TIMES
INCLUDES:
Spring Edition
Challenges The youth of the LGBTQIA community face Wanna Catch a game? Special Days at the K Jumping into Spring-Get your spring on Spring cleaning-Let’s get clean
Stress at MT and how to manage it
Q and A’s around MT
the Science of Spring storms
Music and the Mind
CHALLENGES THE YOUTH
OF
THE LGBTQIA COMMUNITY FACE
Imagine living in fear that you could say the wrong thing or act the wrong way and face potential judgment or harm. This is the reality for many queer youth, who feel the need to stay anonymous about their sexual orientation or gender identity due to fears of discrimination or being outed. Sometimes, the discrimination comes from family and/or friends, making it even more painful. This constant fear of being judged, rejected, or blamed significantly impacts a person’s mental health.
¹Global Comment makes a good point relating to the effect of homophobia, “Not only do teens get bullied, harassed, and assaulted every day because of homophobia, but schools often choose to be blind to it all, brushing it off as if it were nothing. It starts in elementary school, when kids call other kids “gay” as an insult, or say “that’s so gay”. What seems like a harmless comment that has been said for as long as your grandparents can remember tells kids that it’s bad to not be straight, and that they should hide it because they could be seen as wrong, strange, or even gross. When schools turn their heads to these little acts of homophobia, it can lead to bigger issues, like harassment and violence. Sometimes kids don’t even know that it’s wrong.”
According to ²Vancouver Island University (VIU), this fear restricts queer youth from forming close same-sex friendships, as they may be wrongly perceived as LGBTQ+. VIU states, "Homophobia can perpetuate negative stereotypes and myths by reinforcing silence, erasure, and a lack of accurate, reliable information about 2SLGBTQ+ persons and issues." The fear of discrimination can compromise the queer person’s belief in their equality and human integrity, both for themselves and others.
In response to this fear, some youth pride clubs take extreme precautions to ensure the safety of their members. These clubs keep their members, locations, and communities secret to protect them from potential harm. Though details about these clubs are sparse for security reasons, it’s important to note that many inclusive youth communities exist to help queer youth form friendships and feel seen, heard, and welcomed.
These spaces provide crucial support, allowing young people to connect with others who share similar experiences and struggles, fostering a sense of belonging that is vital for their well-being. Discrimination can take many forms, and sometimes it’s hard to recognize how it can harm others.
Here are some interviews from queer students across MT. When one student was asked, “What has been your hardest challenge with being queer at your age?” They said, “I think that my hardest challenge with being queer is the fear of getting discovered and shamed once people know. Last year was the first year that more than just a few of my friends knew I was gay, I got lots of dirty looks and weird comments. I lost a lot of friends due to them finding out, but I was done hiding and constantly living in fear.” When another student was asked, “How do you think society’s views on queerness differ across cultures or communities?” They responded with, “Queerness in cultures and communities is often allowed nowadays, but it’s still extremely hated on for no particular reason, usually due to culture and religion, and other things like political standings. But nonetheless, queer is also widely accepted in our generation, and is usually welcome in most cultures and communities anyways.” When this student was asked, “What role has the queer community played in your life?” They replied, “I’ve grown up in a very accepting household and around very accepting people, which definitely played a major role in the way I felt about queer and LGBTQ+ people. I think the queer community is one of the few communities that has a very little amount of negative people in it, because everyone in it has very unique interests. It’s a hate free space, which is great.”
The goal of this article wasn’t to make you offended but rather inform you and help you understand the struggles of queer people, and I hope it did. So, in the end, while the queer community has come a long way in recognizing and supporting the queer/LGBTQ+ community, there’s still so much work to be done. The struggles— whether it’s dealing with discrimination, mental health challenges, or fighting for equal rights are real and ongoing. But each step forward, no matter how small, makes a difference. It’s up to all of us to keep pushing for a world where everyone, regardless of who they love or how they identify, can live without fear or shame. True equality is something we all deserve, and the fight for it is a fight for a better world for everyone.
WANNA CATCH A GAME?
Why you should watch the royals
If you like the MLB, you should watch the royals, because not only are they in our city, but they also have done pretty good last year and I think they will have a good year this year Last year royals were 86-76 with being 45-36 at home, so home games would be more likely to win than away games, because at away games our record was 41-40.
Jonathon India
Offseason Acquistions
Played for the Cardinals
Plays Second Base Number 6
Michael Lorenzen
Re-signed star pitcher Number 24
SPECIAL DAYS AT THE K Giveaways Promotions
Dollar Dog Nights
April 8 vs. Twins
April 22 vs Rockies
May 6 vs. White Sox
May 27 vs Reds
June 10 vs. Yankees
June 24 vs Rays
July 8 vs. Pirates
July 29 vs Braves
August 12 vs. Nationals
August 19 vs. Rangers
September 2 vs. Angels
September 16 vs. Mariners
Bobblehead Night
April 6 vs Orioles (Vinnie Pasquantino)
April 26 vs. Astros (Mike Moustakas)
May 16 vs Cardinals (George Brett and Bret Saberhagen)
June 14 vs Athletics (Bobby Witt Jr )
July 8 vs. Pirates (Cole Ragans)
July 11 vs Mets (Eric Hosmer)
August 29 vs. Tigers (Bobby Witt Jr.)
