The Korea Daily Los Angeles

[Student Reporters] A Guest Speaker From The World Vision Organization

On March 19 the World Vision Supporters' club at Granada Hills Charter High School had a guest speaker from the World Vision organization. The guest speaker was Hye Young Park who is working as a child ambassador for World Vision. Although the meeting was only twenty minutes during lunch time it was a worthy time to learn about World Vision. World Vision is a non-profit organization which relieves people in poverty. World Vision helps these people by providing information inspiration and opportunities for action linking them with children and families in nearly 100 countries where World Vision ministers. World Vision Supporters' Club supports World Vision organization as teenager publicity ambassadors. The club's responsibility is finding sponsors who are willing to support children through a child sponsorship program. Child sponsorship requires a donation of 30 dollars every month to support one child's food clothing shelter and education. Even though this club was created this school year members are very enthusiastic; they already found over 30 sponsors and donated 300 dollars in the last semester. Mrs. Park's visit was enough to encourage members who have been involved- especially those who are not doing so in hopes to include the activity on their college application. Mrs. Park emphasized that World Vision has a financial responsibility as well as an economic responsibility. They do not just provide monetary support but also aid in solving social problems such as building irrigation or factories. Additionally she spoke about child sponsorship that 87 cents out of the one dollar that a sponsor pays each day goes directly to the child. She asked members to find more sponsors rather than fundraise because it is more beneficial in the long-run. It is also a particular focus of World Vision to find more sponsors. Finally she informed students of the shocking fact that there are many children dying everyday due to hunger and poverty. Brian Lee 10th grade in Granada Hills High School said "I cannot believe that children are dying every seven seconds. I found that I am living sufficiently compared to them. Even though I have never met them I felt that I want to share what I have in any way." Like Brian most club members felt that they cannot complain about their current life. We can buy an Abercrombie shirt with 30 dollars but for the children in developing countries 30 dollars can support one child for a month. One must ask which is more worthy? An Abercrombie t-shirt or a child?

[Student Reporters] Pink Friday - A Peacful Protest

The second Friday of this March was not just another notorious "Friday the 13th". March 13 2009 was dubbed "Pink Friday". On this day teachers students and parents across the state of California openly protested against the billions of dollars in education budget cuts. "The governor has gone to great lengths to protect education from feeling the full effect of the $42-billion state budget deficit" said spokeswoman Camille Anderson from Governor Schwarzenegger's office. "But in this national economic downturn it's necessary that every area of government tighten its belt." As of Pink Friday 27137 pink slips have been given out to teachers warning them of their possible lay-off. With a number of its teachers having received pink slips recently Cypress High School in Orange County advocated the Pink Friday event. From about 7:15 in the morning to a few minutes before the start of school teachers and students stood along Valley View Street the street facing the school's main entrance. They held up picket signs saying "Give Pink Slips to Politicians NOT Teachers and Classroom Aides". Approximately 75 students and staff members united to make up the line of pink awaiting passersby. They sought recognition of the issue and support from the people in their community. "Many of the cars honked for us in support and there was really no negative response to be found. We all appreciated it very much" said Mr. Dean Delgado a teacher in the Business Department. This peaceful protest of pink was nothing drastic. The picket-holders were not aggressive but rather held smiles on their faces waving to drivers and pedestrians. The pink-wearers of Cypress High School took advantage of the opportunity to show the community their support for educators and effective education. A large majority of Cypress teachers wore the official Pink Friday shirt proudly presenting their stance. Other teachers wore pink in general and many students took a stand by designing their own shirts. Each individual in pink confidently knew where he or she stood. Students could not help but voice their worries. "Who knows what'll happen to public education if so many teachers are laid off? I don't think this is the solution for anything" said Connie 17. Andrew 16 said "I'm afraid that with so many teachers gone the quality and quantity of education will decrease too." Students also expressed sadness for teachers with whom they had greatly bonded with over the school year. Many students also worried for newer teachers who were laid off because many of them did not have back-up plans. The fever of pink reminded the community of these issues that lie dear to the hearts of educators and their students.

