It takes a death to open public's eye
May 16, 2012
Today in our society we are seeing many rising problems. We see murders, robberies, drugs ... the list is endless.
But one particular issue has caught my attention recently -- bullying and suicide. Many different types of people are bullied for various reasons, but right now, bullying based on sexual orientation is taking place in our schools, even here in northern Utah.
Recently a Northern Utah gay teen we will call Bryan (to protect his family's privacy) was bullied at his school. Many may think that it's just bullying and that everyone goes through it, but this person did not. He was bullied to the point that he no longer wanted to live. This young man took his own life because of the way he was treated and the names he was called.
Sadly, this is just one of hundreds of annual cases. In the quiet town of Williamsville, N.Y., last September, a 14-year-old by the name of Jamey Rodemeyer took his own life for the same reasons as the Utah teen. These teens feel helpless and feel like the only thing that they can do to stop the hurt is to end their lives.
What is my point in mentioning these stories? Well, what is even sadder is that both of these lives could have been saved, along with many others. A community rally and vigil was held for the teen here in Ogden recently, and Jamey's school addressed the issues after they heard the news of what had happened. Why couldn't action have been taken before these young people had passed away though?
Both of these young lives could have been saved if something would have been done sooner. Should it really take a death to get the bullying to stop? The answer is NO.
Many, many lives could be saved if witnesses and friends would take the time to help these teens and report what is going on to an adult or school official. Many are afraid to be a "snitch" or a "tattle- tale." But if you tell someone about what is going on or if you stand up for those who are getting bullied, you can help them know that there truly is someone who cares about them.
You could even save a life. Don't just sit back and watch someone being put down, do something about it! You could even be that person's hero in a sense.
Austin Miller-Anderson is a senior at Ben Lomond High School. He enjoys writing, singing and dancing. Email him at austintylermiller@gmail.com.
Some of decade's hottest artists come together for radio concert
October 24, 2011
If you're as into music as I am, then you've probably been dreaming of a day when all of your favorite artists come together for a concert where the audience isn't just in the crowd, it's everyone listening on the radio and online.
Well, this fall an event like this finally took place. In late September, the "biggest event in radio history" kicked off with some of this decade's hottest artists. The iHeartRadio Music Festival at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas was the first of its kind and did not disappoint.
Sadly, I was unable to attend actual concert but where there's a will, there's a way. The concert was broadcast live online and on thousands of radio stations, and it was an unforgettable memory just to listen to it on the radio.
The Black Eyed Peas opened this amazing event, singing their hit "Boom Boom Pow," and I'd say there could not have been anyone better. Another artist whose performance I can't forget was Kelly Clarkson, who sounds even better live than on her records. Bruno Mars was next and was the highlight of the first night; he gave a tribute to the late Amy Winehouse with his track "Valerie." Other performers included Carrie Underwood, Coldplay and Jay-Z.
How could the second and final night of the festival live up to the first? It was even better with Steven Tyler opening and Nicki Minaj performing "Fly." Lady Gaga was the best act, performing with Sting and with a set made specifically for this night -- a motorcycle with a built-in piano.
Sublime with Rome and David Guetta also had great performances, along with Jennifer Lopez. Country stars like Kenny Chesney and Rascal Flatts showed the nation a whole new side to country music with some of their greatest hits.
This event definitely surprised me; as for a second festival in the future, we will just have to wait and see.
Austin Miller-Anderson is a senior at Ben Lomond High; email him at austintylermiller@gmail.com.
Sugarland delivers sweet Utah performance
September 12, 2011
Sugarland delivers sweet Utah performance
Just a week after the infamous Indianapolis disaster which involved a concert stage collapsing during the Indiana State Fair and killing five people, Sugarland put on its "Incredible Machine Tour of 2011" in Salt Lake City.
The Indiana tragedy, which occurred at a Sugarland concert, was a point of reflection during the band's August performance with Sara Barreilles at the USANA Ampitheatre in West Valley City.
The USANA Ampitheatre is one of my least favorite venues just because of the way the seats and stage are arranged. But luckily, when the show began, the venue did not matter. The sound of a piano started and I knew that meant that Sara Bareilles was ready to open the show.
Bareilles was at the keyboard on her giant piano which took up over half of the stage, and she played some of her most popular songs including "Love Song" and "King of Anything." Then, as she wrapped up her performance Sugarland was called out onto the stage to very big applause.
