The Eagle's Eye; Issue 2; Volume 16; Akins High School

THE

EAGLE’S EYE

W. Charles Akins High School

Austin, Texas

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“Everything that Concerns You”

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Issue 2

November 16, 2016

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P.10 Football Seniors

Food Trucks Sergio Hernandez

Justen Arzola

say Goodbye

Rock of Ages p.8 Kelly Polacheck

Volume 16

P.12

GoGames 360

Matthew Rocha

Bethany Bissell

▲ Winter Drive

Seniors Tammy Nguyen and Yocelyn Erazo hang up posters for the Winter Clothing and Healthy Living Drive. Boxes were placed around campus in hopes that students would donate items that would be given help both homeless students and students who are financially unstable.

More resources available to homeless students Bethany Bissell Staff Writer

There are 2,642 recorded homeless students in the Austin school district, according to recent survey conducted by the HousingWorks non-profit organization.

That boils down to about 3 percent of all Austin ISD students, which might not seem like much. But that is the same percentage as the number of mixed-race students in the district and one percent less than the number of Asian-Americans. Most students know at least one person that fits those specifications.

There are specific district criteria for categorizing a student as homeless: being “doubled-up,”(living with another family), living in a hotel or motel, staying with friends(also referred to as “unaccompanied youth”), or living in shelters or vehicles. So far there are currently about 30 students at Akins that have been identified as fitting these descriptions.

“Last year we had around 120 (homeless) students, so that tells me that we haven’t identified all the youth this year who are in need,” said Meg Mattingly, project supervisor for AISD’s Project HELP. Project HELP is a district initiative put in place to implement the McKinney-Vento Act, which is a federal law that attempts to remove barriers for homeless students. It provides them with resources to aid them at school they might not otherwise have, including access to transportation in the form of bus passes, school supplies, Wal-Mart gift cards, or other supplies. Mattingly said the law also details rights that homeless students have.

Funding

“Their children have the right to stay at the school that they are at, no matter where they’re at,” she said. “And the reason for that is the way the law is set up. It’s helping to remove any barriers. So if a child is experiencing a lot of instability in their home life, the law is in place to make sure they’ll at least have that stability at school.”

In addition to the services available through Project HELP, Akins itself has resources and programs available to help homeless students. Graduation coach Laura Garza works with some homeless students who have attendance problems, which can take them off-track to graduate.

“A lot of our students who are homeless are at risk for dropping out because it’s hard for them to get to school everyday,” Garza said.

Akins also offers services to homeless students through Student Support Services, or SSS. SSS is run by social worker Colleen Arnold and her interns. Arnold’s office works with homeless students to get them necessities such as backpacks and school supplies and clothing. There is a clothing closet on campus as well as a connection provided to students via Assistance League of Austin to provide students with clothes from Target. Arnold said SSS also receives donations for homeless students from Manchaca United Methodist Church.

“They’ve helped with paying AP exam fees and college admissions application fees for homeless students,” she said. “We try to partner with people in the community who have a heart to serve students and get connections with all of our students in whatever it is.”

Another source of clothing for homeless student is the Winter Clothing and Healthy Living drive, organized by students in the Austin Corps class. Senior Tammy Nguy-

en and others are collecting donations in boxes around campus. Nguyen is collecting winter clothing and hygiene products until November 15. The proceeds will go to a drive to benefit homeless students. She is also organizing a Student Resource Room open to all students, which will provide clothes and test prep books.

... people will change the way that they think about students in need.

— Tammy Nguyen

“What I hope about all of these initiatives is that people will change the way that they think about students in need,” Nguyen said. “I wanted to do this because we have a lot of homeless students, but we also have a lot of students that are financially unstable.”

Mattingly said that many people don’t know about the resources they can get through Akins and Project HELP. She said it’s important to get their information out so the stigma of homelessness is removed.

“It’s really cool that Akins sees such a value in this, and an importance of understanding the needs of students at your school,” Mattingly said. “I hope that we can change the language of the conversation because I think there’s a lot of shame around it and embarrassment.”

Breakfast

Managers worried about poor breakfast record keeping

New food options are expected to be served in the mornings after Thanksgiving Annie ricotta Graphics Editor

While the saying goes “There is no such thing as a free lunch,” the same could be said for the new Breakfast-in-the-Classroom program.

The program, which started at Akins this school year, is aimed at improving student access to nutritious breakfast foods to all students on campus. Breakfast items are provided to students every morning at the beginning of first and fifth period at no cost to student. However, that does not mean the food doesn’t cost anyone money.

Annalise Tanner, the school district’s Nutrition and Food Service Director, said the goal of serving breakfast was to give all students a chance to eat in the morning.

To achieve that goal the district has to be reimbursed by the Texas Department of Agriculture for the money spent on breakfast based on the accurate reporting done for each meal taken by a student.

