Spreading the Holiday Spirit

by Olive, 10th grade

As the end-of-the-year celebrations approach, it is easy to forget that not everyone gets to experience holiday magic. According to the California Association of Food Banks, 1 out of 5 residents faces food insecurity. To support those families in need and to spread the holiday spirit, consider donating toys, books, or winter clothes.

There are many local food and toy drives that Fullerton residents can donate to: Giving Children Hope, Toys for Tots, Second Harvest, and The Heart of Downtown Food Co-Op. Simply donating canned foods or a set of Legos can provide encouragement to a family in need. The holidays are more than receiving presents and visiting Santa Claus. By contributing to the community and thinking about others, one can experience the joy of gift giving and understanding the real meaning of connection and gratitude.

A History of Thanksgiving

by Alicia, 8th grade

Thanksgiving is a cherished American tradition when families and friends gather to enjoy a delicious meal. Yet behind the turkey, pumpkin pie, and grand parades lies a vast and deep history dating back to the early English settlers known as the Pilgrims. In 1620, approximately 100 Pilgrims left England on a ship called the Mayflower seeking religious freedom and a new life. After a dangerous journey crossing the Atlantic Ocean, they disembarked in present-day Plymouth, Massachusetts. The first winter was so harsh that many settlers became ill, and half of them perished. Survival improved in the spring due to the assistance of the Wampanoag, the Native American tribe in the area.

A Wampanoag named Squanto aided the Pilgrims with growing corn and catching fish. The resulting harvest turned out very successful for the Pilgrims in the autumn. To commemorate this success, the settlers and about ninety Wampanoags dined for three days in 1621. That celebration is often regarded as the first Thanksgiving. The meal might have included roasted bird (either duck or turkey), corn, and vegetables from the harvest. It was a time of friendship and gratitude. For the next two centuries, different colonies and states in America celebrated their own days of thanks.

It was not until 1863, during the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday, hoping a day of gratitude and unity would help bind the spirits of the nation together. This establishment paved the way for the parades, football games, and family traditions known today. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which began in 1924, has become a holiday centerpiece, attracting millions of viewers each year. Thanksgiving, nevertheless, remains about thankfulness. The holiday stands for compassion, teamwork, and counting blessings with loved ones.

Staying Motivated at 5pm

by Taliha, 11th grade

The leaves are falling, the clocks have turned back, and the sun is setting before most of us students have even started our homework. It was easy to follow a routine in the first few school months, but now, when we look outside and see the darkness of the night sky at 5 pm, it is challenging to maintain that routine. As the excitement of the year slows and the air grows cold, November is the ideal month to develop a new mindset. It is important to reset between the chaos of the autumn holidays and the intensity of finals season. Rather than dreading the darkness, students can use this as an opportunity to recharge, reorganize, and reevaluate before the year comes to an end.

The human body depends on a circadian rhythm, which is our internal clock that responds to light and darkness. With shorter days, our mood and energy levels can take a dip, mirroring the sky outside. However, the seasonal change does not have to lead to lost motivation. One needs to take charge of one’s life and make every move intentional. Having a consistent night routine, especially going to bed at the same time every day during this period, is one of the best ways to maintain focus and boost morale. As a teenager, I know that sleep contributes much to living a healthy, happy life; not getting enough rest leads to problems. The National Library of Medicine says that teens who get less sleep throughout the week are more likely to struggle in school.

Insufficient sleep can also lead to unhealthy dietary habits, which contribute to feeling sluggish and tired throughout the day. According to John Hopkins University, “if a person does not get enough sleep, they are more likely to choose unhealthier foods and to eat later at night.” Even though these may be scary facts, there are solutions to beat the November slump. Little adjustments can help: drink tea before going to sleep, make sure to stay active, or even listen to music to become productive. Adopting simple habits, such as waking up at consistent times, eating a balanced meal and getting a few minutes of morning sunlight can stabilize the body’s rhythm and contribute to an overall healthy lifestyle. Two months remain in this semester, and that is more than enough time to make this season a time to remember.

