The future of social networking

We all have in some way used technology for the betterment of our lives in one way or another. For some, it’s become a habit to log on to Facebook to check out what their friends or family have been up to. Where as some simply log on to help get a quick message across. Both are participating in what we call, The Future of Social Networking.

Place like Myspace, Twitter, Facebook, and even news networks like CNN all do the same thing, connect users to eachother in a new and interesting way that will keep as many users as possible. Social networking sites bring a sense of almost being right next to eachother, a false sense of reality.

“I use Myspace and Facebook usually about once a day, if not more, says Sophomore Billy Longstreet. I can usually count on the fact that if I need something, I can talk to someone about it through texting or by e-mailing them. It also helps that I can get on both of them during school with my i-Pod.”

Diet soda has higher risk of obesity than regular

As most of the student body at BHS has noticed, all of the soda machines in the high school have switched to diet.  I’m assuming it’s just another attempt to make us healthy.  I really don’t see how diet soda is any healthier than regular soda.  If they were really concerned about our health, they would have gotten rid of soda altogether.

All soft drinks are linked to obesity.  The more pop you drink, the higher risk there is for you to be overweight.  That’s no surprise, soft drinks are filled with empty calories and incredible amounts of sugar.  What surprised me, however, was that nearly all the obesity risk from soft drinks comes from diet sodas. 

A new study shows that people who drink diet soft drinks don’t lost weight. In fact, they gain weight. The findings come from eight years of data collected by Sharon P. Fowler, MPH, and colleagues at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.  The study showed that there was a 41% increase in risk of being overweight for every can or bottle of diet soft drink a person consumes each day.

I found this very interesting.  I was furious when I stopped at the soda machine after school to grab a Mountain Dew, which I had been craving all day, and found that there was only Diet Mountain Dew.  I walked away disgusted, I’ve always hated diet pop.  I’m not the only one who feels that way.

“I was so mad!  Nobody likes diet pop, and it’s not any better for you than normal pop.  I heard it’s even worse.  My friends and I wanted to protest,” said Sophomore Megan Aase.

I think it would make a lot of students happy if BHS brought back the regular soda.  It’s not good for you, but neither are the Little Debbies or chips they sell at lunch, and it is healthier than diet soda.  If the school is really concerned about the health of the student body, then they would change back to regular soda or just put juice or water in the machines.

Buffalo Mock Trial places seventh in State

On Tuesday morning March 10 the Buffalo Mock Trial team left the High School to compete in the State tournament, held in Duluth, MN. Participating team members included Senior Jacob Westman, Senior Micheal Chenowith, Junior Lindy Jensen, Junior Graham Wyatt, Junior Kenzie Haight, Junior Dan Comstock, Sophomore Colm Macnab, Sophomore Micheal Porttin, Sophomore Kassi Williams, Freshman Beth Macnab, and Freshman Zach Marrandino. Coach Mrs. Raymond and Coach Mr. Ronken instrumentally helped guide the team to State.

Buffalo Mock Trial left the High School at 7:45 on March 10, arriving at Duluth around 11:30. They had until 4:00 to get settled and ready for their first trial against Visitation High School.

“You could feel the tension, when we got there we were treated to a lunch and I didn’t really want to eat anything for fear of it coming back up during the trial, said Chenowith. I’m glad I didn’t too, my nerves were crazy during the actual trial, I was pretty nervous, but I’m glad how it all turned out.”

Buffalo began their trial at 4:00 against Visitation, a High School for girls only.

“You know, the trial was amazing, we had new theories and new ideas come at us that had never been heard before and we did excellent, we stayed on our feet and we fought strong, says Westman. I couldn’t have been happier with our performance.”

Buffalo dropped the first ballot by a total of four points and was paired with Canby High School for the next round. Buffalo came out victorious with a 20 point lead over Canby. During both trials Graham Wyatt suffered a severe illness that caused his voice to become hoarse and his face pale.

“He did exceptionally well for being so sick, his performance was amazing, he delivered his closing and examinations perfectly, says Raymond.”

Buffalo competed against Lakeville North in the round before determining who advanced to the final competition, Buffalo’s opening was delivered by Westman, followed by witnesses Chenowith, Macnab, and Jensen, closing arguments were delivered by Wyatt.

“The performances this year at State were the best they had ever been. I was so proud of our performance in each round, I can’t wait for next year, says Raymond.”

Buffalo lost to Lakeville North by one point. Receiving a ballot with Buffalo winning by three and another ballot with Buffalo losing by four.

“It’s a point. But that’s all that matters is that one point, I would have rather lost by 20 points than by one, because that way we wouldn’t have to think about all of the “what ifs,” says Wyatt. Overall though, I’m so happy with what we did this year and how much we achieved, I’m excited for next year now.”

Buffalo Mock Trial had a of 20-0 record in the normal season and including regionals, altogether if you add the Bison’s Mock Trial record for the last three years they are 59-1.

“I have high hopes for next year, says Raymond. With us only losing two seniors this year and 10/12 spots still closed up for returning members who only leave the two remaining seats for new members, I wouldn’t be surprised at some interesting results next year.”

New technology raises ethical questions

On June 29, 2007 the Apple iPhone was released. With it, a multitude of advanced technology all in the reach of one simple click. At first, the iPhone featured multiple applications that could be used to access any  information you desired throughout the World Wide Web.

On July eighth, 2008 the Application store for both the iPhone and the iPod touch was released. An application store on the iPhone gave the user access to a multitude of applications for any desire. You can solve a quadratic equation with three simple clicks, you have the access to a translator for language tests, there’s even a chemistry application that allows you to view the Periodic Table Of Elements and the individual information on each element.

Even before the iPhone there were problems with students cheating with technology. The instant messaging feature on Cellular devices (also known as texting) posed a threat. Causing some schools to ban Cell phones from the grounds.

Schools have banned any form of iPod or cell phone from being used on any test or any in class assignment, but this hasn’t stopped most students from finding a way to get the answers from another source. A website has even published 73 ways to cheat on a test. Along with tips and methods on how to not get caught.                                                   

“I think it’s going to get harder for us to be able to use our iPods and cell phone,” says Sophomore Billy Longstreet. “We probably won’t be allowed to have in technology in school soon.”