Soccer fans wearing protective masks as a precaution against swine flu watch a Mexican soccer league match in Mexico City on Sunday.

Sometime in April, a big uproar over swine flu or H1N1, as it has now become known, spread through the media like wildfire.

The media’s way of informing the public of this flu’s second appearance, however, has been by way of overly sensationalized reports.

Since then, a letter has been sent home from my high school principal, debates of this perceived pandemic have circulated through my classes and on a national scale, schools have been shut down temporarily and many are nervous about the situation.

I am beginning to think the hyped up stories of this flu are getting everyone sick from stress more than the actual flu.

The letter sent home from my school stated precautionary measures to be taken to prevent getting the flu: Wash your hands, cover your nose and mouth and avoid close contact that can spread the virus.

But with so few cases in the United States – and that death has come only to those whose immune systems are weak – it seems unlikely this flu will make it very far.

I also know many friends who, when not feeling well, have decided not to take a trip to the nurse’s office due to the fear of being thought to have swine flu.

My only coherent thought after learning this was “wow.”

And this has not been the first time the media have overplayed a sickness.

Take the mad cow disease, for example. The uproar about this ailment was particularly big.

About 4.4 million cows were slaughtered during the eradication program, yet mad cow proved fatal to fewer than 50 people in the United States.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane to the time in each of our lives when we were told the story of Chicken Little.

This was the fable of a chicken that vehemently believed the sky was falling because an acorn had landed on its head.

Through this story, Chicken Little is on an adventure to find the king and tell him about his discovery and fear.

On this adventure, he meets many gullible animals who also begin to believe the sky is falling. The moral presented by this story is: Do not believe everything you are told.

So should we believe everything the media feed us when they have proved on more than one occasion that they have the tendency to create the news rather than just report it?

Or should we take it upon ourselves to gather the facts? The choice is up to you.

Ashlee Maez is a junior at Tucson High Magnet School. E-mail: kailachi@yahoo.com

Bigger than Godzilla: "Twilight" stars (from left) Taylor Lautner, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson attend an event in Tokyo this month.

I am beginning to think that all one has to do to write a best-seller is to throw in a few characters whose minds are two dimensional at best, a fantasy element such as vampires, werewolves or ghosts, and a plot that discusses the trials and tribulations of a blossoming romance between a human and said fantasy element.

This is how Stephenie Meyers raked in millions with her four novels: “Twilight,” “New Moon,” “Eclipse” and “Breaking Dawn.”

The number of followers this author has acquired is proof that the appreciation for thought-provoking, down-to-earth literature has been lost.

The books were not only easy reads but lacked the ability to present themselves as enjoyable; and, yes, I did read them all.

I remember getting a slip of paper from the library that said something along the lines of “if you liked Twilight, you’ll love these books!” and I was appalled by the fact that my favorite fantasy book “Blood and Chocolate” was the first mentioned.

I do not consider said book a brilliant piece of literature, but it is, in my opinion, far more deserving of the title “best book of the year” than anything Stephenie Meyers is able to cough up.

Annette Curtis Klause, the author of “Blood and Chocolate,” not only develops her characters in a way that leaves you feeling as if they are, indeed, real people, but also provides a plot that is thickly laced with the perfect dosages of angst, romance and drama.

This is unlike Meyers, who builds her characters and plot upon clichés: the klutzy but insightful “plain Jane” who is destined to win over the mysterious, “sexy,” apathetic vampire who genuinely changes once he finds love.

I believe the only reason a movie of the first book, “Twilight,” was produced is because of Meyer’s collection of avid readers and followers. The producers realized they would be rolling in dough.

And I will admit, the movie became far more appealing than the book within the first few minutes.

So for those of you who claim to like the book only because a majority of your friends dub it “amazing,” read it for yourself. Actually take the time and read between the lines – search for any traces of genuine profoundness, and I doubt you will find many.

Don’t rely on others’ opinions, but do take them into account. Judge for yourself whether the books are worth such praise.

Worst case scenario: You just wasted a few hours of your life.

Ashlee Maez is a junior at Tucson High Magnet School. E-mail: kailachi@yahoo.com

ASHLEE MAEZ

A ferruginous hawk on a tree branch

Forever Wild, a nonprofit animal rehabilitation center, was the first source of volunteer work I experienced.

In 1996, it was founded by Darlene Braastad and has since flourished into a productive establishment that nourishes Tucson’s wounded or sick wildlife.

In the past two years, about 2,400 animals have been rescued. Having had a firsthand experience working with Darlene, I can happily say that not only did my knowledge of wildlife increase, but also my appreciation for Darlene’s work grew.

Animals need to be taken care of continuously – they need food, water and care if they are injured; therefore, Darlene’s job is never ending.

With the help of volunteers – and anyone is welcome – it must become a bit easier.

When I first began volunteering at Forever Wild, I expected perhaps a few birds and maybe some squirrels.

What was there, however, was a large variety of animals. It’s hard not to get attached to the animals, from hawks to Bisbee the bobcat, as well as the friends you make working there.

A few months into my volunteering, Darlene allowed me to feed a hawk. I remember being immensely excited – I knew of nowhere else that would provide me with an opportunity such as that. And I’ll never forget it.

I learned, along with the other volunteers, how to care for each animal, what foods they ate, the story behind why there were there, and sometimes Darlene would present us with fun little facts about the particular type of animal we were working with.

