The Blue & Gold Unwind: Dealing with Stress and Anxiety

by Katie Hull

Everybody deals with stress. I do too. I have an incredibly stressful life that sometimes overwhelm me. I have a job, go to school, deal with the stresses of having a social life and extra-curricular activities. It is normal to be stressed, it is okay to be stressed. It is okay to have a screaming all day breakdown. Don’t stay there. There are ways where you can find help; you can find outlets for this stress and you can find people who will help you and listen to you.

I had a lot of responses from my “How do you deal with stress and anxiety?” poll on Instagram this week. Thank you to all of those that did. One of the main responses I got was journaling and writing. Many people said that they feel better after they write down all of the stress they are feeling and why they think they feel this way. Another person said something similar, they make to do list so whatever they are stressed about they can figure out how to handle it one at a time. A few responses said that they cry or hold it all inside. Crying is a perfectly healthy way to let out your emotions and I fully support you. Holding it all inside is not a healthy way to deal with stress. I understand that you don’t want to hurt anyone but the people who love you the most will want to help you get through these things. You need to let it out.

Music. Music is a great way to block out the world and other people for a little while. It can also help some people to accomplish their work faster and better. Find a playlist that helps you release all these built-up emotions.

Another way is set aside some time for yourself. Spend at least ten minutes every day doing something you love. Reading, playing video games, singing, watching a movie, or talking with your friends, do something that makes you happy. Basically try to spend time doing something that gets you away from all of these stressful situations. The end of the term is almost over and fourth term can be a fresh start. You can do it. Summer is gonna be here before you know it.

School Shootings: What’s the solution?

by Katie Hull

Image via Washington Times

As school shootings happen more and more frequently, people are looking harder and harder for different solutions to the problem. Most of the time people disagree with the one and agree with the other and so nothing is happening. It’s almost impossible to come up with a solution that pleases everybody. But something needs to be done. Innocent people are getting mowed down for no logical purpose. It needs to stop. A few of the most popular ideas brought up to solve this problem is stricter gun control laws, arming teachers with guns, arming schools with security guards and encouraging more mental health awareness. The most heavily topics debated are the first three. Most people seem to agree that there needs to be more mental health awareness. But no one is doing anything to accomplish this.

At this point in time, gun control laws are pretty relaxed. It is not difficult to get a gun, not even a military grade gun. The process does not require very intimate scannings. And it is fairly simple for someone to legally purchase a gun with mental health problems or a vendetta . There are twelve states where you allowed to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. Some states you can get a AR-15 in a matter of 15 minutes. You can walk in, fill out some paperwork, and walk out with a weapon capable of a mass shooting. Most of the time you are required to do a background check, but this doesn’t prevent someone planning an attack. The Parkland Florida school shooting ended up with 17 people dead. The gun was purchased legally. The Sante Fe Texas school shooting resulted with 10 dead and 13 injured. The gun was purchased legally. More than 75% of the guns that are used in mass shootings are purchased legally. Nothing has changed. Gun laws have not gotten stricter. It is no harder to get a gun than it was 5 years ago.

Arming schools are another way that is brought up to solve these problems. President Trump suggested this himself. This would mean giving teachers guns so that they can defend their students and protect themselves. Some people agree that this is the best way because you would be fighting fire with fire. There are many people that disagree because they are worried about the immaturity of students. They are worried that the guns would be easily accessible. If this were to happen, the government would have to pay for all of these guns, as well as provide basic firearm training for the teachers. If the government were you able to get the guns on a discounted price the least it would be is 180 million dollars. If they weren’t able to get the guns on a discounted price, the price would be closer to 1 billion dollars including ammunition, training, and the guns.

Increasing security at schools could be considered the middle ground between these other two ideas. It doesn’t make stricter gun laws and it doesn’t put students in classrooms with guns. metal detectors are something that are commonly discussed when talking about increasing security in schools. The government has come out and said that if schools were to look at getting metal detectors a reasonably priced one would be approximately $4,000 to $5,000. If this also includes a security guard, they usually are about $10 to $12 an hour. So for the security guard to be there for a week, all day, this would be about $2,000. Of course, some people still believe that this would not stop a determined shooter. But is it worth it to make the kids feel safer, as well as the parents feel safer?

