Due to the immense power of our federal government, people often argue that it is too powerful and should be lessened. Since the 1990’s there has been an effort to shift power from the federal government to the states. States’ rights have been an issue since our country was first founded, and even now we […]

I. Introduction: Starting in 1970 21 states reduced the minimum drinking age to 18. Another 8 reduced it to 19 or 20. However, these states noticed increases in alcohol-related fatalities among teenagers and young adults. As a result, of the 29 states that had lowered their drinking age, 24 raised the age again between 1976 […]

Every little girl dreams to be beautiful like a princess. Today’s children’s beauty pageants are prejudicial to a child’s development. These pageants can lead to low self-esteem and poor body image. I believe parents should not pressure these children to participate in these type of events. These beauty pageants overly expose little girls, that can […]

We are well into the year of 2011 and technology is continuing to advance and a faster and faster rate. As technology advances there continues to be more of an opportunity for things to go wrong. The ability of our society to obtain information has been becoming as easy as it has ever been. I […]

Appendixes are known for causing trouble. While these tube-shaped sacs are usually harmless, an infected appendix can disrupt an otherwise functioning system and if ignored for too long, take a life. Mental illnesses such as depression can be dangerous as well, often going untreated for months, years, or even lifetimes. Failing to acknowledge the significance […]

I wanted to be short when I was younger. No, seriously. I wanted to be the 4’6”, missing-growth-spurt 7th grader who walked down the middle school halls in her size 3 Converse, maybe wearing jeans from the Macy’s kids section. It had always been a dream of mine, I even asked Santa Claus to stop […]

As a nine-year-old visiting the University of Pennsylvania for the first time, I stopped in front of one of the many statues that dot the campus and peered into its face. I studied its nobility, its deep contours reflecting knowledge, intellect, even wisdom. My father told me it was Ben Franklin, reminding me that I’d […]

Corinne walked into the house and I followed close behind, but ran into her when she suddenly stopped at a worrying sight. Our mother sat at our kitchen counter, crying, while holding her cell phone in a fist. Corinne stayed frozen a few feet from the entryway while whispering, “What happened?” My sister and I […]

Summer jobs are a rite of passage for all teenagers, and my first summer job initially was no exception. Last June I joined the lifeguarding staff at Wild Island Water Park. My motives were tanning, talking, and texting prospective boyfriends. In addition to passing my Advanced Lifesaving course, I received training in pool chemistry, bathroom […]

“We will be getting a new student next week, and we would like you to help her around the school,” my fourth grade teacher said. And I agree happily. Excited about being asked, I imagine a fourth grade friendship. Painting nails. Sharing secrets. Being best friends. Next week came quickly, and I raced from the […]