Sugarland started with a new song from their new album, "Incredible Machine" and kept the show going with their most popular songs like "Stuck Like Glue" and "Settlin'." As the band ended the show with an encore, they took a brief silence to remember the people of Indiana and made a dedicated performance of their song "Love."
The band's lead singer Jennifer Nettles spray-painted a white flag with the word "love" and a peace sign inside of the "O." The song made the whole night emotional for the audience and band, and I am definitely happy that I got to witness this performance.
Although I am upset that I did not get to hear one of the band's most popular songs and my personal favorite, "Already Gone," the show was especially entertaining with with Sugarland's covers of "Forget You" by Cee Lo Green and the '80s classic "Come On Eileen." Even though the band may have been devastated by the tragedy that they were part of at the Indiana State Fair, they still kept their usual fun and goofy personality that they have always had.
I first heard Sugarland in 2004 when their first single "Baby Girl" came out, and ever since I have loved their exciting and positive attitude. I also like Sugarland because Nettles is an activist in equal rights and in gay marriage. After the group's single "Stuck Like Glue" came out in 2010, the more silly side of Sugarland was revealed which caused me to like them even more.
In the end, the Salt Lake City concert wound up being a very good show that was definitely worth going to. I enjoyed lead singer Jennifer Nettles the most out of any of the band members because she is very entertaining and has a lot of fun with her performances.
Also, Sugarland turned out to sound even better live than when you hear them on the radio or on a CD. When it comes down to seeing them in person, there was nothing to be disappointed about except for their song selection.
Although the songs from other artists that the band covered were enjoyable, they also took away excitement from Sugarland's own songs. But I did like how both Sugarland and Sara Bareilles managed to keep the crowd happy throughout the whole show.
I am not the biggest fan of country music normally, but Sugarland puts a whole new mix to this genre. I had a strong emotional connection when Sugarland made the dedication to Indiana, and I am very happy that I was lucky enough to witness the emotion of the whole crowd and band.
Austin Miller-Anderson is a senior at Ben Lomond High. He enjoys writing, singing and dancing; in his spare time he likes going into the city and listening to Lady Gaga. E-mail him at austintylermiller@gmail.com.
Lady Gagas 'Born This Way' says a lot about the artist
August 29, 2011
Who is Stefani Germanotta and how could this one person change the face of pop, but also the face of the world?
This person who you have probably never heard of by this name is really the hottest artist of this century. You may know her as Lady Gaga and 2011 could be her hottest year yet.
Lady Gaga has had more than a dozen Top 10 hits, won award after award, and has also given millions of dollars to charities. She's my favorite artist and also my biggest inspiration, and in March I was able to attend her "Monster Ball Tour" in Salt Lake City and I will never forget it.
Soon after, Gaga released "Born This Way" -- her third album, all about the idea of being who you are and being true to yourself. Here's a look at the 17-tracks, with my ratings of 1 to 5 on each song:
1. "Marry the Night" -- 3.5. I was definitely disappointed that this song was chosen as the first track because I was hoping for an introduction. However "Marry the Night" is a great and inspirational track. The words, "I'm gonna marry the night, I won't give up on my life ..." show a softer and confident side of Gaga. This was the song Gaga would sing to herself every night before going on stage for her tour.
2. "Born This Way" -- 4.5. Lady Gaga could not have chosen a better song to be her first single from the album. For me, the song gives hope and the message that if you are different, you were born this way.
3. "Government" -- 2.5. When I first heard this track I thought it was a new level of strange for Gaga but after giving it a chance, I started to enjoy it. But although I like the sound it does not have the best lyrics.
4. "Judas" -- 4. What I like most about this track is the dance, which ties the song to the story of the music video. "Judas" could have a rating of 5 but I think it sounds a little too close to a mix of "Bad Romance" and "Alejandro."
5. "Americano" -- 1. One of my least favorites; I do like the beat but the introduction ruins the entire song.
6. "Hair" -- 4.5. This is the track with the most purpose, a song about being yourself and being able to be different, just like your hair can be different. The saxophone in the background gives this song a completely different mood.
7. "Scheiße" -- 3.5. When I first saw the German title, I thought, "Why would she name a song that?" After listening, the song started to make sense. In a sense, it's about dealing with the drama people can cause and what the world would be like without it. Admittedly, I also love the German sentences.
