Search Results

Passengers move through Ronald Reagan National Airport on the day before the Thanksgiving holiday, November 27, 2019. (Source: Getty Images) With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it is a huge time for spending money on food, gifts, and travel. Let’s relate Thanksgiving to mathematics and analyze the statistics from this year and the year before. Turkey Tally Everyone is waiting for the turkey during Thanksgiving dinner, but are we thankful for everything? In 2022, 5.19 billion pounds of turkeys were produced in the United States alone. Approximately, 40 million turkeys are killed for Thanksgiving every year. Which has raised around $949 million spent on the turkeys in America. Are we actually thankful for everything? Millions of turkeys are sacrificed every year, just to be on our plates on Thanksgiving. If we are thankful for everything, then why are countless turkeys killed on behalf of the thankfulness holiday? Shouldn’t we attempt to protect the unique species? Shopping Statistics Not only do people celebrate Thanksgiving, they also rush to stores to get the best deals. 50% - 60% of the people who shopped on Thanksgiving weekend went shopping because of the good deals. An average of $325 were spent over the five day Thanksgiving period. In 2022, 197 million people went shopping over the Thanksgiving period. On Thanksgiving day itself, in 2022, people spent $5.29 billion shopping online. This year $5.6 billion were spent on Thanksgiving day which consisted of $3.3 billion dollars spent online shopping. This is a 5.5% increase from last year. The sales over the 5 day period are going to skyrocket this year. If you are planning on shopping, you better start early! Upcoming Predictions It's a known fact that millions of people travel around the time of Thanksgiving. In fact, AAA predicts that this year, more than 55.4 million Americans will travel the Thanksgiving weekend. Of the 55.4 million, it is estimated that 49.1 million will be driving. Though this number is huge, it is still less than two percent lower compared to the travel in 2019. On a bus, train, or cruise trip, there will be 1.55 million Americans traveling. This is a big comeback since the pandemic hit. Eleven percent more people have booked cruises during this weekend compared to 2022. Finally, it is predicted that 4.7 million Americans will be flying. This is the highest number of Americans flying in 18 years! Along with so many people traveling, lots of diseases will spread too. So mask up and take health precautions while traveling. Are you going anywhere special this season?

By: Anjana Janaththanan SERGRAY/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS/VIA GETTY IMAGES As the new year unfolds, new trends in technology arise ranging from agentic AI to spatial computing to energy-efficient computing.  Agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI) is predicted to impact our world immensely. Agentic AI is AI with agency meaning the artificial intelligence will be capable of making decisions autonomously. The user prompts generative AI such as ChatGPT to perform a task. While Agentic AI does not need a user to prompt it, this AI  can still perform tasks automatically. These software entities complete tasks using AI techniques. Unlike the predetermined outputs produced by generative AI, AI with agency autonomously creates plans to complete tasks given instructions. According to  Intelligent Agents in AI Really Can Work Alone. Here’s How, by Tom Coshow, 15% of everyday work decisions will be made autonomously as 33% of enterprise software applications will include agentic AI by 2028 compared to less than 1% in 2024. Machine customers and AI agents are some examples of agents that utilize Agentic AI.  Spatial computing is predicted to peak in 2025. As described by Gartner, spatial computing unites the real world with digital data using technologies (Alvarez). Notable examples of spatial computing include virtual, augmented, and mixed reality. Virtual reality involves the computer generation of 3D imaging near the eyes. It manipulates the virtual world utilizing pose-tracking technologies to give the user an immersive experience and it is extremely popular in the entertainment and gaming industry. Augmented reality overlays computer-generated 3D subjects on the physical world. Pokemon Go and apps that help users try on a paint color for their home use augmented reality. The key difference is that virtual reality creates an entirely digital environment around the user, whereas augmented reality overlays digital elements in the real environment. Mixed reality is augmented reality but with the ability of the digital elements to interact. According to Gartner, spatial computing will create interactive and immersive environments in education, gaming, and e-commerce to satisfy the demand of consumers. Sophisticated visualization tools for decision-making and efficiency will be created by spatial computing for retail, manufacturing, and most importantly, healthcare (Alvarez). However, spatial computing has downsides which will be addressed in 2025. Some of these include data privacy security, costs, and user safety while engaging in the virtual environment. Spatial Computing will enable you to play interactive video games with another level of visuals and complexity.  Be on the lookout for interesting video games that will be available to all through spatial computing in the future. Christian Briggs and the Interaction Design Foundation, CC BY-SA 4.0Christian Briggs and the Interaction Design Foundation, CC BY-SA 4.0 A key component of technology is efficiency. Every day, people from engineers to scientists strive to find a more efficient solution than the one currently available. Energy-efficient computing is on the rise for 2025. According to Gartner, Energy-efficient computing will create more efficient architecture, code, algorithms, and hardware (Alvarez). Another aspect of energy-efficient computing is using renewable energy to run programs, computers, and systems. However, this approach to sustainable computing will face obstacles ranging from expenses, innovation, and migration issues. What do you think are the ways to increase the effectiveness of technology? Agentic AI, spatial, and energy-efficient computing are just a few of the technology trends for 2025 that aim to increase efficiency and aid as tools. Though we may not be directly impacted by these technologies, it is important to learn about them as our future will consist of these innovations.

