the panthianette the panthianette

THE PANTHIANETTE
February
VOLUME 3
Edition
2013
ISSUE 3
The Electronic Newspaper of
Hermitage High School, Henrico, Virginia
What Does Valentine’s Day Mean to You?
By Faith Kunkel
“So, what are you doing for Valentine’s Day?” A question heard often around this time of the year, it can elicit
either long-winded soliloquies from lovers or groans and sighs from the unattached. However, too often is the
desire to know how one will be spending Valentine’s Day not the only question; it matters only what you ARE
doing, not what you will NOT be doing. This article, dear reader, is written with a different intent: To instruct
on what one should not be doing this February 14th. Heed this advice, and it will be a pleasant Valentine’s Day,
whether spent alone or with a romantic partner.
1) One must not, under any circumstances, be found in a hardware store buying home repair supplies on Valentine’s Day. Whether the intent is self-home improvement, or maybe one really thinks a hammer is a romantic
gift, being within the vicinity of a Lowe’s, Home Depot, etc. is inexcusable. Even if you’re single, nothing
makes romance deader than a doornail than home repairs.
2) It is strictly forbidden to begin a diet or exercise regimen on Valentine’s Day. This is the holiday of love, and
self-love is included…so embrace that squishy stomach or those thunder thighs until tomorrow. Plus, it would
be an injustice to one’s soul to not partake in the goodies that always seem to appear on Valentine’s Day.
3) That girl who stole your boyfriend…the elderly woman who cut you off in line at the grocery store…yes,
revenge may sound sweet, but Valentine’s Day is not the day. While it is not expressly forbidden to stew in the
juices of hatred and anger on Valentine’s Day, one may not and must not act on them. Punch a punching bag,
scream into your pillow, remind yourself that revenge is a dish best served cold…and resist the urge to drive
through the puddle your ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend are walking by, soaking them both to the core.
4) Perhaps the most important thing that one should not do on Valentine’s Day is make an unexpected announcement. Nothing takes the spirit of love out of February 14th like proposing. A cliché Valentine’s Day
proposal will just create a marriage of low expectations and resentment. Keep the surprises for the 15th…there
is nothing people love more than constancy. Plus, if you break up, the guy can get the ring back because it wasn’t a “gift!”
So, dear reader, this February 14th, spend the day exactly as you desire. Kick back and relax, watch sappy movies, cry into your stuffed animals, go bungee-jumping, and so forth. Just avoid the
aforementioned activities, and this Valentine’s Day might be your first successful one.
The Love Drug
By Sara Schmieder
Valentine’s Day is all about love and being in love. It is also about a drug, not an illegal one but a
drug that your body produces called dopamine. The feeling of being in love is mainly due to increased levels
of dopamine in a person’s brain. Dopamine is responsible for feelings of happiness and joy, but it also causes
people to fall in love with each other. As the levels of dopamine lower, over a period of time, a person’s true
feelings for someone are slowly revealed. For some people, the high level of dopamine in their brains will
last longer than for others. Usually when a person’s brain is hyped-up on dopamine, they don’t see any flaws
with the person they love and are completely happy. Some people call that the “puppy dog” phase of the relationship. Most relationships go downhill once the high level of dopamine wears off. At that point most relationships get rocky.
Modern science now believes that there might be an unknown chemical in the brain that causes the
feeling of love. But for now we just blame dopamine. Happy Valentine’s Day.
10 Tips for a Healthy Heart
By Bethany Wasilik
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, love is in the air. February is also American Heart
Month, a time to spread awareness of heart disease and learn how to keep your heart healthy
and happy. So show your heart some love this Valentine’s Day with these 10 tips for a
health!
1) Limit Your Salt: Too much salt can lead to high blood pressure and put you at risk for
heart disease. Limit your sodium intake by checking food labels and cutting down on the
