The Case For Doubling NASA's Budget

           

NASA, standing for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, was created in the wake of the Cold War circa October 1958, and its inception can be accredited to the American desire to exert technological superiority over its predecessors, namely the Soviet Union. A bitter conflict that lasted decades had rivaled two countries against each other, each governed by very different political ideologies. With the launch of an SU satellite called Sputnik, president Eisenhower felt obliged to sign the National Aeronautics and Space Act. After some adjustments were made that considered the civilian freedom to control space exploration, NASA was born. The organization started strong with thousands of employees borrowed from similar institutions, immediately conducting space missions to test the limits of human ingenuity. Its first series of projects existed to test the capability of a human in surviving space for a certain period of time. Later into the 1960's, the nation was united by a common goal to visit the Moon before their prime adversaries, but after a successful landing this enthusiasm died down and the victory lost substance in the ensuing decades. Years later, another presidential decision would shape the course of NASA achievements henceforth. The construction of a space station and research base spanned from Reagan's presidency in 1984, when NASA was first authorized to begin construction, to the Clinton administration when the final redesign took place. Then, at the turn of the 21st century, an unexpected alliance formed between the competing superpowers of days long gone, the U.S. and Russia. Permanent cohabitation of the International Space Station (ISS) set a new space record and began an era of collaboration that would echo the ambitions of earlier men and women seeking to establish a presence above Earth. Aside from that, NASA probes launched in the 1970's such as Pioneer 10 and Voyager 1 continue to shape our understanding of the solar system we live in. In the 50 years leading up to today, research ventures like wind tunnels and scientific feats like the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope prove that NASA has provided the American people with boon times. At a time when we possessed little knowledge of the greater cosmos, NASA stepped in to satisfy our curiosity. It is then no wonder why the country should supply them with appropriate funds to press on with their legacy, but in today’s reality the NASA budget has only come to a halt at best. NASA's budget in fiscal year 2015 was approximately $18.1 billion, representing a mere 1.7% of the U.S. discretionary spending, or the money that the executive branch decides how to spend on an annual basis. Compared to military expenditures that totaled a whopping $496.1 billion in discretionary spending, according to About News, this 18 billion figure is inconceivably low. There is overwhelming potential for the agency to contribute to job markets, create innovative devices for use in daily life, and make scientific discoveries that would expand human knowledge of the universe and what lies within it; therefore, the proposed financial plan for fiscal year 2016 should roughly double NASA's budget to 4% of discretionary spending.

            At first glance, another obvious benefit that NASA projects provide to the people is the invention of products and tools. Known as "spinoffs", these contraptions were originally used in test flights and other projects meant for direct purposes. However, these technologies gradually found their way to the private sector and finally the public market, some taking 20 years for full manifestation and others, depending on the secondary work required, only taking a few short months. As time passed, a wide range of applications became available. For instance, Temper foam, or "memory foam" in colloquial terms, was developed in 1966 to be used as airplane seat cushioning to absorb shock and improve the experience of passengers. Now, its range of uses has stretched even further. A primary function in today's domestic world is to enhance bedtime rest by molding to the sleeper's body, but memory foam is also used in sports safety equipment, motorcycle seats, hospital mattresses, and any other type of potentially disastrous situation. As another offshoot, the material is found extensively in artificial limb models to offer amputees less friction between skin and prosthesis, which indicates that NASA products even have the potential to reshape our standard of living. Another example of a technology that has found widespread use is long distance telecommunications; calls can now be made internationally thanks to the many satellites orbiting Earth that once allowed astronauts to describe how they felt in space. In addition to physical products, NASA engineers are known for creating a food safety system in the 1960's termed the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). Currently utilized by both the FDA and USDA, it is designed to detect physical or chemical hazards in food products at any stage of development to ensure that customers are never at risk of getting infected. Based on the variety of examples given, it is evident that the progress made by astronomers is not just limited to helping in science endeavors; in fact, most inventions end up having a dual function. What's most amazing is that the inventions explained above only cover a fraction of all devices thought up by NASA. Throughout their history, LED's, freeze-dried food and water purification techniques also found their spot in stardom. All of these technologies point to the reality of NASA's usefulness over the years, and that with twice the budget its ability to innovate and shape consumer life could be even greater. In their 2014 annual performance report, NASA workers list some of the larger projects at hand, which they hope to accomplish with adequate funds. Under Agency Priority Goals, the team plans to launch the James Webb Space Telescope sometime in 2018, and with new scientific instruments built to gather new information it is guaranteed that more products will result. As mentioned before, these products have a tendency to enter the marketplace, so if funds were to propagate it should be expected for a number of useful inventions to make their debut. NASA's budget proposal, if followed biblically with all the details adhered to, would allow the agency to fulfill their promise of bringing a stream of gadgets to the global customer base.

