Letter To Parents Of Teens

08-01-07
To The Parents of Teenagers:

You may have heard of blog-like sites that are common among teenagers such as MySpace and Facebook. If you haven’t heard of them, it’s time that you learn what they are. MySpace and Facebook are websites common among teens and even adults that allow a child to talk to others online, add “friends”, and leave comments on their friend’s pictures or pages. Many people don’t know that these common websites are also popular among internet predators. If your children are using sites common to these, then setting restrictions and limits can help them be safe online.

One thing that a child can do to protect their site is to set it to “private.” This is a setting that only allows friends of your child to see their website and information. While a private setting cannot keep someone completely safe, it can help a little. Also, do not allow your child to add “friends” to their website who they haven’t met in person. Many predators go online under disguise as someone else, and teens can easily get fooled. Instead, only allow your child to add friends who they regularly see and know have a site. Making sure your child talks to only people they have met in person can insure them much safety and closure.

Sure just about every teenager has heard of MySpace and Facebook. They also probably claim that these websites are completely harmless and safe. Any website that a teenager visits has risks. Once a teen posts information, they think they’re safe under a private profile setting. Little do they know that just about anyone can break into a private profile with a software. The major problem with MySpace and Facebook seems to be teenagers meeting up with the people that they meet online. While a picture of a teenage girl may be posted, the “friend” could actually turn out to be a forty year old man. The biggest mistake teens make online is meeting up with friends they meet online. Your child may think that they’re completely safe meeting up with someone their own age, yet they don’t know that they’re putting their own life in jeopardy. It is important to educate your child about these types of situations so that they can be informed about the future and what could happen.

The biggest way that an internet predator even gets to meet a child in person is by a teen making a simple mistake. While a teen may not think that a last name, cell phone number, school name, or address is a lot of information, it is just this that lands teens in danger of their lives. As kids innocently post little bits of information on their websites or blogs, they probably don’t know that an internet predator could be writing all of this down. As teens reveal more and more pieces of information, a predator could be putting all the pieces together. Posting contact information on a site can put kids in great risk of being found. Encourage your child not to give away their last name, phone number, or city they live in to anyone they don’t know. Protecting your child’s identity could keep them in safety of their lives.

Now that you are educated about the risks of popular teenage sites, there is a better chance that your teen can be protected. Talk to your child (ren) about the problems with these sites, and what they can do to keep themselves safe online. Educating your child with online tips and tidbits can help them be safe online and become closer to you. Being a concerned parent can show them how much you care, and encourage them to protect their identity, and even more, their lives as they enter the online world.

Business Letter To USDA Secretary Mike Johanns

July 24, 2007

Secretary of U.S. Department of Agriculture Mike Johanns
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250

Dear Secretary Johanns:

I am pleased to hear that you are helping to fight obesity and offering changes to public schools. I believe that obesity is becoming a great issue in today’s world, especially for children who regularly buy school lunches and purchase snacks from vending machines. In my opinion, schools should offer healthier choices in their lunch programs such as salads, veggie pizza, and vegetables. High calorie foods such as French fries, cookies, and chips should still be allowed in schools, but limited. Research by the USDA itself states that nine out of ten schools offer lunches which do not meet the U.S. Government standards. Unhealthy school lunches are not only putting bad food in children’s systems, but are also increasing childhood obesity.

It is a fact that kids tend to choose more popular lunches to eat such as pizza, macaroni and cheese, and other “tasty” foods rather than healthier choices. Most kids tend to not eat healthy, which causes many problems in their health and lifestyle. Studies by the University of Chicago show that kids who buy school lunches gain an extra forty calories more than children who choose to take their own lunch to school. While it may not seem like much, these few calories could raise the obesity rates. In most schools, burgers and French fries are an everyday option in the school cafeteria. It is important that public schools offer healthier choices on a daily basis, such as yogurt, turkey, milk, trail mix, and fruit. Replacing unhealthy foods with better balanced meals could help kids become healthy individuals. These small changes could not only put better food in children’s stomachs, but could also assure them a strong future ahead.