“If we don’t receive a roster we don’t receive funding to cover the cost of the food and the cost of preparing

the meal,” Tanner said Tanner said it’s critical for teachers to report accurate numbers so the campus can be reimbursed for the food it serves each day. Beyond the cost of the food, the expansion of the breakfast program is expensive, which necessitated the doubling of staff to prepare and distribute the meals to classrooms across campus every morning.

Tanner said accurate reporting also ensures that the district is able to improve the quality of the offerings provided each day. Currently, the entree items are set to change on Nov. 28, when a new cycle is scheduled to begin once students come back from Thanksgiving break. It will include items such as chicken and waffles, blueberry parfait, banana loaf, blueberry bagel and apple chia bar.

However, the future of the program is in doubt if the daily reporting by teachers does not improve.

The district gets funding from every meal served, but because the actual total of meals being served isn’t being recorded the district is losing money.

If the cafeteria managers do not get more accurate records, they are concerned the program will not continue.

To them the amount of loss of money might not be worth keeping breakfast served.

If Breakfast in the Classroom ended students would lose out on the ease of having breakfast readily available.

Those who can’t eat breakfast at home’s only source of food in the morning is from Breakfast in the Classroom.

Without it, student miss out on the nutrition they need in the morning.

The loss of Breakfast in the Classroom would hurt more than just students. Food service workers who only deal with breakfast could lose their jobs because there wouldn’t be any need for them anymore.

The daily reminders for teachers to complete their breakfast rosters are because the number of breakfasts being served are going significantly underreported, according to Roland Cortez, Akins Food Service manager.

1,700 meals are being served each day, but only about 1,100 were being reported by teachers in October.

INSIDE: Opinions - page 2-3 News - page 4 InDepth - page 5 Life and Style - page 6-7 Entertainment - page 8-9 SPORTS - page 10-11 PHOTO ESSAY- page 12

Opinions

page 2

The Eagle’s Eye

wednesday - November 16, 2016

Take a stance against Donald Trump and his goals EDITORIAL

E

veryone generally agrees that 2016 has been an enormous mess, when it comes to politics.

This can be credited to a lot of things, but primarily it has been because of the presidential election. The past election has been far more than just a headache, for many people it has been a constant worry to the people who would be harmed by many of the promised policies and intentions of President Elect Donald Trump.

The personal attacks by both of the main candidates has been a very upsetting part of this year.

But even worse is the election of Trump. The results of the presidential election have left large swaths of our country devastated and depressed.

We believe that while the election has not resulted in the outcome we wanted, that does not mean we have to accept everything he wants to do without a fight.

All of us can raise our voices and take a stand against offensive and wrong headed policies he is wanting to enact.

We are all unhappy with the results and we can show just how much we disagree with who has been elected. So protest and fight for what you believe in. Fight for what is right. The Eagle’s Eye invites you to write, share your opinions, show the world just how many people have the common sense and human decency to confront Donald Trump and his goals.

Or people could form more clubs like the Akins Young Democratic Socialists to create and support more youth political groups.

However, you decide to speak out, we implore everyone to do so with respect

and be willing to listen to the points of view with whom you disagree. We know that Trump and the Republican controlled Congress will try to push through all manner of offensive policies over the next four years. As difficult as it may be, we must respect the political process and work harder to elect people who reflect the values of our generation. We must strive to spread love with every chance we get.

In no situation is violence the right way to share our displeasure. There is already too many people trying to harm others.

Trump has already voiced his plans to destroy what has been built in the last eight years, including Obamacare. He will also surely try to build his Southern border wall, and remove more than 2 million illegal immigrants, along with many other plans.

Although we can’t change what he will attempt to do, we can fight this. Our individual voices do matter, whether it’s just speaking for people who are discriminated against, protecting your fellow citizens from ignorant fools or trying your hardest to make changes happen in Washington D.C. We as the editorial board stand by the fact that there is only one way that Americans can survive the next four years. All that everyone has to do is spread love, understanding and compassion. If you don’t like Trump, stand up and let your voice be heard. Fight tooth and claw for the right things in this world, whether they be basic human rights like equality, safety and freedom. Our voices and how we respond to this moment matters.

Our voices and how we respond to this moment matters.

Annie Ricotta

sports

children

Youth who join PeeWee football at risk for being harmed Parents who introduce kids to sports early can lead them to suffer brain injuries Love has a way of blinding people to the faults of the people they love. The same goes for the things people love to do, including watching and playing football.

Even I am conflicted about my feelings toward football when I read about the risks and dangers that come to players, including concussions, spine injuries and traumatic brain injuries. It’s even worse when you hear about the risks that young children face when playing PeeWee league football.

Some parents sign their children up to play PeeWee football with hopes that their children will turn out to be star players when they get to high school, college or even professional levels. But these parents need to know that these children can suffer irreparable brain damage, leading to a condition called Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).

Editorial Policy The Eagle’s Eye is the official student newspaper of Akins High School. It is published six times a year, generally once per six weeks for the school’s students, staff and community.

The Eagle’s Eye is an open forum for student expression. The Eagle’s Eye is not reviewed by school administration prior to distribution, and the advisor will not act as a censor. Content

Daylin Ettles

the game is too much for some to resist.

