Almost everyone owns a camera nowadays, using them to document everything from memorable family vacations to a weekend at the mall with friends. However, despite the world-wide use of this technology, the first company even to mass-market the camera has gone broke. Kodak, probably the best known film company and dating back to 1880, filed for bankruptcy back on Jan. 19, 2012.

Many factors play into Kodak’s bankruptcy, but the most influential was the shift from actual film to digital photography. Kodak was late to adopt the new technology, allowing competitors such as Fujifilm from Japan to take over the market and undercut Kodak’s prices. The company finally decided to halt production of classic film in 2003, but by that point, it was too late to recover and compete. Despite again rising to the top with the innovation of the camera dock, Kodak’s success did not last. In 2005, they were ranked first in U.S. digital camera sales; in 2010, they were seventh, behind Canon, Nikon, Sony and others.

After having to cut 47,000 employees and 13 factories since 2003, with its bonds and stocks plummeting and its inability to repay its loan from Citigroup, the company had no choice but to declare bankruptcy. The company filed $5.1 billion in assets and $6.8 billion in debt, leaving them with few options. After trying to sell over 1,000 patents, as well as attempts at lawsuits against Samsung and Apple for patent infringement, the company still came up empty.

Though manufacture of cameras and film has been halted, the Kodak name still exists. The company will continue to create inkjet printers and other accessories as well as brand the name for the use of the technology, but as far as cameras and film goes, the company that started it all has fallen. This is one Kodak moment that people would rather not remember.

Since kindergarten, we have been taught that, as Americans, we are granted core freedoms that include, but are not limited to, speech, religion and the press.  Why then, are new bills being created to suppress these rights?

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) developed to give United States law enforcement more ability “to fight online trafficking in copyrighted intellectual property and counterfeit goods.” To allow the U.S. government to block access to websites with the intent to spread counterfeit or copyrighted goods, the PROTECT IP Act has also been proposed. These acts, in addition to a few others that have been mentioned in the media, threaten to tear down the most basic freedom associated with our generation: the internet.

As teenagers in this time, we depend on the internet to maintain our social lives, buy and download clothes and music, and just explore and access whatever our hearts desire. Yes, I agree that piracy has been spinning out of control lately in the area of entertainment, but why should our virtual freedoms be compromised as a result? Movie stars and music artists generate billions of dollars every year, whether or not their work is downloaded illegally. And yes, I agree that pirating movies and music is considered unethical, immoral and unjust. But is there really any way to contain this behavior without punishing those who refrain from this so-called stealing?

Websites like Facebook, Tumblr and Wikipedia could possibly be shut down due to these upcoming bills targeting the raw and unprotected speech that is published daily. Thus, concerns have been raised regarding our core freedoms: restraining the public’s access to various sites and essentially censoring their expressions online directly impedes the rights declared by our forefathers. The government needs to rethink these measures and consider their inevitable repercussions. After all, our generation, not theirs, will be affected most directly.

It is only February and already the natural disasters are starting to pile up. There have already been countless disasters that have harmed and taken the lives of average citizens. These can very devastating to a country, but especially in a developing country. Here are some of the most devastating disasters so far this year:

On Feb. 15 cyclone Giovanna hit Madagascar. Millions of dollars worth of damage was done and several people died with many more reported missing. On Feb. 12 an earthquake hit Costa Rica with a magnitude of 6.0, causing much damage and many casualties. One of the most powerful earthquakes so far occurred in Manila, Philippines on Feb. 6. The earthquake was measured at a 6.8 and killed 13 people. The earthquake also triggered landslides and caused millions of dollars worth of damage. Power and water were lost in many villages and damage toll continues to grow.

There are also many different natural disasters such as mudslides in Washington D.C., earthquakes in the Mississippi River, and hurricanes in Florida,  that are predicted to occur at sometime this year.

As I sit in my fourth period class, I look around the room and notice some things that just are annoying, rude, and weird.  Classroom etiquette is vital for a student to do well, and some things need to change.

1. Could you find a louder food to eat in class?:  While I am taking a test, the last thing that I want to hear the sound of your potato chips crunching in my ear.  I mean, come on… The room is totally quite… What could possibly possess you and tell you that eating the crunchiest food you could find is a good idea?  News flash!  It’s annoying, and I would rather concentrate on passing my test then concentrate on trying to ignore your noises.

2. I was trying to say something…:  There is nothing that gets on my nerves like interrupting me while I am trying to make a valid point in class.  I know that whatever you have to say is VERY important, but please just give me the chance to say what I need to say.  Yes, I am guilty of this, but at least I know when to stop talking now.

