The Insider is an ALC student publication.  The articles reflect the opinions of students and

do not necessarily reflect the views of either the ALC or of Independent School District 518.

Click here to read the ALC Insider publication guidelines

The Worthington ALC Insider
Volume 3, Issue 28                       May 12, 2006
Tonight is Prom Are you ready? By Lety Heredia      Mrs.  Schreiber’s prom committee class is very fun.  We do a lot of hands-on activities and prom decorating.  Right now we are finishing up the trees and a really nice fountain.      We don’t really want to share all the things we are doing so we can have some surprises tonight at the 2006 prom.  But here is some info about the decorations:  The trees are made with wire and a lot of paper mache.  You can actually see us after fifth hour with our hands covered with paint and glue.      This is a fun class for me because I really like the hands-on activities, even though I get dirty sometimes.  Right now I have some sticky glue on my fingers.  Mrs.  Schreiber told me not to touch the glue. So what did I do? I touched it and, yes, that is why my fingers are sticky. (Continued à)	Click arrow twice to watch 2005 Prom video    That is all the information I can share right now.   If you want to see how everything is turning out, you better show up tonight for the prom.  Remember it is $5.00 per person if you pay sometime before the end of school today.   Otherwise it will be $7.00 at the door tonight.      Remember, you are allowed to bring a guest and make sure he/she doesn’t cause trouble.

The Insider                              May 12, 2006                                  Page 2

Multicultural Day at the ALC By Daniel Alvarado On May 5, the ALC had a multi-cultural festival. There were many guest speakers and a big buffet of different cultural foods. The guest speakers were from many different countries but all eventually immigrated to the U.S. One of the guest speakers, Evans Mbuka, was from Kenya. He spoke about his past in Kenya and his13 brothers and sisters. He originally came to the U.S. on a student visa, but he stayed because he got married. Another one of the speakers, Maria del Pilar Hartshorn, was from Ecuador. She was a very successful psychologist for the army in her country. But when she got to the U.S she couldn’t be a psychologist because she needed a degree. The buffet was pretty good. There were many different cultural foods such as chorizo, Swedish meatballs, bratwurst, baleadas, egg rolls, sticky rice, Mexican-style rice, and many other choices. All things considered, the festival was a good experience for all ALC students and staff.

Customizing Cars By Jose Juarez Customizing cars is very popular right now. My dream is to have a custom car paint shop because I’m an artist and I like making cars look hot. I plan to reach this goal by finishing school and going to tech school to learn the auto-body trade. I’m an artist. I feel that I draw well. My favorite style of art is realistic still life. I know I can use my skills in the car-customizing industry. I have not yet customized a real car, but I have drawn many custom car designs. This is an important first step in customizing cars. The first step in reaching my goal is to finish high school. I need to buckle down and get all my homework done so I can earn all my credits. A high school diploma is something needed to get into tech school. Learning a trade can help make you successful. I plan to go to tech school so I can learn all the skills of doing body work and painting cars. It would also be helpful to learn a little about owning a business in case I own my own shop some day. A perfect career would be one where I can use my art skills and work with cars at the same time. The difference between having a dream and achieving a goal is how hard you are willing to work.

The Insider                              May 12, 2006                                  Page 3

It Was Perfect Until the problem came… By Samantha Uribe      So you’ve finally met the perfect man of your dreams. He’s everything you’ve always wanted. He’s smart, generous, funny, and treats you as his equal. He remembers your birthday without you having to remind him.  Every once in a while and he even buys you flowers for simply no reason at all.      You just can’t believe this man has everything you always wanted to see in a man, so you both decide to take the relationship to another level.  You get married and move in together.      You think your search for the perfect man is now officially over.  You’ve got everything in order and ready to go.  Then you learn the truth:   “OH NOOOOOO, the man snores!!!”  Just when you thought everything was perfect, you discovered his flaw.     Now what? It’s important not to get angry at your partner for snoring.  Bear in mind, that he really can’t help it. He’s not doing it on purpose and probably feels guilty when he discovers that he’s kept you up most of the night.  (Continued à)

Most men have difficulty breathing at night if they sleep on their backs. So if his snoring starts, try gently rolling him onto his side and see if that reduces or stops the noise altogether.  Snoring can also be caused by obesity, blockage of nasal passages, age, alcohol and some drugs.      Some ways to prevent or reduce snoring, besides sleeping on your side include:  Using a chin strap to keep your mouth shut while sleeping, changing your lifestyle if you drink or smoke, trying over-the-counter throat sprays, snoreplasty, somnoplasty, or even surgery.       So if your partner has a snoring problem, don’t be mad at him, because most likely his snoring is caused by something he can’t get control of even if he wanted to. Instead try to help him treat his snoring problem by finding out what works to start treating his snoring problem.

