Illicit Facebook pictures potentiate problems
G alley L athrof
Hitting the reefer,
downing shots...illegal
drugs and alcohol play
some role in the lives
of some students, legal
or not. The Facebook
revolution combined
with these activities often
leads to students posting
pictures and statuses that
depict or imply they are
participating in illegal
activities. W hat seems like
an entertaining picture
to share with friends is
actually something that
can endanger college
acceptance, job or
reputation.
Individuality is awesome
and important. Not
caring about what other
people think can be too.
However, there's a fine line
between self-expression
and ignorance. Making
a statement is probably
not worth risking one's
professional reputation
(yes, even the generic
student is a "professional"
is some way).
According to the Oregon
Business Report, 45 percent
of employers use Facebook
to try and gain information
high schoolers are often
relegated. It's true that
some managers don't
really care about what
applicants do on their time
off; however, for some, a
picture of an underage teen
holding a beer can could
afford to lose a job over an
ill-advised photo.
"I think that if they're
okay with anyone in the
public to see into their
personal lives then it's their
choice. But it could hold
them back in the future if
7 think it's
stupid to post pictures that
might be incriminating. I used to until
I realized that my friends, or
whoever, could put them anywhere
and that there could be negative con
sequences for me”
—Anonymous WLHS student
on the personal lives of
their applicants. Yes, this
includes gas stations
and restaurants that we
lead to your application
being tossed in the garbage.
In this economy, no one can
employers check it," Elise
White, sophomore, said.
Forget parents stalking
your every move
via internet— aunts,
grandparents and other
relatives will often try to
"keep up" with us on e-mail
or social networking sites.
I have had family try to
add me and then I feel too
guilty not to accept their
friend requests. However, I
definitely don't want them
stalking me on Facebook.
So, unless you want Aunt
Mary bringing up your
illicit photos at the next
family barbecue, I suggest
leaving the beer pong
pictures from Saturday on
the camera.
Pictures of you doing
illegal things has no
benefit, and can only lead
to problems. Facebook
continues to expand, and
as it does, the list of family
members, adults, friends
and potential employers or
admissions counselors does
as well. The bottom line?
It's just not worth it.
As 2010 begins, the race towards resolutions begins
G hrisann K im
W elcom e to 2010— it's a
n e w d e c a d e th a t m a n y h o p e
will change them physically,
mentally or both. The age-
old tradition of New Year's
resolutions includes plans
and promises students make
to themselves to obtain a
certain goal in school, life
and everything in between.
Everyone with a motivation
makes resolutions to reach,
but does everyone KEEP the
resolutions implanted in their
heads as 365 days progress?
One of the most popular
New Year's resolutions
in school is earning good
grades. I find this more of
a default resolution more
than one that's voluntarily
made. Students want to be
admitted into good colleges
in their junior or senior year,
and as freshmen, students
are concerned about grades
affecting their future.
True, we want passing
grades, but sometime
students are focused on other
resolutions such as romance,
family relationships, physical
appearance and personal
habits.
Goals for the new year
are meant to be completed
by the end of the year, not
to be maintained for the rest
of one's life. If students wish
to complete their goals, they
shouldn't abandon them in
the dusty corners of their
mind and then pull them out
West Liim High School, 5464 West A Street, West Linn, OR 97068
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Linn High School Advanced Journalism class. Opinions expressed in
commentaries and editorials represent only those of the writer, and are
not necessarily the opinions of West Linn High School, its administration,
faculty, staff, or student body.
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Photo Essay: Haley Cool, Libby
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Ethan Brent
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-■
W
... ' mmë
.
at the last minute before the
next new year comes.
If students are organized,
focused and timely, their
resolutions will be achieved.
For some, resolutions don't
work at all because students
don't choose to make the
effort.
Often, they're likely to
be put aside or put on hold,
only to be finished when one
chooses to execute their plans
is when they really have a
chance at accomplishment.
"I think that in one way
New Year's resolutions can
be quite effective; I mean
that they give a person the
illusion of a clean slate,"
Emma Kennard, freshman,
said, "They give you a
momentary high as you
imagine what a better,
shinier, sparkling new person
you'll be, but you feel so
satisfied with yourself for
even making the mental
decision to— what's the
word—improve, that you
often don't take it to the
next level, to the physical
decision,"
If you're determined to
complete your resolutions,
you need to pace your
progress and spread it out
throughout the year. Also,
give yourself some praise
every time you reach a step
towards your goal and don't
be too hard on yourself if you
slip. If, at times you think
you're pushing yourself to
the extreme, take a break, it
won't hurt you. Be sure to
recognize yourself at the end
of the year when you finally
reach your goal—because
Photo by Ethan Brent
James Squires, sophomore, spots Eric Lonsway, sophomore, on the
bench press during weightlifting class. New Year's resolutions often
include students working on their physical appearance, fixing bad
habits, or improving grades.
you've put in a lot of hard
work to get through; give
yourself a small reward.
This decade is a big
year for all of us. There
will be many changes,
new relationships to form,
and discoveries that we
might uncover not only
about ourselves, but as a
community and as a world.
Plan your goals carefully as
the year passes by. You can
talk about your goals, but do
you have the WILL to reach
them?