6April 2010Hi Times Issue 7 Vol. 101

Controversy over affirmative action Affirmative action policies at colleges have been controver-sial ever since they were put in place. Although these policies were started to give everyone a fair chance on getting accepted into good colleges, they have proved to be enforcing just the opposite. Renee Snakenberg, a Junior, believes that students should all have a fair chance at get-ting into top colleges. She also doesn’t believe that these poli-cies should have ever been put in place. “A lot of people in America preach equality,but affirmative action is basically just a dif-ferent form of discrimination than what we’re used to,” said Snakenberg. There are a few ethnic groups that outshine others in their college acceptance rates. These groups are Chinese, Koreans

Within DNA lies the percep-tions of chance for advancement and levels of importance for certain job criteria, such as pay rates and job security. The world of job searches and job-related success is more closely tied to genetics than once thought. Research has shown that most people who have the inclination to quit their job and start their own business have similar ge-netic constructs within certain areas that give them the genetic predisposition to attempt an achievement as great as entre-preneurship. Furthermore to the evidence, identical twins have more in common with job success and satisfaction than that of even fraternal twins of the same sex. If one were to look down their line of genealogy, there wouldn’t be too great a surprise if a rela-tive in the distant path held the same interests and skills. Con-versely, that same observation can lead to the discovery of new and exciting activities that nev-er occurred as a possibility or an interest. It has been found by David Lyk-ken, formal behavioral geneticist and Professor Emeritus of Psy-chology and Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota, that 32% of the difference between people with respect to their

Genes linked to career success

According to a 2009 Health-day article, 1 in 5 teens has used prescription drugs for non-prescribed uses. Pharming, or prescription drug abuse, has risen in recent years, while use of cocaine and methamphet-amines has dropped. Data from the LaPorte County Drug Free Partnership stated that pre-scription drug abuse among teens is equal to or slightly higher than abuse of marijuana and alcohol. Experts believe that the in-crease in abuse correlates to an increase in accessibility. Ac-cording to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, the num-ber of prescriptions filled has risen 72 percent since 1997. “Simply stated, ease of avail-ability and a lower cost is what drives the prescription drug market among people age 14 to 25,” said Sergeant Kellems. Sheriff’s Narcotics Investiga-tors have been able to report that a half gram of cocaine sells for 100 times as much as a prescription pill, and an ounce of marijuana for 280 times as much. The most commonly abused drugs are painkillers, stimu-

lants and sedatives. These drugs include Oxycontin, Vico-din, Valium and Ritalin. A national survey concluded that 56 percent of individuals who abused prescription drugs got them from a friend or rela-tive who had leftovers from a legitimate prescription. But some individuals are able to convince doctors to prescribe them drugs that they don’t re-ally need. New prescription monitoring programs have been adopted by 30 states, allowing doctors and pharmacists to track the number and frequency of pre-scriptions a patient has filled to help cut down on abuse and illegal sales of prescription drugs. This keeps individuals from doctor-hopping, going to multiple doctors to get pre-scriptions. LPHS nurse Mrs. Cooper said, “It is easier to get prescription drugs because kids can get into a parents supply and they are cheaper.” Individuals who abuse pre-scription drugs often do so because they believe that the drugs won’t do them harm. Addictions can form for any kind of prescription drug, spurring users to consume in steadily increasing quantities.

But even first time users can experience symptoms such as decreased respiration, large fluctuations in blood pressure, hallucinations, rapid heart-beats and impaired judgment. The worse case scenarios can also involve seizures, asphyxi-ation, strokes, comas or death. Kellems said, “With the avail-ability of prescription drugs and their subsequent abuse on the rise, our students need to realize the dangers of pre-scription drug abuse. Doctors prescribe drugs for that spe-cific patient. This makes tak-ing someone else’s prescription narcotics extremely dangerous. There is a serious reason why there are such tight controls on narcotics; the abuse often times will lead to illness and in extreme cases death.” One major problem with pharming is that it can go largely unnoticed. It can often take an overdose or the disap-pearance of a large quantity of pills for a prescription drug user to be found out. This trait makes the rising trend among teens all the more dangerous. To students, Nurse Cooper cautions, “Drugs will not get you farther in life. It is not worth doing drugs for the little high when it can kill you.”

