMDM is considered a top allergen “that cause the most allergic reactions from the use of cosmetic products” (FDA rep). However, this single shampoo isn’t the only one that contains this chemical, other brands that have been found to have this chemical in their ingredients are BedHead, OGX and even Suave.
DMDM hydantoin, a formaldehyde that’s been linked to hair loss, scalp irritation and cancer (according to EWG.org), is the spotlight of this lawsuit against the hair product TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shampoo.
Plaintiffs have come forward claiming that the company had not properly warned its customers of this chemical and have gone so far as to claim that this shampoo was safe for everyone.
Even the FDA has put out statements that DMDM is considered a top allergen “that cause the most allergic reactions from the use of cosmetic products” (FDA rep). However, this single shampoo isn’t the only one that contains this chemical, other brands that have been found to have this chemical in their ingredients are BedHead, OGX and even Suave.
Loose Ends That Could Never be Tied
By: Amairani Chacon
COVID-19 has been our new normal for almost a year now and has taken away many things such as the ending of senior year for 2020 graduates, but COVID-19 continues to spread and limit the experience of senior year, especially to the Class of 2021. For the current seniors, there is a feeling of deficiency as their senior year flashes by before them.
“My overall view is that I didn’t even get a senior year, I still feel like I’m a junior.” says Senior, Molly Armstrong.
Armstrong’s perspective speaks on how the virus has let the class of 2021 experience their final year in high school. There is certainly unfinished business from the previous school year that was affected by the virus. For many, there is still an empty feeling that their junior year of high school was not completely finished.
2020 seniors were limited when it came to graduation and presentation of graduation, but as the virus continues, the class of 2021 has limited options to experience the senior year they waited so many long years of high school for.
COVID-19 shut down the nation in early March of 2020 and continues to roam around in the United States. The virus levels seem to drop, which opens up some in-school extracurriculars, but again too soon, levels climb back up.
Senior, Harley Tucker, added, “COVID has affected my senior year tremendously. It had taken away prom, homecoming, and athletic games. I was most disappointed to lose the musical because I had worked very hard on the costumes and so I never had gotten to see my work for the show live.” Tucker emphasizes that final traditional experiences for high school were slipping from under them.
With regulations in place and certain limitation being lifted, the feeling of senior year for the Class of 2021 is to be decided about the dominant emotion for this school year overall.
COVID-19 has been our new normal for almost a year now and has taken away many things such as the ending of senior year for 2020 graduates, but COVID-19 continues to spread and limit the experience of senior year, especially to the Class of 2021. For the current seniors, there is a feeling of deficiency as their senior year flashes by before them.
“My overall view is that I didn’t even get a senior year, I still feel like I’m a junior.” says Senior, Molly Armstrong.
Armstrong’s perspective speaks on how the virus has let the class of 2021 experience their final year in high school. There is certainly unfinished business from the previous school year that was affected by the virus. For many, there is still an empty feeling that their junior year of high school was not completely finished.
2020 seniors were limited when it came to graduation and presentation of graduation, but as the virus continues, the class of 2021 has limited options to experience the senior year they waited so many long years of high school for.
COVID-19 shut down the nation in early March of 2020 and continues to roam around in the United States. The virus levels seem to drop, which opens up some in-school extracurriculars, but again too soon, levels climb back up.
Senior, Harley Tucker, added, “COVID has affected my senior year tremendously. It had taken away prom, homecoming, and athletic games. I was most disappointed to lose the musical because I had worked very hard on the costumes and so I never had gotten to see my work for the show live.” Tucker emphasizes that final traditional experiences for high school were slipping from under them.
With regulations in place and certain limitation being lifted, the feeling of senior year for the Class of 2021 is to be decided about the dominant emotion for this school year overall.
Why do Teenagers Stay Up Later?
By: Wylie Bensik
You wake up with bags under your eyes, yawn all day, and constantly feel exhausted, but you still decide to stay up late. Why? Although many parents like to argue with their teenagers about the fact that they stay up late, it is actually normal for teenagers to stay up late.
Through science, it has been proven that teenagers release melatonin later at night, teenagers are more productive at night, and the brain keeps teenagers up naturally as their hormones shift. To begin, melatonin is a chemical that is released in the body at night. This chemical tells the body that it is tired and needs rest. This forces the human body to go to bed as it is exhausted and needs to be refreshed.
Following along, teenagers are more productive at night due to the fact that their bodies aren't producing melatonin until later at night. Due to the change in melatonin production, teenagers tend to stay up later at night and be more alert, which makes them more productive, and then they are less alert and awake in the morning. Lastly, the shift in hormones as teenagers develop causes the melatonin production to change a lot, and the brain naturally keeps the body up.
Overall, although not necessarily healthy for growing teenagers, it is actually normal for teenagers to stay up late. Where I found my information is Nemours KidsHealth, and the article is called Sleep Problems in Teens.
