Why Do People Get Judged On Their Clothing?

By: S. C.
   
Do you ever wonder why lots of people are so stuck up about their clothes?

Well some people like to buy their clothing based on how much it costs. They want to fit in. Some people feel like they are not accepted if they don’t wear major fashion labels. Or others get bullied based on how they are dressed. For example, “You don’t have Polo? What’s wrong with you! Why are you here? Are you stupid or something?”

These words affect people and make them do stuff for money just to by a t-shirt. I think that kids teasing other kids about what they wear makes them feel less fortunate. People should be accepted no matter what clothes they wear.

I ask myself, when these kids grow up will they still be addicted to all this “expensive fashion?” Will they teach their kids to get used to all this money?

Why do clothes have to be name brand? Who teaches kids that name brand clothes are cool? Where did this idea start?

If some kids don’t have the money for expensive clothes they may start to steal from stores to get them. Maybe first something small like a t-shirt, then jeans, then watches and more and more.

I think kids should learn that you can still be fashionable wearing something less expensive from a store like H&M. Just because clothes are expensive it doesn’t mean they are better.  Sometimes kids don’t even like the name brand clothing they buy. They are just glad it’s “real” and has a tag that says Ralph Lauren. Some kids buy expensive clothes for the attention. I think they want to be the center of attention and have all eyes on them.

Some say I wear Aéropostale from head to toe. That means you have “money.” Some people need to realize that there is more to life than money and expensive clothing. Kids need to learn that you can get attention by being yourself.

UAI Takes On Bullying

 By: A. C. & S. I.

On November 19, 2010 all the grades at UAI had a day called the “Sister-to-Sister Rally.” This anti-bullying day involved a lot of different topics and activities that included a photo gallery and a movie that topped the day off. The girls watched Lifetime’s original movie called Odd Girl Out.

Although the day caused emotional pain for many, this day was also an eye opener for most of the girls at UAI into what bullying can really do to people. Some topics that were brought up during the day were the Holocaust, the genocide in Rwanda, civil rights, segregation, and present day bullying. Since bullying has increased over the decades and centuries, present day has really come far.

A lot of bullying takes place in school. When these victims get bullied they go home and cry and then when it becomes too much some take it to the fullest extent…suicide.

Before the “Sister-to-Sister Rally” some girls asked their teachers, “Why do we have to have this day? Why does it matter? How does it affect me?” As the day came to a close many girls began asking, “How can I help? What can I do? When is the next “Sister-to-Sister Rally?”

We thought that this day was a great, great idea and would love to give props to the person who thought of it. If this day wasn’t thought of the school wouldn’t be the way it is today. The more people in the UAI community that stop bullying, the safer environment that we will have at our school.

Possibilities

By: K. M.

I wanted it to be real. You don’t know how bad I wanted it to be real. 

The guy was there.  His face just inches from mine. He bent down to kiss me and I knew I was dreaming. Sure enough everything slowly faded away.  I was sitting in my own darkness.  I woke up in my room, just like I went to bed last night. ALONE.

I sat there hoping a knight in shining armor would come and sweep me out of my bed. But guess what? That wasn’t going to happen. That was far from happening. You want to know why? Oh, I’ll tell you why.  It’s because I don’t live in a fairy tale.  I don’t even live in L.A.

I live in a dreary town in Iowa. The chances of a prince or even a regular guy, was slim to none.

What was I thinking lately? Why did I keep thinking that my true love would find me? This was weird. Or maybe, just maybe, he was coming (whoever he was).  All the signs were there. 

Ughh, what was I thinking. No one is coming.

Another Day in My Unfortunate Life

By: K. M.

He was there. It was so real.  Holding my face in his hands. I never felt this way before.  I didn’t want this moment to end.....it did. Slowly but suddenly everything drifted away.  I was alone in my own darkness, no one to say they loved me.  It was then when I realized I was in my same old boring room, and I was living another day in my unfortunate life.

Oh! Did I forget to tell you? My name is Ashley Montgomery, and this is my story. 