Students who I have talked to said these risks would not stop them from playing at early ages.

Traditions and following in the footsteps of parents shouldn’t be more important than a child’s long-term health.

Football may be fun but there are medical

The Eagle’s Eye

represents the views of the student staff and not school officials.

The Eagle’s Eye will work to avoid bias and/or favoritism. We will strive to make our coverage and content meaningful, timely and interesting to our readers. Our articles will reflect our genuine objective of reporting news and will be held to a high standard of quality.

We will make every effort to avoid printing libel, obscenities, innuendo and material that threatens to disrupt the learning process

or is an invasion of privacy. We will avoid electronic manipulation that alters the truth of a photograph.

Staff editorials represent the opinion of the editorial board arrived at by discussion and will not be bylined. Bylined articles are the opinion of the individual writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Eagle’s Eye staff or administration as a whole.

The Eagle’s Eye welcomes reader input.

Please send any letters, articles, comments

Eagle’s Eye Staff

Photo Editor

Multi-Media Editor

Editor-in-Chief

In-Depth Editor

Graphics Editor

Opinions Editor

Sports Editor

Social Media Manager

News Editor

Life & Style Editor

Staff Writers See full list on the Eagle’s Eye Web site

Stephanie Valle* Bee Barto* Brenda Amaya*

Entertainment Editor Mary Griffis*

Matthew Rocha*

Eliana Gutierrez* Larry Durden*

Ashley Sanchez*

Web Editors

Thomas Cross* Jared Cordero*

Roy Harnadez Annie Ricotta *

issues involved when starting at a young age.

When parents consider signing their children up for PeeWee football they should consider these risks and the impact they could have on their children’s health and careers.

or corrections to akins.journalism@gmail. com or mail them to 10701 South First Street Austin, Texas 78748 or drop them off in room 223 with advisor David Doerr or an editor.

Letters must be signed, and emailed letters will require verification before publication. We will not necessarily publish all letters received and reserve the right to edit for length and clarity.

The Eagle’s Eye does not necessarily endorse the products or services found in advertisements from local businesses.

* The members of the Editorial Board who contributed to the Staff Editorial are marked in asterisks.

Editorial Board*

Staff Writer

Sophomore Michael Rodriguez has played football since he was 6 years old.

According to an article in The New York Times titled “Don’t let kids Play Football” Unlike other organs in our bodies the brain can’t heal itself, symptoms may include: major depression, memory loss, suicidal thoughts and actions, loss of intelligence as well as dementia.

Academically wise, these kids who are starting football early are receiving brain injuries will struggle with learning. It’s also good to let your child explore other clubs and activities that peak their interests, especially when they are at a young age.

Around the ages of 18 or so, when other dangers — like smoking, drugs, and anything dangerous that children could get their hands on — the public would express their concerns and laws would be passed.

For example, you can smoke in certain places and have to be 18 and over to buy cigarettes. But yet not many people express concern for the consequences of playing football and possibly causing extreme brain damage.

However, the lure and excitement of

Honors ILPC/UIL

TAJE

Superior Bronze Star Award Coverage 2007 2005 2011 2008 2012 2007 - H.M. Sweepstakes 2013 2010 - 2nd Sweepstakes 2014 2011 - H.M. Sweepstakes 2016 - Best In Show

NSPA

CSPA

Basil Montemayor All icons for kickers are found on: flaticon.com

Icon Credit:

Jennifer Espinoza

All-American 2013, 2014 Nominated for Pacemaker -2013

2011 - Silver Medal 2012 - Gold Medal 2015 - Gold Medal

Wednesday, November 16, 2016 t The Eagles Eye Reactions

Opinions t page 3

fears

Students react to the presidential election results

Many people surrounded by negativity one way or another with Trump in office Evelynn Valladares

senior Dominque Huizar. “They believe everything (which is all lies) he says is going to ‘make America great again’ when it was already great.”

She said Trump is a selfish man who doesn’t care about anyone except himself.

Other people said Trump’s campaign was not focused on important issues.

Senior Jordan Rouse said that there is something wrong with the country because he doesn’t understand how people could vote for Trump.

“Throughout the campaign he’s always tried to put something off onto Clinton’s emails like whenever a serious question comes up he’s like ‘let’s talk about Hillary for a second’ so we can get the focus off of me,” Rouse said.

And other Akins students said they are upset to not see Hillary elected as the first female president.

Trump does not deserve to be the next president of the United States, sophomore Andrea Sanchez said.

Some said that neither candidate would have done what they wanted them to do.

Staff Writer

Donald Trump’s discouraging win over Hillary Clinton has left many Akins students distraught over the prospect of what his presidency will be like.

I think that it is upsetting that we chose Trump as our president because it feels like an endorsement of all his bad behavior including his bullying and misogyny.

Trump has made multiple comments during his speeches that have disrespected Hispanics, Muslims, those with physical handicaps and many other groups of people. It’s just not behavior befitting the president of the United States.

