A person's teen years are some of their most formative years. They learn how to become independent and form their own opinions about the world. In addition to this, people develop some of their most important friendships during these years. The relationships a person has while they are a teenager can teach them what they do and don’t want from their friends and show them how they should or shouldn’t be treated by people that care about them. Not just with platonic friendships, but also in romantic relationships. High school relationships can be both beneficial and detrimental in their own...

The Founding Fathers of America founded this nation on beliefs of freedoms and moral values. They wanted us to have the right to choose how we practice those freedoms. Having laws restricting our rights was not what they envisioned; in fact, their philosophies are shown in the Constitution and in the Bill of Rights. That is why when it comes to the symbolism that represents America, like the flag, our Founding Fathers give us the choice to decide how we respect and honor the flag.  Our great leaders would look at our flag today and see the invisible story it tells and all it has been...

This spring and summer I had the opportunity to participate in a nationwide movement led by the American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) that is taking place right here at Lacawac Sanctuary. The goal of TACF is to restore the American chestnut (Castanea dentata) tree that once dominated and ranged greatly over the Northeastern forests. The tree species was stricken by a fungal blight, Cryphonectria parasitica, and almost vanished completely from the forests. The fungal pathogen was imported accidentally from Asia to the U.S. Once introduced, with no predators in the U.S., the pathogen was able to sprea...

In my opinion, a student’s GPA should not include grades from physical education.  A student’s GPA should be a reflection of the academic knowledge gained from their high school courses.  The grade should reflect the student’s mastery of subject material assessed in their courses.  Courses that include participation in their grading policy should not be factored in a GPA.  Participating in something does not prove accumulation of knowledge or skill and should be left out of the GPA.  Physical education courses are just one of these courses. Schools vary on how they grade physical...