Hate Crimes Hit Local Jewish School

The Epstein School in Sandy Springs has been vandalized twice this school year – swastikas were painted on campus grounds. These horrible incidents hit close to home for me as an Epstein alum. Not only is Epstein physically close to my current high school, I still know kids who go there. No one knows who committed this atrocious hate crime, but I believe that it is someone who is ignorant and does not understand the horrible power of the swastika and what it means to our people.

As Jewish students attending religious school, we were always taught about the Holocaust, Nazism and Hitler’s plan to wipe out the Jews, but none of it ever felt real. We saw textbook pictures and heard survivors recount tales, but we never thought that the same demoralizing symbols used then would be brought before our eyes now. I was sure the passing of time had changed the world and people’s views of Jewish people.

The appearance of the swastikas near Epstein, however, made it clear that there are still people out there who have hate in their hearts and are not afraid to put it out there for the public to see. To say such a thing was unexpected would be a severe understatement. In this age when we’d like to think that everyone is open minded, I was taken aback that an act of vandalism of this magnitude would be committed.

Such hate crimes do not just affect the students at Epstein. Not only did Epstein’s elementary and middle school students have to face the horror and shame of seeing the swastikas branded near their school property, their families and friends had to feel the shock of such an act reverberate throughout our community. We all shared their disbelief and anger.

It should be known to all Epstein students, faculty and families as well as the entire Jewish community around Atlanta, that the VOX family is not only supportive in this time of unrest, but has and will continue to advocate for an atmosphere and environment against hate and prejudice of any kind. There is no justification for such acts, no matter the circumstances.

— Yasmeen Malik | VOX Staff

Now What? Clayton Schools Lose Accreditation

Dry. Too dry. I needed water, lots of water. Lost it? How? 

I couldn’t believe that Clayton County had lost its accreditation. I had been told for so long that we wouldn’t, so this was like a kick in the stomach. I remembered back about six months ago when the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SACS, told us that we had until September 1st to straighten up our act, or it would be bye bye accreditation. 

My head began to ache as I held back tears. A huge lump filled my throat. I covered my face with my jacket to hide my true emotions. I replayed the scene in my head. 

Monica’s mouth moved slowly as the words flowed from her lips: “We lost accreditation. Man, I don’t wanna go to Fayette!” 

I said nothing. I was utterly speechless. I felt like I was in a Charlie Brown episode as my biology teacher, Mrs. Hutson, tried to explain what would happen to us. Her words were like a stick trying to penetrate a solid brick wall. 

Water, I needed water. I felt like I was drowning in sand. I had to get out.

My thirst was quenched when the bell rang for fifth period. I didn’t feel safe going to French II; I knew a mini riot would form in the small trailer. I needed answers. I was confused about why my principal, Dr. Young, wasn't announcing what had happened like he promised. I learned later that the county had put a “gag” on the administration. They also restricted Internet and TV usage. They were supposedly trying to keep the students under control. 

To avoid the French Revolution that was bound to happen, I went to the tech lab, mostly so I could call my mom, who works in the counselor’s office. She tried to reassure me that everything would be OK and that Governor Perdue was trying to fix it. Did it really matter? My thirst returned, and this time I felt fire instead of sand.

Rage flooded my body. Fire began to burst through my veins. It angered me how every adult promised that it was going to be OK, but their promise was never fulfilled. I was not even angry now about our accreditation. I was angry that the adults were still making promises that they knew they could not keep. How dare they say that it would be all right when they had no idea? 

After fury, I felt grief. Most of my friends would be leaving soon, and I would be stuck in my high school without the only people keeping me sane. 

I then was overwhelmed with confusion. They said that we were only losing our accreditation temporarily. What did that mean? It seemed like the adults were trying to make this seem more complicated than it actually was. Why can’t the adults just look us in the eye and tell us the truth, the plain old truth? That we are screwed!

—Raven Hathcock | VOX Staff and Riverdale High junior.

What are you hearing or not hearing about Clayton County Schools, and what do you think of it?

A Weapon of Rape in Darfur

Place yourself in a Sudanese teenager’s shoes. You are a 16-year-old girl who has been forced to abandon her village and separate from her family. Finding food is a struggle, and every day you risk being captured, raped or killed by armed militiamen. Many teenagers are raped multiple times by militiamen while running errands, like collecting firewood, humanitarian relief workers in Sudan said in a CNN article. Rape victims in Darfur are as young as 4 years old, but millions of others have been affected by the crisis. “It's the scene of the world's worst humanitarian crisis, the biggest U.N. aid operation and the 21st century's first genocide,” reports CNN.