You wake up with bags under your eyes, yawn all day, and constantly feel exhausted, but you still decide to stay up late. Why? Although many parents like to argue with their teenagers about the fact that they stay up late, it is actually normal for teenagers to stay up late.
Through science, it has been proven that teenagers release melatonin later at night, teenagers are more productive at night, and the brain keeps teenagers up naturally as their hormones shift. To begin, melatonin is a chemical that is released in the body at night. This chemical tells the body that it is tired and needs rest. This forces the human body to go to bed as it is exhausted and needs to be refreshed.
Following along, teenagers are more productive at night due to the fact that their bodies aren't producing melatonin until later at night. Due to the change in melatonin production, teenagers tend to stay up later at night and be more alert, which makes them more productive, and then they are less alert and awake in the morning. Lastly, the shift in hormones as teenagers develop causes the melatonin production to change a lot, and the brain naturally keeps the body up.
Overall, although not necessarily healthy for growing teenagers, it is actually normal for teenagers to stay up late. Where I found my information is Nemours KidsHealth, and the article is called Sleep Problems in Teens.
How COVID has Affected School
By: Olivia Foster
As the third month of 2020 started COVID hits and sends our economy into a downward spiral. Closing down schools, putting stores into an idle state, and effectively sending the infrastructure into a panic. Shutting down schools made a lot of kids not want to participate in school. Also, stores that sat in an idle state lost both money and employees. Sending the infrastructure into a panic, causing store to shelve to sit empty. No toiletries, less food, and few sanitary products.
COVID forced schools to go online. We had to change our schedules to fit online school. After being online for so long schools decided to try to go back to in person school. While doing in person school during this pandemic it has caused schools to not allow as many students to attend school, having to wear a mask unless you are eating at lunch, and you also have to social distance from each other.
“Personally, I prefer in person learning, but at the time, I’m not sure if that is the best option. I say that because, I don’t know if we will get shut down again. If for some reason we are shut down again, I think it could be more detrimental to you all. When it comes to learning, I want to get back to normal but do not want to get shutdown again this year. So, for learning, I prefer in person but don’t want to get shut down again.” Said Mr. Enriquez, social studies teacher.
Students at Pueblo County High School also had strong option on doing online school. “In person because I hate staying home because I fall asleep to fast.” Said Sara Wilson one of our freshmen students. One person has an indecisive mind set about being online or in person. However, the other people have a solid mind set about being in person.
You can tell that everyone has a different intake about being in person or online. “I would rather do online because I have more motivation and time to do assignments.” Said Emmalee Carmichael another one of our freshmen students. Victor Santillan said “In person because I can get my work done.”
From these two quotes you can tell that one student can achieves more in school from being online while the other student can achieve more in person. These four quotes show that although people don’t have the same perspective on things, we can all agree that COVID hasn’t had a good effect on our teacher and student population.
As the third month of 2020 started COVID hits and sends our economy into a downward spiral. Closing down schools, putting stores into an idle state, and effectively sending the infrastructure into a panic. Shutting down schools made a lot of kids not want to participate in school. Also, stores that sat in an idle state lost both money and employees. Sending the infrastructure into a panic, causing store to shelve to sit empty. No toiletries, less food, and few sanitary products.
COVID forced schools to go online. We had to change our schedules to fit online school. After being online for so long schools decided to try to go back to in person school. While doing in person school during this pandemic it has caused schools to not allow as many students to attend school, having to wear a mask unless you are eating at lunch, and you also have to social distance from each other.
“Personally, I prefer in person learning, but at the time, I’m not sure if that is the best option. I say that because, I don’t know if we will get shut down again. If for some reason we are shut down again, I think it could be more detrimental to you all. When it comes to learning, I want to get back to normal but do not want to get shutdown again this year. So, for learning, I prefer in person but don’t want to get shut down again.” Said Mr. Enriquez, social studies teacher.
Students at Pueblo County High School also had strong option on doing online school. “In person because I hate staying home because I fall asleep to fast.” Said Sara Wilson one of our freshmen students. One person has an indecisive mind set about being online or in person. However, the other people have a solid mind set about being in person.
You can tell that everyone has a different intake about being in person or online. “I would rather do online because I have more motivation and time to do assignments.” Said Emmalee Carmichael another one of our freshmen students. Victor Santillan said “In person because I can get my work done.”
From these two quotes you can tell that one student can achieves more in school from being online while the other student can achieve more in person. These four quotes show that although people don’t have the same perspective on things, we can all agree that COVID hasn’t had a good effect on our teacher and student population.
When Will We Return Back to School?
By: Julianna Nuzzo
All students will return back to school on Jan.18. Elementary students will all return to school, 4-5 days a week. Middle school students will return fully 4-5 days a week. Rye High School students will return fully 4-5 days a week. But Pueblo County High School and Pueblo West High School will return to a hybrid schedule. Two days in school, and two days out of school.
There is also still the choice of returning to full remote learning. While watching the Pueblo County District 70 School Board Meeting. It seems to see that there are some concerns about going back but they wouldn’t have chosen it if they didn’t have trust in us, students, or school staff.
