BMS “Underage Page” Writers’ Network

9 Responses to “QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, IDEAS, SUGGESTIONS???”

1.    Mrs. Choats, on March 31st, 2009 at 1:01 pm Said:

   Mrs. Pierce,
   I am so pleased and excited to visit your blog spot. This type of technology use is great for our kids! Keep it up, you are A W E S O M E!!

2.    Sarah Schiner, on April 1st, 2009 at 12:36 pm Said:

   Diabetes: Searching for the Cure
   Many people across the nation have the disease diabetes. In diabetes, the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin to spread sugar to cells that need it. This disease restricts people from doing things that they love to do, which includes most physical activities such as sports. People with the disease have to endure painful needle pricks every day, as well as hospital procedures a few times a year. However, some people have received new technology called a pump, which allows a patient to receive insulin from a needle always attached to the side.
   So I’m asking, “What are we doing to get closer to the cure?” Scientists such as Ann Marie Schmidt are searching as we speak. She is trying to figure out how their research can stop diabetes from affecting all parts of the body. Another scientist, Michael Salter, of Toronto hospital, says he has proof that diabetes is set off by the body’s nervous system. He injected infected mice with a substance that counteracts the effects of malfunctioning pain neurons in the pancreas. This has brought us one large step closer to the cure of diabetes, although they have yet to prove this advancement in humans.
   We need to remember that diabetes is hard for anyone, even for adults, but that it is especially hard for children. Children with the disease have to tolerate harrowing treatments each day. Children with parents who have the disease have to make sure their parent is functioning properly and are doing okay at all times. As a girl with a parent who has the disease, I can say one thing: it’s hard.
   All in all, we’re getting there; one small step at a time.

3.    Bailey Gift, on April 2nd, 2009 at 12:35 pm Said:

   Fight, Fight, Fight… But who would win?
   Who would win in a fight? Edward Cullen or Harry Potter? We were wondering the same thing, so we asked around.
   “Edward would take Harry Potter down if he got the chance, because of his awesome vampire powers, like mind reading and running super fast. Harry Potter wouldn’t be able to keep up.” says Sarah Schriner, a huge Twilight fan. While Sarah Lairmore says, “I’m a total Harry Potter fan. Harry Potter could totally take Edward with his wand. He could say one spell and Edward would be history. Since in the Twilight book, Stephenie Meyer says Edward had to be ripped to pieces and burned, Harry Potter would figure that out, eventually, and would destroy Edward.”
   Disagreeing with both Sarah’s, Jana Gift says “I hope they would behave like gentlemen and never fight, but if they did, it would be pretty even. Edward and Harry, alike, would have their advantages, such as mind reading and wand waving. But they also would have disadvantages, such as if Edward lost his Bella, he would go and kill himself, and if Harry gets close to Voldemort, his scar burns like crazy. Really, I think they should work together and help each other out.”
   We, then, went around and took a tally for who would win in a fight: Edward, Harry, or Neither. And the winner is: Edward Cullen with 25 votes, Harry potter with 9, and Neither with 1.

4.    tyler roden, on April 6th, 2009 at 12:41 pm Said:

   Mrs. Pierce please sumit my article, “Strum out!”

5.    Sonny, John, & Taylor, on April 6th, 2009 at 12:45 pm Said:

   The Power of Peer Pressure
   By John Greenway
   Sonny Sullivan
   & Taylor Manzella

   Peer pressure…no one likes it, but it seems like everyone experiences it. Peer pressure is when you are forced to do something you may or may not want to do. You are usually pressured by your friends or family. Bad peer pressure can cause lying, emotional distress and guilt. It can cause you to do things that you know are wrong and that you shouldn’t do. Peer pressure isn’t always bad though. Good peer pressure can motivate you to try new things and branch out as a person. We interviewed several students from Belton Middle School and here are our results.

