3
For the -
year, Moon Over Buffalo
za
ar
Sava nnah Garz a
Pierce Prewitt … pg. 9
G
Kenny Jennings
AkinsEaglesPublications.com
Library tablets … pg. 5
ah nn va Sa
-
things to know
Thrift stores … pg. 7
Twitter.com/AkinsJournalism
YouTube.com/AkinsJournalism
The
Eagle's Eye
W. Charles Akins High School
“Everything That Concerns You”
Austin, Texas
Vol. 13 No. 2
November 18, 2013
Seniors make a turnaround After a slow start in the college application process, more than 100 seniors have applied to four-year universities this semester and at least 300 have applied to two-year universities. “The momentum is shifting. Kids are realizing they need to get things done as soon as possible,” college adviser Sarah Simmons said. “I just hope everybody It does make me feel better though that things are getting done.” Some students were ahead of the curve and applied to colleges early on in the year. Senior Savanah Baliff has already received acceptance letters from the University of Texas and Texas A&M. “It took me a month or less to apply,” Baliff said. “There is so much more that goes into it than I thought. Not having
Disaster takes its toll
key to applying in a timely manner. “Your essays really need to be perfect because it gives you a better chance of getting in but the essays are the hardest part of the application,” Baliff said. “The sending stuff in.” Baliff plans to major in public relations at either UT or A&M. serve so students might not get the major they want,” she said. “I don’t really have to stress about coming close to the deadlines now.” Senior Fred Blackman has been accepted to Texas Lutheran University and the University of Alabama in the beginning of the school year. my Alabama application in one day,” Blackman said. “The longest part was waiting for my transcripts.” Blackman also applied to Texas Christian University, University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M, and Baylor University. He plans to major in business and administration. “Seniors should be applying as soon as they can,” Blackman said. “Order your transcripts now. You don’t want to be ambushed with a bunch of applications at the last minute.”
T-STEM
Mark Vallejo
Citizens seek refuge, left homeless after heavy rainfall News Editor Instead of ghosts and goblins frightening Akins students, a very real threat invaded Austin neighborhoods on Halloween in the homes. On Oct. 31, the day after heavy rainfall hit Austin, the neighborhoods of Onion Creek, Bluff Springs, as well as many other neighborhoods were torn apart as the heavy Flooding that caused students and their families to lose their belongings, cars, and even their homes. This natural disaster affected many students on campus.
“We heard the roaring of water and we looked outside and saw water rushing towards our house,” senior Christian Martinez said. “We just grabbed what we could in the short amount of time that we had.” Martinez was just one of the 74 students in the Austin school district. Throughout the night before Halloween, nonstop rain dumped about 15 inches of water, causing schools to shutdown and left many families calling for aid as the monstrous downpour created a wave of disaster. “I never thought something like this would happen to me,” Martinez said. “I didn’t even know it was going to rain the
night before.” The devastating event left many students in need of school supplies, clothes, and even places to stay. “Me and my family had to evacuate in anything except for a few electronics and my dog,” senior Karen Tello said. “The water entered our house so quickly we barely made it out with our vehicle unlike most people,” Tello said. Although Tello has experienced something like this event in the previous years, nerve-wracking experience. “This has happened to us in 2001 but it See “FLOOD” pg. 4
Engineering
Robotics team competes at international competition Students design, build miniature racecars for Formula 1 contest Staff Reporter The Akins T-STEM robotics students have made it to the World Final international stage of F1 in Schools racing. Juniors Erwin Neira, Hannah Holder, and sophomore James Garcia were selected to represent the Akins robotic team in the F1 In Schools international contest at Circuit of the Americas. The team has taken part in the competition throughout the year racing in district, region, and national competitions. The team has made a huge accomplishment for themselves, working hard on their car and presentation skills, winning awards such as the Texas Wild Card, Best Pit Display, and Fastest Car. “I felt pride on my team making it past pretty good,” Neira said. The original Akins Talon Racing team merged with the Grandbury, Texas based team Axium, to form Lone Star Racing.
inside
Opinions...pg 2-3
Marissa Sosa
Team members present their F1 plan and student-built saloon to future sponsors. The Lone Star Racing team was the only student group from Texas who competed at the latest race.
The merger happened after the Akins team placed third at the national competition last school year. “The team has done very well working with counterparts of Grandury ISD, collaborating to have the best display they can and News...pg 4-5
Student Life...pg 6-7
fastest car they can come up with,” assistant principal of T-STEM Juan Gonzalez said. The team has spent $35,000 on preparation for this competition, along with long nights behind saws and hammers in the workshop. Entertainment...pg 8-9
“We had to put in a lot of work in this competition spending long nights in the workshop not going home until 2 a.m.,” Neira said. The competition took place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel from Nov. 8-13. It consisted of 38 teams, in a highly competitive competition, working to present their best work in front of a judging panel. The team made a miniature Formula 1 car made out of balsa wood with a carbon dioxide cartridge used to propel them forward. Each team is judged on the race as well as a verbal presentation, and a pit display of the car with the engineering used to build it. “I believe we have a good shot at winning best pit display and creativity,” Chloe Scroggins from Grandbury said. F1 in Schools provides a fun experience for students to develop an informed view about careers in engineering, mathematics, science, marketing and technology. “I believe it is going to help me in the long run with recommendations, skills, and experience to go to college and get to where I want to be in the future,” Neira said.
Sports...pg 10-11
Photo Essay...pg 12
Opinions The Eagle’s Eye
Monday, 11.18.13
page 2
Flood damage makes opportunities EdiTOriAL
United Way of Greater Austin:
Buck’s Barn: Blue Santa:
Test prices
Academics
Prices on Advanced Placement testing stirs up chaos Kenneth Jennings Sports Editor
The Eagle’s Eye Editor-in-Chief Savannah Garza
Editorial Policy
News Editor Jacqueline Rodriguez
Caitilin Starks Managing Editor
Managing Editor Caitlin Starks Opinions Editor Hannah Kerns Student Life Editor Stephanie Zuniga Entertainment Editor Marissa Sosa Sports Editor Kenneth Jennings Photo Editor Marisol Gomez On-line Editor Matthew Lopez Christian Hernandez Graphics Editor Jacob Sanchez Adviser David Doerr
Eagle’s Eye Staff
This is the Organizations
2005 2006 2007 2011 2012 2013
2013
Opinions
Monday, 11.18.13 Personal Views
Makeup
Females pressured by standards I wear is eyeliner, and
Amanda Livingston Staff Reporter “You know, if you just used a little bit more ______ you would look “Girl, lay off on the blush, you wear way too
it’s a special occasion I’ll be fancy and put on some lipstick or eye shadow, but I don’t wear concealer, foundation, blush, bronzer, or any of the It feels too thick on my However, some people see it as a way to be canvas and they want to
“Why don’t you wear These are all things I have been told before, in my early years as a teen-
other hand, I have also been told I wear too ple shouldn’t be telling me what to do with myI’ve never been one to
like bracelets, earrings, every girl needs, or something every girl should feel like they can’t live The media puts so much pressure on having a perfect complexion and appearance; luring girls into thinking they’re anything but perfect
a regular day, the most
Debate
it’s true when they say everyone is beautiful just one tries to tell you differ-
you for what to decide to do with yourself is unfair, According to statistics, around 91% of women are unhappy with their
amount of makeup you wear, and
Body image being so closely related to low self-esteem, these negative views can cause eating disorders, substance abuse, and even suicidal
-
The biggest victims of these judgments are girls between the ages of 12
ing was right by
45% of teenagers have considered plastic surgery when they’re older because they feel that they need to change for
what you do with your body is noNobody has the right to tell you what you should, and shouldn’t do
The fact that girls think they need to change to make someone else hap-
your body, you make the decision of what to do with
hear it a lot, and it may be becoming a bit cliché, but
People should really just give anything they can to try and help
Jas’Monique Williams Freshman
Banned websites
Students debate school Web filtering rules Of course not all students are going to be distracted by what is going on in the Internet, but it only takes a couple bad apples to ruin the whole
out the website they had been planthen has not only wasted time making the assignment but also wasted A website like Twitter isn’t completely necessary to have unblocked because almost everyone
Jacob Sanchez Graphics Editor At one time or another, almost everyone has tried going to a website and an Austin ISD page loads up instead telling you that the webwere trying to go to an inappropriate website but not if you were trying to do some research for a
Adelina Sithammavong Staff Reporter
