Category Archives: Bryce Romig

Bryce Romig, Features

Long term tanning leads to harmful consequences

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By Bryce Romig

Ever since Coco Chanel accidentally became tan on a yacht in the Mediterranean, people around the world have adopted it as one of the many signs of beauty and health.

Everywhere you go across the United States, you are almost guaranteed to find a tanning salon. The tanning salon industry has been booming since the nineties, and the industry continues to grow each year. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the tanning industry brings in a surprising revenue of over 2.6 billion dollars. With tanning popularity on the rise, many dermatologists are trying to get to the root of the problem; teenagers.

“I feel more comfortable tan. It gives me a confidence boost,” said freshman Alexus Potts.

Coco Chanel made the tan a popular trademark of beauty and health. The irony of that statement is evident, tanning destroys health. When skin is exposed to UVA and UVB rays, the light penetrates the skin and stimulates melanocytes to produce melanin. Your skin absorbs these rays to protect them from penetrating deeper and doing further damage. Melanin is a dark brown color, and it acts as a wall so more UVA and UVB rays cannot pass through. This is what develops the dark color.

“Tanning is really relaxing and a good stress reliever. I can’t stand being pale.” said senior Margo Becht.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, tanning raises your chances of getting skin cancer by 75 percent. When you expose your skin repeatedly to ultraviolet light without protection, your body develops moles due to the excess melanin. These moles, can be cancerous.

“I do plan on stopping soon. I don’t want my chances of getting cancer to go up. I don’t want to age prematurely either,” said sophomore Kortney Graham.

Tanning can also have numerous effects on your appearance as well. While your tan may look fantastic now, down the long road you could develop wrinkles and sun spots faster than the average human. According to the FDA Promote Health website, the UV rays break down the collagen in your skin. Collagen is responsible for keeping your skin from sagging. When collagen is depleted, wrinkles form.

“According to doctors, it’s really harmful to your skin. Tanning too much can cause your skin to look and feel leathery,” said FC nurse aide Earlene King.

Dermatologists strongly recommend buying a sunscreen with an SPF of fifteen or higher. It should be used year round according to dermatologists at the American Melanoma Foundation.

“I think people go overboard with tanning. I think not enough people are informed with the risks they are taking to achieve what society perceives as beautiful,” said sophomore Kaydi Marler.

If you want to achieve a nice glow without the harmful effects, try getting a spray tan or using a self tanning lotion. While most people believe they will have pumpkin orange palms, self tanning has come a long way since then and updated and improved their formulas.

“If you are confident in you as a person, your skin color shouldn’t affect your confidence. If you want to be tan, be tan. Just don’t forget to remember the harmful effects that come along with the tan. If you are truly confident with yourself as a person, you will realize skin doesn’t matter,” said Marler.

Bryce Romig, Features

School year draws to close, motivation dwindles

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By Bryce Romig

When spring rolls around and the weather gets warmer, motivation for school and work tend to decrease. With all of the fun activities that go on during spring and summer, it can be easy to start slacking school and becoming lazier. Never fear. These tips will help boost your motivation towards school and pull through the final days of school.

Step 1: Set Goals

As you should with anything else, setting goals is essential to succeeding in school. Goals let you see your ideas and dreams written down on paper, allowing you too construct a way to reach them.

Create a dream board and write all of your dreams and goals down on a poster board. Then, assess all of your goals and write ways you can or will accomplish them. Strategic visual plans are essential to obtaining a goal as they allow your mind to make a visual connection that you will be able to remember.

Step 2: Stay Organized

Staying organized is essential in all aspects of life. A messy room tends to mean a messy mind. Try organizing all of your school work by utilizing tools provided to you by the school. Write down all assignments and projects due for that week in your student planner.

“I write down a checklist that might help kids stay on track,” said counselor Jessica Newkirk.

Read the schedule for each class on the board daily to make sure no changes were made. Strive to keep your locker as clean as possible. Place all books on one shelf and binders on another and vice versa.

“I make a daily list of the things that MUST be completed that day and things that I can begin if I would like to, or have time to,” said junior Emma Poff.

Step 3: Strive to be stress free

Achieving a stress free life seems impossible, but if you find ways to relax and wind down, being stress free can be attainable. Many students get anxiety from upcoming projects, test grades, and homework.

“When I’m stressed I always tell my self to take it one thing at a time even for a big event. It is still going to be stressful but that’s life but once you breathe and realize you will get through it then you won’t be as stressed,” said senior Abby Marguet.

While it is healthy to be stressed somewhat, make sure you aren’t over stressing. If you receive a bad grade, accept it and realize you must study harder to achieve a better grade. Don’t let it impact your life too much, unless it starts to become a regular thing.

Step 4: Get Help When Needed

One of the biggest struggles in school is getting students to ask for help in school. Many students are scared or nervous to ask a question in fear of their peers making fun of the question or their intelligence.

If you don’t understand something, ask the teacher to politely help you and provide another example. If you are extremely nervous, remain after class or after school and ask the teacher for extra help. Remember, its okay to ask questions, especially if they are important.

