High Life A WEEKLY FORUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS : Those Things That Prompt an SOS to Friends, Family

Every once in a while, when our problems simply become too overwhelming for us to take on alone, we turn to others for help and guidance.

Hot Topics wonders, “What was the last problem you faced in which you asked for help?”

“Breaking up with my girlfriend.”

Chad LaComb, 17,

junior, Santa Ana

“If I should cut my bangs. Oh, these teen-age problems!”

Clementine Latimer, 18,

senior, Cypress

“I found a note with a pink rose on the windshield of my car, and the note was signed ‘Your Secret Admirer.’ My problem was to find out who gave it to me.”

Jared Knickmeyer, 17,

junior, University

“When I was baby-sitting, the little boy wouldn’t go to sleep, so I called my mom and asked her what I should do.”

Lizzette Dupuy, 14,

freshman, Rancho Alamitos

“When I talked to my counselors about college.”

John Yi, 16,

junior, Villa Park

“I transferred from another school to Santiago, and I could not get the classes I needed for graduation because they were full.”

Carlos Uribe, 18,

senior, Santiago

“Deciding what to wear this morning.”

Laura Mendoza, 15,

sophomore, Santa Ana

“I asked my friend what was the best way to practice my 12 major scales, along with 36 minor scales.”

Kevin Hickam, 16,

junior, Cypress

“A calculus problem.”

Justin Scott, 16,

junior, University

“A friend of mine was stealing money from his workplace, where I was in charge. I asked my mom for advice on what to do.”

Don Nichols, 17,

senior, Santiago

“The last problem I had that I asked for help with was when I needed a job.”

Holly Tomlin, 15,

sophomore, Rancho Alamitos

“My trigonometry problem.”

Steve Chao, 16,

junior, University

“Finding a pair of shoes that could house my 17-inch feet.”

Brent Norrod, 17,

junior, Santa Ana

“I asked my friend about how to approach this guy. She also had a similar problem.”

Tracy Jones, 17,

senior, Cypress

“Something concerning my stepmother and our relationship.”

Jenny Patterson, 14,

freshman, University

“When I had problems with the car, I asked my dad and he fixed it.”

Hugo Nieto, 16,

junior, Santiago

“When I wanted to run away, but I talked it over with my parents and worked it out.”

Jennifer Sorenson, 17,

junior, Rancho Alamitos

“Putting up with my English class.”

Chanta Oum, 17,

junior, Santa Ana

“I was having problems with my boyfriend, so I needed help deciding whether to break up with him or not.”

Stephanie Triplett, 18,

senior, Cypress

“When my sister was making my life miserable.”

Charles Lee, 15,

sophomore, Villa Park

“I asked my parents for advice because this summer, basketball wasn’t going too well, and I was thinking about switching schools. But I stuck it out, and things went really well during the season.”

Josh Whelihan, 17,

junior, University

“I needed help with my geometry, so I asked a friend.”

Mai Hua, 17,

freshman, Santiago

“The last problem I had was a personal incident in which I was unable to decide right from wrong.”

Tanya Farmakis, 17,

senior, Rancho Alamitos

“I had the chickenpox, and the doctor helped me a little.”

Michelle Le, 16,

sophomore, Santiago

“Solving a gruesome, mind-boggling algebra problem.”

Rodrigo Avalos, 16,

junior, Santa Ana

“What to do about my traffic ticket.”

Tobey Wu, 17,

senior, Villa Park

Next Week’s Hot Topic:

What is the “ultimate” status symbol among students at your high school?

Responses gathered by Blythe Latimer (Cypress), Beth Mueller (Rancho Alamitos), James Christ (Santa Ana), Hieu Phan (Santiago), Claudine Ko (University) and Heather Lee (Villa Park).