   6th Graders
   Even as 6th graders friends and family still are pressuring them. We interviewed 4 anonymous students that have all gone through peer pressure or witnessed it.
   • Have you ever been affected by peer pressure?
   All 4 answered yes and some were more affected by others.
   • How far has peer pressure taken you?
   One 6th grader has been affected greatly; they were pressured to steal drugs for friends. The peer pressure caused the student to lie more than once about the situation. The student never confessed and felt guilty about what she did. Another student’s brother pressured them to go behind their parents back. However, 2 students were pressured in a positive way. One was pressured into trying for student council. She has come to like it and is glad her friends encouraged her.
   • What age did peer pressure begin for you?
   All 4 students agreed that peer pressure began around 4th grade and has become increasingly worse.

   7th Grade
   We interviewed 3 anonymous 7th graders to see what there opinion about peer pressure is.
   • What’s the worst thing peer pressure has led you to do?
   “The farthest peer pressure had pushed me was smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol.” The student says her choice was a mistake and if she could go back and change it she would.
   • Have you ever peer pressured another person?
   Another student answered yes, they pressured someone into taking their parents car after midnight. “Peer pressuring someone else was wrong and I felt regretful for my actions.”
   • Who peer pressures you the most?
   “My friends have peer pressured me the most, whether it is good peer pressure or bad.”

   8th Grade
   BMS eighth graders answered questions on peer pressure .
   • Have you ever been affected by peer pressure? And how?
   “Skipping class with my best friend and then getting caught by my mom”
   We asked the student if the outcome was worth it.
   “No it wasn’t worth it I wish it never had happened I wish I wouldn’t have let her talk me into it.
   • What’s the worst thing peer pressure has made you do?
   “I smoked reefer with my friends because my brother called me a sissy and said I wasn’t cool.” The student later said that he regretted doing it and he wouldn’t want it to happen to anyone else.
   • What’ the best way to say no?
   “The best way to say no is to just ignore them and say that you don’t want to.”

   We have come to the conclusion that peer pressure is more common then we would like to think. Peer pressure is dangerous and can have bad results. Kids need to remember to stay away from situations where they can do something that they would regret because of peer pressure. They need to do what they know is right and not be forced into situations by their friends and family.

6.    Macy Banfield, on April 6th, 2009 at 12:49 pm Said:

   Ready to publish: Please under line book titles:

   Looking for some good reads this spring? Here are a few books we recommend that teen girls might enjoy!

   Diary of a Teenage Girl by Melody Carlson: Caitlin O’Conner, a sixteen year old girl, is faced with many real life hardships and discovers God in the process. She finds out that he will be there for her through everything-love, conflicts with her parents and friends, peer pressure, and finding out who she really is. Follow Caitlin through her tough times and spiritual journal and be surprised with her final decisions.

   Secrets of my Hollywood life by Jen Calonita: Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a Hollywood starlet? Well Kaitlin Burke can tell you everything considering she is a star on the hit soap opera “Family Matters” and the paparazzi will not leave her alone. Join Kaitlin in her journey through Hollywood Boulevard as she deals with nasty publicity, horrid co-stars, and high school heartthrobs.

   Avalon High by Meg Cabot: Ellie, the new student at Avalon High, soon figures out that this school is not what it appears to be. Sure there’s Jennifer, the cheerleader, Lance, the jock, and Will is the class president, quarter back on the schools football team, and the nicest guy around. But, is there something more that everyone’s missing? Is everyone really who they appear to be? Is tragedy really coming to Avalon High? Is there anything Ellie can do about it?

