Sammi Carr's The Jaguars’ Spot column for Wed., Feb. 07, 2007

Teens Sound Off About Boston Security Scare

VCHS kids were abuzz this week with opinions about the recent security scare in Boston which shut down the city for much of the day. The controversy came as the result of a marketing scheme dreamt up by two guys who were trying to promote an animated cartoon show by placing electronic “Lite Brite”–like signs in locations throughout ten or more major US cities. So were the guys, who were arrested, in the wrong or did security forces overreact? Read on!

Frankly, I was surprised that the first reaction I got from almost every kid was more of a grin than a grimace. But they were also worried by how easily the whole thing got blown out of proportion.

Freshman, Samantha Stacey, told me, “I thought it was pretty funny how things got misinterpreted. People in authority can really get carried away sometimes.”

Sophomore, Collin Barens, added, “I think it’s pretty dumb how they think something like that is going to blow people up. Maybe it was wrong for the guys to do, but it shouldn’t have gotten them arrested.”

Senior, Cameron Cacananta, had a different take: “It worried me that security personnel in a major American city can’t tell the difference between a Light Bright toy and a lethal bomb.”

“Of course,” sophomore, Christiana Newcomb, noted, “it’s easy to laugh after the fact but, had they really been bombs, we sure wouldn’t be laughing now. It was probably better to have been safe than sorry.”

Basket reminder:

Don’t forget, “Lunch Basket Auction,” where girls make picnic baskets and boys bid on them, is coming up fast: Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14) during lunchtime in the quad. ASB activities officer, Nikki Jardine, told me, “We’re only accepting 35 baskets this year, each with a maximum bid of $20. Also, while the event is only open to senior girls, any guy at any grade level can bid on the baskets.” So it turns out you didn’t need that VCHS ID card you bought on the black market after all!

She’s Beauty and She’s Grace, She’s ... MR. Universe?:

That’s right, around these parts we have a Mister, not Miss, Universe contest. There will be three areas of competition: 1) bathing suit (no Speedos please!) 2) talent and 3) question/formal wear. The lucky guy who wins gets a crown that says “Mr. Universe 2007” he gets to keep forever and ever.

Sign-ups are Feb. 5-9. Go to where the speakers are setup at lunch to sign up.

BTW, guys, in THIS contest, the correct answer to the perennial question, “If you could have anything, what would it be?” is: InterGALACTIC peace!

Here’s Something I Betcha Didn’t Know:

If you missed out on placing a personal ad in the last VCHS “Jag Roar” (great newspaper!) to that special someone, don't worry you still have a excellent and SO reasonably priced romantic option. The Interact Club is selling cards with flowers everyday at lunch this week. They’re just $3.50 for one, $5.50 for three.

Know something I don’t know? Catch me on campus or send me an e-mail at sammi@carrfamily.com.

See ya. Sam.