I would appreciate if they did unHonestly, everyone needs to stop block it due to students getting complaining about the school blockimportant updates through school related Twitter accounts such as This is a place of learning, not a a website like Dropbox is very place where we can browse the web useful for students who work on The school has blocks implemented to make certain that students have a proper learn-
blocked I wouldn’t doubt if Austin ISD had a whitelist instead of a random websites, type them into your web browser and more than
erns
ah K
lot of time creating new innovative ways to teach their students using resources on the internet but it’s disappointing when they take ev-
Hann
I understand that the Internet has many distractions so they block sites so students can focus on what
Programs
THE EAGLE’S VIEW What should students do in response to
We all have in-
Hannah Kerns
On one hand, I’ve been told I should wear
Makeup is an acces-
less, they’re judged for
page 3
The Eagle’s Eye
that one student that ruins it for everybody because he/she can’t stop
I’ve had a familly member affected and I’ve helped them out and tried to clean the devastating
Some say social media sites can be used for educational purposes; to be able to see assignments the teachIf it’s that much of an issue to you, talk to your teacher about setting up an Edmodo account for the class to
Jajuon Price Sophomore
school friendly and you can keep up with assignments when you are not
there is no reason to be on Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media site dur-
funds come from taxpayers, and I’m sure they don’t want their money be-
Also websites with relations to drugs and pornography are blocked for obvious
public schools sure better do what they can so that students are learning
Those sites will only distract stusomething at home such as a Pow- dents; also there’s so many vulgar - and inappropriate material on those fully see what each website has to sites that it’s best to just keep them
“Everybody in the school
Uncle Sam takes a nice chunk out
If you are so adamant on getting on anything that is blocked in school and you don’t have Internet access at home, just go to your public library At school though, sorry just deal
“It’s so Seeing all the mess just broke More people should really help out, and even raise
Laruen Kappel Junior
Recognition
The reality of JROTC students
One that never truly gets the recognition that it deserves is the Junior Reserve program sponsored by the United States Armed ForcMany people have seen the military portrayed in movies, with extreme physical punishment, and tough training, but that’s not the whole picture of what In reality, members do so much on campus that goes hour community service goal, members participate in Adopt-A-Highway, along
plan to send out 2 boxes per members in the hallways, or the courtyard, practicing for the next football game, taking the time out of their day to be perfect, not only for themselves, but also for
I don’t think people fully understand how bad it
and how members contribcampus, in terms of school spirit and hours of comBecause members operate under the “No Pass, No have to keep their grades up
Ryan Aguilera Senior
This encourages members to do well academically, adding to the school’s effort to
aka y
known programs that students can join, from football
exactly
aD
Akins High School is a
what
Joh
Isiah Strange Staff Reporter
love to give, which is why they participate in Operation Shoebox, which helps give gifts and other necessities to
understand
ann
However yet no one really notices their efforts, even though they also clean the
“Several of my friends have lost
Out of all student groups
recognition from the student
most consistent involvement in attending pep-rallies, holding signs and cheering on their school with such bers are the ones kicking it off with the showing of the
They’re an amazing group, and they contribute widely to the school, but their efforts go unnoticed too
I’m not saying they’re never noticed or recognized here on campus, but I believe some people don’t
For a group never put in the spotlight, they deserve to have their moment as
The
members
of
they deserve a little shine
“My heart goes out to everyone affected by I hope students and their families will take advantage of the help offered by the Akins Vickie Warr AHA Coordinator
News The Eagle’s Eye
Monday, 11.18.13
page 4
Cont. “FLOOD� pg. 1
Heavy rainfall in Austin causes wave of destruction wasn’t as bad because everything was so sudden this time,� Tello said. “If my mom hadn’t woken up so early we would have been stuck in our house ter.� water, and endless sirens of ly in the morning, were just some of the chaotic events taking place during the devastating event. “Lots of people were so unfortunate and had to stand on their roofs and wait for help,� Tello said. “I feel so lucky we weren’t one of them.� Despite the effects of the tragic event, local organizations, groups, and even students are doing their part to aid those in need. Student Support Services has aided students with various things like food, clothing, and shelter resources. “We’re meeting up families and working with our parent support specialist in contacting the students who social worker Colleen Arnold said. “We are offering things like school supplies, backpacks, and clothing assistance.� Parent support specialist Celina Lopez works alongside Student Support Services making sure all students who were affected are getting back on track despite
Online
“I make sure all the students who were affected have shelter and I’ve been referring them to organizations like the Red Cross and keep up to date with them making sure they’re always taken care of,� Lopez said. Many students who have the support and help the student support services has been offering. “I’m very grateful for the help the SSS room has been giving me,� Tello said. “They’ve given me a backpack with the school supplies I need and recently I got a letter saying I was able to shop at Target for $100 worth of clothes.� Through the devastating events, many students who were affected admit this tragedy has changed them. “Ever since this has happened I feel really lucky that I’m alive and I’m a much stroner person now.� Martinez said. Martinez was not only able to save his family from the rescue of those in need during the chaos of trying to escape. “My dad, brother, and I were able to save about 30 to 40 people who weren’t able to get out in time,� Martinez ing boat we had and went back and forth taking people to dry land.� Foreign exchange student Paula Vuorela was also changed by the catastrophic events.
Natalie Chapman
Aftermath
“I proved to myself how strong I am and how I didn’t panic or freak out when this traumatizing experience happened,� Vuorela said. “I wish no one should ever have to experience that, but it’s life and it can happen to anyone.� have receded, many students are thankful for what they have and have began to move on. “Material things can be replaced but you cant replace a life,� Martinez said.
Edmodo
Social media moves to classrooms
“At the end of the day I’m just grateful my family and I are safe and that we were able to survive.� In a time of devastation, help will continue to be brought by those who need it most. “As long as there is a need we will be helping and supporting the students and their families who were affected,� Arnold said. “We are also offering emotional support and counseling to help students through this
Savannah Garza
-
Abraham Alvarado The use of Edmodo in and out of the school classrooms is being met with mixed reactions among students and teachers. More and more teachers are making students sign up so they can continue classroom discussions online, give reminders about completing work, and even assign homework assignments. Some students are required to get an account for their classes.Others are using it for clubs, and to make sure they keep up with the posts teachers and or coaches make. Edmodo is also available on the app store, which allows students to access it on their phones. Cheerleading coach, Susie Gielow, uses it to keep the cheerleaders organized. “One good thing about it is that it gives me an opportunity to relay messages to my group without having to use personal cell phone
numbers,� she said. Not all students are excited about using Edmodo. Some think it is not helpful. “I often forget to check Edmodo, so if I miss something like a reminder or assignment, the next day in class I feel lost,�junior Kimberly SanJuan said. However, Gielow said that Edmodo works with the online usage habits of students. “It’s a very rare student that doesn’t get online everyday and check something. With everyone being on Instagram, SnapChat or Facebook,� Gielow said. Students and teachers are starting to trust on technology and online resources across the education generation. “I like that teachers post on Edmodo,it helps me stay on track with all my assignments,� junior Esmie Castillo said. “I know when stuff is due, and I like that there is interactive things teachers post on Edmodo, such as watching videos and an-
swering questions, instead of teachers giving us papers that I have a chance of losing,� Castillo said. Edmodo offers teacher accounts, student accounts and even parent accounts. Starting Edmodo is easy and having more teachers sign up could make more classes and orginazations much more organized. Algebra 1 and 2 teacher, Kenyatta Williams, supports Edmodo and encorages students to get it. “It helps me communicate with students and assign before or even after school hours,� Williams said. There are a few students without Internet access at home, and never know what’s happening on Edmodo. Williams said those students aren’t left out. “Log in on a computer to Edmodo and go to Settings and activate your phone so every time a teacher or club sponsor makes a post, you’ll be sure to get a text message notifying you.�
