Teens spend more on fast food

By Bernard Rivera
MV Teen Reporter

Fast food and modern life go hand in hand.
Even on the idyllic islands of the Marianas, the fast food industry has been growing and more teenagers are spending their money on quick and cheap meals.
“I am so addicted to fast food I think I at least eat it twice a week. I just see it when I go out,” said Demalyn Sablan, a 16-year-old junior at Marianas High School. “It’s just something that I take when I go out. It’s fast and I get it now while on the road, then I eat and go.”
Department of Public Health and MHS Health Center nurse Carol Paez says although fast food has become a part of many teens lifestyles, it is important to think of being healthy in the long run.
“Some fast food just isn’t healthy and everyone knows that. There isn’t that much fruits, vegetables, and whole grains that are excluded from the fast food diet,” said Paez. “Basically it’s just full of carbohydrates, oil, fat, and it imbalances your diet.”
Some teens shrug off the growing numbers of their peers facing obesity and other health problems, saying the choices are in your hands.
“I eat fast food at least once a week, but only because I don’t have money to always go there. If I did, I would most likely buy three times a week,” said Carrie May Espinosa, an 18-year-old senior.
“I would so cry if there would be no more fast food. But I do know for a fact that that will never happen. You become addicted to it, once you taste the delicious fries, you’re hooked,” she said.
Sablan says there are healthy choices in fast food restaurants to enjoy.
“There is the snack wrap and the salads. Just don’t order the dressing and all you got is the veggies. It all depends on the choices that one chooses,” said Sablan. “I know that it’s not good everyday, but I think that it’s alright once in a while. If I thought that there wasn’t anymore fast food, it would be totally boring. I can not live without my French fries,” she laughs. Paez says moderation is key.
“My family and I do not eat fast food as much as others. One reason would most probably be that we don’t eat out as much. But in my opinion, fast food is a product to be eaten in moderation. Just keep a balanced diet,” said Paez.

KHS ‘Showdown’ a success

By Bernard Rivera
MV Teen Reporter

Kagman High School’s first out of campus Pep Rally, called “The Showdown” held last week at the Garapan Central Park was a success and most students found it to be “very entertaining.”
The talented local musician “Parker” performed a selection of popular songs while dozens of students from various schools danced the night away.
“I really liked it! Very entertaining,” laughs David Baker, an 18-year-old senior.
Refreshments available ranged from cotton cadies to nachos.
The event was a “fundraiser for STUCO for all the classes, from the freshmen to the seniors,” said Alexis Cabrera, a KHS student.

MISA awards top male basketball players

By Jacqueline Dela Cruz
MV Teen Reporter

If you were dribbling the ball down court and had hoped to score, you wouldn’t want any of these top players in your way.
Ten male and female athletes stood out this year as the All-Conference Team, or the top five players for their division in the Marianas Interscholastic Sports Association High School Basketball League.
This first part of a series looks at the top male players of the basketball league.
Chosen out of dozens of athletes from private and public high school teams, these five boys steamed up the court with their ruthless plays.
Although the MISA High School Basketball League champions are Marianas High School Boy’s Basketball Team, these players come from different school teams.IVAN DE VERO, 18, currently a senior at MHS, was born and raised on the island of Saipan and has been playing basketball since he was 7 years old.
After all his hard work at school, home and work, he feels it got paid off by receiving the top player award and winning the Championship.
He is also currently involved with other leagues, such as the UFO league, Rotary and 25-and-Under League. After high school, he plans to pursue a Criminal Justice degree to become a firefighter.
AITAU BARCINAS, 17, currently a senior at Mt. Carmel High School, was born and raised on Saipan. Barcinas played basketball since his elementary years but got serious about it in high school.
“I was surprised and a bit happy that I received the award because I really thought that Steven Kim deserved it,” he said.
Barcinas said playing basketball helped him control his temper. “This experience made me learn to be a patient person mostly to my teammates, and as a captain, I learned to never let them down.” After he graduates this year, he plans to major in Business.
PRESTON BASA, a senior at Saipan Southern High School, says although he feels frustrated for the lost of their team on the MISA championship, the top player award is still satisfying.
“I had mixed feelings on earning the award and losing at the championships—winning this medal wasn’t really my goal, but to win the championship not only for me but for my school. Overall, I felt just satisfied” says Basa.
BILL BABAUTA, a student of SSHS, was surprised to receive a medal for a top player. “I prepared myself to be focused on championship day with my opponents wanting to always man me, but it didn’t turn out the way I expected, I didn’t know that we’ll lose.” said Babauta.
KEONI CHARITON, 17, is currently a KHS junior, and said he was surprised to be one of the top ten players of this season.
“I really felt surprised, I never expected that I would get this—although I feel that I deserve this because I really do practice hard a lot and also in my spare time,” says Chariton. “As for our team, we always had teamwork.”