            Directly, NASA funding would improve the economy in many ways, by helping to create thousands of jobs and also acting as an investment for major returns. The facilities that make up NASA headquarters are always available for more spots considering payment will follow, as the agency's workforce is 70% comprised of engineering roles that translates to endless options for development of more products and the execution of missions. However, referencing a 2007 informational booklet from The National Academies Press, the average age in NASA's workforce is between 40 and 44. By now, the mean has creeped about a decade closer to retirement age. Although that number is youthful compared to the average age in aerospace business circa 2014, the fact is that middle-aged men with important experience in gathering research are about to leave their job positions all at once. As the number of employed individuals at any of NASA's facilities drops lower than the standard 18,000, a critical factor in NASA's sustainability will be a massive influx of young and determined Millennials. Therefore, because of NASA's diminishing workforce, it is imperative to fill these positions not only to reduce U.S. unemployment, but also due to the risk of the agency's collapse. Another benefit is that the agency contributes to the space economy with trickle-down economics, improving American status. In the overview section of The Space Foundation's "Space Report", pie charts depict over three-fourths of space activity in 2013 coming from commercial products and infrastructure, of which NASA is a large contributor. This information demonstrates that NASA plays a significant role in the space economy, which ultimately benefits the world's citizens. Neil deGrasse Tyson, noted astrophysicist and Director of the Hayden Planetarium, supports this claim and agrees that the return on investments comes in the form of innovation. "Not only innovations that come directly from solving the challenges of advancing a space frontier," he said, "but also the culture and society that arises from being a participant in that frontier”.

            In addition to the tools and equipment NASA has invented and made popular over time, there are a plethora of astronomy-related discoveries the organization was fortunate enough to invest their time in, representing the third and final reason to increase spending money. The topics that concern the finds range from exoplanetary systems and knowledge of our solar system's geology, to dark matter, the existence of extraterrestrial life and black holes. Although the scope of their findings may sound extremely inapplicable and otherworldly, a surprising amount has to do with Earth's geology. Over the years, the use of satellites and other technology has enabled the study of humanity's home planet in various ways. In particular, the discovery of a layer of charged particles above the surface sparked interest within NASA. In response, they launched a program in 2012 that sent two probes to observe changes in the radiation belt in response to solar activity, which is crucial for astronaut safety. Additionally, NASA is tasked with monitoring the effects of climate change on the ozone layer, and also making predictions for atmospheric concentration based on future changes in air quality. This information is critical if the world's people are to have an accurate reading of their exposure to the sun's rays, and whether there is need for concern. Zooming in on the telescope, Mars is a neighboring planet that has seen enormous attention in recent years. The deployment of three rovers-Spirit, Opportunity and Curiosity- began a second era of interplanetary exploration rivaled only by the Apollo landing. In their many voyages across the bleak topography, the robots have found evidence of an ancient streambed that may've contained water, discovered radiation levels too dangerous for human travelers, and happened upon rocky landscape that defied previous notions of a bland terrain. This series of achievements, made possible by the scientific instruments attached to the rovers, embodies a huge victory in the space industry and a newfound source of knowledge that ordinary citizens can come to appreciate. On the bolder side of NASA's accomplishments, exoplanets are a major area of interest in space. In 2014, the Kepler Space Telescope focused its vision on a specific planetary body that was unlike most others: Kepler-186f is both Earth-sized and within the habitable zone, an area around a star that is suitable for liquid water. What this means is that for the first time in space history, an entire record of knowledge has been gathered for a planet capable of harvesting life, such as the orbiting period and category its star falls under. Because of its promising features, it is precisely the kind of planet researchers are looking for as it could help explain the probability that other worlds are home to alien life, one of the most fascinating unsolved realms of cosmology. The extent of what NASA has done with regards to scientific uncovering is truly something to behold. Dedicated members have illustrated time and time again that their passion lies not only with far away planetary bodies and the mysteries that surround them, but also nearby objects that can quickly lead to practical knowledge. The selling point of joining NASA and engaging in groundbreaking research is that a worker gets to participate in what they love. This natural enthusiasm to recognize the immensity of space and chip away at its riddles holds benefits for the individual themselves, and also the society they find themselves in, as the residue of their successes makes a permanent indent in cultural values and academic subjects.

