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      Cell Phones.  Everyone has them. Even little kids, as young as six years old, can have one. In 2018, it was recorded that 95% of Americans owned a mobile device of some kind. In 2022, a study found that 86% of the global population owned some sort of cell phone. So, what's the big deal with phones? Why does everyone have one? What's so great about them, anyway?      Last year, I took a job as an assistant teacher in a class of first graders. For those who don't know, first graders consist of 6 to 7 year olds. I would always keep my phone on Do Not Disturb and tucked away in my desk while at work. However, the kids quickly found the "hiding spot" where I kept my phone and became obsessed with trying to get into it. One day, I asked them what was so special about my phone. I mean, it's just a phone, it's not like they could do anything on it, especially since there was a password. All 15 of the students immediately told me that they weren’t allowed...

    When you think of a friend, who comes to mind? Is it someone from your childhood? Could it be your coworker at work? Now that you have thought about who that friend is, why are they your friend? Maybe because they stuck by your side during a hard time? Or you guys just randomly clicked and spontaneously became friends. What makes this friend a friend? What have they done for you? How do they support you and your decisions? Are they truly a good friend?      From a very young age, we as humans make friends. Throughout our lives, our friends can change. You can grow out of friends, become distant, or an event can happen that makes you no longer want that person in your day-to-day life. Regardless, at every stage of life, the majority of us have had at least one person to call a friend. So, why is that? What is so important about friends?      A good friend makes you feel like you belong. They boost your confidence, make you laugh, and overall ju...

    When you think of social media apps, what comes to mind? If you are over fifty, you most likely will say Facebook. If you are in your twenties to thirties, you might say Instagram. If you are in your teen years, Snapchat might be what you say-that, or TikTok. In 2011, the amazing selfie based app, Snapchat was created. For those who do not know what snapchat is, it is basically when you can send pictures or videos, which are called "snaps", to people. However, these "snaps" disappear once you have viewed them, unless the "snap" is saved to chat. Snapchat became popular because of of this unique feature. However, this is not the only thing that is unique about the app. Just like Instagram and Facebook, you are able to post on your Snapchat "story". However, the post eventually goes away after twenty-four hours. On the app you are able to create and customize a character called a Bitmoji. This Bitmoji is a way to express yourself without actual...

       Laci Peterson was a women from Modesto, California. Friends described Laci as an outgoing, very likable person who you instantly wanted to be friends with. Laci was very popular throughout her community and was always very friendly. However, not everyone felt the same way about her. At just twenty-seven years old, Laci was murdered. Her body was dumped like garbage hoping no one would ever find her, and to make matters worse, she was eight months pregnant. Who did this? What was the motive? Who could do this to an expectant mother?     Laci Peterson was reported missing on December 24, 2002 by her husband, Scott Peterson. That morning, Scott decided to go fishing while Laci went to walk their dog McKenzie. When Scott returned home from his fishing trip, he found McKenzie roaming around in their front yard with her leash still on dragging on the ground and no Laci. Scott called around to friends and family asking if they have seen or spoken to Laci. W...

    45. That's how many school shootings there have been so far this year in the United States. Why is this number constantly increasing? Why are these massacres becoming more and more frequent? How can we prevent and reduce these incidents from happening? Schools all over the U.S. have their own way of trying stop shootings from happening at their school. Whether that be having a school resource officer on school grounds at all times, monthly "code red" drills, or making clear backpacks mandatory for students, every school has a way they think will keep their school the safest in any given situation. One of the most controversial ways to prevent of a gunman from entering school buildings is to install metal detectors in the school. Metal detectors are used everywhere, airports, hospitals, prisons, courthouses, concerts, sport games, etc. They prevent people from bringing in weapons that could harm people. So why aren't they used in school? Let's talk about it.   ...

     The day was November 13, 1985. Armero, a town in Columbia made up of 30,000 people were off to bed. It was a peaceful, normal night, until it wasn't. At 9:09 PM, thirty miles away, Nevado del Ruiz erupted. When the volcano erupted, it caused all the snow and glaciers to melt creating a huge mudslide. The wall of mud took only two and a half hours to cover the thirty miles to reach Armero. Unfortunately, the people of Armero couldn't find safety in time. Approximately 25,000 people were killed from that natural disaster, including Omarya Sánchez, the most well known victim.       Omarya was a thirteen year old girl living in Armero with her parents, brother, and aunt at the time of the eruption. She became famous all around the World because of her devastating situation and how she spent her last few days on Earth. Omarya was stuck in neck high mud with no way of getting out. Her legs were crushed under heavy concrete and rubble making it...