Sudanese president, Omar al-Bashir was charged by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in mid-July with war crimes, ordering genocide and crimes against humanity. This decision was considered a big step to help the people of Darfur; however, not everyone is happy with it. Many Sudanese and peacemakers fear that arresting President Bashir could destroy peace efforts and even plunge the country into civil war. President Bashir continues to deny his involvement in any crimes happening in his country.

Unspeakable horrors have been happening in Sudan since 2003, yet many of us continue to go on with our lives like genocide isn’t happening in that corner of the world.

There are many things teens can do:
1. Educate yourself about Darfur. Don’t know where to start? Click here.
2. Raise awareness. Start a humanitarian group at your school.
3. Fundraise for the Genocide Intervention Network.

Click here for more ways to take action.

- Chernail Arnold | VOX Staff

Obama “Won.” So, Now What?

Summer is a tedious time for me; I find myself either preposterously busy or swamped in boredom. When I was suffering from acute boredom Tuesday night (after reading almost every political update on the New York Times Web site), I decided to mosey on down to Hillary Clinton’s Web site and see what was there. For those of you who don’t know, Hillary basically lost the Democratic bid Tuesday, and I wanted to know what her supporters had to say about it. Lud! How I rue my decision now.

What I saw was depressing. I saw so many people who were planning not to vote, or worse, to vote for McCain. I can’t understand this at all. Did Democrats know that having two incredibly strong candidates would rip the party apart?

The reason why women are so angry is because they projected themselves onto Hillary Clinton; I can understand that. We’ve never had a candidate who wore a pantsuit before, let alone a bra. But we have to remember something: anger and hatred can only get us so far. If all the Hillary supporters vote for McCain, Obama will lose, and Hillary will lose favor with the DNC. By doing this, they are dooming their favored candidate down the line.

So, say McCain wins. In four years, where will we be? (Other than Iraq, that is. Perhaps Iran.) Hillary is still young. In four years, she can run again, but we have to remember that we are a party, and that unity is key. Hillary supporters swallow your pride and wait your turn. The party needs your votes to win.

This is a year when people want something new. We want a change, even if we don’t know where it will take us. We know where we’ll be headed with McCain and Hillary, but Obama, untested and without baggage, is new. We can’t see the future until we’ve been there. In November, I want to go there, and I’ll be pissed as hell if the Lady in the Pantsuit holds me back.

- Willamae Boling | VOX Staff

Akon Lies about Criminal Past?

Violence, sex, money, jewelry, the ‘gangsta’ mentality and women are a big part of today’s hip-hop culture. Not all hip-hop music is negative or explicit, but let’s be honest, sometimes the song lyrics are simply obscenities put to a good beat. It seems, to be a famous rapper, an artist has to have a negative street image and a criminal record to get respect and be acknowledged as real. Akon has sold more than 10 million copies of his two albums worldwide and bettered himself by allegedly telling lies about his criminal past.

In April, The Smoking Gun published an article that called out the hip-hop/R&B singer for lying about being a ringleader in a 1998 car theft operation and spending four and a half years in prison. According to the article, Akon’s “claims about his criminal career and resulting prison time have been, to an overwhelming extent, exaggerated, embellished, or wholly fabricated.” The article also states that even though Akon has been arrested several times, he has only been convicted of one felony charge for gun possession. He was also convicted of stealing a BMW and was held in DeKalb County Jail for several months before being released with all charges dropped.

I’ve been wondering why Akon has felt the need to tell white lies to make it big in the industry. The Smoking Gun reports that as part of a marketing plan, Akon has filled his music with the kind of lyrics he thinks listeners want to hear. Frankly, I feel the truth always has the upper hand. He doesn’t have to lie to sell records. Just be real. When listeners appreciate music that tell harsh stories, it’s because the person rapping is telling the truth about the hard life he or she has experienced and might be using his or her life experiences to connect with people. Let's face it: no one likes to be lied to. By not telling the whole truth, I’m sure Akon has let down his fans and may have even given some of us a reason to dislike him.

