“Sure,” I tried to act calmer because I've been waiting all day for him to ask me. We step outside. It's the dead of June, hot and humid. We get out to the garage out back and Noah pulls his 175cc sport and then gets my peewee 50cc dirt bike and helps me start it. If you don't know, it takes quite a lot of strength to get a dirtbike to start and a 100 pound girl gets tired quickly.

He gets mine started then his and we start riding over to the other garage. I see my mom at our house door yelling, “You kids better get your helmets on!”

My brother and I both reply, “We know,” with a little bit of annoyance in our voices. We ride over to the other garage, grab our helmets and we are on our way, riding the trails out behind our house. We have been riding for probably 3 hours now when out of the corner of my eye I watch my brother hit a jump he's done a million times over, but this time I watch and it's different.

I knew something was wrong before he even hit the ground. He over shot it by a good two feet and lost control of the handles. When he hit the ground, the ATV was still at full throttle and right in front of him was a tree. One set of tires went up the tree, and the ATV went up and fell back on top of him. I sat there with my bike still on. I don't know what to do, whether I should go over to him, scream for help in hope my family would hear or call 911. So I decided to go over to him. I saw he's ok but he's stuck under the machine and can't get out. I ran as fast as my 8 year old legs could go, across my yard to the garage where I got my dad to help. “Dad help, come quick Noah is stuck under his ATV!” I said. I was scared because this has never happened before. We ran back across the yard, out behind my house to the trails.

My dad saw Noah knelt down and said, “You alright bud?”

My brother responds, “Yeah I'm fine but I could be better with this thing off of me.” So my dad tips the ATV back on four wheels on the ground. My dad checks Noah out and makes sure he's ok. He was fine and we went back inside after that and called it a day.

Fashion shapes our culture. Fashion has grown enormously in my life after 2020. Many people started to come out of their shells and became less afraid of others’ opinions. I feel fashion has let us be able to express ourselves in our own unique way, whether it be beliefs, religions, emotions, moods, etc…  It is more than just a piece of apparel, it is an acknowledgement of our identity and desired public image. We express our personalities, values, and social standing through our clothing choices. Our life story is shaped by the clothing we wear, the accessories we wear, and the fashions we adopt. Fashion is always a great influence for self-expression, even as it changes with the times to reflect societal shifts. Fashion shapes how we travel across the environment in our daily lives by influencing our mood, confidence, and social relationships.

Fashion and art come together to form a lifestyle that is exclusively ours. They turn the ordinary into the extraordinary by bringing beauty, creativity, and significance into our days. Art and fashion are the winds that carry us onward on the great journey of life. 

Sort by topic

• White = Art

• Red = Lifestyle & Pop Culture - Recipes & Reviews

• Orange = Nonfiction - News & Opinions

• Green = Ithaca / Local Events & Hidden Gems

• Blue = Personal Expression & Poetry

• Purple = Creative Writing

Cover Art: Ella G.

Another great sledding location is Cornell Botanical Gardens, formerly known as The Plantations, located on the Cornell campus. This hill has a gentle incline, making it ideal for those who prefer a relaxed sledding experience. — a slow, gently sloping incline perfect for those who prefer a more relaxing sledding experience. The atmosphere here is serene, surrounded by towering trees and open fields, providing a peaceful contrast to the more energetic Rice Hill. It’s a slower ride, making it ideal for families with younger children, or anyone who isn’t quite ready for the adrenaline rush. You’ll often see college students with their winter gear, enjoying a laid-back afternoon, or locals bringing their children for a fun day out. It’s the kind of place where you can sit and watch the snow fall, sipping hot cocoa from a thermos, while your friends or family make their way down the slope again and again, each turn met with cheerful shouts and wide smiles. It’s a cozy and welcoming spot for a winter afternoon with loved ones.

Ingredients- 

• Cheese ( 1 Sharp & 1 Colby Jack )

• Seasoned Salt ( To your liking, I do about 4 Tbsp)

• Cream of Chicken (one , 10.5oz can)

• Milk (Or half and half) (Fill cream of chicken can after emptied)

• Mixed Veggies (Microwaveable kind, microwave for 6 mins)

• Egg Noodles (Light and fluffy brand)

• Canned Chicken breast

• Ritz Crackers (Crumble on top, optional)

Instructions-

• Cut Cheese and put into a large bowl

• In the same bowl put the seasoned salt, chicken, cream of chicken, and milk

• Mix that together and microwave for 6 minutes

• Cook the noodles in a pot of water (Follow package directions)

• Microwave mixed veggies once the cheese is done for 6 minutes

• In a oven safe dish mix together the cheese, noodles, and veggies

• Put Crushed Ritz on top

• Put in the oven at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until it's brown on the sides and the top

Most welding positions or classes have a majority of men participating. Men are more socially accepted in trades like welding. Most blue collar jobs or trades such as welding have a more male-dominated workforce. As of 2021 about 11% of the blue collar workforce is made up of females. Though the number of female welders has increased, women still make up about 5-6% of welders in the United States. There are several reasons for women to become welders. One reason being how much demand there is for welders. Welders are in a high demand because they are the foundation in various industries.  Demand is also high because the work they do is extremely dangerous. Welders are in demand in the metal fabrication industry, the automobile industry, the manufacturing industry, the construction industry, transport, and various fields and industries. As a result there are many job opportunities and futures for skilled welders. Another reason being to pay, a starting welder can make around $30-40,000 a year while the top earners will work for $50-60,000 a year. Welders earn high wages because welding is a difficult skill to learn and be good at it. The higher wages will attract more skilled workers who enjoy doing their job. Switching industries every now and then can open up more opportunities and can let you learn more, but it will also be harder to continue growing in one area. Consider finding what you enjoy the most and growing in that field.

