October 10, 2011

Sunday, October 09, 2011 By Kylie Exline



Section Editor




If in search of a new comedy series about a couple unexpectantly becoming pregnant, than you've got your show. Up All Night premiered on NBC and will continue airing Wednesday nights.



Reagan, played by Christina Applegate, is now a first-time mom with husband Chris, Will Arnett. She struggles between being offered once in a lifetime opportunities for being a talk show producer, while also balancing this new thing called parenthood. Chris is the stay-at-home-dad, portraying what most of us believes would be the wife's job. He for the most part enjoys being home with their daughter taking care of her crying needs, making edible formula, and of course the always exciting changing diapers ritual.



Talk show host Ava, Maya Rudolph, is the ever so funny woman that is pretty much your average ditzy person: forgetting what she was about to do or say, barely remembering what her show is about, and not knowing exactly how to hold Reagan and Chris' baby. However, with Reagan having this baby makes Ava think that her show "Ava" might be jeopardized.



I thought this episode was a good hit and it really was funny. I am excited to see the rest of the season and am interested in how Reagan and Chris end up raising their new child.



This new series will make many fans with its star-studded cast, nicely written scripts, and funny dialogue.



In upcoming episodes, viewers might expect more problems arise with the cute newborn being around, some humor escape from Reagan and Chris, and a few instances where Ava is just being Ava. If you missed the pilot, make sure to watch the rest of the season on NBC. Sunday, October 09, 2011 By Jasmine Samuel



Staff Writer



Two And A Half Men, the hilarious Emmy award winning comedy premiered there new season on CBS.



The new season has a new star "Walden Schmidt" played by Ashton Klutcher. Who replaced Charlie Sheens character "Charlie Harper." Following a new star is a new plot line. The season begins with Charlie's funeral, and his some of his biggest "fans" speaking negatively about him. The episode goes on to discuss the selling of his house. Allen Harper (John Cryer) is forced to sell his diseased brother's house which he resides and meets Walden Schmidt, a recently divorced billionaire who is now suicidal.They quickly becomes friends. And two Allens dismay, Walden attracts many women making Walden the new Charlie. But Walden success in completely unintentional.



The new addition is certainly a good one. Without Charlie Sheen the show is still hilarious, entertaining and proves to stand on its own feet without him.



CBS reported the highest ratings the show has every gotten received. Also viewers seem to responding positively, the second week still received more ratings than any other episode last season. Sunday, October 09, 2011 By Donald Reid - Staff Writer



We all know what touchscreens are, most of us use them on a regular basis. And we all also know what the Mouse is. Recently there have been desktop computers and applications made specifically for touchscreens. Now, a lot of people have been wondering if the Touchscreen is going to kill the forty year-old Mouse. There have been mixed feelings about these rumors, but in general, casual PC (including Mac) users and the ones that use PCs for a career such as Graphic Design, or even Software Development, have been divided on their opinions.



While the average user will have varied opinions overall, it may be safe to say that in general they don't care one way or the other. But in the case of the person that works with computers for a livin, time and quality might be lost because the inaccuracy of a Touchscreen over a Mouse. Analysts have predicted that the Mouse will not be around in the next forty years.



In a more personal opinion, the Touchscreen is simply a toy that. while is good enough for simple tasks, is highly inefficient when it comes to anything else. No one with a Touchscreen computer is going to sit down and press on their screen for fifteen minutes just to send an e-mail. Programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator have all been improved by writing tablets, for more natural and generally better brush-strokes but while they have been made specifically for such a purpose that is to be expected. While touchscreens do have a place it is not on a computer monitor. They were originally made to make the navigation of phones and other portable devices smoother and overall easier for the user.



With Apples' fairly new OS X Lion, users have made comments that the User-interface looks like Apple is setting up for touchscreens in the future. And even Microsoft has decided to join the party and their newest version of Windows, Windows 8, is heavily optimized for touchscreen use, which has gotten mixed reactions from users. Microsoft has even made a touchscreen computer that's basically a coffee table with a PC inside, called Microsoft Surface. Sunday, October 09, 2011 By Kaye Johnson - Staff Writer



The Medical Academy here at John I Leonard has been the head of numerable functions and has been involved with many events.



