Rachel's Challenge-In memory of Rachel Joy Scott

Rachel Scott was the first person killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Her acts of kindness and compassion and her six diaries have become one of the most life-changing school programs in America. She had a theory that if one person showed an act of kindness && compassion that others would follow, and that would start a chain reaction.  

The image to the right is a photograph taken of the back of one of Rachel's old pieces of furniture. Rachel had a habit of writing in unusual places throughout her life.She traced her hands and wrote: "These hands belong to Rachel Joy Scott and will some day touch millions of people's hearts." She went out of her way to make other peole feel accepted and had a dream to change the world. Years after the shooting people still remember her && the kindness she showed to people. she liked to write poetry but before she died her poetry turned dark and in her last diary on the last page she wrote she drew a picture of an eye crying 13 tears && a dying flower. I find it wierd because 13 people died in the shooting. 12 students && 1 teacher. I think Rachel had something amazing, a gift, something to live for. but her life was cut short. she somehow knew she was going to die at a young age and she did. Even though she is no longer with us she has made a huge impact on peoples lives. Thank ou Rachel. For more information on Rachel and Rachel's Challenge check out the website.

Teenager hangs herself after becoming obsessed with "emo suicide"

Hannah Bond was a 13 year old girl. She was like any other teenager except that when she became emo...her world changed.  She became addicted to the emo fashion && music. Black eyeliner && screamo music(AfI, My Chemical Romance, etc.). after becomming emo Hannah hung herself from her bunk bed with a tie not long after her father discovered the deep cuts in her wrist, she said it was part of the style. Two weeks before her death, she started following U.S. band My Chemical Romance. One of their songs contain the lyrics "although your dead and gone, believe me your memory will go on"Which for her is true...her memory will live on...what happened made people realize the effects of the emo culture && the music the bands produce...so should you let you child listen to it? or is it their way of staying alive?

Nicotine is considered the number one entrance drug into other substance abuse problems. Research shows that teens between 13 and 17 years of age who smoke daily are more likely to use other drug substances. The use of other drugs is part of the peer pressure that our children have to face. The earlier that our youth begin using tobacco, the more likely they will continue using into adulthood.
Why is tobacco so addicting? It is because nicotine acts as a stimulant, which is stimulating the mind, body, and spirit. When the body tolerance levels high then one ends up needing to use larger doses of nicotine to maintain a certain level of the physiological effect. When the body becomes accustomed to the presence of nicotine, it then requires the use of the chemical to help the body to function normally. This level of dependence is
                                                                                      referred to as an addiction.



Here are some common experiences from teens who smoke.



♣ They tried their first cigarette in sixth or seventh grade

♣ They often do not perform well in school

♣ They feel like they are not a part of the school

♣ They become isolated from other students

♣ They can’t perform as well at sports events

♣ They feel like they have little hope of going to college

♣ They feel like they need a job to support their smoking habit

♣ They are reported to school officials for skipping classes

♣ They start using other illegal substances

♣ They begin experimenting with alcohol and other drugs

♣ They experience pressure from home and school and use tobacco as a form of relief

♣ Teen smokers enjoy trying to hide their smoking

This has made school more fun for some tobacco users. These types of behaviors get attention because the initiation of smoking is influenced by having a friend, particularly a best friend, who smokes. The risk factors do not apply because those who are young think that they are indispensable. The peers who use or have favorable attitudes toward tobacco use are more likely to use other illegal substances. On the other hand, if the teen becomes a member of a pro-social group, such as those participating in sports, cheerleading, or any club that promotes healthy living, the likelihood that the teen will attempt to stop smoking improves.

Cutters~an experience

Teen self-injury, self-mutilation or cutting can be overcome, but the problems causing a teen to self-injure or self-mutilate, such as cutting, need to be resolved and the teen must learn healthier ways to deal with emotions. Some of the reasons teens give for self-injuring or self mutilating include:

• Not knowing how to deal with stress

• An unresolved history of abuse

• Low self esteem

• Feelings of loneliness or fear

• A need to feel in control

• Mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder

• Wanting to get the attention of people who can help them

• Peer pressure/curiosity

Teen self-injury or self-mutilation is dangerous, especially cutting, leaving physical and emotional scars and sometimes leading to serious injury or death. Though teen self-injury or self-mutilation is not a suicide attempt, some teens who self-injure or self-mutilate also attempt suicide, and many engage in other risky behaviors such as drinking and drug use, or suffer from eating disorders associated with troubled teens. Because teens who self-injure or self-mutilate often do not know how to ask for help, it is important to watch for some of these signs that a teen may be harming him or herself, or is at risk for doing so:

 

 

 

• Unexplained injuries, such as cuts, scratches, burns, bruises, etc.

