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| News January 2005, Volume 8, No. 3 |
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by: Julia W.
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| A variety of stretchy, plastic wrist decorations are available – not all of them raising funds for worthy causes. | |
Lance Armstrong began his foundation in 1997 after a long, seven-year battle with cancer. The foundation provides emotional, practical, and physical help for those affected by cancer. This synthetic silicon rubber band is yellow with the words “LiveStrong” sketched on it. The band is the same color as the leader’s jersey in the Tour De France bike race, a jersey Armstrong has worn many times. Supporters wear yellow as a sign of hope and to show others that they are not alone. Cancer patients can be survivors. .
A Trend Is Born
The wristband has become a hot trend among the famous. Everyone from President Bush, to Ben Stiller, to reality TV participants show their support. As of October 9, over 17 million were sold at $1 each. This is almost three times more money than the $6 million the foundation had expected to raise.
Since the wristband has been doing so well, other organizations have begun to sell wristbands too. There are three different types of pink wristbands for breast cancer and a tie-dye one for breast cancer research.
There are also bands to show support for Iraqi troops, AIDS, and lupus. Many bands are also available online, but buyers should beware. Only the bands purchased directly from the organizations themselves support the cause. On other sites, like EBay, people try to resell their bands for their own profit.
The Trend Hits Peacock
LiveStrong bands have been around Peacock for months. But is it for the cause or just a fashion statement? Sixth grader Kaitlynn Nelson thinks the reason is both. "Some people buy the wristbands because they want to help the illness," she commented, "but others buy them just to be part of the trend." She added, "Girls wear the LiveStrong bands more than boys because they think of fashion more,"
Seventh grader Kara Field differs. "I think people buy them because they think LiveStrong is cool and it helps people," she stated. "Both boys and girls wear the bands because they are aware of the cause."
Because some people try to make money by selling the bands instead of donating the money, it is unclear whether the bands are helping sick patients or not. “I think the wristbands will help the patients, but it depends on where people purchase them,” Kaitlynn. Kara said that she tries to wear both her breast cancer and LiveStrong wristband everyday; Kaitlynn does the same. Both students ordered their LiveStrong wristbands from the Internet.
A Show of Support
But whether it's just fashion or a huge amount of caring, the number of people who wear these bands shows the success of the Lance Armstorng Foundation program. Real supporters show cancer patients that they are not alone, that they can be survivors. Peacock students can also show this support and give hope to many sick patients around the world if they "Wear Yellow"!
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Family Tree Fest Returns to Community Library
by: Mr. Peel
The 25th Annual Family Tree Fest is appearing at the Itasca Community Library during the month of January. Through a popular 7th grade project, students research their own family backgrounds.
The students collect photos, memorabilia, and certificates of record to assembly in a notebook. One student, Amanda Busljeta, was the first person in 25 years to track all 32 great-great-great grandparents!
These notebooks are carefully displayed in the glass cases between the atrium and the circulation desk of our local library. As part of the project, students are recorded on video as they turn through the pages of the notebooks, explaining various relatives and where they had gotten the information. This video is edited to an hour and runs in a loop with earphones for libary visitors to enjoy
Come and see one hundred-year-old photos, immigration papers from Ellis Island, baptism and birth certificates, and unique old family photos. This is HISTORY! All students did an incredible job on their Genealogy Albums.
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Don't Forget Those New Year's Resolutions!
by: Tara B.
Happy New Year! Families and friends all around the world gathered together with one another to celebrate and count down the turn of the year from 2004 to 2005.
Many people watched the crystal ball fall in New York City on TV and made a new resolution for the year to come when the clock struck midnight. Some New Year’s resolutions were to make a certain sports team, to get better grades, make new friends, spend more time with family, and to reach new heights.
Good luck and I hope your New Year’s resolutions come true. I hope you enjoyed celebrating your Winter Break and that you’ll have a fresh start in the days to come.
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