I got up to go wash my face with water. I needed to clear my head. When I finished I’d planned on going back to sleep, but I saw a faint light coming through my room window.  I looked at the clock on the wall, and my eyes practically fell out my head.  I was going to be late for the fifth time in the semester. I made a full 180 degree turn heading back to the bathroom so that I could take a quick shower. When I finished I bolted back to my room and put on a pair of black skinny jeans, a flannel t-shirt and a pair of heeled boots.

I was down the stairs in a flash.  I ran to the key rack, grabbed my car keys and I was out the door. 

When I arrived to my school I immediately parked.  I stepped out of my car. As I was getting out I saw something closing. I realized that it was the school door.

 “Great,” I mumbled, “just what I need.” My boots would not let me run without twisting my ankle (that was an accident waiting to happen). Still I tried. As I was ran, I stepped in a hole and heard a CRACK! I looked down and noticed I was limping.

Please don’t be...“UGHHHH!” I groaned as I stared down at my broken heel.  “Can this day get any worse?”

I finally made it through the door in just enough time. You’d think everything was alright wouldn’t you?

Guess what? Everything wasn’t alright. My heel was broken and I’d have to walk around like this all day. Just my luck, right?

Today was not my day, and on top of all this “Miss Montgomery, YOU’RE LATE!” poured over my shoulder. GOD! I just can’t win.  Now you see why it was another day in my unfortunate life.

That was my story........gotta go, wish me luck. I’m going to need it.

Love is a Big Word

By: S. N.

Love isn't easy, especially when you like someone who doesn't like you back. It is very hard to see the person that you love going out with someone else. It is also very hard when you love someone and they love you too but they can't go out with you because they are ashamed of you. It is also hard when you have a secret crush and you have to pretend that you don't even care about that person.

Love is a big word and you shouldn't use it irresponsibly. Also if you have just had a breakup and you notice that you like someone else, make sure you aren't trying to replace the person who just broke up with you or who you just broke up with.

Most of the time it isn't easy for people to fall in love – just make sure if you fall in love someone will actually catch you. I know how it is to fall in love and it isn't easy to fall in love or fall out of love.

Love is a crazy emotion but something that can make you feel good and something that can hurt you horribly. I have been made a better and a worst person because of that. Don't let the person who you love change who you are for the worst.

Don't ever change your personality for someone else. Never judge someone by how they look because the cutest person could have the worst attitude ever. Also sometimes people aren't pretty because you didn't take the time to find the beauty in that person. If you can take the time to see the bad in someone then you can also see the good in them.

Choosing Your Friends Wisely

By: S. N.

Sometimes you have to breakaway from your friends when they are doing something wrong. They might be your best friends, but if they are pressuring you to do something that you don’t want to do you should think about whether they really are your friends. True friends don’t force you to do something that you don’t want to and if they do then they’re really not your friend.

It’s important to choose your friends correctly. I didn’t say that you should choose friends that are goody-goodies, but they should treat you right. You should never choose someone because you’re scared of him or her. You should choose him or her because they are there for you. Also, don’t judge them so quickly. Someone you think is your best friend could be the same person who stabs you in the back.

Don’t say someone is your best friend when you don’t know anything about him or her. Also don’t be a bad friend. It’s ok to tell the truth but in a nice way. You should be yourself and no one else. If you just met this person don’t tell them everything. Sometimes things are better kept a secret. Some things you just don’t tell anyone, not even your best friend.

“A single rose can be my garden…a single friend my world.”

Treat Me How You Want to be Treated

By: S. N.

Treat me how you want to be treated.

When people amongst you get together and chat about you, you should ignore them. Once they realize that you are ignoring them most smart people stop, realizing that it isn’t affecting you.

If they continue and you feel like rearranging their face you should write a letter on how you feel about them and then rip it up. You rip the letter up to show that you are letting it go.

If this continues and you don’t know why, you should ask them why they are treating you this way. If the matter can’t be resolved then you should try to consult an adult to see if the matter can be resolved with their help.

If this still continues well all I can say is that person has serious issues with or without you. Just continue to be the one who is more responsible. Just remember, “Things turn out best for those who make the best of the way things turnout.”