            Standing in the way of all these benefits are some common arguments people make in an attempt to defund NASA or eliminate their role in the American economy altogether. An online poll from early 2013 claimed that 26% of the people who participated see no reason in extending NASA's budget. When asked why, some announced their disapproval with the percentage of the U.S. federal budget allocated to NASA research. To paraphrase, some wrote that America could use the money for NASA to instead feed the homeless or plant trees. Although his or her plan is commendable and philanthropic, the polled individual fails to recognize that 58% of the president's discretionary spending in the same year of the poll went to military spending, representing an absurdly large figure. If contributing to the community in a meaningful way was that important, cutting a portion out of the military instead would constitute a fairer gesture. Another, more sophisticated argument involves the notion that NASA, just like other government-funded programs, spends its money without keeping the interests of the civilian population in mind. To address demand, this inefficiently spent money could go towards private enterprise that tends to minimize costs and adhere to public appeal. The author of the article, Robert Taylor, summarizes his stance by saying "consumers, not bureaucrats, should decide where precious resources go". However, this argument assumes that our only valuable resource is money, and that time is not significant in space-related activities. The reality is that time holds equal if not greater value, and we must utilize it in a decisive manner. With crowded cityscapes in the world yearning for living necessities, a critical factor in humankind's development is the productive use of time. The innovation circulating in larger space programs, along with their large sums of money, is precisely what allows scientific achievements to be made in a shorter time frame. He continues by saying "if NASA were de-funded, the private sector could begin to deliver services that are actually valuable to consumers". The aim of the private sector of business is to supply profitable goods and services to customers, while the purpose of agencies like NASA is more aligned with creating industries through discovery of new phenomena. With no cutting-edge industries emerging in the market economy, due to a complete lack of funding, the probability that private entities can drive innovation or have any effect on our lives will be reduced to zero. NASA is critical for this reason; eliminating it entirely to make way for privatized endeavors would prevent discoveries from being made that then allow new industries to enter our lives. A layout for our economy that would produce a better outcome would have the two distinct types of business working in symbiosis, as the knowledge of one ultimately and quite directly leads to the profit of the other, ensuring a happy community of people and a path to scientific uncovering that will never die down.

