Hello! Our names are Sean Hoffman and Alanna
Dickerson, and we're offering advice to anyone that seeks it on any matter
whatsoever. We'll give our honest opinions on any issue, whether it be
your relationships, job, home life, or anything else.
Date:
3/5/07
Subject:
Boyz
Comment:
I just moved
here..started the new year at MHS..I met this guy in one of my classes
and kinna clicked...but my friend like him n they clicked first..but he
did not like her like she thought..but then I started developing
feelings for him..but he is kind of a flirt...and I cannot tell if he
feels the same way...he flirts but I dont know if its just that or
something deeper...Should I ask him or just let it be..I dont want to
make our friendship weird or anything but I want to know if he likes me
Our Response:
If you really want to know, just straight up ask him. It's not a big
deal, and it most likely won't affect your friendship or make it weird.
A guy appreciates a straightforward girl that will come out and be
honest. And if he doesn't like you, remember you still have a fun friend
in him and there are plenty of other guys you'll come across that will
like you back in the same way.
Date:
3/1/07
Subject:
Smoking and
Drugs in School
Comment:
I would like
to know how it is so easy for students to smoke at school and during
school. I would also like to know how drugs are brought to school and
done at and during school as well. I have brought this to the attention
of a few, but see or feel that nothing is being done. Concerned Parent.
Our Response:
The reality is that the security and faculty at the school cannot watch
over 3000+ students all at one time. They do their best, but incidents
are bound to happen at some point that they miss. Talk to the principal
and administration about your concerns, and we're sure they'll take you
very seriously and create more measures to ensure the safety of all the
students.
Date:
2/28/2007
Subject:
shy???
Comment:
ok heres a
weird problem im a girl and i currently just kind of opened up to my
friends about me being well...bi or lez...w/e u wanna call it..but see
for the past month ive noticed i like my best friend that is also a
girl...but i never have the guts to tell her but yet i somewhat flirt
with her everyday heres another problem...she has a boyfriend that i
hate but yet she loves him and i wish she would just understand hes a
real jerk and stuff so what should i do just keep quite and let her
never know or just tell her...im lost
Our Response:
Honestly, if she has the same sexual preference as you then she probably
won't mind that you like her, but if she doesn't, it may make her
uncomfortable and your friendship could become awkward. As far as hating
her boyfriend, your reason for hating him may not be unfounded, but if
she loves him, she will probably be angry at you at least for a while
for talking badly about him. He could really be a jerk, but she probably
won't listen to you until she finds it out for herself in due time.
Date:
2/23/2007
Subject:
school
Comment:
i coming to
that school soon and i want to know if it has aprogram for foreign
children, cause im from the bahamas. can you tell me
Our Response:
We don't think there's any program at Mandarin like what you're asking
about. The only program we can think of related to foreign students is
ESOL, which helps them learn English.
Date:
2/20/2007
Subject:
my teacher
Comment:
My teacher
must have dual personalities. Sometimes she is really nice and
apparently has her favorites by giving them answers before a test, or
just making positive comments about them in front of the whole class.
But sometimes she can be very cold and put people out on the spot. She
does this to about 85% of my classmates and I think it is very cruel and
harsh. Usually after class, we all get together and discuss how our
teacher was very rude with her actions. I do not know what to do because
she admires my character and work ethic and I have no personal negative
feelings against her. Like her other "admirables", they too feel she
mistreats them also. I feel someone needs to tell her about her
character but I, (...and might not be alone) am a bit intimidated by her
and feel I might become a victim. So what should I or we do?
Our Response:
Sean says: You should probably go to guidance and talk to a counselor
about your teacher's behavior. I can't promise that will help any, but I
remember last time I had a problem with a class and reported it to a
counselor, the counselor confronted the teacher. It's a little different
with your situation because they can't force the teacher to do anything.
You are right, it is cruel and harsh that the teacher is picking
favorites in the class and it's very wrong. Honestly, there really isn't
much you can do about it except report it to guidance but then they
might just suggest you get a class change.
