EDITORIAL
Light Pollution and its Negative Impacts
By Mylee Mejia
By Mylee Mejia
When we were younger a lot of us may have stared up at the glistening stars in wonder, but have you taken a look at the sky lately? If you have, you’ll see that there is not a lot of stars to look at. We have all heard of air pollution, water pollution, and land pollution, but have you heard of light pollution? Light pollution is the cause for the recently starless skies.
Light pollution is the excessive use of artificial outdoor light. It's caused by outdoor lights, billboards, and streetlights. So, what harm can some artificial light really do to our environment? Light pollution affects people, wildlife, and the atmosphere.
Artificial light affects us by disrupting our sleep. The more light increases the lower our melatonin production is. This may not seem like a big deal but low melatonin production causes sleep deprivation, fatigue, headaches, stress, anxiety, and many other health problems.
Light pollution also has a big effect on wildlife. Artificial lights can attract organisms such as frogs, moths, and even sea turtles, causing them to enter environments unsuitable to their needs. Sea turtle hatchlings more often than not follow artificial light. This confuses them into thinking they’re heading into the beach, the lights lead them in the opposite direction causing them to die. The brightness and glare of the lights is what can lead the hatchling astray. Light pollution also affects wildlife and can impact their growth, migration, reproduction, body coloration, and diapause in insects, mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles. Animals that thrive in dark conditions are also effected by light pollution.
How we can prevent light pollution from getting worse is by reducing the amount of decorative lighting, turning off lights when not being used, trying not to drive at night often, turning lights downwards when going outside, using motion detector lights, colored lights, and avoiding using blue lights at night. It's crazy how light can have such a huge impact on the environment and the wildlife.
Everything we do has consequences, and the consequence for using extra lights and the desire for well-lit areas is not only hurting us but our wildlife. In order to decrease light pollution everyone should reduce the amount of decorative lighting they use, turn off lights when not in use, and limit night drives. Things like facing outdoor lighting downward and the use of motion sensor and colored lights are things that can be done to reduce light pollution.
Light pollution is the excessive use of artificial outdoor light. It's caused by outdoor lights, billboards, and streetlights. So, what harm can some artificial light really do to our environment? Light pollution affects people, wildlife, and the atmosphere.
Artificial light affects us by disrupting our sleep. The more light increases the lower our melatonin production is. This may not seem like a big deal but low melatonin production causes sleep deprivation, fatigue, headaches, stress, anxiety, and many other health problems.
Light pollution also has a big effect on wildlife. Artificial lights can attract organisms such as frogs, moths, and even sea turtles, causing them to enter environments unsuitable to their needs. Sea turtle hatchlings more often than not follow artificial light. This confuses them into thinking they’re heading into the beach, the lights lead them in the opposite direction causing them to die. The brightness and glare of the lights is what can lead the hatchling astray. Light pollution also affects wildlife and can impact their growth, migration, reproduction, body coloration, and diapause in insects, mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles. Animals that thrive in dark conditions are also effected by light pollution.
How we can prevent light pollution from getting worse is by reducing the amount of decorative lighting, turning off lights when not being used, trying not to drive at night often, turning lights downwards when going outside, using motion detector lights, colored lights, and avoiding using blue lights at night. It's crazy how light can have such a huge impact on the environment and the wildlife.
Everything we do has consequences, and the consequence for using extra lights and the desire for well-lit areas is not only hurting us but our wildlife. In order to decrease light pollution everyone should reduce the amount of decorative lighting they use, turn off lights when not in use, and limit night drives. Things like facing outdoor lighting downward and the use of motion sensor and colored lights are things that can be done to reduce light pollution.
Eastwood High from a Parent's Perspective
By Lucinda Hardin-Espinoza
By Lucinda Hardin-Espinoza
In order to keep up a good reputation, schools will often survey their students in order to ensure a positive, safe learning environment. The Ysleta Independent School District surveys students every other month, but what about the parents? This article will provide insight into the perspective of Eastwood that parents have, more specifically, freshman parents. Being new to the Eastwood community gives them a different insight to things other parents may overlook.