By: Anya Prasanna (Clark, Caitlin, et al. “How Will We Remember Jimmy Carter?” Artsci.tamu.edu , 9 Mar. 2023, artsci.tamu.edu/news/2023/03/how-will-we-remember-jimmy-carter.html ) Jimmy Carter, our former 39th president and Nobel Prize laureate, passed away on December 29th, 2024, surrounded by his family in Plains, Georgia. He had made many major accomplishments throughout his lifetime. Although his efforts as president were largely overshadowed by political circumstances, inflation, and foreign tensions, he had still been able to prove himself as ‘a man of the people’ (New York Times).  Jimmy Carter, whose full name was James Earl Carter Jr., was born on October 1st, 1924. His father was Earl Carter, a peanut farmer, who served on the Georgia State Legislature. His mother, Lillian Gordy Carter, was a nurse and a Peace Corps volunteer. Both of them were influential in his life and politics. Carter studied at the George Southwestern College and Georgia Institute of Technology. Eventually, he graduated from the US Navy Academy, located in Annapolis, Maryland. Afterward, he fought in the US Navy for seven years. His career was cut short by the death of his father, and he quit his military service to work on his family’s peanut farm.  In 1962, Carter began his political career, when he was elected as governor of Georgia. He was reelected in 1964, however he lost the election in 1966. When he won the election again in 1970, Carter didn’t show any fear in making any reforms. For instance, in his Inaugural Address, he said, ‘The time for racial discrimination is over’. He pushed to end segregation and allowed African Americans and women in government offices. He combined many state programs and organizations and established budgeting methods. With these efforts, Carter was able to work to improve Georgia and begin to gain national recognition. In 1974, Carter announced his plans to run for president as a Democrat. He was able to portray himself as a man of character, which played an essential role in the election, especially since the Watergate Scandal had challenged the integrity of the executive branch. He won the election in 1976 against Republican Gerald Ford.  As president, Carter redefined the image of the executive branch. He dressed in casual clothes and adopted an informal speech. He also tried to start many programs to promote change, however most of them were turned down by the legislature. In regards to international causes, Carter was able to promote equality and human rights, and established diplomatic ties with many countries, such as China. He was also able to stop the war between Egypt and Israel through negotiations. (A Look Back at Jimmy Carter’s Presidency.” NPR , 29 Dec. 2024, www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2024/12/29/1158341137/a-look-back-at-jimmy-carters-presidency ) In domestic affairs, Carter tried his best to help the American people. He had inherited the ongoing economic problems of our country, and this caused increased unemployment and inflation. Because of his efforts, he was able to bring about eight million jobs and a budget deficit decrease. In addition, he started a national energy policy to deal with the energy crisis, which had been caused by reliance on foreign oil. He reformed the government to focus on civil service and he tried to take measures to improve the environment. He increased the influence of the national park system to include nearly 103 million acres of Alaskan land, which were now protected. He had established the Department of Education, which oversees that schools are all on the same page in regards to educational standards, and ensures that all children can have quality education. He also strengthened the Social Security system. Along with this, Carter appointed a record-high number of women, African Americans, and Hispanics to government jobs and to his cabinet, a decision that stands by his desire for equality.  Despite his many accomplishments, Carter’s administration was widely overshadowed by inflation and failure to free captive American diplomats during the Iranian Hostage Crisis. He was defeated by Ronald Reagan in the subsequent election.  However, even after losing his presidency, Carter remained dedicated to his activism. He was able to convince Congress to pass a law to help clean up toxic waste in Alaska. He acted as a diplomat, working for human rights and equality in many areas of the world. In Nicaragua, he fought for the rights of the Indigenous people. In Panama, he investigated illegal voting measures. Carter worked with North Korea to stop the building of nuclear weapons. Furthermore, he participated in “Habitat for Humanity”, which was a program that helped build homes for the poor and he worked for peace. These efforts were the reasons why he won the Nobel Peace Prize.  Despite his numerous challenges, Jimmy Carter worked hard to change the world for the better. He had worked for equality and human rights; values that are the pillars that our nation stands on. In addition, he demonstrated political courage, never faltering in his pursuit of a vision that hosts a better, fairer, version of our country. Therefore, it cannot be denied that Carter truly was ‘a man of the people’.

