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What makes prom so unique? Does prom come at too steep a cost? Juniors and seniors gather for a special event called prom, where they have to dress up and have a fantastic time. You vote for the King and Queen, and there is dinner, , and music. This year at our prom is on April 5th, and our theme is “Red Carpet Ready.” The term "Red Carpet Ready" describes a polished, glitzy, and camera-ready look at high-profile events. It comes from the custom of celebrities strolling the red carpet and frequently refers to designer clothes, expert hairstyling, faultless makeup, and accessories.

According to Meg Groat Senior English Teacher at Western Hills stated, “Prom is a reason to dress up and be fancy and remember the fun times you had with your classmates before you graduate. These will be pictures and experiences that many look at years later and show their children.” Prom is a night worth going to because of the priceless memories and social experiences that are shared, such as with friends, taking memorable pictures, and commemorating a milestone together. According to Carmen Williams, a Senior at Western Hills, “When being in high school can be hard, not talking to others not fitting in, but that one single night you feel special and getting compliments can be nice.” Even though prom is frequently regarded as a wonderful occasion, there are drawbacks, including exorbitant expenses, peer pressure, and the strain of organizing the ideal evening. Williams said, “ Sometimes it can be the cost or just not a social person. Some feel spending a lot of money on one night is not worth the waste.” Adding onto what Williams said about cost. Meg stated “It's an unfortunate reality that dressing up and being "fancy" is expensive. It is justified in my opinion, but an unfortunate reality that things are so expensive.”

Those who choose not to attend prom can still make enduring memories by planning a special photo shoot, throwing a themed dinner party, or going on a weekend getaway with pals. In discussing prom, Darnea Davis- Walker, a senior at Western Hills, said, “I feel like we have our senior dinner dance, senior retreat, homecoming, and just going to senior or school events like spirit week.” To sum everything up, prom is not required, but it can be an enjoyable and unforgettable event. Attending can be worthwhile if it fits within your budget and interests. There are many more ways to commemorate your senior year, too, if that isn't your thing.

The question of whether intelligent extraterrestrial life exists has intrigued humanity for centuries. With scientific advancements and ongoing space exploration, the debate over aliens has only intensified. While some believe the vastness of the universe makes alien life inevitable, others argue that a lack of concrete evidence suggests otherwise. Perspectives on this topic vary, with shaped by scientific inquiry, personal beliefs, and popular culture. Nicolas Smith, a sophomore at , strongly believes in the existence of intelligent life beyond Earth.

“Yes, I do believe there are other intelligent life forms out there, just not in our solar system. We probably haven’t been discovered yet,” he says. Smith envisions a future where humanity could coexist with extraterrestrial beings, sharing knowledge and technology. “It could change the world if possible. We could coexist with the aliens, travel with them,” he adds. However, Aidan Caddell, a sophomore at Dixie High School, holds a different perspective. “No, if aliens existed, we probably would have found proof by now. Scientists have been searching for years, and there’s still no solid proof,” he states.

Caddell is doubtful that humanity will ever make contact with extraterrestrials, suggesting that if they do exist, they are either too far away or uninterested in making contact. “No. I think they’d be too far away or don’t want to come in contact with us,” he says. Ethan Crockett, a sophomore at Dixie High School, agrees with Smith and believes that intelligent life is highly probable. “Yes, the universe is way too big for us to be the only intelligent life. There are billions of galaxies, so it just makes sense that something else is out there,” he explains. Crockett also emphasizes the profound impact alien discovery could have on human civilization. “It would change everything; science, religion, even how we see ourselves. We’d rethink our place in the universe,” says Crockett.

The search for extraterrestrial life has long been a focus of scientific and government efforts, but on these initiatives differ. Smith believes that crucial information is being withheld from the public. “I feel that they are hiding stuff from the world and are afraid of what the world might do if we knew,” he claims. Conversely, Crockett views the search as beneficial, regardless of whether aliens are found. “I think it’s worth it. Even if we don’t find aliens, we’re still learning a lot about space,” Crockett says. One major factor in the debate is the discovery of simple extraterrestrial life, such as bacteria.

Smith believes such a discovery would strengthen the case for intelligent life. “Yes, because it is said we are part of a much bigger thing in our solar system, we are just a speck in the Milky Way,” he says Crockett shares a similar viewpoint, saying, “Yes, if there’s even a tiny form of life out there, then intelligent life is way more possible than we thought.” However, Caddell remains unconvinced, arguing that bacteria and intelligent beings are fundamentally different. “Not really. Bacteria and aliens are two different things. It’s a big jump from bacteria to an entire advanced being,” says Caddell. Popular culture has played a significant role in shaping public perceptions of extraterrestrial life.

Smith acknowledges its influence, saying, “Yes, because aliens could be just like us and maybe they’re looking for a home where they can coexist with others.” Crockett agrees, noting that media representations of aliens often lead people to imagine them as advanced or menacing. “For sure, movies make us imagine aliens as super advanced or scary, but they could be really different from what we expect,” Crockett explains. On the other hand, Caddell dismisses the impact of popular culture on his beliefs. “No. Movies exaggerate things, so I don’t really take them seriously,” says Caddell.

In conclusion, the question of alien life remains openended, with strong arguments on both sides. While individuals like Smith and Crockett see the vastness of the universe as an indicator that intelligent life likely exists, skeptics like Caddell argue that the lack of evidence suggests otherwise. Whether or not humans will ever make contact with extraterrestrial beings remains uncertain, but the search for answers continues to fuel scientific discovery and public fascination.

The Sandy Hook Promise Website stated “each day about 12 children die from gun violence in America, along with at least 32 shot and injured. Guns are the main cause of death among American children and teens. One out of ten gun deaths is age 19 or younger.” School shootings can be a very heavy topic and take a toll on someone's mental health, especially if they're a student, teacher, or a staff member in general who’s been in the situation.

Jaia Bankhead, a Western Hills freshman, stated, “I’ve seen cases of people who caused school shootings, and every time they had a mental illness, depression, or bipolar disorder, and they never got the treatment they needed because schools chose to outcast them and pre vent them from getting help.” According to the Sandy Hook Promise Website, about 5% of mass shootings are related to extreme mental illness, 25% are associated with nonpsychotic or neurological illness, including depression, and an estimated 24% are associated with substance abuse. “Focus more on the students and getting better school systems is a must,” Bankhead stated.

She also said, “Schools shouldn’t be focused on a Yondr pouch and spending thousands of dollars but using that money to use towards better security guards, better education, and especially therapy for children.” In addition, schools have spent thousands of dollars on Yondr pouches when they could be putting that money towards better things, better protection, better lunches, etc.

Western Hills freshman, Marianna Bishop, stated, “I believe gun violence is something nobody should ever take lightly; it has immeasurable impacts on society today.” In 2022, 34 students and adults died while more than 43,000 children were exposed to gunfire at school (Sandy Hook Promise Website). The “Put the Guns Down, Pick the Ball Up” West High event is a yearly community-wide initiative to raise awareness of gun violence. An occasion that raises awareness of mental health and gun violence while promising a day of peace in our community. This community event is to pledge a day and bring awareness to gun violence and mental health. This event helps promote safety in our community.