Advice

Need advice? The UAI Insider staff can help you find the answer to your problem! Just submit your question to our advice box and you'll see our answer for you right here in the paper!

Question: If you feel bad about yourself should you change yourself or your appearance?

Answer: Personally I think that you shouldn’t change yourself unless you are a bad person. If you are just not proud of yourself maybe you should have a conference with yourself and actually identify what you feel is wrong.  If you are that bothered with something about yourself then you can change that part of yourself, but because you want to not because someone else tells you should change. Don’t care about what people say because at the end of the day you are the one who is supposed to be satisfied.

By: S. N. 

Question: I need more help with calming down my anger. What can I do?

Answer: I think you should just ignore other people when they get on your nerves. Also try talking to a friend or anybody you trust to help you with your anger.                         

By: S.S

A Sports Quiz for YOU!

1). When was the first baseball game played in America?

A. 1976
B. 1839
C. 1895

2). Who was the first women tennis player to beat a male tennis player?

A. Billie Jean
B. Serena Williams

C. Chris Evert

3). Who was the first female to win an Olympic medal?

A. Jean Miller
B. Serena Willaims
C. Charlotte Cooper

4). Circle the two games men and women can both play.

A. Tennis and Basketball
B. Baseball and soccer
C. Professional football and fencing

5). What use to be used as the first basketball hoop? Why?

A. A woven basket
B. A big rock with a hole in the middle

C. A peach basket

Answer Key:

1). B 2). A 3). C 4). A 5). C

Quiz created by S. A. B.

Single Ladies

Artist: Beyonce

Album: I Am Sasha Fierce

“Single Ladies” is one the best videos of all time. The black and white video has been awarded for its lyrics, artist, and best of all, its choreography. This video has had millions of copycat videos that have been done over by younger and older people. When you hear this song you know you want to do the original dance just like Beyonce.

Reviewed by A. C.

What’s My Name

Artist: Rihanna ft. Drake

Album: LOUD

“What’s My Name” is another one of Rihanna’s number 1 hits! When “What’s My Name” came out it was a song that everyone was singing! The video’s premiere was such a success that it now has over 80 million hits! The video was shot during the day in the city that never sleeps, NYC! Make sure to listen to “What’s My Name” by Rihanna featuring Drake.
Be sure to check out Rihanna’s new album LOUD and another one of her hits “Fly” featuring Nicki Minaj.

Reviewed by A. C.

Loca

Artist: Shakira ft. Dizzee Rascal

Shakira is known as the Colombian superstar. She is already singing her new Song “Loca” on well-known shows such as “Dancing with the Stars.” The Colombian beauty’s song is #1 on the Latin Billboard charts.
In her video she is in Barcelona singing her way all over the beautiful city! While the Colombian beauty is shaking in a bikini top and gold leggings, she is having fun singing on the beach and dancing in a fountain. The song was interpreted by El Cata's song "Loca Con Su Tiguere."

Be sure to get Shakira’s latest album Sale el Sol (English: The Sun Comes Out).

Reviewed by A. C.

Not Myself Tonight

Artist: Christina Aguilera

Album: Bionic

“Not Myself Tonight’s” video has great choreography that is well put together. Every few seconds Aguilera gets her groove on with her well trained back-up dancers.

Reviewed by A. C.

Moment 4 Life

Artist: Nicki Minaj ft. Drake

Album: Pink Friday

“Moment 4 Life” is another one of Nicki Minaj’s chart toppers. She performed it on George Lopez’s late night show and on Carl Daly’s New Year’s Special. Some of the lyrics are inspiring such as “I’m not lucky, I’m blessed.”
Drake’s verses top off the rapping part of the song. And then Minaj’s singing goes in to effect. “Moment 4 Life’s” video comes out later in January.
Also make sure that you check out Nicki Minaj’s first album Pink Friday.

Reviewed by A. C.

Whip My Hair

Artist: Willow Smith

Welcome Little Rihanna!  The 10 year olds’ video was released on 106 and park on October 18th and the single was released on September 25th, 2010 when it was leaked.

