North Carolina News Feed

The following articles were submitted to YCJN by youth correspondents.
The most recent articles are presented at the top of the list.

Friend or Foe? Networking Sites Provide Avenues for Personal Branding

By Daniel Wormstaff, 12th Grade, Kitty Hawk, NC - October 26, 2009

   Facebook.
   MySpace.
   Twitter.
   While some people use social networking sites as a way to build relationships and find new friends, others utilize them as a way to build a name for themselves through a process called personal branding.
   “Personal branding is very similar to product branding, except a person is the product,” said Kelly Giles, a social media strategist and 2009 UNC Chapel Hill graduate. “We’ve all heard of brands like Tylenol and Walmart, and we have certain attributes associated with those brands (Tylenol is the pain killer that works; Walmart has low prices but questionable quality). Personal branding is the process of shaping the attributes that people associate with you.”
   Giles is a lead writer for OptimalResume.com, a Web site specializing in enhancement through career management.
Personal branding serves the purpose of providing a sort of online resume for both potential employers and college admissions officers. Companies often use social media through the internet as a method of examining applicants.
   According to a CareerBuilder survey, 45 percent of employers used social networking sites to research candidates in 2009, a 23 percent increase since last year.
   “Both job seekers and college applicants are trying to get someone to ‘buy’ them. For someone applying to college or a job, you’re trying to create a personal brand statement that says, ‘Hire me! Admit me! I’m better than the competition, and I’ll do great things at your organization.’ You can write that in your admissions essay or job application, but your case is much stronger if you’ve established a track record of proving that statement, which you can do through social media,” Giles said.
   While social networking sites can be a blessing, they can also be detrimental to a user’s name and reputation. College applicants and job-seekers alike are discouraged from posting material that may be harmful to their “brand name.”
    “Most colleges do take a negative view of what is found on the social networking sites.” guidance counselor Carol Davis said.
   “There have even been some instances of students being refused admission because of what was displayed on the site. We do talk with students about the dangers, but most students still think the sites are harmless.”
   A survey conducted by Kaplan, a company that provides educational and career services for individuals, revealed that over 70 percent admissions officers from the nation’s top 500 colleges and universities report receiving friend requests from applicants.
   Over 10 percent of officers have admitted to using consideration of the applicant’s profile content as an evaluation tool and 38 percent said the content “negatively affected” the impression of the applicant.
   Some students disagree with colleges’ ability to consider profile content when examining applicants.
   “I don’t believe college admissions officers should be able to do this.” said Susan Youngsteadt, senior and Park Scholarship nominee. “I know people who party and have pictures (of it) on Facebook and still are on Dean’s List in college. What someone does in their spare time doesn’t have to reflect what their academic performance will be.”
   While some advocate a right to privacy and acceptance of what some consider propaganda, others believe that a better practice of discretion is necessary.
   “What you put on your profile is what you put out for the world to see. If you don't want your mother to know you get drunk at parties, don’t put it in print or on the Internet,” junior Jen Bryson said. “Colleges have the right to know what kind of person they are possibly going to allow to attend, and therefore represent their school.”
   Many teachers urge students to use caution when posting personal information on the internet, but do not advocate a complete reliance on networking sites by colleges or employers.
   “They should not use officially use Facebook for admissions decisions,” teacher Steve Blackstock said. “At the same time, if you are serious about your future education, job, or relationships, you will only put things on Facebook that you want made public.”
   Whether applying to college or searching for a career, the internet can be either be a blessing or a curse. Through methods such as these in personal branding, internet users are able to harness the opportunity to choose which route to take in promoting a positive reputation or a heap of dirty laundry.
   “People judge your personal brand (initially, anyway) based on your Google results.” Giles said. “What comes up when I Google your name? Unflattering photos or a well-managed array of social media?”
 