From his first platinum-selling album “Trouble” to his latest “Konvicted,” Akon’s music has glorified prison and criminal life, as if being locked up in a cage like an animal is appealing. Akon has even taken his convict swag so far as to name his label “Konvict Music.” I don’t see why people go to jail and come out like they have gone to college and accomplished something. When I first think of Akon I instantly get the image of him in a video with handcuffs singing, "I'm locked up/They won't let me out," and I hear the loud closing of prison doors. I believe he portrays this negative self-image to be accepted in hip-hop culture and to get respect from rappers. But I don’t think anyone should lie just to be accepted.

It also bothers me that music promoting negativity gets more publicity than music with positive, uplifting lyrics. I’m not saying all music has to be filled with happy faces and rainbows, but when negativity is constantly uplifted, it really bothers me.

Why can’t more rappers be like Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, Common, Leela James or other artists who send good messages through their music? If there were more positive messages, I think hip-hop would be a much better genre. Maybe then hip-hop would get its good name back, and people wouldn't blame the genre for some of society’s problems, like drug abuse and the disrespect of women.

When artists like Akon lie about their past to seem cool and send messages that stealing and being locked up are admirable when they’re not, it’s not cool. Artists are always referring to how much they love their fans because the fans make them who they are. I sometimes wonder if the fans are knowledgeable of some of the artists they are creating.

- By Deranda C. Butler | Special to VOX


We want to hear you! Do you think artists need to bear more responsibility and keep it real? Or is lying OK for the sake of the music? Let us know your thoughts!

Obama vs. Clinton (A Disaster for Liberals Like Me)

We are all aware (and sick) of the blood battle between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, and I for one want it to end.

The fact is that while Clinton and Obama (yes Clinton haters, the insults have been coming from both sides) have been doing their best to bring each other down and tear the Democratic party to pieces, John McCain has had the chance to rise above this mayhem and show himself as a strong upstanding presidential leader. Obama and Clinton have shown themselves as at best, unfit for the office, and at worst, two bratty, immature 5 year olds.

Maybe I’m being harsh. It’s just that I’ve been waiting a long time for a democratic candidate who actually has a chance of winning.

As a donkey-loving liberal, the thought of a republican in office for four more years scares the sh*# out of me. And yet that seems to be what everything has come to. If they can’t unify their own party, how will Clinton or Obama have a chance against the Arizona senator who is trying to gather bipartisan support?

For a democrat to have a fighting chance, the primaries must be resolved quickly. But the question is who should democrats rally behind? Since Obama and Clinton are very similar when it comes to policy, what’s more important is who has a better chance of winning in November.

Honestly, after the North Carolina primaries, Clinton doesn’t have a chance of winning unless a miracle occurs. Whether or not she should drop out is subject to debate, but in my mind, there’s only one viable candidate in the democratic primaries.

I won’t lie; I’m not crazy about Obama. He has shortcomings when it comes to experience. His speeches discuss hope and dreams and fluffy things more often than not (though I’m happy that he’s starting to tackle the issues a bit more, and I was truly impressed by his speech about race). But he has something that Clinton doesn’t. He has the ability to inspire a crowd. He can get the new generation of voters excited about casting their votes for him. Clinton, for all her strength and “experience,” is far too polarizing to win a general election.

So my vote for Obama is based on calculation rather than pure passion. I want this fight between democratic candidates to end soon. I’m definitely ready for a strong democrat in the White House. Let’s hope that Obama shows more promise and presidential behavior as the race continues and that there are people more passionate about him than I am.

– Isha Mitra | VOX Staff

So, which one of us has an STD?

According to a recent article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, one in four teen girls between the ages of 14 and 19 is infected with an STD. This study means that in a high school classroom of 20 kids, five of them are likely to have a sexually transmitted condition. Yikes! Makes you look at your lab partner in a different way, doesn't it?

The study only tested for four types of STDs: Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Chlamydia, trichomoniasis and the herpes simplex virus. Planned Parenthood names a handful of other STDs and STIs that the study chose not to test for, including gonorrhea, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS and others.

According to Planned Parenthood, STDs are transmitted to females more easily than they are passed on to males. This means that girls are constantly at a higher risk of receiving an STD. Luckily, sexually active girls (and boys of course!) can take measures to protect themselves.

