Us, Now: Recent Episodes
Ginny Helmandollar
In this podcast, various students and faculty from around Louisa County High School discuss social issues relevant to high school students today.
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Hello!
My name is Ginny Helmandollar. I am a senior from Louisa County High School and the Blue Ridge Virtual Governor's School program. A component of my Senior Project is to give back to the community, so I have chosen to begin a podcast called Us, Now. In each episode, I have a discussion with various guests from around my school about relevant social issues high school students face today.
For the very last episode of Us, Now, we will be talking about racism and. Discrimination. The Civil Rights Movement occurred merely 60 years ago. discrimination, especially based on race, continues to affect all of us today. Some topics that we talk about today include:
- What are some different forms of racism? How difficult are they to identify?
- How important is language?
- What effects has language had on us personally?
- How does growing up in one environment other another affect our view of racism and race?
- At what age is ignorance inexcusable?
- Can people truly grow and learn?
- How does racism currently manifest in the media?
- Are we improving as a society?
- How can we teach love and acceptance without becoming overbearing?
- What can we do on a personal, school-wide, and societal level to combat racism?
A special thank you goes out to Alex Washington, Elijah Tamimi, Mr. Daniel Sanchez, and Mr. Todd Ryan for participating in my podcast! Please fill out the Google Form or email ginny.helmandollar@brvgs.k12.va.us for any feedback, questions, or requests for future episodes.
Once again, this has been the final episode of Us, Now. Thank you so much for listening, and I really hope it has had an effect on listeners like it has had on me.
And, if you remember anything from this podcast, remember that empathy and understanding, not hate, makes us stronger.
Your feedback would be highly appreciated! Please use this link.
Also, join the Us, Now conversation on Instagram @usnowpodcast!
Hello!
My name is Ginny Helmandollar. I am a senior from Louisa County High School and the Blue Ridge Virtual Governor's School program. A component of my Senior Project is to give back to the community, so I have chosen to begin a podcast called Us, Now. In each episode, I have a discussion with various guests from around my school about relevant social issues high school students face today.
In today's ninth episode, we will be talking about extracurriculars. Most high school students have very prominent lives outside of the classroom. Whether it be a sport, club, job, or even taking care of a sibling at home, we are all usually busy with something. Some topics that we talk about today include:
- How do extracurriculars affect classroom performance? What about time management?
- What are some other benefits of extracurriculars?
- Which extracurriculars are deemed more important than others?
- At Louisa specifically, what are the most-attended extracurriculars?
- Is the difference in attitudes about different activities harmful? If so, is it fixable?
- Is performing in front of an audience at a game truly preferable?
- What are some other types of extracurriculars besides after-school activities? What about clubs, volunteerism, jobs, or chores?
- What is the current attitude over women's vs. men's sports?
- What are some problems with overcommitting oneself or refraining from joining something in which one is interested?
- How can we get engaged with our community?
A special thank you goes out to Ms. Jennifer Thorpe, Ms. Kate Fletcher, Jean Hess, and Ethan Snyder for participating in my podcast! Please fill out the Google Form or email ginny.helmandollar@brvgs.k12.va.us for any feedback, questions, or requests for future episodes.
Thank you for listening!
Warning: This episode contains mentions of mental illness and suicide. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255.
Your feedback would be highly appreciated! Please use this link.
Also, join the Us, Now conversation on Instagram @usnowpodcast!
Hello!
My name is Ginny Helmandollar. I am a senior from Louisa County High School and the Blue Ridge Virtual Governor's School program. A component of my Senior Project is to give back to the community, so I have chosen to begin a podcast called Us, Now. In each episode, I have a discussion with various guests from around my school about relevant social issues high school students face today.
In this eighth episode, we will be talking about mental health. Mental health and mental illnesses are becoming less stigmatized in today's society. Still, many still misunderstand their effects on individuals. Some topics that we talk about today include:
- What is considered mental health, and what is the difference between mental health and mental illnesses?
- Why is there often a stigma surrounding talking about mental health?
- How can mental health affect physical health?
- Does mental health health improve with time?
- How does a school environment often conflict with one's mental health?
- How can one recognize that someone's mental health is suffering? How do we start a conversation about it?
- If someone with a mental illness has a negative experience with a counselor, what should they do next?
- What should one not say to someone who is suffering from a mental illness?
- What should one do if a friend is experiencing a mental health crisis?
- How should students (and everyone else) prioritize their mental health?
- How should we have more genuine conversations about mental health?