Alanna says: I'm positive I know what teacher you're talking about, and
if I do, many other students feel this way. Like Sean said, there's not
much you can do but talk to someone in administration, but it's possible
they may not do much about it or like you suggested, the teacher may not
like you too much anymore. All I can say is that teachers have different
ways of motivating students, and some believe that singling them out and
being slightly condescending will make them want to do better. Try to
remember that the teacher probably has the best intentions in mind for
his or her students, even if you don't completely agree with the way he
or she shows that. Keep doing well, and motivate others to do well also.
And if you're one that feels picked on, keep your head up and know that
you have the ability to do better. Prove your teacher wrong.
Date:
2/20/2007
Subject:
a friend in
need
Comment:
hey you guys
i have a friend who only eats about 450 calories a day. and i keep
telling her she needs to eat and she tells me shes fat when shes not.
ive been praying for her and have been inviting her to my cjurch but she
says she doesnt want to go to church anymore. i dont know how else i can
help her. we watched a movie about anorexia and bulimia and how this
girl died i dont want that to happen to her. i really need some advice
before she goes too far.if you guys can pray for her and offer me some
advice that would be great. thanks for all you do.
Our Response:
First of all, you're a great friend for inviting her to church and
telling her that what she's doing is very dangerous. Keep that up; keep
inviting her and showing her that you care. However, this problem is out
of your hands now. You need to talk to a trusted adult like one of your
parents, a teacher, or a guidance counselor so they can get her the
professional help she needs. Anorexia and bulimia are psychological
diseases that need to be treated by people trained in that area; it's
not something that you can help her with on your own. It's very
important that she gets help because like you said, she is in serious
danger of dying if she stays this way. She may, and probably will be
angry with you in the beginning and feel betrayed, but one day she will
realize that you did what you had to do because you care, and probably
saved her life. Stay strong and get her help no matter how much she
protests to it.
Date:
2/20/2007
Subject:
Debt List
Comment:
I am confused
about why we have to pay for new books on the debt list when the books
we are issued are worn out and old. I think it is ridiculous that
bookland is so unorganized.
Our Response:
Honestly, that's just the way it is. If you lose a book, the school has
to buy a new one to replace it, and that's probably why you have to pay
full price.
Date:
2/16/2007
Subject:
PROM
Comment:
Dear whoever Can a
freshman and a sophmore go to prom together?8) from, all dressed up and
nowhere to go
Our Response:
Technically
you can't, because neither of you are able to buy tickets. Only juniors
& seniors are able to. But I guess if you had a friend that was an
upperclassmen that wasn't going and would buy the tickets for you, it
would be possible.
Date:
2/16/2007
Subject:
Love Complications
Comment:
Im a junior this year. im
also confused. all my life i thought that was normal, but i think now
that im not. im a guy and ive had two girlfriends before, but this time
i think ive falling in love with another guy. i know it sounds weird but
i cannt help it. i havent told anyone cause im scared. is this normal?
should i tell him? should i tell my friends. thanks -confused
Our Response:
Sean & I
weren't exactly sure how to answer this, so we decided to have our
friend that is gay respond to you. He said:
I am glad that you are choosing to discuss this with someone, even if it
is
anonymously. Dealing with this discovery can be a hard thing to take,
especially if you are concerned with how the people around you will
respond. There is no reason to be scared as this is normal, no matter
what some people say. Being a homosexual is nothing to be ashamed of,
trust me. However, you should not be so quick to jump to conclusions.
Many teenagers go through a phase where they share a special attraction
to other teens of the same gender, and that connection is sometimes
mistaken as love or intimate feelings. The truth is that you may not be
gay, but just lonely and attracted to him. On the other hand, the
feelings you are having could be the real thing, and if so, it shouldn't
really be hidden. Homosexuality is nothing to hide, but it also isn't
something to go around, announcing to everyone. My advice is that you
should give yourself a day or two to think deeply about it. If you still
feel the same way about him, then ask him discreetly, and don't worry
about being picked on or made fun of, for you should have pride for your
way of life. If you do desire to tell people, only choose close friends
who you know can keep a secret, they can help you start to understand
yourself without putting yourself on the radar. I hope my advice was
helpful, and good luck.
Date:
2/16/2007
Subject:
hello
Comment:
i was wondering on how to
get into volleyball next year?
Our Response:
You will need
to talk to the volleyball coach, Mr. Discacciati, in room M207.
