The best phone on the market today for many teenagers would have to be the iPhone. The iPhone allows people to text, download apps, surf the net, use social networking, video chat, and share a lot of data. A lot of other smartphones can do basically the same thing, but the iPhone offers so much more than say, a Blackberry or an Android phone does.

On Android phones, customers have to download apps to be able to video chat with other people, with the iPhone it has been made possible to Facetime with other people who have the iPhone an iPad or an Apple laptop, so it’s like a webcam on the go with other Apple products via Wi-Fi.

Many people hate touch screen phones like the iPhone, but once they try it out, the touch screen can be very impressive because of the Retina display that makes the screen crystal clear and super fast to respond. The iPhone uses a multi-touch user interface that allows you to touch two places on the device at the same time and it chooses to respond or not respond depending on what is trying to be achieved. For example, when someone wants to zoom in on a picture, two fingers are used to either pinch in or spread out on the photo. When you do other tasks on the phone, such as sending a message, the touch screen will most likely not respond to multiple touches as it does when zooming in or out on a picture.

Another unique feature about the iPhone is the amazing 8 megapixel camera with advanced optics and a custom lense. The iPhone also offers a flash, which comes in handy when in a dark setting. Unlike other smartphones that have a lot to offer with super fast downloading speed and a lot of memory, the iPhone has all that and a fantastic camera. The pictures that are produced from the iPhone camera look professional and have a sharp edge to them that makes them look so amazing. For most people this wouldn’t really matter, but with the beautiful camera available why not take professional looking pictures?

The iPhone is the best phone on the market for numerous reason. The amount of things that are possible with the iPhone is amazing, having the ability to download apps, send emails, video chat, take professional like pictures, and surf the web is amazing with the growing technology we have today.

For people who are unique and try to be true to themselves, hardships can develop from those who don’t understand them. These people have a stereotype known as “emo” or even “goth”. Sometimes it’s really hard to deal with everything and it can be nice to have someone to talk to. However not everyone has someone there to talk to and they can feel alone, from the moment they feel alone problems like depression and anxiety can develop.

Bullying affects everyone differently. Some people can just let bullying roll off of them because they know that what other people think of them doesn’t matter. However, not everyone can do that and they internalize their feelings until they explode later.

Youtube, a very well known website has a few solutions to problems that can hurt teens. Some of Youtube’s well known gurus and speakers have come together and created a channel known as ‘SeparatedByFew’.

This channel is made up of every stereotype of person out there, Leda, otherwise known as HaiLedaBear, is known for being the nerdie World of Warcraft player who dyes her hair a different color every two months. Nathan or Ahoynateo, Blake or BlakeBliss, Cyr or IamCyr make up the main four speakers. This group of people are dedicating their time to share with viewers their experiences with hardships.

This channel just started on Youtube a few months ago and they already have a steady increase in views. On Apr. 20, ‘SeparatedByFew’ challenged their followers to take part in the 17th annual Day of Silence. The Day of Silence started in 1996 and has become the largest single student led action in creating safer schools for all regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

The Day of Silence requires participants to not talk the entire day, some people even hand out speaking cards that read “Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I am participating in the Day of Silence, a national youth movement bringing attention to the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies in schools. My deliberate silence echoes that silence, which is caused by name-calling, bullying and harassment. I believe that ending the silence is the first step toward fighting these injustices. Think about the voices you are not hearing today. What are you going to do to end the silence?”

Leda, Nate, and the others from “SeparatedByFew” made videos where they didn’t say any words or do anything. Others videos that can be found on their channel includes ‘Bullying’ and ‘Purpose’. Nate tells his followers that they matter and that they are loved, while in ‘Purpose’ Cyr tells viewers that it’s not about the stuff that they have, but what they will leave behind when they die. The main goal of “SeparatedByFew” is to unite everyone and make the world a happier place for all. Every member of this channel can also be found on www.compassionandpeace.org.

We have a little over two months off of school, and students and even the teachers, don’t want to waste a minute of it. Big talk rises up about what everyone will do when they get out of school and how they will spend their summer.

There many different kinds of things to do during summer. People can choose to lounge around, hang out with friends, do little fun things every now and then, and then the big one, taking a vacation.

