The Bluffer - Red Bluff, CA
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/755415
November 18, 2016 Serving Red Bluff High School since 1901 Volume CXVII Issue 6 Varsity Football, page 5 Bluffer/Gabriel Hale The Bluffer The Distance Between Us, page 4 Rodeo Club, page 3 Courtesy Photo Trinity Stehno Opinions Editor Seniors bear tremendous stress While it may not be a very welcome change in the school year, it's a change here to stay: rally time. The new principal, Mr. Tambini, introduced the rally change at this year's Hawaiian rally. Contrary to many student beliefs, the change wasn't to ruin our school year or shorten the rallies, but it was to keep students safe as well as improve academic results. Last year, Red Bluff High School only had approximately 26% of the seniors graduate with all their A-G requirements met. That means that about 74% of out 2016 graduates weren't ready for a four-year university. While the principal isn't trying to punish us; he's just trying to make more of our senior class graduate ready for a nice four-year-university. Many people left last year during the rallies, and if any of them had been in an accident between when they let the school parking lot and 3:12 pm., the school would've been liable. Liability for student safety is a huge concern, considering how sue-happy America is today; if a student had gotten into an accident, resulting in wounds or fatal injuries, the school could have been held responsible. Just because the school now patrols the border better, doesn't mean every studentt has to attend the rally. Any and all students that wish not to go to the rallies at any given point throughout the school year can go to room 409 with Mrs. Ferran. With any change you'll get complaints and people that don't agree with it, so Mr. Tambini is obviously being f looded with complaints, including from the Bluffer staff. Behind the change is the reason why, and nobody attending Red Bluff High and disagreeing with the schedule change actually looked into the purpose. The rally changes won't apply to this year's Holiday Classic. A huge thank you to Mrs. Somavia. On behalf of the principal, Mr. Tambini would like to say thank you to the students and staff for cooperating in the changes in the past few rallies. On account of the students, I'd like to say thank you to the staff and authoritative figures for keeping our school above average. Administration's rally changes won't Stress levels among the senior class at Red Bluff High School School, homework and grades 27% 52% 11% 5% 3% 2% Appearance Not stressed College Applications Friends and family Lack of Sleep apply to this year's Holiday Classic Two hundred seniors from multiple classes took a poll and ranked all categories from most stressful to least stressful. Julissa Villalobos Editor-in-Chief Without a doubt, senior year is the most trying and stressful time of an adolecent's life. The transition from a high school student into a college freshman is an enormous shift in a teenager's life, especially if they'll be attending a school hundreds of miles away from home. College applications and the stress of covering tuition fees is a heavy burden that weighs upon many students' shoulders, even more so when the college has a low acceptance rate. Then on top of all of that, there are still grades and homework to keep up in high school. As it's depicted in the diagram to the right, 97% of 200 seniors are stressed about something. About half of those are stressed about school, which is understandable, since good grades are required for attendance at a great college. So obviously, there needs to be a way to properly handle the pressure. Rylee Dufrain, senior, said, "I just ignore it until it goes away," Trinity Sides mentioned, "I eat a lot of food and I dance after school," Megan Boone commented, "I play sports and listen to music," and Nero Dotson said, "Playing sports is a great stress reliever." Senior year is the last year that's filled with multiple AP courses and Dual Enrollment ones for most. It's also the last year for school envolvement, such as clubs and sports. Then there are also community service requirements for graduation. "Senior year is very busy and you feel like you don't have time to do everything," Dotson said, "It's also stressful not knowing what's going to happen next year, the unknown," he continued. Boone mentioned, "I just go with the f low," Abby O'Sullivan said, "It's definitely more stressful than all of the previous years put together," Dufrain said, "Balancing school and tennis is the most stressful part," and Sides said that her senior year is stressful because there is too much homework. December is the last opportunity to take the SAT and the ACT for seniors. Deadlines are quickly approaching for college applications, FAFSA, the California Dream Act, and scholarships. Sides commented, "All of the college stuff we have to finish by March is extremely stressful." Furthermore, some teachers have begun to discuss finals for the first semester. As if all of these situations don't already fill seniors with anxiety, there are still exams to prepare for before winter break. One way to cope with stress is to exercise. Running or even doing yoga helps clear the mind. Writing to do lists or simply jotting down what's triggering the anxiety or stress and how it's affecting current situations is an effective way to determine what needs to be done. According to an article, "When stressed, your body needs additional sleep and rest," yet many students lose sleep over homework because they're worried about attaining good grades. Another form of relieveing stress is to take a break from the work. However, this could lead to procrastination, and that could cause more stress. during their last year at RBHS Bluffer/Julissa Villalobos