Health Care: Reform Aims to Provide Affordable Coverage

By Taylor Swankie, 11th Grade, Kitty Hawk, NC - October 26, 2009

   The average cost of a family healthcare insurance policy costs $13,275, about the same price as a new 2009 Hyundai Elantra, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
   Since 1999, health insurance premiums for families have risen 131 percent, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Congressional leaders say that reform is necessary to stop the continuous rise of healthcare costs.
   “Each year the costs of both healthcare services and the insurance coverage that pays for them rise for consumers, and these costs rise at a much faster rate than the rate at which people’s wages increase,” said Claire McAndrew, Families USA Health Policy Analyst. “The result is that each year healthcare costs, even for people with insurance, end up consuming more and more of American families’ incomes.”
   The number of people without health insurance reached 46.3 million in 2008, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In North Carolina alone, Families USA estimates that 1,480 people will lose their health coverage each week between 2008 and 2010.
   “It is not fair that Americans who cannot afford the costs of insurance have to go without care or lose everything they have when they get sick or injured just to pay medical bills,” McAndrew said. “People who don’t have insurance often put off care as long as possible to avoid unaffordable costs.”
   The House of Representatives is currently working toward merging three versions of a reform plan, at the urgency of President Barack Obama’s administration. The basic idea is to provide a way for all Americans to obtain affordable coverage.
   “Overall, the bills make sure that all Americans have a place they can go to obtain quality, affordable coverage and protects all Americans from insurance company abuses that are most problematic when people become sick and need their coverage the most,” McAndrew said.
   The bills propose offering Medicare to low-income adults, even if they do not have children, are not pregnant or do not have a disability. Subsidies will be offered to those with moderate incomes to help pay a portion of the costs.
   “It’s very important for everyone to be covered by health insurance, for their financial welfare and the facility that treats them,” nurse Laura Youmans said. “I support (reform) if it can be provided with reasonable cost to the American public.”
   Insurers will not be able to refuse coverage or charge more to those with pre-existing conditions. A virtual marketplace will be created for consumers to compare costs and encourage competition among insurance providers.
   “It’s safer to be paying for the health insurance,” sophomore Jimmy Morgenroth said. “It’s a good idea (for reform to occur) because it will lower prices for people and make (insurance) companies have to lower their prices.”
   One concern is that healthcare reform will lead to a national health insurance plan with the government in control of the system. Freshman Katherine Ross said she would not support a nationalized system.
   “I think the system is working pretty well. It’s fair for everybody because if you work hard, then you can pay for health insurance,” Ross said. “I don’t think people should be given free healthcare if not everyone gets it for free.”
   Families USA said that the proposed bills will not create a national plan, like that of Canada or Great Britain.
   “The government takes on the role of a ‘watchdog,’ creating a marketplace where private insurance companies continue to sell plans to the public, but with new rules to make sure that they sell coverage to any American who wants to buy it and that they live up to their promises and help pay people’s medical bills when they get sick,” McAndrew said. “Instead of leaving everything up to the government, the model being proposed is one of shared responsibility where there is a role for private insurance companies, employers, individuals and the government in making sure that all Americans have health coverage.”
   Families USA said that healthcare reform will provide greater security to those who already have insurance. Even if people lose their coverage due to a job loss, they will have a place to turn where they can buy affordable coverage.
   “Our biggest priorities right now are making sure that the income protections for middle-income people in the final bill are large enough to truly protect them from unaffordable costs, and also making sure that the states have all the support they need to expand the Medicaid program to all low-income adults,” McAndrew said.
   Healthcare reform discusses monitoring insurance costs in order to pay for part of the proposal, which the Congressional Budget Office estimates that it will cost about $1 trillion over 10 years.
   “Along with monitoring how much of consumers’ premiums insurance companies use for things like profits and advertising instead of on actually delivering care, we can slow the growth in costs so that health insurance becomes more affordable for currently insured Americans,” McAndrew said.
   What remains unknown is what exactly will be covered in the final bill and how healthcare reform will be paid for. It is yet to be determined if taxes will be charged to wealthier families or if cost-saving measures will cover enough of the costs.
   “There are a lot of factors; healthcare is not an easy thing to fix. It’s not like if I do this, then healthcare will be reformed,” junior Rhonda Hindi said. “No matter what kind of plan comes out, someone’s not going to be happy.”
   Families USA supports healthcare reform and hopes that necessary changes will be made to make insurance affordable and obtainable.
   “The bills under consideration are a huge, historic step forward from the current healthcare system and its many holes,” McAndrew said. “We want to be sure that everyone, rich and poor, sick and healthy, have a place where they can obtain quality, affordable health coverage. We want insurance companies to play by the rules, not to avoid people when they are sick and need help the most.”