Rockwell can be the change. We can use our voices to inspire change. We can be a fighting force instead of laying down and watching these shootings happen. You can make a difference. Speak out against these injustices.

One Can Can Make a Difference

by Sierra Maldonado

Rockwell Charter High School is doing a food drive for local families that need food for Thanksgiving.

There are more than 2,000 homeless people across the state of Utah. Donating even just one can of food can help someone not go hungry this holiday season.

How it works: Beginning tomorrow, November 7, there will be a box for each grade to donate their cans in the library. When you donate, the librarian will have you count your cans and fill out a can to hang up on the poster in the hallway. The grade with the most cans donated will win a pizza party!

It’s not just canned food you can donate. We accept other non-perishable food items, as well. Here are a few ideas of things you can bring:

– Canned beans
– Canned soup
– Canned fruits
– Canned vegetables
– Canned meat
– Cereal
– Rice
– Peanut Butter
– Pasta

These are things that food banks need the most, but any and all non-perishable food donations are welcome. If every student donates just 5 cans of food, we will have almost 2,500 cans of food to donate! Let’s help people in our community have a memorable Thanksgiving.

The canned food drive begins tomorrow, November 7, and ends Friday, November 16.

Athletes of Rockwell: Lady Marshals defeat UMA in home opener

by Sidney Bernabeu | Marshal Magazine |

Both girls Varsity and JV teams defeated the Utah Military Academy Monday.

Varsity won 55-20. They came onto the court well prepared and ready to win.

The team is mostly made up of new girls this year but, as the team showed against UMA, they know what it takes to be a good team.

“It was a really great game,” said sophomore Brie Searle. “We worked as a team. We had really good team effort and we all worked with each other.”

The JV team won 42-7, and they were also up for the challenge of winning. Although this group of girls just started playing together, they are prepared to win and their season looks promising.

Junior high basketball teams find first win of the season Monday

by Alyssa Smith and Sidney Bernabeu | Marshal Magazine |

The junior high boys and girls basketball teams took their first wins of the season against Ascent Lehi Monday night. 

Both teams have great team chemistry and stayed positive throughout the game.

“I feel like our team worked really hard and deserved the win,” said boys point guard Tyler Smith.

The boys are continuing to improve as the season goes on, and now is their chance to start a winning streak.

The junior high girls also crushed Acsent 45-27 Monday night. They started out and finished the game strong. They knew their plays and were prepared to win.

The girls showed their dedication throughout the game. As the other team started gaining points, they stepped up their game and played harder than the other team. The girls have fun while playing and work great as a team.

They work hard and are ready for a great season.

Teachers of Rockwell: Jacob Hampton

by Kaylee Birnbaum | Marshal Magazine |

Jacob Hampton is a new teacher at Rockwell this year. He teaches English 11 and Intro to Film. Students have gotten to know and love the way he contributes to our school.

“I love when my students and I can joke together,” Hampton said. “Telling people what to do all day is taxing, so it’s nice when we can all forget about that dynamic for a minute and just laugh together.”

Hampton attended UVU, got a black belt in karate when he was 12, and secretly wishes he had mind reading powers. He has a passion for film and has written for UVU’s newspaper, worked as a film critic for a website called Rogue Auteurs, and even had his own band in high school called Juice Box. They won Orem High School’s Battle of the Bands in 2011 and continued to advance to the state level of competition. Music and movies have always been a big part of Hampton’s life.

Becoming a teacher is something in which Hampton finds great fulfillment.

“I wanted to become a teacher because I love being able to share things I’m passionate about with others in ways that help them learn,” Hampton said.

Hampton works hard in what he does and always has the students’ interests in mind. Helping students is what he loves to do.

To those wanting to become a teacher, Hampton says to have a thick skin.

“Don’t worry,” Hampton said. “Not all the kids who act like they hate you actually do.”

Rockwell is glad to have Hampton as a member of the team.