            To summarize, an increase in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's budget would supply thousands or even millions more workers with jobs in different fields, make way for a panoply of useful and relevant inventions, and lead humanity on the path to uncovering some of life's grandest mysteries such as astronomically close and habitable planets, or faster-than-light interstellar travel. NASA was founded with the intended purpose of sending a team of astronauts to the Moon. Its official mission statement now reads, "to pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics research", after removing part of their motto back in 2006. It is clear despite their many tremendous strides in astronomy research, that the agency's ultimate goal revolves around space exploration. One day this might extend into permanently settling a planetary body with human colonies abounding, and although this shows little sign of being accomplished soon, an increase in funding might ensure an earlier success.  The majority of this paper already discussed direct benefits with NASA funding that the nation can prosper from, but traveling to and living in outer space also has several side benefits that would hold value on a global scale. For one, colonization of a nearby solar system habitable for human life would combat the ever-increasing issue of overpopulation, as well as meteor impacts. By mid-century, the world population is projected to reach a number that exceeds 9 billion, and with a poor means of distributing resources like food and energy, near-term solutions will test our intellectual might to the highest extent. To make things worse, a meteorite just 350 meters in diameter could decimate an area the size of a small state, or cause tsunamis depending on the location. The death toll in a concentrated urban area would likely send us into a panic, past our ability to cope with the fatalities. Although the frequency of an asteroid collision this dangerous is very low- about once every thousand years- there is ample reason to invest in an off-world settlement well before the next strike occurs. To continue, a monetary push is exactly what's needed to revive the mainstream interest lost since the Apollo era, an age where families gathered around their television sets to view the moon landing as something breathtaking and meaningful. It would also promote international cooperation, as expanding into the far reaches of the galaxy would require many countries to pool their resources in a massive effort to journey through black and mysterious settings, and establish offworld bases where more research can continue. Similar to the collaborative nature of the ISS, this benefit of uniting us under a common goal could be far-reaching in all our endeavors from the very moment we plan the interstellar trip. Erasing cultural prejudice, generating solutions at a quicker rate, and reducing conflict could just be the start of it all. In addition, the bleak expanse we call space would serve as the opportune place for storing waste, as it is infinitely growing and, for the most part, uninhabited. This situation is ideal for the main reason that the Pacific garbage patch consists of a 1,200 miles-long stretch of tiny plastic fragments that are harming wildlife. According to a 2012 report by the Royal Society, this number has only increased as of late, and will continue to rise. "Microplastic debris in the North Pacific increased by two orders of magnitude between 1972-1987 and 1999-2010 in both numerical and mass concentrations". This statistic is not likely to improve unless humans can either reduce their trash output, or find a way to store it without compromising Earth's ecosystems. It's not only plastics that deter us from a healthy biosphere and clean community, however. The existence of hazardous waste such as toxic material poses a daily threat to human populations across the globe. A further plus to the space movement is the acquisition of valuable resources and extremely rare minerals through the mining of asteroids. This method of collection has the potential to dramatically affect the world economy, replenishing our dwindling supply of business-critical elements. For example, platinum and cobalt are commonly found on asteroids but are more of a rarity back on Earth, and could be used to build solar power satellites among other gadgets. In conclusion, although NASA was founded for a competitive purpose, the organization should become something more that can benefit all mankind. Once we recognize our destiny as a spacefaring civilization graced with the ability to reason and dream big, it will aid us greatly in our path to limitless insight if we provide aid to an agency rife with opportunity and passion. As the stars in the night sky beckon our arrival, it is imperative that we not only privatize access to space, but also return to the roots of space enthusiasm and supply the original source of these discoveries and missions, NASA, with a sizable share of the government's spending money.

Bibliography of paper:

Dunbar, Brian. "50 Years of NASA History." NASA. NASA, 10 Apr. 2008. Web. 19 May 2015.

Amadeo, Kimberly. "Federal Budget FY 2015." Federal Budget FY 2015. About.com, n.d. Web. 19 May 2015.

Jones, John. "NASA Technologies Benefit Our Lives." NASA Technologies Benefit Our Lives. NASA, 2008. Web. 19 May 2015.

Office Of The Chief Financial Officer, Nasa. Part 2 of NASA's FY 2014 Annual Performance Report and FY 2016 Annual Performance Plan (n.d.): n. pag. NASA, 2014. Web. 14 May 2015.

"Overall Assessment of Workforce Supply and Demand." Building a Better NASA Workforce: Meeting the Workforce Needs for the National Vision for Space Exploration. Washington, D.C.: National Academies, 2007. 1. Print.

"The Authoritative Guide to Global Space Activity." 2 0 1 4 (n.d.): 1. 2014. Web. Apr.-May 2015.

 Barth, Chris. "Neil DeGrasse Tyson: Invest In NASA, Invest In U.S. Economy." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 13 Mar. 2012. Web. 18 May 2015.

Erickson, Kristen. "Atmospheric Composition - NASA Science." Atmospheric Composition - NASA Science. NASA, 17 Jan. 2014. Web. 19 May 2015.

Johnson, Michele. "NASA's Kepler Discovers First Earth-Size Planet In The 'Habitable Zone' of Another Star." NASA. NASA, 17 Apr. 2014. Web. 19 May 2015.

"Should America Continue Spending Money on NASA?" Should America Continue Spending Money on NASA? Debate.org, 28 Feb. 2013. Web. 19 May 2015.

"US Military Spending." San Diego Veterans For Peace. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2015.

Taylor, Robert. "The Case For Defunding NASA." Mic. Motherboard, 28 Apr. 2011. Web. 19 May 2015.

Goldstein, Miriam C. "Increased Oceanic Microplastic Debris Enhances Oviposition in an Endemic Pelagic Insect." The Royal Society Publishing. Royal Society, 9 May 2012. Web. 2 May 2015.