Various students have strong reactions when the results of the election that became known on Nov. 9.

“I was really mad at that the fact that America chose Trump over Hillary because America doesn’t understand that Trump is gonna bring us down more,” said

Politics

Bee Barto

Rouse believes that thinks Hillary could have been just as bad as Trump.

“Either way it would’ve been bad. I mean there is disadvantages to either person becoming the president,” he said.

Junior Kelly Polacheck said he does not think Donald Trump will necessarily be a

bad president.

“Donald Trump may not be the worst president we’ve ever had,” he said. “We don’t know what is going to happen next, but it’s foolish to act like the world is going to end because when you think about it, what’s the worst that he can do?”

Meltdown

Republican party challenged following Trump’s success Annie Ricotta

Graphics Editor

The Republican Party faces the challenge of remaking itself in the image of Donald Trump after his unexpected election as the next president of the United States.

Throughout the campaign Donald Trump made his unconventional views known, stirring up controversy every time he walked up to a microphone and upsetting Democrats and Republicans alike.

He has now become the figurehead of the Republican Party. Now that he has won the election, the party has to figure out what it means to be a Republican going forward.

Throughout this campaign, every time Trump said something out of line - which was all the time - the entire party had to scramble to justify what he has said. More often than not however the vile things that came out of Trump’s mouth were unjustifiable, which resulted in an entire party dodging questions like Trump himself dodges taxes.

Wasting air time without actually answering a question is now a staple of the Republican Party. Whenever someone actually said something about what he said, Trump’s backlash against them was immediate; including low blows about looks gender, and race. Even more frequently his retorts contained more lies that were disproven yet he refused to acknowledge the truth.

The party itself is divided and there is a miniature civil war going on. The party is now split into various factions.

Clubs

Annie Ricotta

Some in the party have wised up and renounced Trump for his moral failings. . These Republicans are in the awkward position of having to work together to get things done. They and the Democrats might be the only thing stopping Trump from enacting the more radical elements of his agenda.

Trump’s shadow will hang over the party for some time to come. He has left a trail of destruction in his wake and it is doubtful even now that he will stop. His supporters are ecstatic and are loudly calling out all those who opposed them. The battle between them and the rest of America will be necessary if the party is to have any significant future in politics.

One thing we can not forget is that the Democratic Party is having problems in its core as well. The majority of the working class population didn’t believe that they could trust Hillary Clinton so many stayed home or voted third party. Hillary was the most appropriate candidate but the people didn’t believe in her.

It remains an open question if they can build a coalition that reflects the values of modern voters or just the party of old-angry white voters. Even if they are the majority now, as soon as millennials become of age to vote everything is going to change. Until then however we have no choice but to work together under Trump.

Both major parties are teetering on the edge of falling apart.

Let’s hope that the parties learn and remake themselves into something better than the chaos of the 2016 election.

We must have at least two strong parties to represent the american people.

Misconceptions

Socialism is not an evil ideology like some people think Christian Rico

Guest Contributor

As a socialist, I have experienced the struggle of having to express my political viewpoints to other people who have negative preconceptions of what that

means.

To explain your position about your strongly held beliefs to someone who might think socialists are evil can be very difficult. Many people have told me that I shouldn’t publicly call myself a socialist, but it’s nothing to be ashamed of.

Akins Young Democratic Socialist is a new socialist group that has many members along with supporters. The 2 main focus’ are social justice throughout schools as well as climate regulation.

Democratic Socialists believe that both the economy and society should be run to meet human needs, not for private profit by corporate leaders. We are a political and activist organization, not a party; through campus and community-based chapters; DSA members use a variety of tactics, from legislative to direct action, to fight for reforms that empower working people.

Here at Akins, the new Young Democratic Socialist club focus’ on the immediate needs of student workers and students. We also have a goal to reduce carbon emissions by encouraging investors to divest their funds from the fossil fuel industry and invest into education.

Since this is a new group, not only to Akins but to the City of Austin, people have been a bit skeptical. During our time at Akins as socialists we have been called numerous names such as “Communist” and “Nazi-Children.”

We even had one of our club recruitment posters taken down because we were told that “some students finding it offensive,” which shocks me because the question that was found to be offensive was “Are you against racism?”

I believe that students along with teachers and administrators have misinterpreted the term “Socialism” because of the negative stigma attached to the word. Anti-socialism has been repeatedly used to attack reforms that shift power to working class people and away from corporate

ARE YOU A SOCIALIST? ARE YOU Against Racism?

Should college be free?

If so, then come to room 149 after school on Wednesdays Mary Griffith

capital.

Until we face, and beat, the stigma attached to the “S word,” politics in America will continue to be stifled and our options limited. We also call ourselves socialists because we are proud of the heritage of the founders of the Socialist Party, Eugene Debs and Norman Thomas, and of other struggles for change that have made America more democratic and just. Finally, we call ourselves socialists to remind everyone that we have a vision of a better world.