photo credit: Chase Gagliardi Throughout his highschool years, Chase Gagliardi has stood out from others for his ongoing drive to help and inspire people through his passion and influence in the school and community.  Chase enjoys hanging out with his friends, helping others, working with unified kids, playing lacrosse, and watching football. One of the most influential marks Chase has left would be his continuous commitment and dedication to the unified program. The unified program consists of branches of programs in place for individual students that are neurotypical or have disabilities, and aims to give them a  highschool experience similar to any other kid. Hence their famous slogan, “Uniquely the Same”.  With over 100 hours dedicated to the unified program, Chase holds a board position, an internship, and mass amounts of love for this program. He enjoys everything this program strives to achieve, and if you were to ask him, he would tell you how it has not only helped the students but the people involved as well. In fact, this program inspired him so much that he decided to write his college essay about how influential this group has been to him, and his overall growth inside and outside of school.  Another big piece of school history Chase has dedicated his time to is the Paws for Cause club here at MTHS. Similar to the unified program, Chase's desire to help does not stop with special needs kids, butextends to animals as well. This club was created to raise awareness and money for our overlooked furry friends. Whether it is indoor pets, outdoor pets, farm animals, or exotic species, this club brings light to them through shared knowledge and fundraising. Often seen on the school’s morning announcements, the club's newsletter features pieces about unique animals, tips, fundraising, and more. However, it is most famous for its “pet of the week”, which Chase had a major part in creating. Having spent the past four years growing this club, Chase has become the official President and raised more money than any other student in the club.  Despite having done all these amazing things, Chase is also a consistent member of both the Sports Business club and the Environmental Actions club. Chase has applied to various schools ranging from Oklahoma, Texas, and Florida State. He intends to major in sports management, and eventually head to law school to better his chances at being a successful sports agent.  Despite being excited to head off to the sunny weather in the southern states, Chase has said he really will miss his time here at the highschool. His favorite memories are with the friends he has made along the way through his experience as a Monroe Falcon. Even though it is sad to see such a vital member of our community go, we know that Chase’s  ongoing accomplishments and contributions to his community will not stop here. Instead, they will flourish as he takes his next steps through life. In the end, Chase's mark on the school truly shows his dedication and passion as someone who deserves the senior spotlight during his remaining days as a Falcon.