“We are and will continue to work with the Emergency Operation Center on our plan for getting district employees vaccinated. Our plan has been completed, but it is very fluid and dependent on EOC approval and the availability of vaccines. As we get more information we will pass it along to all of you.” Students may have to get the vaccine. It may become mandatory. Teachers on the other hand I don’t know about.
“Our students will be coming back to in-person learning on January 18th and it is important to note that all safety protocols are still in place from the fall semester. I cannot express strongly enough that the transmission control is dependent on the choices and actions of the individual. We have strong mitigation procedures in place but the initial safety procedures start with us, as individuals. If you feel ill, even at the slightest level, stay home and call your supervisor. If you begin to feel ill at school, immediately contact your supervisor and leave school. Please limit your interaction with others and stay in your area as much as possible. If you need to have extended conversations with others, please do so virtually. Safety begins with the individual” said Keasling.
It is a big risk going back to school because COVID-19 rates went up pretty high after school started in the fall. Going back to school is risky, but a good idea. Students tend to work better in a school setting or classroom with a teacher corner-eyeing them to make sure they are getting their work done. With all the rules put in place to go back to school. Going back will be okay.
The Tempest of Democracy
By: Uriel E. Villalobos
Trump supporters storm the U.S Capitol; leaving four dead and dozens injured. Beginning on the early day of Jan. 6, thousands of Trump supporters protested outside of the Capitol building. Inside, Senate went on with a ceremonial event, confirming President-elect Joe Biden’s electoral victory; but in the wake of the afternoon, violence spurred as protestors crashed through barriers and internal security.
After word of the violence ensued, lawmakers and members of House and Senate were evacuated or kept secured within their offices. Guns were drawn on the protestors who attempted to enter the Senate chamber after having broken through the windows and doors of the Capitol with stolen riot shields and other means.
Said protestors were seen earlier, looting from offices and the main halls. Four were confirmed dead via injuries in the midst of the siege, with CNN confirming one among these four to be an officer. According to the New York Post, a man was even seen walking away with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s podium. A protestor was even seen resting his feet upon Pelosi’s abandoned desk.
Capitol Hill police informed the protestors to not rummage through the belongings of any workers. President Donald Trump went to Twitter later during the siege to discourage any violence taking place at the Capitol. Both sides of the American political field continue to combat over whether or not the actions of the siege are right or wrong. President-elect Joe Biden went to the media later that day saying “What we’re seeing is a small number of extremists dedicated to lawlessness. This is not dissent, it’s chaos.” He would later challenge President Trump to "go on national television now to fulfill his oath and defend the Constitution and demand an end to this siege.” Further increasing Left-wing resent for the highly apparent Right-wing movement that was this siege.
Though later in the day, National Guard was deployed upon the Capitol and in a matter of minutes, the rioters were diminished from the vicinity. Later investigation of the grounds found many atrocious sights such as improvised explosive devices and even a noose looming in the distance of the Capitol buildings yard (according to NBC)
The situation was a dire moment for the United States and one in which will be immortalized for decades to come. And this will truly be the greatest tempest upon our democracy. Whether or not the tempest will teeter us towards division or unity in these dark times; is a question left entirely unanswered. Though nonetheless, we must continue to persevere and through the toil and emotion severity of it all, for we are one nation and indivisible from the cruel corrosion that is division.
Is Hybrid Helpful or Hurting?
By: Vanessa Sturtevant
On Jan. 18, 2021 District 70 will be going back to a hybrid schedule. Parents and students alike are relieved to hear that students will be returning to school at least part of the time. We'll have some sense of "normal" when we go back, but could it truly be best for students?
"There will be actual teaching, and I'll be able to focus." Junior Emily Brown stated when asked the pros. It's true, teachers will be able to provoke reactions from lethargic students. Classrooms are less distracting than your bedroom, and students can't just turn off their cameras and ignore the lessons. So, you do have a point there!
Have students really been in and out of school for close to a year now? Students haven't had a set schedule for a full semester since late 2019. We try to say that this will be the "new normal", but it shouldn't become a norm.
Due to social distancing, there will be no real socialization between students. Teachers being around all students makes them at risk especially and children are known to be asymptomatic carriers. Could the back and forth be reinfecting everyone?
On Jan. 18, 2021 District 70 will be going back to a hybrid schedule. Parents and students alike are relieved to hear that students will be returning to school at least part of the time. We'll have some sense of "normal" when we go back, but could it truly be best for students?
"There will be actual teaching, and I'll be able to focus." Junior Emily Brown stated when asked the pros. It's true, teachers will be able to provoke reactions from lethargic students. Classrooms are less distracting than your bedroom, and students can't just turn off their cameras and ignore the lessons. So, you do have a point there!
Have students really been in and out of school for close to a year now? Students haven't had a set schedule for a full semester since late 2019. We try to say that this will be the "new normal", but it shouldn't become a norm.
