HAWAII'S SCHOOLS
MARISA WATANABE / BALDWIN HIGH SCHOOL
According to the National Sleep Foundation, only about 20 percent of adolescents get an optimal amount of sleep. Here, senior Mariko Nagata dozes before class begins.
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Dreaming of sleep
Busy schedules have many teenagers fighting for the right to snooze
By Marisa Watanabe
Baldwin High School
Baldwin High School
Student Newspaper
Baldwin Courier
Faculty adviser
Linda Coleon
Editors
Kara Myers and Marisa Watanabe
Address
1650 Kaahumanu Ave., Wailuku, HI 96793
Principal
Natalie Gonsalves
Nickname
Bears
Enrollment
1,625
Faculty
130
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Teenagers don't seem to be getting enough sleep these days. Many have difficulty waking up for school, are continuously late for class and frequently yawn during the day. Some can't get through the day without drinking caffeinated beverages like coffee or cola. Others need to nap during the week for more than 45 minutes and sleep in for two hours or longer on the weekends.
As a result, high school students are often observed falling asleep in class and are irritable, depressed, anxious, easily angered and just plain exhausted without enough sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, only about 20 percent of adolescents get an optimal amount of sleep.
The National Sleep Foundation's 2006 Sleep in America Poll reports that more than half of teenagers feel too tired or sleepy during the day, and nearly half (45 percent) sleep less than eight hours each school night. This lack of sleep in adolescence grows with increasing age so that over the course of a week, high school seniors miss out on nearly 12 hours of needed sleep.
The importance of a good night's sleep
Eight tips teens should consider regarding sleep:
» Sleep is important and vital to health; get enough sleep, and get it when you need it.
» Be consistent, and create and follow a regular sleep schedule.
» Learn how much sleep you, as an individual, need to function at your best.
» Get into bright light as soon as possible in the morning; avoid it at night.
» Understand your circadian rhythm, and maximize your schedule according to your internal clock.
» After noon, avoid stimulants such as coffee, colas and nicotine. Avoid alcohol, which disrupts sleep.
» Relax before going to bed. Avoid heavy reading, studying and computer games within an hour of sleeping. Stimulating content and flickering light can inhibit restful sleep.
» Say no to all-nighters, which disrupt sleep patterns, decrease alertness and ultimately drain your brainpower.
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Why exactly does sleep deprivation have such a strong impact on teenagers? The sleep rhythms or internal clocks of adolescents are different from those of children and adults.
Adolescents naturally feel more awake and alert later at night and naturally wake up later in the morning. This conflicts with teens' schedules, in which school usually begins around 8 a.m., contributing to sleep deprivation or irregular sleep patterns.
In addition, many teenagers have busy schedules filled with academics, sports, jobs and other extracurricular activities.
"On average, I sleep about five hours each night," says senior Ali McKeon. "I have a busy schedule plus a lot of homework. I get home around 9 p.m."
Senior Jennifer Tsue says she also gets about five hours of sleep each night.
"I'm usually not tired at night. I'm on MySpace or I talk on the phone," she says. "Five hours of sleep isn't enough. I am very tired in the morning and after school."
Lack of sleep is especially harmful for teenagers since adolescence is the growth period in which the most sleep is needed. Sleep deprivation also affects schooling: A quarter of students fall asleep during school at least once a week, and 14 percent are late or miss school because they oversleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Almost three-fourths of teens who say they are tense or unhappy most often feel they do not get enough sleep.
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Senior sustains culture through Korean dance
By Kara Myers
Baldwin High School
The rhythmic motion of the Korean dancers enchants the audience and receives a standing ovation. This time-honored tradition dates back 3,000 years when it was practiced as a shamanistic ritual.
Senior Hyeri Kim embraces her culture by participating in Korean dance.
"I saw them performing at a Korean Thanksgiving, and it inspired me to explore my culture," says Kim.
Kim joined the Korean group Arilang Dance Studio when she was a freshman. The group practices at a studio in Kula and performs at festivals around the island.
Being a member of the dance group requires dedication and hard work. The dance moves are complicated and often take many years to learn.
"A drum dance took half a year to learn, and it's still not perfected," says Kim.
South Korea has suffered from foreign domination and invasion in the past. As a result, many Korean cultural traditions have weakened. Korean dancers keep the culture alive through these performances.
"I am proud to represent my culture through dance," says Kim. "I think it's important for students to try and learn about their ancestry. It makes you appreciate things more."
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COURTESY OF BALDWIN HIGH SCHOOL
Senior Denise Della traveled to India in December to participate in an international health conference.
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Anti-tobacco work takes teen to India conference
By Marisa Watanabe
Baldwin High School
Baldwin senior Denise Della traveled to India for two weeks in December to attend the first Global Youth Meet as a U.S. delegate and representative for REAL -- Hawaii's Youth Movement Against the Tobacco Industry.
Della and 250 others from India and other countries participated in this health conference in New Delhi, which aimed "to empower young people to become informed advocates for policies promoting health."
The Global Youth Meet also involved health experts who networked with the youths, discussing topics like tobacco, diet and nutrition, HIV, environmental conservation and road safety.
During her visit, Della completed volunteer work in Lucknow, where she spoke to and helped train youths to become anti-tobacco advocates and affect the decisions of policymakers.
"What I noticed from talking to the youth in India is that they don't enforce many of the laws," says Della of her volunteer experience. In Lucknow she visited medical schools, interacted with doctors who specialize in tobacco control and visited tobacco farms.
In addition to attending the Global Youth Meet and participating in other experiences as a delegate, Della got a glimpse of life in India.
"Besides networking with teens around the world learning about new issues I was not aware of, I enjoyed the culture -- the food, the dancing -- visiting the Taj Mahal and the people, who are very nice and friendly," Della said.
Della, now a REAL state board member, signed up with the organization at a student leadership workshop while she was in the eighth grade.
The objective of REAL is to "attack the tobacco industry, not the consumer; to expose the tobacco industry's manipulative tactics and their effects; and to educate, protect and empower the youth generation."
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YOU ASKED
"What do you think about having teachers drug-tested in schools?"
Erin Ichimura
Senior
"They should be tested because we've had so many reports of teachers being caught with drugs."
Wade Hondo
Art teacher
"I think it would be good. I don't think it is a solution to the overall problem, but it is a step to finding a solution."
Sean Catugal
Junior
"I think it's fair enough because other professions require it as well."
Kailani Hall
Sophomore
"They should have random drug testing because they work for the state. Other county employees have drug testing as well."
Whitney Johnson
Freshman
"I think it's good because I don't want my teachers doing drugs."