N.C. Health Plan to Increase Out-of-Pocket Costs for Some State Workers

By Taylor Swankie, 11th Grade, Kitty Hawk, NC - October 26, 2009

   Unhealthy state employees will need to make necessary lifestyle changes or face additional out-of-pocket costs for their healthcare premiums.
   As of July 2010, members under the North Carolina State Health Plan will have to testify that they are nonsmokers or prove they are working towards tobacco cessation, or stopping tobacco use. By July 2011, members will have to prove they are under a Body Mass Index of 40 percent or working towards weight management. In 2012, the BMI requirement will be lowered to 35 percent. Members who fail to meet these requirements will be penalized with higher health insurance premiums.
   “The Comprehensive Wellness Initiative was put in place by the General Assembly to jump start health improvement (in members) and save money,” said Linda McCrudden, N.C. State Health Plan Director of Communications. “People will pay more out of pocket if they won’t give up smoking or make lifestyle changes.”
   The CWI states that members who fail to meet weight requirements or continue to smoke will be enrolled in the 70/30 plan, which requires individuals to pay 30 percent of their healthcare costs. Members who are within the guidelines will be enrolled in the 80/20 plan, meaning that they only pay 20 percent of healthcare costs.
   “It’s all about improving your health, the plan and saving tax money,” McCrudden said. “We had to look at a way to hold people accountable for their choices. People think we are discriminating, but we’re not. This is lawful to do; it just may not sound friendly.”
   The CWI will impact 560,000 members who use the state health plan as their primary insurance and are not members of Medicare, according to Anne Rogers, N.C. State Health Plan Director of Integrated Health Management.
   “The Comprehensive Wellness (Initiative) has the potential to touch the lives of 78,000 to 100,000 State Health Plan members, out of our total membership of 665,000,” Rogers said. “It is estimated that, among State Health Plan members, approximately 15 percent of members smoke (or) use tobacco products, and 33 percent are obese. The CWI policy BMI requirements will impact approximately 14 percent of members.”
   Chronic diseases account for 70 percent of deaths in the United States. Most of these diseases can be prevented by making lifestyle changes, according to the N.C. State Health Plan website. Researchers who worked on creating the CWI discovered that members who smoke cost the state an extra $2,600 on healthcare, according to McCrudden.
   “Smoking cessation and weight management were chosen as focus areas because these lifestyle behaviors are linked to the most preventable deaths in North Carolina, according to the N.C. Division of Public Health,” Rogers said.
   The plan will offer resources and tools to aide in quitting tobacco use and learn weight management skills. As of Jan. 1, 2010, nicotine patches will be offered at no additional costs to members. Beginning Jan. 1, 2010 members will not have to pay for up to four nutritional counseling visits per year. In addition, counseling and programs are available at the State Health Plan website, shpnc.org.
   “The company provides assistance in weight management and (tobacco cessation),” teacher Jane Shipman said. “They didn’t do it cold turkey, they gave us time to get it under control and they give assistance, so I think it’s a good idea.”
   Teacher Amy Powell believes that Dare County Schools’ employees will be less affected by the CWI program due to the beach environment, which tends to promote physical activity.
   “I do not know too many teachers who are smokers or obese at this school. Most people who live on the Outer Banks enjoy an active lifestyle and get needed exercise,” Powell said.
   Most employees feel that the CWI offers guidelines that can be reached by making a few conscientious changes. Some argue that it is not fair for them to have to pay higher health costs because of someone else’s poor choices.
   “I think it’s a good thing (to require) because smoking and being overweight do have more health problems, therefore their healthcare costs more,” said Robin Holton, Health and Allied Sciences teacher and registered nurse. “It’s fair, especially since we are on a group policy, because it makes the rest of us pay more. If you’re unhealthy, you should pay more (as an individual).”
   McCrudden said the biggest challenge the State Health Plan faces is communicating the changes and how the plan will help employees meet these guidelines, without facing much opposition.
   “I think people are mistrustful of healthcare changes at the same time national healthcare is being reformed because anything new is causing a stir,” McCrudden said. “We want to explain how it works and that it’s not our goal to embarrass or tick them, but to save their lives. We don’t expect miraculous change in a week, but we do want members to commit to lifestyle changes.”
   The CWI will require random testing of members by a hired vendor to verify those enrolled in the 80/20 plan. Tobacco use will be tested by using a saliva test. If a member fails the saliva test, a secondary blood test will be completed on the same day to test for the level of cotinine, which comes from nicotine. BMI will be verified with height and weight measurements.
   “We are looking at reasonable ways to test folks, so that privacy is protected. We will have workplace testing by a vendor who will work with the human resources person to test some people on one day,” McCrudden said.
   A physician certification can be used to exempt members who have a medical condition that makes it difficult to participate in a weight management or tobacco cessation program and allow them to remain enrolled in the 80/20 plan. The certification is also needed for members who are currently enrolled in one of these plans to qualify for the 80/20 plan.
   “If the person has a condition, they have an opportunity to have a doctor sign a form saying that now is not the time to start a program (like this),” McCrudden said. “They are not penalized.”
   The CWI is designed to save the state money, as well as encourage healthy lifestyles.
Shipman said, “I think it will help North Carolina find its way out of the obesity situation it faces for children and youth because adults will take care of themselves better. Because of that, I believe that both individuals and insurance companies will save money in the long run.”