Donations t
5P NBLF BO POMJOF EPOBUJPO UP TVQQPSU 3FE $SPTT %JTBTUFS 3FMJFG QMFBTF WJTJU XXX SFEDSPTT PSH :PV DBO BMTP EPOBUF CZ DBMMJOH 3&% $3044 PS UFYUJOH UIF XPSE 3&%$3044 UP UP NBLF B EPOBUJPO
Volunteering t
ć F "VTUJO %JTBTUFS 3FMJFG /FUXPSL BOE UIF 3FE $SPTT BSF TUJMM TFFLJOH WPMVOUFFST UP IFMQ QSPWJEF SFMJFG UP GBNJMJFT BČ FDUFE CZ MBTU XFFL T Ę PPEJOH 5P MFBSO IPX ZPV DBO IFMQ "VTUJO %JTBTUFS 3FMJFG /FUXPSL QMFBTF DBMM 5P WPMVOUFFS XJUI UIF 3FE $SPTT QMFBTF DBMM Jacob Sanchez
The Eagle’s Eye places; students receive awards Mark Vallejo
Helpful reminders
Ways to help with flood recovery
Advanced journalism students took the road in October to San Antonio to attend the annual TAJE State Conference to compete in contests with other schools from all around the state. “I expected the students to do well in the competitions because we have done this in the past,� newspaper adviser David Doerr said. “I was very proud to see the kids bring home so many individual awards.� The students won nine individual awards in total and recieved second place in Best
this year. so I didn’t know how our work would compare to other school’s but I knew that our program had a tradition of excellence so I expected it do well,� Doerr said. A yearbook student won two superior awards and one excellence award for his On-Site Photography in the Architecture, Open, and Sports categories. “I had a majestic feeling being my senior year and winning three awards makAkins a one to remember,� senior Christian Martinez said. Senior Savannah Garza
achieved an individual award for front-page design and layout. “I felt proud because it was my last year and I feel like I achieved a lot, it feels good to get awards that recognize my page design and layout,� Garza said. “I’m also really proud of the staff because we earned second place.� and Aerie staff plan on winning many more awards in the future. “I�m hoping we earn silver at ILPC because we’ve come a long way,� Garza said. “For us to come from a 5A school it’s pretty impressive how many award we have earned throughout the years.�
Stats class surveys students
Illustration by Jacob Sanchez
Social media survey
Monday, 11.18.13 After school
News
page 5
The Eagle’s Eye
A way home
Late bus now available for students
After school transportation returns, benefiting those receiving tutoring Isiah Strange Staff Reporter bell at the end of the school day means two things for students — go home or stay after school. of school, some students were left without reliable transportation home after tutoring and other such after school activities. The “late bus,” which many students relied on to get them home if they stayed for tutoring or activities, resumed in mid October. However, it was not consisweeks of the school year. Late bus services were halted at the beginning of the year due to students who were riding the bus that weren’t meant to ride it, essentially abusing the bus privilege. There was also a problem with the routes the bus took, which caused problems for the bus drivers. “I understand many situations and some may not want to go home, but we can’t allow you to stay here at school and socialize,” Assistant Principal Joe Ruiz
said. “This is a learning environment and the bus system is being abused.” This meant that students that were just staying to socialize were riding the bus, which is a problem as it takes away from kids who actually stay for a reason such as tutoring. This resulted in complications that made late bus riders, not have a late bus. have to ask my parents everyday for a ride,” junior Anna Becerra, an Akins wrestler said. “My parents have to work, and it’s made it harder on them to go home after and start things like cooking.” All sports players know practice is something you just have to be there for, so if they are forced to go home they are passing up a chance to gain some much needed improvements. “It’s affecting me without a late bus because I can’t stay for practice and improve, which is something that really hurts me in the long run,” Becerra said. Operating without a late bus made it hard for students that needed after school tutoring from teachers. Some
students are passing up an opportunity to stay after and make up work during teachers after school tutoring because most have a hard time staying. they can stay after school and catch up on anything they’ve missed. It’s a good idea overall and should be here to stay,” social studies teacher Melissa Contreras said. The late bus allows students to get more involved with their grades and is more useful than we realize. It relieves stress from havsome students, and it gets students more involved. “I haven’t really been able to stay after school for meetings in JROTC,” junior Emilio Munoz said. “Having to take the city bus home cost a lot per week if I do stay.” Ruiz has said that rules regarding the late bus have changed. All students who want to ride the late bus are required to have a late bus pass. This rule was not previously enforced as it should have, but this year it will be he said.
Marisol Gomez
Bus is back Students step on board the late bus after school. Earlier this year the late bus stopped running because of a lack of funding and abuse by students of the late bus.
Tutorial Bus Schedule and Stop Information Tutorial Bus (#909) – West of Interstate 35 Bus departs from Akins at 6 p.m.
Tutorial Bus (#803) – East of Interstate 35 Bus departs from Akins at 6 p.m.
1 – 6:09 p.m. – Great Britain Blvd. & Palace Pkwy. 2 – 6:11 p.m. – Palace Pkwy. and W. Slaughter Ln. 3 – 6:16 p.m. – Kocurek Elementary at Curlew Dr. 4 – 6:17 p.m. – Kentish Dr. and Curlew Dr. 5 – 6:19 p.m. – Davis Lane and Escabosa Dr. 6 – 6:21 p.m. – W. Dittmar Road and Davis Oaks Trail 7 – 6:22 p.m. – Casey Elementary at Texas Oaks Dr. 8 – 6:27 p.m. – Lynnbrook Dr. and Finsbury Dr.
1 – 6:12 p.m. – Bluff Springs Rd. and Sunny Hills Dr. 2 – 6:15 p.m. – Langford Elementary at Stonleigh Place & Blue Meadow Dr. 3 – 6:18 p.m. – Quicksilver Blvd. and Meadow Lake Blvd. 4 – 6:25 p.m. – Salt Springs Dr. and Tara Dr. 5 – 6:28 p.m. – Wiley Way and Derby Downs Dr. 6 – 6:38 p.m. – Nesting Way and Dove Springs Dr. 7 – 6:40 p.m. – Palo Blanco Lane and Wassail St. 8 – 6:42 p.m. – Birch Creek Rd. and Meadow Crest 9 – 6:50 p.m. – E. William Cannon Dr. and Bluff
Jacob Sanchez
Online
E-readers available for check-out Robert Soto Staff Reporter The Akins library jumped into the 21st century this year when it added tablet style e-readers to the list of items students can check out and take home to read. These Nook brand tablets, which can access the Barnes & Nobles ian Bonnie Hauser. They present students an alternative, more modern way to read books. Austin ISD provided these tablets to Akins High School, as well as many other schools. “Akins only had to pay for the tablet cases, which were purchased with the library funds, and the many e-books that I have bought and am planning to buy in the future,” Hauser said. There are currently 96 Nooks available for students to check out this year in the library. All students need to do is sign a parent permission form to inform parents of the risks included in checking out a tablet and the possible punishments for damaging or losing this device,” Hauser said. Senior Christian Santos has taken advantage of these new resources by checking out one of these Nooks. These Nooks are helpful “because you don’t have to worry about carrying a heavy book in your backpack and you can have more than one book available on there at a time,” Santos said. These Nooks were brought to Akins to help and encourage students “I recommend these Nooks to every student at Akins because it saves you space by not having to carry books and because they can help you with research since they can access the internet but if you lose it, you will have to pay $180 to the library,” Santos said. Because of the new introduction to advanced technology like the Nook, there is always the question of whether technology will replace print-out copies of books. “Students are currently waiting for new series of books to come out and when I suggested for them to use the Nooks, they said that they prefer the hard copies over the new method so no, I am not worried about the Nooks reducing the use of books in the library,” Hauser said in response to this statement.
Jacqueline Rodriguez
Social media
Facebook eases rules for teenagers Kasamira Martinez Staff Reporter
“If teenagers want to be safe, they can make their
responsibly on the Internet,” she said.
The new changes to Facebook’s policies have caused some students to be concerned about their privacy. Facebook has decided to
it’s their own decision.” Senior Bryanna Longoria said. “Let them make their own mistakes. They can learn from them.” Another concern was if Facebook was making these changes known to the pub-
in their ability to handle social media themselves. “Part of parenting is encouraging children to live
teenager’s 13 to 17 years old. The new settings now provide the options for teenagers to share photos, updates and comments with the general public on Facebook.This means strangers, and companies collecting data for advertisers or marketing companies will be able to see teenager’s posts. feelings about the subject.” New Tech teacher Lora Alaniz said, “I think teenagers should have the option of making their own choices, but sometimes they don’t stop and think who’s going to see that later?” A big concern is that teenagers often don’t think of the repercussions of posting whatever they want on social media site. Later when teenagers are considered for a future job their personal information on social media sites would be open to scrutiny by collages, employers and the general public. In some cases if a teenager posts something inappropriate and an employer sees it, it may lead to termination
briefs
of that company.