This Week's News: Drone Swarms, Water on Mars, Dark Matter

General Atomics' photon cannon made its debut at a military expo, and in case you're wondering what that might be, the machinery can essentially transform any ordinary vehicle into a fully operational laser weapon. The Navy's Sea-Air-Space Exposition may have showcased the tech to a crowd of inquisitive onlookers, but there is still a lot we do not know, that they've kept in the dark. Just by glancing at the size though, you can tell it's made incredible gains since last year, when Lockheed had a similarly deadly version of their own but one that was much larger. Another feature that has noticed progress is the cannon's energy output, which has risen from 10 kilowatts -used to destroy rockets from miles away- to 75-300 in a matter of months. I don't usually enjoy talking about technology that can kill, but this photon cannon is just sick. Mount it to your car, even, for a roadway that molds to your bidding!

The U.S. Navy is kicking ass this week, not only with its photon cannon but also with drone swarms. These drones might soon be launched by the LOCUST program, and will work together to finish tasks that would normally require a great deal of human involvement. The potential uses are wide-ranging, too; there could be tasks like "autonomously overwhelming adversaries", defending allies from harm, or scouting a dangerous area. A group of 30 could rapidly shoot out of a tube and fly together like geese to dynamically approach a situation. They could be sent from large ships or ground vehicles, and commanded by personnel to carry out missions that demand cooperation and quick data-sharing. A video of the drones in action:

Throughout history, people living under harsh governmental regulations have had no other option than to silence their voices for good, but recently that is no longer the case. Citizens from Spain, calling on the help of others, created holograms and projected them onto city streets to send a message that they feared would be too dangerous to deliver in person. Activists invited worldwide citizens to send videos and/or text to simulate a real protest, which resulted in an awesome display of personal freedom fighting back against a corrupt institution. See the video at this link.


Findings from hundreds of researchers concerning the existence of dark matter just surfaced, and will be released during a meeting at the American Physical Society. Using a 570-megapixel camera attached to the Victor Blanco telescope, the scientists involved created a map to locate the dark matter indirectly, because of the lensing effect it has on stars that distorts an observer's view. To accomplish this dream of theirs they spent 2 years analyzing the night sky in incredible detail to determine how much dark matter was present. For the study, much has yet to come in the future, as they plan to to expand their map to 30 times its size to show that dark energy is the wrong way to explain gravitational lensing.

A honeybee brain, this week, was digitized and placed inside a standard quadcopter drone so  it could navigate hallways directed by a complicated biological system. Normal honeybees, despite their size, are still capable of performing complex tasks and coordinating their activity among others, which is why I find it significant that a team was able to place that system inside a collection of metal. This project is similar to the one that took place with the OpenWorm in November 2014, in which a worm's mind was implanted into a LEGO robot body. Now, workers on the Green Brain Project successfully inserted the mind of a honeybee.

The future of honeybees

Why, you may ask? The truth is that honeybee populations have been facing a severe decline since the 80's due to a mysterious disorder called CCD. Let's face it; they're essential to American agriculture as a whole, colonies are losing strength...it's time for a change. We need robot bees, not to act as a desired and everlasting replacement but rather as a way to ensure they continue their critical function. This first step laid down the groundwork for the project, and all that remains is shrinking down the size of the drones to mimic the behavior and appearance of the real animals almost perfectly.

The next video, for some, might be a bit of a downer but that's not how I see it. Yes, SpaceX crashed yet another of their reusable spacecrafts on the 14th (designed to reduce the cost of travel), but the trial-and-error could work wonderfully in the future as long as they try new methods and achieve a finished product that makes up for all the failed attempts. Remember:

See the crash here:



In ten years, when the company exceeds our expectations and comes up with a solution to a problem that is seriously hampering our ability to explore, we'll look back on this one event and brush it aside. Well, I hope.

The recently-discovered presence of a salt on Mars lends credence to liquid water that may be under its surface. Previously, scientists believed the environment of the red planet to be much too hot for water in liquid form to ever manifest, but the existence of calcium perchlorate gave rise to liquid brine. Martian soil is damp with the stuff, and although it's not likely to sway anyone's opinion about life on Mars, what with the several hostile conditions  we must also consider, I still find it miraculous.

Spirit Week Project

One of the defining features of our school, LGHS, is the five days we spend celebrating school spirit and unity: spirit week. No matter where you look, there are students in costumes who love embracing the chosen theme of the day.