Occasionally, we would be asked to come along to functions and support Forever Wild.

We would set up a booth and sell buttons or pass out pamphlets explaining the importance of contacting Forever Wild should one find an injured animal.

Darlene would generally bring along a few friendly creatures to show while we shared the satisfaction of working with the animals.

These days were successful, and it was great to meet others who shared our interests.

And of course, others with animals would be there and we were always welcome to check their booths out and learn about them.

I hold great admiration for Darlene. She has put everything into Forever Wild and the animals that reside there. She handles them with care and is very knowledgeable about each one.

And to bring others who wish to share in this experience and take them under her wing is, in my opinion, very considerate.

I truly enjoy volunteering there when I am able. And even if working with animals is not the most appealing thing to someone, I’m sure that when they leave after just one day of hard work, it will all have been worth it.

Ashlee Maez is a junior at Tucson High Magnet School. E-mail: kailachi@yahoo.com

Ashlee Maez

‘I don’t really consider this a political issue; I consider it to be a moral issue,” Al Gore says about global warming in his documentary “An Inconvenient Truth.”

His voice engulfs the entire room. Each one of my peers is enthralled by the charts and images on the screen.

About an hour later, the Academy Award-winning movie ends, and a discussion ensues.

My teacher is the first to comment. In a voice imitating George W. Bush, he quips that Gore would have made a much better president.

All around me are smothered giggles and nods. I sat in my desk, appalled by the blatant disrespect for our president.

A true American loves this country and, despite like or dislike, shows respect for the current president.

But I have seen Young Republican Club meeting posters torn down by my peers.

I have heard the same jokes about Sarah Palin so many times that I could repeat each of them without stuttering.

I have listened to students laugh at Sen. John McCain as he gestured to his supporters to stop the “booing” – the “booing” against the presidential candidate that each one of those students supported.

Yet when President-elect Obama’s speech was shown, the classroom was dead silent.

I have sat in a room with my peers, the only one to raise my hand for McCain when asked which presidential candidate we would vote for.

It is not the students who release their closet immaturity most frequently, however. It is the teachers.

I believe each student is entitled to an opinion. I do not believe, though, that educators have the right to encourage or sway that opinion.

They should teach students how to think, not what to think.

A video shown in one of my classes this year claimed that Republicans rigged the election in 2004.

A few weeks later, the same teacher who showed the video made a comment about Democrats possibly rigging an election. I believe the phrase ” . . . but it’s OK” was used.

It is not the video that bothered me, for everyone – Democrat, Republican, independent, etc. – is human. What bothered me was the comment.

Political views should be kept out of the classroom. A learning environment, which shapes children into adults, should be unbiased.

It is rare to walk into a class at Tucson High and not experience some type of liberal bias.

As a junior there, I have yet to do so.

Ashlee Maez is a junior at Tucson Magnet High School. E-mail: kailachi@yahoo.com

An inconvenient truth: Liberal opinions, such as those concerning global warming and espoused by Al Gore, are championed by many teachers.

Kevin Robinson-Barajas:

I admired his spirit and his ability to find joy in the simplest things in life.

At the memorial for Kevin Robinson-Barajas, we sat toward the back of the church, behind Kevin’s closest friends and teachers.

His family entered promptly at 5:15. The scene was almost unbearable to watch – a mother grieving, holding onto her older son’s side, eyes swollen from tears, her expression one of utmost pain.

As more of what I assumed to be family arrived, Kevin’s mother hugged each one, clutching them for dear life.

I should have said something to his mother, told her (though many probably did) what an amazing, ambitious and courageous person Kevin was. How though I had known him only a short time, he had made an impact on me and some of my friends.

Earlier that day – Friday, Sept. 12 – Tucson Magnet High School lost a student, my classmates lost a peer and I, like many others, lost a friend.

Kevin, just 15 years old, was struck down by an Amphitheater district school bus as he bicycled south on Mountain Avenue en route to school.

He was at least the sixth cyclist struck down by a motor vehicle in Tucson this year.

Like many others affected deeply by Kevin’s death, I regret that I did not know him better.

What I admired most about Kevin was his contagious smile, the type of smile you cannot help but return.

I admired his spirit and his ability to find joy in the simplest things in life. Many of us can only aspire to have such a passion for living.

At Tucson High’s homecoming pep rally, a sign was posted behind the bleachers where the teams sat after being announced.

It showed a picture of Kevin with a message about missing him, much like the one put up at the football game later that night.

A moment of silence was observed on that day one week after his death. A few of Kevin’s fellow sophomores who knew him well wore tie-dye shirts in his honor.

He was mourned, but Kevin’s spirit and zest for life were celebrated.

The morning after the tragic accident, I received this text message:

“Even if you didn’t know him, send this heart to everyone to show just how much you care for Kevin Robinson-Barajas.”

It was comforting to know that even we teenagers, often stereotyped as self-absorbed and immature, were able to see the seriousness of the situation, the loss of a fellow Badger.

We at Tucson High have kept Kevin and his family in our prayers. We can only hope that his loved ones are able to pull through in such a difficult time.

May Kevin Robinson-Barajas rest in peace.

Ashlee Maez is a junior at Tucson Magnet High School. E-mail: kailachi@yahoo.com