The only way to completely protect yourself from STDs and avoid unplanned pregnancies is to abstain from sex altogether. But because abstinence-only education isn't always realistic, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) also suggests maintaining an exclusive relationship with one uninfected person who has been tested, consistently using condoms for all sexual activity, and getting vaccinated for hepatitis A and HPV.

The AJC article also cites that one of the causes of this epidemic might be the idea among some teen girls that only sexual intercourse counts as sex, even though oral sex and some other types of intimate contact can transmit STDs.

Demanding to use a condom for every sexual encounter might make you feel a little lame, but hey, wouldn't you rather be "overly" cautious than get warts?

Yeah, I thought so, too.

—Catherine |VOX Staff

Fulton County Paying Students to Study

Studying has always been an invaluable tool used to help with the mastery of knowledge and retention of information by memory. In January, Fulton County awarded 40 students at Creekside High and Bear Creek Middle $8 an hour for participating in the "Learn & Earn" after-school tutoring program. According to a news release from the district, the county's efforts are meant to determine whether paying students to study will improve test scores, grades and classroom attendance.

I do not agree with motivating students to study by paying us money. Giving students money for something that is already expected of us gives a false sense of rigor. The reward for studying should be the resulting stellar grades or the increase knowledge in the subject matter, not monetary rewards. If we are paid to study, we might expect to receive something materialistic for skills that should give us personal satisfaction and reap natural rewards. What will happen later in college when the kids who are being paid now aren't receiving any money for studying? I think they might lose motivation.

- Gabrielle Moore | Special to VOX

Communication Technology (My Blogs Don't Count)

Communication technology is so entrenched in our lives that no one thinks twice when a classmate texts under the table during a biology lab, but we all feel blasphemed when someone deletes his or her Facebook profile.

In fact, in a survey conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, 84 percent of teens reported to owning a desktop or laptop computer, a cell phone, a PDA, or a similar personal media device. That’s a lot of texting, IMing, and other high-tech communicating going on- sad, when we remember only 30 percent of 8th graders read at or above the “proficient” level.

This obsession with impersonal communication is pretty weird. According to this study, a greater percentage of high school seniors go online than graduate. Ouch.

-Catherine Cai|VOX staff

Hand sanitizer anyone?

Can you imagine going to school and having no water? Unfortunately, that was the case on Friday, February 29, 2008 at the infamous Booker T. Washington High School.

Due to a broken water valve, which had flooded part of our school gym, the administration decided to shut off the building’s water supply. When our principal came on the intercom, he stated that there was no need to advise our parents about the situation of water and gas, but the principal failed to realize that the situation was becoming unsanitary. Males continued to use the restrooms without shame and so did females. Handrails, doorknobs, desks, and keyboards were all being touched by unwashed hands.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, Influenza (the flu) kills about 36,000 people each year and the #1 way to stop the spread of the virus is to wash your hands with soap and water. Yesterday, the school placed the student body in a dangerous situation. No water for seven hours.

-Chernail Arnold/VOX staff

Starting A Revolution: Objective Is Complete Justice, Equality, and Freedom for Students

Once upon a time there lived a beautiful young lady named Alyssa. She lived happily and peacefully in her tranquil home until her 5th birthday, when the evil government cast a spell called “law” forcing her to attend a modern day brick jailhouse. She attended this horrible place for seven hours a day, five days per week. Witches and warlocks herded her like a sheep from room to room. She could only use the bathroom once a day, and she had to wave her arm in the air and beg for permission to speak out of the mouth God gave her! The only option of democracy bestowed to her was the choice to eat cold, moldy, grotesque prison food, or starve until she could return home. This continued for 12 years.

This is my story. My story reproduced, prodded, molded like clay, sat out in the sun like a dream deferred, hardened and cracked as a product of America’s tyrannical educational system. I’ve whined and complained about school all my life and have never received any progress. When I’ve tried to hold resistance with a procedure that I don’t agree with, I get written up for “being disrespectful and insubordinate.” But this year, things are going to be different. This year I’m a senior; this year I’m a teen taking a stand against the educational system! My motivation, determination and self-education have led me to the revelation that nothing is won without a fight and if you want something to change, you have to take action. I’m starting a revolution!

QUESTION EVERYTHING!
At my small, multi-cultural school located in rich, predominantly Caucasian, North Atlanta suburbs, we have no rights. I’m not kidding. I’ve even heard teachers and counselors speak this truth from their own conservative, country tongues. They say that as soon as we step one foot into the door, our rights are left outside to rot.