Students who are a part of the Medical Academy have been participating in events such as the blood drive, which is always a major success. Students vigorously passed out permission slips during lunches and in between classes to whoever was age appropriate; students loved the idea of getting out of class, helping people out and getting a free t-shirt.



To be a part of the Medical Academy there are a few requirements. The students must acquire five hours of community service each nine weeks in order to make the grade requirement to stay in the academy. Plus, colleges like to see a notable amount of community service, so the Academy keeps a student persistent in maintaining their goals for college.



"Two classes that must be taken during the academy are Health Science and Biology. In Health Science, we learn prefixes and suffixes to the medical words. In Biology we learn the basics of science," said freshman Mandy Alvarado.



Scrubs are permitted for the class on professional dress days and are an excellent way to show the student's pride in the academy. "They want us to prepare for this field and look presentable," said Alvarado.



The Medical Academy continues to make amazing progression in the events they set up. Our school can't wait to see what they will do next. Sunday, October 09, 2011 By Jackie Ospina - Staff Writer



Here in Florida, we are one of the few states that have no distracted driving laws which bring high rate of accidents. The danger of texting and driving must be stopped.



Car accidents occur every single day and people are starting to see a pattern. Technology is at its highest and it's to the point where focus on the road isn't happening as much as it should.



There are so many consequences for not focusing on the road. The most permanen, and mournful, is death. When a driver loses control of his/her vehicle they aren't only at risk of death, but also at risk of criminal charges. The driver cannot only hurt themselves, but also others on the road. That can cause major damage to the rest of their life and anothers.



And yet, Florida has still not set laws for distracted drivers.



Unless we want to see the main cause of deaths on the road be distracted driving or texting while driving, we need to put the phones away, keep our eyes off of the texts, and keep them focused on the road. Sunday, October 09, 2011 By Kevin Davalos - Staff Writer



Swimmers at John I. Leonard have started off the season with a lot of hard work and motivation.



"Once again, we've had many boys come out for the team, but we are short on girls," said Ms. Knight, the school's swimming coach.



John I. Leonard swimmers would like to make it to the State Championships.



"We have a couple of swimmers, like Johnny Szerdi, Christi Herfurth, and Eric Bach-Crosby, who have a very good chance to make it to the State Championships."Ms. Knight said.



The swimming team has captains with a lot of pride, class, and most of all character.



"The girls' team has 3 captains - Tess Affholder, Megan Peters, and Brooke Sarley.The boys' team has 7 captains - Johnny Szerdi, Carter Mitchell, Nick Riemer, Joey Sweat, Aaron Harley, Brandon Edwards, and Travis Williams. All our swim team captains are seniors who have shown commitment to the team and great leadership qualities."



With all the hard work and practice, the John I. Leonard swim team can surely make it to the State Championships. Sunday, October 09, 2011 By Brittney Perez - Staff Writer



Three year varsity player for the John I Leonard soccor team, Tanzim Gaffar is a senior this year, with plans in mind for a bright future involving the sport.



in an interview, Tanzim says, "I would like to take playing soccer to the next level and make an effort to get into a good college scholarship while also try getting my degree so I can major in business.The college I would love to attend is USF (University of Southern Florida).It is my dream because I love this sport.I give my heart, soul and all effort when stepping onto that field."



He has only been playing soccer about four years, which means he started his freshman year and is amazed at how quickly he learned everything he has. Gaffar would like to further his soccer knowledge onto more difficult methods and techniques of training.



When asked how he thought this year would go Gaffar for the team, he responded "I expect this year's soccer team to do very well.I believe we have a strong chemistry as a team and since most of us have been playing together for quite a while now I expect us all to know how each other plays so we do not have any miscommunications."



Last year's Lancer varsity boy soccer team made it all the way to district finals and had a heartbreaking loss against the Wellington Wolverines.



"I would like this year for our team to win districts and pass onto states because I know we can and this is going to be my goal this year along with many other's to help my team conquer every team that we have to face," stated Gaffar when commenting on last year's fact. Sunday, October 09, 2011 By Johanna Navas - Staff Writer



Over 366 million people in the United States have diabetes. But what is diabetes?