amount of processed foods you eat.
2) Say “No” to Smoking: Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease, so be smart and
avoid this harmful habit.
3) Exercise with a Friend: Exercise is very important for good heart health, and running
with a buddy will keep you motivated while you get in shape!
10 Tips for a Healthy Heart (continued)
4) Eat Whole Grains They’re packed with fiber and other nutrients that your
body needs!
5) Choose Healthy Fats. Fat is an essential part of everyone’s diet, so choose
healthy fats such as monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats. These can
be found in many foods, including avocados, nuts, and olive oil.
6) Manage Your Weight A healthy weight is important for heart health. The key
to maintaining a healthy weight is physical activity and healthy eating. If you
think you need to lose weight, first talk to your doctor before starting a diet or
fitness program.
7) Manage Stress Although stress is not proven to directly cause heart disease, it
can affect behaviors such as smoking, physical inactivity, lack of sleep, and
overeating, which are all linked to heart problems.
8) Limit Cholesterol. High cholesterol can increase your risk for heart disease,
heart attack, and stroke.
9) Avoid Restrictive Diets. Don’t deprive your body of the food it needs. Diets
that cut out certain foods for “quick weight loss” also cut out necessary nutrients that you need for a healthy heart and body.
10) Catch Some Z’s! Sleep is an important part of staying healthy. Most teens
need an average of nine hours of sleep every night!
Black History Month Editorial
By Krishna Hunt
Happy Black History Month! Rather, Happy “Why do Black people get their own month” Month!
Or, “Why do Black people get the shortest month” Month! Heck, Happy “Why is there no White History
Month” Month! Once again, February has rolled around and questions like the aforementioned are making mad dashes from aggravated tongues to any open ear, challenging the validity and reasoning behind
the month’s dedication. It seems that with each passing year, the month is less and less revered and increasingly the source of frustration, not only for non-African Americans, but also for those in the Black
community. The pride and importance felt by many Black people during this time has dwindled; the impact and effect of the month has nearly died.
Why? Black History Month has a rich history, from the inception in 1926 as Negro History Week
by Dr. Carter G. Woodson to its acknowledgement as a month-long recognition of Black American heritage in 1976. It has served as a time of reflection of the strides made by Black abolitionists, civil rights
activists, inventors, and innovators. It was created as a way to tell America, to tell the world, “This is
what we’ve accomplished, this is how we’ve countered the countless claims against our origin and skin
tone, and through this we shall continue to progress.” So where did that all fall apart? Where did the vision go astray?
The problem lies in the simple fact that while America, in regard to its Black citizens, has progressed greatly, there is still quite the journey ahead. While rules can be changed and regulations put into
effect, real change and social progression start in the minds of the people. No idea or theory, unless thoroughly advocated and ingrained in one’s ethics, can be adequately reflected in society, especially one of
equal rights and representation.
In the words of Tom Skinner, “While the civil rights laws… were passed, they never passed in the
hearts and intent of the American people” (1991). Although granted opportunity, Black Americans can
never reach full potential without a change in the heart of America. Many challenge that it is, in fact, possible to be as successful as the next person in the United States is. We have a Black president! Black millionaires! Scientists, politicians, business owners of African descent! The idea of a “post-racial” society
has been pushed since before the start of the 21st century. Black people are but a fraction of the People of
Color that live and are continually discriminated against in America, and recent statistics alone speak volumes about the straits faced by Black Americans today.
~ Alexis Stevens, 12th grade: “It’s more than just
making us aware of things black people have done...
President Barack
Obama
it shows how far we have come in this nation.”
Black History Month Editorial
(continued)