Date:
2/16/2007
Subject:
A Lost Best Friend
Comment:
My best friend and I have
been friends since fourth grade. But, over this last school year I feel
like she's been taken away and I've been pushed to the side. She has all
these new friends and I have no one. And I've been trying to get over it
and meet new people but I've found that I'm really terrible at making
friends. I have friends, but I think I'm losing my best friend. What do
I do?
Our Response:
Just be
honest with her and let her know how you feel. Chances are she has no
intention of making you feel this way, and she probably doesn't even
know that you do. Plan a day where both of you spend time with each
other like you used to, doing things both of you love to do. If she is
really as good of a friend as you think she is, nothing and nobody will
be able to come between you guys. You should also make an effort to get
to know her other friends too, so all of you will be able to hang out
together and you won't feel left out anymore.
Date:
2/16/2007
Subject:
alana
Comment:
are you single?
Our Response:
No.
Date:
2/15/2007
Subject:
boys
Comment:
hey! first i just wanna
say that you guys give great advice! well i dont really like any guy but
when i get around some of my guy friends i think i do like them as more
than friends but im not sure. am i weird or is this normal. can you guys
help me with this problem?
Our Response:
Alanna says:
I'll answer this one because I can definitely relate. First of all,
thanks for the compliment. :) Second, it's completely normal that you
find yourself liking your guy friends. They're guys that you spend a lot
of time with and know very well, so it's understandable that you may
start to like them as more than friends. I've found- and I'm sure many
couples can testify to this- that the best relationships you have are
with guys that you have been friends with for a long time first. They
know all about who you are- your personality, the way you act, the
reasons why you do things- and have always been there for you. They're
more likely to understand you, and that can be what attracts you. You
shouldn't spill your heart though until the guy gives you signs that he
also likes you as more than a friend. If you do and he doesn't feel the
same way, it won't make a difference to some guys, but others may feel
slightly awkward around you after and that could change the
relationship.
Date:
2/15/2007
Subject:
How Do I Cope?
Comment:
I have a class where I
have no friends in there with me whatsoever, and most of the people in
the class are either unfriendly or rude. The teacher's nice- just not
the classmates. I've been trying hard to keep my mind off the situation,
but lately it's been getting to me. What should I do?
Our Response:
Sean says:
You are not alone. Like you, I had the same problem. When I first walked
into my third period class I didn't know anyone, and at first glance, it
didn't look like there was anyone in there I wanted to talk to. A couple
weeks went by, and I was getting bored and finally I just started
talking to one guy and it turned out that he had a few hobbies I have.
Starting a conversation with someone you have just met is the hardest
part of the conversation. But if you just talk to some people, even if
they are immature, they might actually have something in common with
you.
Alanna says: I agree, just be friendly with the people around you, and
you'd be surprised to find that some of them will be pretty nice. I
always have to make new friends in every class that I have. And even if
nobody is friendly to you, don't let it get to you. You can't let what
other people think & the way they act bring you down, because there are
plenty of people in life who won't be very agreeable, and you'll just
have to deal with it. Just keep focused on your schoolwork and doing
well, because your most important goal in the class should be to learn
anyway.
Date:
2/15/2007
Subject:
Undecided
Comment:
I've been friends with
this girl for a while now. I've liked her for a while and at first it
was a "just friends" thing, but recently I asked her to prom, and she
really didn't give me an answer yet, she said she would think about it.
I haven't brought it up since and since then theres been some drama in
her life, nothing too serious, but I was wondering if I should ask her
again in the midst of many things going on in her life right now.
Our Response:
You deserve
an answer about prom now, especially since you may want to buy the
tickets now while they're cheaper. Just remind her about the question,
and don't put too much pressure on her. Let her know that if she wants
to go with you, that's great, but if she doesn't, it's not a problem at
all, you just wanted to know so you could take care of the ticket
situation as soon as possible.
Date:
2/14/2007
Subject:
Valentine's Day
Comment:
Is it wrong to not give
your girlfriend flowers on Valentine's Day?
Our Response:
You don't
have to necessarily get her flowers, but it would be nice if you got her
a little something to show that you care about her. If you both agreed
not to exchange gifts, then it would be okay if you didn't get her
something. But if you don't get her something and she's expecting it,
which is probable, don't expect to have a happy girlfriend for a while.
