design: Lincoln Hake
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
In recent months, President Joe Biden passed a three-part plan to help provide student debt relief. Even accounting for inflation, the cost of college has increased rapidly since the 1980’s; this plan known as “Public Service Loan Forgiveness” (PSLF), aimed to help those in low and middle income families pay off some, if not all, of their debt, according to studentaid.gov.
“Student loan debt forgiveness means that the government is dropping the remaining payments that were owed for certain individuals if they meet certain qualifications,” government teacher Rebecca Whitney said.
While these individuals are likely already out of college this plan does still have an impact on high school students and their families.
“This may directly impact students and families of OOHS who have current outstanding federal student loans because this would mean they wouldn’t owe this money back, freeing up more income for their family to use in other ways,” Whitney said.
She elaborates that student loan forgiveness has become somewhat of a divisive public issue. While some support the effort to help erase the financial burden to individuals or families, others argue that since the loans were voluntarily taken out, those people should be held responsible to pay them back.
Overall, the PSLF plan has caused extreme controversy as some argue that it will increase inflation; some states have said they may tax the amount of the loan forgiven and others believe it does not solve the real problem- rising prices of college tuition and the overall student debt issue.
Halloween Style Orchestra Concert
The first orchestra concert just happened this week, and in the spirit of fall and spooky season- the concert was Halloween themed. It is the first chance for the orchestra to showcase their talent and how they work together.
“I hope that all of the students perform as well as they can and are able to put together everything we’ve talked about, make good music and have fun,” orchestra director Lori Cornett said.
Every year the goal for the orchestra is to play up to its full potential according to Cornett. The big challenge is in February where there is a contest in which the orchestra is judged and graded based upon how well they perform.
“Every year is so different that it’s hard to know things like how difficult the music you’re going to be able to play is and what you’re going to be able to do. So I think this first concert will help in seeing what our potential could be and the goal is to get as close to that as possible,” Cornett said.
The concert took place on Oct. 5, some of the songs played include Day of Wrath, This is Halloween, and the Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
