­­Politics is a difficult game, not only for politicians, but also for the American people. Politicians seem to care more about being re-elected, and getting paid by lobbyists, than standing up for what they truly believe in. Countless bills are pushed, or pork-barreled, through Congress and many of them lead to problems no politician had even imagined, because no one took the time needed to actually analyze what the consequences of the bill might be. During his quest for the republican nomination, Rick Perry, a Tea Party favorite, and the current governor of Texas, pledged to repeal, should …

Every picture I take, I try to embrace the beauty of what we take for granted everyday. Usually people stop and smell the roses, but I take pictures of the roses to capture moments that fade away. I believe the beauty is always there, all I have to do is snap the picture. —Rachel Mez, Woodland High School student

The teenage years are supposed years you will never want to forget and will hopefully cherish for the rest of your life. However, some teenagers can fall into depression from being lonely, feeling tormented, and having too much on their plates. Depression is a very common issue for teens, but it is very difficult to diagnose. Being young adults, hormones have a huge impact on their lives and their emotions; this may cause teens to have many negative feelings one minute, and be happy and joyful the next. When teen depression is a permanent, or long lasting negative feeling (usually sadness), …

Tell us in the comments what you think about the photography of this Woodland High School student and see more local students' work in 'Cats' Meow and Eyes of the Purple Hurricanes.

Poverty is a worldwide epidemic that affects more than 3 billion people. People all around the world are struggling, not just with being able to pay off their debts, but also struggling to pay for their children’s education, being able to feed them, or providing them with clothing. Nearly half of the world’s people live on less than $2.50 a day. The global economy just keeps getting worse and more people are losing their jobs. This can mean that a family is in risk of losing food to eat and other proper things they need to be able to live, the most important being water. The average person is…

Recently, a group of students at Woodland High School showed appreciation for their country in a significant way. After an earthquake damaged the Washington Monument in Washington D.C., David Rubenstein, the 55-year-old owner of private equity firm The Carlyle Group donated $7 million to help restore it. "This Washington Monument is probably one of the most recognizable buildings in the United States next to the Capitol and the Empire State Building," he said. "It could use a little repair work, and I wanted people to get to see it as soon as possible." After Ms. Price, a teacher at …

Tell us in the comments what you think about the photography of this Woodland High School student and see more local students' work in 'Cats' Meow and Eyes of the Purple Hurricanes.

Adjusting to college life can be a bit scary in the beginning. If you are confident and stay positive, however, you will feel comfortable and make new friends in hardly any time at all. Meeting new people and beginning new classes can be a little awkward, but have an open mind to new experiences. When moving into your dorm, ask friends and family for help with moving in; doing so will give you an opportunity to spend more time with them. Afterward, when they have left and you have adjusted to some changes, simply call home and talk to your family when you are home sick, or instant message a …

Tell us in the comments what you think about the photography of this Woodland High School student and see more local students' work in 'Cats' Meow and Eyes of the Purple Hurricanes.

Financing college can be very intimidating, but how much does college really cost? The cost of college varies depending on the school, whether it is public or private, the amount of financial aid obtained, as well as the amount of money received from scholarships. To attend an in-state, public, four year college, costs an average of $8,244 in tuition and fees. For the same schooling out of state, the price increases to approximately $12,526. Private and nonprofit four-year colleges charge on average $28,500 per year in tuition and fees. Not only is college itself difficult to pay for, but the…

People all over Bartow County celebrate Valentine’s Day. Everyone feels differently about the holiday, but the one thing that separates it from the other holidays is that it is exclusively about love. Many couples feel as if Valentine’s Day is a day to demonstrate their affection for each other, while singles don’t seem to enjoy it quite as much. Valentine's Day originates from a legend about a man named Saint Valentine. He was born in Rome during the marriage ban by the king. Saint Valentine, a devout Catholic priest, disagreed with the new law, and provided illegitimate weddings underground…

The remarkably high obesity rate in the United States marks our country as the world’s fattest. Obesity is one of the easiest medical conditions to diagnose, but among the hardest to treat and overcome. With one-third of Americans suffering from obesity today, we are presented with a huge hurdle for the country to overcome. The three leading states in obesity rates are Mississippi with 34 percent, West Virginia with 32.5 percent and Alabama with 32.2 percent of their populations being severely overweight.  As of 2009, according to the Centers for Disease Control, all 50 states in America …

Kidnapping in America is an ongoing, imposing issue that continues to occur daily. One second, the victim is right beside you, and in the short moment you look away, they can disappear. From adults to children, and even newborn babies, kidnapping has no restrictions on age. Kidnapping not only affects the victim, but also the victim’s family and community. One infamous case occurred on June 10, 1991, when Jaycee Dugard was abducted from her parents for 18 years. Eleven-year-old Jaycee Dugard was kidnapped on her way to school one morning by two strangers, who are now identified as Phillip and…

Tell us in the comments what you think about the photography of Woodland High School students.

When most people think of swimming, their first thought is usually splashing in backyard pools, or swimming in a lake, or ocean, having a good time with their friends. However, competitive swimming has an entirely different connotation. Competitive swimming is a sport performed worldwide by individuals who possess devotion, talent, physical and mental capacity for the sport, and the rigorous training that the sport requires. For the past eight years, Woodland High School has provided a swim program for individuals who are interested in competing against county teams and other swim teams …

Do you hike Pine Mountain Recreation Area or other area trails? Which trails are the best? Tell us in the comments.

Hoop, there it is! The Woodland High School basketball teams recently tipped off the start of a new season. All the coaches and players have high hopes for this year’s outcome, and both teams plan to exceed the standards that were set in the previous year.  The talent of the girls’ basketball team is getting better and looks to perform at a higher level this season. Coach Roberts works hard for his team and takes basketball very seriously. He said, “I want us to be better by Saturday, Feb. 11, which is when the region tournament starts. After many long practices, I hope that our team can …

A Woodland High School student captured these great shots of holiday lights.

December is a month of family and holiday traditions. Some traditions are based on religious beliefs, some are passed down through the generations, and some are new traditions. From blowing out candles to reading stories, there are many different ways to celebrate Christmas. Throughout the world people also celebrate the time of “Christmas” with rituals from their own country. Even though each individual celebrates differently, everyone throughout the world can agree that Christmas is a time to rejoice. In Brazil, Santa is called Papai Noel, or Father Noel. He is the person who brings gifts …