Earth Day

Earth Day! from Chad Bruns on Vimeo.

Tara and Austin give you the inside scoop on what you can do to help our Earth on all the Earth Days to come! We also tell you the history behind Earth Day.

Let The Sunshine In! (Spring Fever)

Let The Sunshine In! from Chad Bruns on Vimeo.

With winter's last gasping, dying breath, spring made it's grand appearance this week. What does HCHS think of this recent seasonal change? Danielle and Kelsey explore this thought in this video...

Cruelty: It's What's For Breakfast?

Ask a vegan "why" and you could receive many potential answers. One may give you facts: For instance, most vegans ban eggs because of how they are retreived-- chickens live on farms with bad conditions, and their day and night cycles are forced unnaturally to double their production. Another might tell you it is part of their religious beliefs. You may get abstract answers about souls and 'happy food', or, my least favorite, one may answer that being vegan is a trend. But at the root of all of these reasons is a general belief that the comsumption of animal or animal byproducts is somehow unethical.

I've grown up in smalltown Harlan for most of my life. My stepfather and brother hunt every animal around and kill rabbits if they get into the garden. I am surrounded completely by friends and family who eat meat. There are deer heads and stuffed turkeys strewn about my family room. When I decided two years ago to become a vegetarian, it was a struggle; my family had no problem mentioning their distaste of it, I found it to be an inconvenience if I wasn't cooking for myself, and, to be honest, part of me still wanted the meat. For 16 years, I had eaten animal almost daily, and my body was addicted. Since that first decision, I have fluctuated many times between vegetarian, vegan, and what my little sister calls "human eating" (not to say that I eat humans but, rather, I eat as a normal human being would.) When I went on my trip to Argentina, many of my group members and my leader were from the east coast, and they noted that I was an "apologetic vegetarian," which I explained through my Iowan homelife mentioned above.

This time, though, things are different. I have been eating vegan since January 4, 2010 with thorough dedication and I do not see myself ever going back to "human eating" again. The differences? I believe in solid morals that keep me obligated, I got past the two-week want-to-eat-everything-I-crave phase, and now my tastes have changed according to what I eat.

I am asked a lot if eating vegan is difficult, but with desire, it is not! I get all of the nutrients that I need either through vitamin pills or more preferably by the food that I eat (I eat much healthier than pretty much anyone I know.) My stomach doesn't feel like it needs such large portions of food, and I only eat when I'm hungry, rather than for emotional reasons. I did lose about seven pounds during the first month, but the weight loss has stopped at a healthy number. These days, one can substitute just about any ingredient for a vegan one, and there are whole restaurants, recipe books, and grocery stores supporting the lifestyle. In the photos are a few examples of things I can't eat and their vegan replacements: milk exchanged for soy milk (rice, almond and coconut milk also available), butter for dairyless margarine, meat for a black bean burger (soy and veggie also available, as a well as a tofu version of about every type of meat), and pancake breakfast exchanged for an organic cereal with some protein I need.

Though one can make at least one order on any menu vegan, it's more enjoyable for me to go to new restaurants or grocery stores in the city. My favorites are McFoster's Kind Cafe and Whole Foods Market in Omaha, both of which specializing in organic and vegan food. It is no coincidence that these vendors and consumers are also the ones cutting down on environmentally-harming excess packaging. I enjoy giving my support to companies who are out to improve the condition of the world.

I would never press my beliefs on anyone, but I would definitely encourage anyone who is interested to try veganism. It is something you have to go into seriously to be successful, but the rewards can be incredible. Have you ever thought about becoming a vegetarian or vegan? Know someone who is? Leave your comments about the issue here!

Riding Along...