It's a group of diseases marked by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action, or both. It can lead to serious complications, thereby increasing morbidity and mortality. Diabetes can be divided into two different categories: Type 1 and Type 2.



The difference between the two is that Type 1 occurs when the body's immune system destroys pancreatic beta cells, the only cells in the body that produce the hormone insulin that's necessary to regulate blood glucose. Type 2, on the other hand, occurs when your cells don't use insulin properly, causing the pancreas to slowly lose its ability to produce insulin.



How do you know if you're likely to develop diabetes? The best way would be to talk to your doctor to see if you're at risk, but there are some key factors that determine your chances of becoming diabetic.



"In my opinion, it's genetics," Nurse Nancy Reynolds of the John I. Leonard clinic says.



Nurse Cindy Crawford, another nurse at John I., expresses her opinion with: "Diabetes is 90% genetics, and 10% everything else."



In the past, Type 2 diabetes has been associated with older age, obesity, genetics, physical activity, and race/ethnicity. In recent years, a substantial amount of adolescents have been diagnosed with diabetes, particularly in American Indians, African Americans, and Hispanic/Latino Americans. It's believed that the cause is an increase in junk food and lack of physical activity.



It's hard enough to keep up with the daily necessities for diabetes when you're an adult, but what about kids and teens? "The biggest issue with children who have diabetes is that there's not enough carb counting," says Ms. Crawford.



In both types of diabetes, managing blood sugar levels is a matter of balancing food intake, physical activity, and insulin requirements. In Type 1 diabetes, frequent adjustment to the insulin dosage based on food intake and physical activity is vital.



When blood sugar levels are not maintained properly, youths with diabetes are prone to emergency situations, such as hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), which can lead to a diabetic coma, and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can progress to the point of having insulin shock. Saturday, October 08, 2011 By Itzel De Alba - Staff Writer



Jess (Zooey Deschanel) is the hilariously awkward, dirty dancing lover, who sings to herself and breaks out in ridiculous dance routines at unexpected moments. She also the star of the up and coming comedy on FOX this fall, "New Girl". The story of a girl and three guys.



It all started with a cheating boyfriend. Jess was left broken hearted and was tired of living with her best friend "The model", which lead her to the doorstep of the ever so loving nice guy Nick (Jake Johnson). Nick was looking for a roommate to accompany him and his two friends. Coach (Damon Wayans Jr.) a workout instructor, and lets not forget Schmidt, the typical heartbreaker, that leaves girl's rooms as they shower, if only he could get a girl. The guys were skeptical about allowing a girl into the man layer, an "executive" decision by Schmidt gave Jess the opportunity to move in.



A week into the decision to let her stay and the guys were wishing they had a time machine. Jess, still emotionally scarred from her tragic break up, laid on the couch like a weeping dog, crying herself dry. The guys decided to help her get a rebound and help her on her feet. They soon realize that when it comes to Jess she is all thumbs, she falls over her own two feet and has what seems like no experience with men. The guy she coaxed into taking her out to dinner ends up standing her up.



Viewers can expect to see more of Jess's klutzy, bubbly abnormal personality and shenanigans which the guys will have to wrestle her out of, as well as a flourishing friendship between Jess, Nick, Coach, and Schmidt.



Although this was only the pilot, New Girl is a comical gem, and seems like it will take off without a hitch. Saturday, October 08, 2011 By Kiara Rivera - Staff Writer Childhood is a time that should be idyllic and filled with innocent happiness, like this young girl running through the sand. Unfortunately, children all over the world have suffered a childhood robbed of this happiness. - Bridgette Gamble



More then 1.25 million mothers and fathers neglect their child by abandoning them, denying them proper care, attention physically, emotionally and plenty of other ways.



Parents should be way more careful and responsible while monitoring their child and taking care of them.



A child can be neglected by there parents at any age. The child can be a newborn or even a teenager.



Imagine a seven year-old waking up: his mother and father are at the club the child has no way to make his breakfast and is left all alone to take care of him self. He might eat ice-cream or a bag of chips for breakfast and plays out side all day. He has no clean clothes to wear because his mom hasn't done any laundry and his teeth aren't brushed, his hair is messed up because his mom isn't there to tell him otherwise. In the afternoon he rides his bike outside all day, he doesn't go to school and if he does he misbehaves and doesn't do any of his work. He goes to bed at what ever time he wants and while he sits in bed he has no one to tuck him in kiss him goodnight. Worst of all, he has no one to tell him he is loved.



