Got Milk?

By Nourjannah Hendi

Contrary to popular belief, milk is not as healthy a drink choice as many
believe.

Milk has long been presented as the epitome of healthy living. Drinking it,
we’ve been told, is an important part of a daily diet. This myth has been around
for much too long.

Let’s start from the source – cows. According to PureHealthMD, “milk cows are
given growth hormones to increase their milk production and antibiotics to
decrease infection.” These hormones and antibiotics both contaminate the milk.

When looking for milk that may not contain these chemicals, the label “organic”
is often misleading and does not always mean that the cows were not given any
hormones or antibiotics. “Organic” may mean that the cow was given either
hormones or antibiotics in different cases, or that the cows were fed organic
grain.

Not only do the additives contaminate a cow’s milk, but the milk itself in not
body friendly. According to Anna Nowak-Wegrzyn, and Allergist-Immunologist,
dairy is one of the most commonly reported food allergies and is, “frequently
not tolerated by the gastrointestinal tract,” which means that digesting this
recommended drink is highly difficult.

For many, milk causes bloating, constipation, and reflux. Milk may also be
linked to eczema, joint pain, worsening sinus problems, and migraine headaches.
Milk is also well known for producing mucus and is, “clinically thought to
aggravate congestion,” says Wegrzyn.

Doctor Frank Oski, a Johns Hopkins physician, wrote about the decreased results
of strep throat in children when milk is removed or eliminated from their diet.
Milk: yet another trigger.

One of the deadliest of all diseases, cancer, is also linked to milk. Doctor
Walter Willett, professor of epidemiology and head of the nutrition department
at the Harvard School of Public Health, says that there is, “quite a body of
data showing a higher risk of fatal prostate cancer associated with milk.”
Studies have also shown a higher risk of ovarian cancer associated with drinking
three or more servings of milk a day, the recommended daily intake.

Not only is milk the cause of multiple illnesses and abnormalities, it also
isn’t as healthy for one’s bones as marketers, such as those from the Got Milk
campaign, present. Although one of the main arguments for drinking milk is that
it reduces risk of fractures, in fact there is minimal evidence in support of
this. Willett points out that the countries in which no milk is consumed have
some of the lowest rates of fractures.

But milk has calcium, and calcium makes for strong bones, right? Wrong. Human
bodies barely take in any of the calcium in milk, especially in pasteurized
milk. The minimal amount of calcium that is absorbed creates calcium loss.

Milk is acidic, and calcium is a neutralizer. When milk enters the body, calcium
is released from bones and teeth to neutralize the acidic substance. Instead of
adding calcium to the bones, milk attracts calcium out of the bones, creating a
calcium deficit.

Milk is not the epitome of healthy drinking, and much of what is known is a
myth. Next time you go to the store, make a more educated decision and spend the
extra three dollars on a healthier alternative.

Got Milk?

Maybe…it’s better if you didn’t!