Savannah Garza
lic. In Alaniz’s opinion they did not. “I don’t think they educate the public enough. They rely on people educating themselves,” she said. Facebook makes so many privacy changes they fail to inform the general public of such changes that could potently make such a young age group vulnerable to online dangers. New Tech senior Alyssa Gonzales believes it is a parent’s responsibility to educate their children about the dangers of social media use. “It really comes down to the parents and whether they taught their kids about online dangers and how to act
trust and responsible behavior especially on the Internet,” Gonzalez said. “It’s also their responsibility to teach children how to have good judgment on whether something online is safe or unsafe.” The new setting might help Facebook compete against other social networks, and having public data on teens will also help the company appeal to advertisers. Facebook assumes that with teenager’s quick adoption of social networks such as Instagram and Twitter that they want to share everything and with as many people as possible. “You all have moved onto a whole other level of communication... You don’t cial Studies teacher Justin Sloane said. Some students said Facebook making such a young age group so vulnerable just to compete with other social media networks might actuing us. I don’t think its going to help anyways. We’re still not going back to Facebook.” Longoria said.
Akins receives free DJ booth Austin Independent School and photobooth for 2014 prom District film to be debuted soon The 2014 class president Tue Quach 400 likes. Akins received the most helped Akins receive a free DJ and likes than any other high school in photobooth Austin, which for this year’s gave us the prom. Along grand prize with students, of a free DJ family, and and photofriends, Quach booth. Quach made a Facealso won free Marisol Gomez book status on VIP passes to College Ready Austin City Austin’s FaceLimits Music book page that Festival last received over month.
featured on TV and on Austin Independent School District’s website. The AISD State of the District Movie will feature AISD’s superindendent Meria Carstarphen. The movie will highlight the school districts goals, achievements, and challenges. High-
ez
Jacob Sanch
lighting these aspects in the movie will be none other than Carstarphen along with staff members of the district and students from AISD departments, campus programs, and initiatives.
to come out on Dec. 3 and will be available online all day on austinisd.org and on AISD’s channel, AISD TV on channel 22.
Student Life The Eagle’s Eye
Monday, 11.18.13
page 6
Across the street
Off-Campus
Learning center sprouting near school Amanda Livingston Staff Reporter The Whole Life Learning Center, which neighbors Akins on Old San Antonio Road, is a place for families to get their children’s education in a different way. The kids choose what they want to study and focus day, in the process of promoting a healthy and stimulating learning experience. The Whole Life Learning Center started off as a oneday program with around 15 kids, the private school has now turned into a thriving school of around 40 students in the timeline of three years. class available, “Freedom Fridays.” Here kids learn about setting goals, achieving those goals, and developing the social and emotional sides of themselves. Once “Freedom Fridays” became a success, “Mother Earth Mondays” were added to the list of programs. In this new program, the mentors and students focus on connections with the wilderness and the natures of the Earth. The group plants seeds,
Hobbies
and learns about growth in nature as well as going on walks in the Barton Creek Greenbelt minutes behind Akins. Eventually, a three-day program that teaches the core classes such as math, science, history, and nglish were added in addition to a program for homeschooled teenagers on Fridays called the Teen Program. “The kids actually ask for homework and quizzes because they’re not pressured by us force feeding them information to teach towards a test,” founder, director, and mentor, Michael Carberry said. At the WLLC, children ration in the world around them, work as a team, and to respect themselves. “We do a lot of project and inspiration based learning. We focus on the development and growth of the person, not just what’s above the shoulders,” Carberry said. Instead of teachers, the school has mentors. These mentors lead the kids to their goals and help them achieve them will not pushing them. “We let the children
Amanda Livingston
A different kind of education A student of the Whole Life Learning Center studies. The WWLLC is tranquil educational place for families and children.
choose what the day is going to consist of. We’re simply here to put challenges in front of them, guide them to achieve goals, and lead them to what’s next,” Carberry said. Harmony and kindness play an important role to how things are run at the WLLC. The mentors guide the children to use nice words, to expand their vocabulary and work through incidents in a peaceful manner. “Teasing and putting people down is not accept-
able here,” Carberry said. “We don’t have a method of detention, or punishment. When something happens, we take the time to sit down and talk about happened.” With this mindset the children at the Whole Life Learning Center not only learn what they need to know in the real world, but also learn about the processes of nature, kindness, and love. The children develop themselves as people, and build a connection with the world around them.
Amanda Liviningston
In the neighborhood A scarecrow of the WLLC stands in the farm behind Akins. The WLLC is across the street by the bus loading areas.
Body art
Student reveals artistic passion in henna body tattoos Hannah Kerns Opinions Editor With a love of Henna and Panama culture, senior Thalia Lucia designs her way through the school on the palms and hands of students within. Lucia moved to Austin in December of 2012 from Panama a country between North and South America. A place that she adored and lived in for all her life. “I started my love for Henna in my hometown,“ Lucia said. “It’s so relaxing and it’s one of my greatest passions.” Lucia turned her passion for Henna into something
Clubs
from. She started charging for her body art at no more than $8 per piece. “I’ve known Thalia since nior Jocelyn Martinez said. “She’s really good at what she does, just like a professional.” Henna, also known as Mehndi, is a type of body art originated in India. The Henna paste usually comes in plastic cones or metaltipped bottles. “It’s a good alternative for people that don’t want permanent tattoos,” junior Alyssa Rodriguez said. Many people create their own Henna paste as a tradition. Some love it so much
that they cover their bodies in the art work. “The style that is portrayed through the Henna is very unique,” Rodriguez said. Mehndi is used in Weddings, Parties and coming of age traditions. Henna is associated with happiness and imagination. “When I miss my hometown I just cover myself in Henna,” Lucia said. Lucia designs her own Henna and the people she paints on absolutely loves it. “I got a sun on the top of my hand and it was so beautiful,” Martinez said. “You can tell she doesn’t only do it for the money, it really is a passion for her.”
The love of her Henna helped her adapt to the new country she was unfamiliar with. It helped her create here at Akins. “I used to just do it for myself, but then one day someone asked me if I could design one for them and it just went on from there,” Lucia said. From a new country to a hobby that developed into a passion, Lucia’s love for Henna helped her in more ways then she could have imagined. “I’m just glad that I adapted in the way I have,” she said. “It’s all thanks to my interest in the art of Henna.”
Brony club
After school club attracts attention Jonathan Rivera Christian Tienda Staff Reporters
Johannah Dakay
In AVID, eager students collaborate in their solve problems. The program, AVID, stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination, and helps students prepare for college. Sophomore Vanessa Juarez is an active student in AVID and enjoys its uniqueness. “AVID is better than other classes because it allows you to build a family type of relationship.” Juarez said. It began with 32 students in one high school and now impacts more than 700,000 students in more than 4,900 schools, according to www.avid. org. Each student is re-
quired to have an AVID binder where they keep their work. There are also other requirements, such as two Pre-AP/AP classes, maintaining at least a 2.5 to 3.0 GPA, and community service hours. The class also has Tutorials, where several students are grouped based off of each subject they need help on. All of the students have to arrive with their Tutorial Request Form ly; the other sections will a ig un
However, it is a universal message that is relevant to young
Nicolas Sokolowski Staff Reporter
yZ nn
Halo and Minecraft,” Joe Broome, club sponsor and digital media teacher, said. The new version of the show, called My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, has a different focus and look, having been revamped by a new creative team. The show is now less about
marketing toys to young girls and more about exploring in-depth character and story development. This new focus has attracted fans that reach beyond the youth girl demographic that once dominated the My Little Pony cartoon franchise. Fans of the show say that the most important aspect is the lesson it teaches about friendship, which may
kids, teens and even adults. “Well, being a brony to me is just fun,” Taylor Stephens said. “I mean if you like the show then you like the show. It’s just kind of like that.” While many students may think that the idea of teenage boys watching My Little Pony is strange, the dedicated “bronies” say that people shouldn’t criticize the club without watching the show themselves. Viewers can learn important life lessons if they do, they say. “Say if you’re a loner and don’t really have friends, then this show and club is perfect for you and anyone,” freshman Dwight Hawley said. “It teaches good morals like being being fair and the real meaning of friendship.”
