The Patriot News

Hot chocolate, pretzels, marshmallows, wrapping paper and boxes towered feet high; that’s what you would have seen in the cafeteria during the History Honors Society wrapping party. After school, the café was filled with teens getting their volunteering hours while having fun and helping the community. Hundreds of gifts were being wrapped for the children at the Astor Home. Many of the children residing there were not fortunate enough to get gifts from parents or family. The wrapping party exists as a fun activity that helps provide for those who do not have the same as others. If only you could see their faces when they opened the gifts donated by the John Jay Student Body and teachers. Gifts ranged from giant teddy bears to Pokémon cards and comfy clothes, each specially wrapped by students for a great cause. It was really amazing to see how the John Jay community came together to make this happen. I cannot wait until next year to do it again! By Chelsea Co.

Benzoic acid, nicotine, glycerol, propylene, plus added ‘flavors’ for effect. Sometimes extra ‘flavors’ are added, such as marijuana or just some more nicotine for an extra buzz. These are some of the ingredients that can be found in a Juul pod from JUUL Labs. There are many alternatives to smoking in the world. One of these alternatives being the Juul, which is distributed by JUUL Labs. According to JUUL Labs, “JUUL is for adult smokers seeking a satisfying alternative to cigarettes”. Juuls are temperature controlling e-cigs that the user “plugs in” a pod for use. These pods are simply called Juul pods and contain a long list of chemical ingredients some of which are previously stated. JUUL Labs and PAX Labs are two of the major manufacturing companies for this type of item. Both have similar types of items aimed for adult smokers, but their devices can easily fall into the hands of teens and even children. You must be eighteen to purchase tobacco products in the United States...

Nobody goes on dates anymore. When’s the last time a gentleman came to your doorstep to meet your parents before taking you to a nice restaurant for dinner? When has society changed the meaning of “date” to “I’ll text you when I pull up and we can hangout?” The sad reality is that young ladies have accepted the bare minimum, and when a guy treats us respectfully like they should, we swoon. Opening a car door for a woman? Pulling out a chair for her? Bringing flowers as a token of affection to a date? Never experienced that, and any guy that did that for me would win my heart immediately. This new generation views chivalry as outdated, and when a guy does something kind for a lady, the guy expects something in return. Ultimately, men just want sex. Yes, this is a harsh generalization, but we’re growing up in a hookup culture; it’s all about treating a woman well to get in her pants, not out of the kindness of your heart. What bothers me most is, why would you take a beautiful young lad...

Security cameras lace malls, cops stalk airports with large loaded guns, and from convention centers to conference halls, security stands amongst the highest priorities. At the same time, society’s future leaders lay vulnerable to various dangers, from bombings to shootings. In the 21st century, metal detectors, screening systems, and a strong police presence arm most public facilities against potential threats while public schools--the “safe haven” of education and dreams for the future--horrifically fail in protecting the hundreds of faculty and students occupying them for over nine months each year. When used incorrectly, technology--especially weaponry--poses threats to people psychologically, emotionally, and physically; such wounds maim relationships and entire communities and may even prove fatal. The “National Center for Education Statistics” states in “Fast Facts” that in the school year of 2013 to 2014, 68 percent of America’s public schools required faculty and staff to...

What do u think of when u hear the word ‘period’? You probably think of the end of a sentence or perhaps a class period. But not a girl’s period right? It’s just too gross right? I have asked four guys this question: “What is the grossest thing about the female gender?” The majority said, “the period.” One guy said that he thinks periods are cool because he understands the biology of it. That’s cool. But not every guy agrees. My guy friend in college says he does not like the blood because he is afraid of getting AIDS. Understandable right? So many guys are inhuman to the fact this is a natural thing. But when they do acknowledge it they’re all like “she must be PMSing.” They are pretty inconsiderate to how women feel during our six days of misery. When you tell them about it they usually just pretend like they’re comfortable with it and then the truth comes out later. And it hurts- it hurts to find out the truth. And then you realize that it is not worth crying over because the hu...