When you're drivig to school, are you driving alone? Or are your friends tagging along in the passenger seats? Hopefully your car is full and you have no room for anyone else! While carpooling may be a hassle for some, it's a very 'green' thing to do.
Whether it's to school, work, a game, whatever, carpooling can save everyone big bucks on gas. With pollution in the world on the rise, carpooling is an easy way to be clean, and still drive your hot-rod. If just one car is 'pooled' it will act as if four less cars were on the road, therefore, less gas is being emitted into the atmosphere. If you don't have your own car, you can always hop in your friends', and save your parents the trouble of getting you where you need to be, while helping make the earth cleaner!
There are more than a enough advantages to carpooling, but here are a few. It saves money on the cost of gas, parking, tolls, tires, and repairing of vehicles over time. Another advantage is that it would lessen traffic, making trips faster and cutting fuel costs even more. Many people use their driving time as personal time to be alone and let stress go, while others don't like the quietness and get enjoyment from other people being in the car.
Although carpooling is a great way to help the planet, there are a few disadvantages to it, that are sometimes deal-breakers. It can sometimes put you in a difficult position, such as if the driver or another passenger is a smoker. It may lead to social conflicts if the passengers don't get along. Carpooling takes away from personal time in the car on your way to work, school, etc. Carpooling also leaves you with no time to run errands, or make short unexpected trips, as you are dependant on the driver. It could also create a problem because some people would rather get to their destination 15 minutes early, rather than 2 minutes before they need to be there. It can cause stress with time if your passengers are late some mornings, which in turn would make the whole group behind for the day.
So, carpooling; yes or no? It's a personal decision, and if you're willing to put up with some stress, in the long run, it's probably worth it. You save money, help the planet, and gain friends. It's all up to you and what you want to do to help the earth!

Community Service Day 2009

A video by June and Ranae showcasing all the kind hearts that volunteered their time to the community.

Untitled from Chad Bruns on Vimeo.

Summer Escape

This is a short video just to get your mind off winter for a while.

HCHS Recycling

Recyclying happens everyday and is more important now then ever. We show how the recyling gets done in the high school and whos behind it all.

Global Warming-Andrew

Global Warming PSA

7th Hour Brian F., Brian W., Joe, Tyler, Mason

Current World Issues PSA

7th hour, Chelsy Petersen, Jonna Andersen, Kait Christensen

CFL Lightbulbs in Plain English

Global Warming

We have a 2007 Nissan Titan that runs on E85 and regular pump gas. Th E85 burns faster than regular pump gas but it cost less. E85 Ethanol also burns cleaner than gasoline so it is much more environmentally friendly than gasoline. We also use florescent bulbs that last 2 or 3 times longer then conventional bulbs, burn brighter, and don't use as much energy, which cuts energy cost and energy consumption. Recycling cans, plastic, and cardboard are also things we do to help lessen co2 emissions. We both think that Global Warming is happening because they know that it has happened in the past and that the Earth does it anyway, but that we are speeding up the process because of all the pollution we are creating.

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Lawrence2, Mario2

EternaLights, LLC. Flashlight Company

This is brace7 and Wehr7 reporting about a company in Shelby County. We are reporting on the subject of the flashlight company EternaLights, LLC.. This company is based near Kirkman, Iowa ,and is owned by Todd. This is an interview with him about the company and how it came about.
This is Brace7 and Wehr7 reporting on the Eternalights flashlight business.

Q. Did you establish this company, and why did you do this?
A. No, We bought an already established business. We bought it because we were impressed with the lights that he made and the business was for sale and the price was right.

Q. Where did the company originate from, and by whom was it started?
A. The company was originally established in Reno, Nevada and was formed by Tom who is an electrical engineer that has invented and designed several electronic devices and different types of LED flashlights.

Q. How long have you had this company?
A. We bought the business at the end of January, 2007.

Q. What are some of the company's flashlights names and prices?
A. The original model is called the "Ergo" and it sells for $39.99. After that comes the "Rave'n(2)" which is a multi-colored LED party light. It also sells for $39.99. Then there is the "ErgoMarine" that sells for $49.99. It is basically the same as the "Ergo", but it is yellow instead of black and it also floats because it uses Lithium batteries that are lighter than Alkaline batteries. Next is the "ErgoXRay" for $44.99. It is almost the same as the "Ergo", but it has a translucent case and a flashing blue internal LED so you can locate it in the dark. The most sophisticated model is called the "EliteMax". It has programmable functions and voltage regulation and it also uses the Lithium batteries so that it will float. It sells for $89.99 and that includes a magnet that can be installed into the case of the light and a Lanyard to carry it around your neck if you desire.

Q. What is the warranty on these lights?
A. They have a limited lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.

Q. Is there a website where I can go to learn more about or purchase one of these?
A. Yes, the website is www.eternalights.com.