Students in AVID prepare for college
So
The idea that teenage boys gather together after school to watch episodes of My Little Pony in a socalled “Brony Club” strikes many students as odd. The Brony club is a club for people who are fans of the kids TV show My Little Pony. The majority of these fans are not little girls; instead they are men which ages range from teens to adults. They call themselves “Bronies”. “Most non and anti Bronies have never seen the show or given it a chance. So they don’t understand,” junior Tyler Stephens said. For some people, they think it’s strange that boys would watch
a show that is designed to appeal to pre-school girls. And that’s where the misconceptions start. “People think we just watch pony videos and be weird, but were not,” freshman Monica Alberto said. “There’s more to it than watching pony videos.” But in reality the club has nothing to do with ponies or the girl-friendly characters. The problem originates in the fact that the show has changed substantially from the show that most high school students are familiar with from their youth. “Club members make pony themed tshirts, make their own versions of the show and hang out while playing games like
Hannah Kerns
Unorthodox Henna Lucia show her Henna done on her own arm for practice. Henna dries at short rates of time depending on the paste.
session progresses. “Tutorials are apart of the Inquiry process of WICOR (the support structure of AVID), and the purpose is to get students thinking at the highest level.” AVID Teacher, Teresa Grumbles said.
Monday, 11.18.13 Programs
Student Life
page 7
The Eagle’s Eye
Careers photo shoot
Akins majors highlighted in campaign Commercial photography class shows off school career programs in poster photos Sarah Luna Staff Reporter It is often said that a photo can convey a thousand words. A photo can be even more powerful if it conveys something familiar. Knowing this, Akins administrators tried something new this year to motivate incoming Akins students. Instead of hanging generic motivational posters in the hallways, they decided to feature Akins and vertical team elementary students to show off all the career path majors available at Akins. “We really wanted to build that connection from what elementary school you attend, to what middle school you attend so that everyone sees that we’re all going to end up at Akins High School,” STEM teacher Jeanie McGough said. “I thought that they should start building that school spirit and building that connection to where we’re all going to end up at
Akins.” The idea was to inform and inspire elementary students about all of the career path programs available at Akins. To make it happen, administrators turned to the new commercial photography program at Akins. Advanced commercial photography students helped coordinate the photo shoot, which featured Akins students dressed in career wear paired with elementary students. The photos have been sent to the district print shop to be made into posters that will be hung in area elementary schools that feed into Akins. “The purpose of the campaign was to inform younger students about the career programs and all the opportunities that Akins has to offer,” commercial photography teacher David Doerr said. With over forty Akins students participating in the project, the campaign had a great turn out.
“I thought it was a really unique thing to do because we’ve never done anything like it before,” junior Miranda LeBlanc said, one of the student photographers. “I think they got to see how many things they could be when they grow up and how many opportunities they will have in high school.” “What we really wanted to build was that connection,” McGough said, “So that the school spirit from what elementary school you go to, towards what middle school you go to, so that everyone sees that we’re all going to end up at Akins High School.” With graduation requirements changing, students are now expected to come out of school, career ready. Conveniently, Akins has programs such as Ready, Set, Teach in the Social Services academy and the opportunity to work with real animals in the ACES academy that help students get ahead and meet the required expectations.
Caitlin Starks
Looking into the future Students from the Bio-medical program pose with children from various elementary
“I think that’s where the excitement from everyone came from,” McGough said.
“Students at Akins have an idea of what they want to do or what they want to study in
college and that’s something that everybody can be excited about.”
Sarah Luna Staff Reporter Something that may have once been looked down upon or considered unimpressive has become a badge of honor for some students. The scrape of metal hangers upon metal racks, the
so is the aim to differentiate from others. “I’d consider my style different,” junior Alek Peschansky said. “I strive to stand out in a crowd, if everyone’s wearing a black shirt I’ll be wearing white.” Buying big name brand clothing for a fraction of the original price may require lots of digging but thrifters
the overhead speakers, and the mellow atmosphere surrounding the store is comforting to most thrifters. “There’s all kinds of things that people get rid of, like old band t-shirts, or things that just aren’t considered cool anymore,” junior Matthew Ramos said. “Thrift stores are actually more like an old book that you can pick your favorite parts from and give it a new story.” Johannah Dakay Thrifters tend to dress in ways that may cause don’t mind. “I’m saving money so it others to turn heads. Following trends but in their own makes me feel pretty good unique way is common but about myself,” Peschansky said.
Teachers
Finding old movies, records, books, and interesting trinkets is also common in the thrifting environment. “The coolest thing I’ve ever gotten at a thrift store was a black Polaroid camera for about $20,” junior Britney Evans said. “Not only was it a great buy, it’s something I use often.” Among thrift stores students are Goodwill, Thriftown, Buffalo Exchange and Plato’s Closet. You can donate clothes to Goodwill and Thrifttown, or you have the option of selling or trading their gently used, up to date clothing items at Buffalo Exchange or Plato’s Closet. Thrifters also have the opportunity of swapping at an event called “The Really Really Free Market” hosted the last Sunday every month by Treasure City Thrift. “My favorite store to go to is Family Thrift Center. They have a huge selection and I’ve found so many cool and interesting things there,” Ramos said. “What I like about thrift stores is the fact
Illus t Joha rations b nnah y Dak ay
Thrift shops make their way back to students
that, you can pick up a piece of clothing that could’ve once been somebody’s fa-
vorite shirt and ended up in a hand-me-down store and now it’s yours.”
Coming back home
De Winnie returns to Akins after graduating in 2009 Mark Vallejo Staff Reporter Among all of the new faces on campus this year, one new teacher wasn’t new to Akins at all-Algebra teacher Nikolas De Winne, a 2009 alumnus. De Winnie said it feels good to be back on campus, but it can be weird at times now that he is on the other end of the classroom. “It’s a good feeling,” De has been good. It’s was hectic at the beginning of the year, but it’s good now.” De Winne said he has always wanted to be a teacher since he was in high school.
“I’ve always enjoyed helping other people, especially kids,” De Winne said. “Teaching is something I’ve always enjoyed doing. I’ve always felt that education is important, so I wanted to make kids value it.” Some of De Winne’s old teachers are currently still teaching here and are now his colleagues. Several said they are happy to have him back at Akins, contributing back to the school he graduated from. “It’s nice to see a graduate come give to the community,” teacher Regina McGough said. “I had him pre-AP physics so it’s nice
to know your students are working hard, and it’s nice to respect them as colleagues.” Teacher Rebecca Redland also enjoyed having him as a student. “I had him in AP English. He had a sense of humor, and I was very proud to see him (come to work) here,” Redland said. “He was a good student here and I know he has a lot to give back here to the school.” Freshman Cornell Johns thinks that De Winne will be a great teacher. “I think his teaching is good because right now he’s been great because he has good teaching skills,” Cornell said.
Mark Vallejo
Déjà vu
Arts & Entertainment The Eagle’s Eye Theater
Monday, 11.18.13
page 8
Moon Over Buffalo
Journey theatre presents comic production
1950’s play highlights stage life of washed up celebrities Susana Rocha Staff Reporter Moon Over Buffalo, the latest play staged by the Akins Journey Theatre, answers a common question seen in the media today: What are people willing to do to become famous? The answer it turns out is almost anything. And when fame eludes the characters in the play, the result if often hilarity. And that is one of the reasons theater teacher Maureen Siegel selected the 1995 play written by Ken Ludwig to open this year’s theater season. “I picked Moon Over Buffalo because I was looking for a really funny show, I laughed a lot while reading it,” she said. “I fell in love with it instantly.” The play takes place in the 1950s focusing on the sad lives of washed up actors who want to regain the spotlight in cheating spouses, secret plots and the dreams of people who want out of the lives they are currently living. The work and effort theatre students contributed to this play are shown through their dedication. Students stayed after school regularly until 9 p.m. and attended weekend practice to get the play perfected. There were two different casts that performed for two days each. The alternating casts made each performance distinct, said students in the play. “Each cast had a different way that they play it, you can see the different choices they make for their characters,” senior Jose Cantu said. “All the choices they made turned out really well.” The cast overcame some obstacles throughout the performances. “It has gotten a lot better over time. Before we were doing the show it was really iffy, because we weren’t quite sure of
Jacqueline Rodriguez
Hide in the closet Junior Janice Franco’s character confronts Senior Manuel Cantu’s character on stage as he makes a fool out of himself and orders him to hide. Franco played Charlotte and Cantu played George, the leads, in Moon Over Buffalo.
how well we were going to do,” Cantu said. “During the past few shows everyone has gotten it together.” The Akins journey theater is now working on You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, the musical, involving mostly
freshmen and sophomores. “It’s a building year for the department,” Siegel said. “We have a really strong incoming class and I’m really excited about that.”
