Category: Teen Life

Youth on Course “100 Hole Hike” makes budget golf available for young people

Youth on Course — the non-profit providing young people with subsidized budget golf rounds, college scholarships, caddie programs and paid internships – has organized challengers from six states and the District of Columbia to participate in its 3rd Annual “100 Hole Hike” to raise funds for its nationwide program.

On Monday Sept. 10, supporters from Georgia, Missouri, Minnesota, California, Pennsylvania, Utah and Washington, D.C. will aim to complete more than five rounds of golf in one day, securing donations for every completed hole. Contributions in 2018 have already doubled last year’s total, eclipsing $200,000 two weeks before the event.

“With each dollar raised, Youth on Course continues to help remove the cost barrier for young people to play golf,” says Youth on Course Executive Director Adam Heieck. “The outpouring of support means providing further access to opportunities for junior players.”

Born in Northern California, Youth on Course helps fund budget golf rounds for members to increase affordability and accessibility to the game. The organization has grown its presence to 26 states and reaches more than 40,000 kids ages 6-17 who can play at partner facilities for just $5.

Fundraising for the 2017 Hundred Hole Hike resulted in Youth on Course securing $91,506 to support its goal of providing affordable golf for all members. To support the “hikers” and Youth on Course, backers can pledge any amount per hole to any participant.

Follow Youth on Course via Twitter and Instagram (@yocgolf) using the hashtag #YOCH3 for the latest information about the event and real-time updates.

In addition to subsidized rounds, the organization also facilitates college scholarships, paid internships and a caddie program. Since the inception of the scholarship program in 2008, Youth on Course has awarded 222 students with scholarships totaling more than $1.4 million in financial support. The current Youth on Course scholarship retention rate is ninety-eight percent, with 53 students already graduated.

Top 10 Biggest Myths about High School

High School Myths!

Looking back at my high school years, I am filled with bittersweet agony. I, like so many millions, looked forward to entering high school and did so with the best of intentions. However, I made a few missteps — a lot of which were a result of pressure built on by the numerous high school myths which filled my head from movies, T.V. and books which made high school look like some sort of a wild jungle party.

In the following, I will be debunking a few of them for every teen out there who is about to enter high school.

1. Only the popular kids have fun

No high school is anything like what we were shown in the movie Mean Girls! There is no elite group which runs the whole school. Yes, there will be certainly people who are more outgoing than others and have a wider circle of friends, but the truth is that most high schools are so big that people don’t really care about how popular you are. And there are not going to be crazy parties every weekend being thrown by this popular clique, with being invited to the party as some sort of acceptance criteria.

The idea is to find your group of friends or like-minded people and have the best time possible while focusing on learning as much as you can (and proving it with good grades). Most parties or hangouts are among close group of friends and are low key. The supreme power of the popular clique is a totally fake high school myth, unless your high school has like 30 kids in it total.

Do not enter high school with a mindset that you need to be part of any clique to survive that place. You just have to be yourself for the right kind of friends to like you just the way you are.

2. I’d better hide on Freshman Friday

I remember walking scared all day long on the first Friday of my high school year. All you freshmen out there, you may breathe a sigh of relief there is hardly such thing as a Freshman Friday any more! Especially since these days, bullying is on everyone’s radar and hazing is hardly acceptable any more.

It took me a whole day of holding my breath to realize everyone’s just too busy and don’t really care enough about the freshman to torture them. Some seniors might make you feel that they are superior to you in some ways, which they really aren’t except for their knowledge about the building. There might be some ragging or some people might pull a few pranks but people rarely get physical, unless you somehow end up involved with the wrong kind of kids — in which case get an adult involved if you do not feel safe or are bullied harshly.

Many high schools offer freshmen some sort of mentoring program to jump start their high school experience, so make sure you check out what your school has to offer before the school year starts.

3. Everyone drives a wicked cool car in high school

This is one of those high school myths which comes from just about every teen movie ever made. the trith is, not everyone comes to school in their own personal Benz or Mustang GT — most of the cars in the parking lot probably belong to the teachers or the staff.

Unless your parents got bucks, the usual way you get your first car is that you finish school, get a job and then get your own car, even if its a jalopy. Do not expect your parents to buy you a car automatically when you turn 16, and do not enter high school thinking you need a ride to impress people.

If you want to impress people, impress them with your talents and your personality.

4. Appearance is the key to acceptance

Yes, it is true that we become more aware of our sense of style and fashion in the high school years, but it certainly doesn’t mean you have to be on some sort of a bandwagon — even though Instagram tends to show otherwise!

It helps to look presentable and take care of your grooming, because that is just polite and also makes you feel good, but your style or the label on your clothing is not the key to your social life. Within a couple of weeks after school starts everyone gets so busy with exams, projects and other stuff that people hardly pay attention to what other people are wearing.