Seniors. Are you anxious? Are you nervous? Are you excited?! I hope so because in just a few months you will be deciding where your new home is. You will be making pros and cons list, asking many questions, and hopefully finding out what you want to study, (but if not it's always okay to apply undecided). That’s right, it's time to decide where. Let’s talk about who you will meet and where you will live. Odds are you are going to end up in a box shaped room, two to three beds, with some strangers that you think you know because you followed them on Instagram or snapchat once and awhile. Yet, those are the people that you will latch to. It's kind of depressing but for those first few days you have no friends, you’re scared and don’t know what to do. I strongly urge you to keep your door open, say hi to those who walk by, and just be friendly. Explore the floors above or below you, those kids are in the same situation as you are. Make friends that first week and whatever h...

When I was asked to write an article for the John Jay newspaper, I was admittedly a bit hesitant. I didn’t think anyone would really want to hear from me. If I’m honest, despite having incredible friends all throughout high school, I couldn’t help but feel like an outcast. A lot of my time at John Jay was spent trying to avoid people. I always seemed to get stuck with all the people that didn’t like me in one class. I tried to be nice, but then I’d be made fun of. When I was mean and defensive, I was made fun of more. I felt like I couldn’t win. Needless to say, high school was rough for me. At the end of my freshman year, I stopped eating. In the beginning of my sophomore year, I weighed 76 pounds. It took me until the middle of my junior year to make it back up to 93 pounds, and I still struggled to keep the weight on for a long time. During most of my sophomore year, I had anxiety attacks three or four times a week. Sometimes they were so severe that I’d get sick. I hid my insec...

Fashion is more than simply following a trend or buying the most expensive thing you can find. It takes a little more skill than that to create an outfit you’ll be proud of! So, I decided to create this quick list to help you on your way to a fashionable life. Accessories are The Key When creating an you may feel as though your combination of a pair of jeans and a sweater looks a bit boring, but fear not! A simple outfit can be brought to life by a choker, bracelets, or even a pair of earrings. Even if you are wearing a t-shirt and jeans you could be improved by a bright belt and some nice shoes. Find your Fashion-Muse Fashion is a very personal thing. It’s kind of like your silent personality, and as unique as you are I’m sure you can find like-minded people who inspire you. If you’re on the hunt for fashion inspiration I’d recommend going on Instagram or YouTube. Those are certainly my favorite places to find fashion inspiration! Before long you may have an aesthetic down ...

I recently rewatched the Emmy Award winning episode of the film series Black Mirror titled San Junipero . Set in the late 80’s, San Junipero follows an unlikely couple in a futuristic artificial world used by retirement home residents. Owen Harris’ vision is a beautiful masterpiece that will grab the attention of anybody and everybody watching. No matter what your preference in genres or stories are, the film is so brilliant that you’ll appreciate it for it’s amazing cinematography, likeable characters, and “jamming” soundtrack. In a dystopian future where the elderly are able to plug into an artificial reality that brings them back their youth and back to the time of their youth, two women fall in love in the artificial reality known as San Junipero. Yorkie, whose last name wasn't mentioned, appears in San Junipero for the first time ever where she decides to spend the night at the local popular bar, Tucker’s. As soon as she sees Kelly Booth, she is immediately captivated by ...

In the United States, November is recognized as National Diabetes Month. The goal is to spread awareness on how diabetes impacts millions of Americans, with the hope of one day finding a cure. Diabetes occurs from having an imbalance of sugar in the blood. This sugar, known as glucose, comes from the food you eat. In order to be properly used by the body the hormone insulin, created by the pancreas, is used to extract the glucose from the food. Your cells can then use the glucose to carry out daily life functions. Those with diabetes either do not produce enough insulin or they do not properly use the insulin their body does make. Therefore, in order to survive, those impacted must consistently check their blood sugar and supply themselves with usable insulin. If they fail to do so, serious complications can ensue, including organ failure and death. One goal of National Diabetes Month is for the public to understand that there are multiple kinds of diabetes. Most people think only two...