[Student Reporters] Texting While Endangers The Road

Screeching tires pierced the quiet town of Glendora California and then came the painful 'crash' of a preventable collision. Five minutes earlier Jeffrey was driving home his new Honda Accord after a fun day with friends when he heard the familiar ring notifying him that he had a new text message. Silently hoping it was a text from his girlfriend Jeff convinced it was safe reached into his back pocket and pulled out his phone. Holding the wheel steadily with his left hand and the phone in the right Jeff checked his inbox. Just as he had hoped his girlfriend texted him. Jeff quickly glanced up to see if his path was clear and began to start a reply message. While Jeff was busy typing away a black Nissan had stopped ahead due to a red light and in less than five seconds an unsuspected accident had occurred. Cellphones are becoming more and more relied on therefore has led the number of people who use the device while driving to rise. It is extremely dangerous to use a cellphone while driving due to the fact that drivers must take their eyes off the road to dial or text and people can become easily absorbed in conversation that their ability to concentrate on the act of driving is severely impaired. "Texting or talking on the phone while driving is so stupid!" Grace Han 17 said. "Most of the time it's not even for something important but if it is why cant you just pull over?" According to the California DMV when talking on the phone teen drivers failed 54% of driving tasks such as avoiding to notice a swerving vehicle. After being informed of the risks and dangers why do people still continue to use a cellular device while in motion behind the wheel? Too lenient of consequences probably plays a huge role in the case. When first caught using a mobile device while driving the penalty is a small fine of $50.00. This amount is normally seen as bantam and not taken very seriously. "Teenagers never take the first consequences seriously they always view it as only a warning." Scott Kim 17 said. But now a days it isn't only teenagers that are suspects to endangering the road. Many times on the street you can see the same amount of adults entering the cycle of reckless driving due to cell phones. Adults should be the one to advise and aide students to not conform to dangerous situation they need to be the first to show the act of being responsible and eventually teenagers will follow in their footsteps. Situations like Jeff's bring to light the fact that anyone is susceptible to accidents at anytime when using a cellphone. To date car accidents are the leading cause of teenage deaths in the U.S. By taking simple precautions and following the law drivers can keep themselves and other commuters safe while on the road.

[Student Reporters] Korean Succes At The WBC Fuels National Pride

The Korean baseball team advanced to the Finals of the World Baseball Classic after defeating Venezuela on March 21st 10-2. This event marks a new milestone for the Korean team which lost the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic in 2006 at the hands of rival Japan. The Classic itself has shown the world that educationally and economically advanced countries can also be athletic powerhouses. I doubt there is now a single person who believes that the Japanese and Koreans are only good at being economic and academic cutthroats and can't enjoy a sport that requires cooperation and teamwork. Mexico Cuba and Venezuela can attest to their skill being knocked out of the tournament by either Korea or Japan. Korean victories at the Classic have also brought attention to the Korean American community. In every telecast of a Korean game at the Classic there is a legion of screaming fans yelling "대~한민국!" and banging thundersticks. The Korean American community always seems to be very vocal about their support for their sports teams. But all of these fans are living in America and the majority is second generation. Some think that Korean Americans are simply jumping on a bandwagon and cheering for a country they actually care little about. They say that Korean-Americans cannot possibly show authentic enthusiasm for a country they weren't even born in. "I think that the fact that the Classic is hosted by America and takes place in America gives second generation Koreans a better opportunity to show their support" says Daniel Woo Junior at Crescenta Valley High School. "Even though I am a Korean-American I am still a Korean no more no less." There is also criticism that the Korean fans are simply involved in a hype machine that does not include genuine support for their country. Once the Classic is over the Korean-American community will be back to its normal apathetic self. The Korean team brings only an ephemeral boost to national spirit. Jonathan Park a Junior at Crescenta Valley High School does not think that these conceptions are true. "I think the enthusiasm comes from true pride for our country. None of our slogans or banners deride the other team. They just praise the players and Korea. I think that the Classic makes me more prideful of my country. It's another sport that we are getting better and better at." The atmosphere was intense at the Korea-Venezuela game. Every Korean at-bat was showered with cheers something that the Venezuelan fans could not match. The few who tried to turn Korea's "대~한민국!" into "Ve-nezuela!" were simply making the Korean cheers louder. Avid fans brought drums huge Korean flags and banners. The crowd exploded with every crack of the bat for Korea. No matter what you think about the Korean-American community's support of the Korean baseball team you cannot deny the infectious presence of the Korean fans. After the last out of the ninth inning with Venezuela thoroughly defeated the Korean players gathered in front of the dugout and took a bow facing Dodger's stadium. Even in victory the players humbly saluted their fans. Although they showed gratitude to the Korean fans at the stadium the Korean American community owes them a lot more.