“As an alumni, I’m biased and love this school. My daughter begins the 3rd generation of the Cataldi family to attend Eastwood. Our family bleeds blue and gold,” mother of a freshman, Cathy Cataldi, said. “I think Eastwood can create a physical map, especially for incoming freshmen and new students. The one posted on social media was not legible. Other than that everyone has been kind and personable. They are quick to respond to emails. Yes, I like them very much.” In other words, the Cataldi family is pleased with our school and the staff running it. This is the reason why new generations of the Cataldi family and others alike have such a strong love for Eastwood.
Newest member of the Eastwood community, Patty Perez, gives her opinion on Eastwood, “I think it is a great school overall. It’s a good place to have your child in. Academics are very important and have excellent ratings. I think the school can improve on having less students in a class and teachers have more one on one time,” Perez said. “Teachers and staff so far have been good. A few teachers need to focus more on students rather than expecting them to be college ready when they have just started preparing for it.”
Another freshman parent, Heather Hardin, gives her opinion, “Eastwood is a large campus and is a bit overwhelming, but I’m grateful my children have the opportunity to go to school there. The school offers ample opportunity to learn and grow. I think the school could improve on a better map of the school. They need to create one that is readable and clear to understand. The classrooms numbered in order would be very helpful too. The communication between parents and students and their counselor also needs improvement,” she said. “Regarding teachers and staff, I have had a positive experience with the teachers. I appreciate the librarian and her eagerness to encourage students to read. Also, I like the use of the Remind app instead of emails.”
The last parent interviewed is Ivette Maldonado-Rodriguez, also a mother of a freshman. “I like the new campus. Eastwood seems to be a healthy environment for our teens. On the contrary, I think the school needs to improve on communication with parents. Teachers and staff need to work on communication with the parents, not only with emails or text messages, but they also need to listen to the parents.”
All in all, Eastwood seems to be doing a great job. Teachers, admin, and the librarians are doing an amazing job giving students the best Eastwood experience and education possible. Legible maps of the school and communication between parents and teachers are something the school can improve on. Working together as a Trooper family is the key to a successful experience for both parents and students.
“As an alumni, I’m biased and love this school. My daughter begins the 3rd generation of the Cataldi family to attend Eastwood. Our family bleeds blue and gold,” mother of a freshman, Cathy Cataldi, said. “I think Eastwood can create a physical map, especially for incoming freshmen and new students. The one posted on social media was not legible. Other than that everyone has been kind and personable. They are quick to respond to emails. Yes, I like them very much.” In other words, the Cataldi family is pleased with our school and the staff running it. This is the reason why new generations of the Cataldi family and others alike have such a strong love for Eastwood.
Newest member of the Eastwood community, Patty Perez, gives her opinion on Eastwood, “I think it is a great school overall. It’s a good place to have your child in. Academics are very important and have excellent ratings. I think the school can improve on having less students in a class and teachers have more one on one time,” Perez said. “Teachers and staff so far have been good. A few teachers need to focus more on students rather than expecting them to be college ready when they have just started preparing for it.”
Another freshman parent, Heather Hardin, gives her opinion, “Eastwood is a large campus and is a bit overwhelming, but I’m grateful my children have the opportunity to go to school there. The school offers ample opportunity to learn and grow. I think the school could improve on a better map of the school. They need to create one that is readable and clear to understand. The classrooms numbered in order would be very helpful too. The communication between parents and students and their counselor also needs improvement,” she said. “Regarding teachers and staff, I have had a positive experience with the teachers. I appreciate the librarian and her eagerness to encourage students to read. Also, I like the use of the Remind app instead of emails.”
The last parent interviewed is Ivette Maldonado-Rodriguez, also a mother of a freshman. “I like the new campus. Eastwood seems to be a healthy environment for our teens. On the contrary, I think the school needs to improve on communication with parents. Teachers and staff need to work on communication with the parents, not only with emails or text messages, but they also need to listen to the parents.”