September 19 vs Blue Jays (Salvador Perez)
Played for six teams: Reds Angels Tigers Phillies Rangers and Royals Cavan Biggio
Played for Dodgers and Blue Jays
Plays Second Base Number 6
Firework Friday
April 25 vs. Astros
May 9 vs Red Sox
May 16 vs. Cardinals
May 30 vs Tigers
June 13 vs. Athletics
June 27 vs Dodgers
July 11 vs. Mets
July 25 vs Guardians
August 15 vs. White Sox
August 29 vs Tigers
September 5 vs. Twins
September 19 vs Blue Jays
Bark at the Park
April 4 vs. Orioles
May 6 vs White Sox
September 16 vs. Mariners
Starwars Night
May 10 vs Red Sox
Favorite Player
Bobby Witt 60%
Salvador Perez 28%
MJ Melendez 2%
Vinnie Pasquantino 8%
Jonathon India 2%
JUMPING INTO SPRING
GET YOUR SPRING ON
Spring is coming in, so you know what that means? It's time to go out and have some fun, especially after being cooped up all winter long. You could go on a bike ride, travel around the neighbourhood while getting a plentiful amount of exercise, you could also do this just by going on a simple walk around the area. Other activities could consist of spending a nice windy day to fly a kite, or a nice warm day to have a picnic with friends or family. Visit the zoo, the zoo is a wonderful place to visit during spring, it isn’t too chilly, and isn’t too cold. For others who may be crafty, you could paint rocks, or make a bird feeder for your bird buddies, or you could build a fairy garden. Going for something simple and not wanting to travel? Break out the sidewalk chalk, or maybe blow some bubbles! There’s all sorts of activities you can do in the spring, so go out and have some fun!
SPRING CLEANING
LETS GET CLEAN
Spring cleaning is more than just a seasonal tradition; it's a chance to refresh your home and mind. As the weather warms, it's the perfect time to tackle those deep cleaning tasks that often get overlooked. The goal is to clear out the old, organize the clutter, and create a fresh, inviting space.
Start by decluttering your home—sort through clothes, toys, books, and old paperwork. Donate or dispose of anything you no longer need. Next, focus on deep cleaning areas like windows, baseboards, and appliances. Don’t forget to vacuum under furniture and wash linens or curtains. Finally, refresh the atmosphere by adding plants or new décor, and open windows to let in fresh air. Spring cleaning offers not only a tidy home but also a sense of renewal that can boost your mood and productivity for the months ahead!
STRESS AT MT
AND HOW TO MANAGE IT!
Stress
Many students at MT deal with stress and anxiety in their school environment as well as at home. Imagine going home every day with homework, then waking up with tests looming in the distance, the pressure to fit in, and worrying what others think of you. This is a recipe for stress, but if you handle things the right way, you can manage stress and lead a happier, healthier life.
What stresses students out?
To better understand what others are experiencing, I interviewed a couple of students about what stresses them out. One student said that grades, having to be pulled out of classes, and making time to see friends stress them out at school. Dance, life at home, and supporting friends are stressors for them outside of school. Another student said that tests, schoolwork, and other people stress them out. Outside of school, extracurriculars stress them out. They also said that they often stress themselves out.
How to manage stress
To help people manage stress, I talked to Ms. Olson, a counselor, about strategies to manage stress and live a happier school life. Ms. Olson says staying organized and having a planner so that you can schedule even and activitirs can help you to not get stressed out. You want to plan ahead so you don't have to do stuff last minute. Always make sure to get enough sleep and have a routine. Having a selfcare list also helps, whether it be short or long. Just do something that makes you happy.
Article by: Makenna Rasdall
Q and A’s Around MT
VariousstudentsaroundMonticelloTrailsareansweringrandom questions!
BiggestredFlag?
Focusingononlyoneaspect ofasituation(often negative)whileoverlooking others(positive),creating tunnelvision.
Favoritelunch?
“teriyakichickenis theschoollunchI love!”CharlieWhite 6th
LeastfavoriteLunch?
“Myleastfavoriteschool lunckisfiestadapizza.” ShaneDevery8th
DreamCollege?
“DenverUniversityismy dreamcollege!”EllieWoods 7th
Leastfavoritesayinga teachersays?
“Noheadphones,itmakesme madbecauseMrs Trembly doesitsometimes ”Jackson Baker7th
Wouldyouratherspeak3 languagesorspeakto animals
“Iwouldratherspeakto animalsbecausespeaking languagesisboring ”KodyLee 7th
“Makeproinsoccer.” BradyParks8th Whatisoneofyour goalsinlife?
“Ithinkchickfilahasthebest fries.”AyiraOtieno8th Wherearethebest fries?
“MyfavoritesongisLong LivebyTaylorSwift ” BrooklynDonovan7th Whatisyourfavorite song?
THE SCIENCE OF SPRING STORMS
Spring thunderstorms. We all know it, in the months of March, April, May, and June, there’s always a few big storms. The question is though, why?