So no need to fret over what to wear every morning, just follow what is your true style or whatever you are in the mood for.

5. These are the best years of my life

A lot of teens enter high school thinking these are supposed to be the best years of their lives and they should live it up as much as they can before its all over. Boy, can this high school myth wreck your attitude when things don’t quite go that way.

Also, just because everyone seems to be dating, doesn’t mean you have to be in any hurry…because the best years are still to come. Your thirties and forties will be way better than this, believe me.

These are the years to make mistakes and not take things too seriously. I was so nervous about “being trapped” that I ended up being in an open relationship. I thought with this “no strings attached” kind of thing going I would be happy and free, but the truth is I ended up being miserable and multiple commitments even effected my grades. It was immoral, and I knew it, and regretted it.

High school can be a different sort of an experience for everyone. You shouldn’t enter high school with too many preconceived ideas. It is the best time to explore yourself, and what options you have for the future. Your college admission also depends on what you do in this time, so sacrifice a little here by hitting the books and it should pay off in the best years of your life later.

6. The only thing that matters is my grades

Another of the high school myths which should be debunked here is that teens often think “I don’t need to participate in extra-curricular activities; I should just focus on my grades.” This statement is completely false.

Colleges and Universities always look for well-rounded applicants. Even if you are the smartest kid in your school academically, colleges will debate whether they should accept you or not just because you did not participate in any extracurricular activities. Even without college plans, extracurricular activities teach you so much more than what books can. You get to learn patience, persistence and discipline, as well as develop artistically, athletically, and/or spiritually. These are desirable qualities and part of your life education, so do not focus only on your grades, but try something new to expand your horizons.

7. There is a gang of kids drinking, smoking and/or and doing drugs in every bathroom

I was terrified of entering bathrooms when I first went to high school, because nearly every movie I have ever seen shows a bunch of tough looking kids in leather jackets that hang out in bathrooms all day ready to beat nerds up in between drags of their cigarette or swigs of beer — or smoking weed and being stupid.

While you may encounter a few kids here and there being naughty, this is rare. And definitely not like what you see in the movies. In fact, if teens are going to misbehave, they usually do it far away from teachers — meaning they wait until after school on their way home.

8. I don’t have to worry about the SAT or ACT until Senior year

Many students believe since they need their standardized test results just before they need to apply for college of their choice; they should wait until the very end to even think about these tests. Actually the earlier you prepare for your ACT and/or SAT exams, the better off you will be. There are plenty of resources for taking practice tests, study guides, and more online which will help you prepare. It is better to take the SATs as early as possible, as it gives you more time to restudy and retake the test for better scores.

This comes from personal experience.

9. I must strive to shine like a lone star

Another very interesting myth that is sometimes manifested is that the lone star shines the brightest. In truth, teens need to learn the importance of teamwork and getting along with people.

When working together, sometimes team members become competitive and try to outshine each other or focus only on their part in the project. There has been a paradigm shift in the corporate culture over the past few years. Every company now looks for a team player and wants to see how well you will blend in. Therefore, it is very important to participate in all sorts of group activities. High school is one of the best times to get exposed to the concept and don’t become an anti-social jerk just because “nobody gets me.” What are YOU doing that is making you so hard to “get?”

So, whenever you are part of a group don’t just focus on yourself and sulk in a corner or try to dominate: see how you can contribute to the success of the whole team.

10. I must lose my virginity in high school

No you don’t. You also don’t need to do so in college either. The truth is, there are no 100 percent, across the boards rules about this. Instead, it kind of depends on your upbringing, your parent’s guidance, your cultural background, your religious beliefs, and even what part of the country you live in. Mots of all, it depends on your gut, and what makes your comfortable in accordance with the previous factors.

The point is…there is no rush.

So there you have it. High school is what you make of it, and hopefully you will get to know yourself much better. It is a phase where some of the lessons you learn will stay with you for life, so do not let these high school myths spoil your experience for you.

5 Stupid Driving Habits You Shouldn’t Do (Even If They’re Not Illegal)

Stupid driving habits can cost you. An auto accident occurs on U.S. roads every five seconds, resulting in more than six million crashes every year, according to Driver Knowledge. Many of these accidents cause considerable, life-altering damages for the individuals involved, with approximately three million injuries resulting. Sadly, 6% of those accidents, or about 90 per day, resulting in death. There is always an element of danger when driving a ton of metal on the roadways, but there are many precautions that can alleviate some of your risks. Whether or not illegal, vow to avoid dangerous activities when driving and keep yourself, those in the vehicle with you, and other drivers and pedestrians on the roads safe.