Junior David Pearman said that he will be attending football practices and working all day in the summer. He said he is still going to enjoy his time off from school.

“I’m going to be sticking around Belton most of the time,” Pearman said, “because I’ll have a summer job and football to go to, but I might be going to go to Texas this summer with my family.”

Sophomore Brooke Bestvater said that she will spend her summer outside.

“I’ll be doing a lot of swimming since I have a pool in my backyard,” Bestvater said. “I’m  going to be going to Worlds of Fun a lot, too.”

Junior Brady Brock said that he is going to go to Las Vegas this summer and he can’t wait.

“I’ve never been there before,”  Brock said. “I’ve never even been out of Missouri for a vacation before. I can’t wait to get there and just look at everything. It’s going to be a totally different world out there than it is here.”

Whether the fellow classmates of Belton are taking an exciting trip somewhere or they will just be hanging around town, summer vacations is something that all students look forward to and then dread when it comes to an end.

It’s not understood, to most people, why anyone would want to waste 10 or even 11 years of their lives just to drop out and get no reward showing that they made their years a success.

As high school students, we have been told throughout the past few years that dropping out of high school will completely ruin our lives. Not only does it diminish the chance of getting a good job, but it could diminish the chances of getting any kind of job at all. Many jobs now will make employees show proof that they have graduated high school and won’t hire a person if they don’t have this proof.

Obviously, most students know that there is a way to get close to high school credit by getting their GED. Sadly, getting a GED sometimes won’t pass for employers. Many employers see not passing high school and settling for a GED as laziness and they could even believe that if a person is not willing to show up for school, then they won’t be willing to show up for work.

Not being able to hold down or even receive a job leads to not having money, and not having any money leads to a greater number of people on welfare. Dropouts make up about half of the people that are on welfare. Many people being on welfare causes the country to either raise taxes or fall even further into debt.

Forty years ago, the United States was number one in the amount of high school graduates. In the past forty years, we have dropped down to 19th in the amount of students that graduate.

There are many reasons that a student would find it acceptable to drop out. At Belton, some of those include having too many hours to make up or too many failing grades. Being too lazy to show up to school is another main factor in the drop out rate. Among laziness, other reasons students drop out are deep involvement in vices, such as drugs and alcohol, and/or unexpected pregnancy.

No matter what excuse someone gives for dropping out, it is probably not a good enough reason to throw away the rest of their life.

Not only is it ridiculous that dropping out of high school is even an option, but the age that a student is allowed to cut off their school ties is even more ridiculous. A person, at age 17 or even 18, is not capable of making that sort of life changing decision.

Coming back to school is always an option, but very few students are going to want to come back to school after dropping out. Many drop outs also claim that they are planning to go to college with the GED, but more often than not, it doesn’t end up that way.

Being respectful in the school environment is something that is highly expected, especially in high school and even middle school. As students go on to high school, there are no more posters advocating the practices of respect like there were in elementary schools. But that should be no excuse for the behavior that some kids have.

Respect can be defined in many ways. As a student, we have all been asked to give our own definition of how to be respectful. If a student is able to say what they think respect is, shouldn’t they be able to show what they think respect is as well? In the hallways there are many ways that a student could practice being respectful, instead of standing in the middle of the hallway talking to friends, they could maybe move to the side, so they’re not in others way. In the classroom a student can be respectful by listening to their teacher and not talking when the teachers do. There are so many easy ways to be respectful, so why is it that some students choose to be so disrespectful, so often.

Is society and media to blame for the lack of respect that high school students have for their fellow students and teachers? The answer to this question is yes and no. Just like with everything that society and media promote, you don’t have to do what others think is “cool”, the key to being respectful is respecting yourself first before you can esteem others. So ignore the media and be nice to the community, fellow students, and teachers! Society and media also advocate being respectful in school with tv commercials showing the benefits of community work days and being more involved within your school.

Students have the right to make whatever choice they want in being respectful or not. Learning to respect is a key part of life because everywhere people go in life they have to be able to respect other people around them in order to be somewhat successful. So just like the posters in elementary school used to say “Be safe, be responsible and always be respectful”.

