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The Guardian Cap was created in 2010 to address the clear need to advance the standard helmet, which has changed little since the 1960s. Erin and Lee Hanson, owners of The Hanson Group LLC, utilized their 20+ years in the material science business to engineer, patent, and manufacture the Guardian Cap. I asked people, what were the best recommendations for football players when it was time to choose a football helmet that prevents concussions. The answer I heard the most was a Riddell Speedflex Helmet.

DreShon Noah, a student-athlete at , why that helmet he chose and he told me, “The Speedflex has a gamechanging flex design, it makes me feel like I’m wearing nothing at all. It makes me stand out because it's a good looking helmet.” The Speedflex Helmet may be a comfortable helmet for some players, but it doesn’t keep you the utmost safe from concussion. So that is why the guardian caps were in

Coleman said, “ Players are de manding themselves to wear these caps because the funda mentals of tackling are not taught correctly anymore.”

vented by Erin and Lee Hanson back in 2011. Tim Coleman, a security guard at stated, “ The Guardian Caps are very effective because they can add more protection to the top of your head, you can’t fully recover from a con cussion.” It takes years to fully recover from a concussion, so the best thing to do is not rush the recovery of a concussion, the brain needs all the time it naturally needs to heal itself. I also asked him why players wear the guardian caps. Coleman said, “ Players are demanding themselves to wear these caps because the fundamentals of tackling are not taught correctly anymore.” I asked two players for the Western Hills Mustangs football team (Emir Williams #7 & DreShon Noah #57) does the Guardian Caps work to the best of their abilities, and they both said yes.

Williams stated, “I can really feel the difference in tackling with a cap on and when it's off the helmet.”

When you talk about astrology most people think of the 12 Zodiac signs, but it's so much deeper than that. Astrology dates back about 2,400 years ago. The first ever known to us astrology was the Babylonians. Astrology is very worldwide but depending on where you are it can mean something a little different. Up until the 17th century astrology was taught in some schools; it fell under the category of science. Astrology stopped being taught in schools because scientists believe it to be pseudo science. Even though it has not been scientifically proven to be true, many people still use astrology.

People have horoscope readings, learn about their future, look deeper into your personalities and ect. A popular tool people use would be their birthchart; This is supposed to tell you how things in the present or future will affect you. On the other hand scientists rely on logic, evidence, and reasoning. Many studies on astrology have proven there is no guaranteed link between future, personalities and ect. Since there are different astrologers like western astrology, Chinese astrology, Vedic astrology, It is hard to determine what certain things mean if it can change in every astrology. However, learning more about your Zodiac Sign can be fun! When out socializing it can be an interesting topic to converse about; you have three signs, sun, moon, and rising. Once you learn all three of your signs you can really dive deeper into yourself. It can even help you make tough decisions in your life.

Although learning your three signs can be amusing, researchers have found it not to be completely true. People who have the same sun sign would share very similar personality traits, but studies have shown different. Western Hills senior Jamarion Mincy thinks, “People act certain ways when they're around certain people.”

percent of high school students have felt peer pressure at some point in their life. (Cathrine Reed, “23 Insightful Peer Pressure Statistics”). Being a teenager with grades, tests, college, and jobs is already incredibly stressful. However, on top of the pressure from your peers, can be a lot. Peer pressure is often spoken about but not often truly understood. Peer pressure doesn’t need to be aggressive and demanding; it can be subtle to the point you don't realize you're being pressured. Peer pressure is often used when discussing behaviors that aren’t necessarily socially acceptable like experimenting with drugs or alcohol.

However this isn’t always the case, peer pressure can be connected with bullying, dressing a certain way, socializing with specific groups, and sports. Kayla Murphy, a senior at says, “People typically get peer pressured into stuff like drugs, alcohol, sneaking out, or going to parties.” Peer pressure can come in different forms, from positive to negative, and spoken to silent. Negative Peer pressure is the most commonly discussed example of peer pressure.

According to sedonasky.org, How Does Peer Pressure Affect A Teen’s Development, “Negative peer pressure refers to the influence exerted by peers to engage in harmful, risky behaviors or go against one's values and beliefs. It involves feeling pressured to conform to the attitudes, actions, or decisions of others, even if they are detrimental or contrary to one's well-being.” Negative peer pressure increases stress and anxiety, lowers self-esteem, causes depression, causes academic difficulties, and causes addictive behaviors. Aliyah Thoman, a junior at says, “I believe there is such a thing as positive peer pressure and it helps you better yourself or make a difference for you and your community.” Peer pressure isn’t always negative.(What are the 6 Types of Peer Pressure) Teens look to their peers for guidance and one peer's good example can go a long way. Positive peer pressure includes more support and encouragement than persuasion or pressure.

Teens demonstrate the behavior of their peers and this can lead to positive academic changes, putting a stop to bullying, and trying new things. Peer pressure can be spoken or silent (“What are the 6 Types of Peer Pressure”). Spoken peer pressure is when a peer directly asks, persuades, or suggests that another peer needs to perform or partake in a specific action or behavior. Spoken peer pressure is typically more direct and upfront. If this happens in a group setting it can be incredibly difficult to stick to one's personal beliefs.

Silent peer pressure is when one is exposed to the actions and behaviors of their peers and is left to decide whether they want to follow along. This is common with fashion choices, personal interactions, and social groups. Younger teens lack the maturity to control certain impulses and long-term decisions and due to this, they're easily influenced by older and more popular peers. Kara Smith, a junior at says, “If my friends were doing something I disagreed with I’d talk to them about it, and if they continued to do it I’d stay away from them while they were doing it.” Positive peer pressure can encourage and influence someone to make positive choices regarding academics, bullying, or trying something new. However Negative peer pressure can make you lose a sense of judgment, negatively shift morals, shake your sense of identity, ruin self-confidence, increase anxiety, and partake in dangerous activities that can be life-altering.

Not falling for peer pressure can feel difficult however you just need to understand your values and beliefs and set boundaries for yourself. You can also try and offer an alternative if you're being pressured to partake in a specific activity you don't agree with. However if the pressure gets too much do not hesitate to seek outside help. Peer pressure is concerning, common, and comes in many forms. This can make it hard to detect and stop. However, It's important to surround yourself with positive influences.

People who will support your values, beliefs, and boundaries, and would never attempt to persuade you to do something they know you wouldn’t want to without their influence.