Due to social distancing, there will be no real socialization between students. Teachers being around all students makes them at risk especially and children are known to be asymptomatic carriers. Could the back and forth be reinfecting everyone?
Pueblo Motor Sports Park
By: Addison Doub
Did you know that there is a racing facility called Pueblo Motor Sports Park in town? The park has a drag strip, a road racecourse, a motocross course, and a quarter midget track. With all these different facilities, it is being used almost every weekend throughout the spring, summer, and fall seasons. The drag strip has Friday night drags during the summer which helps keep people from racing on the street, gives them a place to race and they also have a yearly championship for the high school drag racers. In addition, they have multiple events on weekends, some being sponsored by the National Hot Rod Association, which is the largest drag racing organization in the world.
On the road racecourse, they have events for Sports Car Club of America, the National Sports Auto Association, the Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing, and other club racing organizations like the Porsche Club and Corvette Clubs. The organization that races on the quarter midget facility is Rocky Mountain Quarter Midget Association, and they also have some national events. The track is a banked concrete oval with times being set in the 7-9 second bracket.
The motocross track has been at the facility for many years but has just started having races there again in the last two or three years. There are a lot of motorcycle racers in Pueblo and the park gives them an outlet to race at that is close to home. As you can tell from these different racetracks and racing organizations, this facility is used by many Puebloans and many Coloradans. There is a large number of people in Pueblo that are unaware of this facility. It is located at the intersection of Pueblo Boulevard and Highway 50. It also brings in a lot of income for Pueblo at the hotels and restaurants when racing events are held.
The motorsports park has been around since 1973 when Southern Colorado had a lack of motorsports facilities. I can assure you that this was convenient for many racers who were interested in racing close to home. The added convenience peaked many people’s interests when the motorsports park was built. My grandpa, Robert, has utilized all of the facilities over a span of 40 years and is still active in sports car racing, and is also a member of the Honor Farm Enterprise Advisory Board. He states “The Friday Night Drags have been popular ever since the idea was conceived. Back when I was in high school, and before, people used to drag race on public streets. We would’ve loved to have been able to go to a real racetrack on Friday nights.”
The facility has brought convenience and memories for many, adding a much-needed outlet for motorsports lovers. It provides a community and safe haven for those who love to ride motorcycles, drag race, and drive race cars. The sports park will be home to racers and happy memories for many years to come.
Did you know that there is a racing facility called Pueblo Motor Sports Park in town? The park has a drag strip, a road racecourse, a motocross course, and a quarter midget track. With all these different facilities, it is being used almost every weekend throughout the spring, summer, and fall seasons. The drag strip has Friday night drags during the summer which helps keep people from racing on the street, gives them a place to race and they also have a yearly championship for the high school drag racers. In addition, they have multiple events on weekends, some being sponsored by the National Hot Rod Association, which is the largest drag racing organization in the world.
On the road racecourse, they have events for Sports Car Club of America, the National Sports Auto Association, the Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing, and other club racing organizations like the Porsche Club and Corvette Clubs. The organization that races on the quarter midget facility is Rocky Mountain Quarter Midget Association, and they also have some national events. The track is a banked concrete oval with times being set in the 7-9 second bracket.
The motocross track has been at the facility for many years but has just started having races there again in the last two or three years. There are a lot of motorcycle racers in Pueblo and the park gives them an outlet to race at that is close to home. As you can tell from these different racetracks and racing organizations, this facility is used by many Puebloans and many Coloradans. There is a large number of people in Pueblo that are unaware of this facility. It is located at the intersection of Pueblo Boulevard and Highway 50. It also brings in a lot of income for Pueblo at the hotels and restaurants when racing events are held.
The motorsports park has been around since 1973 when Southern Colorado had a lack of motorsports facilities. I can assure you that this was convenient for many racers who were interested in racing close to home. The added convenience peaked many people’s interests when the motorsports park was built. My grandpa, Robert, has utilized all of the facilities over a span of 40 years and is still active in sports car racing, and is also a member of the Honor Farm Enterprise Advisory Board. He states “The Friday Night Drags have been popular ever since the idea was conceived. Back when I was in high school, and before, people used to drag race on public streets. We would’ve loved to have been able to go to a real racetrack on Friday nights.”
The facility has brought convenience and memories for many, adding a much-needed outlet for motorsports lovers. It provides a community and safe haven for those who love to ride motorcycles, drag race, and drive race cars. The sports park will be home to racers and happy memories for many years to come.