Playing Overly Loud Music

It may seem a bit silly, its a stupid driving habit to blast music beyond reasonable levels. Keep the music at a reasonable volume. It’s perfectly fine to turn on your favorite tunes and may even make the drive a little more tolerable. However, excessive decibels can damage your hearing and may result in a disturbing the peace ticket from law enforcement according to WEAU News. Excessive noise prevents you from hearing car horns and other important sounds that could potentially prevent an automobile accident. Not only that, but they’ve found that the louder the music in a car is, the more likely the driver is to speed or perform other dangerous actions. Keep the volume reasonable when driving!

Looking at Cell Phones or GPS

Looking at your cell phone is off-limits when driving and is probably the worst of the stupid driving habits. Texting while driving is illegal in many cities and states, just like talking on the cell while driving. According to Craig Swapp, “The list of possible driving distractions seems to grow every day. From cell phones to GPS systems, distractions in the car drastically increase the chance of accidents. If a driver was distracted when he or she caused your accident, he or she can be held legally responsible.” If something critical comes up while driving, then pull over in the nearest parking lot or onto the shoulder of the road to check your phone. The few minutes that it takes to pull over to check your phone can save a life!

Distracted by Passengers

When friends are in the car with you, make sure they aren’t too rowdy. It is hard to imagine that your friends and their happy moods could be dangerous, but if it becomes too distracting to focus on driving and the road, that is very well the scenario. Ensure everyone in the car is cool, calm, and collected before arriving at your destination and keep everyone safe!

Applying Makeup or Getting Dressed

It may seem a little over the top, but there are many people every day who get dressed in some way while driving to work or school. NPR states that, “27% of teens admit to sometimes changing clothes, putting on shoes, putting on makeup, changing out contact lenses, and even doing homework behind the wheel.” This is frankly unacceptable due to how distracted such actions can be. All it takes is one wrong action, and lives can be irreversibly changed or lost. Being a couple minutes late to work, class, or whatever else you’re going to is worth safety.

Driving While Tired or Drowsy

Never get behind the wheel of a car and drive if you’re sleepy or tired. In many places drowsy driving is considered illegal, but it’s not illegal everywhere. That being said, a study by the National Sleep Foundation found that drowsy driving and drunk driving are very similar in regards to reaction time and making the best choices in the event of a reaction needing to occur. Even though it may not be illegal it can be incredibly dangerous for yourself, others in the car with you, and other drivers on the road.

Check out some of our other articles on similar subjects!

5 Things You Should Do Immediately Following a Car Accident

How to Conquer Your Fear of the Freeway: Driving Tips for the Fast Lane

Fatal Mistake: 5 Driving Mistakes that Could Get You Killed

What Does My Dream Mean? Read This to Learn 5 Common Dream Symbols

Dreams are the mind’s way of sorting through your waking experiences and helping your brain to process thoughts and feelings. In a way, you can think of it like defragmenting a computer disk: your brain needs time to rest, file away information, and store its memories. This is why getting enough sleep is so important for your health and memory.

However, dreams are also filled with symbolism. There are many recurring themes that appear in dreams, and understanding what they mean can help you to have better insight into your life and future. Some dream symbolism comes from your subconscious mind connecting patterns that you might not see while you’re awake. Some may even have a more mystical and unexplained origin. Whatever the case, here are five of the most common types of dreams you might experience and what they could mean.

Being Naked in Public

A common dream motif is being naked or partially naked in public. It often manifests as a normal dream about going through your mundane routine before realizing that you’re not wearing any clothes. You might be talking to a crush, giving a presentation in front of the class, or walking through the mall when you suddenly realize that you’re not dressed.

For most people, being naked in a dream is a symbol of vulnerability and exposure. It may happen when you are stressed or worried about the outcome of something, especially an event that could affect your social standing. You might be worried about how others see you and that you’re not living up to their expectations. It may also be a sign that you live with an outward projection or mask and that you fear that mask slipping, enabling people to see the real you.

Flying

Dreams of flying and falling are some of the most commonly experienced. The sensation of falling is common in the early stages of sleep as your brain begins to disconnect from your body and prepares for its nightly journey through your subconscious. In some cases, that falling sensation might jolt you awake. Other people may move seamlessly from falling into flying, and those dreams can be joyfully adventurous.

Flying dreams are powerful because they create a sensation of freedom and mobility. You may feel yourself soaring high over the ground and enjoying weightlessness and freedom. Most people find flying dreams to be extremely enjoyable, and the symbolism they contain is similarly pleasant.

Flying may symbolize happiness, joy, freedom, and self-fulfillment. Dreaming about flying could mean that you are content with your life and feel empowered to make the right choices to support your happiness.