A special thank you goes out to Dr. Nora Coleman, Mr. Chad Bunovich, Max Montana, and Katie Harris for participating in my podcast! Please fill out the Google Form or email ginny.helmandollar@brvgs.k12.va.us for any feedback, questions, or requests for future episodes.
Thank you for listening!
Your feedback would be highly appreciated! Please use this link.
Also, join the Us, Now conversation on Instagram @usnowpodcast!
Hello!
My name is Ginny Helmandollar. I am a senior from Louisa County High School and the Blue Ridge Virtual Governor's School program. A component of my Senior Project is to give back to the community, so I have chosen to begin a podcast called Us, Now. In each episode, I have a discussion with various guests from around my school about relevant social issues high school students face today.
For the seventh episode of Us, Now, we will be talking about reputation. In middle and high school, one's reputation is often incredibly important in determining friend groups and how we treat each other. Some topics that we talk about today include:
- What exactly does "reputation" mean, and what does it usually mean when one has a "reputation"?
- Why is reputation so important in high school?
- How much does reputation matter in high school compared to middle school?
- What are the differences between a positive and negative reputation?
- How is reputation related to stereotypes? Is there such a thing as a positive stereotype?
- What is the pressure to live up to reputations (especially with siblings)?
- What is the pressure to shake off negative reputations?
- How can using reputation to choose friends be a good or bad thing?
- Is there a way to decrease the negative effects of reputation, and it this a realistic course of action?
A special thank you goes out to Mrs. Helen Weddle, Jake Burch, and Harper Whitehead for participating in my podcast! Please fill out the Google Form or email ginny.helmandollar@brvgs.k12.va.us for any feedback, questions, or requests for future episodes.
Thank you for listening!
Your feedback would be highly appreciated! Please use this link.
Also, join the Us, Now conversation on Instagram @usnowpodcast!
Hello!
My name is Ginny Helmandollar. I am a senior from Louisa County High School and the Blue Ridge Virtual Governor's School program. A component of my Senior Project is to give back to the community, so I have chosen to begin a podcast called Us, Now. In each episode, I have a discussion with various guests from around my school about relevant social issues high school students face today.
In today's sixth episode, we will be talking about the generation gap. There is often a significant difference in the cultures between generation. This sometimes creates a gap in understanding that causes conflict. Some topics that we talk about today include:
- What are the main generations, and which ones are we?
- What are some the biggest differences between generations? What are some defining life events, technologies, or stereotypes of each?
- What is the conflict between Baby Boomers and Generation Z?
- Is the younger generation too hard on the older generation and vice versa?
- How does being a teacher in high school affect one's attitude toward the younger generation?
- How may we better understand each other?
A special thank you goes out to Ms. Raleigh Christian, Mrs. Wendy Seibert, Ethan Phelps, and Taylor Talley for participating in my podcast! Please fill out the Google Form or email ginny.helmandollar@brvgs.k12.va.us for any feedback, questions, or requests for future episodes.
Thank you for listening!
WARNING: Mentions of gun violence
Your feedback would be highly appreciated! Please use this link.
Also, join the Us, Now conversation on Instagram @usnowpodcast!
Hello!
My name is Ginny Helmandollar. I am a senior from Louisa County High School and the Blue Ridge Virtual Governor's School program. A component of my Senior Project is to give back to the community, so I have chosen to begin a podcast called Us, Now. In each episode, I have a discussion with various guests from around my school about relevant social issues high school students face today.
For Episode 5, we will be talking about school safety. School safety can apply to many different things. Mental safety and physical safety are just as important, and even these two categories may be further broken down. Some topics that we talk about today include:
- What are the different interpretations of school safety?
- What does "feeling safe" mean, and why is it so important?
- How does substance abuse factor into school safety?
- How do natural disasters factor into school safety?
- How has our conduct in school changed with the increase of school shootings?
- What is Louisa County High School doing to ensure we are as safe as possible?
- How can we have real, genuine conversations about school safety?
A special thank you goes out to Sergeant Robert Sarnoski, Mr. Jerry Slaughter, Acacia Scott, and Maddox Miller for participating in my podcast!
Please fill out the Google Form or email ginny.helmandollar@brvgs.k12.va.us for any feedback, questions, or requests for future episodes.
Thank you for listening!
Your feedback would be highly appreciated! Please use this link.
Also, join the Us, Now conversation on Instagram @usnowpodcast!
Hello!
My name is Ginny Helmandollar. I am a senior from Louisa County High School and the Blue Ridge Virtual Governor's School program. A component of my Senior Project is to give back to the community, so I have chosen to begin a podcast called Us, Now. In each episode, I have a discussion with various guests from around my school about relevant social issues high school students face today.
