NHS North Wind Online

Students of the Month!

Congratulations to the Students of the Month for April and May!

April

Seniors

Rodrigo Vega

Jade Taniguchi

Underclassmen

Dorian Piosca-Boyd

Laura Yoshihara

May

Seniors

Lean Aballe

Dang Hoang Le

Underclassmen

Derek Inouye

Badiha Fatima

Boston Marathon Bombings

            by Iris Harding

On  April 15, 2013, during the traditional Boston Marathon, two bombs exploded within seconds of each other in a terrorist attack. The Boston Marathon is an annual event that attracts thousands of visitors and participants each year. This year, it was plagued by two consecutive bombings. The event led to three deaths – 29-year-old woman Krystle Campbell, 23-year-old Chinese national Lu Lingzhi, and eight-year-old Martin Richard – and hundreds of severe casualties, including multiple amputations and shrapnel wounds.

            A terrorist attack happening on a monumental, traditional event that is part of the Boston culture was what shocked the entire United States. To think that such a threat was happening at a place we can go for safety was an eye-opener. Here at North High, we have many marathon runners who, just a few weeks previously, participated in the Los Angeles marathon. The terrorist attack that happened on the other side of the country could have just as easily happened here in California.

            We asked four marathon runners what their first reaction was, what impact it had on them as marathon runners, and if they were scared to participate in one again. Stephanie Allen, senior, said, “I was shocked that it would happen at a marathon. I was happy that it didn’t happen at LA and sad that it was at the finish of the marathon, cause I know what it’s like to run one. I’m still going to do it again.”

            Isaiah Hairston-el, senior, said, “What if it was me in LA? I’m sad for them, it could have been such a great accomplishment and they weren’t able to finish. No, I’m not scared.”

            Cynthia Garcia, senior, said, “I’m devastated at the fact that there were many people trying to achieve their goals and in one moment, their entire life was ruined. I was fortunate that I was safe – it could have happened to anyone. I’m sort of scared but it shouldn’t stop anyone from achieving their goals.”

            Greg Jew, senior, said, “It’s sickening that someone would even think about doing that. It really makes me more compassionate because I know the feeling the runners must have had towards the end of the race. No, I’m not scared.”

Every 15 Minutes

By Alex Foss   

Everyone knows drunk driving accidents happen. We hear about it in the news, get lectures from teachers, etc, but no one ever actually acknowledges that it could happen to them until it does. Or at least until it’s quite realistically faked.

            On April 3^rd and 4^th, four students “died” in a drunk driving accident that somehow occurred in the middle of the football field. In addition, several other students were taken out of class, one every 15 minutes, to represent the one person in theUS that dies from a drunk driving accident every 15 minutes. It was a startlingly enlightening experience that showed us just how severe the consequences of our thoughtless actions could be.

            Furthermore, fake funerals were held for the four students that died in the car accident, with letters from both them and their parents to each other. This assembly will always be in the back of our minds, hopefully making us think twice before doing something that could potentially end in the death of another student.

            Senior Brianna Powell said about the assembly, “It was really sad and it made me think. So I actually thought it was all worth it, no matter how much money it cost, because I could tell it really impacted all the people that were watching it.” When asked about the people who said it was pointless and were talking and making rude comments throughout, she said, “It made me really mad actually, because you know those people are really immature and probably the ones who make decisions like the ones this assembly was trying to prevent.”

            On the topic of drunk driving itself, senior Kiyoko Nakatsuki said, “I think it’s really stupid, and always avoidable. You should have a designated driver if you know you’re going to be drinking, or just call someone, or get a taxi, or something to prevent you from driving drunk.”

            I agree on both accounts; drunk driving is dangerous not only to yourself, but to anyone else on the road, and anyone who would risk that is selfish and frankly pretty stupid.

 Tips to avoid drunk driving include:

·        Know the numbers of taxi services! South Bay Yellow Cab (800-474-2143) is available twenty four hours a day. Put them in your phone with a space before you type the actual name, so that it shows up first in your contact list

·        Always keep some money in one of your pockets that is saved specifically for a taxi home, even if you think you won’t need it

·        Know your limit. If you know after four drinks you’re going to be puking in your friends’ hedges and blacking out in an alley, try stopping after 3. Common sense.

·        Have an adult or a friend who can drive that you know will come and get you no matter what time it is. A relative, family friend or even a teacher you’re close with can help.

If you can’t manage any of these, just don’t drink. You’re all underage anyway, though obviously that’s not going to stop most people, but if you’re going to be somewhere and you have to drive yourself home, settle with enjoying everyone else’s drunkness and convincing them that yes, calling your ex-boyfriend at 2 in the morning to tell him you still love him is a fantastic idea. And people say you can’t have fun being the sober one.