New crew brings hip hop back Deandra Tristan Staff Reporter
effort and teamwork into their dances. Majority of the dancers only started to take dance recently, but they see it as something they would like to do in the future. The team is currently planning on going to competition next semester. Senior Reynaldo Tamayo just started taking dance seriously last year but sees dance and choreography in his upcoming career and in his future. Tamayo’s position on the Hip Hop team is just a dancer but he also contributes to to the choreography of the dances. “I feel like the team is making progress and people are getting a lot better,” sophomore Joseph Atkinson
The rhythm of the Hip-Hop team members’ feet pounded on the ground, leaving the crowd roaring at a recent pep rally. The audience gains excitement as they see a new type of dance performed. Junior Nathan Tavarez held auditions and formed an after school hip-hop team that consists of 14 people. “We spend our Tuesdays and Thursdays after school working hard and choreographing our dances together,” junior Abigail Tovar said. The team put much
said. “If there is a hip hop class next year, I would want to join so I can improve.” Senior Paula Vuorela, an exchange student from Finland, is excited to be a part of the Hip Hop Team. Vuorela has danced ballet for 11 years in her home country, “I like being in a group because it’s a good experience to try new stuff and I’ll be able to do something no one else can do when I go back to my country,” Vuorela said. This after school program has been a learning experience and opportunity for some students to learn something new, and commit to something they love to do. The team hopes it will turn into a class next year.
Deandra Tristan
Savannah Garza
First time performing The 2013-2014 new hip-hop team strikes a pose after a pep rally. They danced to “Just Blaze” by Jay-Z.
Shoe stomp Junior Nathan Tavarez performs with the hip-hop team. They danced at the pep rally before the playoffs last Thursday.
Review New generation game
Student raves Pokémon X and Y Maria Moreno Staff Reporter
depending on the game version you bought. Along with these two you can also catch one of the three Legendary Birds and Mewtwo, who also have a mega evolution. Super Training is one of the new features added to train your Pokémon’s effort values, also known as EV training. This makes it easier to get certain stats better than the rest, which is really convenient for people who play competitively and don’t 540 EV slots manually. There’s also PokémonAime, a feature based on the
Johanna Dakay
Many of us have grown up with Pokémon, whether it was playing the trading card game or playing it on the Gameboy, some of us have been playing it for as long as we can remember. Typically, a new Pokémon game has been released every year and most of them were basically the same. This time around Junichi Masuda, the creator of the Pokémon games, knew it was time for a change, leading to the creation of Pokémon X and Y. These games aren’t your typical Pokémon games with two dimensional graphics and repetitive plot. The game takes place in Kalos, a French inspired region, with beautiful scenery and superb settings. This time, trainers can battle with their Pokémon in three dimensions and customize their character by buying clothes, chang-
ing their hairstyle and skin color. Mega evolutions of some of the old Pokémon were added. This basically boosts up their stats, making them a lot stronger and faster. This is a really cool addition to the game, and makes battles a lot more interesting. You can also catch one of the two new legendaries Xerneas, the fairy type or
Nintendo DS game, Nintendogs. You can pet your Pokémon using this and make them friendlier, making it easier to evolve certain Pokémon. The game was one of the easiest Pokémon games to beat due to the Experience Share item you get at the beginning. It makes it easier to level up all of your Pokémon in your party at the same time. Overall, I think Pokemon X and Y are one of the best Pokemon games out yet and highly recommend you buy it. The game successfully blends old and new generations together, while incorporating a new design.
of SouthPark Meadows Invites you to get a FREE Original or Spicy Chicken Sandwich, or 8 Count Nuggets with the purchase of a Large Waffle Fry and Large Drink. Offer good only at Chick-fil-A I-35 & Slaughter in SouthPark Meadows. Expires 05/31/14.
Monday, 11.18.13 Feature
Arts & Entertainment
page 9
The Eagle’s Eye
Passion to play
Music driven student pursues career
Dedicated musician has high hopes for future projects Adelaida Villegas Staff Reporter
The bang of the drums. The hum of the bass. The chime of the guitar. These are just a few reasons why Senior William Pierce Prewitt loves to be in a band. day is still playing and doing what he loves to do. He is very passionate and plays to express himself and get any feelings he has out. “I get my emotions out through my music and writing lyrics,” Prewitt said. Prewitt, who plays guitar and vocals in is current band Burn Ban, has also played for Truth for the Truthless, Where the Eagles Dare, Sinsored, and Capture Theory. Prewitt said he started playing in a band when one day he got bored and was called in to sub for another player. He enjoyed it so much that he started playing as a full “When I went in as a sub it was good. It led to me being in the band. It was a short notice and stressful but it was fun,” Prewitt said. His favorite instrument to play in the bands is the bass. “Simply for versatility my favorite would be the bass, it’s little more room for creativity than the guitar,” Prewitt said. Prewitt played in so many bands because he likes the experience that comes with it. Ever since he was little he’s wanted to become a musician. “It all boils down to the pleasure you get from playing. The more bands the more opportunities you can get to play,” Prewitt said. It’s not about the money for Prewitt. “I’ve made a total of $100 out of the two years I’ve been playing,” Prewitt said “I play not for money but because I enjoy it. I’ve become very passionate about playing.” Being in a band takes a lot of dedication and focus. Prewitt said he practices for at least two hours everyday, his All the practicing pays off for the band when they get shows and it becomes successful. “We’ve played with Greg Ginn From Black Flag. We
Photo courtesy of Pierce Prewitt
Face of the bass Senior Pierce Prewitt plays at Heart of Texas Rock Fest with his former bandmates, Sinsored. He played the bass guitar.
have also played at SXSW and to a sold out crowd at club 606 with One Eyed Doll,” Prewitt said. Senior Santana Gutierrez has played with Prewitt in Sinsored. The two played together for a little more than a year. “He’s pretty much the reason why we ever got shows,” Gutierrez said “He was a quick learner so practice was a breeze. He also provided us with a ton of gear that we didn’t
have. He was a really big help to us.” Prewitt plans on continuing his musical career playing in bands after he graduates from high school.
Savannah Garza Editor-in-Chief
Lineup
with my musical life. Of course I plan on going on a self funded tour, as the absence of high school greatly eases that possibility,” Prewitt said.
Fun fun fun fest recap Snoop Dogg, M.I.A., and Slayer were some of the many renowned artists that performed at Austin music festival, Fun Fun Fun Fest. FLAG and Snoop Dogg were the highlights of Friday’s chilly night, both at opposite ends of the festival grounds, the black stage and the orange stage. Saturday ended with various renowned artists such as M.I.A., Descendants, and Ice-T to close the second night. Metal band, Slayer, played the last night of Fun Fun Fun
Savannah Garza
M.I.A. Rapper and electronic artist M.I.A. closes Saturday night of Fun Fun Fun Fest. Ice-T and Descendants also played.
Other highlights of the festival included MGMT, Subhumans, Cut Copy, Lupe Fiasco, XXYYXX, and Sarah Silverman. Indie rock legends Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth and Johnny Marr of The Smiths both played sets with their new bands. Fun Fun Fun Fest attracts fans of various music tastes and even incorporates comedy in to the festival with different stages including the orange, blue, black, and yellow stage. The festival even included a skate park. “My favorite sets had to have been Code Orange Kids, Title Fight, FLAG, Descendants and Judge,” Senior Santana Gutierrez said. “A lot of good bands were playing this year.”