Now … if education is power, and bloodthirsty Bush declares that power derives from democracy, then why don’t we have democracy in education?

The other day I walked into my advanced algebra & trig class and found a sub sitting at my teacher’s desk. My teacher had been out for almost a week now. I knew there was no way we would do anything remotely productive educationally in class, considering we had no qualified teacher available to teach us the new material. So instead of wasting 45 minutes of my time doing nothing, I decided to educate myself by reading The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Elbows tucked in, hands propped up my chin, I was all, all into this book.

Then, my substitute teacher told (didn’t ask), but told me, to put my book away.
“Why?” I responded. He looked at me dumbfounded, like I didn’t have the right to an answer of a one worded question. His response: “Shouldn’t you know by now to put books away in class? This is math class.”

“Okay and you’re asking people about their weekend,” I said bluntly in return. I knew that I was in math class since I’ve been in that same class all semester long. Why was I not allowed to educate myself in school, but he was allowed to hold a non-relative conversation with my classmates about a boy’s ski trip? I put my book away to stop the drama. School or not I feel the right to my first amendment: Freedom of Speech!

FORMULATE A PLAN OF ACTION
Next thing you know the substitute had me sitting in front of the class waiting for an administrator. I wasn’t worried; I hadn’t broken any rules nor did anything wrong. When the principal came to our class, he took one look at me, shook his head, and said, “I don’t have time for this.” I’m senior class vice-president, very active in my school, and I’m known for my outspokenness, so the principal knows me pretty well. He asked me what the problem was. I told him how the sub told me to put away my book and I did. The sub then intervened and told me to tell the principal what I said after he told me to put my book away, like what I said was taboo, a cuss word, or a terrorist threat. I then told him my word bomb, “I asked, why?”

I was then told that I don’t ask questions; I just do what I’m told.

“Is this not a democracy?” I protested. Just do what you’re told because you’re told to? That’s a dictatorship! An anarchy! Give me a valid reason! Education teaches students to ask questions, but then rejects the questions when used out of orthodox. Why can I not read a book in school, instead of sitting in class for 45 minutes, doing nothing?

“If you have a problem with it, you can come see me,” the principal said before exiting.

“Well can I come see you now?”

“No, you’re in class.”

For the remaining 33 minutes of class, I did nothing. Well, at least nothing to do with math. None of my classmates did. We weren’t assigned anything to do and even if we were, we wouldn’t have known how to do it because my teacher wasn’t there to explain it. I had an epiphany. I realized I had been fighting an invisible opponent my entire educational life and I wasn’t winning by whining about it. It was time to start the revolution!

BEGIN THE REVOLUTION!
I was inspired by Malcolm X. After I finished the book, I noticed more and more ridiculous rules and regulations about my school that furiously frustrated me to the brink of insanity. At this precipice, a light bulb went off that Einstein himself couldn’t have made shine any brighter. I decided that everyday at lunch, I would give a speech. Not anything super long, but short and sweet speeches that would knock those smiles off the administrations’ faces, and expose the true feelings my peers and I felt about our school and its policies. Not only would my speeches unveil these unconstitutional policies, but they would inspire and teach students ways to override them through unity.

I nervously thought about how my peers would react to my speeches, but my urgency to change the injustices of my school outweighed my fear. I didn’t care what reaction I received, as long as I stimulated a reaction. I encourage everyone to speak up for what they believe in and find some way to get their voices heard. I plan to address my brothers and sisters with a powerful and vigorous voice while I speak out against our school. I plan to speak out against the absurd rule that unless you report to the library, or the counselors office within the first ten minutes of lunch, then you aren’t allowed to go at all. I plan to speak out against the library closing twenty minutes after school let’s out. I plan to make a mockery out of every ridiculous policy that keeps us students oppressed mentally and physically!


If you feel strongly enough about an issue, I say take a stand about it. Start your own revolution for a just cause! I’m not encouraging anyone to use violence or cause any general harm to the public, but you could start a club, post controversial articles in your school’s newspaper, hold rallies, fundraisers, fashion shows, food drives — it doesn’t matter how you do it; all that’s important is that you take action to get your voice heard! My ultimate goal is to set up a student board council that works with the Fulton school board and our administration to have equal rights for students. It’s not going to happen on its own, so I’m fighting for it! I’m fighting not through violence, but with words. I’m a senior starting a revolution for justice and freedom for students.