   -MAcy Banfield and Samantha Stapper

7.    Bailey Gift, on April 7th, 2009 at 1:12 pm Said:

   What Happened on that Day? (9/11)
   By Bailey Gift.
   Sometimes, on the news, you hear: “The Terrorists strike again.” Then, the news people go into details about what happened. And all you really think is “Thank God that wasn’t me or my family in there.” Or “Thank god it didn’t happen here in America.” But it did happen in America. We call it 9/11.
   Everyone who was alive at the time remembers the horrible day that was 9/11. People lost many loved ones and very close friends. Although they try not to remember it and try to bury their feelings and move on, 9/11 probably pains those people that try so very hard to hide their feelings.
   Some people believe that God has come to them and told them to do something for them. They are what we call Terrorists, because they kill people and do other bad things they believe God has told them to do. The “Terrorists,” if you will, believe God told them to steal the plane that crashed into the “World trading Center.” So they boarded the plane and on the way to their destination, slit the throats of the pilots and took matters into their own hands. Veering off the course of the plane, they headed on a suicide mission toward the Twin Towers.
   No one survived the crash of the plane but there were, however few, survivors from the buildings. America was devastated over the loss of the World Trading Center, and the loss of so many people who had lives and loved ones. And we will never forget the bravery of the people who pulled out the survivors. Thank you, all you brave people out there fighting to make this country safe and more like a home.

8.    Sarah Schiner, on April 7th, 2009 at 1:33 pm Said:

   Cancer
   Cancer is becoming an eminent threat across the nation today, devastating thousands of families all over the country. An anonymous student at Belton Middle School says, “My Grandfather is battling lung cancer right now, and it has greatly affected his life’s course.” Another BMS student, Bailey Gift says, “My Mom’s friend, Renee, died recently of brain cancer, and my mother was tremendously affected with a feeling of loss.” Students all over the school have been touched by cancer, and are heavyhearted.
   Thankfully, people are attempting to enhance cancer research, in a hope to find a cure, or even a way to treat the symptoms of cancer to make the disease more bearable for patients. During Belton Basketball Season, we had a pink-and-white game dedicated to cancer patients. On the back of our pink-and-white jerseys, were names of cancer survivors, patients or people who had died of cancer. Money that went into these jerseys was given to cancer research facilities, as was the money for admittance to the game. This money, and other donations, makes it possible for scientists to research this disease and find a cure.
   The school Albert Einstein College of Medicine is attempting to find a way to cure cancer by eliminating the viruses that directly cause cancer. They used a method called radio immunotherapy that uses antibodies to kill the infected cells. This technique slows tumor growth, which would, used on a human being, allow that person more time to live, and might eventually kill the tumor. They tested this on infected mice, and so far it has worked. Professors at this school theorize that most cancers are caused by a virus, such as hepatitis B or C, which cause liver cancer. This school plays a tremendous part in cancer research and today, and is helping to find the cure.
   All in all, people all over the country are donating or researching, to help find the cure, we need to do all we can to save the lives of these fellow Americans.

9.    Bailey Gift, on April 9th, 2009 at 12:37 pm Said:

   What Happened on that Day? (9/11)
   Sometimes, on the news, you hear: “The Terrorists strike again.” Then, the news people go into details about what happened. And all you really think is “Thank God that wasn’t me or my family in there.” Or “Thank god it didn’t happen here in America.” But it did happen in America. We call it 9/11.
   Everyone who was alive at the time remembers the horrible day that was 9/11. People lost many loved ones and very close friends. Although they try not to remember it and try to bury their feelings and move on, 9/11 probably pains those people that try so very hard to hide their feelings.
   Some people believe that God has come to them and told them to do something for them. Some people do bad things because that’s what God told them to do. They are what we call Terrorists, because they kill people and do other bad things they believe God has told them to do. The “Terrorists,” if you will, believe God told them to steal the plane that crashed into the “World trading Center.” So they boarded the plane and on the way to their destination, they slit the throats of the pilots and took matters into their own hands. They veered off-course and (even though there were more than one plane that the terrorists took over, the most famous one is the 9/11 crash into the Twin Towers) crashed into the Twin Towers, killing all the people on the plane and most of the people in the two buildings in New York City, New York.
   Many people were lost that fateful day, but one thing was learned: Dreams aren’t always right.

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