Editorials

Obama Undeserving of Nobel Peace Prize

President Barack Obama became the fourth member of that office to receive the Nobel Peace Prize Oct. 9. He doesn’t deserve it.

Obama promised much, but has accomplished little in terms of world peace. Maybe the Norwegian committee gave the award for his “effort” or ability to give hope for a more peaceful world. This can’t cut it. Prisoners still rot in Guantanamo, America still fights in Afghanistan and Iraq, Palestine and Israel look closer to more conflict than a solution and Iran and North Korea both speed toward real nuclear military capability. All of this stands in the way of world peace. Obama has talked a big talk, but he should have gotten the prize in a few years, after actually doing something significant.

Courtesy of The Harbor Light Editorial Board

Zagel Deserves Recognition

Zagel mows the East Campus lawn on his day off. Photo by Matt Love.

As students enjoyed a carefree summer, our school took on a frenzied makeover. Walls needed knocking down, building up and painting. Weeds needed pulling and flowers needed planting. Bricks needed stacking and boxes needed moving. We came back to a school more beautiful than the one we left in June.

What we may not realize realize is that we owe abundant thanks to our Principal, Jon Zagel, for remaining our fearless leader through it all.

“He literally worked all summer,” said Assistant Principal Aaron Belloni, “Mr. Zagel really loves this school.” Giving up family time, a set of rare baseball tickets and his three week July vacation are only a few of the countless sacrifices Zagel made for NHS.

Over the summer, Zagel not only dealt with the political mess that comes with combining schools, but also contributed to the beautification of the NHS campus. Have you enjoyed lunch in the courtyard on the new picnic benches? Zagel built those with his own hands. Have you passed the freshly painted walls and lockers? Zagel helped paint them. He is no stranger to grunt work.

“One night, the custodians weren’t available to empty my garbage,” said teacher Samantha Murphy, “My boss emptied my trash so that I would be ready for Link Crew the next day. Mr. Zagel is an excellent example of leadership. He’s willing to do whatever needs to be done, regardless of what that is.”

Our humble principal went above and beyond for us these past few months. You could say we’ve been spoiled. Not all principals are willing to do those things he does. He is, in fact, a rare breed. When you see Zagel in the hallway, flash him an appreciative smile. Better yet, personally thank him. He deserves that and so much more. We are profoundly blessed to have him.

By Avery Heater

Health Center Condoms play Hard to Get

How difficult is it for an NHS student to obtain a condom from the School Based Health Center? I set out to investigate.
Friday during fourth period, I meandered down to the NHS Health Center. After asking the lady at the desk, I was told that she “didn’t know where they were, and to come back on Monday.” Having just been denied a very necessary tool in practicing safe sex, I was baffled. I left the Health Center, thinking to myself that that was three days that I could theoretically be having very unprotected sex.

On Tuesday, I tried my luck again. I went in during lunch and for the second time asked for a condom. After I completed a Health History form, an appointment was made for later that day.

I determinedly returned for the third time. After checking my height, weight, blood pressure and blood oxygen level, I was finally admitted into my meeting with Nurse Sue. She spent the following 40 minutes reviewing every possible method of birth control available, although I made it perfectly clear that I was only interested in a condom. All this for a simple contraceptive? It would be much easier to purchase a pack at the nearest gas station.

If you are considering getting a condom from the Health Center, be prepared for very personal questions such as How many sexual partners have you had? Have you ever been pregnant? and What do you need the condom for? I spent over one hour in the Health Center. I eventually left with nothing more than a plethora of pamphlets including How to Say No and Keep Your Boyfriend and Condoms and STDs, and despite all my efforts, still no condom.

By Danielle Cramer

NOAA Brings Fresh Male Faces

Illustration by Liz Crandall

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will arrive in Newport, July 2011, delivering new jobs and new boys. Seattle boys. Boys we haven’t known since pre-school.

The announcement of NOAA’s impending appearance sent a flicker of hope into the single hearts of NHS girls. The supply of NHS boys increasingly declines as years go by.  Unable to find a date, girls resort to going to dances in groups with each other. Flirting in the hallways is scarce; having a “high school sweetheart” is a great achievement.  We prayed, pleaded and begged for an end to the boyless epidemic affecting NHS. Our solution came in the form of NOAA.

I’m not saying that they’ll all be Prince Charming or a white knight, but who knows what these city boys will bring to us small town girls? We will count down the days until July 2011, and thank the heavens that NOAA chose Newport.

By Jennifer Fleck