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November 11, 2009
Staff Editorial
Individuals must make their own choices about their lifestyles, but outside forces can undoubtedly influence those decisions with little steps. The series of California laws against junk food alone are not completely effective in promoting a healthy way of life. However, they influence people into making the right choices. Despite this, we must take further steps into helping future generations become fitter groups of people.The previously-named Senate Bills 12, 19 and 965 force schools to stop selling junk food that do not follow the health guidelines listed in the documents. In addition, serving sizes are generally smaller, but food and beverage prices are high due to more costly packaging costs. The larger the container, the cheaper it is to package the item. These inconveniences have impelled students to flock to vendors that have the same items available for cheaper prices. Students are willing to take the time to walk off campus to satisfy their wants. Otherwise, they can bring noncompliant food and drinks from home.
One way of solving this issue is to close the campus. Of course, the majority of students would disagree with this idea. As long as the school continues to have an open campus, there is no solution to this particular problem.
However, there are other ways to lead people to a healthier lifestyle.
As a school, we must come up with efficient ways that we can carry out directly. Not only that, but we should give people a choice to take up a healthy lifestyle, rather than forcing it on them. After all, everyone should have the responsibility to make their own decisions. Rather than having implicit consent toward the ban on junk food, students should take additional action by exercising and eating healthier food. If anything, they can moderate the amount of junk food they consume.
Fortunately, our school already presents us with opportunities to maintain healthy living. With the requirement of taking two years of P.E. class, students have a choice to take additional years, but the school does not force students to spend all four years of high school taking this class.
In addition, certain clubs, such as the Ultimate Frisbee Club, allow students to have fun moving around and playing games. These student associations also give students a chance to make new friends and share interests.
It is also great that PTSA plans to provide sources for recreational activities on campus. Once basketball hoops and tetherball courts are installed, students would have more opportunities to become physically active.
Such resources add to the external factors that hopefully influence individuals to make physically beneficial choices. We shouldn’t rely entirely on laws to force people to become healthier. As mere individuals, we can be just as strong—if not stronger than the senators and other politicians within our state capitol, as long as we utilize our available resources.
Illustration by Brian Jeon
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November 11, 2009
Joshua Das
Sometimes what is good for us isn’t the thing we always want. For instance, most students prefer an open campus during lunch, regardless of the side effects.
When on campus, students are far less likely to be tempted into some form of delinquency (i.e. messing around at the local Quikstop). How many times a year have you heard, “Hey did you hear about that fight in McDonalds?” Fights occur off-campus every year. Without proper supervision, the outcomes are unpredictable. If we disallow students from leaving the campus, there would be less violent encounters.
Also, the more new drivers get around in their cars, the more likely they are to get into an accident. With the parking lot mayhem during lunch, the new drivers are merely asking to test their parents’ auto insurance. Cars can crash into each other or into heedless pedestrians. Accompanying this worry, drivers would have to be wary of all the gas they spend. Sure, it doesn’t seem like much to drive to Subway and back, but the amount of used gas does add up.
A closed campus would ensure fewer tardies to class as well. Students wouldn’t have to deal with going to the Fremont Hub or farther locations, and having to hurry back before the second bell rings. The food at school would also be healthier, such as a salad, in comparison to a Big Mac. In fact, in the documentary “Supersize Me”, dieticians state that one should consume fast food only once a week, if at all.
In addition, with a closed campus, students may feel compelled to bring their own lunches. This would save them even more money, since they would not have to pay unreasonable prices for food that is half as good.
So even though a closed campus is not what everybody wants, the scenario’s pluses outweigh the minuses.