Death

Dreams about dying can be frightening, but they are also a common motif among dreamers. You may dream about your funeral or of the aftermath of your death. You may also dream of the act of dying itself, whether from natural or violent means. Many people wake up before they die in a dream, but others will dream through the entire process.

If you dream about dying, don’t be alarmed. The idea that dying in a dream means that you will die in real life is nothing more than an old wives’ tale. In general, death is often a symbol of change or of something ending in your waking life. You should view death in a dream as symbolic of change, transition or the death of the status quo, not a literal death. In the sense that they can signal transition and new beginnings, death dreams can actually be symbols of good fortune!

Being Chased

Another common nightmare motif is the feeling of being chased or pursued, often by unseen enemies or monsters. You may run through what seems to be a maze or an endless environment. These dreams can be exhausting to wake from and may leave you feeling tired throughout the day.

Being chased in a dream is often a manifestation of anxiety from your waking life. It’s an especially strong symbol for responsibilities that you’re avoiding or things you don’t want to confront head-on. When you have unfinished business that needs to be addressed, like a college application you’ve procrastinated on or an important chore you’re avoiding, that business can come for you in your sleep. Taking a hard look at the things you’ve left unfinished during the day can help you tackle these nightmares and sleep peacefully instead.

Failing a Class

A very common dream motif, especially among students, is of going to school only to realize that you’ve missed an important test or assignment and now are failing without realizing it. Another version of this dream is that you realize during midterms that you were enrolled in a class that you’ve never attended. In some cases, this dream might lead into a panicked and endless search through the school to find the class you’re supposed to be attending. These dreams can feel very realistic and leave you wondering whether they were true even after you wake up.

You might be surprised to learn that this dream is common even in older dreamers who haven’t been to school for years. That’s because the dream isn’t really about school as much as general stress. It’s a symbol of priorities that have been forgotten or left on the back burner. It’s also a symbol for the loss of control or feeling like you can’t get everything done that you need to. Taking a hard look at your priorities and schedule can help you find places where important things have been ignored or shuffled aside. Taking steps to bring balance to your schedule will alleviate some stress and keep these dreams from coming back.

Of course, dreams and their interpretations can be as individual and personal as the people having them. If you’re interested in learning more about dream interpretation, it may help to begin keeping a dream journal and writing down your dreams as you have them. Journaling will help you to remember your dreams better and will also help you identify the trends.

References:

Car Accidents: What to Do, and What Not to Do

Being involved in a car accident can range in their severity. Sometimes they can be simple and easy to resolve, more of an inconvenience than anything else. Other times, unfortunately, can be a much more traumatic experience. Car collision accidents are quite common today and chances are particularly high that you have been involved in such an accident in the past, or will be in one in the future. According to DKB LLP, “here is a list of some of the most common factors that lead to car wrecks: improper lane changing, failure to yield, texting while driving, speeding, distracted driving, poor road conditions, roadside construction sites, and defective car or motorcycle parts.” That’s quite a lot of small actions that can lead to terrible consequences.

Whether you are the one at fault, or the other motorist is to blame, many people do not know how to respond or act in the period after the collision. One of the most critical elements that you need to know when responding to accidents revolves around reacting well under pressure that comes with the thought of the damage, losses, and injuries that you may have suffered in the accident. It is important, therefore, to know the appropriate actions to take or not to take after a crash.

Stop your car and get out

The first thing that you should do after getting engaged in an accident is stopping your car. NOLO cautions that it is a crime, in almost all countries in the world, to drive off in the aftermath of an accident, irrespective of how minor it may be. After stopping, get out of the car and reach out to the other party that was involved in the collision. Staying in the car could pose additional risks upon your life as a car may explode into flames due to the flammable vapors that spill out of the fuel tank. Reaching out to the other party to determine their condition would help save their lives in case they have been badly injured.

Guard the scene and call the police

If the accident has occurred in the middle of the road, chances are that other motorists would not get to see the wrecks on time to avoid further collisions. It is therefore essential to guard the scene by taking numerous steps including setting the hazard signals on, lighting some flares and placing the lifesavers appropriately on the front and rear of the wrecks. This prevents further accidents by warning other motorists. After setting up, reach out to your phone and call the police on 911 to report your location, injuries, and other details that the police may inquire from you. This sets the police and ambulance on their way to attend to the accident. And according to Lawyers.com, this helps make the police report clearer and easier to use in the future.

Preserve evidence appropriately

The next measure you need to take involves protecting whatever evidence possible from the scene. DMV.org suggests, you can do this by taking pictures of the position of the two cars involved in the accident, taking a close photo of each of the cars to reveal the extents of damage, and the presence of any tire skid marks on the tarmac. Also, in case you have a car dashboard camera, take it and save the last few seconds leading up to the crash. Such evidence ensures that the police are appropriately advised on what happened and who was at fault.