Pharming on the rise

Richie FinlayEntertainment Editor

Laura RosenbaumFeatures Editor

Jordan BelloStaff Writer

Prom season is rapidly ap-proaching and the search for the perfect prom dress is well underway for many ladies. Prom night is a memory most high school students and even graduated high school stu-dents will always remember, so it is crucial that one looks their best. This year’s prom trends are fun and fresh. Perhaps the biggest trend this prom season is the cock-tail-style dresses that are be-ing worn on prom night. These short little numbers are replac-ing the traditional gown-like style dresses seen in years past. These short dresses are a great option for girls who are on a budget and love to show their legs and perhaps want a fun alternative to the long, formal dresses. Bright colors are taking over the prom scene this year. Bright colors are a very versatile trend since bright colors are flatter-ing on many body shapes and skin tones. Geometric and pat-terned dresses are very popular this prom season also. “I love bright colored dresses, they are fun and usually add a little fun to your prom look,”

responses about occupational interests is genetic. However, within broad categories of work interests, such as adventurous work, intellectually stimulating work or agricultural work, 53% of this is hereditary. If one finds themselves stuck in a job they can’t stand, genet-ics also play a role in the ability to raise concern or attempt to leave altogether. If the label “job hopper” applies, that can also be traced to one’s genetic code. Tolerance of certain aspects in a career can be learned for the sake of financial stability, but ultimately one’s heredity and DNA call the shots. This brings the importance of a college edu-cation into brighter perspec-tive. College reveals to students what they want to do with the rest of their lives. Finding a ca-reer that can be wrapped within the genetic set up already given can lead to a lifetime of happi-ness. Whether the dream is to be a corporate executive, con-struction worker or professor, it can be brought to reality with the acceptance of DNA and the education required to achieve that goal. DNA does not mean that fate has a set course, it simply al-lows some career aspirations to be less or more appealing than others. Find a broad course full of positive possibilities and suc-cess will surely follow.

said senior, Lisa Mullen. A second option for prom night is the romantic and glam-ourous approach to one’s prom look. These dresses include styles that are pretty and are a bit vintage and glam. Popu-lar colors for a romantic looks are soft pastels such as: tickle me pinks, lilac purples, mint greens and aqua blues. The ro-mantic and glam look insures to make a grand entrance and further your magical night at prom. One trend that seems to be present within all looks is the open back and extravagant dress backs. The dresses with the open backs and cut-outs are sure to make a statement even when you are walking away from the dance floor. “The cut-out backs are gor-geous! I love this trend and when I purchase my dress I will be looking for this fun trend,” said senior Natalie Pope. Of course after finding the perfect dress the hunt for per-fect accessories begins! Acces-sories such as necklaces, ear-rings, bracelets and cocktail rings are excellent ways to make your prom look unique. One can really allow their per-sonal style to shine bright with their accessories. Also, this

prom season perhaps the most unexpected trend is the nail art trend that is becoming ever popular among women. Bright painted nails and small de-cals on nails make a statement and add spunk to one’s overall prom look. When prom night finally ar-rives and everyone is dressed in their finest and arrives at the Civic remember to rock your look down the red car-pet. The most important rule to remember for prom 2010 is to rock your look and be ready for a night you will always re-member!

Prom fashion season approachesErin SassStaff Writer

and other immigrants from the East. While only 13% of Califor-nia’s population is made up of Asians, 40% of all the state’s public university students are of Asian descent. This is most likely because Asians earn bet-ter grades, and score higher on standardized tests than many other ethnic groups. “Getting into a good college should depend on how you’ve done academically,not your race. If a white person does just as good as an Asian they should both have an equal chance,” said Snakenberg. Thomas Espenshade, a Princ-eton sociologist, says that ivy-league colleges are now reversing their affirmative-action policies so that Asian-Americans have to score at least 140 points higher on SAT’s than students of other ethnicities to get in the college. Most colleges in the U.S. want a diverse student body to receive funding for their school.

Photo by Erin SassWhen choosing dresses for prom, there are various styles, cuts and colors to pick from.