Walgenbach!

Mr.Walgenbach, Yes the Busisness Teacher.  What's so important about him?  Well he was not only a great teacher but the best teacher.  He can teach us anything we need to know about handling money, beginning a business, and even winning more money than professional investors.  Most teachers are not like him, so that makes him unique.  He is simply the best teacher we can have.

Lupe Aguirre, Ana Regalado & Jaqueline Rodriguez :)

Teen Pregnancy

                   Issues

• Financially
• School/Work
• Family
• Life
•  Teen Pregnancy can cause many problems . One of those problems is the money$$ . The money they use for themselves and for there new born . Money just doesn't grow on trees so work comes even harder . It my interfere with their studies . As a person who knows how it is to go through that must be hard and brave enough to keep and raise the child . Work isn't easy for anyone specially if theres a baby on the way and your just a teenager . Should of thought of that before right ? Well many kids didn't . Many stories around the world that many kids do it on purpose while others try there best to prevent it . Money Money Money is all that crosses there mind when it comes to needs .

   Another problem might be there families . Most teens have there families support while others don't . It must be hard living under the same roof with the mother/father of your child because your family didn't want you in . Or even harder if both teens don't have that support at all . Many others have the support and even more . They must live that good life even with a child . You just have to keep your head up and make the choice you think is the best one .


      Life , life is another problem . Many teens are not able to do what they want to because they have  child too soon in their life . Many girls have there room all decorated with stuff they enjoy and when they get pregnant it turns into a nursery room . It must suck . Other teens might enjoy taking care of there kid of course its there kid they pretty much have too , but of course there is a moment where they want to do other stuff and they cant . Teens be careful out there and remember the consequences there is to this . :)

Domestic Violence

Is Violence a serious  problem?

I believe it is.

Domestic abuse, also known as spousal abuse, occurs when one person in an intimate relationship or marriage tries to dominate and control the other person. Domestic abuse that includes physical violence is called domestic violence.

  

If you dealing with this there is help you can be a teen and have a domestic violence there's help  there are many, ways hear are some hot lines http://www.thehotline.org/

Just 2 Weeks Left of School!

My freshman year at  Bernstein has been an amazing year and can't be described in words.  Throughout this year it has brought its good and its bad.  But by year's end I have come to love this school.  I found and gained some new friends.  I specially gained one true friend.  She is my best friend now.  Sadly, I also lost some friends.  But it's all good.  I am so looking forward to the next couple of years.  I can feel that I am going to have an awesome year next school year.  And I would really recommend this school to incoming freshmen.  I seriously can't wait.  I also learned the ups and downs of this school.  After all, this is one of the best schools in Hollywood.  And I would like to give special thanks to Mr. Walgenbach for being good at what he teaches.

Jacqueline Rodriguez

Book Review by Lupe Aguirre: Rules for Writers by Diana Hacker

Rules for Writers written by Diana Hacker is an amazing writing handbook that helps college students or anyone who enjoys writing and wants to perfect his or her skill.  I love this book.  The examples are clear and relevant.  One example I really liked and learned from was the section on sentence building.  Ms. Hacker presents a sentence that is passable in everyday speech, but not so for those looking for greater precision in their writing.  See for yourself.  "When Gloria set the pitcher on the glass-topped table, it broke."  In personal conversation, that construction poses no problem.  But in print it might.  The problem with that sentence is that the placement of the pronoun "it" distracts subtly from clearly grasping its specific referent.  Does it refer to the pitcher or to the glass-topped table?  She rewrites the sentence to eliminate any doubt, which increases the readability and flow of her sentences.  "The pitcher broke when Gloria set it on the glass-topped table."  I found this book really useful.  I keep my copy close and use it whenever I write.  Used copies of Ms. Hacker's book are affordable.  Amazon sells them for $8.80 here. 

Lupe Aguirre

Homophobic Bullying?

It takes some courage to discuss certain, highly charged topics, like homophobic bullying, but we feel the topic is important enough and is worth the risk of ridicule and rebuke.  But it may also be to our credit that we are willing to raise the issue.  We feel it is worth it because we have observed some hostile attitudes that we'd like to address and increase understanding of, and ultimately provide peaceful solutions.  Having said that, we in no way want to change people's values.  Individuals have the absolute right to like, to dislike, and to be indifferent.  We welcome all responses. 