Report to the insurance company

Make a phone call to your insurance company to inform them of the accident and brief them accordingly on any proceedings or evaluations from the police on site. The Balance explains, filing your claims with immediacy ensures that the insurance company can secure for you medical treatment arrangements to ensure that you are treated and released on time. It also sets in place the process of securing post-accident activities such as car repairs or reimbursement. The police would also write you a report which you can take to the insurance company for a follow-up on insurance claims, depending on the insurance company policies and the package you have secured.

You should not, however, settle for any payments made by the other party relating to the accident. This is because the payments may fall below the repair requirements that would be required of your car. You should also avoid signing any agreements or reports other than that which would be provided by the police.

Any accident scene can be scary and pose an immense pressure on you. Reacting well under pressure is perhaps the most important attribute that you should employ under such conditions. Under composure, you would be able to act accordingly to give the authorities an easy time to process the scene and issue a verdict.

If you’re looking for some more information, check out some of our other articles on similar topics from our blog! You can find those here and here.

Small Things, Big Consequences

Ever hear ‘A stitch in time saves nine’ or ‘It’s the little things that matter’? You know you could have fixed that little rip in your fav T-shirt and regretted later that you didn’t stitch it up before it made the entire shirt into something you could only wear to bed. There are, however, some seemingly small daily details that can produce very unfortunate outcomes when ignored too long.

“It Doesn’t Really Matter If I Skip Brushing Sometimes, Does It?”

Even when you don’t eat very much on a given day, bacteria still flourish in your mouth and eat away at your tooth enamel. Once that enamel is worn down enough, the interior of your teeth is under constant attack. The only thing standing between your teeth and that bacteria is your regular practice of brushing, flossing and rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash, combined with regular dental care. Leaving all those food particles on your teeth leads to plaque formation, cavities and ultimately, many reasons a root canal may be necessary. Root canals are never a pleasant experience and almost always are a far more expensive process than the simple practice of keeping your mouth clean on the regular.

“80 Percent of Sun Damage Occurs Before Age 18, So Why Worry About It Now?”

Wrong! Try 25 percent, which means the earlier you begin protecting your skin with good quality sunscreens, the less likely that you will be dealing with the damage associated with cumulative sun exposure, such as skin cancer (melanoma), wrinkles, thinning skin, dark spots, and ‘broken’ capillary veins on the skin.

“What’s So Important About A Good Night’s Sleep?”

Getting your daily rest is more important than most of us realize. When we are genuinely exhausted, it can lead to such serious issues as heart disease, lowered immune response, inflammation, erratic moods and inappropriate behavior, forgetfulness, and irritability. Cutting your sleep short over time can contribute to things like poor motivation, being unable to crush it at the gym, and an irresistible craving for high-fat, high-carbohydrate foods, due in part to a rise in cortisol, the stress hormone. Chances are, you’re staying up late because you’re looking at your phone, which can add a whole bunch of other issues as well.

To avoid all these significant problems, try this simple recipe: good dental hygiene, sunscreen SPF 30, and seven hours of sleep a night. For more health tips, check out our other articles!

Dr. Luke/Kesha drama shows how the News can be used as a weapon

In the world, money and power can cause people to behave poorly. Its hard to accept when adults tell young people to behave and be decent, honest people when adults display terrible behavior all the time — even so called role models like pop stars, attorneys, and news outlets.

The Dr. Luke/ Ke$ha drama which has played out in the media is a great example. Now, I don’t have a clue about Dr. Luke’s treatment of artists and the truth of the matter. The point of this article is to show how when powerful people in show business and the media want to destroy someone, they can coordinate and do so by putting out “news” that tells the story they want you to believe. They play with your emotions so you feel sympathy, even though they themselves might be guilty of doing wrong themselves (like Asia Argento, one of the leaders of the #metoo movement who supposedly sexually abused a 17 year old boy herself. Kind of a hypocrite maybe?)

Image: Mingle Media TV – https://www.flickr.com/photos/minglemediatv/14651683346

Here is a statement from Dr. Luke’s legal team regarding the Kesha matter. Notice how, in the screenshots of the emails provided, there was no mention of getting justice for Ke$ha for supposedly being raped, but it was all about destroying Dr. Luke. I will leave it up to you to decide whether everything you heard about this case in the news, and all the crying and performances and all that was all just smoke and mirrors or whether it was true. But here is some evidence that maybe shows there was more behind the story than we were told. TEENS HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WHO THEY BELIEVE–YOU ARE THE FUTURE!

