You Never Think the Last Time is the Last Time
Melody Esparza
Co-Editor-in-Chief
"You never think the last time is the last time. You think there will be more. You think you have forever but you don’t.” This quote from Grey’s Anatomy has never felt more true. Recently, we lost such an incredible, young individual from our school. Jeremy Sanchez was only 17 years old when he lost his life.
Just last year, we were writing about the JV football team. Jeremy was one of two captains I interviewed. In the specific game I was writing about- the team had started off down- when Jeremy led the team, offensively, towards a comeback, and then a victory. The two captains had shared such excitement to finish off the season, as best as they could, with their teammates. Now, not only has the team lost an incredible player, but a brother, and a great friend.
Jeremy was big, not physically, but in the sense that he had a big heart, a big sense of humor, and left a big impact on all of us. Everyday we can choose to live in our hopelessness, or choose to be more like he was. To be kind, compassionate, relentless, and ultimately, to allow his life to transform us for the better. This is not only a time of grief, but also of readjustment.
Most of us just attended our last prom, as seniors, and it’s heartbreaking to think of all the things he will never get to experience. Tomorrow isn’t promised, and we never know when it will be the last time we see someone. We should take the time to appreciate those around us, and especially, try to be there for those who were/are bullied.
In this day and age, people should feel free to be who they are; and not only that, but they shouldn’t have to fear backlash or danger. It’s not okay to stand by and let bullying happen. If you or someone you know is being bullied, say something. You can always reach out to a friend, an aunt or uncle, or a teacher.
One of the saddest things surrounding this tragic time is that Jeremy was a victim of bullying, and only his close friends really knew. Meaning no action was taken against those who said hurtful things about him or caused him pain, in any way, while he was with us.
Schools can train staff on bullying prevention, and implement activities that teach students about bullying prevention- but ultimately, someone has to speak up to receive the help needed. As long as we live, we’ll remember Jeremy and the ways he positively impacted us, and as we learn from him and his, unfortunately, short life, he’ll live on in spirit, in our hearts, and will- no doubt- always be with us.
Just last year, we were writing about the JV football team. Jeremy was one of two captains I interviewed. In the specific game I was writing about- the team had started off down- when Jeremy led the team, offensively, towards a comeback, and then a victory. The two captains had shared such excitement to finish off the season, as best as they could, with their teammates. Now, not only has the team lost an incredible player, but a brother, and a great friend.
Jeremy was big, not physically, but in the sense that he had a big heart, a big sense of humor, and left a big impact on all of us. Everyday we can choose to live in our hopelessness, or choose to be more like he was. To be kind, compassionate, relentless, and ultimately, to allow his life to transform us for the better. This is not only a time of grief, but also of readjustment.
Most of us just attended our last prom, as seniors, and it’s heartbreaking to think of all the things he will never get to experience. Tomorrow isn’t promised, and we never know when it will be the last time we see someone. We should take the time to appreciate those around us, and especially, try to be there for those who were/are bullied.
In this day and age, people should feel free to be who they are; and not only that, but they shouldn’t have to fear backlash or danger. It’s not okay to stand by and let bullying happen. If you or someone you know is being bullied, say something. You can always reach out to a friend, an aunt or uncle, or a teacher.
One of the saddest things surrounding this tragic time is that Jeremy was a victim of bullying, and only his close friends really knew. Meaning no action was taken against those who said hurtful things about him or caused him pain, in any way, while he was with us.
Schools can train staff on bullying prevention, and implement activities that teach students about bullying prevention- but ultimately, someone has to speak up to receive the help needed. As long as we live, we’ll remember Jeremy and the ways he positively impacted us, and as we learn from him and his, unfortunately, short life, he’ll live on in spirit, in our hearts, and will- no doubt- always be with us.
When Are You an Adult?