8. "Bloody Mary" -- 5. When I first heard this song, I hated it, but it's like drinking coffee, it takes a few tests to get used to it. Now I actually adore it and think it's the second-best song on the album.
9. "Jesus + Amen Fashion" -- 2. This track is probably the strangest; it's rather foolish, but still quite catchy.
10. "Bad Kids" -- 4. Beginning with "I'm a loser" and "I'm a jerk," "bad kids" takes a stand against those who say that it's bad to be a bad kid, and explains that everyone makes mistakes.
11. "Fashion of His Love" -- 3. This has more of an '80s pop sound to it, which gives it personality.
12. "Highway Unicorn (Road to Love)" -- 2. Beginning with a vocal introduction, and then a dub step-beat (my favorite part), "Highway Unicorn" is a very good track up until the chorus. After the chorus is sung the first time, the track no longer interests me.
13. "Heavy Metal Lover" -- 5. Quite strange if you're not already used to Gaga's wild side. My favorite part of not just this song, but this whole album, is the part from when the music begins to where the first line is sung.
14. "Electric Chapel" -- 3.5. The first thing you hear is a rock-sounding guitar intro and then Gaga uses her "cool singing voice." Gaga's do-do-do's make the song more interesting as well.
15. "The Queen" -- 4.5. When I first bought this album, this was my favorite. It's a little different than the rest of the album, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't fit in.
16. "Yoü and I" -- 3. This track was without a doubt the hardest track to review and rate. I am not a fan of Gaga's slower songs but this one is quite good and Gaga's vocal and piano talent are in evidence. I don't know who her "Nebraska Guy" is but hearing the song really makes me want to meet him.
17. "The Edge of Glory" -- 5. By far the best song on the entire album, well at least for me. The video has little dancing but the sound of Clarence Clemons (who died shortly after the video was made) makes this song an unbelievable track. The lyrics are emotional and the video is fierce.
After being out for around four months, this album has already received five nominations at the 2011 Emmys and many other awards and nominations. Gaga has done it again, and her new album has almost become a religion for many.
Will you be a Gaga worshipper? Because I know that I am. And if you should hear any bad rumors about Lady Gaga, just tell them, "She was born that way."
Austin Miller-Anderson is a senior at Ben Lomond High School. Email him at austintylermiller@gmail.com
Day spent hoping to silence prejudice
May 19, 2011
Sit back and enjoy the silence!
On April 22, the halls of Ben Lomond High School were a bit quieter as some students participated in the National Day of Silence. In the 1950s, we saw a civil rights movement with blacks; today, it is happening with gays and it is very hard for some people to go through. Living in the conservative state of Utah makes it even harder to be openly gay.
In February, I received an invitation to participate in the National Day of Silence. I made the decision to become the school organizer and to make our school one of the few that observed this day, which is held to call attention to name-calling, harassment and bullying toward gays and others.
I arranged a meeting with the school administration and presented them with ideas and information on the events. After a week or two the administration consulted me and gave me the news that our school would observe the day.
I had good and bad experiences with the Day of Silence. It was very hard to put it all together, and it was very difficult to persuade some staff and students to go along with it. It was also hard for not only myself, but for everyone to stay silent for the whole day. I accidentally talked a few times throughout the day without even meaning to.
My goal was for at least half of the more than 1,000-student school to wear red and to have at least 35 participate in the silent lunch. We were far from close to our 500 student goal of wearing red, but we had more than 40 people participate in the silent lunch.
I was very satisfied with the outcome of how many stayed silent during lunch, and I hope for next year's participation to be much larger. However, some people who weren't participating were very confused and judgmental, which showed that I did not do enough to spread the news about the Day of Silence.
Red balloons and a sign that read "Silence the Harassment" were brought in during lunch to draw the eye of students, and we also released the balloons at the end of the day.
I think the day opened the eyes of students and helped the community understand the growing problem of not only harassment of gays, but harassment of all. The Day of Silence calls for a peaceful way of solving this problem.
Toward the end of the event many participants gave me letters of appreciation and shared their experiences from taking part in the event. One said that they had a blast participating and that they will never forget the experience.
For me, the day meant peace and hope. Hope that our society can one day be equal, and that all can be accepted. The Day of Silence is a great start to reaching this type of society.
Austin Miller is a junior at Ben Lomond High School. E-mail him at austintylermiller@gmail.com.
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