In 2009, the rate of incarceration for Black males was over six times higher than that of White males,
and 2.6 times higher than that of Hispanic males. Over five times more Black females were incarcerated compared to White females, and over two times more compared to Hispanic females.

Unemployment rate for Blacks rose 0.8 percent to 14.4 percent in 2012, as compared to the 7.4 percent White rate and 11 percent Hispanic rate.

The deaths of over 300 Black children due to gun violence in Chicago in the past year garnered significantly less publicity than that of the tragedy in Newtown, CT.

The targeting of Blacks by the sub-prime mortgage industry caused a disproportionate number of
home losses for Black American homeowners as compared to other ethnicities.
These statistics represent but a fraction of the straits Black Americans have faced in recent years,
project only a little of the evidence against the post-racial theory. However, they are nonetheless a seriously detrimental reality in the Black community. Statistics like these are what make the ethnicity seem
like more of a spreadsheet than a heritage. Identity is lost in overwhelming circumstance and everlasting
stereotype. Black History Month should be the time when the identity of Black people is reclaimed, a
time when American people can not only listen to the told and retold tales of Black Americans past, but
that today’s generation of young Black Americans may be inspired and encouraged to forge their own
adventures and advancements. As a country, it is high time that we begin to focus our care on every type
of person, not just a select category. Any time dedicated to a particular group, be it Black History, Native
American Heritage, Hispanic Heritage, or Asian Heritage, should be revered and acknowledged by America as a whole, not to give them “special attention,” but to realize that all of America is important, all of
America requires progression, and, together, all that and more can be achieved. As a country, we must
take the concept of “One Country” and see it not as mere words, but as an ideology for nationwide advancement.
Fox, Emily J. "African-American Jobless Rate Surges." CNN.com. Cable News Network, 6 July 2012. Web. Justice Foreclosed. New York, NY: American Civil Liberties
Union, 15 Oct. 2012. PDF.
Skinner, Tom. "Racism Still Divides Black and White America." Interview. The Center For Public Justice. The
Web. May-June 1991. <http://www.cpjustice.org/stories/story Reader$1024>.
West, Heather C., Ph.D. Percentage of Black People in Prison in USA. N.p.: US Department of
Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics, June
A Brief History of Valentine’s Day Chocolates
By Camille Karabaich
Valentine’s Day is a time when hearts are filled with love, and bellies are filled with
chocolate. Why so full of these sweet treats? Well, the tradition of giving chocolates for this
holiday of love sprang from the age-old belief in the aphrodisiacal qualities of chocolate.
Chocolate has been used to woo since the Aztecs, but in modern times we know that because
of the Phenyl ethylamine found in chocolate, this sweet really can make you feel like you’re
falling in love. But, chocolates can even help out those lone wolves and lonely birds, since it
used to be prescribed by doctors to help calm the nerves of lovelorn patients.
But valentine’s chocolates are known just as much for their adorned heart containers as
for their captivating taste. The first of these candy boxes was made by Richard Cadbury. He
took the popular cherub design used on Valentine’s cards of the era and transferred it to heartshaped candy boxes. Many of the designs were his own, as he was a relatively skilled painter.
Some of the boxes were even made to be kid-friendly, with designs that
could be cut out and put into scrapbooks. The heart-shaped box has continued to be used since then, and whether made of simple cardboard or of pink
satin, it has been a traditional way to show one’s affection on “heart day.”
Upcoming Events