TJ’s Priya Shah-A Young Entrepreneur and Artist

Born into an Indian family, Priya Shah, Senior, has always been fascinated by her culture and is interested in many things Indian. An Indian tradition that captured her attention is the act of applying henna on a bride’s hands a few days before the wedding ceremony. Since a little girl, Shah has been a guest at many Henna Ceremonies in her life. Each provided her opportunity to watch professional henna artists create their magic.
“It amazed me to see her [Henna professional] whip out those designs effortlessly and beautifully, and I thought,” said Shah, “that’s what I want to be able to do.”
Shah practiced and studied the art that she dreamt of doing. She trained herself. She applied henna on her own hands and on her closest friends’ hands. She practiced her art even at school. Once she was applying henna on a friend’s hand in school, and a teacher saw her work. The teacher appreciated Shah’s talent, and later asked her to practice on her too, but after school. So impressed by Shah’s work, the teacher told Shah she should start a business. And that’s how our 17-year-old Shah became a business woman.
Shah, who is dually enrolled in TJHS and Frederick Community College, is a busy entrepreneur. She is the Vice President of TJHS’s National Honor Society, an intern with an orthodontist, and an assistant dance coach at the Arya Dance Academy where she also dances. She also takes voice lessons.
How does one manage school, extra-curricular activities, internship and a busy henna business? “I compromise on sleep,” Shah said. She admits that being her own boss helps with the workload; she schedules appointments on the dates and times she is free. Her family is also supportive.
Business was hard at first she said. She is young and people would ask the older and more experienced henna artists to do their hands rather than her, but Shah worked to get the word out about her business. She took out ads and she made sure to fulfill her commitments. Her artistic talent started to circulate, and customers eventually turned to her.
Often Shah makes her henna at home using henna powder and organic materials, for she believes the chemicals some henna dyes have may be the reason why some people are allergic to henna. She said the quality of the henna is important because the best quality gives the best results. That is why she uses only fresh henna without harmful chemicals.
Shah sets up an exhibitor stall every year at the Annual Indian Festival at the Armory where she continues to expand her customer list. She has also set up business at TJ’s tailgates. The most popular occasions for henna applications are weddings, Holi, and other Indian festivals.
At this point, Shah does not see this business as her lifelong career. It is a stepping-stone to fulfill her dream of being a doctor, but she said, “I am never going to quit henna. [It will] always be a side business.”

Spirit’s in the air!

By Sean Kenney

The start-of-school buzz is dying down, but school spirit is just starting to build up; it is Homecoming season. It is a time for spirit days and pep rallies, for touchdowns and tuxedos, and for a true expression of our school’s identity. It is a time for unity—so naturally, students are as divided as ever on the subject of Homecoming.

Many students are pumped up for the upcoming spirit week, game, and dance. The week will include several spirit days, a pep rally, Powder Puff, a festival Friday night, the Homecoming football game, and the Homecoming dance.
Red/White/Blue spirit day, a common favorite, is on Friday.  Freshman wear blue, Sophomores wear white, Juniors wear red, and Seniors wear red, white and blue.  Thursday all students dress as twins with their baes, and Wacky tacky day, another favorite, is Wednesday’s theme.
Students love the spirit of homecoming. Senior Sonia Agu called it “pretty amazing because we all come together.”

TJ’s school spirit is pretty impressive, but some students feel that some improvement is in order. At the Oakdale game earlier in the season, school spirit and attendance was not as good as it could have been, says Senior Alexis Burton, “ We could add more cheers, get more pumped up.” When asked if she was attending the homecoming football game, she responded with a resounding “Yes!”

Experimentation with red-out and white-out themes for football games has revealed promising potential for our school spirit—yet a large amount of students simply did not participate. As Homecoming season nears its climax, students will have to decide whether to assimilate into the spirit culture, or remain detached from the school’s identity.

A close contender for favorite event of the week is the Homecoming dance. The “buzz” leading up to it has been building for weeks. Senior Steven Zickafoose commented that Homecoming is a time to “get with friends in a safe environment…something to look forward to.”
Homecoming traditionally is one of the highlights of the school year, but when it comes to school spirit, Homecoming is only an event along the journey.

Guns

By Cody Boteler

Recently, President Barack Obama signed 23 executive orders in an effort to curb gun violence. Opponents to the orders believe that they will restrict the Second Amendment – or else start the country on a path that will. This is not the case, however. Here is a brief description of the 23 orders President Obama recently enacted:

The Silver Patriot Café

By Carm Saimbre

Making its debut at TJ this year, The Silver Patriot Café is held during all lunch shifts on the last Friday of every month for staff members, courtesy of the Learning for Life program. Taught by Mrs. Roberts and Mrs. O’Sullivan, Learning for Life is a program dedicated to students with severe disabilities.

So how exactly did The Silver Patriot Café come to be?

Snowhere to be Found

By Sean Dennis

(image from flickr)

“Farmers’ Almanacs predict cold winter for East,” read an article headline on washingtonnewspost.com from earlier this year. Unfortunately, that headline is hard to believe when it’s in the mid-sixties outside in January. After last year’s disappointing lack of snow,

we’re all ready to get blasted but it doesn’t seem like the snow is coming just yet from the looks of things now.