Fear of socialism has arisen along with Red Scares at

Students along with teachers and administrators have misinterpreted the term “Socialism”

various times in American history, notably during the Cold War period, when America was in conflict with the Communist government of the Soviet Union.

Americans are by in large very unaware of how successful many modern socialist countries are. Many have higher quality of living standards for their citizens compared to the United States because we were just taught

about the countries that had bad, cruel leaders that helped their countries collapse and were told it was because of “evil” socialism. Although some socialist run countries have failed in the past, many of this country’s best aspects were brought to us by socialism.

According to “75 Ways Socialism Has Improved America,” public schools are taxpayer funded. A portion of the taxes you pay go to funding the public education system, which is in fact, socialism. In the 1950’s polio ravaged the United States. Until Dr. Jonas Salk invented a cure, finally ridding America of this terrible disease. Dr. Salk could have sold his vaccine in the free market and made millions and millions of dollars. Instead he gave it to the federal government to begin eradicating polio. He said that he made plenty of money as a scientist and felt it was too important to try and profit from or create a business around, once again a prime example of socialism.

Democratic Socialists core beliefs revolve around the people’s needs. While some may categorize Democratic Socialist as power and money hungry Far Left politicians; history will show, Democratic Socialist are fully against Private Profit and all for working to meet the public’s needs. We have to work hard in order to overcome the misconceptions about socialism, and overcome many students’ lack of interest in engaging in political actions. Young people can be turning the tide against racism, sexism, homophobia and climate change. Joining the Socialist movement will not only benefit you as a student, or just Akins as a community, but the United States of America as our home.

News

page 4

The Eagle’s Eye

Wednesday - November 16, 2016 School clubs

Environment

Group works to help campus meet recycling goals

Green Teens make effort to reduce amount of waste found on school grounds Nicole Ocampo Staff Writer

As the famous Muppet Kermit the Frog once said, “It’s not easy being Green.”

In a city like Austin, where leaders have passed resolutions calling for “zero waste” by the year 2040, it might be assumed that recycling and waste reduction efforts are on autopilot with all things running smoothly.

However, last year some students and teachers discovered that very little recycling is actually occurring at Akins. The reasons are many: overworked custodians, no labeled recycle bins in common areas and a lack of coordinated effort among the staff, teachers and students.

In an attempt, to turn things around, a group of students and teachers began meeting last year to brainstorm what they could do to decrease the amount of waste the campus throws in the landfill. With the help of science teachers Matt Stricklen and Kristen Aaltonen, seniors Jesus Tovar and Cody Unwin began the work of reviving the campus Green Teens group last year after it had gone defunct and lost its faculty sponsor.

Unwin said his goal for Green Teens is for students to respect the campus and to clean it up and recycle.

“You walk around the courtyard and see trash on top of the trashcan, and we’re trying to stop things like that,” he said.

One of the initiatives they are planning is getting more students involved by having them take the blue recycle

Academic

bins in certain teachers’ rooms to the dumpsters outside during FIT so the custodians don’t have to deal with it.

The program is partnered with Keep Austin Beautiful, which helps support schools with efforts to decrease waste.

Along with being partnered with Keep Austin Beautiful, they are a huge sponsor to Green Teens.

Green Teens has also helped with general campus beautification by walking along First Street, picking up trash all along the way. This is one of the things done to begin the process, taking steps towards pick actions to soon be made for the group.

Green Teens also works closely with the new Just Keep Livin club, which focuses on fitness, wellness, service and nutrition. On Nov. 12, members of the groups visited the Festival Beach Food Forest, which is a pilot project that grows edible forest gardens on public land. Green Teens volunteered, helping plant gardens.

They also are working to better sign-age posted on the recycle dumpsters to make it more clear which ones accept recyclable items and making signs so people understand what belongs into the recycle.

Long term goals include starting a compost area, a garden. But the first step towards this would be getting more students to join the club. With the help from students and more teacher could really get the group to create more a success.

Green Teens meets every Monday and Wednesday in room 168. So come out and visit the club! Take a stand in making Akins green, make a change in our school.

Akins Recycles

Dear Custodians, please do not dump this bin.

This bin will be emptied into the recycling dumpster by the students of

Green Teens

▲ Let’s go green

Teachers can request a special sign from the Green Teens for their recycle bins so that custodians know not to dump the recycle bins.

Competition

Students receive new UIL opportunities this school year BrendA Amaya News Editor

Many students are devoted to their academic studies and now these students have the opportunity to receive recognition for their hard work though UIL competitions.

This year Melissa Royer, AHA academy coordinator and film teacher, worked to expand the UIL competitions to more academic areas for students to participate in. In previous years, academic UIL participation at Akins was mostly limited to speech and debate besides Fine Arts related programs.

“I saw a need that we need to celebrate academics and we

have lots of students who are going above and beyond everyday,” Royer said.

Some of the new areas of competition for UIL offered at Akins are Science, Social Studies, Accounting, Theatrical Designs, Essays and Computer Science.