February 18th: Student Holiday

May 11th: Prom and Party All Night

Hairspray, our spring musical is coming soon!
Am I Right?
Dual Edition
By Meaghan Green
I just started driving this year and the first thing that pops into my head
now when I think of annoying things is people who ride my butt on the
road. This especially happens when I’m driving near the school, and all
the teenagers get close to the back of my car in a ridiculous attempt to
make me go faster. It doesn’t work that way with me. I take it as a challenge, and my first move is to stare down the driver through my rearview mirror with the intensity of an iguana eyeing the bug it’s about to
grab with its creepy tongue. Then I personify the car into an actual person, and attribute it with human characteristics like, “That car has
chipped paint which means it’s a trashy car that doesn’t have any
friends.” This makes me start to get angry at the car so I slow down significantly to irritate it and eventually the driver gets annoyed enough to
go around me. As he’s driving away, I think to myself, “Yeah, that’s
right, you better run,” and am very pleased with myself. So the point
here is you all might as well stop doing that, because I am obviously
crazier than you. Am I right?
By Sarah Worthy
I hate how girls all think they’re photographers. Okay, I understand that you’re excited to have a new fancy camera, but please
stop uploading every picture you take. Oh wow, another picture of a
tree in black and white, never seen that before. In most cases it’s the
camera doing all the work so really when you upload these “deep” pictures you’re just flaunting your expensive camera. Also, what makes
you think you can try to sell these pictures? It just seems a wee bit
smug to think you’re already successful enough to sell your portfolio.
Unless you’re a child prodigy, calm down. I understand that there are
going to be a few people who will buy your photos, but I certainly will
not. Five dollars for a picture of a flower? No thanks. I’d much rather
buy three tacos—now that’s a good deal. Am I right?
A Guide to Buying a Prom Dress
By Carly Shaia
The time is getting closer, ladies: Prom! I’ve found that right now, pre-season is the best time to be searching for a
prom dress since everything that was in from last year is on sale and all the new styles are just now coming in and
are still at affordable prices. Prom dress shopping can be stressful and exciting but one thing is for certain: It is definitely an experience. Some people bring a huge entourage as if the girl is shopping for a wedding dress and others
just go with whomever is paying for the dress. Regardless of who is coming along with you, here is my guide to
making your shopping as fun as possible:
1. Set a clear budget. Prom dresses can be expensive, even up to over five hundred dollars! Setting a clear budget
that takes alterations into consideration, is the best way to start looking for a dress. There are stores for every kind
of budget from the most expensive to the least, but be prepared that not all dresses are tailored to every girl (being
5’0’’ this is a well-known fact) and some alterations may cost more depending on the fabric and embellishment of
the dress.
2. Plan your route ahead of time. Personally I recommend starting at the lowest priced stores and then going up to
your maximum, glitzy dress stores. This lets you find what dresses work with your body type, lets you see simpler
dresses that you may fall more in love with than the extravagant gowns, and for some, this satisfies their mother’s
need to put them in those atrocious, who-designed- that gowns. Visit places you may not expect to find formal
gowns as well; even a bridesmaid dress is beautiful and works great for prom, plus many bridal stores carry a
“Prom” or “Special Occasions” department.
3. Research a place for alterations. There are some stores that won’t trim your dress because it is too elaborate, or
that will charge outrageous prices. Take your time, especially if you know you are going to need it, and look for
someone who will fix the dress for a fair price.
4. Shopping online: Unless you’ve put the dress on in a store, you may be sorely disappointed by your online buy.
A tiny screen shot of a dress doesn’t do it justice and when it arrives on your doorstep you may find yourself reconsidering. Sometimes you find hidden gems when shopping online but unless you know for certain that the gown
will fit you most definitely, try to find a place where you can try it on.
5. Who’s shopping with you? I learned from experience that bringing along women who are very opinionated may
not be the best shopping companions. They tend to make the experience more about them and less about you. For
some, it’s a magical experience where they really want to bring their mother or their dad along and make it like a
fairy tale. Others would rather mom just hand them the enchanted piece of plastic and hit the mall on their own, or
with friends.
Dress stores to consider for every price range:
- Under $100: Macy’s, Dillard's, Dress Barn (Yes, I’m serious)
- Between $100-200: David’s Bridal, Ross, Step N Style
- $200 and Up: Cache, Lex’s, Bella Rosa
AND: If you don’t want to make any investment in a prom dress, or tuxedo, because it’s not in your budget,
STAY TUNED to our next issue, where we’ll highlight a great helping organization called Prom Bring It!
Bella Rosa Bridal
3979 Deep Rock Road, Richmond VA 23233
804.855.1000
A unique store for
tuxes and gowns for
purchase or rental!
@bellarosabridal.com
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!
-From The Panthianette Staff
A Panther Prowler Publication
Don’t see anything that interests you? Want your story to get covered? Have pictures you want to share? Well
then be sure to let us know! You can email us at [email protected] or like us on Facebook!
The Panthianette welcomes new writers and photographers! Watch HermTV for our next meeting!
This Month’s Writers: Krishna Hunt, Sarah Worthy, Meaghan Green, Faith Kunkel, Sara Schmieder,
Bethany Wasilik, Camille Karabaich, and Carly Shaia. NICE JOB, ALL!
Editor-in-Chief: Carly Shaia
Faculty Sponsor: Valerie Miller