The statement follows in full:

——————————

In 2014, Kesha filed a bogus Complaint against Dr. Luke – which she has voluntarily dismissed – falsely claiming that he drugged and raped her in 2005. Now, after four years of litigation, it is Dr. Luke’s defamation claim that remains. Evidence is now publicly available to show that Kesha’s Complaint was filed pursuant to a “Press Plan” and PR media blitz, designed to create the maximum negative public pressure on Dr. Luke in order to get him to give in to her contract demands.

Having done all of the damage publicizing her false claim of rape for years, Kesha now has asked Dr. Luke to not speak publicly about the evidence just being revealed… even though this is the first time Dr. Luke has the opportunity to do so with some of the actual facts. Ironic, indeed.

This is the true story Kesha did not want you to know.

By 2012, Kesha was a superstar with smash-hit records and huge success working with Dr. Luke. That year, Kesha wanted a new deal, and demanded more money and better contract terms.

When Dr. Luke did not agree to her contract terms, Kesha maliciously plotted to destroy Dr. Luke’s business and reputation to pressure him to give in. Kesha’s powerful managers, Jack Rovner and Ken Levitan, along with Irving Azoff, discussed in emails their “jihad” to “ruin” Dr. Luke “in the press” and “take down his business”. These documents obtained in litigation speak for themselves:

By 2014, Kesha was ramping up, changing entertainment lawyers and hiring litigator Mark Geragos to threaten Luke. They orchestrated a plan to create further pressure on Dr. Luke to change the terms of her deal. Kesha’s team created a self-titled “Press Plan” to give TMZ a Complaint accusing Dr. Luke of rape – which would thereafter be filed publicly. Kesha hoped that Luke – faced with these scandalous accusations – would promptly cave to her wishes. Kesha did not expect to have to prove her claim of rape – as she could not.

In the “Press Plan”, Kesha’s team embarked upon a self-described mission to “incit[e] a deluge of negative media attention and public pressure” to achieve the “maximum amount of negative publicity” against Dr. Luke. Kesha fought to conceal these documents in Luke’s defamation case, but she lost. These documents also speak for themselves.

What really happened on the night of October 5, 2005:

Kesha and Dr. Luke each attended a birthday party for Nicky Hilton at a nightclub in Hollywood, followed by an after-party at Paris Hilton’s home.

Kesha admits she voluntarily had at least four drinks while partying. Because she drank too much, she got sick, and threw up in Paris Hilton’s closet. Kesha was kicked out of the after-party because of her behavior. Dr. Luke was asked to help bring Kesha out of the party. As an act of kindness and to help Kesha, since Kesha had just vomited and was intoxicated, he escorted her out and offered to allow her to sleep in his hotel suite, which was only a few blocks away. Kesha slept on the bed in the hotel suite, while Dr. Luke separately slept on the couch. Dr. Luke testified, under oath and in great detail, that he did not have any sexual or physical contact with Kesha.

Kesha herself now testifies that she has absolutely no memory of engaging in any sexual activity with Dr. Luke or even of Dr. Luke being in the hotel room that night. Kesha has no memory of Dr. Luke engaging in inappropriate contact because it did not happen.

In her bogus Complaint against Dr. Luke, Kesha falsely claimed that Dr. Luke gave her a so-called “sober pill” supposedly causing her to “black-out”. She also claimed she told her mother about allegedly being drugged right away, in 2005. Her mother, however, testified Kesha did not tell her about any supposed “sober pills” until 2013/2014. That was when Kesha had begun plotting the press plan and lawsuit and threatening Dr. Luke to go public with her false rape allegations. Dr. Luke testified that he did not give Kesha any kind of drug that night.

The next day, Dr. Luke woke up on the couch and left the hotel suite, while Kesha kept sleeping on the bed. After waking up, Kesha spent hours in the hotel suite and even ordered room service.

Other critical documents and testimony remain under seal at Kesha’s insistence. When released, they will further reveal the fiction that Kesha created.

Kesha used to tell the truth about what happened on this night.

In a 2010 interview, Kesha recounted how she threw up in Paris Hilton’s closet due to mixing champagne, whiskey, and sushi.

Shortly after the night in question, Kesha and her mother co-wrote a zany comedy song about that night titled “Paris Hilton’s Closet.” That the Seberts made light of that night speaks volumes about what actually happened.

In 2011, Kesha was sued by a former manager and both Kesha and her mother testified in that case. They were each asked under oath about Kesha’s relationship with Dr. Luke, and their testimony establishes that Dr. Luke never made any sexual advance to Kesha – let alone raped her.

The truth about Katy Perry that Kesha didn’t want you to know….