Social studies teacher Melinda Horowitz is in charge of coaching students that are interested in the social studies competition for UIL. This competition will include current issues and events in addition to having contests that will test students general knowledge and a specific study topic. Horowitz said that this is the first time that there has been a competition for Social Studies

Music

and she is looking forward to working with these students as their coach.

“Last year I took AP U.S. History so I kind of want to utilize the information that I learned last year and keep on using it if I have the opportunity in UIL. This is also my first time competing at UIL,” senior Grace Chiu said.

Journalism teacher David Doerr said that he has wanted to coach in UIL journalism for several years now and thanks to Royer’s support he will be able to do so this year.

“UIL is one more way for our students to show of how awesome they are,” Doerr said.

Courtesy of Akins AHA

▲ Students celebrating

Students celebrate after their State Speech and Debate competition. More UIL options will be available this year.

Awards

Fine Arts department exceeds in various tournaments Daylin Ettles Staff Writer

briefs

The sweet sounds of music have brightened spirits and won awards for students this fall.

In all areas of music, students have picked up accolades in various tournaments and contests, including orchestra, guitar, choir and marching band.

Choir teacher Catherine Ballard said she is proud to announce that Akins choir had three students make the Regional Choir, including Sarudzai Chigubu, Veronica Lopez, and Brittney Jackson.

Two of these three students, Chigubu and Lopez made it to Pre-Area, 2nd chair and a 3rd chair, respectively. Jackson, made it to Pre-Area as an alternate.

Last year we only had one student make it to Pre-Area. These

students also now have a shot at auditioning for All-State Choir.

Ballard said she is amazed by her students accomplishments.

“Making the Region Choir is the highest honor that a student can earn in our Region, and going on to participate in Pre-Area is a huge deal,” she said. “I’m incredibly proud of the students that made it all the way through, and also very proud of the students that worked hard, but didn’t quite make it this year.”

Orchestra and guitar teacher Paul Crockett also has something to brag about based on recent competition results.

He said three classical guitar students — Simon Carandang, Alisson Pasaol, and Oscar Avila — recently secured spots in the All Region Ensemble after they competed against 45 other area guitarists.

Akins marching band perfomes at Bowie’s football game.

“I am happy and thankful to have the opportunity to play with some of the best guitarist in the district.” Carandang said “It still can’t beat playing with all my teammates; the Akins Eagle guitar ensemble”

Students have the chance to receive 36 college credit hours Students have the opportunity to receive 36 college credit hours through the Dual Credit Eagles program offered at Akins.

DC Eagles is a three-year(sophomore through senior year) program that allows high school students to earn both

Danny Arce

▲ Keep On Marching

high school and college credit from the same course. Students will take the dual credit courses at Austin Community College (ACC).

For more information contact the College Readiness Counselor Christine Kesling located in the main office room 5.

Crockett said he is especially impressed because this year’s competition was held three weeks earlier than in previous years.

For the Orchestra, eight students auditioned for All-Region and a chance to record for All-

15th: PTSA Meeting 24th: Thanksgiving 21-25th: Thanksgiving Break 29th: ACC Dual Credit Information Session 30th: Akins Wrestling vs.

NB Canyon

State. Of those eight, two students make the Region Orchestra and three students qualify to record for State; Alyssa Pasaol (violin), Alisson Pasaol (cello), and Arantza Aurrecoechea (double bass).

In October, the Akins Eagle Band competed at the USBands Yamaha Cup preliminary competition, they competed against 32 other bands from all around Texas; ending up placing 10th overall. For the awards section of the preliminary round, Akins took home the following awards: best overall effect, best percussion and best color guard.

For the finals competition, the marching band ended up tying for sixth place. Band director Tate Fincher said the band worked for their success.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome,” he said.

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Indepth

The Eagle’s Eye

page 5

wednesday - november 16, 2016

Students face life without documentation

Eliana Gutierrez

Melissa ortiz Alejandra arguello Staff Writers

Among the students walking the halls of Akins High School is an unseen group of undocumented students; with uneasy minds frantic with the impending threats of deportation from newly elected President of the United States — Donald J. Trump.

Student A: Among these students is a 20 year old senior from Honduras.

This senior’s journey to Austin came with many challenges.

“I’m never going to forget that experience, crossing the Rio Bravo,” he said. “My biggest challenge was walking with a way too hot climate. Walking five days is not easy and less when you run out of water and you still have to walk for three more days. Even worse was escaping from all the cops. Imagine when we started we were 30 people but only 12 made it to the U.S.” Life in the United States isn’t particularly easy for him, but having his family with him makes it easier.

“Living here is difficult, but it’s

easier than in Central America,” he said. “Finding a place to live for me was easy because my parents came to the U.S. before me and currently I live with them.”

In addition to being a high school student, he works after school.

“I have a job. I work in a cleaning company for four hours after school. I work for my own expenses, but sometimes I support my family too,” he said.

The senior said ACC is one of his first options for college, because of his legal status.

“I’m planning on going to ACC, so in the future I can get a better job,” he said.

He said his motivation for completing college is people not believing in him which “sometimes (helps) us to do better,” he said.

