by Natalie Fitts

Like every year, 2012 was full of depressing news. From Hurricane Sandy to the Penn State abuse scandal to various mass shootings, including one this week at an elementary school, the front page wasn’t always fun to read. While all those are important, it’s also important to read a positive story every once in a while. That’s why I’ve compiled my list of the top 5 feel-good news stories of the past year:

 5) Obama/Romney meeting

Yes, I know this was merely a formality that Obama also carried out with John McCain following the 2008 elections. However, after at least a year of relentless election coverage of the two parties fighting, it’s nice to see some amiability. While this certainly doesn’t change anything about the current state of the feuding political parties, I find it kind of symbolic. Maybe if more politicians carry out these gestures, we will be a step closer to a government that works together. Fake it until you make it!

4) Owner swims with arthritic dog

There are few things in the world that I love more than dogs, dog owners, and guys with ponytails (just kidding about that last one, but I’ll let his hairstyle slide this time because he’s an otherwise awesome person).

But seriously…look at that photo. Doesn’t it just make you smile/cry? The guy in the photo is holding his dog in the water because the water soothes the dog’s arthritis. It went viral this summer after it was posted on Facebook. See, Facebook is good for something. I love this picture because it shows a person reciprocating unconditional love that dogs so often give us.

3) The Olympics

The Olympics are so awesome, I couldn’t pinpoint a single story to include here. Apparently I really have a thing for unity because I like how the Olympics symbolize the majority of the world’s countries coming together to celebrate hard-work and dedication. From this blog, it would seem as if my answer for any beauty pageant question would be “world peace” (I would come up with a better answer, I promise). But I like the Olympics for other reasons as well. One of these things is the competitiveness. Although the countries come together for once, they certainly aren’t there to lose. It’s nice to be apart of a country that wins a lot, even though I think that sort of takes away some of the excitement. However, we don’t just win, we break records. Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympic athlete ever. Gabby Douglas became the first African-American gymnast to win the individual all-around. Missy Franklin set the 200 m backstroke world record and the status of being the coolest high school swimmer ever. And Ryan Lochte became the most attractive and least well-spoken human ever. (Yes, I primarily watched gymnastics and swimming).

However, the greatness didn’t stop in the pool or gym. The closing ceremony was beyond impressive. They had One Direction, the Spice Girls, Ed Sheeran, and Liam Gallagher. If that’s not perfection, I’m not sure what is.

2) Will and Kate baby

I’m going to be honest. I may or may not have decided to write this blog solely based on this news. And, much to Ms. Dolan’s dismay, I may or may not have announced it to our entire literature class right when the news popped up on Yahoo. No offense to Walt Whitman, but Will and Kate are a lot more exciting than him.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably wondered why Americans are so obsessed with British royals. I’ve pondered it many a time, but have yet to come to a conclusion. Maybe the US citizens need their own royals to love. That’s why I’m eventually going to start my own dynasty, right after Prince Harry falls in love with me, and I become best friends with Will and Kate’s baby. Come visit me in my palace.

1) Seventeen magazine adopts anti-Photoshop policy

After an eighth grader started a petition to convince Seventeen magazine to change its Photoshop policy, the editor-in-chief listened. Now, according to NPR, the entire staff has signed a Body Peace Treaty, promising to not alter “natural shapes and include only images of ‘real girls and models who are healthy.'” Low self-esteem and poor body image are huge issues in our society and by transforming its policy, Seventeen is acknowledging that the nature of the media needs to change. Hopefully the worst perpetrators of Photoshopping, such as fashion magazines and advertising agencies, will recognize the need for change and follow suit.

HAPPY FINALS! We’re so close to Christmas so this will be one of my last celebratory holiday pictures. Sad…I know. Cherish it.