Some students at Bernstein are gay, while others, while most, are not.  A person's sexual preference is their own business.  But people judge; that’s what we do.  So when we see a personal action being expressed in public, we might be offended.  It’s not the sexuality that is offensive; it is the public display that may roil us.  That’s an important distinction to make.  But we all know that it is best to be as kind to people as we can in spite of our objections, however shaking they might be.  It is the degree to which a civilization demonstrates kindness, and not necessarily its technology, that is the hallmark of its civilized people and culture.  We at Dragon News prefer civilized words and actions.   

Many gays to avoid ridicule decide to keep their sexuality to themselves as do most people.  That's smart.  After all, our sexual preference is not something to be brandished about proudly; we didn't do or accomplish anything with it.  It makes no good sense to make that private part of our lives public.  You make personal things like that public and the public will destroy your private life.  So good for gays for refusing to make their private life the property of the public.  Everybody knows we live in a prejudiced world.  And why not?  Prejudice, after all, is economical.  Asking other people to think about someone else or any topic that they are not interested in requires too much effort.  Nobody cares, hopefully.  To ask or force someone to care invites its own problems.  Take our advice.  Keep it to yourself.  That won't hurt your career.   

My best friend happens to be gay.  It's your life, and although your enemies can tell you that you are wrong, you don't have to listen to them.  If you are getting bullied for your sexuality, you can find some help here.  We don't want anybody harming others or themselves.  Do not hurt yourself, please.  Someone else's prejudice is no reason to hurt yourself; they are not worthy of you being injured.  Though we read regrettably that some teenagers do hurt themselves, we must ask to what end?  In the United States, we take this issue seriously, because more than 30 out of 50 die because of bullying that makes other feel bad about their sexuality.  The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention recommends that school officials take suicide threats seriously.  They've found that seventy-five percent of all suicide victims give some warning of their intentions to a friend or family member.  The American Suicide Center does provide help.  If you feel you want some help, we encourage you to contact them.  Being called an agreed-upon nickname by our friends is acceptable; they are our friends.  Even if they call us what to others sounds derogatory.  It's not the name that hurts, it's the intention.  Among boys who are friends, if one calls the other a fag it is done in playful teasing.  But if a stranger calls someone a “fag” it is done to provoke, humiliate, and hurt.  That's when it is wrong.   It's not about being gay, it's about someone trying to hurt.  I recommend that you just be yourself.  If you’re being harassed, it may be good to let someone know—a friend, a parent, a relative.  If family and friends are not sympathetic, you may want to consider contacting one of these helpful resources.   A friend suggested this thoughtful video.  Let me know what you think. 

www.teenlineonline.org/ 
www.thetrevorproject.org 
suicidehotlines.com/national.html

Count Down!

Wow, this year went by so fast.  I remember my first day in September, 2010 like it was yesterday.  As I stepped on this large new campus I remember how excited I was.  The structure seemed to rise high into the sky, much larger than any school I had previously attended.  It seemed to accentuate the space above me, bringing into focus the bluest sky.  The view from the cafeteria of KTLA, the Hollywood sign perched atop the Hollywood Hills, and Hollywood itself made me feel privileged.  In the months leading up to my arrival, I would study the facade of the school through my car window as my dad drove past and be amazed by the perfection assembled with brick, concrete, glass, and steel.  The sleek design of the school intrigued me.  Looking back, my 9th-grade year has been an amazing one.  I've laughed out loud, enjoyed some delicious ironies, endured a few terrible moments, survived disappointments, but intensely enjoyed several funny moments.  Taken together, I have enjoyed every minute of my time at this school.  I feel lucky to have been able to see with my own eyes and greet the cast of Glee.  I'm so thankful I chose this school.  This school has an amazing learning environment, it has patient and smart teachers, and the comfortable campus itself encourages and challenges me to learn more.  I love all of it.  The teachers at Bernstein take their time and make a conscientious effort to teach you; not like other schools where teachers show up in the classroom just because it's their job.  When you don't understand a specific task or subject, our teachers will make the time to help you.  I am looking forward to three more good years here at Bernstein High School.  I love it.

Lupe Aguirre