Academic Dishonesty and Online Education
By: Riya Singh
As the number of Covid-19 cases are significantly on the rise in vast regions of the nation, many schools have decided to once again transition to an online education format. This is due to a multitude of factors such as the immense influx of students in even a hybrid format, inaccessibility for parents to provide ample transportation for students, and the vulnerability of some relatives to the virus. Although hybrid learning days typically divide the student body to prevent all pupils from being in person on the same days, it is oftentimes viewed as a flawed system due to the imbalance of population between varying days. In addition to this, parents and guardians may find it to be somewhat of a challenge to transport students to school on their designated days. This issue is increasingly evident for those who are in essential fields during this time of the pandemic. Lastly, many elementary and high school students may live with older relatives or family members with disorders which will place them in a heightened state of vulnerability when interacting with others who have been recently exposed to substantially sized groups of people. The combination of these constraints seemingly provides the ideal backdrop for the implementation of a primarily remote learning format. However, many have posed an issue of importance:how does an online learning environment impact student apathy and, more importantly, the ability for pupils to exploit or even cheat in their education?
The heightened issue of cheating in online classes has been a topic of discussion as of late, however the majority of high schools and universities have seemingly failed to provide some preventative measures. In an Anson Alexander statistical infographic piece, it was reported that 4.9% of students were caught cheating in a classroom, while 2.1% were caught cheating online. Furthermore, 23.3% of students reported receiving answers from a classmate in an online exam, where only 18.1% reported this in a physical classroom setting. It should also be noted that these numbers are self reported from students, so it is highly likely that the true statistics would present an even greater gap. These numbers alone support the belief that students in online schooling are far more capable of cheating in a remote asynchronous environment.
This increase in cheating is likely due to a multitude of factors, such as lack of proper proctoring during testing, heightened student apathy, and the ease of contacting peers using seperate devices during an exam. In an online exam, sessions are often monitored by professors or teacher aids, in addition to video and audio recordings of the students. However, these methods can not necessarily prevent students from using a seperate cell phone or tablet out of the field of view of the camera. This provides them with a connection to the internet, peer assistance, and more. The majority of students have also faced a significant decrease in motivation as well. The quarantine following the peak of the pandemic allowed students across the country a chance to relax and take a break from their education. However, this has resulted in the issue of student apathy overall, allowing pupils to fall into a pattern of laziness and selecting easier paths to academic success even if this involves academic dishonesty. The proposed question would have to be whether or not the benefits of online education outweigh the risks of exploitation. The only way to combat this issue as schools move forward with remote learning would be some form of proposal for stricter anti-cheating methods. How do you feel about this implementation and the repercussions of a wholly online platform for education?
As the number of Covid-19 cases are significantly on the rise in vast regions of the nation, many schools have decided to once again transition to an online education format. This is due to a multitude of factors such as the immense influx of students in even a hybrid format, inaccessibility for parents to provide ample transportation for students, and the vulnerability of some relatives to the virus. Although hybrid learning days typically divide the student body to prevent all pupils from being in person on the same days, it is oftentimes viewed as a flawed system due to the imbalance of population between varying days. In addition to this, parents and guardians may find it to be somewhat of a challenge to transport students to school on their designated days. This issue is increasingly evident for those who are in essential fields during this time of the pandemic. Lastly, many elementary and high school students may live with older relatives or family members with disorders which will place them in a heightened state of vulnerability when interacting with others who have been recently exposed to substantially sized groups of people. The combination of these constraints seemingly provides the ideal backdrop for the implementation of a primarily remote learning format. However, many have posed an issue of importance:how does an online learning environment impact student apathy and, more importantly, the ability for pupils to exploit or even cheat in their education?
The heightened issue of cheating in online classes has been a topic of discussion as of late, however the majority of high schools and universities have seemingly failed to provide some preventative measures. In an Anson Alexander statistical infographic piece, it was reported that 4.9% of students were caught cheating in a classroom, while 2.1% were caught cheating online. Furthermore, 23.3% of students reported receiving answers from a classmate in an online exam, where only 18.1% reported this in a physical classroom setting. It should also be noted that these numbers are self reported from students, so it is highly likely that the true statistics would present an even greater gap. These numbers alone support the belief that students in online schooling are far more capable of cheating in a remote asynchronous environment.
This increase in cheating is likely due to a multitude of factors, such as lack of proper proctoring during testing, heightened student apathy, and the ease of contacting peers using seperate devices during an exam. In an online exam, sessions are often monitored by professors or teacher aids, in addition to video and audio recordings of the students. However, these methods can not necessarily prevent students from using a seperate cell phone or tablet out of the field of view of the camera. This provides them with a connection to the internet, peer assistance, and more. The majority of students have also faced a significant decrease in motivation as well. The quarantine following the peak of the pandemic allowed students across the country a chance to relax and take a break from their education. However, this has resulted in the issue of student apathy overall, allowing pupils to fall into a pattern of laziness and selecting easier paths to academic success even if this involves academic dishonesty. The proposed question would have to be whether or not the benefits of online education outweigh the risks of exploitation. The only way to combat this issue as schools move forward with remote learning would be some form of proposal for stricter anti-cheating methods. How do you feel about this implementation and the repercussions of a wholly online platform for education?
Improving the School Year
By: Riya Singh
As American educational reformer, John Dewey stated in 1916, “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” This belief should still hold true today as the decisions are made for students to return to school in a hybrid format or remain online. Although online schooling has sufficed as a mean of adequate education for a brief period of time, it simply can not provide the level of formal schooling that in person learning offers.