“Don’t decide you care about school when it’s too late. Set yourself a great standard in the first year and continue through with it. It makes high school so much more enjoyable when you aren’t worrying about something as silly as grades,” said Poff.

Step 5: Make sure to get enough sleep

Sleep, we love it yet think it’s a waste of time. According to teens health, teenagers need on average 8 to 9 hours of sleep each night. As hard as it seems, try to put down the cell phone and laptop and go to bed early.

“I get tired really early so I normally go to bed around 9:30 or 10. It seems early but I don’t mind considering I feel awake everyday and am more productive,” said Marguet.

If you absolutely hate going to bed early, allow yourself to stay up later on the weekends instead of school days. You will be providing benefits to your physical health and mental health. And, you’ll get rid of those stubborn under eye bags.

Step 6: Balance Time

This is probably the most important step.  Allow yourself 2 – 3 hours each night to have time to yourself. This is essential to succeeding in school and staying stress free. Don’t allow school to fully take of your life. Try to allow yourself 2 hours to study. Take a break if you absolutely must keep studying. Make sure you know how to balance your time accordingly.

“Keep in mind that academics must come first if you are involved with any extra curricular activities, so make sure to prioritize your time,” said Newkirk.

If you play an extra sport or other extracurricular activity, make sure academics are the number one on your list. Do not forget to study and allow time for school work. Get your studying and homework done before you go to practice or a game, so you won’t have a burden on your shoulders when you come home tired.  Remember, routines are good.

Although school may seem never ending and summer may seem to get further and further away, it will all be over before you know it. Remember that when you feel burned out or tired of going to school. Time flies when you’re having fun, so keep your chin up at all times.

Bryce Romig, Features

Tips lead to better spring break fitness

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By Bryce Romig

It’s that time of year again. The time of year where everyone hits the tanning salon, buys a gym membership, and gears up for spring break.  With all of the fitness and health myths out there, it’s hard to distinguish fact from fiction. Are you ready to look great and be in the best shape of your life? Follow these tips and you’ll be beach ready in no time.

  • Stay Hydrated. The human body is composed 80 percent water, and it’s no surprise that staying hydrated is extremely important. The rule of thumb most people go by is eight glasses of water a day, but according to MayoClinc, the average human needs about 12 cups of water a day. Water also helps clear the skin of any blemishes or pimples and give you energy when you’re tired. If you don’t like water, try drinking tea or coconut water. They both have many antioxidants that help you stay hydrated.
  • Get Active. Ditch the computer and cell phone, and get moving. If you have a gym membership try to go at least three times a week and focus on different muscle groups each time.  No gym? No problem.  There are many free and effective exercise programs on the internet and each will help whip you into shape. Exercise tones and trims body fat, along with releasing endorphins that boost your mood and fight depression. My suggestion is POP Pilates with abs for a fun way to get active.
  • Eat clean. We’ve all heard those scary words before, cut out all junk food. Try making small changes such as not using condiments, not drinking sodas, and not eating chips and then work your way up to the big stuff. Try to steer clear of all high sodium, high sugar foods. Think organic and not processed foods. Don’t forget the rule of thumb; moderation not deprivation. Eating healthy doesn’t have to mean cutting out your favorite foods, it simply means knowing when and how much you eat. Your skin replaces itself every 30 days out of the food you eat, what you eat literally becomes you.
  • Get adequate sleep. Our parents bug us all the time to turn the computer off and go to bed, but for some reason we can’t get off and end up staying up past midnight sleep deprived the next morning. Sleep is just as important as exercise, as it helps replenish muscles and help with weight loss. Try to go to bed before ten, as falling asleep afterwards can slow your metabolism and lower your energy. Aim to get eight to nine hours of sleep each night, and feel the wonderful benefits of a good night’s rest.
  • Rid of stress. That big test coming up, your boyfriend flirting with other girls, and your parents grounding you over the C you received in your worst subject even after you studied hard. We’ve all dealt with it for years, stress.  If you feel like you have less energy, can’t sleep at night, or have a hard time concentrating you may be dealing with stress. Try joining a local yoga class or buying an at home DVD and doing it three to four times a week. Yoga helps calm and clear the mind due to strict focusing on inner breathing. Yoga also helps clear acne caused by stress, and improves your flexibility enabling you to work out more effectively. Yoga is a great way to relax, and is easily accessible online. 
  • Workout with a friend. Working out with a friend helps keep you motivated to keep working out and have fun doing so. You are less likely to forget exercising if you have plans to do so with a friend. Working out with a friend also helps you push yourself harder as you naturally don’t want to look like a weakling in front of your friends. It also keeps working out fun and gives you something to look forward too. If you’re not ready to work out with a friend, try various exercise videos for all the encouragement of working out with a friend, but in the privacy of your own home.
  • Stay Motivated.  Staying motivated can be a serious challenge. Try making a fitspiration board with your favorite athletes and sayings. Place it next to your bed so you see it often.  Focus on how far you’ve come, not how far you have to go. Remember to always love your body, and be proud of who you are. Nourish your body well and stay active, and watch your body change rapidly. This is the most motivating part, and seeing the changes will keep you on your toes.
Bryce Romig, Dazzlers, Lexi Burch, Sports

Dazzlers dream for success at Nationals

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By Lexi Burch and Bryce Romig

Disney World is where ‘dreams come true’ and the Dazzlers are hoping for their dreams to come true when they travel there this Wednesday to compete in UDA Nationals.

