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Hurricane Dorian

by Rhobie Toussaint, posted in Articles, News

Devastation in the Bahamas

Originally Published in The Harbinger

Imagine roofs being torn off of buildings, houses being flooded with water, and cars flipped over and damaged. People have nowhere to turn, trying to brace themselves for impact. 

The devastation that would strike the Bahamas was one they could never truly prepare for. 

Dorian, a Category Five at the time it hit the Bahamas on Sunday, remained stationary for an extended period of time, causing mass damage to the country. Some houses there are mainly made of wood, not built to sustain a hurricane with a wind speed of 185 miles per hour. 

“The Bahamas isn’t suited to sustain hurricanes like that and it makes me worry for the next,” said Anite Augustin, a sophomore at MLEC. 

Videos and photos of the wreckage in the Bahamas have gone viral. Throughout the media, there is footage of water from the ocean reaching the second floor of a house, with pieces of furniture and appliances floating throughout the building. 

In many of the pictures online, one can see what is left of the cities, like Abacco city, affected: knocked down trees, collapsed buildings and water just about everywhere.  

The aftermath of Dorian has been described as completely catastrophic. Currently, the death toll of Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas is about 40, and this number is expected to rise significantly.  The destruction within the country has also impacted residents in the United States, who have a connection to the Bahamas or loved ones there. 

“I’m Bahamian, so to see the destruction there makes me sad. Bahamas is my home and seeing the once beautiful place turn into a disaster is upsetting and hurts my heart,” said Mya Young, a junior at MLEC. 

Originally, Florida was forecasted to be in Dorian’s merciless path. However, Dorian changed course and was then projected to head North after hitting the Bahamas. While many Floridians are grateful that the hurricane did not cause a significant amount of damage here, there are others who almost wished that it hit Florida instead of Bahamas. 

“I felt frustrated about Dorian staying over the Bahamas for 54 hours. It was supposed to hit us… If it had hit Florida we would’ve been better suited for a hurricane like that and more prepared,” said Augustin.  

Now, many Floridians are seeking a way to help the Bahamas by donating canned foods, emergency kits, and such. At MLEC, this humanitarian prospect hasn’t been overlooked. Not even one day after students returned there, an effort to provide relief for the Bahamas was put in place. 

Throughout the week, students have been able to drop off items such as toiletries and canned goods in boxes put aside for said donations. The donations collected will be taken to the town of Miami Lakes, where it will be shipped to the Bahamas. 

“Any help or donations that you can send there, send it. The people of Bahamas really need it,” said Young. 

This week, I wanted to shed light on the destruction and devastation Hurricane Dorian caused on the Bahamas. It was absolutely heartbreaking to watch footage of houses getting flooded, and the parts of the island experiencing destruction that will be very difficult to come back from. But it’s not impossible. As mentioned in the article, there have already been efforts to provide relief in the Bahamas. It is important that we come together and help those in need in times like this instead of ignoring them. The residents in The Bahamas are, after all, human beings just like everyone else. 

 

Friends

by Rhobie Toussaint, posted in Experience

Choose your friends wisely. 

Fortunately for me, that’s a lesson I never had to learn the hard way. I’ve been graced by wonderful friends throughout my life. 

Others have not been so fortunate. Association with what can be described as the “wrong crowd” has caused trouble for individuals with pure intentions. For example, a night with said wrong crowd may have started as a simple hangout, but ended with someone in a jail cell. Or a goal-oriented, straight  A student losing sight about what’s important to them after having bad influences as friends.  

The people you surround yourself with also speaks to others about your character. If you spend all your time with a group who slacks off constantly and goes on mischievous adventures, nothing more than that will be expected from you. If you are a hard worker, or at least are trying to get there, and surround yourself with people who want the same thing, surely you’d be perceived in a different light than the individual who hangs with the ‘slackers.’ 

Surely it can be argued that the way others perceive you shouldn’t matter. Or even better, that just because you are friends with a certain group of people doesn’t mean that you are similar to them. But why would you want to be friends with individuals who hold you back instead of push you to do better?