Who are you?What injustices do you believe exist in your school? How are your rights diminished?

-Alyssa D. McLendon/ VOX Staff

Riverdale High junior shares reaction to Clayton County's potential loss of accreditation

“Marji! We can’t graduate!”

On Friday, while on my way to my 6^th period journalism class, I was stopped in the hallway and bombarded by rumors that our county’s accreditation was gone. As I approached my teachers, everyone was in tears. I didn’t know what to do. Once my teachers began to inform me of the details, my friend Kiera and I burst into tears. We couldn’t believe that this was really happening—SACS had given Clayton County an ultimatum. Fix your flaws by September 1st or lose your accreditation.

As a student, I am extremely disappointed and ashamed of the Clayton County Board of Education. Not only has the board embarrassed themselves with charges of illegal activity, but they have placed labels on us students that feel like our futures are ruined.

I am a very bright student. I am active in my community and my school, and I take my education very seriously. My friends at school and I have built family-like relationships, and if the county completely loses its accreditation, our family will no longer be close knit. Parents have threatened to move their families and transfer my friends.

How can we prepare for college when we don’t know if our diplomas will count for anything? This year, thus far has brought about a lot of stress and changes for my fellow classmates and me. As juniors, not only do we have to keep our grades up, take EOCTs, the GHSGT, AP exams and 50 million other exams, but now we have to question whether all of our hard work will be worth it come May 2009.

- Marjon Wolfe, junior at Riverdale High

"This SUCKS!": Clayton County schools in jeopardy of losing accreditation

On Friday, Feb 15, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) recommended that Clayton County Public Schools lose their accreditation. The loss of Clayton County’s accreditation could mean serious trouble for over 50,000 students attending the county’s schools. A loss of accreditation would mean difficulty transferring to high schools in other districts, no HOPE scholarships and trouble getting into some universities. Also property values for residents would drop and funding for pre-kindergarten would be cut. The county has until September of this year to fix the problems, including the dysfunctional Board of Education members. SACS also wants to see more affordable recreational centers.

This SUCKS! I discovered the news during my sixth period class. One of my friends came into the room and the only words I heard were “We lost accreditation.” After learning this, I went straight to my mother, who works in the school’s counselors office. All I could do was cry when she told me that she had no idea what to do. A lot of people have thought of leaving the county as a solution. But the thought of abandoning my great teachers, being away from my best friends and leaving my home for more than six years made me cry even more. But if I stay here, because I’m a sophomore, all the hard work that I was planning on putting into my two final years of school would be worthless.

What hurts the most is that I feel like Clayton County, SACS and the Board do not even care about the students and what is going to happen to us once this ordeal is over. I’m not the only student who feels this way.

How do you feel about Clayton County schools losing accreditation?

- Raven Hathcock, sophomore at Riverdale High

Television’s the New E-Mail … Update

Many aspects of Heath Ledger’s death are disturbing, including the facts that he left behind a 2-year-old daughter, that his masseuse repeatedly called Mary-Kate Olsen before dialing 911, oh — and the fact that his parents found out about his death through watching T.V.

Ledger was pronounced dead at 3:30 p.m. and the world knew by 4:30 p.m. Within about an hour, CNN, the New York Times, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and not to mention, a dozen celebrity blogs had already covered his death.

That's less time than it takes some types of bacteria to double.

-Catherine|VOX staff

Maybe it's Time to Put Down People Magazine

Celebrity tabloids are obsessed with Lindsay’s unruly partying, Paris’s multiple drunk driving mishaps, and Nicole’s disturbingly skeletal weight. And what hasn’t the paparazzi said about Britney, yet? Celebrity scandals — the 3 a.m. partying, the public indecency, even the one-day jail stints — are covered so extensively, it’s almost glorified.

Ironically, we hardly ever get a peek into the serious side of celebrity lives, so when something real happens, it’s a shock to the public. According to the New York Post, actor Heath Ledger, famous for his role in “Brokeback Mountain” (2005), was found dead today around 3:30 p.m. He was discovered by a housekeeper, who also discovered sleeping pills scattered around his bedroom. It’s still unclear whether his death was intentional or accidental.

