Hailey Boisvert
I spend my weekend volunteering at the animal shelter.
Adopt Don’t ShopBY HAILEY BOISVERT
Buying animals from breeders instead of adopting animals is turning into a large problem.
While it can be common to hear of people preaching about adopting animals from shelters, it still remains a problem for those who would rather buy a charming puppy that they see pictures of online from a breeder.
According to The Humane Society of the United States, “2.7 million dogs and cats are euthanized in the United States simply because too many pets come into shelters.” Those 2.7 million pets could have been adopted and the sad truth is that they are only euthanized because they have been in the shelter too long. With increased population of these homeless pets, shelters have to find a way to make room for new animals, inevitably leading to the deaths of many others. Most people are unaware that buying puppies from breeders have a high chance that the litter is coming from a puppy mill. By adopting, a helpless life is saved. A valuable, compassionate and sincere life. A life that most likely was abused, neglected and not loved. While these animals may have had a rough past, they should be given more love because not everyone is perfect. It is important to remember that all they want is to be loved. All animals want a home, a family maybe, or even a new friend. They want what so many people and other pets do not realize they have: the luxury of love. The animal that is adopted, whether it be a cat or dog, will finally find a loving home and by leaving the shelter, will make room for another animal that is suffering in the world. Shalen Gray, a senior at Bigfork and owner of a rescued 4 year-old pitbull said “I think it’s important to adopt animals because there are lots of animals out there that get abandoned.” While some may take it the wrong way, this article was not written to make pet owners who adopt feel bad, but rather to raise awareness that ignoring pets in shelters is a real problem. By raising awareness, maybe some of those 2.7 million pets will be able to find sympathetic homes to finally feel loved in. Asbestos Is the Best For UsBY HAILEY BOISVERT
Asbestos findings within the school cause an earlier outing for all. All students will now be let out of school the same time as the seniors.
Asbestos has been a conversation starter since the beginning to mid-part of the school year. The unconventional citrusy smell in the halls was blamed upon this hidden culprit. Dr. David Sugarbaker, a mesothelioma expert, said “The asbestos findings within the school are unsafe and unfit for children to be learning in, and the more asbestos that they are breathing in the greater chances they have of getting lung cancer.” Breathing in asbestos carries asbestos fibers into the lower regions in the lungs resulting in lung cancer or mesothelioma.
Due to the testing of asbestos levels done since construction started, students will now be released from school at the same time as the seniors. The conditions are going to become worse as the weather gets hotter because the gases will shift at faster rates. Bigfork High School is doing as much as it can to prevent this issue from becoming a large nuisance on the school’s reputation. The Montana Athletic Club’s equipment that is often used by members of the Bigfork community. Staying motivated when starting to work out can be a challenge but only if you make it that way.
March 2017
Say Yes to Yoga!BY HAILEY BOISVERT
Yoga is practiced by many people all over the world. But, what does yoga really do for a person? Yoga is not only used to become more aware of the mind, but also the body. Although, there are mental benefits. These include being able to manage stress better, sharpening concentration, creating mental clarity, and centering attention which all high schoolers could use a little bit of. It also has a positive impact on a person’s overall health.
Flexibility is increased and can make it easier for joints to move through their full range of motion; more flexibility means less risk of injury. Yoga increases muscle strength and also tones the body leading to weight loss. Jordan Nelson, a sophomore said, “ Yoga is great for athletes, it is very beneficial to their muscles and minds.” The spine is more protected when a person does yoga and posture is made better. Yoga helps to maintain the nervous system as well as give a better night’s rest. The immune system gets a helpful boost from the yoga practice too. Partaking in yoga does not just benefit you, it can also benefit the relationships going on around you. Give yoga a try: you might enjoy it and find peace and positivity. |
Pictured is Norbert, at the Humane Society of Northwest Montana also known as the Charlotte-Adkins Adoption Center. The center has helped many animals find their forever homes.
Pictured is Theo, at the Humane Society of Northwest Montana also known as the Charlotte-Adkins Adoption Center. The center has helped many animals find their forever homes.
A door at BHS shows no unauthorized personnel are allowed. Behind closed doors the asbestos case is starting to affect the school.
You Do Not Have to Workout
But here is why you should!
