Blood Drive

Are you interested in donating blood and saving lives? Well, West Clermont High School and Hoxworth Blood Center are teaming up. Hoxworth will be coming to WCHS Wednesday, October 10th, and they will be allowing students to donate blood from 8:00am to 1:30pm. Why should you donate? Donating blood helps save thousands of people’s lives a year. Also, students who donate get a free shirt, those who donate four times in their high school career get to graduate with a red cord and sometimes earn scholarship opportunities. For more opportunities check out www.hoxworth.org/highschool.

Prom Makeup Styles

Prom is just around the corner, if you’re a student at WCHS then it is this Saturday! With prom coming up so fast you want to have your makeup look prepared, especially if you want to look beat! In order to help you pick out your perfect makeup choice, you should probably have an idea of what you want. So don’t stress out because I may just have your solution!

Winter Court Crowning

Winter Dance Court

Is Animal Testing Bad?

Is animal testing so bad? Well let’s start with what is animal testing? Animal testing is where scientist test products such as cosmetics and medicines on animals in order to see if they are safe on humans. The animals that are mostly tested on are rats/mice, rabbits, bids, guinea pigs, and other small vertebrates. In some cases cats, dogs, pigs, and some other “farm animals”.

The animals that are used in laboratories are often bred just for experimentation. We as humans like to think in many cases the animals that are tested on come out completely okay! Except that isn’t the case at all! These animals are poked at with needles and other sharpe and scary objects, basically tortured for endless periods of times. In some cases this is even their last moments. In some experiments the animals “must die” in order to carry out the experiments. In order for us to test botox, vaccines, and test chemical safety. The animals that take part in these experiments either die or are extremely close to dying (source used), but what happens to the ones who survive? We simply can’t throw these poor creatures into the wild, most of them have been kept in captivity their whole life, they won’t survive. In many cases these animals are euthanized using either a gas or sedative. (source)

Why should we test on animals? When we test on animals it eliminates the risk of a human getting hurt or even dying. If you can find a cure for a disease and it requires experimentation, then in most people’s eyes it is okay morally okay. In most cases the reason scientists use animals is due to the fact they have similar DNA traits as humans, as well as there are no other way to have a more accurate simulation. Also in some cases the animals may benefit. Although these animals are helping us out in our medical field, why do we test our cosmetics on them? What is in our lipsticks and mascaras that we need them tested, and why can’t humans do these experiments?

Animals are being testing on and in some cases basically tortured just so we humans can see which botox is the best, or which lipstick is really “long lasting”. Many of your favorite brands use animal testing. Brands such as Avon, Benefit, Makeup Forever, and so many more! For some companies, such as the makeup brand MAC, they legally have to test their products on animals. MAC is made in China where it’s a law to test products on animals. Although in the United States this is not a law, but there are very few laws against/ preventing product testing on animals. An organization called PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has stated that more than 100 million animals die each year due to product testing. PETA even spoke out and said “they are confined to barren cages, socially isolated, and psychologically traumatized. The thinking, feeling animals who are used in experiments are treated like nothing more than disposable laboratory equipment.” (peta.org)

So do our teens feel about the cruelty that’s going on? Well I asked a few students from West Clermont High School how they felt and this is what they said. “Animals are living creatures and they shouldn’t be susceptible to torture just for people’s benefit.” Logan Graves, a junior at WCHS. “I think it is inhumane but also necessary, because there is really no way around it. Humans also could say no to it or do it and make money whereas animals can’t really say no.” Nicole Jordan, a junior at WCHS. I even asked a couple senior who gave me their hard hitting and honest opinions on the topic.