This was brace7 and Wehr7 reporting now we're signing off.

brace7, wehr7

GLOBAL WARMING!! how hemp can help save the world

Cannabis sativa: also known as hemp, is one of the most productive plant known to man. it was grown by our founding fathers. Examples - George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew hemp, and Benjamin Franklin had a factory to produce hemp paper, and Jefferson drafted the Decleration of independance on hemp paper.

Hemp helped us in a time of need like when Manilla Hemp (fake hemp) was destroyed by the japanese in WW2
Hemp is a 15 foot plant that has long leaves that block out alot of the sun to surrounding and competing weeds, thus greatly reducing the amount of herbacides we use that are polluting our environment. It contains a a seed, or nut, that is high in nutritious values, and is pletifull. Alot of the birdseed that you may use contains the seed in it, but is neutralized, so it cant be regrown.
One big reason that it is believed that hemp isnt allowed in America is because it will nearly block out the wood companies completely, allowing us to save millions of trees and reduce the amount of carbon these factories produce. Hemp has fibres in it that are long and strong, and the paper made from hemp can be recycled many times more than wood based paper can be.
Hemp can completely displace cotton, because not only is it softer than cotton, but it doesnt need pesticides or herbacides for it to be grown. Over 50 percent of the worlds pestacides(which are deadly to humans) is sprayed on cotton. Hemp can be grown in almost any climate or condition in the world. Hemp can be produced into paper, textiles, building materials, food, medicine, paint, detergent, varnish, oil, ink, and fuel.
Fun Fact* the word canvas is derived from cannabis- Vincent Van Gough did alot of his work with hemp paper and hemp paint! also, an entire car has been produced and run from fuels made by hemp. Hemp can produce 3-8 dry tons of fibre per acre,this is four times the amount that wood can produce.
and now to the most important topic of all!---- THE HEALTH FACTS!!!
You see, hemp is closely related to marijuana, but contains very little of the chemical THC. THC is what gets you "high". but to get high off of hemp, one must smoke twenty to thirty hemp cigarettes in a very short amount of time.
If you try to eat hemp, it would be equivelint of taking 2 - 3 doses of high fiber laxatives. Also the nut contains polyunsaturated essential fatty acids (the "good" fats). It's quite high in some essential amino acids, including gamma linoleic acid (GLA), a very rare nutrient also found in mother's milk. Hemp clothing blocks out two times as much UV rays as any other cloth mass produced.Also, if hemp was made into cigarette form, it would still cut down on carbon production, because it has approximately 400 chemicals less than regular tobacco.
So now you know, Hemp can save the world. It can run our cars, save our oxygen, put clothes on our backs, and can replace over 25000 different high carbon producing products. Canada allows hemp, and look how well off they are doing! Save a tree, with hemp indeed!
by Jordan1, Morgan1, and Shane1

Global Warming

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There are many different kinds of ways to cut down on global warming. Brace7, Wehr7, and Wyzenski7 picked for this project to cut down CO2 emissions we need to stop driving big cars and start driving small engine vehicles and bicycles. This will cut down because the cars are not very efficient with all of the regulations and weight they carry but the small engine vehicles don't have very many regulations and are very light getting 30-40 mpg. That is a very big difference because the Suburban gets about 15 mpg. This should cut down on the emissions and make gas prices go down because these don't take as much gas and they get better gas mileage. This causes the supply to go up and the demand go down making gas prices drop considerable. The main problem with the small engine vehicles are that they don't protect the driver very well causing more fatal accidents. We could always build them better and stronger so we don't have this problem. This is how we plan to cut down on CO2 emissions and we thought this was a good plan.

Brace7, Wehr7, Wyzenski7

Global Warming

This is brooke, sadie, justin, and grant reporting on global warming. These are just a few of the many items you can do to help prevent global warming. You need to do your part to help stop it beacuse it is happening. Do your part to help our enviroment.

Global Warming

Conserving Energy is just another easy way to stop Global Warming. Here is a video to help get you started. Gabby7,Jordan7,Nick7,and Mellisa7.





Hope you liked it, remember it's not that hard to get started and every little bit helps.