The daughter of movie stars Jada and Will Smith has reviews bouncing of the walls. The catchy song has a message that states “No matter what haters have to say to you ‘Whip Your Hair’ at them.”

When her single was handed to Jay-Z as an unknown singer he could not identify her. All over the Internet people are saying, “She does not sound like a 10 year old…” While she is whipping paint all over the floors and walls in her video, her big brother Jaden Smith made an appearance too!

Willow is getting mixed reviews on YouTube but that is not taking the shine off of the 10 year old. All that is left to say is that Willow is on her way to success and more big hit singles.

Don’t miss Willow’s album! Coming out soon!

Reviewed by A. C.

Paranormal Activity 2

Genre: Horror
Rating: R
Director: Tod Williams
Time: 91 minutes

Cast Members: David Bierend, Sprague Grayden, Brian Boland, Molly Ephraim,William Juan Prieto, Jackson Xenia Prieto, Katie Featherston, Seth Ginsberg, Micah Sloat, & Vivis Cortez

Who:
Katie (Mother)
Amy (Aunt)
Hunter (Son)

Based on a true story, a family moves into a new house and after returning from a cook out claims to get their house trashed. Sooner or later, they get security cameras all over their house, to find out that they were living with a demon caused by the ancestors of Katie the mother of the family.

The family decides to made a deal with the demon for riches in return of the soul of the first male that was born on her side of the family, Hunter. In the event of the family not giving baby Hunter away, this demon made the family’s life miserable, from dogs getting draged down the stairs to Quija boards spelling out the name Hunter...the whole nine yards to scare the family. As you can see theres alot of actions in this horrifying thriller so go out and see it now! 


Reviewed by S. C.

Pretty Little Liars

Genre: Drama

Producer: Marlene King

Pretty Little Liars is an ABC Family TV show that is based on the novels by Sara Shepard. This show premiered on ABC Family on June 8, 2010. Pretty Little Liars is the number 1 viewed show on ABC Family.com.

Pretty Little Liars is about the lives of four girls named Emily, Hanna, Aria, and Spencer whose clique falls apart because of the disappearance of their best friend Alison. With a young all-female leading cast and a woman producer this series shows that women on and behind the screen rock!

You can catch Pretty Little Liars on ABC Family on Tuesdays at 9pm.

Reviewed by S. C.

GLEE: “Never Been Kissed” (Episode 6)

Topics: Peer Pressure, teen bullying

Characters: Sam (Chord Overstreet), Kurt (Chris Colfer), Beast (Dot Jones), Finn (Cory Monteith), Blaine (Darren Criss), Karosky (Dave Karosky), Quinn (Diana Agron), Tina (Jenna Ushkovitz) 

This Glee episode is about a boy named Kurt who gets bullied because he is gay. The bullying gets so bad that Kurt decides to change schools. When Kurt goes to an all-boys school and talks with another gay boy, Blaine, he works up the courage to confront the bully at his old school. Blaine tells Kurt to have courage and confront the bully and to not run away.

When Kurt confronts Karosky, the bully, he learns that the he is also gay. Karosky pushes Kurt against a locker and calls him names. Kurt gets really angry so he yells at Karosky who kisses him all of a sudden.

Karosky bullies Kurt because he is gay also and he doesn’t want anybody to know that he is gay, so he bullies Kurt so people don’t get suspicious.

Reviewed by L. L.

My Favorite Restaurant: Chipotle
By: B. A.

Every time I hear about Chipotle I feel my taste buds tingling. Their chicken burrito is especially to my liking. Also, I love the homemade crisp to their perfect chips with their fresh guacamole.

If you do not like the chicken burrito then you can have your choice of a salad and much more. Every time I go a day without Chipotle I go crazy, or even if I go past the restaurant and can’t go in I can feel my face grow with sadness.

But let’s say if you are a vegetarian you could get a vegetarian burrito. But I think I should follow up that statement about the vegetarian burrito by saying I’m not a vegetarian just so you know. Chipotle also has other great choices like fajitas, tacos, salads, and more.

