The Surprising Behavior of Pigs

by Alicia, 8th grade

Society often sees pigs as muddy animals that roll around in the dirt. But they are much more interesting than that; smart, social and even a little picky about how they live.

Contrary to popular belief, pigs are surprisingly clean. If they are given enough space, they will keep their sleeping, eating, and bathroom area separate. They prefer to stay organized, and not live in the sloppy mess most people imagine.
Pigs are also very social animals that like to be around other pigs. They live in groups and form strong friendships. Within the group, they decide who leads and who follows. They communicate using different sounds; grunts, squeals and snorts that can be interpreted as “I am hungry,” “be careful” or “I feel good.”

Like many creatures, pigs are naturally curious.

They love to root, which means digging around with their snouts. Sometimes they do it to find food, and other times just to explore.

If given toys or something new, pigs will play for hours, but if bored, they may act out and create trouble. One of their best-known habits is wallowing in mud–sometimes with others. Since pigs cannot sweat, the mud helps them stay cool. It also keeps bugs away and protects their skin from the sun.

Ultimately, pigs are more than just farm animals. They are smart, playful and social, with habits that make them unique.
The next time you see a pig, you might notice it has more personality than you expected.

National Tackle Kids Cancer Day

by Mateo, 12th grade

Cancer is undoubtedly one of humanity’s greatest challenges. Simply ask one of the 1.9 million Americans diagnosed in 2022, the most recent year with accurate data, whose lives changed in an instant. Unfortunately, cancer is something even young, innocent children must face.

The American Childhood Cancer Organization reports that, annually, 16,000 newborns and young adults in the U.S. contract some form of the disease. National Tackle Kids Cancer Day, observed each year on September 15, encourages the public to raise awareness and garner widespread support for children fighting the unthinkable.

This national recognition originates from the Tackle Kids Cancer program, organized by the Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation in 2017. After discovering that only 4% of the National Cancer Institute’s annual budget was allocated to childhood cancer, the organization dedicated its services to starting fundraisers for young patients. Their efforts led to great success, including partnerships with sports teams like the New York Giants and endorsements from many businesses and institutions. As a result, the organization set aside an entire day to support both the ones battling cancer and the determined researchers working to save their lives–creating National Tackle Kids Cancer Day.

If you want to make a difference in the lives of these young cancer patients, there are many ways to help. You can start a fundraiser in your community with friends and family. It could be a bake sale, a lemonade stand (especially in the summer heat), or any other local event. Either way, you will be engaging the community and spreading the word about the Tackle Kids Cancer program’s mission. You can also take to social media to spread awareness.

A cancer diagnosis can shatter someone’s entire world in an instant, especially that of a young child. But through National Tackle Kids Cancer Day, you can help support these kids and their families in their valiant fight.

Fevers Should be Favored

by Declan, 10th grade

Many of us have struggled with falling ill and the excruciating discomfort of a fever. Although people often take painkillers or fever suppressant pills like Tylenol to ease their symptoms, these drugs can actually make the infection worse.
Fever is a crucial defense in the immune system and, when controlled, should be welcomed to a certain extent.

As humans, we take our warm-blooded nature for granted. Our bodies regulate a steady temperature around 37°C or 98.6°F, which makes us resistant to many pathogens like fungi. Sustaining this temperature in most circumstances requires extra energy, but it allows us to trigger a fever anywhere and anytime. In contrast, cold-blooded animals must move to warmer environments to raise their body temperature, which is why fish migrate to warmer waters when fighting infection.

A fever begins when the body’s pattern receptors detect a viral component, triggering an immune response. Pyrogens, chemicals that cause fever, enter the bloodstream and signal the brain’s temperature-regulating gland to raise the body’s set heat. The blood vessels closest to our skin contract to prevent heat from escaping, and our skeletal muscles generate additional heat through shivering. This temperature increase enhances the body’s defensive abilities by speeding up the production and effectiveness of immune cells and attacking proteins to locate pathogens and infected cells.

As a result, pathogens in the body experience great stress and are destroyed. However, fevers can also impair the function of healthy cells, organs and systems–except the immune system–within the body.

In adults, dangerously high temperatures starting at 105.8°F will damage healthy cells and lead to organ malfunction or failure. Severe fever-related illnesses, such as typhoid and yellow fever, remain life-threatening and account for nearly 200,000 deaths per year worldwide.

If fevers help fight illness but can also be dangerous, how should you respond when you have one?

According to the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, low-grade fevers are best left alone as they allow the body to naturally fight off infections. However, fevers above 102°F require over-the-counter or prescribed medications to prevent complications. Though uncomfortable, a fever is the body’s way of protecting itself.

Alopecia Awareness Month

by Omika, 11th grade

As the leaves begin to darken this September, let us turn our attention to a cause that impacts millions: alopecia. Alopecia Awareness Month, led by the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF), aims to support and uplift those with this complex condition. Alopecia occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, leading to hair loss that can manifest in a multitude of ways and affect people of any age. According to NAAF, pediatric alopecia areata affects 1 in 1,000 young people, and is most common in teens over the age of 12.

Alopecia includes, but is not limited to, alopecia areata (round patches or complete scalp hair loss), alopecia totalis (complete loss of hair across the scalp), and alopecia universalis (complete loss of all body hair).

Often dismissed as merely a cosmetic condition, alopecia treatments are rarely covered by insurance unless deemed absolutely medically necessary, leaving families to shoulder the cost even if they often lack the means. This systemic gap in support fails to support those who cannot afford wigs for their children, and overlooks the social and emotional toll of losing hair at any age. Thankfully, organizations like NAAF work to address this disparity by offering resources for families who are living through the diagnosis, as well as coordinating volunteer efforts, research funding and public outreach.
But these organizations cannot do it alone. So the question remains: how can we, as a Fullerton community, support these children and their families?

On Saturday, September 27, from 9 AM to 1 PM, NAAF is hosting a Walk for Alopecia fundraiser at Culver City Park near Los Angeles to raise funds for its continued efforts. Anyone is welcome to sign up and participate. Whether you have a personal connection to alopecia or simply a compassionate heart, your presence sends a message of hope, awareness and acceptance. Let us come together as a community and make sure no one walks this difficult path alone.
Register to walk or donate today at [https://naaf.donordrive.com/WFALosAngeles].