All in all, Eastwood seems to be doing a great job. Teachers, admin, and the librarians are doing an amazing job giving students the best Eastwood experience and education possible. Legible maps of the school and communication between parents and teachers are something the school can improve on. Working together as a Trooper family is the key to a successful experience for both parents and students.
Trans Youth Belong
By Jacob Beckett
By Jacob Beckett
In 2022 alone, legislation attacking the lives of trans people has reached its highest numbers with more than 155 bills being introduced in state houses according to the ACLU. With a legislation increase of over 800% since 2018, the target of all these attacks by lawmakers have been primarily that of transgender youth.
Earlier this year in Texas, current Governor Greg Abbott ordered the Texas child protection agency to investigate the families of transitioning transgender children. That same day, a 16-year-old transgender boy attempted suicide as a result of these orders, a lawsuit alleges. In another incident, a 13-year-old transgender boy was pulled out of class to an hourlong interview with state agencies that left the boy shaking and distressed, another court document stated. Most recently, Texas families such as that of Katie, a Texas mom, fled the state after her 15-year-old transgender son had lost access to gender-affirming healthcare in light of said orders. “It was hard to stay in one piece and not break down on everything,” her son stated.
It has become increasingly alarming that legislators and states across the country such as Texas have inserted themselves at the table when it comes to private healthcare decisions between families and their healthcare providers. But as state representatives proclaim to be “pro-life”, they still actively choose to ignore data and major medical associations representing millions of doctors that call for life-saving age-appropriate gender-affirming care for transgender folks. As a result, these states have produced medical refugees and outcomes of agony for trans-youth. In fact, 82% of transgender people have contemplated suicide with suicidality highest among youth. Lawmakers cannot proclaim care for life when they are actively passing legislation that is contrary to well established standards of care that go against the mere existence of these children.
Oftentimes, lawmakers legislate with no understanding on gender-affirmative healthcare. Transitioning does not always and only encapsulate medical intervention and looks drastically different for each individual. No medical interventions that have permanent effects happen until said transgender individual is old enough to truly provide informed consent. Transitioning in youth can often appear merely in the form of social changes, whether that’s changing one’s name, clothing or hairstyle depending on what is of best interest of the child determined by therapists, parents and healthcare providers. With these decisions having certain standards and being carefully thought out, with months of therapy and paperwork to look forward to, there is no reason legislators should be stripping away access to care for youth who truly need it.
At a time when states such as Texas are confronted with real and urgent problems such as fixing its electrical power grid, addressing gun policy and sustaining livable incomes for its educators, lawmakers continue to turn their back on these pressing issues and instead insist that the most troubling issue of the time is kids who want to live and be themselves.
As Kai Shappley, an 11-year-old transgender-girl, who has become nationally recognized for her advocacy work defending herself in front of the Texas legislation puts it: “Texas legislators have been attacking me since pre-K. I am in fourth grade.. Please, at least give us a break.”
Kai has since left the state after fighting anti-trans bills since she was 5-years-old. There is no reason whatsoever for children and kids to be fighting to prove their very own existence inside a state capitol, it is unfathomable and cruel. These children deserve a normal childhood focusing on their education, interests, friends and family. If our end goal is to allow kids to be kids, let them exist freely and let us embrace who they are.
Earlier this year in Texas, current Governor Greg Abbott ordered the Texas child protection agency to investigate the families of transitioning transgender children. That same day, a 16-year-old transgender boy attempted suicide as a result of these orders, a lawsuit alleges. In another incident, a 13-year-old transgender boy was pulled out of class to an hourlong interview with state agencies that left the boy shaking and distressed, another court document stated. Most recently, Texas families such as that of Katie, a Texas mom, fled the state after her 15-year-old transgender son had lost access to gender-affirming healthcare in light of said orders. “It was hard to stay in one piece and not break down on everything,” her son stated.
