Ladies, let’s talk tampons
Beth Bierscheid
Every girl goes through the wonderful week known as the period week. Typically this week is full of emotions, stress, and cramps. We cannot forget the amount of skill it takes to grab a tampon from your locker in the middle of the hallway, but still hiding it from the human eye.
Tampons are something that will be in a girl’s life starting roughly in 7th grade and will be used for many, many years after that. We have been taught to go out to your local store and buy a box of Tampax Pearl, Playtex Sport, Kotex, or several other brands. However, there is a good chance that you never actually stopped to think what a tampon is made of. The average woman uses about 20 tampons per cycle, so about 240 tampons a year. This adds up to roughly be about 9,600 tampons in a lifetime. It is essential for us to know what we put inside of our bodies, especially something that you use several times throughout the year.
When purchasing a box of tampons the thought to check the ingredients never really occur, but even if you do check there is one problem. Tampon boxes are not required to list the ingredients of a tampon because they are considered “medical devices.”
Many tampons today are made out of small amounts of cotton mixed with rayon, vicose, and wood fluff pulp, but definitely not organic cotton. The rayon and vicose propose a slight issue because of their highly absorbent fibers. These fibers can stick to your vaginal wall, and when removed, the fibers can stay behind causing a greater chance for TSS or Toxic Shock Syndrome.
Tampons have a very pristine white look to them, but in order for them to look this way they need to be bleached. Normally they use chlorine to bleach the tampons, which can cause toxic dioxin and other disinfection-byproducts. The dioxins collect in your fatty tissues, and dioxins are a serious health threat with no “safe” level of exposure.
There is also a possibility that the tampons have pesticide in them. Cotton makes up 2.4% of the world’s land, and each year two billion dollars is spendt on pesticides just for this one crop. Not only are there potential pesticides, but there are several different chemicals laced in tampons for odor neutralizers and other fragrances.
If you are looking for an organic and chemical free tampon there are a couple options. The first option is a brand of tampons called Cora. Cora is a brand of tampons that is 100% organic. They only use premium cotton, and it is woven specifically for the maximum strength of a tampon. It is 100% hypoallergenic and contains a BPA free plastic applicator for safety and comfort. There are no fragrances, deodorizers, rayon or synthetics used in this brand of tampons.
In countries around the world, there are a lot of girls who are not fortunate enough to use feminine products. They do not have the money to purchase something that is a necessity as a girl. Without a way to take care of their period, girls tend to stay home from school during that week, which eventually leads to dropping out around age 14. For every month supply of Cora you purchase, the company gives a month supply of sustainable pads to a girl in a developing country, so she can do anything while on her period.
An example as to how real this situation is right now: In India there are roughly 355 million women and girls who menstruate on a regular monthly basis. However, only 12% have access to sanitary napkins, and 200 million have a poor understanding of what menstrual hygiene even is. One in four Indian girls will drop out of school when they get their period.
Lola tampons are also an organic and chemically free brand of tampons. These tampons are also 100% organic and comes in a BPA free applicator. They are unscented, biodegradable, and hypoallergenic. They do not include synthetic fibers, chemical additives, fragrances, dyes, or chlorine bleach.
This brand of tampons also gives back to the community. However, when you purchase tampons they give back by giving to low income women in the United States. They chose to give back to people in the USA because millions of women have to choose between menstrual products for themselves or necessities for their families. Tampons are one of the most requested items at homeless shelters, but they are one of the fewest things donated.
The only other element about tampons that one may need to consider is price. Tampons are a necessity and unfortunately, they are not cheap. Tampons at a local drugstore or Target can range anywhere from $5.99 to $9.99. Cora’s tampons cost roughly $9.00 to $18.00 pending on how many tampons you need, and how you would like to pay. Cora allows you to choose what type and how many tampons you need for the month. They can also be shipped to Target for roughly $11.49, however you do not get to choose what is in the selection. At Lola, you can order one box of 18 tampons for $10.00 and 2 boxes for $9.00 each. You also have the opportunity to choose what type of tampons you would like to come in your box.
