(un) Healthy Habits:

An Easy Thanksgiving Dessert to Try This Year!

by Taliha, 10th grade

I am not sure about you all, but for me, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday ever! I love how I am able to spend time with family, wear cute fall outfits, and last but not least eat (which is my favorite part). My grandma is known for her pumpkin cheesecake, which she brings every year, and each year I just can’t get enough of it.

From the flaky cheesecake crust to the sweet, but still warm pumpkin filling everyone at my house on Thanksgiving goes crazy whenever she brings it out. Every year, it is gone in less than 5 minutes.

First, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Next, make sure to gather all the ingredients!

You will need:

• 2 package of cream cheese
• 3/4 cup white or brown sugar
• 1 can of pumpkin purée
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg, and
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

For the crust, you need:

• 11 graham cracker sheets,
• 1/4 cup of sugar,
• 6 Tablespoons of butter, and
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

My grandma always says that the pumpkin pie spice is what adds the “spiced” flavor, and adds it in the crust as well. She says that is what makes the difference!

My grandma starts off with the crust first because it needs time to harden, so I would suggest doing the same. Start off with making sure the graham crackers are all crushed into a fine powder, and then combine them with butter, pumpkin pie spice, and sugar.

Then, my grandma takes her special pie plate, pours the paste into the middle of the pan, and spreads it evenly across the entire pie plate, adding a thicker layer to the sides. She emphasizes adding more of the crust on the sides to give it the “pie” look to it. After you finish adding all the crust to the pie plate, put the plate into the fridge for about 2-4 hours to let the crust harden.

Moving on to the filling, first start by combining cream cheese and sugar, and beating it, ensuring that they are mixed together fully. Then, start to add sour cream, vanilla extract, pumpkin purée, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice.

Stir all together until fully combined. Now, you can start to add the eggs, one at a time, but make sure that each one is fully incorporated before you add in the next. You can taste it as well at this point, and make any changes that you deem necessary to make it taste better!

Now, it’s time to take the crust out of the fridge! Once you see that it has fully hardened, add the cheesecake batter directly to the crust, and fill in all the gaps as best as you can. When you finish that, transfer the finished cheesecake into the oven which you preheated, for about 30-35 minutes, until the cheesecake is almost set. Finally, transfer it back into the fridge to cool, and then once it has set (should take around 6 hours) it is ready to be served.

My grandma always serves her pumpkin cheesecake sliced, with whipped cream, but you can have it any way you like. If I had the option, I would eat the entire cheesecake by myself, but Thanksgiving is all about family, and sharing memories over food. I hope this recipe can be something you can enjoy this Thanksgiving!

National Observance:

Road Safety Week November 17 to November 23

by Mateo, 11th grade

The lack of road safety consistently finds itself among the largest concerns to the United States’ well-being. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), unintentional accidents, many of which involve road-related incidents, are the third most frequent cause of death in the U.S. In 2022, the most recent year for which accurate data is available, motor vehicle crashes alone claimed the lives of over 40,000 people, with the most deaths occurring here in the state of California. Road Safety Week works to lessen the number of road accidents and mitigate their effects by spreading awareness to people on the long-term impacts car crashes have on victims and their families.

The Road Safety Week campaign was started in 1997 by the charity organization Brake. Based in the United Kingdom, Brake is dedicated to preventing as many deaths and injuries caused by road accidents as possible by educating the public and offering support to those affected by accidents. During Road Safety Week, the people at Brake actively work to inspire change in road safety within the community by pushing for government funding of care for victims of a road accident and their families.

They also provide extensive aid for those affected both physically and mentally by a crash through their National Road Victim Service and educate the youth on how to lower the likelihood of an accident. Brake also highlights the people who risk their own lives to save someone else in the event of a crash and celebrates their overlooked heroics by giving them the credit they deserve.

Although Brake works mainly in the U.K., its Road Safety Week campaign has many applications here in America as well. For instance, a big part of the event is the education of children on road safety, as thousands of schools participate in helping the cause yearly. Here in\ the U.S., motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers, accounting for nearly 10% of all yearly car accidents. Having improved education on road safety for children would help develop drivers who are more mature and responsible on the streets, thus keeping our community that much safer. In addition, we could offer extra support as a community to anybody who may have been involved in a life-altering road incident or who may have close connections to someone involved in an accident. Even something as simple as spending time with them could help ease the trauma resulting from the incident and make the recovery process more comfortable for the affected person.

Road safety is not a joke; a serious accident could change your life in the blink of a second. By supporting Road Safety Week, you can help make the road a safer place for both current and future drivers. We are destined to lead fulfilling lives rather than reduce ourselves to a statistic on a death toll, and Road Safety Week is a much-needed reminder of this simple fact.

Featured Pet: Meet Mac

by Jules, 8th grade

Mac, a 5-year-old Siberian Husky eagerly searching for his forever home, has been patiently waiting at the shelter since February. Mac would make the perfect addition to your family just in time for the holidays. Being a curious pup, Mac loves exploring the outdoors and hiking, making him a great fit for any nature-loving family.

If you’re interested in meeting or adopting Mac, please contact OC Animal Care.

(714) 935-6848 and state Animal ID: A1826502 or visit their website at ocpetinfo.org.

Disaster Preparedness

How to Handle Emergencies

by Alicia, 7th grade

Disaster preparedness, the state of being equipped to handle emergencies, is crucial for responding effectively to catastrophic events, yet it is often overlooked by the public.

The ability to recognize and respond to disasters is vital, relying on three key elements: disaster awareness, proactive planning, and effective use of available resources.

Disaster awareness forms the foundation of preparedness. It helps individuals and communities recognize potential risks and understand the necessary actions to mitigate harm during crises. There are many types of disasters, including natural events, technological accidents, terrorism, pandemics, and home fires.

While these events vary, they share common traits like unpredictability and overwhelming consequences. A community must understand local hazards to tailor emergency plans that maximize effectiveness. For instance, families in Oklahoma might prepare for tornadoes, while those in Florida focus on hurricane and flood readiness. Understanding the impacts of potential disasters is essential to safeguarding both individuals and Communities.

In addition to awareness, having well-established plans and mitigation strategies is vital for an effective response during crises. Preparedness requires active participation, highlighting the importance of collective efforts in disaster readiness. Individual preparedness includes establishing emergency plans for personal needs, communication methods, and evacuation routes.

Additionally, assembling disaster supply kits with essentials such as food, water, first-aid supplies, and hygiene products can ensure survival during emergencies. Home mitigation measures, like anchoring furniture or securing cabinets, further reduce the risk of injury or damage during disasters.

The third crucial component of disaster preparedness is the ability to utilize available resources effectively. This involves gaining knowledge beforehand and knowing how to respond during an emergency. Training programs like those offered by the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) help individuals learn crucial survival skills.

For instance, learning to operate a fire extinguisher or improvise a tourniquet can make a significant difference in disaster scenarios. Utilizing resources and tools effectively ensures individuals can respond swiftly and competently in Emergencies.

Overall, disaster preparedness is a multifaceted process involving awareness, proactive planning, and the efficient use of resources. By understanding local hazards, creating comprehensive emergency plans, and using training and tools effectively, individuals can significantly improve their ability to respond to disasters.

Through collective engagement, communities can build resilience and ensure a more effective response, ultimately saving lives and minimizing the impact of catastrophic events.

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