It has become increasingly alarming that legislators and states across the country such as Texas have inserted themselves at the table when it comes to private healthcare decisions between families and their healthcare providers. But as state representatives proclaim to be “pro-life”, they still actively choose to ignore data and major medical associations representing millions of doctors that call for life-saving age-appropriate gender-affirming care for transgender folks. As a result, these states have produced medical refugees and outcomes of agony for trans-youth. In fact, 82% of transgender people have contemplated suicide with suicidality highest among youth. Lawmakers cannot proclaim care for life when they are actively passing legislation that is contrary to well established standards of care that go against the mere existence of these children.
Oftentimes, lawmakers legislate with no understanding on gender-affirmative healthcare. Transitioning does not always and only encapsulate medical intervention and looks drastically different for each individual. No medical interventions that have permanent effects happen until said transgender individual is old enough to truly provide informed consent. Transitioning in youth can often appear merely in the form of social changes, whether that’s changing one’s name, clothing or hairstyle depending on what is of best interest of the child determined by therapists, parents and healthcare providers. With these decisions having certain standards and being carefully thought out, with months of therapy and paperwork to look forward to, there is no reason legislators should be stripping away access to care for youth who truly need it.
At a time when states such as Texas are confronted with real and urgent problems such as fixing its electrical power grid, addressing gun policy and sustaining livable incomes for its educators, lawmakers continue to turn their back on these pressing issues and instead insist that the most troubling issue of the time is kids who want to live and be themselves.
As Kai Shappley, an 11-year-old transgender-girl, who has become nationally recognized for her advocacy work defending herself in front of the Texas legislation puts it: “Texas legislators have been attacking me since pre-K. I am in fourth grade.. Please, at least give us a break.”
Kai has since left the state after fighting anti-trans bills since she was 5-years-old. There is no reason whatsoever for children and kids to be fighting to prove their very own existence inside a state capitol, it is unfathomable and cruel. These children deserve a normal childhood focusing on their education, interests, friends and family. If our end goal is to allow kids to be kids, let them exist freely and let us embrace who they are.
An Amazing Addition to our School
Food Trucks Give Students Options
By Lucinda Hardin-Espinoza
Food Trucks Give Students Options
By Lucinda Hardin-Espinoza
Are Food Trucks beneficial to the Eastwood High School community from a student’s point of view? Are there benefits to having food trucks at Eastwood? What is the most popular food per food truck according to students? Lastly, do the food truck workers like being here at Eastwood and what do they like about being here?
Food trucks have overtaken the parking lot with their mobile kitchens and lines of students ordering their food. The Food trucks have been a great addition to the Eastwood High School community according to many students. Jacqueline Conde, who eats at the food trucks often stated “food trucks are really great because it provides another way for students to access food and more variety for the student to choose from.” Ruby Lucero, a freshman, eats at the food trucks twice a week. Ruby said, “The food trucks give us easy access to good food. They keep the students happy and outside the Eastwood High School building.” The third student interviewed, Max Salvador eats at the food trucks sometimes and said that “The food is pretty good, it is an amazing idea because it restores student energy for the rest of the day.” Lastly, Monnique Vasquez says she is “obsessed with the food trucks provided at our school!” She also stated that “the school lunch isn’t that great and the food trucks have better taste.”
The students clearly love the food trucks best but do the food truck workers love the environment and the school as much as the students love their food? Joshua Hernandez, from the Boba Tea food truck, stated that “It’s great to be a part of the Eastwood community. The energy is amazing and has great support. We love working here and it’s just a great combo. We know what they want and they know what we want, too. It is just amazing to work here!”
Each of the food vendors bring a variety of different foods, drinks, and snacks that students love. But what are these popular food options from the menu and how do food truck workers prepare for the long lines of student customers?