• Making excuses for injuries or scars if they are discovered

• Acting embarrassed or ashamed about injuries

• Wearing long sleeves even in hot weather

• Secretiveness or withdrawal

• Having trouble dealing with emotions

• Spending time with people who self-injure, especially on the internet

• A history of eating disorders

• Having trouble functioning at work, school, and in relationships

• Low self esteem

 

Self-injury and self-mutilation is often addictive, and can become increasingly serious. It is possible for a teen to stop, but it usually requires help. I never got help && i hit rock bottom...but after a while i realized that i could deal with what was going on. all the pain && hate...i dealt with....but it was harder than you could imagine

 

 

 

Going out-What to expect when teens start dating

Your idea of dating is probably filled with dinners, movies, museums and uninterrupted conversation. The chance to get out of the house with your partner and share an intimate dinner for two or taking a lazy afternoon stroll are just a few enticing dating options for busy adults. Walking hand in hand as you're fighting for space in a crowded hallway while carrying multiple books, stopping every 10 feet to chat with a friend or get the inside track on an upcoming test definitely does not seem to classify as any type of romantic interlude let alone a date. Oddly enough, the latter situation is one that occurs countless times every day of the school year. "Going out" and "seeing each other" are frequently uttered phrases in our children's middle and high schools. In the halls, friends are coerced into acting as a covert liaison with a secret crush. "Breaking up" and "getting back together" happens as frequently as pencils are sharpened. Children spend hours talking on the phone and on the bus about how to find a love interest, how to lose a love interest or who has a new love interest. While our children are in a terrific hurry to experiment with affairs of the heart, parents are not always as willing or prepared for this phase of their child's life. The potential for youngsters to experience a broken heart, or be misinformed about reproduction and disease, is significantly higher when they begin dating at a young age. When a child starts to feel he is old enough to be part of what he perceives is an adult relationship, he begins to make judgments based on the advice of friends, examples in the media and raging hormones. Sitting down for a heart to heart with Mom on his struggles in algebra is replaced with hours instant messaging his new love interest. Trying to help their child navigate through the intrepid waters of first loves often leaves parents feeling as naive as their children do.

Addicted Once~Addicted Forever

Sometimes kids and teens try drugs to fit in with a group of friends. Or they might be curious or just bored. A person may use illegal drugs for many reasons, but often because they help the person escape from reality for a while. If a person is sad or upset, a drug can  temporarily make the person feel better or forget about problems. But this escape lasts only until the drug wears off. Drugs don't solve problems, of course. And using drugs often causes other problems on top of the problems the person had in the first place. A person who uses drugs can become dependent on them, or addicted. This means that the person's body becomes so accustomed to having this drug that he or she can't function well without it.Once a person is addicted, it's very hard to stop taking drugs. Stopping can cause withdrawal symptoms, such as throwing up, sweating, and shaking.These sick feelings continue until the person's body gets adjusted to being drug free again.

Getting teens hooked on Starbucks

Frappuccinos, iced-caps.&&  french-vanilla coffees are very popular with teenagers these days. Starbucks is a very popular place to but your coffees && hot drinks but it's said that because of the high amount of calories && sugar in these drinks that they have been have become a "health hazard" to teenagers.As Starbucks expands, it is attracting new people, from teens who hang out after school to young mothers chilling out with their toddlers. && when you get more costumers you need more drinks. Now don't get me wrong here...I love coffee but as soon as i heard this i thought it was quite interseting && something that i should blog about. There's this one girl in my school who's pretty much ADDICTED to coffee. Almost everyday she has one && *BAM* she gose into major hyperness. Nutrition experts have criticized coffee chains for using sweetened coffee drinks as so-called starter beverages, that get children hooked on caffeine. Neighborhood Starbucks attract so many middle- and high-school students that on weekend nights it’s almost like a bar for teenagers. Addiction is not good!! But it's better if they get hooked on an ice-blended beverage than maybe something else. In my opinion coffee has become a drug.....oh well....i'm gonna go get myself a french-vanilla hot creamy coffee...Peace out x"D