What Happened to Our Government?

by Tegan, 8th grade

The U.S. federal government is currently experiencing its longest shutdown ever. The shutdown happened because Congress couldn’t agree on the necessary funding bills before the October 1st deadline. Disagreements between political parties over issues like extending ACA tax credits and cutting Medicaid spending led to this budget stalemate. Approximately 700,000 federal employees are either on furlough or working without pay, and key agencies, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), are facing difficulties.

California Governor Newsom stated that if the shutdown doesn’t end by the deadline, about 5.5 million low-income Californians, including nearly 3.5 million children and seniors, may not receive assistance for November. Currently, negotiations are stuck, which means many non-essential government operations are halted or limited. However, essential services, such as air traffic control, national security, and postal delivery, continue but are under pressure. Officials warn that if the shutdown goes on longer, it could strain these resources.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the shutdown is costing the U.S. economy about $1.4 billion each week due to lost productivity. In Southern California, local airports are experiencing longer wait times and staffing shortages, while food-assistance organizations are preparing for increased demand if CalFresh benefits are delayed. County agencies in California have started notifying residents, and contingency plans are being put into action. The last major government shutdown lasted for 34 days, and this one has already exceeded that length without a funding deal in sight.

Legal Insights: Obergefell v. Hodges

by Kate, 9th grade

In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a historic 5-4 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, declaring that the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees same-sex couples the right to marry. The case began when James Obergefell, from Ohio, sued his state for refusing to recognize his marriage to his terminally ill partner, arguing that the denial violated both Equal Protection and Due Process rights. Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the majority, stated that marriage is a fundamental right that must be extended to all couples, saying that excluding same-sex partners “would be to deny them the dignity of marriage.”

The ruling required every state to both issue and recognize marriage licenses for same-sex couples, overturning bans that had stood for decades. Opponents, including Chief Justice John Roberts, argued the Court had gone beyond its authority and that such decisions should be left to voters. Yet the decision became a major victory for LGBTQ+ rights, reshaping family law and setting a precedent for equality under the Constitution. Today, Obergefell v. Hodges remains one of the most influential rulings in modern history, symbolizing the ongoing fight for civil rights, liberty, and recognition for all Americans.

World Prematurity Day: November 17th

by Mateo, 12th grade

The typical pregnancy cycle lasts between 37 and 42 weeks, or about nine months. However, in the United States, roughly 1 in 10 babies are born too soon. Premature birth, defined as any birth that occurs before the 37th week, poses a multitude of difficult health challenges for newborns and parents alike. Due to a lack of complete development, premature infants experience breathing issues, feeding problems, and alarmingly low weight the moment they exit the womb, necessitating immediate care and prompting worrisome thoughts to form in their anxious parents’ minds. However, despite their medical setbacks, many premature babies thrive in their communities through sheer resilience and faith.

World Prematurity Day, recognized annually on the 17th of November, honors both the strong wills of these premature babies and their indefatigable parents, who endured and persevered through one of the largest fears any parent could have. World Prematurity Day, established in 2008 by the now-Global Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (GCFNI), raises public awareness of the challenges of preterm birth and advocates for a stronger support system that families can utilize to improve care for their premature babies. Originally beginning in Europe, the initiative quickly spread worldwide, with organizations such as LittleBigSouls in Africa and the March of Dimes in the U.S. adopting the observance. As a result of their international support, one can find events, advocacy drives, and campaigns from thousands of individuals and companies in over 100 countries worldwide, all dedicated to improving the lives of premature children.

Although preterm birth can occur even with a completely normal and healthy pregnancy, certain risks may increase the chances of a premature birth. Mothers with chronic health conditions, parents expecting multiple children, and expectant individualss who abuse substances like drugs and alcohol are all more susceptible to premature labor than most. However, thanks to advances in medicine and technology, premature babies are just as capable of living a happy life as any other child. One of my younger cousins was born after just six months of pregnancy, forcing him to undergo open-heart surgery at a young age. However, despite his premature birth, he is one of the most active and healthy kids I know. He wrestles, plays football, and enjoys video games, just like millions of other kids his age—and he has a gnarly scar on his chest to go with it. Premature birth is an incredibly scary scenario for many families, but it is not the end of the world by any means. World Prematurity Day serves as an important reminder that, while preterm birth has its challenges, there are many resources and tools available to support affected people on their admirable journey.

Support our advertisers click an ad below.