Everyone has an opinion especially when it comes to food. So, I asked around what’s popular with the students and what do some of the food trucks sells the most? Nevaeh McRae (9th grader), Lalani Davis (9th grader), Michael Vilchis (9th grader) and Andrea Cordera (10th grader) all agree that their favorite food truck is the Boba Tea food truck. They also agreed the best flavor is the Coconut Boba tea. Other students like Tessa Vockerodt (9th grader) and Serenity Greer (9th grader) concur that Apasitas fries is their favorite food truck. Their favorites are the Apasitas Boneless chicken fries and or course the churros too. Lastly, Natalia Hernandez loves El Jefe’s quesadilla and Arely Gaytan likes the Craves’ strawberry lemonade.
Food truck employees have their favorites foods too like El Jefe and the Hungry Boy. But how do these food truck operators prepare for long lines of students and what are the most popular items according to them? Jessie Mata from El Jefe stated “Our Carnasda fries and California burritos sell the most from their whole menu. Also, we prepare before the students come out so we can just serve them quickly. For example, we cook the fries, and heat up the meat for students to just order, pay, and grab.” The Hungry boy food truck proclaimed that “ the item that sells the most is our Hamburgers and we also like to be prepared for our students. Lastly to be organized enough to have everything ready.”
Overall, Food trucks were an amazing addition to our Eastwood High School community.
From students’ and Food truck employees’ point of view, the food is a great experience that all should try. The students love the food and the Food truck workers like the Eastwood community.
Food trucks have overtaken the parking lot with their mobile kitchens and lines of students ordering their food. The Food trucks have been a great addition to the Eastwood High School community according to many students. Jacqueline Conde, who eats at the food trucks often stated “food trucks are really great because it provides another way for students to access food and more variety for the student to choose from.” Ruby Lucero, a freshman, eats at the food trucks twice a week. Ruby said, “The food trucks give us easy access to good food. They keep the students happy and outside the Eastwood High School building.” The third student interviewed, Max Salvador eats at the food trucks sometimes and said that “The food is pretty good, it is an amazing idea because it restores student energy for the rest of the day.” Lastly, Monnique Vasquez says she is “obsessed with the food trucks provided at our school!” She also stated that “the school lunch isn’t that great and the food trucks have better taste.”
The students clearly love the food trucks best but do the food truck workers love the environment and the school as much as the students love their food? Joshua Hernandez, from the Boba Tea food truck, stated that “It’s great to be a part of the Eastwood community. The energy is amazing and has great support. We love working here and it’s just a great combo. We know what they want and they know what we want, too. It is just amazing to work here!”
Each of the food vendors bring a variety of different foods, drinks, and snacks that students love. But what are these popular food options from the menu and how do food truck workers prepare for the long lines of student customers?
Everyone has an opinion especially when it comes to food. So, I asked around what’s popular with the students and what do some of the food trucks sells the most? Nevaeh McRae (9th grader), Lalani Davis (9th grader), Michael Vilchis (9th grader) and Andrea Cordera (10th grader) all agree that their favorite food truck is the Boba Tea food truck. They also agreed the best flavor is the Coconut Boba tea. Other students like Tessa Vockerodt (9th grader) and Serenity Greer (9th grader) concur that Apasitas fries is their favorite food truck. Their favorites are the Apasitas Boneless chicken fries and or course the churros too. Lastly, Natalia Hernandez loves El Jefe’s quesadilla and Arely Gaytan likes the Craves’ strawberry lemonade.
Food truck employees have their favorites foods too like El Jefe and the Hungry Boy. But how do these food truck operators prepare for long lines of students and what are the most popular items according to them? Jessie Mata from El Jefe stated “Our Carnasda fries and California burritos sell the most from their whole menu. Also, we prepare before the students come out so we can just serve them quickly. For example, we cook the fries, and heat up the meat for students to just order, pay, and grab.” The Hungry boy food truck proclaimed that “ the item that sells the most is our Hamburgers and we also like to be prepared for our students. Lastly to be organized enough to have everything ready.”
Overall, Food trucks were an amazing addition to our Eastwood High School community.