The false narrative Kesha created about being raped became widely accepted, damaging Dr. Luke’s reputation irreparably. Compounding this malicious act, in 2016, Kesha told Lady Gaga that Dr. Luke raped Katy Perry, which is outrageous and untrue. Katy Perry testified under oath in this case that Dr. Luke never raped her. Regardless, Kesha refused to apologize. Instead, she issued a press release which again irresponsibly suggested that Katy Perry was actually raped by Dr. Luke. It seems that Kesha wanted to perpetuate the falsehood that Dr. Luke raped Katy Perry.

There is nothing worse than abuse and sexual assault. Dr. Luke supports any woman or man who seeks to address sexual abuse in the legal system. That is not what happened here. It is also horrendous to falsely accuse someone of a heinous act. That is what has happened here. Kesha’s voluntarily dismissed rape claim has caused great harm to Dr. Luke, his family, and his businesses.

What do you think? Was there a deliberate campaign by powerful people to ruin Dr. Luke that had nothing to do with sexually assaulting anyone?

Understanding The Opioid Crisis And Why It’s a Big Deal

You might have heard about the ongoing opioid crisis and the devastation it’s had on communities across America. However, if you don’t know someone coping with opioid addiction, it can be difficult to realize the immense toll it takes on people. This information will help you understand the opioid crisis better.

Prescription Gateway

When you think of opioids, you might just think of heroin. However, many opioids are given as legal prescriptions by doctors. What often occurs is patients will be given strong painkillers following a significant injury. They will develop a dependence on these substances but be unable to keep taking them when their prescription runs out. So, they will turn to use heroin, which seems affordable but becomes more expensive the further they come to rely on it. Over-prescribing of pain medications is definitely a factor in the current opioid epidemic.

Getting Clean

Getting sober from opioids can be incredibly difficult. Dependence can shape an addict’s mind and body in the worst ways. It is definitely possible to get sober, but it needs to be done responsibly and with medical supervision. There are two treatments right now, methadone and suboxone, what’s the different? Methadone primarily helps with opioid addictions (as well as chronic pain), while suboxone helps with opioid dependence. Deciding between methadone vs suboxone (big difference in volume) is, of course, going to be up to the attending physician.

A Fatal Disease

There were approximately 64,000 deaths due to drug overdoses in 2016. Of that number, over half can be contributed to opioids. Opioid addiction isn’t just a matter of being well or unwell. It’s a matter of life and death. The number of people who die from opioids is unquestionably significant.

It Can Happen To Anyone

When you don’t know anyone experiencing opioid addiction, it can be easy to distance yourself from it. It’s important to remember that no one plans to become addicted to opioids and that addiction can happen to anyone. It doesn’t discriminate based on age, race, gender, or class. Take a moment to think about the people you know and love. It could be family members, friends, or coworkers. People just like them are dealing with opioid addiction.

Even if you have never dealt with opioid addiction, it’s important to understand the dramatic effects of this disease. With this knowledge, you can help your peers focus instead on health and fitness by reminding them of the impact of the opioid crisis in American today. Remember this information and just how severely addiction can take over someone’s life.

References:

Right Path Addiction Treatment Center

The New York Times

Health Line

What Do Colleges Look at In High School Students?

High school is a time for students to get serious about their future. If they are planning on getting into a good college, they need to start the process of looking for one as early as the ninth grade. However, what do colleges look at in high school students? It is conduct, grades, and career goals.

Having Good Conduct

Having good behavior is important. When an Ivy League university looks into your background and transcripts, it needs to be squeaky clean. There should be no suspensions, assaults, theft, or even arrests sitting on your records. Some colleges may accept you, but a prestigious university will not. Your arrest record might not be something that may come up in college admissions talk often, but it’s highly critical for your future success in higher education. Practice safe driving, if you need to

Extracurriculars

To be a well-rounded student, you need have been involved in other things than just school. Whether it’s a sport or some sort of artistic activity, it’s going to look good on your applications. If you’re not big on either of those types of activities, and want to highlight your leadership abilities, look at starting a club (particularly one focusing on bettering the lives of others or serving a community). You should also look into student council and being a member of the honor society. These might not seem as significant as your grades or the classes you take, but they show that you are above the rest.

Having A Good Grade Point Average

The Honor roll is the most important reward a high school student really should attain to achieve. Not only should you make the honor roll, but you should also stay there. Being valedictorian, salutatorian, magna cum laude, and cum laude can help you get good scholarships. That means less student loan debt, if any, to deal with. It is always good to check your high school ranking and improve upon it as much as possible.

If you’re wanting to go to an Ivy League, you’ll need perfect grades. They have the best degree programs and only want the students who are top achievers attending their schools.