This comes as a surprise, but it’s not totally shocking when we consider other similar incidents. In August 2007, actor Owen Wilson, famous for being Hollywood’s funny-guy, also shook the public when he was unexpectedly hospitalized for a suicide attempt. However, Wilson is only one of many actually troubled actors. Several other famous, well-loved celebrities have attempted suicide in the past, including Halle Berry, Drew Barrymore and Drew Carey. In fact, the number of celebrities who admit to having attempted suicide is almost disturbing, and yet, tabloids only feed us coked-out-glam stereotypes about celebrity life.

Apparently, life in the public eye really isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

- Catherine|VOX staff

Hilary Duff, or the Modern Starving Artist

You know how sometimes working students have to pay for a slice of pizza with quarters? Well, actress and recording artist Hilary Duff recently performed a civic duty to the non-celeb population by showing us that famous pop stars like herself are, in fact, just regular adolescents.

On Dec. 1st, Hilary and her sister, Haylie, racked up a $400 tab at the Glowbal Grill & Satay Bar in Vancouver, Canada. According to a witness for In Touch magazine, 20-year-old Hilary and her sister sipped on Grey Goose vodka and champagne until 2 a.m. When it was time to pay the bill, the Duff sisters bailed. The restaurant owner, a kindred spirit known for treating all his guests this graciously, simply shrugged off their illegally tipsy dine-and-dash.

I don't encourage Hilary's behavior, but her actions are understandable ... burdened as she is with a life of penury and hardship. Remember Cheaper by the Dozen, that work of cinematographic genius from 2003? Can you believe she was only paid a meager $1 million for it?

This fiasco almost worse than the time she made those 9-year-old kids cry.

- CatherineVOX staff

Mike Huckabee: 'Weapon of Mass Instruction'

Service learning has been a part of every president’s agenda since the days of JFK… though not always in a positive light. On Dec. 26, 2007, President Bush signed a bill that will cut the funding of the Corporation for National and Community Service, which sponsors programs like Learn and Serve America, by 3%. And when the budget was millions, 3% is thousands and thousands cut from national service programs. But no one cares about Senior Corps when we have illegal New Mexicans in our country, right?

It’s kind of scary thinking about the future of these programs, especially considering that at the time of this post, at least three front-running GOP candidates (Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani, Ron Paul) haven't mentioned service learning on their campaign sites. Mike Huckabee, a freak Republican that supports arts education, uses this to his advantage by bragging to be the only GOP candidate so far to sign that he will expand national service if elected. (Note that ALL the Democrat candidates have signed this pledge, so that point is just kind of sad.)

Huckabee believes that arts education encourages positive behavior, including involvement in service learning. Huckabee shows his own love for music and the arts by playing bass guitar in his band, Capitol Offense. “Music and the arts are not extraneous, extra-curricular, or expendable,” he insists on his campaign site. “I want to provide every child with these ‘Weapons of Mass Instruction.’”

I might vote for him just because he makes bad puns.

- Catherine Cai|VOX Staff

Out with the old, and in with the new!

It's 2008, people. Yeah, it's election time!

To all registered voters (and soon-to-be registered voters), below are two awesome and informative Web sites designed to educate you--the teenage (youth) minority--about voting. We've got to speak out and demand that our voices be heard.

Click here for information and links on youth voter turnout and organizations working on youth involvement.

Rock the Vote is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 to engage youth in the political process.

If you're eligible, please vote!

- Seth|VOX Staff

VOX kicks off the New Year with issue on family!

What better way to start the new year than dedicating an issue to family! Our families have known us since we were brought into this world. They’ve watched us grow up, change and turn into the people we are now. Every family has problems and every family is a little crazy, but despite the difficulties, family is always family.

What are some unique traditions your family share?

- Morgan Gardener|VOX Staff

Teens & 401K: Oh crap, this doesn’t look good!

According to AJC.com, 1 in 3 teenagers today won’t have 401(k) money when they retire. That means there won’t be any money to live on once we stop working in the future.

Businesses offer 401(k) plans as an opportunity for people to save money for retirement.

Pensions like this are being cut back more and more every year. I don’t want to be a starving old man. And with the vagueness of whether we will have Social Security when we’re older, we have to vote and make sure the government will put some of our tax dollars towards taking care of us, and not only paying for war.

Retirement may seem like a long way for teens, but if we really think about it, it’s never too soon to start planning or saving.

- Seth|VOX Staff