There are several key advantages to allowing students to transition from a wholly online schedule to a hybrid learning environment. To begin, in person school allows pupils to achieve an increasingly interactive learning experience. Allowing students to remain in classrooms presents them with several opportunities to work with teachers in order to develop a stronger grasp on concepts they may be struggling to comprehend. Student apathy is an issue that can be solved with a hybrid plan in addition to this. Because pupils are being forced to work in a home environment, they often feel that completing assignments is not mandatory or that assessments are trivial factors. According to an analysis titled “The Plague of Apathy in Public Schools” by Abby Givens, a student at Pennsylvania State University, “The students must see a purpose in performing to the best of their ability in high school, otherwise that whole stage of their life will seem useless in regards to their future... Students must develop the basic skills needed to accept responsibility and discipline themselves…” Permitting students to return to school will enable them to understand why putting their best effort forth is significant to their future through strengthened motivation. Another significant factor for this executive decision is that it will place students in a position where they are required to build a steady daily routine. The majority of high schoolers are no longer accustomed to healthy sleeping, rising, and eating patterns due to the extended break period from school. By returning to a traditional schedule, students will establish healthy behaviors as they follow a strict routine. These combined elements essentially demonstrate that returning to school is the most beneficial option for the students at Pueblo County High School.
If pupils are to return in a controlled population hybrid format, it will allow them to work more efficiently with their instructors’ specific guidance, prevent increased levels of student apathy, and enable high schoolers to establish a stable daily routine. A hybrid learning option is the only possibility that will allow the most successful school year for Pueblo County High School students to flourish.
As American educational reformer, John Dewey stated in 1916, “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” This belief should still hold true today as the decisions are made for students to return to school in a hybrid format or remain online. Although online schooling has sufficed as a mean of adequate education for a brief period of time, it simply can not provide the level of formal schooling that in person learning offers.
There are several key advantages to allowing students to transition from a wholly online schedule to a hybrid learning environment. To begin, in person school allows pupils to achieve an increasingly interactive learning experience. Allowing students to remain in classrooms presents them with several opportunities to work with teachers in order to develop a stronger grasp on concepts they may be struggling to comprehend. Student apathy is an issue that can be solved with a hybrid plan in addition to this. Because pupils are being forced to work in a home environment, they often feel that completing assignments is not mandatory or that assessments are trivial factors. According to an analysis titled “The Plague of Apathy in Public Schools” by Abby Givens, a student at Pennsylvania State University, “The students must see a purpose in performing to the best of their ability in high school, otherwise that whole stage of their life will seem useless in regards to their future... Students must develop the basic skills needed to accept responsibility and discipline themselves…” Permitting students to return to school will enable them to understand why putting their best effort forth is significant to their future through strengthened motivation. Another significant factor for this executive decision is that it will place students in a position where they are required to build a steady daily routine. The majority of high schoolers are no longer accustomed to healthy sleeping, rising, and eating patterns due to the extended break period from school. By returning to a traditional schedule, students will establish healthy behaviors as they follow a strict routine. These combined elements essentially demonstrate that returning to school is the most beneficial option for the students at Pueblo County High School.
If pupils are to return in a controlled population hybrid format, it will allow them to work more efficiently with their instructors’ specific guidance, prevent increased levels of student apathy, and enable high schoolers to establish a stable daily routine. A hybrid learning option is the only possibility that will allow the most successful school year for Pueblo County High School students to flourish.
Why We Should Go Back To School
By: Madison Lira
Ever since March, many students in the U.S. had to stop going to school in order to prevent the wild spread of COVID-19. It is now September, and we now face the possibility to finally start going back to school physically instead of virtually, which I believe we should because based on a multitude of sources, if we set up precautions in the school against the spread of COVID-19, students won’t spread the virus as much as the general population.
First off, according to the CDC’s website, school-aged children are actually less susceptible to the virus compared to adults. As of July 17, 2020, the U.S reported that adolescents under 18 years old only account for 7% of COVID-19 cases and less than 0.1% of the deaths. Also, these long closures due to COVID-19 can be detrimental to a student’s mental health, the CDC provides a review of studies that found “a strong association between length of quarantine and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms, avoidance behavior, and anger.” Finally, schools provide an outlet to many children who possibly live in homes that are unsafe, extended school closures means that these students lose an important layer of protection against neglect, sexual, physical and mental abuse. An example the CDC website provides is that in Washington, D.C, the Child and Family Services Agency had recorded a 62% decrease in child abuse reporting calls between March and April of 2020 compared to around the same time period the previous year. Yet, emergency rooms saw a more severe increase of child abuse cases during this time.
Overall, based on evidence given by the CDC, and the fact that many students are losing the help they need in school because of online learning. It’s safe to say that we should reopen our school as long as both faculty and students remind one another to implement and keep up the strict safety standards in order for no one to contract COVID-19.