Applying for scholarships is another barrier that undocumented students have to face. The senior was only able to apply for scholarships that did not ask for a Social Security number.

Texas offers its own state application system for awarding fi-

nancial aid called the TAFSA. Undocumented students can use the TASFA to apply for help to pay for college. It’s helpful to these students because they are ineligible for federal student aid but they can get financial aid from the state if they have resided in Texas for three years prior to high school graduation or receipt of a GED.

Everything will change — Student A Before Trump was elected, the student believes that the state of Texas offers enough help for undocumented students to go to college.

“I think at least in Texas most of the students can achieve success,” he said. “(Graduating) from college is one of my biggest goals in life, because in the future I will be able to get a good job to support my family, but most important is to have a successful life.”

Student B:

An Akins junior also left Honduras to come to the United States; however, the way he arrived differs.

At the age of 13 years old, he and his parents used a visa to board a plane to Austin.

“It was difficult to get a visa, leaving the family behind and leaving the house I lived in my whole life,” he said.

Luckily for the junior, he had family living in Texas and they were able to stay with them for a couple of months.

“Well my aunt already lived in the U.S. so she let us live with her for 4-5 months. Then (we) moved into an apartment with two bedrooms,” he said.

The junior has an emotional battle after building a life in one place only having to start over in another country.

Due to the presidential election results this student fears he will once again, have to abandon his stable life.

The first step for many undocumented students to attend college is to apply for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status (DACA), which provides

students with work permits and exemption from deportation.

Considering the results of the election, DACA is at risk for being revoked, worrying many immigrants.

Founded in 2000, University Leadership Initiative (ULI) is a grassroots organization led by undocumented immigrants based in Austin, TX. ULI gave powerful advice to graduated high school and college students who don’t have a social security number.

“You need to join the movement, join the fight against anti-immigration bills. You are not alone. Be an activist, and protect the rights of the undocumented students. Don’t let your legal status define who you are. It’s a piece of paper, and it’s limited by a few things we can’t control. Your success should not be defined by their lack of a social security number.” Andrea Soto, DACA lead with ULI, said.

With Contributions from Raidy Zanjeel and Sergio Hernandez.

Go to akinseagleseye.com for full story

Immigrants share their stories about coming to the US *Coyote– a person who transports immigrants from one country to another

“I came here undocumented with a coyote* in a car full of other undocumented kids.”

Mexico

“Walking five days is not easy and less when you run out of water and you still have to walk for three more days.”

Honduras

“It was difficult to get a visa, leaving the family behind and leaving the house I lived in my whole life.”

(Student’s names were kept anonymous for privacy purposes)

Barriers undocumented students face: $

Not eligible for college scholarships

Not as many job opportunities

Not able to travel

Fear of Authority

Paid “Under the Table” by employers

life & style

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The Eagle’s Eye

wednesdayday-november16, 2016 Place to eat

Food trucks

Interesting food trucks deliver creative new items Mobile resturants develop fascinating new menu options Churro co. foodtruck

Sergio Hernandez

▲ Mexican Pastries

Churro Co. sells delicious desserts that bring uniqueness to Austin. taste of Mexican culture.

Arlo’s Foodtruck Arlo’s is also a food truck located at 900 Red River St. in downtown Austin. Arlo’s is known for their vegan fast food style, including burgers, fries, tacos, and chips and salsa.

Their most famous dish is the Bac’n Cheeze Burger. This burger is made up from housemade soy free & gluten free patty, stacked with house-made seitan bac’n, melted cheeze (That’s what the owners call their cheese), mayo, ketchup, mustard, toma-

toes, onions, pickles, and lettuce. This delicious burger will cost you $8, but if you want the combo you will have to put in a little bit more money. The burger is definitely worth the price.

BBQ Burger is another good option.

This burger is made from a House-made soy free and gluten free patty, grilled in BBQ suace, chipotle mayo, tomatoes, onions, pickles, and lettuce. This is burger is really good also. And if you want add their “special sauce.”

They’re special sauce is truly a especial sauce.

The flavor that it adds

to the burger makes it one-hundred times better than without the sauce. They also have a house made lemonade which is really good, they’re also going to come out with a new “vegan” dish, which supposedly is going to be their best dish to date.

Arlo’s has definitely changed the vegan game. For all you vegans out there, this is the spot for you. The people are really friendly; they make you feel like family. And if you’re really nice to them, they might hook you up with an extra side of fries or tots.

S.H.

Gives you a

Churro Co. is Food truck located at 1620 E. Riverside Drive.

Churro Co. specializes in churros, the Mexican crispy fried dessert treat covered in brown sugar and cinnamon. It offers almost every kind imaginable ranging from the traditional to the outrageous with lots of toppings and flavors.

If you want to go the traditional way, you can get a regular churro for $3 plus 50 cents if you want to add a dipping sauce. If you want to taste the best of the best,

Sergio Hernandez

Sergio Hernandez

Arlo’s Food Truck specliazes in vegan fast food that will suprise with flavor.