After winning eleven consecutive national titles and double titling last season, expectations will be high when the Dazzlers arrive in Orlando.

“For me to win my fourth national title would be amazing,” said junior Courtney Crombie. “Most people work four years to get those four titles, and to get it as a junior would be such an awesome accomplishment.”

Sophomore Coral Portman said that they have been preparing for this years nationals even before they won last year. The Dazzlers devote all their time and breath to the sport.

“We train every week with a personal trainer and we practice hours daily,” said Portman. “We have competitions almost every weekend to prepare for the pressures of nationals.”

For the senior Dazzlers this will be their last time performing on the black mat. They say that the feeling of it being over is very bittersweet.

“Knowing this is my last time at nationals is hard to believe,” said senior Kimberly Humphries. “Saying goodbye to my team will be one of the hardest things I will ever do.”

UDA Nationals is not all stress and sweat. The girls said spending the weekend in sunny Florida, in the exciting Disney World is one of the best times throughout the season.

“The most exciting part about Nationals is being out on the floor with the rest of my teammates and just knowing that we’re about to kill it.” said Crombie. “The idea that everyone in the building is watching you and only you, is a feeling I can’t even describe. We go on autopilot when we’re out there competing and everything just happens.”

Winning Nationals for any team would be exciting but for the Dazzlers it is carrying on a legacy. This team and past teams have made it possible for the Dazzlers to have a consecutive winning streak.

“It would mean everything to win,” said Sophomore Taylor Neagle. “We work so hard each year to bring home another title. Carrying on the legacy of teams before us would mean so much to current team and past teams.”

As Wednesday draws near the hearts of the Dazzlers are racing and the butterflies in their stomachs are fluttering. The memories of winning reenter their minds.

“The feeling of winning is like a ten thousand pound weight has being lifted off your shoulders,” said Crombie. “It is crazy how much pressure is on us to keep an amazing legacy going, and when we win all the hard moments and struggles are beyond worth it.”

A&E, Bryce Romig

Columnist consults students on spring fashion

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By Bryce Romig

During spring time, it can be confusing how to dress; should you wear shorts, or long pants? Short sleeves or long sleeves? With new trends each year, many people make it a priority to try and match these trends and stay in style.  This year’s trends are sure to make you feel and look confident in bright, vivid colors.

“I’m really looking forward to wearing brighter colors and floral patterns,” said freshman Olivia Nguyen.

Try throwing on a sea foam green cardigan with light stonewashed blue jeans.  Mix them with dark beige flats or brown sandals.

“Bright pastels and floral skirts will be very popular this season,” said sophomore Rachel Nguyen.

Wearing a floral patterned skirt with a plain white top is also very trendy this season. Mix this outfit with brown combat boots and you’re ready to go.

“Floral patterns can either be very old-time looking or super funky and chill,” said sophomore Mikaela Click.

For more of a relaxed, chilled out look, think denim shirts with a high low cut skirt. Throw some dirty, worn out vans on to complete the look and help provide the carefree feel to the outfit.

If the weather suddenly changes and snow hits the ground, pull out your grandma’s vintage pastel sweaters and pair them with light blue jeans.

For jewelry and accessory lovers, think bulky necklaces and bracelets. Silver colored bracelets bring out the pastel colors and make the outfit pop.  Wear large rings and earrings to give the look a more subtle, laid back feel.

“My current favorite spring accessories are big bulky earrings, necklaces, and rings.” said sophomore Leah Scharff.

For the guys, do the total opposite and stick to faded more relaxed colors. Think grey and darker greens when shopping for shirts. Pair them with beige colored pants and black boots.

This year’s spring men’s fashion trends heavily revolve around seventies themed fashion, so avoid wearing anything retro or extremely bright.

“I think that the trendy darker colors for spring are a good base to combine with the lighter, and brighter colors that this spring season has introduced to us. I think that if any outfit has too many of the lighter colors, the outfit will become unbalanced and look strange to the public’s eye,” said junior Jackson Bishop.

When shopping for men’s jewelry and accessories, think big bulky watches. Avoid gold or silver watches and stick to leather strapped watches. This helps complete the vintage seventies look this year’s spring trends strive for.

As with every spring and summer season, a light tan is always in style. To avoid harmful UV rays, try products that have a natural tanning agent to give you that subtle glow without damaging the skin. Think organic and radical free when looking for a tanning product.

Let’s kick off the new year in style, and look good doing so. With trends changing so quickly, it can be hard to sometimes keep up.  If you follow these few fashion tips, even the unfashionable can be spring fashionistas in no time.