Meh, perfectly describes the Emoji Movie , an uneventful movie with too many plot holes to count. When I watched this kids movie, I wasn’t expecting gold. Actually with all the negative hype, I was expecting it to be worse. So I was quite disappointed to see it was simply just a bad movie and not an atrocious one. Sony Pictures really should have kept a closer eye on this because, in concept, it seemed to have potential. The Emoji Movie is about a meh emoji that wasn’t acting like it should, and his adventure to get reprogrammed. The plot follows Gene, a meh emoji that feels totally out of place, Hi-5 his best friend and loyal companion, and Jailbrake a emo-hacker and tomboy who agrees to help meh out. When it comes to the voice acting, I have no complaints. T.J. Miller, James Corden, and Anna Faris read those horrible lines as well as they could; Only so much could be done with such bland characters. There is so much not to like about the Emoji Movie . First and foremost, ...

Photo credit:  fs999  via  Foter.com  /  CC BY-NC-ND Imagine if risk for the two leading causes of death in the United States, heart attacks and cancer, dropped by 90%. How that is achievable? Go vegan. Going vegan will protect the environment, the ecosystem, and most importantly, your health. There are many misconceptions with veganism, and they are truly all myths. A very common misconception is that vegans do not receive the six essential nutrients; however, that could not be more false. Going vegan lowers your risk for cancer, diabetes, kidney stones, heart disease, strokes, osteoporosis, and hypertension. It also improves your energy levels, increases bowel movements, reduces PMS, clears skin, leads to weight loss, causes you to feel less bloated, gives you healthier hair and nails and glowing skin, results in better-smelling body odor, ends cravings towards junk food, clears focus, and improves the way you digest food. Readers need to learn accurate in...

Photo credit:  Foter.com Recently, the amount of people choosing a vegan diet is increasing. People who choose veganism as a lifestyle are often attracted to such due to the claims that all foods from animals are bad for a human and that one will allegedly be healthier and lose weight. Vegans would be surprised to find out that there are no benefits, and they’re actually at a disadvantage choosing this lifestyle. A healthy human lifestyle should include a variety of animal-based foods as well as plant-based. A vegan diet is harmful due to the lack of variety of essential nutrients. One who chooses a vegan diet over an omnivore diet is at a higher risk for deficiency of a nutrient that can only be gained from meats, poultry, dairy, and/or seafood. Protein (amino acids) DHA, B12, and carnosine are necessary in human processes, and these foods are rich in them. Not to mention, fewer protein choices will lead to more carbohydrates, such as bread, pastas, and rice, in a diet. Too ...

Throughout the decade, many films have been produced. However, time and time again, many of these films being released are just sequels, remakes of prior movie releases. Most notably, Photo credit:  Foter.com Ghostbusters and Finding Dory were released in 2016, both movies considered as remakes. Although making a sequel or remake of a prior movie isn’t necessarily dreadful, it’s the fact that these movies lack creativity and satisfying storylines that audiences would rather see. Better yet, it would make people want to spend the average eight dollars for a movie ticket. When Rogue One: A Star Wars Story , was announced, many fans were divided on whether or not this “remake” of an iconic franchise would be worthwhile for the saga itself. After viewing this movie more than once, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is by far the best movie remake that will keep audiences entertained with a powerhouse of a storyline, special effects, and an ending that ties right into the events of a ...

Originally released in the United States on May 23, 1980, The Shining is a British-American psychological horror film directed by Stanley Kubrick. The film is an adaptation of Stephen King’s critically acclaimed novel The Shining published in 1977. At first, the film received mixed reviews but later became known as one of the greatest horror films ever made. Photo credit:  Justin Masterson  via  Foter.com  /  CC BY-NC The film takes place in the Overlook Hotel, a grand Colorado resort famous for its illustrious ballrooms, pleasant lounges, and beautiful mountain views. Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), a middle aged man with an alcohol problem, hopes to jumpstart his career as a writer. Hired as the winter caretaker at the Overlook Hotel, Jack views the job as an opportunity to focus on his writing. He and his family, including his wife Wendy Torrance (Shelley Duvall), and young son Danny Torrance (Danny Lloyd), spend the winter in the hotel. Danny discover...