If I was getting a salad from Chipotle, even though I’ve never tasted their salads before, I would choose the chicken burrito salad. But there is a way you have to order. First, you have to tell them what you are getting. Then they warm your nice flat, round tortilla and then they give it to the person who asks you if you want black beans and other toppings. Next, they slide it down like an assembly line. Finally, they wrap it in foil paper unless you are ordering a salad.

Now let’s say if you have a slice of pizza there is a way you have to eat it so in this case there is a way you have to eat a burrito too. The way you have to eat it is you have to fold down the foil. Then you wrap some napkins around the foil. Finally, you start munching into that juicy burrito.

I hope you take my advice and start munching away soon. You will be glad you did!

Torta al Cioccolato (Chocolate Cake)

If you love chocolate like I do, then this recipe is perfect for you.

Ingredients:

• 1.7 squares of dark chocolate
• 2 and 1/3 cups of butter
• 1 cup of superfine sugar
• 4 egg whites
• Dash of salt
• 2 tablespoons of plain flour
• 1 cup of whipped cream.

Utensils:

• piping bag
• mixing spoon
• saucepan
• spatula

Steps:

• Place a saucepan of water over medium heat. Put the chocolate and butter in a smaller pan and place it in a larger one. Cook while stirring until everything has melted.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the sugar and stir until it has dissolved. Gradually add sugar and stir until it has dissolved. Gradually add flour and keep stirring until well mixed. Set aside to cool.
• Beat egg whites until they are stiff using a hand beater or an electric mixer.  Add a dash of salt before you begin so the eggs will be ready faster.
• When the chocolate mixture is lukewarm, carefully mix the egg whites. Use a spatula to lift up the chocolate mixture and gently blend in the egg whites.
• Grease and flour a 10 inch diameter spring form pan and pour the mixture into it.
• Bake in a preheated oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about 25 minutes. The cake should have a light crust but still be soft on the inside. To test if the cake is cooked, poke a skewer into the middle, if it comes out clean the cake is ready.
• Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack.
• When the cake is cool, decorate with whipped cream.

Recipe selected by S. S. L. from the Young Chef’s Italian Cookbook.

Fun Cookies

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350º F
• Sprinkle flour onto work surface
• Roll dough two-inch thickness, using additional flour as needed to prevent sticking
• Cut with 2 1/2-inch cookie cutters
• Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets
• Repeat with trimmings
• Bake for 8 to 9 minutes or until light golden brown around edges. (Smaller cutters and sharp edges tend to produce darker cookies)
• Cool for 2 minutes
• Then place cookies on wire racks to cool completely
• Decorate with icing as desired and sprinkle with toppers. Store cookies in a tightly covered container if not served immediately.

For Easy Cookie Icing: Combine 2 cups sifted powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract in small bowl. Stir in additional milk, a teaspoon at a time, until desired consistency. For colored icing, tint with food coloring. Makes about 2/3 cup.

Enjoy!

Recipe selected by D. T.

Why Are Girls on Magazine Covers Always “Perfect” and Flawless?

By: A. G. 

Being perfect is what is expected in order to be popular in school and successful in life. Well, being perfect is not normal.

Why do girls like to change the way they are just because a magazine or person tells them to?

On the cover of magazines such as Teen Vogue and Seventeen you never see a plus-sized girl with glasses and blemishes. The girls that are on the cover of magazines are always perfect: very thin, with long hair, and flawless skin like Miley Cyrus.

Why do all the girls on magazine covers have to be flawless in order to be on the cover? The girls are always flawless and never have “bags under their eyes.”

How come when you see a Teen Vogue magazine there is always a perfect girl on the cover? She’s always slim with no blemishes or marks on her face.

That’s because cosmetic companies want their models to sell their product by applying their makeup.  By “dolling them up” the models looks fake and girls in reality feel offended.  Furthermore, cosmetic companies are taking advantage of customers by taking their money.  

On Seventeen magazine’s cover you never see a big girl or a geeky girl or just someone who is different on the front cover. Whenever you do see a different girl in a magazine there is a chance she is on the back cover.  We need to get magazines like Seventeen and shut them down for all the perfecting they go through just to make a girl look perfect for a magazine.