Student Profile: Airon Dakhulezt

By Claire Scott

$20,000 dollars. That’s enough cash to fund your whole college education (or half a year of college at a really expensive school), or a used Ferris wheel! With $20,000, you could buy about 400,000 pieces of gum! If you chew one piece of gum a day, that is enough gum for 1,095 years.  What could be more fantastic than almost half a million sticks of gum? How about winning the nationwide Poetry Out Loud contest that offers up twenty thousand dollars to its winner!

Poetry Out Loud, a contest for students in grades nine through twelve, invites students to recite and perform poetry; the best performance wins. Contestants are judged on a multitude of merits: accuracy, voice and articulation, physical presence and dramatic appropriateness.  While many teenagers love poetry, they do not think it is cool to share their interest, humor, or connection – out loud. That $20,000 cash prize though, like Harry Potter under his invisibility cloak, usually makes that concern disappear .

Airon Dakhulezt, a Junior at TJ, moved one step closer to this fabulous prize on January 4, 2013, when he beat out students from all of the other Frederick County schools in county competition.

Senioritis

By Jasmine Pelaez

“It’s a miracle I even made it to school today,” Senior Will Holtzinger admitted, “I dread it every morning.”

Around this time of year, a majority of high school seniors develop senioritis: an illness that inevitably results in lack of motivation, tardiness and complete disregard for all school subjects. Senioritis inhibits the day-to-day moods of almost all seniors, who, at this point, could care less about their high school responsibilities.

Stress Busters!

By Bridget Leonard

(image c/o heavenlyhands2heal.com)

Test time at TJ is like taking medicine when you are sick: nobody likes it and nobody wants it, but it’s necessary for progress. Not only that, but like medicine, the tests been known to cause side effects — the side effects from final exams can include headaches, drowsiness and even a little bit of nausea (to name a few).

Differences

By Robert Smith

For the Holidays, I went to visit my grandparents in Ireland. One of the first things I noticed was the gas prices, which were €1.50. Sounds great… Right? Well, actually, petrol prices over there are done by the liter. In other words, that amazing €1.50 per liter is equal to €6 per gallon. But wait― that’s not all! When converting euros to dollars the current exchange rate is 1 dollar = 0.76 euro. So six euro is roughly eight dollars. The craziest part? The Irish do not complain. Now, obviously, they are not happy with these prices; however, the mentality of Europeans is quite different than that of Americans.

I asked a few friends I met in Ireland about how they view Americans. They all concluded that the majority of Americans are, “Imperialistic, fat, stupid, and … full of it.” Many Europeans, instead of complaining and feeling sorry for themselves, face problems with a good attitude. They get the job done.

As a result, Europeans are mending their energy dilemma by building fuel efficient cars,  convenient public transportation systems, wind farms, and solar panels. They construct buildings with skylights and have designed showers that use less water.  They are simply trying to save energy and water wherever they can.

Europeans also continue to lead the way in safety. A vast majority of buildings in Europe are made of concrete, cinderblock, stone, brick, or marble. If one’s house was to ever catch fire, the only things that would burn are paint, carpets, furniture, doors, and roofs. In the U.S., however, houses are being built more and more from wood and cheap building materials, resulting in homes that are capable of burning down in minutes.

When I went to Toulouse, France and Brussels, Belgium, I noticed a safety precaution in their public transportation . Unlike the D.C. Metro, the metro systems there have either a railing or wall. So when the train comes into the station, the doors on both the train and walls open allowing passengers to board without any risk of injury.

Why can’t we Americans follow in their footsteps. Are we really too proud to be able to change our American lifestyle? Could we not walk instead of drive? Can we not turn off lights when we leave a room? Do we really need to keep the water running when brushing our teeth.

If Americans honestly took a moment to change a few little things in their daily lives,  we would create a positive habit that would trickle down to the media and then to politics, and then to businesses. We do see some of this today― but it takes every citizen making the change to save our planet and country. And that’s what it takes to become an independent, green nation.

(Please note, the views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.)