Doesn't it break your heart to know that a child is denied and left abandoned every day?



There are many warning signs of emotional abuse in children: withdrawel from situations, fearful, or anxious about doing something wrong. They show extremes behavior (demanding; extremely passive or extremely aggressive). Most times, they seem to be attached to the parent and acts either inappropriately adult (taking care of other children) or inappropriately infantile (rocking, thumb-sucking.)



Most people walk pass a family or meet a family and think that certainly this family is perfect, happy, and amazing yet, inside the household, behind closed doors, there might be domestic violence, alcohol and drug abuse, untreated mental illness, lack of parenting skills, stress and lack of support.



On September 12, 2011 Melissa Gutierrez left her eight month old baby Christian in the bath tub alone while she was eating cereal she took a nap while he was left in the tub for more then 20 minutes and then drowned. When the mom discovered that her baby was dead she hid at a local hotel and when she finally went to court, she broke down and cried about prison instead of her newborn baby.



No child should have to go through child neglect no matter what age the child is. Child neglect should be taken serious and not ignored. If a child is neglected, the child be taken away from the mother and father and that parent and have hope to be taken by a carign family.



All children are innocent, and if a child misbehaves it is not the child's fault, it is the parents fault.



Physical abuse may leave scars and bruises, but emotional abuses and child neglect leave a deep scar on your heart that can never be healed. Saturday, October 08, 2011 By Meiby Nodarse - Staff Writer



The National Honors Society is a prestigious and honored organization on our JIL campus.



This year, one of the major things NHS is planning on doing is planting a school garden to help make the school a bit greener.



NHS helps members acquire community service hours while actually giving back to the community. Every year this organization provides forgotten soldiers with care packages to let them know we still care, and we still remember. They will also be involved in beach and school clean-ups, and other little things that help improve the planet.



At the moment NHS is going through their integration process, where all new members get their applications filled and approved.



"You must have a high GPA and good qualities as a student as well as a person" stated Ailensi Ortiz, a sophomore going through the integration process.



The current members of NHS and members-to-be have a huge responsibility and a title they need to live up to. Students thet don't meet the required criteria will at first receive a probation letter and if they don't improve they will be removed from NHS. Nevertheless, students involved in this organization most always live up to their expectations.



When asked how it feels running such a well known and esteemed organization, Tess Affholder, President of NHS responded, "There is a lot of hard work and responsibility involved, however it's a lot of fun and it feels good to be a leader." Saturday, October 08, 2011 By Kylie Exline- Editor



The time has come for the popular group Lady Antebellum's third album release. Own the Night, the newest record, hit stores September 13.



Anticipation grew as fans everywhere patiently awaited this star studded group's new album. Listeners will not be shocked to find numerous songs on the track hit number one. Songs like "We Owned the Night" and "When You Were Mine", don't disappoint with each of their rhythms and melodic choruses.



If already a fan, it doesn't come as to a surprise knowing that this trio is capable of hitting high notes, while at the same time creating slow ballads. "Just a Kiss" is probably the most fitting song listed on the record, considering the groups second studio album back in 2009, "Need You Now". Off of that album came great hits like "Need You Now" and "American Honey".



Although most of the songs are what fans are used to, there are a few that don't really stand out in a good way. "Love I've Found in You" is mostly a slow ballad that doesn't really relate to the rest of the album's theme. "Singing Me Home" is also different, compared to previous sounds usually recorded.



"Cold as Stone" however takes quite a different sound direction by having an upbeat chorus that stays in your head throughout the day. Plus, the duet between Hilary Scott and Charles Kelley (singers from the group) never leave listeners bored with their romantic, intertwining voices.



Lady Antebellum might have taken their time on making this album, but it definitely paid off. Their song beats, writing abilities, and of course musically talented voices is what makes this group so popular and a success not only in the country world, but as well as in pop culture. Saturday, October 08, 2011 By Louska Moise - Staff Writer



Wednesday September 21st, an African American man by the name of Troy Davis was executed by the state of Georgia, with lack of physical evidence.



