05/12/06 - San Marcos Academy

Page 2 The Laurel May 12, 2006
Editorial
Legalization of drugs not the way
On April 28, the Mexican Congress began a 5-day journey
toward legalizing the possession of potent quantities of
marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, and mescaline. The Mexican
Congress passed the bill, which President Vicente Fox was
expected to sign and approve. President Fox rejected the bill
May 4, but may return it to Congress with modifications.
The acts of the Mexican Congress shed light again on the
debate over the legalization of narcotics in the U.S.. Mexico
claimed that the legalization would allow more local control
of narcotics to bring focus on more serious laws.
For years, some Americans have fought for the legalization
of certain narcotics, particularly marijuana. However, legalization
would lead to increased accessibility, which would lead
to increased usage, which would lead to increased demand,
which would lead to increased casualties. Many narcotics
end up having life-threatening results upon addicts, and the
shipment of drugs to the consumers entails widespread crime
and warfare. Legalization would lead to a rise in all of these
things, and would be a step back in the war on drugs that
the U.S. has invested millions of dollars on.
For now, Mexico has decided not to legalize narcotics,
and the U.S. is safer for it. We hope President Fox continues
to take a stand against legalization.
SENIOR WORD SEARCH
By Kelsey Henry
D R S K V G O N U S M G I B D
M F T F B N G W Z P A P A C O
C W W P F L Z H G U Y A F L H
M Z Z P N Q Y W W G N E S O J
W Y N A I G N D H L E H C A R
L U Q C T V F Q I Y T I L V R
A E J O S H D K M A T Y K J F
M O I D U O Q M Q M E X M A M
U V R N A K I W G Q K A L R Y
K K Y G A J D U G A N L J F I
V Q N M G D B N M T I A I N W
O J M X C Y I E R V T C E K E
R H Q B L X R L C O D Y X C X
F Z T N P O H P X Z R G U U A
B E P B N X D R E Q W B P R W
Kameron, Maynette, Rachel, Daniel, Jimmy, Paco,
Austin, Alli, Dugan, Lydia, Jose
After three years, it’s time to say goodbye
By Adelita Ayala
Three years ago I said goodbye to my parents and headed into
the girls’ dorm. The feelings I had at that moment were everything
but happiness and joy; I wasn’t very fond of the idea of living
in a place with 40 other girls whom I didn’t know and “fitting
in” to this new lifestyle.
Yesterday, while talking to a parent, I found myself saying
how beneficial this school has been to me. How the teachers
treat you on a one-to-one basis and there is always an answer to
your questions.
I would like to say to all my teachers how thankful I am of
having met them; from each one of them I learned a lesson.
From Mr. Nave I learned that I should be proud of my Mexican
Senior Column
status and not ashamed of my accent; in Mrs. Peters I found a
teacher with a huge heart who cares about her students and always
has an open house for them; from Mr. Paul I learned that
no matter what you do, people will always give you a second
chance because they care about you; and from Mr. Lawless that
you can’t stop trying. My list could be endless, but I don’t have
that much room in the newspaper, so for the rest of my teachers
I just say thank you.
I wish I could say that I am going to miss the dorm life, but I
really don’t think I will; drama is not one of my favorite things
in life and there is too much of it in this school. That was a big
surprise to me when I first came here. I wasn’t used to seeing so
See “Column,” page 3
‘Laurie Laurel’ gives advice for graduates
The Laurel
Staff:
Editor:
Adelita Ayala
Staff Reporters:
Chelsea Clark
Raji Gullapalli
Kelsey Henry
Charles Horvilleur
Adviser:
Shelley Henry
Policies:
The Laurel is published
three times per semester and
is printed by the San Marcos
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community. The Laurel may
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Opinions expressed in
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those of the student writers
and do not necessarily reflect
the views of the faculty
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Marcos Academy.
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call the Journalism Department
at 512/753-8046 or
send e-mail to henrys@ smba.
org. For information on
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visit our website at www.
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In honor of the pending
graduation of the Class of 2006,
Laurie surveyed several departing
seniors who gave advice to
the following questions.
Dear Laurie:
What do you think about
long distance relationships?
Signed, Miles Away
Dear Miles:
Your senior class members
said that they believe the success
of long distance relationships
depends on the people
involved and the level of trust
they have. Basically, if there is
hope at the end that you will
eventually be together, a long
distance relationship might
work. Laurie adds that both
people involved in the relationship
have to be mature and
committed to the relationship
in order for it to last.
Dear Laurie:
Can you give advice that
might be helpful to the seniors
who are graduating?
Signed, A Senior from the
Class of 2006
Dear Senior:
Your senior class members
suggest that you don’t do anything
stupid, that you make
good choices and that you
think before you act. They
also suggest that you take it
easy, don’t try to experience
everything at once and don’t
bite off more than you can
chew. Laurie agrees and would
also like to add that you should
always treat others the way you
want to be treated.
Dear Laurie:
What are some ways that
might help me study for finals?
Signed, Stressed
Dear Stressed:
Your senior class members
suggest that you write out important
facts onto notecards,
organize your papers (such as
putting them in a notebook)
so that they are easier to study
from, and put away electronics
and other distractions. Laurie
See “Laurie,” page 3
Contact:
Phone:
(512) 753-8046
Fax:
(512) 753-8031
E-mail:
henrys@smba.org
Address:
2801 Ranch Road 12
San Marcos, Texas 78666