Thus, there is an importance to having good friends. To me, a true friend is someone who will be there for you in the ways that they can. A true friend is someone who won’t leave you in your difficult time. It is someone who wants the best for you, someone you can laugh with, cry to, support, and vice versa.

 I can say with 100% certainty I have true friends, and I appreciate them more as each day passes by. They make the tough times a little more bearable. They celebrate with me, they advise me, and they support me. I want everyone to have those kinds of people in their lives.

So, choose the people you call your friends wisely. 

They can easily cause wreckage in your life just as easily as they can make your life better. 

 

 

 

 

image from: https://teenpregnancy.acf.hhs.gov/events/national-teen-pregnancy-prevention-month

Paul

by Rhobie Toussaint, posted in Beyond MLEC

PAUL: MUSICIAN, CHRISTIAN, FAMILY-MAN

During the interview with Paul Douillon, I learned a lot about who he his and his character, but three things stood out the most: he’s God loving, family oriented, and musically inclined. 

GOD

“Initially, my relationship with God was based off of my parent’s relationship with him. It got to a point where I had to make that relationship more personal. I remember at a young age, I was passionate about worshiping and serving God. As I grew older, the passion just doubled, tripled. Around sixteen years old, I went through something pretty intense, and it pushed me further than I have ever been.

Sixteen was one of my hardest years, but my pinnacle was at seventeen because during that year, I had no responsibilities, so I was able to work on my spiritual life.  I spent a lot of time reading, studying books of ministers, learning more about the history of the body, and during that year I’ve probably fasted more than I ever did before.

Now, I don’t have as much time to nurture my spiritual life, but I guess you could say that I do it, but not as much as I did when I had less responsibilities. At the same time I realized that during that year [of seventeen], God gave me the time to make such significant investments in my spiritual life, so that I don’t starve out going into my college years.”

FAMILY

 “I have a good relationship with my entire family, and that’s mostly because any relationship that will last has to be founded on God.

For example, with my dad, when we go to meetings, and he’s the one driving  for hours to get there, I’d be the one to keep him up. One way I would do that is through asking him questions. One thing that we love to talk about is the word of God, we’d break it down, and go over scriptures. I think that us being able to talk throughout the night has formed a very special relationship between me and my dad.

Within all of the great relationships I have with the people in my family is a very cool one with my twin brother.  In our nineteen years of living, we have shared a room, and we have never fought over something. When it comes to things we own, we are so neutral with each other, if there is something here, it’s for both of us. Sometimes it’d go like:

‘You wanted to wear it? I was thinking about wearing it, but you can have it.’

‘No, I want you to have it since you wanted to wear it first.’

We would even lie to each other and say ‘I never wanted it,’ so that the other person can have it, but that never works because we know each other well enough to think otherwise.”

From left to right: Angelo, Sashine, Ruth, Antoine, Gina, and Paul Douillon

MUSIC

“I’m passionate about music. I play eight different instruments [trumpet, drums, piano, baritone, flugelhorn, bass guitar, learning guitar and trombone]. I also want to learn how to play the flute, and the saxophone, and maybe the violin. I want to learn at least 10 instruments in total.

I’ve written a few instrumentals, and one day I would love to make an instrumental album with me playing all of the instruments featured in it. Another dream of mine is for one day, the tunes that I  make to be played by an orchestra, or even further, have the emotional tunes that I make end up on a movie soundtrack.

The music that I play is an extension of who I am. It’s expressing myself without any words. Sometimes, I’ll have a difficult day, and I don’t want to talk to anyone about it, so I’ll go on my piano, let out my emotions through my fingers, and there comes a song. Music is a way I can express myself quite well to the world, and to myself.  Music is also a universal language, it goes past borders. You can put a German, an Australian, an American, a Haitian, and an African in the same room, play the same song, and they will feel the same emotion. I think that’s a beautiful thing.”

Paul founded an organization at his school, Musical Minds, in which members play music at the school and the community, and also teach music to those who would like to learn.