Ever since March, many students in the U.S. had to stop going to school in order to prevent the wild spread of COVID-19. It is now September, and we now face the possibility to finally start going back to school physically instead of virtually, which I believe we should because based on a multitude of sources, if we set up precautions in the school against the spread of COVID-19, students won’t spread the virus as much as the general population.
First off, according to the CDC’s website, school-aged children are actually less susceptible to the virus compared to adults. As of July 17, 2020, the U.S reported that adolescents under 18 years old only account for 7% of COVID-19 cases and less than 0.1% of the deaths. Also, these long closures due to COVID-19 can be detrimental to a student’s mental health, the CDC provides a review of studies that found “a strong association between length of quarantine and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms, avoidance behavior, and anger.” Finally, schools provide an outlet to many children who possibly live in homes that are unsafe, extended school closures means that these students lose an important layer of protection against neglect, sexual, physical and mental abuse. An example the CDC website provides is that in Washington, D.C, the Child and Family Services Agency had recorded a 62% decrease in child abuse reporting calls between March and April of 2020 compared to around the same time period the previous year. Yet, emergency rooms saw a more severe increase of child abuse cases during this time.
Overall, based on evidence given by the CDC, and the fact that many students are losing the help they need in school because of online learning. It’s safe to say that we should reopen our school as long as both faculty and students remind one another to implement and keep up the strict safety standards in order for no one to contract COVID-19.
Ethics in Teaching
By: Amairani Chacon
Ethics are vital no matter the profession. They help keep business in order and successful overall. Each profession contains its own characteristics in the workplace that can influence the standards expected by employees. One of those professions is teaching which belongs to Preschool Teacher/Assistant, Stephanie Champion. Teaching is a profession that can require a relationship between the teacher and student(s) to run smoothly.
Ethics and standards are important in this profession for several reasons. Ethics can not only make business run more smoothly, but it can also help with a student-teacher relationship which is important to have success and progress in the classroom. Ethics can help a teacher in working with students and from there, those ethics can reflect on the behavior of the students toward the teacher as well.
Especially as an educator, certain ethics must be followed for the benefit of both the teacher and the student. Champion was asked about her code of ethics, Champion responded with, “Well I work with preschool kids, so my code of ethics would be things such as patience, fairness, honesty, respect, and responsibility.” Ethics are not always too serious though. Certain ethics, especially in this profession, can help make the workplace more relaxing and inviting.
Champion was then asked what the professional standards she was expected to uphold in the workplace. "The professional standards I have to uphold are understanding how students learn and develop, and that each child is different. Champion also added, "Learning environments, content knowledge, planning for instruction and things in that area as well." Certain standards can be difficult to uphold, but in the end, they can reflect the hard work and dedication of that individual.
Champion’s standards and ethics also show in different professions depending on the area of profession. With that, it shows how specific standards are expected in most professions and how upholding them is important to that particular organization. Without them, businesses and certain professions would not live to see the light of day.
Ethics are vital no matter the profession. They help keep business in order and successful overall. Each profession contains its own characteristics in the workplace that can influence the standards expected by employees. One of those professions is teaching which belongs to Preschool Teacher/Assistant, Stephanie Champion. Teaching is a profession that can require a relationship between the teacher and student(s) to run smoothly.
Ethics and standards are important in this profession for several reasons. Ethics can not only make business run more smoothly, but it can also help with a student-teacher relationship which is important to have success and progress in the classroom. Ethics can help a teacher in working with students and from there, those ethics can reflect on the behavior of the students toward the teacher as well.
Especially as an educator, certain ethics must be followed for the benefit of both the teacher and the student. Champion was asked about her code of ethics, Champion responded with, “Well I work with preschool kids, so my code of ethics would be things such as patience, fairness, honesty, respect, and responsibility.” Ethics are not always too serious though. Certain ethics, especially in this profession, can help make the workplace more relaxing and inviting.
Champion was then asked what the professional standards she was expected to uphold in the workplace. "The professional standards I have to uphold are understanding how students learn and develop, and that each child is different. Champion also added, "Learning environments, content knowledge, planning for instruction and things in that area as well." Certain standards can be difficult to uphold, but in the end, they can reflect the hard work and dedication of that individual.
Champion’s standards and ethics also show in different professions depending on the area of profession. With that, it shows how specific standards are expected in most professions and how upholding them is important to that particular organization. Without them, businesses and certain professions would not live to see the light of day.
The First Amendment
The First Amendment
By: Uriel E. Villalobos
Do you like to voice your opinion? Do you like to freely believe in any religion you wish? Do you like reading these articles? Do you like to peacefully protest? Do you like to petition for movements that you want to see take place. Well, it is all thanks to the First Amendment of the United States of America’s Constitution! The Amendment was adopted on December 15th, 1791, along with the Bill of Rights. It states that we as American citizens have the freedom of religion, speech, protest, press, and petition.
