Independence Juniors all crowded at the large gym to take their SAT on March 7th, which was free and mandatory by the school. Students were assigned specific areas to go, whether it be the gym or the villa commons. 

The Scholastic Assessment Test, or SAT, is a standardized test that Juniors and/or Seniors take for college admissions. The score ranges from 400 to 1600, where 200-800 are for the two sections. The two sections are math and English, also known as Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW).

 It usually is scheduled individually by students and takes place on a Saturday, as well as costs around $60-70. However, the assigned SAT was free and during the IHS school day.

There were mixed reactions to the SAT. Some students believed that the test was difficult, but others found it to be fairly easy. 

“I’m not looking forward to scores,” said Francisco Cadenas. He had “Expected being in the gym to be more strict.”

While students both dread and anticipate their score, they found the testing to be uncomfortable. Often when testing, students are assigned a particular class to attend in order to be in a classroom setting. Testing in the commons or in the gym was new to many students.

“The test was too long and the chairs were pretty uncomfortable,” Junior Leyton Calibuso described, “[I studied] just a little bit, but not the night before the test. I studied about a week before.”

​There’s no substitute for blood; when a patient receives blood, it was given in advance by a generous donor.

Every day, blood donors help patients of all ages: accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.  Whether a patient receives whole blood, red cells, platelets or plasma, this lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation; it could start with our students right here at Independence.

Independence High School will be hosting a Blood Drive with the American Red Cross starting March 20th, 2019. The Physiology class teachers, Mr. Elwell and Mr. Glassford,as well as their students, will begin to hand out applications to donate blood starting March 1st. To be able to donate blood, one must meet the minimum age of 17, and minimum weight of 120 lbs. One must bring a photo ID and a parental consent form the day of the donation. 

95% of the blood collected is classified as a Whole Blood Donation, where all blood products are put in a single bag and can potentially save up to four lives. 5% is classified as a Double Blood Donation,that can save up to two lives. 

“When you donate your blood, you’re not just donating a liquid”, senior physiology student Kelly Ma says.  “You’re donating platelets, plasma, red blood cells, and white blood cells that can drastically help various types of people that are in need of them.”

Platelet donations are ideal for patients with certain cancers that don’t allow them to produce their own blood. Red blood cell donations help trauma and surgery patients carry oxygen throughout the body. Plasma helps maintain blood pressure and other vital functions,that make a great impact on those who need it.

“40%  of those who are in need of transfusions of  blood everyday are under 20”, junior Alondra Lopez says. “One pint of blood may not affect you entirely, but it can make a huge difference in someone’s life. It is important we take advantage of donating blood.”

The drive will take place in C-Commons, Thursday March 21st, during and after school. If you have anyone questions about the donation process or blood drive requirement, you can visit Mr. Elwell’s classroom in the K building, room K-37. You can also seek advice and answered questions on the American Red Cross website https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html.