A note of "confidence" from an eighth grade girl

By Charmaine S.

Saying that guys are better than girls at math because they have more confidence is wrong. You should be ashamed, Mr. Behrendt. You are a teacher promoting sexism. Listen to the voice of experience. I've been a girl for fourteen years, and girls definitely have as much, if not more, confidence than boys. If, in fact, girls aren't doing as well as boys in your class, it could be a result of the negative message that you are sending. So I advise you before you make assumptions, do the math.

To Study, or not to Study

By Brittany B.

This school needs a Study Hall block because sometimes we forget to study for a major test or do an important paper. We aren't perfect. Sure, grownups forget to finish their reports and they don't get a study hall, but we're just kids now, and we deserve a study block.

It really hurts our grades if we get a low percentage on a huge, important test. Also, aren't teachers supposed to care how we score on a test? If we were teachers, most of us would want our students to grow up and win Nobel Prizes as young and brilliant rocket scientists, or for them to save peoples' brains as talented neurologists.

Just suppose that you accidently forget to write up a science report due today. Instead of the teacher yelling you out, wouldn't it be better for you and your grade if you could write up a quick report on the feeding rituals of a Toucan Bird? I would definitely pick the report, you'd still get half credit, or maybe all.

Although it would also mean having to stay at school a little longer, it would help us in the long run. For now, try to remember to do your homework or study for that test, because we don't have a study hall, yet, that is. It would be much easier, and better for our grades if we could do a forgotten homework page or study for that test in a block called Study Hall, but for now it is just a dream.

Zareena offers a review of the VH1 1997 Fashion Show Awards

By Zareena J.

Hello all! I have decided to share with you my humble opinion of the fashion awards and fashion in general. The awards were hosted by Ashley Judd, who appeared in a very glittery garbage bag, and Harry Connick Jr., who wore a black suit and shirt with a Shanghai silk tie, as did many of the men at the awards.

They then showed some of the latest designs. I noticed a lot of long dresses in silver, and as for the guys, Helmut Lang had an awesome metallic silvery-black suit with a gray shirt. By the way, stiletto heels are back. Not one model wore platforms.

The most fashionable music video was Fiona Apple's "Criminal." I have nothing against the song, it happens to be one of my favorites, but hello, there is nothing fashionable about being able to count someone's ribs... As John Bartlett said, "fashion is clothes, style is how you wear them."

A very deserving Will Smith won best personal style. Courtney Love won best personal style for women. This is a travesty and an insult to fashion.

Best second line went to Donatella Versace, whose collection features many Rock and Roll type aggressive dresses. In this case, Calvin Klein was robbed. His line appeals to a broader range of people. Because of the simplicity of his designs, it can dress the conservative, and the more wild.

There was a very touching tribute to Gianni Versace. Demi Moore said it best when she said, "Gianni knew that the most brilliant dress or design was but a shadow to true laughter and joy." After that, they showed his spring line, and the only way to describe it is brilliant.

There were many performers as well. First it was the Rolling Stones, now I can forgive the drugs, and the tasteless tight pants, but he not only wore navy blue with black, he combined it with orange!!!! The Stones were followed by Fiona Apple. There were so many things wrong with her I don't know where to begin, okay, yes I do. She was wearing too much yellow eye shadow, for those of you who are unclear about this, NO EYE SHADOW ABOVE YOUR EYEBROWS!!!!!! That wasn't enough for dear Fiona, no, she had to pretend she was going through some sort of withdrawal. Looks like this "Criminal" robbed a Starbucks, because her vibrato was so out of control it sounded like she was having convulsions. En Vogue performed as well, they were wearing similar dresses in varied designs in black and silver. There was also a couple of bearded men on whom I wish not to comment.