Filling vending machines with good snacks and offering healthier food choices in schools could make a positive impact in many ways. First of all, children who will cut down on junk food will see positive changes in their physical activity, academics, and their attitude. Kids will feel more energized and optimistic in everything they do. Children will also save money from all the cash they waste purchasing snacks from vending machines. With healthy choices available, eating unhealthy will not even be an option. Kids will learn to train themselves and become morally stronger while avoiding eating unhealthy food, and change for the better.

Offering healthier choices for lunch in public schools will have a positive effect on many people. It is important that good foods be served in schools so that children can improve their health. School environments make a great impact on every child’s life. School has a major influence on children; they are allowed to make their own choices. It is vital that kids be offered good choices so they can improve their futures. The only way to ensure good health of children in public schools is to provide them with balanced school lunches. Taking action and removing unhealthy snacks from vending machines would help kids avoid junk food and make healthy choices. In conclusion, if schools were to offer healthier choices to children during lunch, it would have many positive effects.

The Truth About Child Obesity

Child obesity is becoming a major problem to the nation. As everyday goes by, the rate of obesity in children is increasing quickly. Obesity is rapidly spreading all across the world, but it is most common in areas where fast food is common. Today, around 27 million children are overweight, on the way to becoming obese, in the United States (1-Mayo Clinic Staff). If we want to protect the children of the world, then it’s time to take a stand and start helping them lose weight.

So what causes child obesity? A person is referred to as “obese” when they have too much fat in their body. We see overweight children everyday, but how does it happen? Most obesity is caused by little exercise and unhealthy eating habits even though hormonal causes can cause obesity as well.

Child obesity holds many risks. For one, the risk of death is earlier for overweight children than healthy ones. Also, obesity could follow an adolescent through to adulthood. This is particularly harming because of the late adult problems such as diabetes, and other heart problems (2-Van Voorhees). If we want to keep children healthy, it’s our responsibility to take a stand and do something about it.

One person who is definitely taking action and helping obese kids lose weight is Shaquille O’Neal of the Miami Heat (NBA). “Shaq” is featured on an ABC television show that airs every Tuesday about six very obese children and their quest to lose weight. Shaq is trying to help the kids lose weight by using new diet plans, daily exercise, and moral support. Aside from helping only these six kids, Shaq is discovering how unhealthy school lunches really are, and what he can do to help. Tyler Florence, a gourmet chef stepped in to help Shaq. After seeing the French fries, vending machines, and over oiled pizza, Tyler set out to help out school lunch ladies. Tyler showed the ladies how to make meals that are healthy and enjoyable for picky eaters. Pasta salad, turkey wraps, and veggie pizza are just a few of the options Tyler offered to the ladies. By dedication and hard work, Shaq is proving that anything can be done.

So now that we know the risks, causes, and problems of child obesity, it’s time to learn how to prevent it. One thing that any kid needs is a role model. As Shaq was a role model for six kids, you can be a role model for your very own. Eat healthy, exercise, and don’t push your child too hard. It’s important to respect your child’s capabilities and not push them to the maximum extent. Play a pick-up football game with your whole family, or go to the park and play Frisbee. These fun activities can definitely get your child moving, and let them enjoy becoming healthy.

Making healthy changes in your family can be tough. Money and time issues seem to be the problem for most people. The only way something can be accomplished is with a positive attitude and support from people. Encourage your family that the changes you make will be for the better and will help everyone in your family, not just overweight people. When healthy eating and physical activities are in your family for a while, they will become a lifestyle plan rather than a diet. It’s important to help your family become healthy, change for the better, and show that anything is possible with support.


1- Mayo Clinic Staff. “Childhood Obesity.” Mayo Clinic. 31 Mar. 2006. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 18 July 2007 .

2- Van Voorhees, Benjamin W. “Weight Problems and Children.” Medline Plus. 24 Jan. 2006. American Accreditation HealthCare Commission. 18 July 2007 .

2007 Wisconsin Badgers Softball

Hi, everyone! I'm Nilam and I am a starting pitcher for my softball team, the Wisconsin Badgers. This year, our softball team finished second in the South Farmington (SFBI) league.