Change Wars: Donate to a local family in need

Student government hosted an assembly Thursday afternoon encouraging students, teachers, and faculty, to participate in this year’s Change Wars event.

“This is the kickoff for a fun service challenge for the whole school including us as faculty and staff members,” said principal Darren Beck. “Over the 9 years we have done this, we have provided meaningful holiday cheer to about 2 dozen families.”

Change Wars is a competition taking place from now through December. Jars

representing each grade can be found in the front office. Students may place pennies in their own grade’s jar to earn points, or they can choose to “bomb” other grades with dollar bills, deducting points from the “bombed” grade’s score.

At the conclusion of the bombing period, all money will be counted and points will be calculated based on how many pennies and how many other coins/dollar bills are in the jars. The winning grade will receive a pizza party during Mentoring.

 

“Hopefully we will get people motivated so we can do some good this year,” said Beck.

Holiday Night Live performs skit at Change Wars Assembly.

The assembly featured the high school orchestra as they performed the Star Spangled Banner. The high school girls and boys basketball teams, the junior high girls and boys basketball teams, the indoor soccer team, and the cast and crew of Holiday Night Live were also featured.
Ultimately, the assembly was filled with energy. Marshals felt the excitement of the coming basketball season, which starts December 1 with the Homecoming game, followed by the Homecoming dance the next day. Tickets are $15 per single ticket or $25 per couple.

3 Tips for Conquering Senioritis

by Kaylee Birnbaum | Marshal Magazine |

1)  Keep yourself healthy – Health is the key here. When you’re healthy, you’re feeling better, and when you’re feeling better, you will be more focused. Make sure you are going to bed at a decent hour and eating nice healthy meals throughout the day. When you wake up after a good night’s rest, you will feel fresh and ready to tackle another day.

2) Get involved – You’re not going to be in high school for much longer, so you might as well make the most of it now. Join clubs or teams that you are interested in and enjoy. “Being on the baseball team has kept me motivated to do my schoolwork,” said Keegan Beck, Rockwell Senior. It’s very easy to overlook these things, but it’s important to keep in mind that you may never have opportunities like this again.

3) Don’t work hard, work really hard – This is your last chance to prove to colleges that you are motivated and determined. You have gone to school almost all of your life, don’t give up now when you’re already at the end. One more year compared to 12 is a piece of cake. “You have to keep the end goal in mind when focusing on your future,” said Mya Salinas from Rockwell Charter High School. “My supportive teachers have really helped me a lot.”

Volleyball starts strong against Waterford

Rockwell’s volleyball team played a tough match against Waterford at home Thursday. Despite their strong start to each match, both the JV and Varsity Lady Marshals went home without a win.

“There is definitely lots of improvement,” said varsity coach Jason. “Things have definitely gotten a lot better since the start of the season.”

Both JV and Varsity girls worked together throughout the games.

“I love the excitement and bonding we have as a team,” said freshman Sophie Jaimes. “I think it helps us work together.”

The Lady Marshals are excited to play this season and are looking forward to the joys that come with playing the game.

“I love the thrill of the game and the feeling of hitting the ball,” said sophomore Cassandra Nelson. “It’s rewarding every time.”

Coach Jason is a new coach this year and is excited to coach because of his passion for the game.

“I started playing 20 years ago as outside hitter,” Jason said. “I love volleyball and can’t wait to see what we can do here at Rockwell.”

Teachers of Rockwell: Stephanie Christensen

Rockwell Charter High School’s very own special education teacher, Stephanie Christensen, has made a huge impact on the special needs program.

She works very hard in what she does to accommodate all of her students and their individual needs.

“Challenges do arise, just as they would with regular education students,” Christensen said.

Special Education teaching is something she has always been interested in.

“My brother is special needs, and because of that I knew that I wanted to become a teacher,” Christensen said. “Special needs children and adults are often misunderstood.”

Christensen says that since becoming a teacher, she has learned a lot.

“I have lots of compassion for people who struggle and the desire to help them.”

Rockwell is lucky to have a teacher like Christensen.