Column: End the Pink Plague

Benjamin Nopper and Lily Hager • February 27, 2019

With approximately 400 pink slips handed out assigning Thursday Night School, TRL’s Ben Nopper and Lily Hager explain how the “Pink Plague” threatens to take over the school.

We high school students share a lot of things every day. We share the same halls, drink from the same water fountains, eat from the same lunch lines…practice the same bad habits.

Consequently, we share the same fate: the Pink Plague. So when the phone rings in the middle of your third period teacher’s lecture, everyone falls silent and the teacher calls your name, when you begin your epic walk of shame through the hallways to receive a pink slip, know you are not alone. You now have plans with hundreds of other classmates on Thursday night.

Your friends probably came down with it too. You’ve seen the “T’s” in their PowerSchool, and you recognize the side effects. They’re coming down with the plague.

The Pink Plague is uncontainable–so widespread that the lecture hall is too small a space to quarantine it. The illness has now taken over the main gym. Soon enough, the CDC will try to keep the Plague contained in the Allen Event Center.

But is this fate inevitable? It’s hard to say for sure. Scientific studies show that the Pink Plague is spread primarily through the germs on unfinished papers, tardy slips and lunch detentions.

Unfortunately, nobody’s responsibility-fighting immune system will work forever. Luckily, there is a remedy. You can finish that rhetorical analysis, you can make it to class a minute earlier, and you can behave like a well-rounded high school student. Instead of sharing bad habits, we should share punctuality–the ultimate cure. This is the cost-effective home remedy to the Pink Plague.

I beg of you to end the plague before all students fall victim. Please, for the safety of our school.

About the Contributors

Benjamin Nopper, Section Editor

After joining staff and becoming an editor his sophomore year, Benjamin Nopper is enthusiastic to spend his senior year in the newsroom he considers to be his home away from home. Benjamin walked into room E103 two years ago feeling overwhelmed by the pressure of the unknown‒writing for an award-winning publication without much previous experience. Hundreds of articles and dozens of close relationships later, he now understands that writing enables an individual to have a meaningful impact in his community. A disciple of his former boss, Nick Smith, Nopper retains his position as sports editor for the third consecutive year while also contributing as an opinion writer. However, if it were up to him, he would run his own satire department. Outside of the newsroom, Nopper plays baseball and serves as an FCA leader. Nopper is also a member of Student Council, NHS and Spanish Club. He enjoys embarking adventures with his three dogs, spending afternoons on the golf course, and feeding his unhealthy coffee obsession. Nopper also loves to watch Impractical Jokers, the show that admittedly inspires some of his lighthearted interactions with his friends. Upon graduating, Nopper intends to study business and eventually attend law school.

Lily Hager, Editor-In-Chief

With the coming of her fourth and final year of high school, Lily Hager eagerly awaits the senior perks that accompany all who suffer from “senioritis”–including off periods, senior overalls and dual credit. Her freshman, sophomore and junior years were occupied by marching band, newspaper, several AP classes and leadership positions (including being drum major of the band and editor in chief of The Red Ledger junior year). Hager thrives any day that involves journaling, bible studies, time spent with friends or family, and ice cream. Her time at home is largely spent in her room, which she so carefully designed for the past several years into a safe haven. She fills her (rare) free time by cleaning, writing, reading, planning or talking (whether that be to her parents, her friends or her pet bunny, Boots). Despite her burning excitement for college at A&M, she is committed to enjoying her last year as an editor, conducting her last show, and living her last year in her childhood home. Last, but not least, she is certain to take advantage of one last year of writing, editing, and loving TRL.

Grace Nguyen, Section Editor

Fueled daily by three iced vanilla coffees, standing at 5’2”, Grace Nguyen will walk into the E103 door with no problem. Grace is entering senior year, and the only reason she is believed to have survived high school is because of the napping couch in the photography studio. During her time on staff, Grace has been to almost every football game, win or loss, and wouldn’t have changed a thing. Yes, Grace has been tackled by football players, run over by coaches, and body slammed by referees. Nonetheless, Grace will confidently walk on the field this year, bruises and all, alongside her sideline media team. Stepping outside the newsroom, which is rare, Grace enjoys playing softball, hanging out with family and friends, and finding excuses to go to every $3 Pazookie Tuesdays at BJ’s. After high school, Grace hopes to pursue a career in sports photojournalism, so watch out for her still getting run over by athletes on ESPN in the years to come. Although it’s bittersweet to leave newspaper upon graduation, Grace is thankful for all the opportunities that she’s had on staff. Through The Red Ledger, Grace created long-lasting friendships and won a lot of awards that she never imagined was possible. Grace hopes that current and future staffers will think of this national-award-winning publication the same way as she did–a second family and their home away from home.