Having animals in your life can bring numerous benefits, enhancing both physical and mental well-being. Pets, particularly dogs and cats, are known for their ability to provide companionship, reduce stress, and improve overall health.

Animals offer emotional support, which can lead to reduced feelings of loneliness and anxiety. For instance, interacting with pets can increase levels of oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding and happiness. Moreover, the routine of caring for a pet, such as feeding and walking, encourages a sense of responsibility and structure. The AKC (America Kennel Club) says, “Dogs can help us recover psychologically from a crisis.” Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine discovered that military veterans with PTSD can do better both physiologically and psychologically when they have a service dog. Veterans with a service dog had significantly fewer symptoms of PTSD and showed improved coping skills. Who benefits? People of all ages, from children to the elderly, can gain from the presence of animals. What do they gain? Improved mental health, increased physical activity, and a greater sense of purpose. Where does this happen? In homes, schools, and even workplaces around the world. When do these benefits occur? The positive effects can be felt almost immediately and continue to grow over time. The AKC known as the American Kennel Club also says, those long treks along sidewalks, trails, and paths add up. A 2019 British study discovered that dog owners are nearly four times more likely than non-dog owners to meet daily physical activity guidelines (Arford). Dog owners spend nearly 300 minutes every week walking with their dogs. That’s 200 more minutes of walking than people without a dog of their own. In summary, the companionship and support provided by animals can significantly enhance the quality of life, making them a valuable addition to any household.

Hogweed identification: Hogweed, aka Heracleum Sphon-dylium, is a plant commonly found in Ithaca, it can be identified by its rhubarb- like jagged leaves, and by its white flower clusters that are in an umbrella pattern. Hogweed can be found growing in various climates, including moist soil in open fields, wooded areas, roadsides, and ditches, to name a few. Interacting with Hogweed can lead to burns on the skin as it contains a phototoxin that reacts to light.

Poison sumac identification: Poison sumac, aka Toxicodendron vernix, is another plant that can be found in Ithaca, it can be differentiated from regular sumac by its, smooth shorter leaves, fewer leaflets, and white berries that droop from the stem. Poison sumac can be found in places where the soil is wet, such as swamps /wetlands. Picking Poison sumac can lead to a rash and blisters. You should immediately wash your hands in soap and water. 

Wild Parsnip identification: Wild parsnip, aka Pastinaca sativa, is also commonly found in Ithaca; it can be identified by its yellow-green flowers with leaves with jagged edges.  It is typically found growing along roadsides, in fields, and in pastures. The sap in all parts of the plant contains a phototoxin, therefore you should avoid all ultraviolet light and make sure you wash your hands with soap and water immediately after.

: 新年快乐! The year of the snake can be seen as many things. 

It’s up to you how to interpret it .   

2025 is the year of the snake. The element is wood. Those born in 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 and 2025 were born in the year of the snake. The snake tells us to shed our skins and work on our inner selves. Moving on from past memories, getting closure for old emotions , and growing new, thicker skin could happen to you this year.

The element of wood is interpreted in Taoism as “returning to one’s natural state.” Whether that means physically or emotionally is up to you. How I am applying this to my new year is by moving on from past relationships. Since we are both out of each other's lives now,  wasting the mental strain of what could have been or how much I dislike them is not worth it. Instead I will be taking my time to focus on myself. As for returning to my natural state, I am trying to act like my most authentic self. Many (including myself) put on a different personality around others to be more appealing. 

Focus on how you act when you are alone, if like me, you feel that is your most natural state.

Some teens do not like school. Sitting all day is boring. Completing assignments and listening to teachers all day is not as engaging as hands-on activities. At BOCES CTE (Career and Technical Education) is an option for 11-12th grades. One major advantage of CTE is that it is something that is different from normal school and involves interacting with different people. Being in CTE can help them get a certificate and job experience in that field. Lastly, you can get to be with people who also have the same interests as you.  What that really means is that CTE is for learning a trade or skill. Some CTE classes are Early Childhood Education, Cosmetology, Animal Science, Welding, and Heavy Equipment. The activities in CTE are more based on the industry instead of things like vocab, writing, or math worksheets. Vocabulary, writing, and math in CTE are directly related to doing something in that field and are the skills you would use in that job. CTE provides hands-on experiences that prepare students for real workplace challenges.