Alec Chitwood said, “I do not believe we should participate in animal testing because it is extremely cruel and degrading to the animal. When we experiment on animals, we are taking them out of their natural habitat and basically torturing them. They are already scared because they have no idea what is going on but they are strapped down, harnessed to something, etc. and they are poked, prodded, and put under excruciatingly painful conditions. A lot of times, when we experiment on animals we are doing it for cosmetic purposes but those experimental substances burn the hair and skin off of those defenseless animals. It’s like, how would you feel if you were strapped down and force fed and then have something put on you that burns the ever living hell out of your body. Scientific experimentation is so much worse. Like, they are put under harsher conditions where they are missing parts of their body and are forced to ingest stuff that can kill them and forced to do stuff that they don’t want to do all for food, it’s like if you were put into a maze and told that if you make it out you’ll get a prize but if you don’t we’ll shock you until you learn.”

Diana Hufford had this to say on the issue, “I think it’s okay when it’s used for medical progression when there are no other alternatives available, but even then causing the least amount of harm possible, but if you have to test a blood clotting agent on a rat because there’s no other way to mimic the regular circulatory functions of a human body that’s fine, as long as you aren’t intentionally causing more harm to it than what’s necessary. I don’t personally agree with experiments that end in the animals death but I can see why it has to be done to make medical progression but if it’s cosmetics or whatever no way! If you need to test on animals to see if my hair will fall out from using your shampoo then 1) it’s probably not actually safe and should be regulated and 2) there are people who are willing to test cosmetics who have free will.”

Now that you have heard the truth about what these poor creatures are going through and heard some people opinions, how do you feel on the topic?

Five Ways to Deal With Test Anxiety

In order to prepare for exam week, we’re giving you five ways to deal with test anxiety!

1. Make sure to study the information and know it! Make sure to be confident in the material, confidence is key.

WCHS Spirit Week

This week is spirit week at West Clermont High School! In hopes to get in the holiday spirit at WCHS before midterms we are having a festive spirit week. Day five was “Ugly Sweater Day” where the students dressed up in festive sweaters, ugly or not. Students are also able to donate a dollar to help families in need have a good holiday season!

Winter Dance

West Clermont High School is super excited to announce that they will be having their very first winter dance! Come and jam out with DJ John Buycks at WCHS. The theme of this year’s winter dance will be Fire and Ice! The dance will be held on Saturday, January 20th from 7:30pm-11:00pm. There will also be a winter royalty court who will be getting crowned! The dance is a semi-formal and tickets will be going on sale Monday, January 8th and will cost 15.00. If you are interested in going and decide to purchase a ticket please note there are a few things you need to know. Your student ID is required, there will be no lookups or office visits for temporary IDs. If you ended up losing your ID replace it in advance. Another thing that you will need is your infosnap information must be completed and at least half of your students fees must paid. Also, you are required to sign a behavior contract if you want to attend. So come on out and enjoy yourself and dance with friends!

Holiday Spirit Week

This week is spirit week at West Clermont High School! In hopes to get in the holiday spirit at WCHS before midterms we are having a festive spirit week. Day one was “Long Winters Nap” where the students dressed up in their pajamas. Students are also able to donate a dollar to help families in need have a good holiday season!

WCVD Fundraiser

Is wrapping presents not your strong suit? Do you have a young child who wants a picture with Santa or likes to make crafts? Well you’re in luck! West Clermont Vocal Department is having a holiday fundraiser! On Thursday, Dec 14th, West Clermont Vocal Department will be at WCHS wrapping presents from 5:30pm till 9:30pm. Wrapping will cost $1.00 present with your own paper, and $1.50 with theirs. If you would like ribbons or bow that will cost an additional $.25. There will also be a bake sale, even with vegan and allergie free goodies. Along with the bakesale there will be a spot to makes crafts as well as an area for Santa where you can take a selfie with him. Since the fundraiser is for WCVD there will be festive caroling with many of the holiday classic such as Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Carol of the Bells, Jingle Bells, and more! The entire fundraiser is going to be run by students with some help of parents and Mr. Baley. All of the funds go towards West Clermont Vocal Department and helps them go on future trips, such as being able to go to competitions. So please come out and support WCVD.