Citizens often take for granted the importance of water. While this vital substance covers 70 percent of our planet, only three percent of it remains fresh. More than a billion people worldwide lack sufficient access to water, while inadequate sanitation burdens nearly two billion people. Many of the water systems that nourish ecosystems are dying out as a growing human population applies stress. Much of Earth’s major wetlands have dried up while agriculture has inefficiently used up water resources. It is estimated that by 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population may suffer from water shortages. Photo credit:  Foter.com Over time, humans have successfully harnessed most of the world's natural waterways. However, such success has lead to the degradation of Earth’s water systems. Pollution remains a major issue. Pesticides and fertilizers from farms, untreated human wastewater, and industrial waste have contaminated sources of fresh water. Groundwater is also affec...

[Boy and Girl Walking to School] [Girl] While you were gone you missed three exams. [Boy] Really? [Girl] And twenty homework assignments! [Boy] Ok, I’m gonna be right back. [Voiceover] And then I flew myself into the sun. Where’s the rest? Photo credit:  Foter.com That is the rest.The writing above is the entire script of the Vine video “After missing one day of school,” by Vine creators Thomas Sanders and Brittany Kelly. Vine is mobile app that lets you create and upload funny videos where other people can see them on repeat. But there’s a catch. Vines have a time limit: six seconds or less. Now you might be thinking, “Six seconds? That’s too short to make anything!” Well, there’s 39 million videos to prove you wrong. From memes to short sketches, Vine has allowed for a new type of comedy to develop: internet humor. Internet humor, for the uninitiated, is a huge mess. It’s mash of cute animals, a new set of punctuation rules and gifs so random you can’t stop l...

If you’re a Harry Potter fan and you haven’t already, you should definitely hop onto Pottermore.com and take the quiz to discover the animal that represents you. There are about 150 animal choices ranging from the fuzzy rabbit to the ominous thestral. For those who aren’t Harry Potter fans, it’s still enjoyable to discover your inner beast. A patronus is a spell that contains pure happiness and takes the form of the animal that embodies you. It’s one of the most important spells in the series and has revealed the obsessions and personal traits of many of the characters. For example, in the case of Severus Snape, a patronus revealed just how deep his obsession for Lily (his childhood crush) was when his patronus turned out to be a doe -- the same as Lily’s. They’re used to protect oneself from dark beings known as dementors and also to communicate with others. The entire Pottermore site was carefully handcrafted by the author of the series: J.K. Rowling. Thus, the quality o...

Made from morphine, heroin is an opioid drug derived from the opium poppy plant. Users either smoke, snort, or inject heroin into their bodies, where it binds to receptors in the brain. The drug stimulates the release of dopamine, resulting in a surge of euphoria. Depressing the user's central nervous system, the drug causes crucial bodily functions such as respiration to cease. The use of heroin has also resulted in the proliferation of deadly diseases such as HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis. As a community, it is crucial that citizens are made aware of the dangers of heroin as the lethal drug shrouds Dutchess County and other corners of the United States. Heroin has claimed its spot as a deadly drug over the decades. Today, heroin targets teens and young adults from a variety of backgrounds. Heroin has jeopardized members of the middle class, including educated students and prestigious professionals. In high schools, the sum of students using heroin increased by four percent from...

Quite a while ago, it was announced that we pushed atmospheric carbon levels past 400 parts per million. You might ask how this may affect you or why you should care. But this announcement will indefinitely change the earth that we hold so dear. Carbon dioxide is actually a naturally-occurring gas. Many people today deem this infamous gas bad for the environment due to its association with global warming. Carbon dioxide is needed by plants in order to carry out photosynthesis, a process that produces the oxygen we need, among other things. In decent amounts, this gas warms our atmosphere and sustains life. But in copious amounts, this gas can destroy our planet. This September, scientists noticed that the carbon levels hovered around 401 parts per million. Normally, carbon levels would reach a low point at that time. This newly found information shows us that immediate action needs to be taken. Following this discovery, 195 countries gathered at a convention—the Paris Agre...