This amendment contributes greatly to the cultural, religious, and personal freedoms of all Americans as we can speak, praise, protest, and petition whatever we want! This amendment is one of the golden reasons why America is truly the land of the free. Though this freedom is not truly free without the sacrifice that our brave troops. Whether they are on the homeland or across the seas fighting to maintain democracy, liberty, and justice for all.
And well, I can say that I am truly grateful to have the First Amendment as a staple to this beautiful nation because it gives us the freedom of voicing out and hearing what we wish to hear and some countries sadly do not have this right. Yet we must not misuse this right and use the First Amendment to send out and protest for the good cause. To spread positivity rather than negativity. Use it to make a change in this world, my fellow Hornets!
By: Uriel E. Villalobos
Do you like to voice your opinion? Do you like to freely believe in any religion you wish? Do you like reading these articles? Do you like to peacefully protest? Do you like to petition for movements that you want to see take place. Well, it is all thanks to the First Amendment of the United States of America’s Constitution! The Amendment was adopted on December 15th, 1791, along with the Bill of Rights. It states that we as American citizens have the freedom of religion, speech, protest, press, and petition.
This amendment contributes greatly to the cultural, religious, and personal freedoms of all Americans as we can speak, praise, protest, and petition whatever we want! This amendment is one of the golden reasons why America is truly the land of the free. Though this freedom is not truly free without the sacrifice that our brave troops. Whether they are on the homeland or across the seas fighting to maintain democracy, liberty, and justice for all.
And well, I can say that I am truly grateful to have the First Amendment as a staple to this beautiful nation because it gives us the freedom of voicing out and hearing what we wish to hear and some countries sadly do not have this right. Yet we must not misuse this right and use the First Amendment to send out and protest for the good cause. To spread positivity rather than negativity. Use it to make a change in this world, my fellow Hornets!
The Second Amendment
By: Uriel Villalobos
The Second Amendment, ratified on December 15, 1791 as part of the Bill of Rights, states, “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed”. Now, what does this mean? Well, in a nutshell, it gives the United States of America the right to maintain a well-regulated militia, or a group of armed citizens who are used in state of emergency or crisis. It also gives the citizens of the United States the right to keep and have guns on them for purposes of self-defense. This has been a part of the American way of life ever since its ratification and will hopefully stay standing for many decades to come. For it is a common staple to the self-defense and assistance in defense of other American citizens.
Now, here’s a question, an armed robber enters your home wishing to steal your property and do you harm. What do you do? Well, the Second Amendment gives you the right to defend yourself against criminals such as these. Yet we cannot abuse this Constitution-given right! We must use it simply for the purposes of self-defense and the defense of others and notto do harm onto others. This just gives government officials more the reason to repeal this Amendment and most of us County Hornets can agree that the repeal would be far from a good idea.
Yet, how do I know that the County Hornets would agree? Well I was able to ask around different students and teachers on whether or not they support the Second Amendment; and from the information I gathered, 55 Hornets said yes and only 2 Hornets said no. Crazy, right? Well other students went on to further explain their reasoning. An anonymous Hornet said, “I believe it is only right that we should be able to defend ourselves from bad people like robbers and other criminals”.
Now, from the information in which I gathered, I can infer that many of the Pueblo County Hornets, as well as myself, can agree that the Second Amendment is a proud staple to the American Constitution and provides us the ability to bear arms and not only protect ourselves but others. Now tell me…are you for the Second Amendment?
The Second Amendment, ratified on December 15, 1791 as part of the Bill of Rights, states, “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed”. Now, what does this mean? Well, in a nutshell, it gives the United States of America the right to maintain a well-regulated militia, or a group of armed citizens who are used in state of emergency or crisis. It also gives the citizens of the United States the right to keep and have guns on them for purposes of self-defense. This has been a part of the American way of life ever since its ratification and will hopefully stay standing for many decades to come. For it is a common staple to the self-defense and assistance in defense of other American citizens.
Now, here’s a question, an armed robber enters your home wishing to steal your property and do you harm. What do you do? Well, the Second Amendment gives you the right to defend yourself against criminals such as these. Yet we cannot abuse this Constitution-given right! We must use it simply for the purposes of self-defense and the defense of others and notto do harm onto others. This just gives government officials more the reason to repeal this Amendment and most of us County Hornets can agree that the repeal would be far from a good idea.
Yet, how do I know that the County Hornets would agree? Well I was able to ask around different students and teachers on whether or not they support the Second Amendment; and from the information I gathered, 55 Hornets said yes and only 2 Hornets said no. Crazy, right? Well other students went on to further explain their reasoning. An anonymous Hornet said, “I believe it is only right that we should be able to defend ourselves from bad people like robbers and other criminals”.
Now, from the information in which I gathered, I can infer that many of the Pueblo County Hornets, as well as myself, can agree that the Second Amendment is a proud staple to the American Constitution and provides us the ability to bear arms and not only protect ourselves but others. Now tell me…are you for the Second Amendment?