Snoop Dogg MIA Slayer FLAG Descendants Ice-T MGMT Subhumans Cut Copy Lupe Fiasco XXYYXX Sarah Silverman Code Orange Kids Title Fight Judge Thurston Moore Johnny Marr
Eagle Vogue
Jacqueline Rodriguez
Jacqueline Rodriguez News Editor
The temperature is getting lower so everyone’s jackets and sweatshirts are coming out and into their rotation. There are many different types of jackets you can wear such as bombers, parkas and sport jackets. Senior Nick Vega plans on purchasing 10 Deep, Rocksmith jackets, pull over hoodies, and sweats this fall. “I’ve been wearing my Nike SB Shoe Goos a lot,” Vega said. Jeans can go with almost anything but it depends on what color wash you pair the jeans with. Black jeans go with almost any colored hoodie or jacket, light wash jeans go well with bold colors like red or blue, and dark blue jeans go well with a light colored shirt. There are many price ranges when it comes to jeans so it is good to do your research. You can get affordable jeans at retailers like H&M and Zara but if you’re looking to drop some cash on a higher quality pair of jeans than look for some Nudie Jeans, Naked And Famous, or Ksubi Denim. Prices for these brands can range from
Jacqueline Rodriguez
Allison Garcia
As the temperatures drop, the coats come on. The winter season is arriving and so are the new fashion trends. Pants, leggings, tights, and sweaters are frequently being worn throughout the school hallways and students are showing off their unique styles. Senior Alison Garcia is one of these students. “My favorite styles for winter would be layering, wearing cardigans, and tights,” Garcia said. Around campus girls are sporting cable knit sweaters with solid colored tights paired with knee high boots. This look, although comfortable, seems to be repetitive throughout the hallways. A different way to be stylish, yet comfortable, for the freezing temperatures up ahead could be pairing skirts with warm knee-high socks. This can be achieved by adding a simple sweater on top. Adding knee high socks adds a cute twist on simple everyday wear. Another way to keep warm in the winter yet still stay fashionable is pairing colored footed tights with dresses. Winter colors like black, maroon, and navy blue are in season and can make a simple dress really stand out. Add a warm neutral colored cardigan or sweater on top, and you have yet another comfortable look. Winter is a time to really show off your style and with these fashionable yet comfortable looks, girls can be fashionable and warm.
Jacob Sanchez Graphics Editor
or at the respective company website. Adding layers to what you’re wearing adds to the overall out from under a lightweight hoodie and you can top it off with a bulky jacket. If you are unsure about the colors, you can’t go wrong with some black and white.
Nick Vega
Sports The Eagle’s Eye Football
Monday, 11.18.13
page 10
Raising the bar
Eagles reach playoffs, making history
Christian Martinez
Clashing at the line of scrimmage Eagles defensive players burst off the line into Austin High Schools’ linemen for a chance to sack the quarterback. The Eagles prevented the Maroons from scoring points in the redzone.
Eagles rally in second half of the season to make first post-season appearance Kenny Jennings Sports Editor History has been made at Akins High School. For the first time ever, the Varsity football team has made the playoffs. In the twelve previous years of Akins existence, the football team has never made it to playoffs. The Eagles finished the regular season 3-7, including two district wins against Del Valle and Austin High, which was enough to reach the playoffs. “It means a lot to the whole senior class because this is something that has never been done before,” senior linebacker/cornerback Nick Vega said, who led the team with 21 solo tackles. “It feels good to make history and be the first class to make playoffs.” Making the playoffs extends the season for the Eagles. “It feels good to know we get to play another week,” senior defensive back Ced-
Basketball
ric Williams said. “It means a lot to be the first team to make playoffs.” The team found positive outcomes on both sides of the ball, leading to their recent success. The quick offense allowed more opportunities for touchdowns and big plays. “The coaches really made sure we were fit and ready to run our fast paced offense,” senior wide receiver Robert Walker said. “Our goal going into the game is to move the ball as fast as we possibly can.” “Coach Frierson took it back down to basics and rebuilt our skills on the line,” senior left tackle Donovan Martinez said. On the other side of the ball, the defense also found success with more intense workouts and practices. “Our offseason workouts were really intense, we worked out a lot harder,” senior linebacker Fred Blackman said. “We drilled everyday, the coaches taught us how
to read offenses and fill the gaps,” junior middle linebacker Malik Smith, who led the team with 58 total tackles said. “Coach griffin and coach Randolph showed us the basics like footwork, and it means a lot to winning,” Vega said. “We’ve watched a lot of film and did a lot of drills, that made us better,” senior
‘‘
tions,” Williams said. “We could have stayed together through losses, there was too many arguments, but we made it to playoffs,” Smith said. “We needed to keep our composure during losses,” Vega said. Although the Eagles had some minor issues, their head coach Humberto Garza thinks differently.
It means a lot to be the first team to make playoffs.
defensive back Cedric Williams said. With triumph also come challenges, the players felt they could’ve been a closer team. “We could’ve been closer as a team, because some of us can’t call other teammates friends,” Martinez said. “I wish we worked together more in bad situa-
”
“We learned how to work as a team, they trusted each other, they believed in one another, they’re the best example of teamwork,” Garza said. The Eagles have shown their improvement by winning games and achieving their ultimate goal of making the playoffs. “It shows how much work
we put in, it shows how hard we worked, we can compete with everyone,” Smith said. “It’s amazing because we showed some improvement by winning games and making playoffs,” Martinez said. School spirit has flourished throughout Akins due to the positive outcomes of the games. More families, fans, and students have been going to the stadiums to support the Eagles. The game gets heavily discussed through social networks such as Twitter and Instagram. “When we played Austin High, our stands weren’t quiet and they were cheering us on all night,” Martinez said. “Win or lose, support our team.” Unfortunately, the Eagles lost to Round Rock in the first round of the playoffs 67-21. They fought hard but couldn’t keep up with the fast-paced Round Rock Dragons. “We played our hardest and gave it everything,” Walker said.
Football video Scan the QR code to view the Akins Football 2013 video directed, edited, and produced by Matthew Lopez
He said he was sad that season came to an end earlier than they hoped. “I’ve met some great people and formed some amazing relationships with my teammates,” Walker said. Even with the playoff loss, the Eagles succeeded at what they set out to do “We earned it,” defensive back Alec Kappel said. “As a team we deserve to have made it to playoffs because we’ve gone through so much.”
Getting started
Boys, girls teams gear up as basketball season begins Tyler Derrickson Staff Reporter This year the boys and girls’ varsity basketball teams are set to begin another season of basketball with high expectations. New faces will see varsity action for the first time while seasoned players will come back more experienced than last time they stepped on the court. This year’s boys varsity team will be left without the fire-power of players like Cortland Ross and Fredd Richardson as they now play for their respected colleges. Many player and role changes have led to a search for the up and coming leaders for this team. “Leadership has been a day by day situation up to this point, but we are hoping to give leadership qualities to these kids and create great leaders out of them,” David Peavy, boys varsity basketball coach, said. The girls look to improve their play from the last season. “It is early in the season, but we need to improve on
just about everything from screens to boxing out to get rebounds,” Helen Martin girls varsity basketball coach said. The main goal for any competitive sports team is to win a championship, but it’s the work off the court that can determine who takes their talents to the next level and separate themselves from the rest of the playing field. “When I wasn’t playing for select teams in the summer leagues I was coming up to Akins almost everyday to practice and get better,” senior guard Jared Mendez said. Everyone on the team has a role that will help contribute to the success of the team. “I want to go onto the team and do my job so I can help this team win and go far into playoffs,” junior forward Teddy Lowery said. This year’s girl’s team is poised for a comeback season after a season in which they fell short of making the playoffs. “Our confidence, work ethic and our desire to win
are going to be some of the key factors for a successful season this year,” junior forward Macy Whiting said. On the boys side they are looking to replicate a successful season from a year ago, but with new players and different playing styles. “Through tradition we play hard, and we are going to try to keep the momentum we had last year,” Peavy said. “We have a completely different team and roles have changed, but that wont stop us from playing our best basketball.” The boys have built a good chemistry on the court and have started to play as a team. This chemistry has led to a higher level of play and it has shown through practices and games played thus far. “We need to stay on the same page and play off of each other to build a great team,“ senior guard Bryan Sassenhagen said. “We need to keep our heads up to win games and advance throughout the playoffs.” The girls are prepared for this year and all of the challenges that come with a
Lala Villegas
Defensive pressure Sopohmore guard Brooklyn Childers defends a Lehman offensive guard. The Lady Eagles lost to Lehman.
new season and new players learning the system. “If we stay playing as a team, do what our coaches say and stay focused on the main goal of winning it all, this team will be able to do it,” senior guard Megan Martinez said. Team relationships, hard
work and solid coaching are going to be some of the most important factors for these teams’ success this year. As the season starts, players said they have high expectations for both teams. Lowery said he thinks this is the year Akins players will show what they are
made of. “We are really excited to see these kids play this year,” Martin said. “Day in and day out they put forth all their effort during practices and their hard work will be displayed on the court this year.”