BY HAILEY BOISVERT
Finding the motivation to work out and stick with it can feel like a demanding burden on top of your shoulders, and not the kind easily bench-pressed away. Working out and being consistent with it leaves the body with an overall feeling of accomplishment. Junior Drayson Heingartner stays consistent with going to the gym by “using the mirrors to see how [he] needs to continue to improve himself.”
A large and possibly obvious piece of advice would be to stay hydrated. Hydration helps to build muscle and makes sure necessary nutrients can be transported throughout the body. To stay consistent with going to the gym, take a friend that will provide motivation for the task at hand. Freshman Wyatt Reichenbach gives the tip to “not overdo a workout or push yourself further than your body can go.” Pushing the body too hard or too fast can result in injury and/or pain. Try new and creative workouts. These can be found on social media or online where there are tons of people sharing their workouts. Cardio is an essential part of every good workout. Cardio can help with weight loss and building stronger bones and muscles. It is also a great way to gain better confidence. If going to the gym daily is a struggle, there are plenty of at home workouts that do just as much for the body as gym equipment. Working out is an excellent idea for those trying to better themselves mentally, physically and emotionally. Yoga can be beneficial to the mind and body. Leave all your negative energy and thoughts behind and exchange them for positivity.
Zoe Reichner (sophomore) can be seen using her flexible back to complete a handstand. Handstands are a great yoga pose for strength.
|
BY HAILEY BOISVERT
Vertical Divider
Everybody is beautiful in their own way! Embrace the differences that set you apart.
|
Self-confidence is an achievable goal. Love yourself and the beautiful body you were given.
Self-confidence can be a struggle for a lot of people. They feel weighed down by aspects about themselves. Maybe it is acne, scars or a beauty mark. Of course, in society nowadays it can be hard to feel confident in your own skin. Models on posters seem to be perfect because photoshop that has the ability to make the extra weight or an early morning pimple disappear.
It is important to remember that the photoshopped face and body on that bulletin board or in the magazine you are reading, is not real. Jordan Nelson gives the advice, “do not complain for 24 hours and see how your life changes.” Love yourself because self-love is not selfish. Love is something that most people want to feel, but they can find that in loving themselves first. Self-love is empowering and essential. Everybody deserves to have their confidence radiate off of them in a way that will touch others. Self-confidence and self-love are beautiful and because everybody is beautiful in their own way, they are already closer to confidence and love than they thought. The less you think about those imperfections, they will matter less and have no control over you anymore. Love yourself and embrace your imperfections; you will find rejuvenation in once again loving yourself. Becoming confident in yourself will help your overall happiness rise. |
BY HAILEY BOISVERT
Sophomore Shalen Gray looks into the hazy grey future. Little does she know making the new semester more enjoyable is a breeze.
January 2017
|
With winter break coming to an end, it can be hard to get back into the swing of things during the new year. The previous year just ended and a new one is already beginning. If you made New Year's resolutions, try to stick with them! Maybe you want to work out or read more or maybe spend more time with your loved ones. Shalen Gray, a sophomore at Bigfork High School, said “I plan to save up enough money to fly back to Florida and visit my family.”
Sticking to these resolutions will help bring a feeling of accomplishment. Drinking more water will not only flush out toxins, but relieve the feeling of tiredness and help treat headaches and migraines. Starting to adjust sleep schedules and getting a full night's rest will be very rewarding when waking up early for school is an everyday kind of task. Aim to get all homework and projects finished at the earliest time. This will relieve stress and give up more free time for other activities. All in all, the New Year depends entirely on you and how committed you are willing to be. |
Jaclyn Saunders (pictured left) and Zoe Reichner (right) jumping for the joy of having friends to enjoy the outdoors with. You might be more encouraged to get outside if you can be with your friends.
|
Vertical Divider
Snowmen may seem very generic around the wintertime, but there are plenty of different ways to change them up. To get started, snow is needed of course, but it works much better, if it is packing snow. It shapes the snowman’s body better and is more sturdy to build onto. There are three levels to a snowman, but there can be more or less depending on preferences. The three levels are created by first creating a snowball and then rolling it bigger and bigger to the desired size preference. Remi Carie, a sophomore at Bigfork High school, prefers to “just add a face” to his snowman.