From students’ and Food truck employees’ point of view, the food is a great experience that all should try. The students love the food and the Food truck workers like the Eastwood community.
Dress Code Violates First Amendment Rights
By Carmella Castruccio
By Carmella Castruccio
The First Amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...” However, Eastwood’s dress code has put restrictions on many students regarding gothic accessories. This includes many gothic symbols such as religious symbols, swastikas and upside-down crosses. Religious expression includes the right to express any religion you value, and lack thereof, and symbols that represent beliefs of all kinds.
Junior, Layla Saenz, has had to be cautious about the gothic accessories they’ve worn because they’re in fear of being dress coded. “My existence is against the dress code apparently,” Saenz said. “I’m tired of my whole identity being a taboo.” They’ve had to go through their day without the accessories that make them feel comfortable and that also express their personal beliefs out of fear that the administration will deem them inappropriate.
While the dress code claims it is for safety purposes, administrators have never punished a person for wearing a symbol of Christianity, Catholicism, or any other conventional religion, except for satanism and atheism. Atheism is defined as a “disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods.” While Satanism is defined as the “worship of Satan marked by the travesty of Christian rites.” Similar to other religions, these and others like them use symbols to convey the message they are supporting, which every religion can attest to. For Christians and Catholics, the cross represents Jesus dying for humanity's sins, a crucifixion. Whilst the upside-down cross represents a symbol of humility, as well as the rejection of Christian ideals. In the Jewish religion, men wearing a Kippah is symbolic of respecting the Jewish faith by covering their heads.
The First Amendment advocates for religious freedom, societal stigmatization, and bias toward conventional practices play a part in what is deemed “socially acceptable”. There have been many cases such as the “Satanic Panic” in the 1980’s that stigmatized satanism and atheism for “going against God’s will”, although this generalizes Christianity as the “acceptable” or “default” religious practice in North America.
What does this mean for students who feel pressured to conform to the dress code's idea of acceptable religious expression? By the school dress code forbidding gothic symbols, they’re also taking away the right for many students to contently and privately express their beliefs through symbols that aren't of conventional practice. The First Amendment was created to, “not impose a state religion on the public,” which means allowing people to safely and personally express any religion they desire without punishment, which the dress code has undoubtedly gone against.
Junior, Layla Saenz, has had to be cautious about the gothic accessories they’ve worn because they’re in fear of being dress coded. “My existence is against the dress code apparently,” Saenz said. “I’m tired of my whole identity being a taboo.” They’ve had to go through their day without the accessories that make them feel comfortable and that also express their personal beliefs out of fear that the administration will deem them inappropriate.
While the dress code claims it is for safety purposes, administrators have never punished a person for wearing a symbol of Christianity, Catholicism, or any other conventional religion, except for satanism and atheism. Atheism is defined as a “disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods.” While Satanism is defined as the “worship of Satan marked by the travesty of Christian rites.” Similar to other religions, these and others like them use symbols to convey the message they are supporting, which every religion can attest to. For Christians and Catholics, the cross represents Jesus dying for humanity's sins, a crucifixion. Whilst the upside-down cross represents a symbol of humility, as well as the rejection of Christian ideals. In the Jewish religion, men wearing a Kippah is symbolic of respecting the Jewish faith by covering their heads.
The First Amendment advocates for religious freedom, societal stigmatization, and bias toward conventional practices play a part in what is deemed “socially acceptable”. There have been many cases such as the “Satanic Panic” in the 1980’s that stigmatized satanism and atheism for “going against God’s will”, although this generalizes Christianity as the “acceptable” or “default” religious practice in North America.
What does this mean for students who feel pressured to conform to the dress code's idea of acceptable religious expression? By the school dress code forbidding gothic symbols, they’re also taking away the right for many students to contently and privately express their beliefs through symbols that aren't of conventional practice. The First Amendment was created to, “not impose a state religion on the public,” which means allowing people to safely and personally express any religion they desire without punishment, which the dress code has undoubtedly gone against.