3. What did they just say?:  The announcements are very important as to finding out what is going on for the day, when meetings are for clubs, and if a bus has changed or not.  The least you could do is stop talking for five minutes.  Same goes with teachers.  Respect them.  I know some people think that they are above finding out when the next test is, but other people, like me, are not.

Classroom etiquette is important.  You may not need to know what is going on in the class, but other people do, so please respect that as you continue to talk throughout the class.

Chattahoochee is known for its academics, sports teams and classrooms, but how does Hooch keep up with its demanding reputation? Within those teams and classes are families made up of caring and encouraging students who strive to help one another. Through the blood, sweat tears caused by late night studying and early morning practices, the pupils of Chattahoochee create a bond and find themselves another home and family. Whether it is in a literature classroom or on the football field, Cougars are always there for each other. If someone is upset or overjoyed about something, that person is surrounded by supportive friends. At Hooch, students have come to expect not just an education but also a warm environment amongst their peers.

“We are dysfunctional sometimes but we all know deep down that we love each other!” Junior, Jazz Ford explained about her chorus class.

Junior, Sachin Kanetkar from the Debate Team said, “Debate Team has all my friends and it’s really fun.”

If someone is having issues at home, the guidance counselors, friends, and even teachers can help them out and talk things through. Hooch, for many students, is considered a second home.

“My team has my back; I have theirs. My brother is on the team too, so it’s like a family,” explained Junior, Brad Kirch, who was captain of the varsity lacrosse team last year.

Cougars mean a lot to each other; we are one big family. Go Hooch!

Since 1963, the American Heart association has advocated February as American Heart Month to begin a strong movement against heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States.
It may seem too early to worry about heart disease, but the earlier you form healthy habits, the easier it will be to adapt them into your changing lifestyle.
Try these easy tips:

•  Choose lean meats and poultry without the skin.
• Cut back on salt from your diet to control your blood pressure.
• Reduce consumption of trans fat and hydrogenated oils.
• Stay away from tobacco which narrows your blood vessels and affects circulation.
• Practice moderation with everything you eat.
• Keep your heart rate elevated for 30 minutes a day with cardio exercise.

Throughout February, people are encouraged to wear red in support of the fight against heart disease, particularly on National Wear Red Day which is the first Friday of February.
Even though National Wear Red Day has passed, the Wear Red Day Challenge continues from Jan. 23 through Feb. 23. To participate, enter a photo or video in one of 13 categories on the Go Red Facebook page (facebook.com/GoRed). Visit GoRedForWomen.org/WearRedDay for more information and get those submissions in fast!

        Starbucks customers will soon get a rush before they even take a sip of overly-caffeinated coffee. Why? The prices on the world’s largest and most successful coffee chain are rising. The prices of basic coffee and espresso drinks will stay the same, but Starbucks will increase prices on packaged coffee and large, labor-intensive drinks (such as frappucinos and macchiatos) The price hike is not attributed to a rise in coffee prices, but rather on rising milk and transportation fuel prices. According to NASDAQ, Starbucks’ sales, following a projected 20 percent growth, saw its shares climb 2.2 percent. The price inflation will eventually spread throughout the country, but for now, the prices are only being raised in major cities like Chicago, Albuquerque, Phoenix and New York City. This will also affect nearly all the Southern states, excluding Florida. So essentially, the price of your delicious latte will be going up a latte.

Many are anticipating the long awaited Hunger Games movie slated to come out this March. The first book in the critically acclaimed series is finally coming to the big screen.

Many of you may be wondering what the Hunger Games is, It is a fiction-adventure novel that has risen in popularity over the past few years. Although the series has already come to a conclusion, many are discovering the thrill of the Hunger Games for the first time. With a cast featuring Jennifer Lawrence (“X-men: First Class”) and Josh Hutcherson (“Bridge to Terabithia”), “The Hunger Games” is becoming a promising movie for fans and newcomers alike.

The action-packed book has taken the world by storm. Many critics are praising Suzanne Collins’s style and talent. Stephanie Meyer, author of the Twilight saga, announced her intense love for the book and praised Collins for her great work of fiction.

The movie is unique in that Collins holds the position of Creative Arts director for the movie, which gives her much more input than authors typically have in the book-to-movie process. The trailers and previews have brought much anticipation for the movie’s release. The action is enough satisfy the Hunger Games craze, and the cast is enough to attract moviegoers who have never read the series.

The Hunger Games is arguably one of the most highly anticipated movies of the whole year, and its release on the big screen is sure to take the already successful series to a new level of popularity and admiration.