Overall, tampons are something that every girl will need at some point in their life. It is nice to know that many of us are fortunate enough to be able to use these products; however, it is also better for our health to know what is inside of them.
How many slaves work for you?
photo via pixabay under the creative commons license
On September 22, 2011 Justin Dillon created a website called slaveryfootprint.org so people all around the world can see how many slaves work for them. Now, millions of people from over 200 countries have taken the test.
The quiz starts off by asking where your gender, age, and where you live. Next, you talk about how many children you have, what you have in your home, and what you eat. Then you show what is in your medicine cabinet. It asks you this because every day children work to mine mica for makeup products. The test asks you how many precious metals and gemstones you own. Diamonds are commonly known to use unethical practices but immorality is not limited to blood diamonds.
You input how many electronics you use. Coltan is a product commonly used in electrons and is mined from the Congo. It is extremely likely that it was mined or transported using unfair labor. Clothes and sporting goods are products well known for using slave labor. The quiz asks how many sporting goods, tops, shoes, dresses, and accessories you own. Then you are done with the test. It tells you how many slaves on average work to produce the goods that you consume. There are also tips on how to reduce that number.
Climate change: what you need to know and how to help
Temperatures are rising, arctic ice and land ice is decreasing, and sea level is increasing but some people still aren’t entirely sure climate change is occurring. After compiling much data, it is clear that climate change is happening and people can help.
Climate change, also known as global warming, is the rise in average temperatures on the surface of the earth mainly due to the burning and use of fossil fuels. This affects a range of ecosystems by the gas trapped in the atmosphere. Certain gasses block heat from leaving the earth which then causes the heat to be trapped inside the atmosphere which increases temperatures. This warming is known as the greenhouse effect which trends from global warming.
It’s happening, and here’s proof
There are many biases and opinions in the science community on the fact if climate change is occurring. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and others are all in agreement that climate change is happening. The advance of technology and satellites orbiting the earth have also revealed information that shows signs of a changing climate. It is also no secret that the shrinking ice sheets covering the poles of the earth are a result of increasing temperatures, which is harming the habitat of land animals in those areas. Other events impacted by climate change are also affected animals, ecosystems, and humans around the globe.
Loss of sea ice, heat waves, rising sea levels, greater storm damage, warming ocean temperatures, severe weather events, increase/decrease in precipitation, droughts, shrinking ice sheets, increase in ocean acidity, increase in global temperature, retreating of glaciers, and less snow cover are all effects and evidence that climate change is happening. The melting ice caps cause rising sea levels which in effect creates harsher storms. Greater storms are also caused by the warming temperatures in the oceans. Both rising sea levels and warmer oceans increase the risk of more damage from storms for the environment, wildlife, and also humans.
Scientific evidence for warming of the climate system is unequivocal.” — Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Over ninety-five percent of scientists who deal with climate change agree that the trends for climate-warming is most likely due to human influences. Like stated before, the greenhouse effect and the heat trapped inside the earth is a huge cause of climate change. Gasses that are a part of the greenhouse effect include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons. These gasses are released due to humans, burning, deforestation, livestock agriculture, landfills, industries and many other ways. Humans activities and the burning of fossil fuels over the past century have increased the amount of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gasseses. Increased concentrations of greenhouse gasses comes from deforestation and clearing land for agriculture and other human recreation. The documentary, Cowspiracy on Netflix uncovers the issues that livestock have on the earth and climate change. One statistic from the movie reveals that animal agriculture is responsible for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions, more than the combined exhaust from all transportation.
Side note of climate change: animal agriculture.
Livestock emissions can be related to almost every gas that are a part of the greenhouse gas effect mentioned in the above paragraph. Livestock is responsible for 65% of human-related emissions of nitrous oxide, 32,000 million tons of carbon dioxide per year, and 150 billion pounds of methane per day. Besides the greenhouse gas emissions from livestock, animal agriculture also negatively effects land, water, rainforests, waste, ocean, and humanity issues around the globe. Cowspiracy provides a multitude of facts on their website that highlights the destruction that livestock has on the only livable planet in the solar system.
