3December 2011Hi Times Issue 3 Vol. 103

How to keep that summer glow once winter hits LaPorteBy Alex SaliwanchikStaff Writer

Get involved in the communityBy Jenna DiehlStaff Writer

Facing winter fears By Hannah Demchak Staff Writer

Proud to be associated with La Porte High School

and The Hi-Times Newspaper

Go Slicers!

Whether it’s driving down an icy road or putting up a Christmas tree, there always seem to be various winter fears that strike the hearts and minds of many seasonal celebrators. Although some people may not realize it, their most unique, yet personal, fears have proper names. For those who hate being crowded in traffic jams during a bliz-zard or being stuck in groups of thousands on Black Friday, you may have ochlophobia or agoraphobia, the fear of being in large crowds). This is one of the most common pre-season Christmas-time fears. However, as December 25 inches closer, one might experience selaphobia, or the fear of flashing Christmas lights (maybe this would scare epileptics), or even ghabhphobia, the fear of gifts. Who knows why some of these are even fears? Who would be scared of a present? Maybe a person could be scared of getting coal or a bad, knitted sweater from grandma. Sophomore Jessica Kirkham said, “My biggest holiday fear is that Santa won’t come bring me any presents.” Then there is also ho-hophobobia or santaphobia, the fear of Santa Clause. This fear pertains to people who fear overweight, round men with white beards in black boots and a red suit. Keep in mind that this fear usually only pertains to St. Nick, not your overweight, old teacher that wears red sweaters every other day. As for the “not-so- hopeless romantics” out there, the fear for kiss-ing under the mistletoe is cyssanophobia. There really should be nothing to be afraid of in this case, unless the person you are kissing has Mono. People who may be afraid to take a ride on the religious side could have teleophobia, which is the fear of religious ceremo-nies. Others may have krikophobia, which is the fear of attending church services (especially around Christmas). If someone fears driving down a slick road with tall snow banks, you could possibly have chromophobia or the fear of snow. One will usually have this fear if they have bad driving skills in these bad weather conditions. Senior Taryn Breitzka said, “I hate driving on roads that are icy. I always think I’m going to get snowed in.” So during the long, frosty winter months, the population should make sure they take proper action to face their biggest holiday fears.

As the upcoming holidays quickly approach, many people are looking for ways to give back to the less fortunate. “Usually, I go through my closet about this time of year and find all my old clothes that don’t fit me or I don’t wear. My family does the same and then we all go drop off our donations to Goodwill or a Salvation Army box,” said junior Abbi Fryer. Around the holidays, Good-will even takes some of the incoming donations to needy families personally. When you shop at Goodwill, the money ultimately goes to job training programs and other services that many less fortunate communities across America need. Volunteering is another way to become involved with Goodwill and make a difference in the world. At 165 locations across the United States and Canada, Goodwills are seek-ing to meet the needs of their communities. Diverse volunteer opportunities are available. They include mentoring youth, preparing taxes for people with low incomes, event support and résumé counseling. Similarly, the Salvation Army foundation does many great

things throughout the com-munity. The Salvation Army does their annual soup kitchen dinners, Angel Tree children, and ringing their bells for the needy. “My family always normally picks an Angel Tree child to buy and wrap gifts for. It makes me feel like at least I know another child will wake up and feel the joy of Christmas Morning like I did when I was little,” said junior Kami Khan. To get involved with the Salva-tion Army, go to the Salvation Army building located at 3240 E Street Highway for further information. A new community home began to work magic in La Porte. The

Worthy Women’s Recovery Home recently opened in Sep-tember. The home helps troubled and battered women find a way to get back on their feet. Owner and founder Sonshine Troche said, “I started this pro-gram because I used to be where these women are now. I help them begin their recovery, but mostly they help themselves. They draw and talk about what choices they’ve made and soon they begin to realize what to change in their lives.” WWRH is in need of fund-raising and help fixing up the building. To get involved, contact Sonshine at sonshine@worthyrecovery.org.

During the winter time, it is hard to keep a summer tan. A lot of people like to keep their sum-mer glow year around. Using a tanning bed can ex-pose people to harmful ultra-violet rays. Ultraviolet rays, also known as UV rays, damage the outer surface of the body and can lead to cancerous moles. “People always tell me that I shouldn’t be tanning because it is really bad for me. I only do it because I like to be tan in the winter time and when I go to dances for school. I like to keep my color, even though I know the possible conse-quences,” said junior Amanda Brinkman. Sunless tanning products are sold at most convenience stores. These products come as creams, gels, lotions and sprays that people can apply to their skin. When these products are ap-plied, they react with dead cells in the outside layer of the skin, which temporarily darkens the layer’s appearance. The color doesn’t wash off unless someone washes it off with soap directly after they apply it. People need to be careful not to apply too much to their body or they could become discolored or an unattractive orange color. “When I used the tanning lo-

