First off, it is incredibly disturbing the way us adolescents use our minds. Creating a fake account IS a clever idea. Using said account to undermine and internally destroy people is not at all clever. Bashing egos has been around forever and always will be, so I’m not going to say much on it. I won’t say much on it because I don’t think it will make a difference. As disturbing as that sounds, it’s true. The kinds of people who do these cruel acts aren’t going to change because people tell them to. That kind of change takes either time or shock factor. Lifestyles don’t change because your school counselor tells you you’re a screw-up. Lifestyles change when an event or seeing the aftermath of an event, slaps the lifestyle into reality.

Anyhow, I think the best sort of thing to do in any situation regarding adolescents is to let adolescents take control. Sounds awful, I know. But think about it for a second. Even though the adults may be right, teens often do the opposite out of spite or popular demand. What I am trying to say is hard to convey but here goes. You can teach knowledge, but you can’t teach wisdom. You can learn facts, techniques, and concepts from a book or teacher, but it means nothing until you experience them. When you truly learn something it inhibits your being (this is starting to sound Buddhist…try to keep with me). You understand it inside and out and you could see it even if you were blind. As an example (a really nerdy example, but an example never-the-less), I can solve a Rubik’s Cube. Now, millions of people can solve this little 3x3x3 head shaker, but the understanding of it is what many less people have. Anyone can memorize algorithms and pictures and, subsequently, he or she could solve the cube. However, I learned to solve it without any of that. I understand how the pieces move and how everything is connected. I understand all of its mechanics %100. Thus, I can solve this cube without really concentrating on it at all. Fully understanding something is kind of like that. In order for many things to be learned they have to be experienced. But, then comes when people give up (suicide or other consequences). So maybe teens shouldn’t be left to experience things on their own. Here’s what I suggest. I think that a student-run movement against bullying or other actions could be a really good idea. I have never seen a truly moving student-organized group against bullying. If the masses are against it, then it will still occur but less so. And, not to mention, more people will be likely to support and defend an individual that is bullied if doing so is the popular/supported thing to do.

Well that was a lot longer than expected! On to the two things I said “wow” to. The first thing I said “wow” to was the initiative by Evan Dreyer. That’s nothing short of astounding and heart-warming. What many people don’t understand is that sometimes the little, stupid, yet degrading things a person hears about themselves is often times the only things that stick with them. Plus, nobody hates to hear good things about themselves, so the only thing I can come up with is that more people should dish out compliments at random (and also appropriate) times to everyone. You never know what that might do for a person.

The second “wow” was to Sidney Huber, the writer of this article. This was an extremely well written article, especially to have been written by a high school junior. The twist to end bad news with good news was…awesome. It really was. Not only was the twist great, but the writing was well beyond her years. I’ve seen writing here in college that couldn’t match up to it. I am so proud to have worked with Sidney in the past and can honestly say that she was good at the start but she is the most improved now. I will definitely spread this article around somehow. Also, sorry for the incredibly long comment!

P.S. Keep it up Mill Stream! The website and issues are looking better than ever. Keep refining until you have something that even Mrs. Shields couldn’t critique!