Like any issue, everyone can have an impact, even if it’s small, to fix an issue. While it’s not realistic to take every car off the road or halt the consuming of livestock in the next few decades to see positive changes, you can help the planet in other ways. Becoming educated on the issues of climate change and spreading awareness is an easy way to inform people around you. Becoming involved in the community by talking to influential people on fighting global warming will create healthier lifestyles as well as voting for politicians who support the effort. In your home, you can switch to energy efficient lightbulbs and appliances, unplug and shut off lights, eat wisely and grow your own food, use a bike, recycle and be cautious on the amount of waste you produce. While it may seem overwhelming, starting with one task at a time will make it easier to help the environment even if you can’t see the change.
Emma is a senior and is a new writer for the LeSabre. She is involved in tennis, art club, NHS, student council, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Words that...
Artist Hali Peterson
Hali Peterson
Hali has loved painting since she was four; she told me her mom “would always be watching Bob Ross, and she was constantly painting and soon enough at the age of four, she already had me painting and coloring and drawing.”
I asked Hali a few questions about her art.
1. Where do you draw your inspiration from for your pieces?
“My inspiration is really just like nature and outdoors stuff because I’m constantly outside and taking pictures looking for new ideas to paint.”
2. What is your favorite thing to draw/paint?
“My favorite thing to draw/paint is people and landscapes.”
3. What is your favorite work of art and why?
“My favorite artwork is a painting I did during Painting Two, and I was inspired to paint it because it was a picture from my cabin. I took it while canoeing, and it was just really peaceful and really made me want to paint it.”
Hali Peterson – The Tunnel
Hello hello, James Gaffy here! For those who don't know me, you've come to the right place. I am a senior at Sartell and a journalist for The LeSabre....
Artist Laura Schwichtenberg
Laura Schwichtenberg
Laura is an author who’s always loved art since she was little. She joined art club during middle school and that really got her interested in art.
I asked Laura a few questions about herself.
Laura Schwichtenberg – Self portrait
1. Where do you draw your inspiration from for your pieces?
“Most of my inspiration comes from my surroundings or emotions that I feel.”
2. What is your favorite thing to draw and why?
“I love drawing people because I am able to capture specific emotions and convey those emotions to the viewer.”
3. What’s your favorite piece of art and why?
“It’s super hard to choose a favorite piece, but this is one of my favorites from earlier this year. It is a portrait of my boyfriend, but I am also really happy with how much my skills have improved in just the past couple years.”
Laura Schwichtenberg – Chase
Hello hello, James Gaffy here! For those who don't know me, you've come to the right place. I am a senior at Sartell and a journalist for The LeSabre....
Siblings of Sartell: Katelyn and Jameson Weide
SHS has many sets of siblings with unique relationships that help to shape their families and make their high school experience interesting.
You hate them. You love them. You are forced to be around them. They live under the same roof as you and eat the same food as you. I think you know whom I am talking about. Siblings.
Our siblings are the ones we’ve known since we can remember. They are both our best friends and our worst enemies. Competing for attention from parents and the front seat is not uncommon. Everyone with a sibling (or two or three) more than likely knows how to scratch, kick, bite, name call, be passive aggressive, and throw shade like no other.
For this installation of Siblings of Sartell, I spoke with Katelyn (grade 12) and Jameson Weide (grade 10) about how they feel about being one another’s sibling.
M: Do you and your brother/sister generally get along?
Katelyn: At least 50% of the time.
Jameson: No.
(Ah, love each other :/)
M: What are some things you like to do together?
Katelyn: A lot of random stuff. We love watching football together. That’s probably the main thing.
Jameson: We like to watch football on Sundays. That’s pretty much it.
(The Super Bowl is coming up; that should be fun ;))
M: What do you usually fight about?
Katelyn: Everything.
Jameson: We fight about…like everything. We fight over phone chargers a lot.
(I had to label my charger so my siblings wouldn’t take it!)
M: Do you have any other siblings?
Katelyn: Yes.
Jameson: Yes.
M: Which one do you like the most?
Katelyn: My little sister because we get along better.