tion for a sunless tan, it looked like I had gone tanning a couple times. It didn’t look any differ-ent because I applied the right amount of lotion. I have seen some people who have used it and they turned orange because they didn’t follow the direc-tions,” said sophomore Rachel Null. Another option is a profession-

al spray-on tan. These are available at many salons, spas and tanning business-es. The purpose of a spray-on tan is to apply

chemicals to the skin to produce an effect similar to the appear-ance of sun tanning without the cancerous risks. “When I got my first spray-on tan, I was very happy with the effects. It looked like a regular tan and I didn’t have to worry about getting burnt in a tanning bed,” said senior Kelsee Robin-son. In the state of California, they have recently passed a law that children under the age of 18 can-not go tanning. This will go into effect on January 1, 2012. Other states are considering taking the same precautions as California, but they have yet to take action. In case Indiana enforces similar regulations, tanners can now find reassurance in the fact that sunless tanners are gaining popularity.

“When I got my first spray-on tan, I was very happy with the effects. It looked like a regular tan and I didn’t have to wor-ry about getting burnt in

a tanning bed.” --Kelsee Robinson, Senior

This past Sunday afternoon I went to the theater to watch the newest edition of “Twi-light,” “Breaking Dawn Part 1” which raked in $139 million in its opening weekend. Since this was the first “Twilight” movie I have ever seen, I can review it without bias. “Breaking Dawn” starts where “Eclipse” left off. At the end of “Eclipse,” Edward proposed to Bella who hap-pily accepted. The newest movie begins with Jacob receiving an invi-tation to Edward and Bella’s wedding. He immediately be-comes furious and transforms into a werewolf mid-air as he disappears into the woods. Following Jacob’s outburst, the over-the-top, outdoor wedding takes place. The music and the visual display really made the wedding seem unique. Then comes the honey-moon where the build up to the climax takes place. Bella becomes pregnant with a blood-sucking, life-depleting baby. Edward wants to abort the infant in order for Bella to survive, while Bella wishes to keep the tot and sacrifice her own life. This relates the movie to real life where the abortion issue is very contro-versial. Bella keeps the baby much to Edward’s disappointment. Bella deteriorates rapidly throughout the movie until the vampires discover that the baby is craving blood. If she drinks blood, she will have a chance at survival. And she slurps that blood up like a milkshake. In the meantime, the were-wolves have a quarrel with the Cullens over the little vampire. They want to kill Bella and her unborn baby. However, Jacob isn’t having any of it. He uses his alpha male power to separate from Sam’s tribe and venture out on his own. Shortly after, Seth and his sister, Leah, fol-low Jacob’s lead and join him in protecting Bella and her baby. Jacob holds off his fellow

“Breaking Dawn” ‘breaks’ skeptics low expectationsZach McCoyStaff Writer

LaPorte High School students, Elle Dragos and Mike Curtis, dress up for Twlight movie Breaking Dawn’s midnight permium as Bella and Edward.

werewolves until the gory birth of Renesme. When Jacob is introduced to Renesme, they immediately feel a bond, and he imprints. This is important because now the werewolves cannot harm Renesme. She is forever protected by Jacob. After Bella is injected with Edward’s venom which saves her life, she is transformed into a vampire. The movie concludes with Bella suddenly opens her red eyes. Carlisle sends an an-nouncement to the Voltaire to inform them of Renesme’s birth leading viewers to be-lieve that the Voltaire have a desire to have her as part of their pack. There are questions that will be answered in the next edi-tion such as: How will Bella’s life change as a vampire? Is the wolves’ and vampires’ treaty now broken? Is Jacob on steroids? Watch part two on November 16, 2012 to find out! In the meantime, for those who cannot wait until 2012 to

find out what happens to the beloved ‘Twilight’ characters, fans can pick up a copy of the book edition of “Breaking Dawn.” Stephanie Meyer released the “Twilight” series in 2005 and it has become a staple for many readers, both young and old. The fourth book, “Breaking Dawn,” was seperated into two parts for the movie in order to fit all of the content into a reasonable time slot. While viewers of the movie may have been shocked and surprised by the ending, those that have read the book may have some valuable insight that the others do not. Many argue that the book is better than the movie or vice versa, but who am I to decide? Each contains an abundent amount of blood, growls and romance. Fans can pitch in their fi-nal opinions in 2012 when the second movie premieres. Until then, pick up a copy of the dazzling series!

Photo by Coutney West

Seniors Kelsey Sule and Jordan Gasaway pose with a shoebox full of goodies at an FCA meeting.

Photo provided