It happened over twenty years ago, specifically 22 years on August 19, 1989. Davis was accused of killing an off-guard police officer, Mark MacPhail in Savannah, Georgia. Davis was convicted in 1991. Prosecutors say MacPhail ran to the "scene" of Davis bashing a hermit with a handgun over begging for beer, they also said he had a smirk on his face as he shot at the officer, who was no where to be found, though they said the shell casing of the gun was associated to a previous shooting Troy was convicted of.



Many witnesses identified Davis as the shooter of MacPhail at the crime scene, and numerous witnessed and jurors changed their mind and withdrew their accounts and the guilt they bestowed on him.



Many protested this execution, marching in front of the White House, but President Obama had nothing to say. Other wore shirts, signs saying "I am Troy Davis and I am innocent"



MacPhail's widow expressed "nothing to rejoice," but that it was "a time for healing for all families. I will grieve for the Davis family because now they're going to understand our pain and our hurt." She was not rejoicing unlike other family members of Mark MacPhail. She added, "My prayers go out to them. I have been praying for them all these years. And I pray there will be some peace along the way for them."



Yet many also claimed Davis was in fact the one who shot officer.



For instance MacPhail's mother, Anneliese MacPhail, believed Davis was guilty, declaring on a phone interview, "I'm kind of numb. I can't believe that it's really happened, all the feelings of relief and peace I've been waiting for all these years, they will come later. I certainly do want some peaceHe's been telling himself that for 22 years. You know how it is; he can talk himself into anything. He has had ample time to prove his innocence," MacPhail said, and added,"and he is not innocent."



Believing Davis was guilty is bizarre and outlandish, due to not being present at the scene, in addition to not finding any genuine evidence. What has America come to when we betray the Eighth Amendment which prohibits the federal government from imposing excessive bail, excessive fines or cruel and unusual punishments? Killing an innocent man is cruel injustice, only understandable if the claim was accurate and had more solid back up to the ruling.



Some supporters who believed Davis was innocent and were trying to help included former President Jimmy Carter, Pope Benedict XVI, a former FBI director, the NAACP, and several conservative figures and celebrities such as hip hop star and entrepreneur Sean "Diddy" Combs.



Although with no physical evidence (since no weapon was retrieved off Davis linking him to shooting Mark MacPhail) he was still accused and executed for the murder. There are even when people like Casey Anthony, who are free with so much evidence and lies. Is this discrimination? To many people it seems like it.



Davis execution was stopped three times in 2007, but this year he ran out of legal alternatives. His execution was paused three times just that Wednesday as well. Davis declined a final meal with his family and supporters.



His final statement before the lethal injection took course, telling his family to "continue to fight this fight" and blessing the prison officials. "May God have mercy on your souls. May God bless your souls."



As he was executed his family members, and protesters outside, wept and grieved outside. Saturday, October 08, 2011 By Ricardo Rodriguez - Editor and Illustrator -



In 1946, the term "STD" was not in existence, and very little was known about it, except that this venereal disease was infecting people around the world. The term for a Sexual Transmitted Disease did not come around until the 90s, yet we didn't await a name to start testing and experimenting on this threat.



For two years, 1946 till 1948, men and woman in Guatemala were unknowingly being infected with syphilis, deliberately by American scientist, a study only recently uncovered by medical historian Susan Beverby at Wellesley College, who uncovered the journals of Dr. John Cutler. Beverby had not intentionally leading any investigations into anything involving the case, documents USA Today, instead she was working on a book. Only until after debuting her findings were the modern government health officials ever aware of such monstrosity.



Studies in those two years were spent questioning whether penicillin could prevent diseases conveyed sexually. When no results were shown, the study was withdrawn, the case hidden beneath the years, a remarkable thing, hiding such a repulsive experimentation for sixty years, considering that around 1,308, a number drawn by USA Today were tested on. Those infected were then forced into treatment to see the reaction, but any successful treatments have shown, at least 83 of those infected even killed throughout the experiments.