Each year, Rockfest attracts a full house of 55,000 “rockaholics” with a record of six consecutive sellouts. The festival grows bigger and more popular with its increasingly growing fanbase. The only radio station of its kind in Kansas City, 98.9 the Rock has played killer old school and the best new rock since the early 90’s and this year celebrates its 20th anniversary.

The gates opened at 11am and the first band kicked off the show at noon. The entire band line-up in performing order included Black Oxygen, Adelitas Way, New Medicine, Art of Dying, Rev Theory, Cavo, Theory of a Deadman, Trivium, Chevelle, Black Stone Cherry, Slash, Volbeat, Five Finger Death Punch, Hellyeah, and headliner Shinedown. Then a firework show to officially end the show.

Rockfest attracts fans from all around the Kansas City area including Belton. Many students here at the high school attended this year’s Rockfest. Students like to represent their Rockfest experience by wearing their favorite Rockfest t-shirts collected throughout the years. Some students have attended multiple times and for other students this year represents their first time.

Juniors Allie Tucker and Damien Spader both attended Rockfest for the second time.

“Trivium was my favorite performance” Tucker said. “Even though I blacked out in their pit.”
She said she would go again next year to relive the experience.

Junior Damien Spader also had a blast at this year’s Rockfest.

“Five Finger Death Punch definitely put on the best show” Spader said. “The mosh pits were huge and everybody went crazy.”

While Rockfest may sound intimidating with its brutal mosh pits, everyone can enjoy their time at the biggest one day music festival in America because the people who attend turn out to be the nicest people. Ironic, huh?

Every year on Mothers day, mothers around the world receive gifts of various kinds. Flowers, chocolate, cards and breakfast in bed and so on. However, instead of annual day full of kind acts, they most likely would prefer a year round routine that included niceness all day.

Generally mothers give up their dreams and aspirations for their families. They become the home makers and caregivers and in many cases have to be both parents. Sometimes people take for granted how important a mother is and those without mothers dream of their mothers.

Mothers can be naggy, and nosy. However, it takes years to realize they are only that way because they love and care for their children and want what’s best for them.

A mother is the one person that should love their child more than anyone else. If all else fails, there’s mother. Mothers are fail proof.

Mothers have the power to do countless things: fix a cut or a broken heart, cook, listen, give advice and much more. They are super heroes in disguise. They are so great and they deserve to be appreciated more than just Mother’s Day.

Flutist Geoff Grigg plans on attending Missouri University of Science and Technology.

“My next step is to get a degree in Nuclear Engineering,” Grigg said. “I also want to be a part of Rolla’s Band.”

Clarinet player Ashleigh Parrot said that she will attend Mizzou in the fall.

“I’m going to Mizzou for biological engineering,” Parrot said. “I will also be pre-med.”

Clarinet player Austin Curnutt said he also plans to major in a branch of engineering.

“I’m going to Kansas State to major in Architectural Engineering and minor in music,” Curnutt said. “I will also be in the marching and symphonic band.”

While some seniors will never play their instruments again others will play in college. They choose to embrace music, and some even plan on teaching a new generation the art of music.

Saxophone player Kasea Price said that she will join the marching band at Northwest Missouri State.

“I’m going to Northwest Missouri State to study marine biology and music,” Price said.

Trumpet player Mercedes Bosley said she will go to the University of Missouri Kansas-City.

“I am going to study music education,” Bosley said.

Bass Clarinet player Jennifer Gitlen also plans on going to the University of Central Missouri for music education.

Clarinet player Sarah Bledsoe said she has been looking forward to college her whole life. She plans to follow in her mothers foot steps.

“I am going to the University of Central Missouri to major in elementary education,” Bledsoe said.

Clarinet player Jennifer Groves said that she plans to continue working after high school.

“I plan to work and then go to school for criminal law,” Groves said.

Trumpet player Nicole Bolton also plans to go to school and major in education.

Trumpet player Phillip Dixon said he plans to go to Grambling State University.

“I am going to major in sports broadcasting and also minoring in history,” Dixon said.

Percussionist Tim Rodden said after high school he plans on honoring his musical and instrumental ability.

“I will perform with a musical group at various locations,” Rodden said.

Saxophone player Matthew Hampson said he plans to take a year off after he graduates.

“After one year I will have enough money to pay for college,” Hampson said. “Then I will go to Johnson County Community college to be a chef.”

