My dentist seems to think it’s important to remind me each time I see him that my cavities are a result of not brushing. If I am not alone in this fact, then it should be common knowledge that brushing prevents cavities. However, I recently learned that people who are at risk for heart disease need to be extra careful about brushing often.  Also, not flossing causes infections in your mouth…which is pretty much the worst place I can think of to have an infection.

There are many tips about oral care, most of which we’ve all heard. But taking care of your teeth is not only beneficial for your health, but also for your pocketbook. Dentists are doctors of the mouth, and they’re not afraid to charge patients a hefty fortune. It’s still a good idea to visit your dentist once every six months, but if you’re brushing and flossing often, you only need to worry about paying to get your teeth cleaned.  Sitting through the dentist’s cleanliness-is-next-to-godliness speech is unavoidable, but paying for a root canal isn’t!

The numbers are climbing higher and higher, and it’s becoming obvious that online piracy is a serious problem.  

Online piracy is by no means limited to music. Everyday videos, software, movies and even e-books are taken from the internet without a second thought to the original owner, or their copyright. Several different types of media have this mutual problem.

Music artists, movie producers, and game designers all work hard to develop their products. These people are all losing a lot of money to piracy on the web.

Copyright industries are going to tremendous lengths to make sure piracy is stopped. Industries like Business Software Alliance, and Recording Industry Association of America, are spending from forty to sixty million dollars each year into this project. This money could be going to weightier matters.

Studies have shown that the majority of internet users think that pirating is okay. Some don’t even realize that they are doing anything wrong. The truth is, very few things are free – including copyrighted material.

If you or anyone you know is downloading owned material off the internet, it’s crucial that you stop. Your morals and your influence on others is the fastest way to stop this pirating epidemic.

According to the Hereford ISD statement, Ramirez was stretching when the disc hit him, and was advised by the athletic trainer to keep it iced and report any worsening.

According to the victim’s uncle, Jesse Ramirez, Ramirez went to have a follow exam March 10 and reported that the pain was worsening, and was admitted to the Hereford Regional Medical Center and was placed under intensive care until he died.

Ramirez told the Amarillo Globe-News “We’re not sure exactly what happened.”

                If you ever get this urge, don’t fight it! Search your fridge and pantry for these super healthy (but a little lacking in the taste department) snacks!

• Non-fat plain Greek yogurt
• Snow peas
• Kashi granola bar
• Plain almonds
• Unsalted and unbuttered popcorn
• Steamed asparagus
• Kale chips
• Seaweed snacks
• Fruit

If you don’t have an extended selection, always opt for fruits and vegetables. Also, don’t add butter or sugar…that’s cheating! Good luck and stay healthy!

Buffington puts together a shopping list in his article that fits a standard college life along with other ideas. He even includes a snack a day so that even the biggest stomach can remain happy. Buffington also explains how the reader can spare even more money for non-necessity food items such as Little Debby snacks, a cake mix, or even buying a couple of magazines or books for reading.

For more information:

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/03/09/money-college-eating-on-less-than-35-a-week-shopping-dad-sh/

1)      Macaroni and cheese

2)      Ramon noodles

3)      A bag of apples or oranges

4)      Bunch of bananas

5)      Personal pizza

6)      Non name brand chips, crackers, and cookies

The first thing a girl needs to know to get the most flattering style is what kind of face type she has. This is important because without the right face type a style or cut can look disastrous. A style must enhance desirable features and remove attention from undesirable traits.

Face Shapes:

• Oval 
• Round 
• Square 
• Heart 
• Triangular 
• Diamond 
• Oblong

To pick out your face type use a mirror and examine what shape fits your face best. You may need to Google a couple of pictures of different face types to get a grasp on it. You’ll be surprised by how many celebrities actually have the same face type as you.

Once you’ve got your face type picked then run with it. Try researching the best styles for that type and start experimenting. Remember, the right style will lengthen the shorter faces or shorten the longer faces.

For more info:

http://www.thehairstyler.com/features/articles/hairstyles/the-right-hairstyle-for-your-face-shape

We polled 50 students to see how often they cheat, and how they cheat.

Look up answers online: 

Always: 40%

Usually: 16%

Occasionally: 24%

When desperate: 12%

Never: 8%

Ask a friend for help (copy off their paper)

Always: 40%

Usually: 18%

Occasionally: 18%

When desperate: 16%

Never: 8%

Don’t need help on homework

Always: 8%

Usually: 26%

Occasionally: 16%

Rarely: 12%

Never: 38%

The students who don’t frequently do their homework on their own are dependent on that extra help when it comes time for the test too.

