National Observances: National Supreme Sacrifice Day, March 18th

by Mateo, 10th grade

Every day, the courageous, valiant personnel who make up our city’s police force and fire brigade, as well as the roughly one million brave soldiers who comprise our nation’s military, put their own lives at risk to protect the lives of others. Unfortunately, their selfless decision to guard their communities often leads to tragic consequences.

In 2022 alone, the most recent year for which accurate data is available, around 94 firefighters, 118 police officers, and 844 military personnel tragically passed away while serving their country in the line of duty. To honor these strong, generous, self-sacrificing heroes, we observe and celebrate National Supreme Sacrifice Day each year on March 18th.

This celebration also honors the paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) who are also first responders, just like police officers and firefighters, who are placing themselves in danger to save the lives of people in emergencies. Regular civilians just like me, and you also sacrifice our lives occasionally when we need to protect others in risky situations. We have heard of ordinary citizens saving young children from a burning house or shielding innocent people from an armed threat with nothing but their own bodies.

What makes these people different from the first responders is that they are not expected to rescue people. Their desire to help despite the risk further demonstrates their extraordinary character. People who risk their lives for the benefit of the public on a daily basis also risk their mental health.

Many first responders called upon to act in emergencies may witness blood-curdling scenes and capture abhorrent mental images that their minds retain for the rest of their lives. This is even more common in the military, where raging wars, bloody fights, and wounded comrades can psychologically scar soldiers to the point that they can no longer live life normally. Despite knowing these risks, our heroes still choose to report for duty every day.

Take some time on National Supreme Sacrifice Day to honor these heroes and express our gratitude and appreciation for them.

School Viewpoint: Too Much Homework

by Marcella, 6th grade

Some teachers give a lot of homework, making it hard for students to engage in after-school activities. After sitting in class most of the day, the last thing we want is more schoolwork that takes over our precious weekends. While it is known to be a staple of traditional schooling, homework has also become a controversial topic. Some feel that homework is a necessary part of school, while others believe that the time spent on homework could be better invested elsewhere. It seems that there are standards to be met in each grade, and the homework helps students meet them. But when there is too much of them, the students tend to rush through the homework to get it out of the way. If teachers give less homework, students will likely put more effort and learn more.

What’s Trending: “Who TF did I marry?”

by Irene, 12th grade

TikTok’s algorithm curates content unique to a user’s interests and social media activity. Enhanced and personalized feeds have, thus, led to the rise of dedicated spaces for bookworms, movie fanatics, and most recently, a community of followers bound by a shared interest in Reesa Teesa’s (@reesamteesa) messy relationship with a man she believes to be a “pathological liar.”

In a sheer two weeks, Atlanta-based content creator Reesa Teesa has built a dedicated 3.5 million following by posting her 50-part “Who Tf Did I Marry” series. Each 10-minute video recounts her wild experience with her ex-husband, nicknamed “Legion,” as she uncovers his alleged fabricated past and extensive history of infidelity and crimes. In light of popular demand from the millions of viewers engrossed in her riveting content, the creator has extended the series through a live stream, which has also been uploaded on her account. The public’s interest in the narrative has prompted many to speculate that it may be adapted into a formal movie or show, much like the 2020 film Zola, which originated from a viral 2015 Twitter thread. Beating out counterpart TikTok trends related to music, food, or beauty, the “Who Tf Did I Marry” series reminds the Internet of the enduring allure of gossip.

Featured Pet: Meet Morgan

by Jules, 7th grade

Morgan is a sweet seven-year-old Pittie who loves taking long walks and spending quality time with the family. Morgan loves humans and enjoys greeting them with cuddles after a long workday. To put the cherry on top, she’s also potty trained and an excellent guard dog.

As much as Morgan loves playing with humans, she fits better in homes with no other pets. Morgan is currently with a foster family. Please contact the foster team at Foster@occr.ocgov.com for more information.

If you want to bring Morgan to her forever home, please contact OC Animal Care at (714) 935-6848 and state Animal ID: A1837999 or visit their website at ocpetinfo.org.