Hibberd, James. “L.A. Residents Escape The Wildfires in Harrowing Viral Footage.” The Hollywood Reporter , 9 Jan. 2025, www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/local-news/wildfires-video-hollywood-1236105448 . As the powerful and ravaging fires in Los Angeles continue to spread, major efforts to mitigate the effects have been taken by California fire departments, volunteers, and the United States government. With at least 25 people dead, 12,000 structures destroyed, and over 2.5 billion dollars in federal funding for the prevention efforts, it's safe to say that California has been left in shock with the recent traumatizing events. At the moment, more than 92,000 residents are under evacuation orders, and 89,000 residents are under evacuation warnings. With fear spreading across the several large land masses of wildfires, people have begun to wonder what exactly started this catastrophe. In the past, several wildfires have came about in California due to dry vegetation and lands, strong winds, scorching heats, and drought conditions. However, many officials and citizens speculate that the recent wildfires in LA could have been caused by intentional human effort. A recent video surfaced the internet of a homeless man committing arson, or the criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property. Ruiz, Michael. “Los Angeles Wildfires: California Firebug Arrest Caught on Video as Police Warn of Arsonists.” Fox News , 13 Jan. 2025, www.foxnews.com/us/los-angeles-wildfires-california-firebug-arrest-caught-video-police-warn-arsonists . The suspect is currently being highly investigated, but it has come to the attention of the public that this is not the only person causing the recent wildfires in California. Though its unclear if the larger fires had been started by intentional human arson, it has been confirmed that this man, 39-year old Jose Carranza-Escobar, had purposefully set fire to public property, even admitting to the crimes himself. As of Monday night, 10 more suspects have been taken into custody and are being fully interrogated for the crimes of arson and homicide. At this point, we can't tell the true cause of the events that took place, but it is clear that the massive damage was not caused solely by environmental factors. As the secrets unfold of the truth behind the California wildfires, we can only hope the citizens of LA get to safety as soon as possible, and the wildfires are contained before further damage spreads.

By: Aryan Srinivasan De Weaver, Geoff. WHY REAL ESTATE WILL BE CHANGING IN 2025 . 8 Nov. 2024, www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-real-estate-changing-2025-geoff-de-weaver-pwroc . Most of us used to imagine 2025 would be the year of flying cars and futuristic cities, and although we're as close as we've ever been to reaching those technological advancements, we're not quite there. Time has flew by, and we are now officially closing off the first quarter of the 21st century. 2025 is officially up and running, and with a new year, comes new goals. Everybody has been through the classic cycle of the New Year's Resolutions fiasco, where people will make a singular, unmaintainable new years goal that they think will work this year. News flash, it won’t. UNLESS… you follow these exact steps to maximize your success in 2025.  The start of a new year should not be looked at as the start of a new era, instead, it should be looked at as the start of a new effort. Realistically, we all have limitations, and at the end of the day, we can’t do everything we want to. What we can do, is be optimistic about the fact that we can get stuff we want in a long term effort if we simply stick to our plan like glue. In reality, most people will set a New Years Resolution that they can follow for around 2-3 weeks. However, once this period of time is over and barely anything has been accomplished, they immediately quit. In order to see real results, the number one way to help these resolutions turn into habits, is to simply, keep doing them. CONSISTENCY is key. According to several psychologists, it takes roughly 66 days of consistently doing an activity to form a habit out of it. Most of the activities that people do in the hope of receiving some sort of success is bound to reach a certain amount of results, but not right away. In fact, most people put in so much work just to get so close to success, when realistically, if they continued doing it for a little bit longer, they would have started to see strides in the activities they were doing. Most people tend to think that success is linear, and putting in the work will get you the results at a steady pace. It turns out to be the opposite. In fact, success is actually exponential.  James Clear. (2018, June 14). The 2 types of growth: Which one of these growth curves are you following? https://jamesclear.com/growth-curves   As shown in the diagram, the initial gains may be low, but if you stick to their goals, you can eventually reach substantial success. Once people see results, they tend to stick to their goals until the activity becomes a habit. Here’s a quick example illustrating the New Year’s Resolutions fiasco. In the beginning of last year, 2024, John and his Sister Becky placed bets on each other to see who would last the longest in fulfilling their New Year’s resolutions. John’s resolution was to stop eating chocolate, and Becky’s resolution was to study for one hour per day. At the start, both of them started off strong, sticking to their goals like glue. As time went on, they both lost motivation slowly, and did not see the point in continuing to go forth with their goals, especially considering that John didn't see any results from stopping eating chocolate, and Becky’s test grades were staying the same, even though she was studying everyday. As John went about his life, he ended up losing the bet, eating the chocolate. As Becky boasted her win to him, she wondered if she should stop her New Year’s Resolution now that the bet was over. John had lost the bet, but Becky decided to keep her dignity and continue to try to reach her goals for a little longer, despite not seeing any improvement. Little did she know that on her next test, she got a PERFECT SCORE. 100%. Ecstatic about the news, she realized that staying in it for longer than her brother and trusting the process allowed her to find real results later on. After this, motivated by her newfound confidence, she continued to study for an hour everyday, eventually turning her New Year's Resolution into a New Years habit.  Long story short, sticking with your goals is key to success in 2025. By trusting the process of exponential growth, you can maximize your success this year and achieve similar success to Becky, well, if she were a real person.

