There are many people that simply do not realize what they have. Complaints are heard in the hallways daily regarding the status of relationships or the immense load of homework that someone has received. These may seem like huge issues for high school students, but the reality of the situation is that there are far greater issues in the world, even in this community.

It seems as though many students are living in this bubble. They think that they are the only concern in the world, and that nothing else matters whatsoever. This is not true at all. The world is facing many issues. One out of eight people don’t have enough clean water to live, and many people consider it a dire situation when they don’t have enough hot water for a 30 minute shower.

In this community there are even issues greater than these trivial daily issues. There are people that struggle to pay for their everyday essentials. Many students do not realize this. They think that just because they are wealthy or fortunate that everything is okay and that their small problems are the end of the world.

I urge you to start being more conscious about this. Try to think about others and their issues before you complain about small issues in the moment.

Take time to volunteer at your church or at a local charity like Prevail or The Humane Society. If you actually experience some of the tough situations and predicaments that some people are in, you will be a better individual, and you will know the major problems that are actually occurring very near to you.

Please be conscious and think about others whether you are at school, home, and especially on the road.

In the spirit of the approaching holiday season, National Art Honor Society sponsored the Empty Bowls program on Monday, Nov. 9. The event took place in the main campus sophomore cafeteria for an hour and a half beginning at 6 p.m.

National Art Honor Society members spent weeks preparing.

“It’s a big thing for us,” sophomore Ainee Jeong said.

Attendees paid $10 for a ticket, which entitled them to a hot meal and a ceramic bowl. National Art Honor Society students had as much food donated as possible to ensure a large profit to donate to charity. Much of the soup served was made by families of National Art Honor society members and ranged from chicken noodle to chili.

The proceeds benefit the Good Samaritan Network of Hamilton County. The money will be used to purchase meat products, which will feed needy families in Hamilton County on Thanksgiving.

“It’s really just giving back to the community,” senior and National Art Honor Society president Elli Miller said.

The bowls were chosen by ticket holders. They were all handcrafted, mostly by freshmen, and then glazed by National Art Honor Society members at the main campus.

Students, parents, and teachers showed up to support the cause. Student artwork was displayed around the cafeteria to be viewed by visitors. A live band headed by faculty members entertained the crowd with music.

Upon arriving, guests were able to pick a handmade bowl to take home. They then could go through the serving line to receive their soup, bread, drink, and dessert.

The tables in the cafeteria were covered with construction paper and adorned with paper hand prints made by National Art Honor Society students. Crayons were placed in the middle of each table so that guests could express their creativity through doodles.

Aside from the charitable aspect of the program, students also used the night to spend time with friends.

“I thought Empty Bowls was a fantastic way to raise money and provide a fun night out, so I got some friends together and we decided to go. I also announced it at my church,” sophomore Sarah Line said. She attended the event with sophomores Breanna Frailey and Julie Goodwin and junior Russ Goodwin.

Nancy Chance, executive director of the Good Samaritan Network of Hamilton county, attended the event and made a small speech to those in attendance.

Two years ago when the program debuted, the community came together to raise $900 for hungry families.

This year, the goal was to raise at least $1000. Mrs. Kate Vasey, faculty sponsor of National Art Honor Society, confirmed that the goal was topped this year, and 125 tickets were sold altogether.

“It was great. We had a great turnout and a ton of help from people within the school and National Art Honor Society parents,” Vasey said.

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