Alondra Guevara
Co-Editor-in-Chief
Teens start becoming treated as adults at the age of 18, in 47 states, but is that the correct age for this? Although that is the age a lot of people consider teens to be adults, there is still some cases where there is an exception, and there shouldn’t be or the age should be changed. Not just because people can vote at the age of 18 means that they are fully aware of what they do, or maybe they are.
For example, teens are allowed to vote, which is choosing the future of our country, however they are not allowed to buy alcoholic beverages until the age of 21. How is that even fair for them to have the fate of the country in their hands at just 18 years old. Another thing to keep in mind is that some teens are treated as adults if they commit serious crimes, even if they aren’t 18 yet. If the age of adulthood is really 18, then we should stick to that rule and not change it during certain cases.
There are various studies claiming that the brain of a female is fully developed starting as early as the age 14 all the way to 19 being the latest. On the other hand, males’ brains fully develop from age 21 and at the latest age 25. This makes people question why the age 18 is the one chosen for adulthood when the ages are completely different for both genders. Age 25 is too old for males to not know entirely the consequences of their actions. I agree in the age of adulthood being younger. But again as mentioned before in certain cases the ages for being treated as an adult should not be moved around. As for girls the age 18 does fall in the range of what the studies suggest.
Turning 18, becoming an “adult”, is a huge milestone for a lot of teens because they are finally allowed to do “whatever” they want, or that's what they think. A lot of teens look forward to this age because they want to move out and they feel like they’re not obligated to follow their parents rules anymore. The 18th birthday being around the corner becomes an open door of excitement and thrill to those who have always been isolated from “fun”. Nevertheless, teens turning 18 now have to look out for themselves and will now be held accountable for any destructive actions they commit. There will definitely be no cutting slack. Parents will no longer be in charge of teens, and they now, being 18 are in full responsibility of themselves.
The mentality of finally being 18 may seem amazing, and exciting, but something that is not taken into account is that if they decide to be independent, they literally have to be dependent on themselves only. No fooling around, no second chances, nothing involved being treated like a child will be allowed, and that is where many will realize that turning 18 is not all about being free, the fun life, or being careless. Turning 18 is just the beginning and about actual life, it will be just the beginning of life itself.
For example, teens are allowed to vote, which is choosing the future of our country, however they are not allowed to buy alcoholic beverages until the age of 21. How is that even fair for them to have the fate of the country in their hands at just 18 years old. Another thing to keep in mind is that some teens are treated as adults if they commit serious crimes, even if they aren’t 18 yet. If the age of adulthood is really 18, then we should stick to that rule and not change it during certain cases.
There are various studies claiming that the brain of a female is fully developed starting as early as the age 14 all the way to 19 being the latest. On the other hand, males’ brains fully develop from age 21 and at the latest age 25. This makes people question why the age 18 is the one chosen for adulthood when the ages are completely different for both genders. Age 25 is too old for males to not know entirely the consequences of their actions. I agree in the age of adulthood being younger. But again as mentioned before in certain cases the ages for being treated as an adult should not be moved around. As for girls the age 18 does fall in the range of what the studies suggest.
Turning 18, becoming an “adult”, is a huge milestone for a lot of teens because they are finally allowed to do “whatever” they want, or that's what they think. A lot of teens look forward to this age because they want to move out and they feel like they’re not obligated to follow their parents rules anymore. The 18th birthday being around the corner becomes an open door of excitement and thrill to those who have always been isolated from “fun”. Nevertheless, teens turning 18 now have to look out for themselves and will now be held accountable for any destructive actions they commit. There will definitely be no cutting slack. Parents will no longer be in charge of teens, and they now, being 18 are in full responsibility of themselves.
The mentality of finally being 18 may seem amazing, and exciting, but something that is not taken into account is that if they decide to be independent, they literally have to be dependent on themselves only. No fooling around, no second chances, nothing involved being treated like a child will be allowed, and that is where many will realize that turning 18 is not all about being free, the fun life, or being careless. Turning 18 is just the beginning and about actual life, it will be just the beginning of life itself.