By: Thanvisai Karamsetty As the winter track season approaches, excitement builds. Two of Monroe’s hard working athletes, Skylar and Ananya, share their goals and challenges for the season opener on Friday, December 13th. For Skylar, this season carries special meaning as she makes her comeback after an injury. "I'm really excited for the season opener," she says, "I feel pretty confident, especially in the faster events, which are my strength." Skylar focuses on performing well in the relay events and she hopes to earn a medal with her team. Her goals are ambitious yet realistic. "I want to PR [personal record] in both my events, the 1600 and the 800, and carry those improvements into spring track. Most importantly, I want to feel confident in myself after my injury," she explains. Ananya is equally thrilled for the season. "It’s been so long since I ran winter track," she says, "I’m really looking forward to running in the cold weather again and racing in the Bubble, where all the laps for races double!" For Ananya, this season is all about building strength and improving her performance. "I want to lower my race times a lot and work on being better at mentally preparing before each competition," she shares. Both athletes emphasize how much they value the support within their team. "It's such a great community," Skylar says. "Everyone supports each other, from sprinters to distance runners. We’re all in this together," Ananya agrees, adding that winter track offers a break from school and an opportunity to grow as a runner. Both athletes find motivation in their teammates to push themselves and excel in each meet. Despite challenges like crowded tracks and unpredictable weather, Skylar and Ananya are determined to make the most of the season. Skylar looks forward to her team breaking school records and achieving personal bests, while Ananya embraces the experiences winter track provides. As the season opener approaches, both athletes are ready to give their all as they tackle challenges, and create lasting memories. This season is sure to be filled with determination and teamwork!

By Rithika Panchumarthy (Associated Press). Anyone living in New Jersey has seen the drones that have taken to the skies starting November 18th, according to the FAA. The first sighting was in Morris County, NJ. These drones are reportedly unauthorized, but there is no sign of any of them being a threat to public security according to a joint statement released by the FBI and DHS. They assure that most of the supposed sightings are regular registered airplanes or drones manned by registered civilians.  Pentagon spokesman, Major General Pat Ryder, told CNN, “There are thousands of drones flown around the US on a daily basis… So as a result, it’s not that unusual to see drones in the sky, nor is it an indication of malicious activity or any public safety threat. And so the same applies to drones flown near US military installations” (CNN).  Tuesday, December 17th, the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee received a classified briefing, the contents of which will be released to the public shortly. As of now, the FBI and local law enforcement professionals urge civilians not to shoot at the mystery drones for their own safety. Currently, Senate Majority Leader, Republican Chuck Schumer is working with the DHS to try to use a 360 degree surveillance system, but so far other techniques have not been successful. Connecticut state police deployed a drone detection system that is aiding law enforcement in identifying the drones, but nothing about the findings have been released to the public.  FBI officials do all concur that there is a “slight overreaction” (CNN) in the media and that they are not very concerned, but the Department of Defense is more skeptical. An official said they are unsure of the criminal nature of the drones, but whoever is manning them is extremely irresponsible and will be detained upon their uncovering. For the time being, if one does see an exemplary drone sighting or have any information, call the FBI Drone Tip Line at: 1-800-225-5324.