Global Threat: Swine Flu Takes Toll on People Under 25

By Tori Eaton, 10thGrade, Kill Devil Hills, NC - October 26, 2009

   Nearly every person under the age of 40 is wearing a face mask in Detroit, Mich.
   Students are required to wear face masks in many schools In Mumbai, India.
   The H1N1 virus, otherwise known as the swine flu, has caused worldwide panic and citizens to take drastic action. More then 4,000 new cases have been reported between Aug. 29 and Oct 16.
   From fever to vomiting, the symptoms are turning up globally. With more than 600 deaths in the United States since April, government officials are taking precautions to slow the spread of the virus. Officials fear more than 2,500 cases are expected to turn up by January. The virus is contagious 10 days after it leaves the system. However, students are not expressing concern.
“I’m not worried. It’s no different then the regular flu,” freshman Aaron Zeigler said.
   People under the age of 25 seem more susceptible to the disease said school nurse Laura Youmans. Those with pre-existing illnesses, such as asthma and HIV, and women who are pregnant are also at a higher risk. Out of the 600 deaths, 40 of them were children, including 12 who had never been vaccinated for the regular flu.
   Over 3,000 American colleges and universities have reported cases of swine flu. So far, there has only been one college death related to swine flu. Troy University freshman Andrew Salter, 18, of Valley, Ala. died on Sept. 4.
   As of early September, health clinics are no longer testing for swine flu because it is too expensive. Government health officials are focusing efforts on an effective vaccine, Youmans said. Any flu-like conditions reported outside of flu season are assumed to be the swine flu. Those who are hospitalized are still to be tested for swine flu. As of Oct. 14, 104 students have been out of school at FFHS.
   “It’s a big deal. Our lives could be at stake,” sophomore Tyler Klapprodt said. “People are dumb enough to bring it to school with them and put other people in danger of getting sick.”
   The federally controlled vaccine was released this month. Health officials hope to vaccinate over half of the American population. Dare County officials anticipate its first available release to priority patients by Nov. 1.
   “I think we need to be concerned about the flu because it is a new strand that hasn’t surfaced since 1976,” Youmans said.
Not much is known about the approved vaccine. The side effects are mild, but the long term effects are still unknown. Many are enthusiastic about the impact the vaccine will have on the pandemic.
   “I got the vaccine because I don’t want to get swine flu. A lot of people have it and I want to be safe,” junior Alex Wright said. “I’m a little bit worried (about the long term effects) because it can get you kind of sick, which I’ve been feeling lately, but honestly I don’t think it will hurt me.”

New Plastic Restrictions in Effect for Coast

By Amulya Uppalapati, 10th Grade, Kitty Hawk, NC - October 26, 2009

   Next time you walk into the local Wal-Mart or a grocery store on the Outer Banks, make sure you are carrying your recyclable bags. Otherwise, you will walk out carrying handle-free paper bags.
   The PTSA sells reusable bags. Blue bags cost $5 and bags with zippers, available in burgundy and pink, cost $7. About 800 tote bags have been sold.
   The use of plastic bags has been banned in retail stores that cover 5,000 sq. feet or have five plus stores. Three North Carolina counties, Dare, Currituck and Hyde County, will test the ban introduced by Sen. Marc Basnight to determine its effect on the environment.
   “I think that it is a good thing (that the law has been created) because we are now able to use more environmentally friendly things that we can recycle, instead of plastic that just goes into a landfill and doesn’t decompose,” sophomore Colton Pennington said.
   A total of 500 billion plastic bags are used annually on Earth, with the United States consuming 100 billion plastic bags yearly. Only two percent of the plastic bags are recycled according to DropThePlasticBag.org. The Kitty Hawk Walmart uses approximately three million plastic bags each year.
   Plastic bags have harmful effects on the environment and marine ecosystem. Plastic bags take up to 1,000 years to decompose. A total of 100,000 marine animals die each year due to the plastic bags, according to Buzzle.com. Marine animals are killed when they attempt to consume the bags, according to EHow.com.
   “Bags look like jellyfish in the water. It’d be a good lesson to not take plastic bags to the beach because they easily fly away even if you’re careful,” senior Carson Fish said. Fish is the president of the Global Help and Awareness Club.
   Based on a survey, 47 percent of North Carolinans agree with the ban on plastic bags, while 31 percent are not in favor of the restrictions.
   “I think that it is a really good thing that they banned plastic bags,” sophomore Jamie Hagadorn said. “Most people don’t recycle their plastic bags and they end up in a landfill never decomposing and left in the Earth.”
   Stores have replaced plastic bags with recyclable paper bags, which cost three times more than plastic bags, according to HamptonRoads.com. In addition to offering recyclable paper bags, some stores sell reusable bags. Junior Andi Urch said her family uses recyclable bags.
   “I have always used my own shopping bags and know many others that do the same,” said Earth and Environmental Science teacher Kathleen Neller. “I try to recycle what I can and take care of the environment.”
   In the United States, similar bans have been introduced in San Francisco, Manhattan Beach, Fairfax, Oakland and Palo Alto, Calif.
   “I definitely feel the rest of the country should start stepping up to this program,” said Earth and Environmental Science teacher Jason Breiholz. “It’s a huge environmental impact.”