Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security and operates independently of a central bank. Cryptocurrencies rely on decentralized technology such as blockchain to manage and verify transactions and control the creation of new units. They typically operate on a peer-to-peer network and have no physical form, unlike traditional fiat currencies. The most well-known and widely used cryptocurrency is Bitcoin, but there are many others such as Ethereum, Litecoin, and Ripple. Cryptocurrencies can be used for various purposes such as buying goods and services, investing, or sending money across borders.

While cryptocurrency has the potential to offer many benefits, there are also several negatives associated with it, including:

1. Volatility: Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile, meaning that their value can fluctuate rapidly and unpredictably, making them risky investments.
2. Lack of Regulation: Cryptocurrencies operate independently of government or central bank control, which means that there is no regulation or oversight to protect investors or consumers from fraud, scams, or other illegal activities.
3. Security Risks: Cryptocurrencies are vulnerable to hacking, theft, and fraud, as they rely on digital security measures that can be compromised by skilled cybercriminals.

There are also many potential benefits associated with cryptocurrency, including:

1. Decentralization: Cryptocurrencies operate on a decentralized network, which means they are not subject to the control of any government or central authority. This feature can provide greater financial freedom, privacy, and security.
2. Faster and Cheaper Transactions: Cryptocurrency transactions can be processed quickly and cheaply, without the need for intermediaries such as banks or payment processors. This can make cross-border transactions faster, cheaper, and more accessible to people who lack access to traditional banking systems.
3. Potential for Investment: Cryptocurrencies can be used as an investment, potentially providing high returns for those willing to take on the risk associated with their volatility.

In summary, cryptocurrency is a very risky investment as it’s as close to gambling without considering it gambling as it gets and is almost impossible to predict, but with the right resources and luck, you can become the next cryptocurrency millionaire.

What is Sports Photography?

Sports photography is the art of capturing dynamic and action-packed moments in sports events. Sports photographers use their technical and creative skills to capture the intensity, drama, and excitement of athletes in motion. They often work in challenging conditions, such as low light, fast-paced action, and unpredictable movements.

Sports Photography is used in every single sport you can think of as it is an essential part of a player’s career of getting their picture taken while they’re inaction of the sport they play to help build their portfolio of what they do.

With sports photography, you also need to have a somewhat good understanding of the sport you’re taking photos of to help capture highlight moments so the picture has more background information to it or even a whole story.

In summary, sports photography requires technical skills, knowledge of the sport, and creative vision to capture the drama and excitement of sports events.

By: Tiana Hayes

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to know more than one language. To be able to talk to people that may speak something different from others you know. What benefits might come from being able to speak more than one language? There are so many things that can come out of knowing more than one language, and why learning a new language is something to look into.

Improves Your Memory

Learning a new language can be tough, especially when it comes to trying to remember all the new words, rules and sentence structures, different types of grammar, etc. All of these things take time to learn and by pushing through and not giving up, you are training your brain to remember it all. So, when it comes to other things, you are going to be able to remember them easier due to your memory improving.

Brain Stimulating

Trying to remember all this new stuff can be difficult. You are developing your brain in a way that’s never been worked on before. Your brain is a giant muscle, the more and more that you learn and work with it, the stronger and stronger it gets. Not only that, but researchers say that by learning a new language, you can help slow down mental aging and cognitive decline. And there are many more things that learning a new language can help with as well.

Improves Attention Span and Multitask abilities

Learning a new language can help you train your brain to stay focus and to block our distractions. Having to switch between more than one language can improve your concentration. Because of that switch between languages, your ability to multitask also improves for you will have to learn to translate what you are being told, what you are saying, and having to process the information all at the same time.

Career Opportunities

Knowing one language is fine and does you plenty when looking into jobs but think of all the more jobs you could have the opportunities in doing if you could speak a second language. The world is evolving and there are a lot more people who speak different languages then the one you might know. Some jobs because of what they are, require that you know more than one language. If you learned a second language, those jobs would also become available to you.

For more information, check out:

Why You Should Learn a Second Language and Gain New Skills by Middlebury Language Schools

Why Is It Important to Know More Than One Language? by University of the Potomac

Social media has various different purposes, but the overall use to connect its users. Facebook, for example, allows people from all over the world to send messages to each other, tag each other in posts, and even has a section of the app used for people to buy/sell local items such as furniture, electronics, clothes, and even vehicles. Although Facebook makes it very convenient to purchase things, many people underestimate the dangers of it.

Essentially, your meeting up with someone you’ve never met to purchase something most-likely used, and giving/sending them money. This makes it very easy to be scammed with faulty items or even to get robbed. For example, not too long ago I was in communication with a man who was selling a car. Me being a minor and a girl, of course brought my dad and grandfather to look at the car with me and just because I felt more safe. When I arrived, the man threw me the keys and said do what you need to, but before turning the car on, I checked the oil levels and found the car was bone dry. Had we had pursued a test drive, the car could’ve blown up on us and we could’ve been held liable for the damages.

The point of my story isn’t to scare you into deleting Facebook, it’s too bring awareness to the fact that you could be scammed so easily too if you aren’t paying attention. Do your research. Don’t meet up with people alone. And most importantly, trust your intuition. If something about the person or the listing seems fishy or shady, simply don’t go. There are new listings every day and I am sure whatever it is your looking to buy will be listed within a week or 2.