Monday, 11.18.13 JV Football
Sports
page 11
The Eagle’s Eye
Development
JV Eagles improve to a winning record Tyler Derrickson Staff Reporter Junior varsity football finished off a successful season with its first winning record in recent memory with a 5-4 overall record. Wins against Crockett and Del Valle helped build momentum for the Eagles and propelled them to a great start. The team built a relationship with one another and played hard every down throughout the season. “We pushed everyone to their limit when it came to playing their best football and we stayed focused on winning these games,” junior wide reciever Donald Akers said. We just wanted to play hard for the guy standing next to us,” Play calling was a big reason for Akins’ success this year as new schemes were added this year to give them a better chance to win. “Hind sight is 20/20 when you coach the game of football, but we put ourselves in good positions to win
Wrestling
games,” defensive coordinator Christopher Randolph said. “I’d like to take some calls back but when the kids executed the plays accordingly it made the staff very proud,” At seasons end, the Eagles sat tied atop the district leaders in wins. “Everyone contributed to the team whether it was a big play or a huge energy boost from the sidelines,” sophomore wide receiver Francisco Ambriz said. The team won and lost many close games this year that were decided by mistakes or successful plays. “We executed many plays leading to wins, but when we did lose it was because of mental mistakes and penalties at crucial moments in games,” Head Coach Humberto Garza said. The team built up confidence through wins and stayed together through losses. “Through the wins and losses we picked each other up and didn’t look back,” Akers said.
The junior varsity team really worked on playing mechanics during the offseason and throughout the years also learning offensive and defensive schemes along the way. “During the off-season we participated in position drills, hit the weight room and learned off of the playbook,” sophomore quarterback Michael Gonzales said. The success of this team will only bring more excitement for the upcoming season when they will be participating in varsity football. Many of the junior varsity players will be heading to the varsity squad this upcoming 2014-2015 season. “That only sets up success for the future varsity team consisting of these kids,” Garza said. The team shared many moral and substantial victories throughout the season that led to their 5-4 record. The team looks to work on making fewer mistakes next season to make them and elite team. “You can always look
Isaiah Carrol
Sideline coaching Sophomore outside linebacker Xavier Mendez gets coached up on the sideline by junior varsity defensive coordinator Christopher Randolph. Akins lost to Anderson.
to do better, overall I think our future looks very bright though,” Randolph said. As the season comes to a close, the future of this
team is looking up and the program is doing everything right in terms of gaining recognition. “The staff is proud of the
strides and stretches these boys took this year and we are very happy with the outcome of this season,” Randolph said.
Athlete feature
Wrestler’s dedication shows through dynamic results Sonny Zuniga Student-Life Editor Training in quick steady steps at the break of dawn, while pacing herself to the beat of Bruno Mars’ “Locked Out of Heaven,” sweat drips from her face while the wind cools her off. “Keep running, two more pounds,” she said. “Just two more.” Bruised knees, a busted lip and the occasional black eye. Each bruise reminding her of every opponent she’s come in contact with. These are just a few of the cosmetic concerns that junior Anna Becerra has to deal with on a regular basis. Injuries like these are not unusual in the life of a wrestler. “It’s an addiction. You just want to see progress in your wrestling, and it makes me feel like I want to do the impossible,” Becerra said. Getting ready for the wrestling season, Becerra prepares herself for her weight class by beginning to lose those impossible two pounds to qualify for her first match of the season.
Sonny Zuniga
Training in progress Anna Bacerra trains for her first wrestling match of the season at the track of a neighboring school. Bacerra won her match against her Lanier opponent in the second round.
“The team as a whole is working out to make weight and constantly drilling to perfect our moves,” Becerra said. “Losing weight is tough because I can’t really eat my favorite foods because of my healthy eating.” Working on her weight
class of 102, Becerra works to only eat her nutrients her body needs and avoids food with fiber to keep her body ready and healthy for her matches. “I try my best to give my body what it needs by eating what’s good for my body
Jacob Sanchez
and working out.” Becerra said. Still reveling in her memories from winning regionals and going to state all in the past year, Becerra says she hopes to reach the top again this year and go even farther with her moves now be-
ing much more precise and sharper which allows her to progress and be better than she was before. “It was a dream come true, I broke down in tears because I worked so hard and you finally see it pay off,” Becerra said. “I’m not doing it just to do it, I work my (butt) off and then I see why.” Many wrestlers believe the sport is unrecognized and is not given the credit it deserves. Becerra agrees that wrestling isn’t credited enough and is ridiculed to be “people just rolling around on a mat.” “I think wrestling is not taken seriously and see it as people just taking each other down and don’t get the recognition that football or basketball games get, ” Becerra said. Wrestling keeps going strong no matter what is said about them and work together as a team to support each other. Becerra is driven to have success in wrestling and to show people that what they think is impossible is possible in her world. “I love warm-ups. You’re
'BMM
in that state of mind where I’m going to go in there and do the best that you can,” Becerra said. Becerra says she began wrestling all because of a bet that was made over money. “My sister’s boyfriend used to wrestle for Akins for most of his high school career and he bet me money if I would try wrestling for a year,” Bacerra said. “He never did pay me but the love I ended having for the sport was more than worth it.” Becerra is in her third year of wrestling. She has to balance it with managing her job, homework and friends. She said she cherishes everything she receives in life and drives herself to be better and do better by keeping her priorities straight and her mind on the prize while overall keeping her grades in check. With the first match of the season already done and Becerra with her first win, the team as a whole trains hard together for their next match on Nov. 20 at Lanier High School and Dec. 4 at Akins.
Photo Essay The Eagle’s Eye
Monday, 11.18.13
page 12
People come together in aftermath of flood Marisol Gomez Photo Editor
-
-
-
-
Neighborhood underwater Water took over neighborhoods on the early morning feet (over street level),” senior Christian Martinez said. Many Akins students living in these neighborhoods lost almost everything forcing them to start over, leaving some students without a home.
New walls new nails Akins Cares adviser Erika San Miguel pulls nails from the rotten boards that hold up the walls with her hammer. “We as teachers shouldn’t ingnore our duty as role models for our students,” San Miguel said. The Akins Cares club worked all morning long to try and quickly do everything they could to help clean out water damaged and destroyed houses. hoods early on Oct. 31 causing destruction and devistation amoung residents hoping for a fresh start. The water destroyed many lots, knocking over trees, and tearing down walls, leaving a lot of people with ruined senitmental items and no place to call home. Many donations and clean up assistance was needed to help people get back on their feet and rebuild their homes. Streets turned to rivers for a few hours stranding people in their homes and closing down bridges and streets. Most students were not able to come to school because they either had no transportation or they were stranded. Some people were even forced to evacuate to the roof and wait for the waters to receed. In some cases, sudents waited for hours to be rescued by the helicopters that started to panic and cry, but I remained calm. My dad opened the front door and, of course, senior Paula Vuorela said. “I even broke out the window so we could get out.”
Beloved dog returned by surprise Akins Cares president Alyssa Garcia reunites with her excited dog Beautiful. Beautiful turned her to the Garcia family who were relieved to see her again. “I was so happy when they called to let us know they had her and when I saw she was OK,” Garcia said.
Throwing away walls what was left of the knocked out walls so that the house can be cleared out to rebuild. So much water got into most houses that the walls were rotted up to four and a half feet from the ground causing major damage, Betancourt said. The club didn’t stop or slow their pace all morning long, despite the numerous requests and demands they were asked to do.