Jameson: I like my younger sister more.
(At least there’s some consistency here)
M: If you could change one thing about your sibling what would it be?
Katelyn: I would change the fact that he always only wears black, blue, or grey clothes. It’s annoying.
Jameson: Her not being so annoying. She is so annoying.
(I don’t think she’s annoying, Jameson!)
M: How do you solve conflicts between each other?
Katelyn: We just don’t talk to each other, and then eventually we give in and forget.
Jameson: I end up usually apologizing for it, but that’s pretty much how we do it.
(Hm, interesting)
M: If you could trade siblings with someone else, who would you want to be your new sibling?
Katelyn: Honestly, I would want Ashby to be my little brother. I love Ashby.
(Ashby is my 5-year-old brother)
Jameson: I don’t know.
(Lol Katelyn you can have him)
She is so annoying.”
— Jameson
M: If the cops came looking for your sibling would you turn them in?
Katelyn: No I wouldn’t.
Jameson: Yeah.
(Ouch)
M: If your sibling was in prison would you (try to) break them out?
Katelyn: If he didn’t kill somebody or if it wasn’t that bad of a crime (I would).
Jameson: Yeah that would be fun.
(Hopefully, you guys won’t have to worry about this someday.)
M: What is your favorite quality that your sibling has?
Katelyn: He’s really funny. He says the weirdest and funniest things.
Jameson: She’s really nice and caring, and she helps with a lot of stuff.
(Aweeeee)
Marena is a senior at Sartell High School. She is on the Sartell swim and dive team. She enjoys surrounding herself with people she loves. In her spare...
Movies with a message
Emma Zenzen via photoshop
We all have our favorite movies from our childhood. There are countless movies, all of them different. One thing they all have in common though is that they were sending us messages, many of which we were too young to understand at the time. Now, we are older and wiser, and while the movies are still fun and enjoyable to watch, there’s so much more to get out of them.
Jaren Martin is currently a senior at Sartell High School. On the outside, he is very excited and enthusiastic for what the future holds, but on the inside,...
Human trafficking hits home
It’s a 32 billion dollar a year industry, it affects 2.5 million victims, and it is everywhere including in YOUR town and YOUR neighborhood even if you believe it or not. Minnesota girls are not safe from the dangers of sex trafficking, and it is on the rise.
Girls in Minnesota are being forced into prostitution right now, more than ever. Awareness needs to be spread in order to combat the factors contributing to human trafficking.
Sex trafficking, sometimes known as modern day slavery, happens in all locations and areas of the United States and the world. The legal definition for sex trafficking from Merriam-Webster is the illegal business of recruiting, harboring, transporting, obtaining, or providing a person and especially a minor for the purpose of sex.
Many people are unclear of where the line between prostitution and sex trafficking is, which are two things that shouldn’t be treated the same. Prostitution is consensual, the worker receives 100% of the payment, works for oneself, is over the age of 18, and is not being forced into acts. The opposite is true for victims involved in sex trafficking. Trafficked victims are controlled by a trafficker or pimp, is involved in forced sexual acts, receives little to no money, and are of any age. The surface of each work resembles each other but both are completely different things.
It’s with that girl you went to elementary school with. It’s with your friend in your office, it’s his daughter. It touches everybody but it’s a very easy crime to turn your back on because it’s really hard to understand.” — Allison Jennings, Deputy D.A. from movie Tricked
While consistent statistics are hard to find because of the invisibility of sex trafficking issues, many of the facts are close to accurate and are disturbing either way. The Twin Cities is ranked the 13th city with high rates of child prostitution and St.Cloud is known as a training ground for new girls. In 2010, one study released statistics that said on any weekend in Minnesota, 45 girls under the age 18 are sold for sex through internet or on escort services. Another study in 2010 said that at least 213 girls are sold an average of five times a day for sex through the internet. This number does not involve street, hotel, or gang activity in the statistic which are significant factors. The national average age for girls first victimized by prostitution is 12-14, with the average age of 13 in North Minneapolis. Over 50% of girls who are victims of sex trafficking are runaways living on the street. If they are not runaways they can be recruited by agreements between parents and recruiters, parent pressure, or forced abduction. Horrific.