— Paul Douillon, 19, Founder of Musical Minds, College student

 

Father’s Day

by Rhobie Toussaint, posted in Experience

Dad, 

Today is Father’s Day, and I always tell you that I love you. But today I’ll tell you why.

We don’t have the closest relationship, but that doesn’t mean everything that you do for this family goes by unnoticed. At age 21 you came to the U.S., and you have been working hard ever since.

I recall the nights as a fifth grader when I’d rush to my room at midnight as you arrived home from work, praying that you wouldn’t figure out that I was awake.

I remember the nights during my freshman year when I’d stay up to finish an assignment and I could hear you getting ready for work from my room.

I remember the dollar you’d give me everyday, and the days when’d you search the car and your pockets for change so that I would have money, just in case I need it.

There are days in which we would barely talk because I felt that you were being unreasonable, or you were mad at me for a mistake I made.

There are days when the only words I say to you are “Good morning, how are you,” and “good night.”

But there are also days when I would go on about a project I’m working on, and urge you to look at the finish product. You would look at it even if you’re tired from a long day at work.

I just want you to know that I appreciate you and how you have contributed to providing for the family.

I love you and Happy Father’s Day.

Sincerely,

A daughter who will be forever grateful for you.

 

JUULS

by Rhobie Toussaint, posted in Articles, News

JUULS: The Full Picture

As each day passes by, more and more people are using JUULs and e-cigarettes to vape, whether it is in restaurants, the back of the schools, or the mall. Many are under the impression that using these e-cigarettes is the safer option, or the the worst thing to ever happen. Little understand both sides.

“I know some people who [vape] that do it for the fun of it and how it makes them feel. There are also people do it because they see others doing so,” said Faith Beckford, a sophomore at MLEC.

The popularity of the Juul e-cigarette has skyrocketed since it was first introduced in 2015. Sales for this company has gone over 800 percent. From college campuses to beaches, there is bound to be someone vaping, seemly having the time of their lives.

“I see people vape just about anywhere, like in malls or in supermarkets. A lot of people use JUULS, ” said Tracy Bojorge, a senior at MLEC.

Many teens continue to vape, not thinking about any adverse effects e-cigarettes may cause. In their heads, the act of vaping is usually seen as “fun” and “cool.”

However, a pod alone has as much nicotine as twenty cigarettes. The consumption of too much nicotine leads to cardiovascular, and respiratory problems. It has also been proven to debilitate a person’s control over their impulses.

“I think e-cigarettes cause just as much damage. It still has chemicals, and when people smoke the vape they think it’s harmless. They’re actually dangerously addictive,” said Zhyenda Bain, a Sophomore at MLEC.

With flavors ranging from mint to fruit, and its portable containers, its allure makes it very easy for teens to get addicted.

Although there has been a ban on some of the JUUL flavors recently, now that people are addicted, they may go to great lengths to retrieve a pod.

While the adolescents vaping think that the action has no effect on them, exposure to the glycerol in the vape can lead to excessive irritation-eyes, skin and throat, redness, itching, or burning.

When used properly, however, using a JUUL pod comes with its benefits. E-cigarettes are meant for people to reduce their use and addiction to tobacco ones, as long as there is a set goal in mind.

“When used as a complete replacement, rather than in addition to cigarettes, they are a preferable alternative for smokers who haven’t had success with medically proven approaches,” said Dr. Linda Richter on the debate of whether or not cigarettes can help quit smoking.

And while smoking tobacco cigarettes can make having an anxiety attack 5 times more likely, vaping is known to help ease anxiety.

“Tobacco can cause sleeping problems. The sleep deprivation coupled with shortness of breath may lead to stress, anxiety, and panic. Vaping doesn’t cause any of the above problems,” said the Depression Health Network.

With the adverse health effects and addictiveness of JUULs and vaping presents, it is best to be used by those quitting tobacco or with a doctor recommendation. Otherwise, like in the case of teens who think juuling is “cool,” JUULing will cause negative impacts on one’s health, physically or psychologically.