The final touches on the snowman are done in whatever order is chosen. If you would like to create a classic snowman, choose a carrot for the nose, stick arms, two eyes that can be made from coal or buttons, you can also add buttons to the mouth and down the torso of the snowman. Making a snowman can be a good reason to get outside and enjoy the outdoors. |
School lunches are enjoyed or endured by kids all over the world. Even though they're all under the “school lunch” category they are still different. Different foods are served within the lunch depending on the country and what they believe is good nutrition for kids. There are usually several options for students to choose from when deciding on what to eat for lunch. There is a main item that they have for the day and then they have foods like salads and vegetables for a healthier choice. Most people pack their lunch because they are able to choose what they are eating and there are more options to choose from at home. However, Kainin LaFontaine, a freshman at BHS eats the school lunches everyday. He says “the lunches are repetitive” and he “buys two lunches because only one doesn’t fill [him] up.” Students can bring snacks and they’ve made plenty of meals into little microwavable containers for people to take in their lunch. Sometimes if you do not get to the lunch line fast enough, it is harder for you to be able to what you planned on getting and you may lack the nutrients you needed from that lunch. School lunches in other countries seem to be (from the pictures of lunches around the world) big and satiating. They have the necessary vegetables, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates you should be getting. But when a picture of an American school lunch comes up it barely fills the plate. It has chicken nuggets and a cookie that is bigger than the section of vegetables. November/December 2016
Healthy Holiday Binging Alternatives |
A lunch at Bigfork High School. Bigfork High School has healthy options but portions are not very large in this dish.
Why is it that American school lunches are viewed this way? Maybe because we have a very high rate of obesity. But, it could be that obesity is caused by this lack of supplied nutrients that are in school lunches. We can help make our school lunches more enjoyable for all children. They need to see that healthy foods can taste good and be enjoyed. This starts with teaching good nutrition and showing them how they can make better food decisions. If we do this maybe next time they’ll choose the salad over the greasy piece of pizza.
|
With the holidays coming up at a rapid speed, there is, of course, going to be some unhealthy binging. You may think that binging is not healthy at all no matter what it is you are binging on. That can be true but there is usually a healthier alternative to the food you are about to chow down. Instead of having those caramelized yams that some people can’t get enough of, try sweet potatoes. Half a cup of caramelized yams has 215 calories while oven roasted sweet potatoes with some olive or canola oil only have 100 calories.
Avoid the dark meat turkey and instead have the white meat turkey. Instead of having pecan pie have some pumpkin pie. There can tend to be a lot of brown sugar and/or corn syrup in the pecan pie. One of Glacier National Parks 12 glaciers resonates in East Glacier. This glacier is expected to be gone by 2030.
|
If you really don’t want to drop your favorites foods around the holidays or change them there are ways to binge and help the feeling afterward be less hard on your body. Detoxing your body after an unhealthy binge can be fairly simple. Have a lot of fluids such as water or warm tea in the morning. Start with eating protein and non-starchy vegetables and then slowly progress during the week to fruits and dairy, starches, and finish the week off with a light meal. You can make the unhealthy foods healthy during the holidays just by changing some ingredients in the recipe to fit into your healthy regimen. Holidays are meant to be a time of joy so don’t overthink the whole binging idea. You can binge your heart out, but you’ll have to detox your system and try to get it back to normal for a little while. October 2016
Glacier Gone by 2030?BY HAILEY BOISVERT
Glacier National Park (GNP) is only 45 miles away from Bigfork, Montana. The park is known for its glaciers made up of ice, snow, water and sediment as well as the many wildlife. There are only 12 glaciers left in the park; there used to be 150. Some believe that it is because of climate change. Research data that has been taken of the glaciers shows that climate change is a factor. Mr. Hans Bodenhammer, an Earth Science teacher who cares about the environment says, “ We don’t know enough to fully understand the whole problem.” He believes we should start doing something to help the environment and the animals who make GNP their home. Bats, wolverines, and ptarmigans, as well as other animals, need the glacial environment. There are things that the human race can do to slow down climate change but we cannot stop it since it has already started. A good idea would be for you to go visit the park and see the glaciers for yourself and witness the history that was made there before it is all gone.
|