Choosing Career Goals

Whatever your career goals are, there is a university to match them. There are schools that have excellent nursing programs and internships available to help you get that high paying job you want if you know that you want to do that. So knowing what your career goals can help you save money in the future, and help you make a more specific college choice, as not all the top colleges will have the best programs for your specific goals.

At the end of the day, try your best at school, get good grades, and keep out of trouble.

References and Resources:

My Experience with Adderall as a Teen

Growing up I had what appeared to be the picture perfect family. I lived in a beautiful home in the suburbs of Detroit with both of my parents and my younger brother Brandon. I was given every opportunity in the world, attended private schools, and was on the honor roll. I was also involved in dance, theatre, and many of the schools sports teams. Being the first of twelve grandchildren I always felt a lot of pressure to be perfect and to be the best at everything I did which gave me terrible anxiety from about the age of five.

When I was 15, the perfect little world I thought I was living in was shattered into a million pieces. My mom told me that her and my dad were getting divorced. Due to a court order, we all lived under the same roof for the next year until the divorce was finalized. During my Junior year of High School I switched to a public school for the first time. I had no idea where I fit into any part of my life or where I belonged. I felt absolutely lost and had no control over anything around me. At the time the only thing I could control in my life was food. I began restricting my eating and, later realized, that this was the beginning of my battle with an eating disorder.

I had always stayed away from using drugs or drinking because I knew it would interfere with school and extracurricular activities. Even though my friends all drank, I was adamant that was not the road I was going to go down. Everything changed New Years Eve when I gave in and had my first drink. I do not remember much from that night except getting violently sick up until the next morning. I absolutely hated the way alcohol tasted, but it took me out of myself and the chaos around me in that moment. My grades began to plummet, I was skipping school and getting in trouble at home. My mom had no idea what to do with me.

Towards the end of that year, I had a final paper due in my English class that I was struggling to finish it in time. A girl in my class offered me one of her Adderall and told me it would help me. I had no idea what Adderall was or what it was used for, I just knew I needed to finish my paper or I would not pass the class… so I took it. I had no idea the impact on my life that one moment, that one decision would make. I stayed up all night writing my paper and went to school the next day without getting any sleep still fueled by the drug I had taken. I felt completely out of my mind. I was talking too much and too fast, I couldn’t sit still, my anxiety was through the roof, and my entire body hurt.

The next day when I woke up I was absolutely exhausted and very depressed so I asked my friend for another Adderall. This became my life and within a couple of weeks I was buying them off of other students and realized how many of my classmates were also abusing these “study pills”. Buying them was getting too expensive at the rate I was taking them so I found a doctor who I convinced I had ADHD and would prescribe them for me. I had convinced myself that because they were a prescription medication it was ok, man was I so incredibly wrong.

At first I thought it solved all of my problems in life. For me though I would take so many I would be up for days at a time trying to get everything “just perfect”, only to completely crash for days after, falling into a deep depression. This cycle continued over and over again for months and it became very clear to everyone around me that I had a problem. I was not sleeping or eating. I was 5’7 and had dropped down to just 95 lbs. I looked sick. My brain was completely fried due to the lack of sleep. Because my assignments no longer made sense, my grades plummeted.

My life was in shambles and I was on the verge of not being able to graduate High School. I knew I needed help, but didn’t know how to ask for it. I had lost all of my friends, and pushed my entire family away. My anxiety and depression were unbearable and I just didn’t want to go on. I was in complete despair, lost in the world, and my addiction.

When I was 17 I attempted to take my own life because I did not see any other way out. I thank God every day that he saved me and showed me a new way of life. I entered a dual diagnosis treatment center that summer where I learned about the disease of addiction and began to heal. Through AA and the support of everyone around me I began to put my life back together as a young person in sobriety. I could not have done this without the strong women of AA who took me in and loved me until I could love myself. I began working with a sponsor who took me through the twelve steps of the program. Through prayer and mediation I found a God of my understanding, and turned my will and my life over to him. Through this my obsession to use, and my anxiety and depression I had been fighting my entire life was lifted. I was happy and healthy in mind, body, and spirit for the first time in my life!

That following school year I was able finish my senior year of high school and was accepted into college. I went on to earn my bachelors in Elementary Education and have been teaching first grade for 6 years now… all in sobriety. I do not want to say any of it was easy, especially getting sober at such a young age, but it was all so worth it! My passion in life is to now help others, especially teens who are struggling, and to tell them there is another way of life. A beautiful, happy, and healthy life in sobriety!

Crystal Hampton, 29 years old, with 5 years sober.

I work for Recovery Local, a digital marketing company that advocates spreading awareness on the disease of addiction. Our company was founded by and staffed with recovering addicts cultivating recovery resources through sharing our own experience, strength, and hope.