[Student Reporters] Effective Budget Cuts?

Did you wear pink last Friday the 13th? Seems odd that one would associate that color with such a superstitious day that has affected many people with fear but that Friday known as Pink Friday was a day of bad luck to many students teachers parents and others. Over 26000 pink slips which notify teachers of their termination of employment of layoff were distributed including about 2300 just in the Los Angeles Unified School District. With our nation's persistent budget crisis the government is constantly looking for ways to cut back. As education was entitled to a great deal of government spending the last few years some agree that this educational protests cut was effective others disagree. This event has drawn up controversy and triggered. President Barack Obama has reassured to many teachers who received their pink slips that the government is working on the Recovery Act which was part of the current stimulus package. Obama said that the Recovery Act will work toward extending unemployment insurance and to subsidize health insurance for people who have lost their jobs. Obama also clarifies that the government's main educational reform is the teacher's retention program. Many people are still uncertain about their future as California is now experiencing a 10.1% unemployment rate. Elliot Kwon who attends Palos Verdes Peninsula High School said that the head of their athletics department and the performing arts department have received pink slips. He expressed a concern not only about the teachers' future careers but also about the students. He feels that some students who see teachers get laid-off year after year might not even want to come to school anymore. Teachers and students nationwide donned on pink shirts to protest the pink slips that were being handed out. Students teachers and parents held up signs that read "Stand Up For Schools" "Don't Leave Students Behind" and "Cuts Hurt Kids." Caity Murphy a sophomore at Harvard-Westlake said "Pink slips are not effective because by laying off people more people are out of work. That doesn't help out the economy in any way plus many good teachers can be fired." Another reason why many teachers resent this way of cutting back on budget is because the official handing out of pink slips are done not by measurement of merit but by the years of experience. Although in a time of crisis there is not time to waste and cutting back on spending is crucial to help the economy the easiest way for the government to hand out pink slips is to do so by separating teachers by the years of experience. Jack O'Connell California Superintendent of Public Instruction spoke to a number of students trying to explain the current budget crisis. O'Connell said "I am hopeful the Obama economic stimulus package that he signed a couple of weeks ago will lead to many of these pink slips being rescinded." Students are worried about their future at their current school and teachers are worried about their current situation. The government has a lot of weight on their shoulders but what the American citizens want is a sure-fire long-term plan which may be harder to come by then many would like.

[Student Reporters] Teenagers In 'Game Addiction'

Due to the global economic crisis most industries are suffering. However there is one industry that is thriving due to the recession. It is the game industry. The game industry is pulling more and more teenagers into their grasp. It is estimated that the U.S. game market toppled $30 billion and the online game market accounts for $1.7 billion. The U.S game companies will grow by 30% and more for online game companies. Even though there was a huge growth in online games the video game market consists of 80% of the U.S. game market. In South Korea over 15.45 million people are subscribed to the internet and 7.24 million are children and teenagers ages 7-19. In Korea 80% of the people that play online games are students. According to the KADO (Korea Agency for Digital Opportunity and Promotion) 14.4% of teenagers are addicted to the internet meaning that 1 out of 7 teens are in the grasps of the internet. Most of the internet addicted teens are also addicted to games. One of the dangers of game addiction is that the addict cannot tell between reality and the game. In South Korea there was an incident in March 2006 where a middle school student who was addicted to a game about yakuza and mafias killed his grandmother for scolding him. Also in South Korea there have been 750 people who have died due to playing online games for 200 hours without stopping. Even though the government has set strict online regulations in actuality they are destroying the teens by encouraging them to play. The Ministry of Culture & Tourism has decided to fund the game industry $300 million by 2012 to push Korean games into the global market. The government is also trying to raise the Korean game industry to $9 billion by 2012 and increase foreign exports to $3.5 billion. Even though it is up to the teens to control their addiction if the government does not come up with stricter regulations and mandates game addiction can become a serious threat in the community.

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