Trojan Times Online
QHS Home | Trojan Times Home

By Kenzie Davis

Many of us know about the website “MySpace,” where one can make his or her  own page and keep in contact with friends. It has “blogs” and “comments” galore. But, do you really know what you are getting yourself into? Many tragic stories have been affiliated with “MySpace” and young users putting out personal information that can lead predators straight to them.
   One of the main things one must do if he or she has a MySpace is stay private. Do not give out your personal information such as last names, phone numbers, the town you live in, your age, your birthday and many other things. Be safe with your picture if you choose to have one. Do not have revealing photos that show too much skin or that have a sweatshirt claiming the title, “Quincy Soccer.” If you want to put something as the town you live in, make it impossible to find out where you really live. Put things such things “Boring Town,” or “ I live somewhere that you don’t know.
   When one’s profile is public anyone can go to MySpace and see his or her page. Never give out information that can lead someone to you; however, there is a safe mode on MySpace. If you don’t know someone or he or she isn’t one of your friends, they can’t see your site. If someone you don’t know asks to be your friend, check out his or her site first to see if they are okay, and do not give them information about yourself.
   As a result of many people putting personal information out there on MySpace and other chat sites, there have been several cases of adult predators going on to MySpace and sneaking their way around to find out where a young girl (or boy) lives and where she/he goes to school. Many of us don’t even think twice about the information that we give out to total strangers. They know where we live and what our interests are. They may act like they only want to be your friend, but you never really know; a 40-year-old man could say he’s a 16-year-old boy or girl.  With many reports of people being found missing or even dead, many of their friends and relatives said that they were meeting a friend or potential date from sites that attract teens like MySpace.
   The news has been going crazy with talk about MySpace and has caused many controversial opinions about this site. One case that made the news headlines recently was about a teen girl who had talked to a man on MySpace. She believed he was younger. The man found out where she worked, followed her out to the parking lot, and forced her into his car. The man is now in jail but that girl will never be the same. According to www.canada.com, every 1 out of 5 online teen users are sexually assaulted. The news program, 60 Minutes, dedicated a

 show to MySpace.  There was a set up man pretending to be younger, who talked to a couple girls. The girls gave out information such as where they were going to lunch and at what time, also one friend gave her friend’s last name out to the guy they never met. When they were confronted about what they said, they were totally oblivious to the danger they had placed themselves in.
  If you sit down and think about it, your MySpace pages give people an idea of what you are like. If you have pictures of you and your friends partying, people are not going to think highly of you. Also, law enforcement can look at your page and see an underage person drinking. If you are in the running for a scholarship and the leader of that organization finds your MySpace and you are acting crazy and talking about going to a wild party last night, they will not think you eligible for their program. Your friends, or girl/boyfriend’s parents might look at your page and then you will have to live with never going on a date with them or hanging out with your once best friend after school. If your MySpace has objectionable things on it, it could ruin your own life.
   Even though there are these dangers in mind, teens still use this site all over the world. www.diemyspace.com sites that “MySpace adds around 85,000 users a day.” It is a good place to keep in contact with old friends if you moved, or find long lost family members. Even in my case, a friend from eleven years ago found us on that sight. MySpace is one of the biggest trends of today’s world. It seems like everyone has one, all of them with the risk of being found.
    If you have a MySpace or you’re getting one, we here at the Trojan Times want you to be safe. We urge you not to put out information that can be dangerous to you. Now, with all these risks and dangerous possibilities it is your choice if you are to stick with your MySpace page or not. In any case be careful of what you write online.

Above: Jack Kuipers and Chase Redkey in the acting workshop.
Below: Max Egloff, Ryan Drybread and Taylor Stine.


 

Destination: Sweden

An interview with Shasta Vickers

By Jason Wright

Recently the Trojan Times caught up with Shasta Vickers to speak with her about her trip to Sweden this summer. Shasta will be spending the next school year in Sweden as a Rotary Exchange Student.
   Shasta decided to go to Sweden because not very many people go there. “There are a lot of people there that have the same interests I have, their language is challenging and something I look forward to.” she commented. Shasta is going to be staying in southwest Sweden, about an hour from Denmark. The area is mostly coastal with large inland lakes. Shasta is most intrigued by the geography of Sweden; Shasta describes Sweden as almost like Alaska in longitude and latitude, when she arrives there in July there will almost be 24 hours of daylight.
   During her stay, Shasta hopes to fully experience the culture and people of Sweden. “I want to possibly come back with new interests and an awareness for different people and cultures.” She also stated that she will be in their high school and experience their teaching methods. “I’ve heard from inbound exchange students that American school are very easy compared to theirs. I am expected to maintain at least a “C” average in the Swedish schools.
   Shasta had to go through a tough and lengthy process to become a Rotary exchange student. She had to fill out applications, interview with local rotary members and interview with eight district members.
   Before she leaves, Shasta has to begin to learn a new language in order to communicate properly. “I am expected to understand and say several hundred words in Swedish, including a full introduction about myself, family and activities.” she said.
   When students go to a different country as an exchange student they are scheduled to stay with different families for a long period of time. Shasta will be with a variety families during the full year. Shasta adds,“ I am excited but also nervous about staying with different families, I’m not sure what it will be like trying to acclimate into a family that doesn’t speak English. I know my first host family has three younger children, I’ve grown up as an only child so having siblings will be very exciting.”
   Shasta is scheduled to be in Sweden for approximately ten to eleven months and she leaves during the last week in July and will return in July 2007.