The Weeknd, also known as Abel Tesfaye, is an artist who began his career in 2010 with his album titled “House of Balloons”. However, this was only the beginning for him. So far, he has released over 100 songs many of which have reached each of my playlists. Listed below are his top 10 songs in my opinion and why.

1- The Zone ft. Drake. Currently my favorite and if you’ve heard it you’d probably understand.

2- Wicked Games. Another masterpiece, will probably be #1 by next week.

3- Tell Your Friends. Just has a certain flow that gives me serotonin no matter the occasion and circumstances when I am listening to it.

4-What You Need. Was #1 for me like 3 weeks ago. Still a good one though.

5- Die For You. This a good song good for all occasions, I didn’t care too much for the version with Ariana Grande.

6-Call Out My Name. Self explainitory rating. It’s not a top 5 but it definitely doesn’t belong at the bottom of the list.

7- Thursday. Mid, but not mid. Best used as background music just because it’s repetitive. Best described as an instrumental.

8-The Hills. This song came out a long time ago and it’s kind of played out but still enjoyable to me.

9-Creepin’. It didn’t quite reach the bottom of the list because it always pops into my head randomly and I can’t get it out unless I play the song.

10- High For This. Still a good one but, I played it out too much so I often skip it.

As you can see, his Trilogy album is one of the best he has and there really isn’t a single song on there that I don’t enjoy.

Super Mario Bro’s 9/10- This movie was so cute and hilarious. I wish Yoshi got more scenes, but I think they’re making a separate movie based on the ending. Overall a good movie, probably the best one I’ve seen this year in theaters. Would recommend.

Evil Dead Rise 6.5/10- This was a very random movie. It started very fast, but it felt very short. It was more funny to me than scary and it was very gory. I would recommend, but beware, it is very corny, the plot is short, and the ending is upsetting.

Beau is Afraid ?/10- I am still processing this movie. Weird, funny, disgusting, upsetting, yet boring at the same time. The movie is 3 hours for no reason. I wouldn’t recommend it because it was kind of a waste of time, but I’m curious as to what other people think of it.

Most students I know get coffee or some other highly caffeinated drink almost every day. I personally feel as though most people enjoy it because of the adrenaline and the pick-me-up you receive from it. I see it everyday, it makes people hyper and even less miserable at school. Don’t get me wrong, I drink a RedBull every once and a while but I never feel satisfied after the end of my beverage. With the need to find ways to stay awake at school for myself, I did further research to find more natural ways to receive the energy I need to not fall asleep in class.

1- Controlling your stress- Don’t stress about school so much. Think positive things and find a way to work things out in a way that convenient for you.

2- Sleep- Stop trying to stay up so late, go to sleep. Your TikTok’s will still be there in the morning.

3- Cutting out caffeine- According to multiple studies, researches show that the use consumption of highly caffeinated drinks can actually decrease your bodies natural energy levels by the end of the day.

Some of the results I found seem self explanatory and some are solutions I have already tried, yet received no luck. However, I do believe that finding a balance of all 3 options, may work the best and give me the energy I need to survive the day without drinking something with so much sugar that gives you such a small rush.

Mostly everyone find’s themselves struggling mid-end of the semester, especially procrastinators. Here are some tips to bringing your grades up before the end of the year:

1- Communicate. Through my entire high school career, i’ve found that the most important thing you can do is touch base with your teachers. Yes, you will have to do your missing assignments and/or extra credit, but you may find your self doing an assignment that your teacher won’t give you credit for. So, if you ask your teacher what assignments they will still accept before actually doing them, you can save yourself a lot of time and stress.

2- Gain Trust. I personally don’t have good attendance, I never have. But, going back to point #1, I expressed to my teachers when I was going to be absent, and asked for my assignments ahead of time. Also, if you tell your teacher your going to do an assignment or show up to class, actually do it. Your teacher will most likely be more lenient about late work if they know you will actually do the assignment.

3- Do your work on time. This is at the bottom of my list because I am a major procrastinator. No matter how big the assignment, I somehow always find myself doing it last minute. I’ve submitted essay’s due at 11:59, at 11:50. With that being said, you will save yourself all the heartbreak if you just do the assignment the day it’s assigned.

Some of these method’s wont be tolerated by all teachers, although they do work with most. This is also a reminder not to harass your teacher about grading stuff. If they agree to accept late assignments, they are doing you a favor, so it’s best not to stop in their classroom everyday and demand them to update your grade -but also don’t let them completely forget.

Everyone procrastinates in their own way. Whether it’s with chores, homework, or even work in general. Sometimes you do it unconsciously, sometimes it’s intentional. Regardless of the kind of procrastinator you are, it’s a very bad habit to have and here’s why.

1- In a situation where you are procrastinating in a place that’s professional, you automatically look lazy and are going to be presented as someone they can’t rely on.

2- When you procrastinate, more tasks are piled on. For example, if you wait 2 weeks to clean your room, the mess will just pile on. By week 3 you’ll have even more trash to throw away and even more clothes to put away which will unmotivate you even more to clean up, thus leading to an endless loop of a dirty room that get’s worse every week.

In conclusion, do your tasks on time and you will find yourself more stress free with extra time on your hands. In the moment, it may seem inconvenient or annoying, but in the long run it will be worth it.