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Imagine living in a society, or culture where you can’t study what you love doing. You are forced to stop studying midwifery and nursing. How would you feel seeing others doing what you want to do, or that you can’t even do? According to The Guardian, as of December 2024, the Taliban have effectively prohibited Afghan women from training as nurses and midwives by ordering the suspension of these courses at various educational institutions across the country. Some Afghan women are going through something most women don’t go through. Some of them are not allowed to study midwifery or nursing.

According to one of my interviews, “I do not agree because everyone deserves to be happy and doing what they love,” Kadiga Diallo said. This also shows that people do not agree with this law and it should stop. Without education, girls face an even higher risk of being exploited, rated, or married off early. Fatima Soukouna says that cultural norms and historical inequality” is the reason why they want to ban nursing and midwifery or banning things for Afghan women in general. Mariam Soukouna said would feel “ an overwhelming sense of loss and frustration.” They feel lost because what they have invested in is gone and it is not good to feel that way because that means you have unfulfilled goals, desires, or needs. “Afghan women can return to studying nursing and midwifery through a multi-faceted approach that addresses both educational access and social barriers,” said Soukouna.

This quote from my interview shows a way of Afghan women having a chance of getting back their right of studying. In their hearts, they held onto the hope that one day the barriers preventing women from pursuing their passion wil crumble. They envisioned a future where girls could study freely where midwives could practice openly.

Playing basketball is not for the weak. You have to have a lot of confidence and chillness. Richard Cox said, “It causes a little stress for me but I usually take a breath so I can go back to focusing.” Basketball isn't just a game to most people. Basketball can also be someone’s everything, and it could help their mental state; people could even use basketball as an escape. Basketball can be a job or help you cope with your feelings.

Mckenna Martin said, “I want to improve my confidence in the game.” If you're depressed and you're feeling down playing basketball and having teammates to be there for you, and your coach can help benefit you better for you. Playing basketball can also help you burn calories. The quick lateral movements, running and jumping give you an aerobic workout, which allows a person who weighs 165 pounds to burn about 600 calories. A person who weighs 250 pounds can burn approximately 900 calories. But basketball can help with a lot of things, especially with weight loss. Basketball can also help with building bone and muscle. It could help you get your bones stronger. Basketball is a great stress reliever. When stress is decreased, you have more energy and focus to complete other tasks. It also makes you more social, which can help prevent depression. Your immune system will receive a boost when stress is lowered, making you overall healthier and your body naturally combative!

Basketball is a hard sport unless you have the confidence and know how to handle things like people screaming in the crowd, but at the end of the day it's just a sport. Kyra Black said, “I want to improve confidence most because it plays a key role in focussing in the game”

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders in the world, yet it remains widely misunderstood. Affecting both children and adults, ADHD can have a profound impact on academic, social, and professional lives. Despite its prevalence, misconceptions about the condition persist, leading to stigma and a lack of proper support for those affected. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurological condition characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, impulsivity , and hyperactivity that interfere with daily functioning.

It is not simply a case of “kids being kids” or “lack of discipline.” Instead, these behaviors arise from differences in brain structure and function, particularly in areas related to attention, impulse control, and executive function. Zyaira Gross, a 10th grader at says, “When I hear about ADHD I think about me. I can get upset easily. ADHD is kind of hard to deal with sometimes because my mind is all over the place.” Some people may struggle with focus, frequently losing track of tasks, while others may find it difficult to sit still or control impulse. It is important to understand that ADHD can affect people differently and requires proper support and strategies to manage effectively. Lindsay LaRoche, a history teacher at says, “I have had a lot of students that have ADHD, and in class it’s hard. They don’t like to stay in their seats. They like to walk around the room. If I am trying to explain something and they distract other students, I would be upset, but I understand that it’s something that people can’t always control. It's something that is in their brain.

They are not doing it on purpose.” Diagnosing attention deficit disorder is not as simple as a quick test. It requires a comprehensive evaluation by a trained professional who considers a person’s medical history, behavior across different settings (home, school, work), and the impact of the symptoms on daily life. ADHD is often first identified in childhood, but many people are not diagnosed until adulthood, when difficulties in managing work and relationships become more apparent. Despite growing awareness, many myths about ADHD continue to thrive.

One of the most common misconceptions is that it is over diagnosed or that it is just an excuse for laziness or poor behavior. In reality, ADHD is a legitimate medical condition supported by decades of research, and its diagnosis relies on standardized criteria, not just subjective judgement. Students with ADHD may struggle to maintain focus on tasks, leading to careless mistakes and incomplete assignments. They might find it difficult to organize their work and follow through with instructions, resulting in lower academic performance. “It’s not difficult at all to keep it organized for me because I like myself organized and everything has to be a certain way for me. I can’t be in a messy room.

I would get upset if my house is messy because it has to be clean. ADHD affects my grades sometimes but not really because if I don’t do it at school. I will do it at home and I can do it easily when it’s more quiet and peaceful,” says Gross. I feel like people don’t really understand ADHD, and that’s a very big problem. We can't really blame people for mental health issues. I think we need to understand them more. Mostly teachers, and I can comprehend that sometimes it’s understandable that teachers feel upset because when you are speaking or explaining, and someone keeps distracting you or students who are trying to focus.