Date:
2/14/2007
Subject:
Boys
Comment:
Well like there is this guy I really really like and
I am afraid to tell him. And like I am so shy so like I am afraid to
tell him so if Sean could please answer this question for me because he
is a guy......
Our Response:
Sean says: I
know how you feel. I've been there myself, and if you are like me, the
thing that made me so unsure whether to ask the person I liked was, what
if she said no? Would I be able to emotionally cope with that? And what
if other people heard me ask her, would they laugh? Well, I can tell you
right now, just don't worry about what people will think or any of the
public attention. I'm just suggesting this, but maybe if you catch him
at a time where none of his friends are around you could ask him if he
wants to do something sometime. Instead of coming straight forward and
asking him, you could hint at it.
Date:
2/14/2007
Subject:
People at MHS
Comment:
Do you agree with people who are "Goth" at MHS?
Our Response:
Every person
is unique & different, and cannot be expected to be like everybody else.
Everyone has their own way and style that they like to express
themselves, and we are all for that.
Date:
2/14/2007
Subject:
LiF3
Comment:
iam a freshmen and i already have a job at winn
dixie,have honors classes,and have been on a sports team and am
currently trying out for another one. i have always liked boys but ive
never told my parents "who" and i think i should tell them because iam
in high school now and am growing up but it would be really awkward
cause my parents are VERY overprotective. (currently i dont have
feelings for any particular guy but i just want some advice for the
future) <3 overprotected
Our Response:
It's
important that you keep your parents involved in your life, because even
though they may be overprotective, they're looking out for you, and can
offer you great advice and direct you towards the right kind of guy. If
they do tend to be more on the cautious side, just tell them that you
listen to everything they have to say & take it to heart, and they
should do the same for you and stay open minded. I'm sure they'll be
very glad that you're sharing this with them, and they'll be
understanding. Also, remember that when you're in a relationship you'll
want to be able to go out with the guy and spend time with him. If your
parents don't know much about him or have not met him, they'll be far
less inclined to let you out to see him. So keep your parents informed.
Date:
2/12/2007
Subject:
Boys
Comment:
Their is a boy that I like. He says he wants to get
to know, but yet he just asked another girl out and I am so hurt and he
still trying to get to know me.
Our Response:
It could be
that he meant he just wanted to get to know you as a friend. But if
right now he's already committed to somebody else, there's really
nothing you can do about it. You should tell him how you felt about him,
and that what he did hurt you. But you should also realize that you're
an amazing girl, and you can move on and find someone that's going to
return the same feelings you have for them. There's plenty of other
wonderful guys out there that will appreciate you & treat you the way
you deserve. Just be patient and keep your eyes open for them. Also,
don't base your happiness on whether or not you have a boyfriend. You
have plenty of friends you can be thankful for, and family. Spend
time with them to keep your mind off of this guy.
Date:
2/8/2007
Subject:
School
Comment:
What do you think about the way the school is ran
this year compared to last year?
Our Response:
Sean says: In my opinion, things this year are a lot
different; new principal, rules, schedules. Last year, everything was
more easy going, not so strict, and there was seemingly more student
activities. All-in-all, the way the school is run this year in my
opinion is O.K. but if I could change it back to how it was last year I
would. I don't really understand the meaning of having an A & B day schedule because to me, student stress levels due to homework would
be reduced by not having five classes every quarter. Other than that, I
think that way the school is run this year is acceptable.
Alanna says: I don't think the school is being ran that much different
from last year; but maybe I wouldn't know as well as others because I
transferred here from another school in the middle of the year. The only
thing I think is different is that the rules are being more strictly
enforced. I guess it's not that bothersome, except the rule that we
always have to wear our IDs. That's the one that I really don't agree
with the most. It's supposed to be for security & safety, but many
students use a friend's old ID or some other random white card to make
it look like they have one. And I also know many former students that
have just walked onto the campus without one. The administration can't
possibly keep up with every single person in the school and check to
make sure they're actually wearing their own ID, and it obviously
doesn't keep other people from coming inside the school. If someone
really wanted to get in, they will. But that's just how I feel about
that.