Bass Clarinet player Obbie Willis said he wants to go to Longview to cover his basics.

“After that I plan on going to Kansas University for medicine,” Willis said.

Clarinet player Taylor Brown also plans on going to Longview to get her basics done.

“Then I plan on going to school for business,” Brown said.

Flutist Marsha Walker said that she will study massage therapy.

“I will be attending Wellspring School of Allied Health in September,” Walker said.

Some students might not continue their love for music, instead they plan to follow their other passions.

Baritone player Ryan Ethridge plans to follow his love of theatre.

“I am going to/ attending Lindenwood University to attain a BFA in set design,” Ethridge said.

Flutist Kathryn Waugh said that after high school she plans on attending Longview.

“I want to receive my liberal arts degree, then I will transfer to UMKC for my PhD in psychology,” Waugh said. “I don’t plan on playing music in college but I do plan on keeping it as sort of a hobby.”

Whether they will continue to play music or not the Band senior class of 2012 know what they want to do with their lives and they are ready to go into the world and start living. They will take with them friendships and experience that will last a lifetime, they may head in different directions but they will always have one thing in common, BHS Pirate Pride Band.

In the “Am I pretty?” videos, girls of all ages will ask the world the question, “Am I pretty, sexy, beautiful, attractive, etc.” By asking this, the girls not only open themselves up for sympathetic replies and support, but more so, snide comments. This innocent act starts off as an simple way to boost confidence and usually ends as a war zone full of insults.

Unfortunately, these videos are a huge blow to the posters already faltering confidence. Even if there were ten comments and nine were positive and only one was negative, the one is more likely to have more influence and affect the girl then the positive ones.

Even worse than the “Am I pretty?” videos, are the “I have a secret.” videos. Not only do females post such videos, but also some males. The secrets range from many topics including: abuse of all kinds, coming out, illness, rape, suicide attempts, etc.

Though it is said it is better to talk to someone about an ordeal, posting it for the whole world to see is not acceptable. Some things should be kept secret.

Videos such as these should have no place on Youtube. They are open invitations to cyber bullies, and with all the fuss over cyber bullying, allowing these type of videos seems counterproductive.

If these people really need these types of videos for them to be able to survive life at the least, a separate site should be made for these types of videos because not everyone wants access or see videos of this nature. If one is going to post a video such as these, there should be a warning informing the poster the risks and possibilities of what can happen with what they are about to do.

Another negative effect of these videos is the permanence of the video. Once something is posted on the internet, technically, it can never be completely taken away. So, if one day they regret the video and want to get rid of it, sure they can delete it, but it’s still in the system and in the minds of others who’ve seen it.

Basically, people should think seriously before they post anything online, because though it may not seem harmless when it’s posted, it can become a life changing event later.

First of all, procrastination WILL kill you. It will be so much easier on you to do the work assigned and turn it in on time. Missing assignments stack up quickly and don’t think “it won’t happen to me,” because I was a straight A student until senior year.

As soon as senior year starts, start applying for colleges. Any college you have ever even thought about, apply to it. Be prepared to pay a few fees for applications. Also, talk to the senior counselors often and ask about scholarships.

Take the ACT/ SAT as soon as possible. It will help students apply to colleges sooner. Seniors should also apply for FASFA and fill out the application early so you can add your tax information later.

Remember to apply for any and as much money as possible for college. There are scholarships, grants, and loans out there for all sorts of people. You can even get a scholarship for having blue eyes or being part of a specific ethnic group.

Seniors have a tendency to put too much pressure on themselves. They try to work, go to school, do applications and homework. It gets to be too much and there are even students that decide to move out before they’re even out of high school.

Many people have trouble getting along with their parents because they won’t give them their independence. However, senior year can also be fun. Just make sure to make time for you and have a good time while still getting things done.

When you become a senior, it is okay to be excited and to anticipate graduation, but don’t lose insight on what’s going on in the present. It is easy to get wrapped into planning your future and forget about what you’re trying to accomplish in the present.

Keep up good grades, take the ACT/SAT as soon as possible, apply for colleges and scholarships early and apply for FASFA. Also, always make time to relax or you’ll go crazy, but no procrastination.