Anorexia and bulimia

Don't freak, just eat
by Sierra Holter


Hundreds of girls everywhere feel tortured every day when they look in the mirror. Some go to drastic measures to make sure they don't gain an extra pound or even to feel like they've gained an ounce. Anorexia and Bulimia are serious and deadly habits that kill 50,000 women in the U.S.

Many anorexics say they acquired this habit when they started puberty, when the female body actually gains weight to handle all the changes taking place. Others say they've had that fear instilled in them after someone made a rude remark about their weight as a child. There are also women who see it as just a simple way to lose a few pesky pounds. Truth is anorexia and Bulimia are the real deal, they soon become an addiction and the young women spiral out of control.

Teenagers who do not have to battle this inner monster are educated about it in middle school health class. The only thing they usually get out of it is "Blah, blah, blah eat healthy. Blah, blah, blah don't starve yourself. Blah, blah, blah". Do they really listen to the severity of the problem? No. So one might ask how does a seemingly beautiful, young, vibrant young woman become so obsessed with her looks she's willing to risk her health to "look better"? Well, there's a myriad of reasons some ranging from childhood obesity to childhood starvation. Many have been reported saying "I just wanted to look like the models in those magazines". This is an unrealistic goal for many teenagers and an unrealistic way to feel comfortable with your body. The reason is different for all bulimics and anorexics. Regardless of what the main factor may be, once an eating disorder takes control, the individual has an insatiable hunger to regain control of their life.
It's hard to believe that this silent killer takes hold of 10% of all high school girls. Sometimes the warning signs are hard to see so here are 5 red flags you should look out for when suspecting anorexia or bulimia:
1. Skipping meals
2. Obsession with calories, fat grams, and nutrition
3. Fixation with body image.
4. Compulsive exercising
5. Harshly critical or appearance.
Don't let a loved be affected by this disease. If you suspect anyone of dealing with this monster help them get treatment as soon as possible. No one wants to see someone they love wither away into nothing.

Appreciate everyone on Valentine's Day

Raiders Celebrate Valentine’s Day
By Vianney Casas

Let’s be honest here: What comes to mind as soon as you hear Valentine’s Day? Answer: Chocolates, heart shaped balloons, roses, cards, hugs, kisses, I love you’s, couples, couples and couples. Last year at Southwest High, Valentine’s day was all about couples. It pretty much went like this: 80% couples, 20% friendships. You would see girls holding balloons and rose bouquets with gigantic smiles on their faces. Now honestly, who actually thought that was their “friends” who gave those gifts to them? It was not them but their boyfriends.

What is Valentine’s Day translated to Spanish? “Dia del Amor y la Amistad”. Day of love and friendship. People (Raiders included) take the love part too seriously. Yes, I have proof: “Who wants to be my Valentine?” is the most asked question people write on Facebook status’ during February. Lately, there has been a thousand likes on phrases such as “Dia de San Solterin” (Day of the single), and another asking February to bring them something good. What does that translate to? “Please, February, give me a boyfriend/girlfriend to get gifts from on Valentine’s Day". I have friends, classmates, and even relatives, who complain about not having a boyfriend/girlfriend on Valentine’s Day. “Why should you?” is my question. Valentine’s day does not only consist on having someone to kiss, or hold hands with. Yes it is about love, so what about your friends, your family, and your pets?! They all love you and you love them as well, so why can’t you celebrate that kind of love? Is it that they have a different version of Valentine’s Day? No need to bother thinking of an answer though. I asked people what they thought about Valentine’s day and here’s what they told me:

“It’s stupid , probably was created by candy stores to win more money”-Alexia Chavira

“Proud”- Amairani Salazar

“If you're single then it sucks, if you're taken it’s nice”-Abraham Lopez

“People lost the real meaning of Valentine's Day... Now all people want is kisses and sexual stuff, it’s no longer about love or celebration of being together”-Hector Armendariz

“It’s the cutest holiday overall! If you have a boyfriend”-Cindy Centella

“ Well, I think Valentine's Day is actually a really cute day for couples and even for singles whether it's enjoying love from a partner or maybe just some chocolate candy with friends”-Albert Fernandez

“It’s like one of my favorite holidays, but honestly because of the candies. I don’t really celebrate it because 1) I’m single and 2) nobody wants to celebrate it with me. So overall it’s all about the chocolates, but I think it’s the perfect time to express your feelings to that special person. It could be your friend, your pet, your mom; love is not only about that person you kiss or hug. It’s about that person that makes your days happy, that person that makes you smile, and that’s the love that matters, that’s the love we should celebrate”-Mayte Casas

“Well honestly, I think it’s a made up holiday, I think that if people really wanna celebrate their friendship and love for one another they should do it every moment of every day there is no need for a holiday to express your love for someone else.”-Andrea Osuna

“Well, personally I think Valentine's day represents not only love but friendship and to show how much you care for your friends, family, and lovers.”-Oscar Vargas

“To me it’s a day to spend it with people you love.”-Berthita Villegas

“I don’t know, it’s whatever”-Arley Aguilar

There you go, Raiders. We have some people in the “Valentine’s day is just about having a relationship” category, and some on the “Love and Friendship” category. I’m not here to criticize anyone’s point of view, but let me just say that Valentine’s Day should indeed be one of the best holidays! Love is what keeps us going. Love is the air we breath, the sun we see, the stars we wish upon at night. It is everything. Whether it’s family love, friend love, or boyfriend/girlfriend love, love is the best feeling in the world. When love breaks our heart, there is the love of a friend to put it back together again. When love clouds our skies, there is the love of a mother to bring back the sun. When love ends, there is another love to start it again. What would the world be without love? Just what would SOH be without love? There would go our future, our education. So, Raiders, do not ever think that on Valentine’s Day you lack of love for not having someone to kiss. Get out to lunch and see all your friends waiting for you. Go home and see your mom preparing you the best meal. There is love, and the best love you could get. So this Valentine’s Day let us celebrate the most amazing feeling in the world, let us scream how much we love our mothers, our fathers, our dogs, our brothers and sisters, our friends, and our teachers, and let us celebrate one of the best holidays of the year because remember:

"A life filled with love must have some thorns; but a life empty of love will have no roses."-Anonymous.