By Craig McPherson Two Students Studying Together. (Credit : 5 Ways to Strengthen Mental Health Muscles for Exam Season - Berry College) While the second marking period is about halfway over, the school year is still far from over. A very common struggle for many students, regardless of grade level or the time of year, would involve studying for exams. What methods should a student use to study? When should one begin, and where should they study? All these questions will soon be answered. The most effective methods for a student to use when studying, would depend on the type of learner they are. The three main types of learners are visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. Visual learners learn best with visual images, such as graphs or diagrams. Auditory learners do their best with information they can hear. Kinesthetic learners process information best through activities and experiences.  Ways for a visual learner to study would include creating diagrams of written information, flash cards, or highlighting key information from notes or texts. Auditory learners can study best by reading notes aloud, or watching videos on sites such as YouTube. Kinesthetic learners could study through taboo-type games, such as charades. They can also visit locations that relate to the material they are trying to study, such as museums or libraries. Like auditory learners, reading notes aloud is also an effective way to study for kinesthetic learners. Another struggle a student may have when studying for an exam, is knowing when to begin. An article by the Dietrich Arts & Sciences Undergraduate Studies from the University of Pittsburgh states the following regarding this topic, “ In general, plan to start about 7-10 days in advance to make sure you maximize your study time. Remember, it is better to space your studying out over a period of days rather than clustering your studying just before the exam. Ten hours of studying over 5 days is better than 10 hours of studying over 2 days!” (Dietrich Arts & Sciences Undergraduate Studies). The article recommends that students, instead of studying at the last minute, should begin studying seven to ten days before an exam.  The environment one chooses to study in is also important. An ideal study environment should be a place that is accessible. There also should not be any distractions, so one can focus on their work. On top of this, the space should be organized, so one can access anything in the area they need. Everything should be in order. In conclusion, in order to study efficiently, one must understand their learning style, and related study techniques. Furthermore, they should also plan to study at least a week before an exam, instead of waiting until the last minute, and have an effective studying environment.

By Craig McPherson A picture of the breathtaking scenery that can be experienced in Yellowstone National Park during fall. (Credit: Reveling in Yellowstone’s Fall Colors - A Yellowstone Life) Yellowstone National Park is a very popular destination for most people on vacations or trips. In fact, 4.5 million people visit the park annually. While many people prefer to go on vacation closer to the summer, Yellowstone can provide a fantastic experience in the fall. One thing that makes Yellowstone special in the fall would be the change in scenery. The leaves on certain trees in the park, such as aspens and cottonwoods, turn shades of gold, orange, and red. These colors look wonderful against the evergreen lodgepole pines, and more geothermal features such as the geysers and hot springs. The weather during the fall can also have benefits for one’s experience in the park. On one hand, it can be colder in the mornings, and at nights, the air can also be crisp and cool. This is ideal for activities such as hikes or observing the wildlife.  However, one must be careful if they go to the park this time of year, as there can be snowstorms in the area during September and October. It would be recommended to bring warmer clothing and waterproof gear. Another wonderful aspect of Yellowstone in the fall would be the wildlife that can be seen. The season can be an important time for some of the different animals in the park.  For example, the grizzly and black bears will enter a phase of hyperphagia, before they go into hibernation for the winter. Explained by the following excerpt, this means, “By September the bears of Yellowstone National Park enter a phase of hyperphagia . Grizzly and black bears alike will be stripping the branches of hawthorne, western serviceberry and chokecherry of their ripe fruits. Hyperphagia is a feeling of relentless, insatiable hunger, which moves these mammals to eat enough to gain potentially 4lbs per day”(Mel, 2024).  Yet, one of the best aspects of Yellowstone during the fall would actually have to be the lack of visitors. As summer, the most popular season to go on vacation, would have just ended, not many other people would come to the park.  This would mean that one would have to wait in little to no lines in order to experience some of Yellowstone’s most famous landmarks. This could also make activities, such as hiking, feel more immersive. Since there are far less other people there, one would feel more like they are actually having a hike in the wilderness, completely unaffected by people.  In conclusion, fall is a great time of year to experience Yellowstone Park, due to the beautiful, colorful scenery, ideal hiking weather with the wildlife that can be seen, and a more immersive experience due to a less crowded environment.