While these facts are alarming, there is not much you can do by strictly knowing the facts besides having awareness for the issue. Spreading awareness for the growing problem is needed to boost the efforts of identifying people trapped in the industry. Training is available for individuals, businesses, educators, and law enforcement who want to become more aware of the problem. Hosting events that discuss human trafficking issues and volunteering in your community for anti-trafficking events are great ways to become more informed and present in your area. Becoming familiar with the signs of trafficked victims can also be the chance to rescue a person from sex trafficking. Always follow the rule of “see something-say something” when noticing something suspicious. Your call to law enforcement or the National Human Trafficking Resource Center could save someone’s life.
You can help the fight against sex trafficking by joining the Students Against Trafficking(StAT) club here at Sartell High School. Monthly meetings are held to discuss local news about trafficking incidents and ways to spread awareness to the school and community. Your voice is needed to help the thousands of women that are trafficked annually in the United States. Also, look forward to our guest speaker on January 25th in Ramp Up to learn more about sex trafficking and sexual assault.
Emma is a senior and is a new writer for the LeSabre. She is involved in tennis, art club, NHS, student council, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Words that...
Ladies bathroom report card
It is half way through the 2016-2017 school year, middle schoolers are still flipping water bottles, and the girls’ high school bathrooms are still repulsive. Most upperclassman have an idea which stalls and dryers are the best in most of the bathrooms but may not know their way around every bathroom. On Thursday, I did some investigating to grade every girls’ bathroom in the school and the report card has been released.
By first glance, it is easy to pick out the best and worst bathroom in the school, but the rest of the bathrooms are fairly average. Each has their advantages and disadvantages depending on what you look for in a decent restroom. I have provided an in-depth review on each bathroom category that was graded to provide more insight.
Library Bathroom: All sections of the sinks work but the water is cold. I graded the dryers a B+ because they both work and are a warm temperature, but they are no Xlerator dryer. The library bathroom has the worst set of stalls in the entire school, if not district. Starting with the third stall which has no handle which equals no use. The fourth stall creaks so loud that it lets everyone in the bathroom know that there is another visitor and the fifth stall does not shut. The cleanliness is average and the privacy is also average with one large crack in the first stall. This bathroom is the second busiest bathroom in the school, and the entrance handle has to be pushed down all the way to successfully enter.
Lunchroom Bathroom: The privacy and cleanliness are both average in this bathroom. All of the stalls lock but the handicap stall has been out of order for months and might never be re-opened. The tip for this bathroom is to use the farthest dryer because it is warm unlike the first. The sink works besides the third section of the faucet. Beware, this bathroom usually always has people in it. It is especially busy during the lunch rushes which is from 11:30 to 1:10.
Lobby Bathroom: The best bathroom is easily the lobby bathroom. Every stall locks and provides expected privacy. They have Xlerator dryers which are the best, and it looks very clean. All the sinks work and can have hot water depending on the time of day.
Lower Auditorium: This bathroom has warm hand dryers and is clean. Only half of the sinks work but all the stalls lock. The first stall is the most private while the second and third stalls have cracks.
Locker room: Easily the grossest bathroom in the school. You can’t help feeling like you want to take a shower after using it. The entire sink works but only one of the dryers works, and it is cold and has zero pressure. All the stall doors close but the first stall in the set of three has a huge gap.
Tech Wing: This bathroom is highly graded for the lack of traffic and stall quality. All the stalls lock and have minor cracks. Only half of the sink works but it has the best quality sink and stays on for a long time. This bathroom also has an Excel dryer and is cool which is nice during the summer. The only problem with the tech wing bathroom is that most of the classrooms are on the opposite side of the school.
Please enjoy this short video for more insight on the girls bathrooms.
My favorite bathroom is the one by the tech wing because no one is ever in there.”
— Tina Workman
Don’t go to the lunch room bathroom before or right after class because it is always busy.”