Well, it’s actually quite simple! When spring comes, the upper parts of Earth’s atmosphere are cool, sometimes even cold On the other hand, the lower parts of the atmosphere are warm, due to the longer days. This is a recipe for severe storms - an unstable atmosphere.
Ever wondered what thunder and lightning really are? Well, wonder no more! Positive and negative charges make electricity (protons and electrons). These charges attract. As they meet, it creates a spark. This is what we call lightning, but it is the type that occurs inside or between clouds As the storm progresses, the negative charge at the bottom of clouds creates a positive charge on the ground. At a certain point, the air can no longer stop the attraction, and the electron, or negative charge, jumps to the positive charge. This creates a giant burst of electricity, which is the lightning that we see.
Now what about thunder? Well, when lightning strikes, it travels at the fastest speed that anything in the known universe can move, which is the speed of light. This speed creates a hole in the air as the lightning strikes. When this air hole closes, it is thunder You’re probably wondering, how can that be possible when there is such a delay between lightning and thunder? The answer to this is simple: the speed of sound is much slower than the speed of light, which creates the delay.
MUSIC &THE MIND
Psycology Passion
BY: MEREDITH FACER, FEATURING MILO STRAIGHT
Music is an essential part of the past, present, and future. Whether it expresses cultures, personal beliefs, or even heartache, music is more than just something we listen to for enjoyment. It brings us together and profoundly affects how our brains function, influencing our feelings and behaviors Music does much more than one might think it improves our health and enhances our cognitive abilities. The effects of music on the brain are overwhelmingly positive.
Patrick Whelan, a part-time lecturer in pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and an instructor of the Harvard Extension School course "Music and the Mind," observes that attending such performances can be a profound, prosocial experience
“When you enter a church, the music takes over the mental faculties of everyone present,” he explains. “It places everyone in the same emotional space.”
So, why does music affect us so deeply?
Whelan believes the answer partly lies in evolutionary biology The earliest mammals, likely nocturnal, depended on their hearing and sense of smell for defense, exhibiting hyperfocus and hyperattention. According to Whelan, the modern experience of listening to live music can be seen as a vestige of that primal adaptation.
Playing music triggers all parts of the brain at once while Listening to music is extremely beneficial for the brain playing and creating music is on a whole other level studies have shown that playing music is the the equivalent of a full body workout for the brain.
INTERVIEW
Now, we hear the perspective of someone with a passion for music, Milo Straight, when asked about the effect of music on his emotions or mood, Milo says it generally affects his mood positively, whether it is just improving his mood when playing music or motivating him in the gym. Straight, along with many other MTMS students, claims music helps him to focus when studying. Music can also be a confidence booster for Milo, especially rock or classical music styles. To conclude my discussion with Straight, I made one more inquiry: "What do you believe makes music so impactful for the brain?" Milo replied, "It stimulates areas of the brain because it's something we created, and specific frequencies can affect your brain."
Milo Straight playing his primary band instrument the trumpet
Eck, B. A. (2025, March 14). How music resonates in the brain. Harvard Medicine Magazine. https://magazine.hms.harvard.edu/articles/how-music-resonates-brain
BENEFITS FOR YOUR BRAIN
Herearesomeamazingthingsmusiccandoforyourbrain:
**ChangeYourAbilitytoPerceiveTime**
Musiccancreatethesensationthattimeiseitherspeedinguporslowingdown Therhythmandbeatscantrickyour brainintolosingtrackoftime,whichiswhyyoumayfeellikeanhourhaspassedwhileenjoyingasong!
**TapIntoPrimalFear**
Certainsoundsandrhythmsinmusiccanevokestrongemotionslikefear Thisiswhysomehorrormoviesorgames incorporatespecificmusictobuildtensionandexcitement.
**ReduceSeizures**
Did you know that listening to music can help reduce the frequency of seizures in people with epilepsy? Music therapyhasbeenshowntocalmthebrain,makingseizureslesslikely.
**MakesYouaBetterCommunicator**
When you listen to music, your brain processes emotions and messages This enhances your understanding and connectionwithothers,makingyouamoreeffectivecommunicator.
**MakesYouStronger**
Music has even been linked to physical strength! Listening to your favorite upbeat song can motivate you to push harderduringworkouts,boostingyourenergyandstrength.
**BoostYourImmuneSystem**
Surprisingly,musiccanalsoenhancethefunctionalityofyourimmunesystem Itcanreducestresslevels,whichin turnhelpsyourbodyfendoffillness.
**AssistinRepairingBrainDamage**
For individuals with brain injuries, music therapy can aid in repair. It stimulates the brain and accelerates healing, improvingabilitiessuchasspeechandmovement.
**MakesYouSmarter**
Studies indicate that listening to music can enhance cognitive functions, such as memory, concentration, and problem-solvingskills.
**EvokeMemories**
Music is closely linked to memories. A song you hear may remind you of a special day or person, bringing back feelingsandexperiencesfromthepast.
Withallthesebenefits,it’sevidentthatmusicismuchmorethanjustentertainment.Ithasthe powertotransformourminds,bodies,andevenourinteractionswiththeworld.
