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EDITORIAL

To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

Editorial Viewpoint of The Stampede

“It is a state law to have your child vaccinated for Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, Polio, Measles, mumps, and rubella, Hepatitis B, Varicella (chicken pox). Failing to comply with the vaccines results in your child not attending school, and a $100 fine if the child is not vaccinated by November 15”, reports Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. However, there are two exemptions for not vaccinating: religious exemption and medical exemption. To be medically exempt from vaccines a physician must sign a form stating the required vaccine would be injurious to the student or members of the family.

According the CDC “by the time a child is 18 years old he/she should have received 69 doses of 16 different v a c c i n e s . Contrary to popular belief of anti-vaccinators, vaccines do not cause autism. No links have been found between any vaccine

ingredients and ASD [Autism spectrum disorder].” Like any medication the worst outcome of a vaccine is a severe allergic reaction; however, the more common outcome of a vaccine is a sore arm from the injection site.

Every parent should have the choice to raise their child and protect their child the way they want, unless it will directly affect the mass public. We as a society depend on “herd immunity” to remain safe. Herd immunity is the general immunity to a pathogen in a population based on the acquired immunity to it by a

high proportion over time. Anti-v a c c i n a t o r s will argue that their one child wouldn’t directly affect the “herd i m m u n i t y ” , but totally all u n v a c c i n a t e d children causes a big problem in the bigger picture. Anti-vaccinators are not only making a serious choice for their child they are also making a serious choice for the greater masses.

A Shot at Health

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

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OPINION

Let Your Voice Be Heard

Alcoholism In Families

One Drink Is Too Many By Holli Ecker

“According to a 2013 survey, roughly 16.6 million adults suffer from an alcoholic disorder and out those 16.6 million 88,000 will die,” states the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Now in the media everyone is so worried about marijuana, but in reality, alcohol is the real killer. By no means am I condoning smoking pot; but the public needs to really open their eyes and see the real killer amongst them.

Being in high school, I’ve heard stories of high schoolers being plastered at a party they went to that weekend. My mom suffered from alcoholism and eventually passed away because of it. It left me broken, and everyone she loved devastated. Seeing the effects of alcoholism in such a personal situation, I find it to be very sad that 16- and 17-year-olds feel the need to be drunk.

At this age, they don’t even fully understand the effects of alcohol. Oh, but it makes you forget about problems for awhile, and it makes life a little better. But no one really knows how much is too much--you could be at a party, drink a little, then a little more, then wind up dead on the couch. No one wants to call for help because they worry about the consequences. Every person and every situation is different--just because one party didn’t end up taking your life doesn’t

mean the next one will be as generous.There really isn’t a definite way to stop

alcoholism; we’ve all read in history class how prohibition (didn’t) work. I just wish people would start to realize the dangers of drinking. Most people don’t know, but your body can actually become dependent on alcohol. And if your body becomes dependent on it, but isn’t getting it, your body can begin to shut down. And trust me watching someone’s body shut down because of kidney and liver failure isn’t a pleasant place to be.

So next time you decide to go out and just drink a little, remember the long term effects and not just the hangover the next morning. Long term effects include liver disease, nerve damage, dependency on alcohol, heart related problems and death.

Alcoholism is 100% preventable; just don’t start. If you already have started, then you can still make the change to stop before it’s too late. There comes a point where alcoholism is no longer a choice; it becomes a disease. It consumes you and the people you love.

Hopefully after reading this, you grasp the horrendous outcomes of drinking. So you tell me, is a single night of drinking and partying really worth the potential outcome?

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Sports

MHS Swim TeamShayne Coleman Swims Toward State

S h a y n e Coleman is a name that won’t soon be forgotten in the world of swim.

Shayne’s swim career first began when she started s w i m m i n g comp et i t ive ly at age eight. Now flash forward to her junior year of high school. Shayne has already achieved a qualifying state time and even helped break a school swim record in the 200 free relay, and the season isn’t over yet.

“It feels like a big accomplishment to qualify because State for swim is considered All State,” beams Shayne. All State means that all schools will compete against each other regardless of class size.

Coach Lori Jumps was anything but short of good things to say about this promising swimmer. When asked about Shayne’s work ethic, Jumps said, “Shayne works incredibly hard at practices. She helps to push others to do better.

“I’m appreciative that Shayne always does things without questions, she listens, and always does what she can to better herself,” explains Jumps.

Having Jumps as the head coach and her mom, Sharlyn Coleman, as the assistant coach, Shayne says they’ve both been big motivators in her success.

“Having my mom as an assistant coach...she can make me mad sometimes which motivates me to swim faster,” admits Shayne.

Besides coaches pushing Shayne to do her best, a little friendly sister-sister competition helps her as well. Little sister, Candace Coleman has joined swim team this year as a freshman and pushes Shayne to keep improving.

Like most athletes, Shayne has a few superstitions before a meet. If the swim cap breaks, that’s not a good sign for her. She needs to wear the same goggles, and before stepping onto the block, she has a particular routine for shaking out her muscles.

Now that Shayne has qualified for State, Jumps hopes that she will make it to the second day of State into the medal round.

It seems Shayne has dedicated her life to swim--with dedication comes success. We are rooting for you, Shayne!

Shayne Coleman swims her leg of a relay at Scottsbluff.

By Holli Ecker