— Clara Bakken
Emma is a senior and is a new writer for the LeSabre. She is involved in tennis, art club, NHS, student council, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Words that...
Artist Allison Schreiner
Allison Schreiner is an artist at Sartell High School. She is a junior who draws her inspiration from how she is feeling, she says her “Art is a lot of emotion. I have drawn my entire life and every piece of art has a story to it.”
How long have you been into art? How did you get into it?
“I have always been into art. It’s the biggest part of my life. It’s all I’ve ever done; it’s really important to me. Ever since I was a kid, I was drawing and painting, and since then I have grown and expanded into new types of art forms, and gotten a lot better. I always keep trying to make every piece I do better than the last.”
“My Pets”
What is your favorite thing to draw/paint and why?
“My favorite thing to draw or paint is mermaids. I love drawing the human form, but with a tail. I love drawing the human form becase it’s beautiful, and they can never look alike. Every piece is different from the next, and I love it. Mermaids just have a beauty to them and mermaids have no fear of depths, but a fear of shallow living.”
What is your favorite piece that you’ve done so far, and why?
“My favorite piece I have done is the mermaid with the golden tail. “Beauty of the Unknown,” is my best piece in my opinion. The hair looks so beautiful, and she looks so mysterious. She has a beauty to her that I don’t find in other pieces. It’s also very special to me because it’s the first ever colored pencil drawing I have done. It was not scary to use pencil.”
“Beauty of the Unknown”
Thanks Allison for sending in your works for everyone to see!
Hello hello, James Gaffy here! For those who don't know me, you've come to the right place. I am a senior at Sartell and a journalist for The LeSabre....
Matt’s Movie Corner: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
I’ve been looking forward to this one for a long time. The world has been looking forward to this for a long time. Rogue One is the first standalone Star Wars movie. It doesn’t star any characters from previous movies, and it was created by a bunch of people with no previous affiliation the the franchise. How could it possibly succeed?
Just like the rag-tag band of rebels on their way to steal the death star plans, director Gareth Edwards (Godzilla) and his team and pull it off. We know they succeed, because Rogue One is a direct prequel to Star Wars: Episode IV, which is actually the first Star Wars movie. That’s really confusing if you aren’t familiar with the franchise, but one of the beauties of Rogue One is you don’t have to be familiar with the franchise to like this movie.
Great care is taken in the exposition to make sure newcomers to the franchise aren’t lost, an outsider to this movie wouldn’t miss a thing. We are introduced to Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones), an outsider, who’s spent her life hiding from the oppressive empire and is recruited by the rebellion to help steal the plans to massive superweapon (the death star). She’s recruited by an alliance of rebels bent on stopping this and goes off on a mission to find the death star plans.
One of my favorite parts of Rogue One is how it succeeds where other prequels or stand-alones have failed. To make example of the Marvel franchise, every one of those films is jam packed with guess what happens next time moments or taking time out of the story to introduce characters and plots for future installments moments. One of Rogue One‘s greatest strengths is that the story ends; there’s a satisfying conclusion and no teasing.
To me, Rogue One holds very few negatives. As a fan, I wished for more, but to the general viewing audience, I think this movie ended up very well. With the right attitude, just about anyone could enjoy this movie and all its intricacies.
Grade: A+
Nine time Oscar winning screenwriter and director Matthew Schnettler lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota with his wife who will remain unnamed, his...
Artist Tayler Kalthoff
Talyer is an artist who is very particular about the spelling of her name, and who has always loved art since she was little.
I interviewed Tayler to ask her a few questions about herself.
1. Where do you draw your inspiration for your art?
“I draw inspiration from my friends, family, and life around me.”
2. what is your favorite thing to draw/ paint and why?
“I enjoy doing portraits because I just simply enjoy drawing people.”
3. What is your favorite piece that you’ve done
“My favorite piece of work, at least from AP Art, is my portrait of my friend, Liam. I just thought the concept was really cool and interesting.”
Talyer Kalthoff – Liam
Hello hello, James Gaffy here! For those who don't know me, you've come to the right place. I am a senior at Sartell and a journalist for The LeSabre....