What would have been violating the rules of research of modern study, laws against testing on humans without their consent were not around in the 1940s, and so the studies commenced, led by physician John Cutler U.S. Public Health Service, infecting their human lab rats with diseases to watch the affects, even looking for results from the diseases outcome on patient's children. "Subjects were exposed to syphilis, gonorrhea, and cancroid," reports discovered study information recently unveiled. The testing "included prisoners, soldiers from several parts of the army, patients in a state-run psychiatric hospital, and commercial sex workers."



The news, outcomes and other facts in the case of the US's studies are being revealed more with each leap inside investigation, but the US has not had a clean slate hitherto; our medical history has long since been riddled with dark secrets buried behind laboratory doors. On this case, however, we have made many strides to atone for those who came before us, officials attempting to keep the relationship with Guatemala and the US on well enough terms, President Obama personally making calls in hopes America's past sins will not taint our current relations.



Yet, who knows how many cases are still out there in places unknown to us as normal citizens? Our Earth is a large place, discoveries still being made. Who is to say something like this will never happen again?It may even be happening to this day right under our noses and in our own country. Saturday, October 08, 2011 By Justin Fertig - Sports Editor



The John I. Leonard Lancers took on a Wellington team that relied on trash talk all week over PBgametime.com. The Lancers kept their mouth shut and it showed that Wellington was all talk and no walk.



Wellington scored the first 14 points of the game and from then on it was quiet on the Wolverines sideline, when Adam Johnson connected with Jerry Jones on a 28 yard touchdown pass that sparked the lancers sidelines and stands, then they took off.



Johnson passed for a total of 235 yards and threw for three touchdowns, but the Lancers shot themselves in the foot with 8 penalties for 70 yards, where the week before the Lancers only had 3 penalties for intentional out-of-bounds kickoffs.



After a scoreless 3rd quarter, Johnson cam back and connected once again but with a different receiver, Nesly Ovincy, for a long 53 yard bomb. After a turnover by the Wolverines, Johnson lead the Lancers down to the wolverines 25 yard line where they called on Danny Zamorano for a 35 yard field goal which he nailed.



With 3 seconds left the Lancers stuck the finishing blow in with a 24 yard pass from Johnson to Jerry Jones once again.



"It was nice to win our first home game but that's just one step in our road to the district title." Johnson said.



Saturday, October 08, 2011 By Matthew Townsend



This season the basketballs team main focus is to win a state championship. Last year was a very successful year for the Lancers they went 19-6 and were runner-ups in numerous tournaments. According to Coach Jim Howell what sets the Lancers apart from their opponents is their stifling full court press defense the whole game. Most teams don't do this because it takes a lot of stamina but the Lancers do plenty of stamina conditioning which keeps them in shape and lets them do what they need to do to win games.



This year with a lot of newcomers the team expects to kick them into shape so they play at the Lancer standard. With all the coaches saying the team has the potential to be state champions lets see if the team can put their words into action. The team practices hard with conditioning on Tuesday and Thursday and tryouts beginning in October this is a time of serious hard work for those returning to the team and those trying to make the team.



With a lot of people graduating the teams' goal is a state championship. Saturday, October 08, 2011 By Tyana Lewis - Staff Writer



Parenting is something individuals shouldn't take lightly. It is something that shouldn't be underestimated so when those people are matured enough, they can handle the privilege of being a better parent.



Irresponsible parenting doesn't only deal with young teens; it can be dealt with adults as well. A person's age doesn't decide how their parenting skills are, it's the decisions they make. There are many people on Earth today that are either victims of bad parenting or the ones "dishing it out". "It'shumane to society and when parents don't take care of their child, it gets passed down from generation to generation. If children don't have a responsible role model around, they wont learn the sense of responsibility", says junior Terrell Evans.



Abusive families and broken homes can really scar a child for life. Parents who are constantly dealing with alcohol, personal problems that would make them lash out on how they handle life or even drug-related problems are the reasons why people become irresponsible parents today.



"Mentally ill people should not be allowed to breed," says percy-ricketts.com "Nor anyone under age of 21 or anyone who does not have the ability to provide financial support for at least 25 years at the time of the conception."



Statistics show that nationally, over 19.2 million children live with single parents, about 3 millionof them live with single fathers, the other 16 million live with single mothers.



This goes to show that irresponsible parenting is not just a simple issue to ignore. It's an issue that should be paid more attention to so these statistics can drop and make the nation better.
Full Post