Spirit week is a time to show how connected you feel with the other students around you, celebrate the diversity on campus, and show off your style all the while anticipating the much-beloved rally. With everything that took place the week before break, the redesign of the entire main hall is arguably the coolest sight to see. Walls were decorated with the artwork of students, while the mission was to adhere to a certain decade depending on your graduating class: freshmen were living in the 80's.

 

Sophomores had the 50's:
 
Juniors were given the 70's:

 

 And finally, the class of 2K15 chose to be given the 1920's!
 

There was even popcorn you could legitimately eat:

During spirit week there are thousands of students who enjoy it for a number of reasons. Here are some and their thoughts on this important  time of the year. First, we have one of the organizers of the events:

Emma Cohan, Grade 12
 
 What is your role within the leadership team?

I'm one of the two ASB spirit representatives and work with Rachel Donnely. Among the things we do is propose themes during spirit week.

Why is school spirit important?

It brings everyone together. There's a real sense of community. School spirit makes everyone happier and makes people excited for their school year.

How different will the rally be from last time?

Last semester we had a black light rally. This semester, seniors will wear black as usual. We'll also have some other surprises.

Why would you recommend leadership to other students?

Because it's really fun to be behind the campus and decide things for the school. It's a very rewarding experience.

Would you say the brain storming process usually goes smoothly?

Not always. There are sometimes disagreements, but we resolve them and make compromises.

Which ideas for spirit themes were you considering but weren't chosen?

Land animals vs. sea animals and Thrift shop Thursday were ideas we considered, but these were already themes in previous years so we decided against them.
________________________________________________________________

Perhaps the greatest celebrator of this time of year is this guy, Alejandro:

Alejandro Camargo, Grade 11

1. What do you plan to wear?

I plan to wear a leprechaun hat, really pink things...in general, I'll go all-out for every day, but of course I'll look extra cool on Friday. Beads, bandanas, sunglasses, orange socks, face paint, orange tights. It'll be very similar to last semester's rally, only better.

2. Why do you believe school spirit is important?

Keeps everybody united, and it's a lot of fun. It's really just a time for most students at the school to  be together in one room.

3. If you could choose your own spirit day what would it be?

Zombie day. It would give me an excuse to be Jesus.
________________________________________________________

However, some faculty do not share the same enthusiasm:

Mike Betz, English/history teacher

What is your general opinion of spirit week?

I wore football jerseys last semester and watch the rally on occasion, but all in all I'm pretty indifferent. I see spirit week as an event that's more for the students than anyone else.

Do you plan to celebrate on Friday?

Not really. With my broken foot I can't really participate in the rally. I'll probably go to the rally to watch though, as usual.

If you could add your own theme day, what would it be?

Whatever the students want. It's not about what teachers think.

How do you think spirit week can be improved for next year?

Once there were plays during the rally, where classes performed a skit together, and now there are just games. I would like there to be a return.
__________________________________________________________

Aside from the decorated main hall and the energetic crowd, there is another terrific aspect to spirit week that really gets everyone pumped: the games. During lunch, competitive games occurred in the small gym and pitted students against each other for sheer thrill and entertainment. On Monday, sports day, a relay race between the four grades took place. The challenge was divided into three sections; first you must drop a cookie into your mouth...


...pull out all the tissues with a single hand...

                                                                                                                              Look at that mayhem!

 

Finally, you had to eat a donut dangling on a string:


Tuesday's game, which revolved around American Pride Day, was Hungry Hungry Hippos and will be covered in the adjoining video.

On Wednesday, Pink Day, students dressed up in their brightest pink clothing to celebrate for a variety of reasons. It seems no one is really sure, but some have proposed cancer awareness, because of the ribbon, while others think it's about paying homage to the movie Mean Girls. The game played was, you guessed it, basketball Knockout (because the two are so related). Here are some skilled tosses:

 Everyone in their stellar attire:

Friday ended the week of joyful cheering with a fantastic display of school spirit during the rally, which will also be shown in the video. A tradition at LGHS, Spirit Week has stretched back many years and exists in its current form because of changes made in the preceding decades. Yet despite these adjustments, any student who participates in the games or rally can have the same experience as graduates before their time. Based on interviews, these five days are truly a moment of someone's high school career where they can go all-out and take their mind off academics for a while. How it will evolve in the future, possibly into a greater festival than ever, is anyone's guess.