For the fifth episode, we will be talking about political polarization. According to numerous different sources, America has been growing farther apart in terms of political leanings. Democrats and Republicans are identifying themselves as less moderate than a few decades ago, and this shift has had an effect on our relationships with others. Some topics that we talk about today include:
- What exactly does is political polarization?
- How does partisanship manifest in the news?
- How do Republicans and Democrats differ? Which issues are most divisive?
- How does morality factor into partisanship?
- What effect do political differences have on making friends?
- How may we put aside our political differences to make better relationships with those who have different opinions from our own?
A special thank you goes out to Mr. Dave Blanchard, Mr. Mark Harris, Dylan Seay, and Luke Schoenster for participating in my podcast! Please fill out the Google Form or email ginny.helmandollar@brvgs.k12.va.us for any feedback, questions, or requests for future episodes.
Thank you for listening!
Your feedback would be highly appreciated! Please use this link.
Hello!
My name is Ginny Helmandollar. I am a senior from Louisa County High School and the Blue Ridge Virtual Governor's School program. A component of my Senior Project is to give back to the community, so I have chosen to begin a podcast called Us, Now. In each episode, I have a discussion with various guests from around my school about relevant social issues high school students face today.
For the third episode, we will be talking about cyberbullying. Many of us are familiar with its definition, and with the rise of social media, cyberbullying is becoming more and more of a problem. Sometimes, it is difficult to recognize because of how easily people can social media to their advantage. Some topics that we talk about today include:
- What is considered cyberbullying?
- Where does it occur most?
- Which groups are most frequently cyberbullied?
- How does cyberbullying differ in middle school vs. high school?
- What effect can cyberbullying have on mental health?
- Group mentality
- What role should schools, parents, friends, etc. have in curbing cyberbullying?
- How can we decrease cyberbullying?
- If someone witnesses or is a victim of cyberbullying, what can they do?
A special thank you goes out to Mr. Todd Ryan, Ms. Katherine Duke, Jahiem Poole, and Reagan Scherer for participating in my podcast! Please email ginny.helmandollar@brvgs.k12.va.us for any feedback, questions, or requests for future episodes.
Also, join the Us, Now conversation on Instagram @usnowpodcast!
Thank you for listening!
Your feedback would be highly appreciated! Please use this link.
Hello!
My name is Ginny Helmandollar. I am a senior from Louisa County High School and the Blue Ridge Virtual Governor's School program. A component of my Senior Project is to give back to the community, so I have chosen to begin a podcast called Us, Now. In each episode, I have a discussion with various guests from around my school about relevant social issues high school students face today.
In the second episode, we will be talking about body image. Body image is the way we see our physical appearances, whether in be in a positive or negative light. It affects us throughout our entire lives, but especially during school. Some topics that we talk about today include:
- What exactly is considered "body image," and what effect do others have on it?
- What are some differences in body image between elementary, middle, and high school?
- How does social media affect body image?
- Is body image in sports different?
- What is toxic masculinity? What is its effect on the way men see themselves?
- What is body and muscle dysmorphia?
- How can we improve our perception of ourselves?
A special thank you goes out to Mrs. Jennifer Purcell, Mr. Mike Clements, Abby Sullivan, and Aaron Aponte for participating in my podcast! Please email ginny.helmandollar@brvgs.k12.va.us for any feedback, questions, or requests for future episodes.
Also, join the Us, Now conversation on Instagram @usnowpodcast!
Thank you for listening!
Your feedback would be highly appreciated! Please use this link.
Hello!
My name is Ginny Helmandollar. I am a senior from Louisa County High School and the Blue Ridge Virtual Governor's School program. A component of my Senior Project is to give back to the community, so I have chosen to begin a podcast called Us, Now. In each episode, I have a discussion with various guests from around my school about relevant social issues high school students face today.
For my first episode, we will be talking about student burnout. Student burnout is a common problem that many, if not all, students face at some point in time. It is characterized by feelings of physical and emotional exhaustion. Some topics that we talk about today include:
- What is burnout? Do definitions differ?
- What causes burnout?
- How much is too much?
- How much is enough?
- What is the gender discrepancy between effort levels?
- How can we help solve student burnout?
A special thank you goes out to Mr. Tom Trovato, Ms. Jessica Rabil, Nicole Harlow, and Gordon Alexander for participating in my podcast! Please email ginny.helmandollar@brvgs.k12.va.us for any feedback, questions, or requests for future episodes.
Also, join the Us, Now conversation on Instagram @usnowpodcast!
Thank you for listening!