Get answers to your questions about the economic crisis, and find out how it’s affecting you

SHELBY STANICH
front page editor

What is the Recession?

The U.S. based National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) defines a recession as ‘a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months’, in other words it is a financial crisis.

Is it similar to the Great Depression?

Forbes.com says it is similar in the aspect that banks won’t lend to one another, even overnight. Strong and respected businesses cannot borrow short-term money. The banking systems in many countries have ceased functioning and have required major government intervention.

Is it harder for kids my age to get hired?

According to a survey from the Romow press, only 33 percent of kids ranging from 16 to 19 will be hired this year. This is a dramatic decrease from the 45 percent employed eight years ago.

What can you do to increase your chances of being hired during a job interview?

Quintcareers.com advises to be punctual and reliable. Show punctuality by arriving 5 to 15 minutes early for the interview. But you can also tell about your punctuality and reliability based on your performance in previous jobs to show that it’s not a one time deal. Also, remember that you make your first impression the first minute you walk in the door. Chances are that the receptionist will tell your interviewer how your behavior was before the meeting. Such as texting on the phone while in the waiting area.

How teens can make it easier on their parents?

The Huffington Post says that the majority of teens have taken on a new attitude with the recession. They’re turning to thrift shops, finding bargains and, if there’s a luxury item they just can’t live without, they’re going to the internet for the best possible deals. They’re limiting ‘going out’ and turning to more cost effective ways of hanging out with friends such as movie nights in.

“My mom is a realtor, and due to the bad market houses weren’t selling like they use to. She had a second job but it wasn’t enough to make ends meet. She stopped paying for our house in Roseville and soon after it was being foreclosed. We started freaking out and it took us two months before we finally moved out. It was really depressing and I kept thinking ‘why is this happening?’ The situation didn’t seem real. We looked for rental properties and ended up in Rocklin. It was the good part of the whole situation. I hadn’t been very happy at Woodcreek and my mom and I always liked the Rocklin community better.

Mariel Orbita

“It is not really anything big, business is just really slow for my parents right now. My dad owns his own business, facilities management, and my mom is the secretary. What ever companies need he does it. If he has to move stuff for them, he does it. But business is slow right now because people can’t afford to hire him.”

Amber Belisle

Lunch prices increase: $2.25 $2.50 $2.75

The food hasn’t changed, yet cafeteria’s lunch prices have been increasing every year

KELLY MERDING

staff writer

Although most people

know that the economy is

struggling, it never seems

like a big deal until it hits

the wallet of the students.

Here at school, lunch prices have steadily been increasing every year. The price has increased from $2.25, to $2.50, to this year the highest price of $2.75 for a full meal purchased in the cafeteria. While the snack bar may offer a cheaper alternative, those prices have gone up as well. To buy a full and filling lunch there may cost just as much if not more. To many students, this raise in prices brings frustration and annoyance.

“Now if I don’t make my own lunch, I don’t eat. I think the food in the cafeteria is a rip off. They raised the prices and portions haven’t changed,” Tina Malek said.

This affects the students who have to pay for their own lunch instead of getting money from their parents. For these students, it’s not a simple matter of just eating something for lunch, but possibly a luxury that could take money from their own bank account.

However, some kids are ready to dish out the cash.

“I’d rather eat. Food is good so it’s worth it,” Troy Bowser said. He, unlike Malek, gets money from his parents so the pressure of raising prices is less of a problem for him.

Even though the school administration seems like an easy culprit for this rise, it truthfully is not their fault. Any teacher or administrator is quick to point out that the decision was not theirs.

It’s required by the state to have a calorie based meal. It is very enforced, but on the whole this program is easier to serve. The hardest part is getting kids to always say their name or put in their number,” cafeteria worker Mrs. Sharon Richardson said.

It is true that the cafeteria had added a mandatory fruit or milk product to promote a healthy lifestyle. However, students admit to just throwing these additions away, making it an overall loss for both the cafeteria and the students.

The school has also taken away the fountain drinks, but the machines remain.

Students who attempt to purchase their soda from these machines risk them not working, again wasting their money

Whether or not many people buy lunch, these raising prices are a concern because they are going up every year. That means next year could be even a bigger dent to either the student’s or at least their parent’s wallet. Of course, no one is forced to buy lunch from school and students are always invited to bring their own from home if they do not like the way things are in the school cafeteria.

On March 14, during last year’s Mr. WHS competition, Chase Merell answers MC Alex Wilson’s questions. Past contestants Corey Ferrari, Chase Merell, Jorden Angel, Zack Ramos, Sahil Amar and Adam Munoz line up before performing a dance.

Photo/Kelsey Stevens

EMILY DUBOSE

feature editor

Mariel Orbita

Photo illustration/Shelby Stanich

Amber Belisle