Hide notes under desk during the test

Always: 14%

Usually: 6%

Occasionally: 10%

When desperate: 8%

Never: 62%

Ask a friend who took the test already

Always: 24%

Usually: 6%

Occasionally: 14%

When desperate: 20%

Never: 36%

Peek off the smartest person around

Always: 28%

Usually: 16%

Occasionally: 8%

When desperate: 8%

Never: 40%

I remember the material for the test

Always: 34%

Usually: 16%

Occasionally: 10%

Rarely: 12%

Never: 28%

                “I’ve already had 18 students sign up for the trip,” Lopez said. “It’s not too late to sign up but the sooner you sign up and pay off the trip, the more certain I am that the lowest prices will be locked.”

                The total trip fee covers the plane ride, the hotel stay and three meals per day.  Lopez said students are given two years to pay for the trip to give them an opportunity to earn the money themselves.

                “In the past, we’ve done garage sales and bake sales to earn the money,” Lopez said. “It always had to be in the summer because students are so busy during school.”

                The trip is planned by Education First Tours; the route hits the eastern side of Costa Rica including Limon Province and Dominican.  The trip consists of a wide array of activities such as a Biodome tour with a butterfly garden, visiting a beach and zip lining.

                “I’m excited for the chocolate tour,” Lopez said. “Any kind of chocolate is amazing and getting to see how it’s cultivated and where it comes from will be enriching.”

                Lopez said the locations are all “very American friendly”.  Students will personally get to know the tour guide who speaks English and most of the people in the area speak English as well.  The tour is designed for the most encouraging and educational experience as possible.

                “We had so much fun on the last trip four years ago,” Lopez said. “I got many requests to go to Costa Rica again. I figured many students who went to Costa Rica last time told the new students what an incredible time they had. That just means the trip will be something they always remember.”

Here’s a sneak peek of the itinerary:

Day 1: Fly to Costa Rica and meet Tour Director

Day 2: Visit Biodome, Poas Volcano, and hot springs

Day 3: Take kayaking trip and visit La Fortuna Waterfall

Day 4: Ziplining                                   

Day 5: Go on Chocolate tour and whitewater rafting

Day 6: Travel to Limon Province

Day 7: Enjoy time at the beach

Day 8 and 9: Depart for home

Unbeknownst to some, new bands pop up almost every day bringing a new scene to the music world. With new genres popping up, new bands have many styles of music to rock a beat.

            A musical site titled, “A New Band a Day,” or “ANBAD,” researches bands and writes about how they feel about the band. The first band popping up is named “Redfoot.” In researching, I found they have a site: redfootmusic.com. They are a band based in the genre of folk rock and Americana, founded in Kentucky in 2005 (so not extremely new, but still fairly new). They have had three “upgrades,” or leaving members replaced by new additions, throughout the years.

            The band heralds a debut, full-length album titled “Winnowing Fork.” Released in 2007 on Bad Apple Records, the band received critical acclaim for their debut. In addition to playing Christmas concerts, the band, as of late 2011, is planning on releasing a sequel to “Winnowing Fork.”

            In their review, ANBAD said, “Redfoot keep it simple, and by doing so, reveal the soft, convoluted underbelly of normality. This is a scarce talent.”

            Indeed it is a scarce talent.

Gun Woo, a 15 year old Christian boy from South Korea who loves to play baseball and soccer as well as skiing and snowboarding. He spent a few years in the U.S. as a child and speaks English quite well, but would love to come study abroad next year to improve his English and experience American life with a family.

Katharina a 15 year old ballroom dancer who also plays soccer from Germany. She’s been on a swim rescue team and adores animals. She dreams of staying with a family who owns horses while studying for a year in the U.S. What better place than Amarillo?

Kawe a 16 year old from Brazil loves sports! He plays soccer and basketball and enjoys running, riding his bike and meeting new people through sports. In addition to sports, Kawe likes watching action and adventure films. He likes watching movies with English subtitles so he can practice his English. Kawe says “I believe my stay in the USA will be very enjoyable for the both parties. I am eager to get to know and exchange experiences.”

Our school has just partnered with the Center for Cultural Interchange (CCI) Greenheart, the well-respected, nonprofit student exchange organization. They are currently looking for volunteer host families to open their hearts and their homes to the above mentioned students in addition to many more here at Randall for the 2013-14 school year. Students come from over 50 countries and are anxious to immerse themselves into American culture, a family and a high school.

Host families influence a student’s life, changing world views, and making dreams come true. When the family is so willing to give, every member has just as many rewarding and enriching experiences as the student.

In addition, CCI Greenheart has opportunities for Randall High School students to travel abroad over the summer. They offer a summer volunteer program in Costa Rica or language immersion programs in Germany, Spain, Italy, France or Costa Rica.

For more information on hosting an exchange student, visit http://www.cci-exchange.com/usprograms/host.aspx

For more information on traveling abroad visit http://www.ccigreenheart.org/greenheart-travel/teen-summer-programs-abroad/

For any of the programs email your local coordinator Lindy Wakefield at lindywakefield@hotmail.com or 806-570-5983.