By: Craig McPherson A map of the United States displaying where the Sun Belt states are, which are also known as the states supporting Trump. (Credit : Britannica - Sun Belt | Region, United States, & Map | Britannica) “I don’t just deplore his toxic politics, his hatred of women, immigrants and people of color, his criminality, dishonesty, and ignorance,” states singer Linda Ronstadt, who would condemn Donald Trump for his discriminatory behavior.  Many people will agree that Donald Trump is one of, if not the most controversial U.S. presidents of all time. Of course, this means many people would be unhappy that he is running in the 2024 election. Yet, recent polling would suggest that Trump has gained more votes than Kamala Harris, the other candidate in the election, in certain states.  These states are known as the Sun Belt, including states such as Georgia, Arizona, and North Carolina. He is more popular in these places, since many citizens of the Sun Belt claim he improved their lives during his last presidential term. However, according to most maps of America, the Sun Belt is right above Mexico.  This means the space in between Mexico and the states that support Trump would be the location of his infamous border wall, which he would build to combat illegal immigration from the land south of the border. Could Trump’s border wall have something to do with the support he’s gained from the Sun Belt states?  “Around one-quarter (27%) of likely Trump voters cite immigration as their most important issue , making it the second most commonly cited issue among this cohort behind the economy (43%)” ( R&WS Research Team). T he following poll reveals that many supporters of Trump consider illegal immigration to be a major issue. As such, they likely also support his efforts to combat the issue, including his idea for the border wall. Why would others want to vote for the other candidate of the election of 2024, Kamala Harris? During her campaign, Harris has not only promised to focus on the issue with immigration, but ways to help middle class citizens. More specifically, she promised to make changes to certain things many of these people go through easier.  At the DNC, in August of 2024, Kamala Harris would make it clear that the Democratic Party is focused on stopping all the migrants coming to the U.S., limiting asylum, and funding more Border Patrol operations. However,  her plans to combat this issue have changed over the course of the election, such as considering signing the border security bill into law. She would also raise three billion dollars for regional investments, hoping said investments would convince the migrants not to pass the border. Harris promised things such as mortgage assistance for people buying homes for the first time, tax credit for parents with newborns, and banning price gouging in grocery stores to fight inflation. Trump would also promise to reduce the costs of living by extending cuts from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, including the TCJA’s individual income tax rates. In addition,  he wants to reduce the corporate tax rate for companies making products in the U.S. to 15%.  To conclude, both Trump and Harris have promised to do many things to benefit the citizens of the United States, including some similar causes, such as lowering the costs of living. In the end, who would be the better president?

By Aadya Khera As the air slowly crispens, the leaves turn vibrant shades of oranges and yellow, our short sleeves are exchanged for sweats and knit sweaters, our iced lemonade refreshes are swapped for warmed pumpkin spice drinks, as people fly back from their tropical vacations, a new scenic change waits for them back home. As much as fall is about physical changes as shown in nature, it is just as much a time for emotional change in people. Death and adaptation shown in our own backyards as we watch leaves turn into vibrant hues of orange, red, and yellow before eventually sinking to the ground. Fall is a reminder of just how beautiful change is in our everyday lives. As the season grows colder, our hearts grow warmer through the bonds of our friends and families. As holidays lik e Halloween and Thanksgiving knock on our doors, people come together to celebrate. Subsequently, approximately 93% of Americans celebrate Halloween in some shape or form. (National Confectioners Association)  Whether it is through trick or treating as a little kid, carving pumpkins, going on corn mazes, apple picking, or going to parties in college and adulthood. Fall and Halloween are times of connection and bonding among friends and family. Trick-or-treating is what most people, especially in our school, do to celebrate Halloween. Trick-or-treating is more than just a way to get candy. The costumes people dress up in are more than just clothes; they are a representation of their imagination, as well as their likes and interests. Halloween is the one day a year when you can wear anything you want without an ounce of judgment from anyone else. As our world continues to move forward and become more sophisticated, people still have a strict demand for the sense of false mystery and fear that only Halloween can deliver.  As Halloween, a holiday based on taking sweets from others approaches us, it is important to make sure that we are contributing to both sides of the scale. Over 15% of kids in the United States are living in poverty and can’t trick or treat due to these conditions. Although this number may not seem like a lot, any percentage over zero for an issue like this is a deeply grave and concerning one. Charities such as the Ronald McDonald House Charities and UNICEF are accepting donations on wrapped Halloween candy. You aren’t just sending candy, you're sending smiles and love to these kids.