People to People 2015: Reflections and Experience

                   In the previous school year, I was selected to participate in a program called People to People. People to People is an ambassador program started many years ago. Basically, it takes a group of children all over the USA to a foreign country or countries. My adventure was entitled "Tale of Two Cities," so I went to England and France for about two weeks. It was truly an amazing experience and I got to do things people would only dream of doing, and am extremely grateful for my trip. First of all, I got to meet a lot of new different people and also be exposed to cultures around the world. This traveling experience boosted my independence as well as confidence.  Over time, we all got to make new friends and get to know each other very well. Some of the things I did included:

• visit the Palace of Versailles
• go to Disneyland Paris
• climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower
• visit the English cathedral with the tallest spire and oldest working clock in the world
• go through a rafting challenge and mud obstacle course
• view a theater production in England called "The Railway Children"
• travel on the London Eye
• meet with a former MP(member of Parliament)

These are only some of the amazing places I went to. I jotted everything that happened each day of the drip to keep as a memoir. I might post one of my more interesting journal entries on this blog in the future. Overall, this was one of the most pivotal experiences of my life.

(I will try to post some pictures in my future post.)

            Warning Labels on Sugary Drinks? My thoughts.

It’s big! It’s bad! It’s a murderer! I’m talking about a soda can. This sneaky fellow can increase your risk of having a heart attack by 20%! It’s time we call the sugar police. And I’m talking about warning labels. California is considering putting warning labels on sugary drinks because they are causing lots of health problems. Sugary drinks, such as soda, should most definitely have warning labels on them.

 First of all,  sugar is super addictive! Warning labels will most definitely decrease the amount of sugar one consumes a day, and obesity rates will conclusively go down! According to Marcola.com, a health website, seventy percent of Americans are overweight, it will increase to seventy five percent in 2020, and eight six percent in 2030! My evidence proves that obesity rates will just keep increasing, because of our addiction to sugar! If we don’t put a stop to that now, more and more people will get diagnosed with sugar related illnesses. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, “In the 1970’s sugary drinks made up 4% US daily calorie intake; by 2001, that had risen to 9%.” This evidence proves that sugary drinks are playing a huge role in  the excess sugar being eaten per day, and if we do not put warning labels on sugary drinks, people are going to keep consuming large amounts of sugar.

Sugar is also super unhealthy! That is the main reason why warning labels should be put on sugary drinks! This poison has found it’s way into every food, and is causing diseases, such as diabetes, heart attack, and even some cancers! According to New York Times, “ The many numbers all point in the same direction. Look at heart disease: The INTERHEART study of 30,000 men and women in 52 countries showed that at least 90 percent of heart disease is lifestyle related; a European study of more than 23,000 Germans showed that people with healthier lifestyles had an 81 percent lower risk.” This evidence proves that sugar is not only a problem in America, but in the whole world. If we take the first steps by putting warning labels on sugary drinks, everyone else will follow!

            Just wait a second. Why are sugary drinks being singled out? Aren’t there many other foods that mainly cause these health issues? Nope. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, “Children and youth in the US averaged 224 calories per day from sugary beverages in 1999 to 2004-nearly 11% of their daily calorie intake. From 1998 to 2008, calories from sugary beverages increased by 60% in children ages 6 to 11 130-209 calories per day, and the percentage of children consuming them rose from 79% to 91%.” My evidence proves that sugar from sugary drinks are by far the biggest cause of problems like obesity, and are not being singled out. Warning labels will help solve this problem.

  In conclusion, warning labels should be put on every sugary drink there is. They are guaranteed to be effective, sugar is addictive, and it causes tons of health problems. It must be stopped. Warning labels are the perfect solution. Next time you go to the grocery store, think twice before picking up that can of soda.