The Insider                              May 12, 2006                                  Page 4

Poverty in America…. By Chris Gardner Why is there a higher percentage of people living at the poverty level now than fifty years ago? Perhaps it is because of the hurricane that hit the south last year. Or maybe the war with Iraq is to blame. The United States used to be the land where you could make more money then anywhere else, but I think things have changed since George Bush came into office. “Poverty” means different things to different people. To some people it means being poor or homeless. To others it could mean that you have some money but not enough of it. To me poverty means that you really don’t know if you are going to have enough money to pay the bills for the coming month. Many people don’t know what it is like to be unable to pay your bills. I’ve had some personal experience with this and I can tell you, it isn’t fun at all. Some people have a big heart and are willing to help those in need. But others are unwilling to help at all. I’ve read that about 40% of the people that live in the United States are living in poverty! There are some countries that have large numbers of their people living on the streets. Those people would love to come to the United States and live because we are the richest country to them. But there is the difference between homelessness and poverty. (Continued à)

Map shows poverty stricken areas throughout the United States Poverty is when you work hard and struggle to pay the bills but nothing else. Most people living in poverty have jobs. They work hard. They have apartments or houses to live in. But when they receive their paychecks and pay their bills, there is nothing left over. It is a pity that more and more Americans are slipping into this lifestyle.

The Insider                              May 12, 2006                                  Page 5

Opinion Article The Abortion question… By Samantha Uribe You’ve just found out that you’re pregnant. But you know that bringing a baby into this world at this moment wouldn’t be a good idea. So you decide to have an abortion. Abortion is a thought that runs through many people’s minds in an unexpected pregnancy. Abortion is a permanent choice that can never be “undone.” Once you make the decision and proceed with it, there’s no way you can ever reverse what’s been done. That’s why doctors recommend mothers-to-be to really take the time to carefully think and reconsider any decision about to make especially if it involves an abortion. While pregnant, women have many days when they think they may not make it. But even though sometimes you feel your world is falling apart and you just can’t find the way out of your problems, making a permanent decision without carefully considering it first is not the best thing to do. We know that abortion has not only physical and emotional but spiritual and psychological risks too. Abortion isn’t necessarily as “safe and easy” as many make it out to be. All abortions, like pregnancies, are different in many women. Breast cancer, infertility, psychological/emotional trauma, future ectopic pregnancies, pelvic inflammatory disease and placenta previa are some examples of the problems you might face after having had an abortion. (Continued à)

Human fetus 8 weeks after conception Don’t let anyone force you into having an abortion! It is illegal for a boyfriend, husband, or parent to force you to undergo an abortion, even if you’re under the age of 18. No one but you can decide to take this life-changing step. You also have to know that you have the right to change your mind at the last minute without being pressured or intimidated by anyone including your doctor. Many women who feel they have no other choice but to have an abortion, often change their minds after visiting a pregnancy care center and understanding the support services available to them. You have to know that there is no obstacle too big that can’t be overcome with friendship and support. Art by Manuel Garcia

ALC Insider                            May 12, 2006                                  Page 6

By: Idania Lopez

ARIES (MARCH 21- APRIL 19) You should have a good week if you let it happen.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) You need to start saving up money! Don’t spend more than you earn.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) Don’t drive today because your brakes aren’t working.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) You need take a break. You are overworking yourself.

LEO (JULY 23- AUG 22) Now is the time to talk to people about what’s bothering you.

VIRGO (AUG 23-SEPT 22) The people you most trust are the ones you shouldn’t be trusting.

LIBRA (SEPT 23-OCT 22) Someone may be very jealous of your talents.

SCORPIO (OCT 23-NOV 21) You will find love today so keep your eyes open!

SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22-DEC 21)

You will have a bad breakup today.

CAPIRCORN (DEC 22- JAN 19) You’re the greatest and always will be! But then you already knew that…

AQUARIUS (JAN 29-FEB 18) Don’t worry – money problems will sort themselves out.

PISCES (FEB 19- MARCH 20) Have a good time today and just relax.

This week’s Separated at Birth

Click here to read back issues of The Insider