FRUIT JUICE

Sergio Hernandez

Level up services fresh juices and smoothies from a colorful decked out bus.

Arcade

nilla ice cream. Another good dessert is the Texas Comfort. This churro is topped with cardamom sugar, apple pie filling, caramel sauce, and whipped cream. There’s plenty more types of churros.

It’s nearly impossible to leave this churro truck with out being satisfied.

This is a place in Austin that everyone should visit. They’re really fast on getting your order too. Churro Co. a must-try, believe me. I don’t always eat churros, but when I do, I prefer Churro Co.

▲ Vegan Flare

LEVEL UP

▲ Let’s Level Up

they’re going to cost you $4.50 For just one dollar more who wouldn’t to upgrade? The best churro in my opinion is the “Camp Fire.” This churro is topped with graham sugar, toasted marshmallow, Mexican chocolate sauce, and whipped cream. But there’s still al ot of other options and combinations for example the DATE NIGHT. This churro is the perfect dessert to share with that special someone in your life. This churro is topped with popcorn sugar, Salted caramel, and a scoop of delicious Amy’s va-

Level Up is a two-story food truck that serves delicious juices and smoothies in South Austin just north of Akins at 7800 S First St. It boasts the status as being the only double-decker food truck in Austin. Who wouldn’t want fresh juices and smoothies from a colorful, decked out bus? This place is perfect for any type of occasion. It’s perfect for a relaxing night, a hang-

out spot with friends, or a romantic date.

The bus is not the only good thing here.

Their beverages are out-of-this-world. You might think they’re a bit too expensive starting at $5, ranging up to $7, but if you have the money it’s definitely worth it. The Pika Juice is one of their most famous offerings. The juice is made up of pineapple and orange juice, and you can add mint for free. Their most famous smoothie is the A

little too Raph. This is a simple smoothie but it’s really delicious. This smoothie is made up of raspberries, strawberries, and watermelon.

They also serve healthier drinks, tho they will cost you an extra two dollars. They’re most famous (green) juice is the “Emerald Hill” smoothie. It’s made up of mango, banana, pineapple, spinach, and kale.

For an extra two dollars you can’t go wrong with a healthier choice.

S.H.

Pinballz

Pinballz Kingdom brings back retro amusments Marcelo Cruz Staff Writer Entering Pinballz Kingdom in Buda is like walking through a timewarp in which the classic arcade experience of flashing lights and pinging pinball games never faded away into history.

The enormous dragon mounted above the entrance excites the inner nerd of each visitor, giving gamers a taste of what lies inside. The rock facade of this decades old building resembling a fort only adds to the ambience of the experience.

The Buda location is one of three Pinballz arcade locations in the Austin area, showing that the classic arcade experience is alive and well today. It’s family-run, locally owned and the Buda location can boast that it has the largest number of pinball machines in Texas.

It also features a full restaurant, and a lazer tag course.

Some of the standout classic arcade games are Teenage Mutant Ninja Teenagers and Kung Fu Master. The arcade also features newer titles like the Jurrasic Park shooter and Batman driving game.

Pinballz has 124 games that offer prizes

ranging from Pinball machines to racing games. Newer games give you tickets you can use to buy prizes such as candy and a new Xbox One S. “The most popular games for teenagers are Street Fighter, and the Jurassic park shooter game,” Pinballz operations manager Jeremy Mendoza ssaid Inner Soldier lazer tag game is not like a typical lazer tag in most gaming centers., It uses modern technology so you don’t have to lug around that heavy uncomfortable vest and bulky SciFi lazer gun.

When asked how the Inner soldier lazer tag worked Mendoza said the system uses headbands with three sensors and one sensor in the gun.

“It’s like a lifelike Call of Duty with modern military weapons like AKs and M4s,” he said.

The fact that it takes place outside during the day instead of inside a dark cavernous room also makes the experience unique. Plenty of paintball players love it because it gives players the same thrill in a fun course without the painful paintballs flying everywhere hurting people.

Inner soldier lazer tag is also inexpen-

▲ Ninja master

Marcelo Cruz

Jermy Mendoza manager shows of his favorite game. sive compared to real paintball where cutomers spend tons of money on gear and equipment.

For the low price of $15 a player can have 30 minutes of gameplay with a variety of modes such as Team Deathmatch, Domination, Defuse the Bomb, Break the Bank, and Capture the Flag. After an intense game session, players who

work up an appetite, don’t have to travel any farther than Pinballz Kingdom’s very own restaurant, featuring a wide variety of menu items, including appetizers, entrees and desserts. Customers can start with one of their classic appetizers like fried pickles.

They have seven different types of burgers.

Pinballz Kingdom is a great place to go eat and have fun with games for all ages

wednesday, november 16, 2016 t The Eagle’s Eye

Life & style t Page 7

Collecting

Wardrobe

Sneakerheadz change the way we look at shoes Rarity and sleekness can’t be found without a high price ADRIAN GUARJARDO JR & LAVEL DECkard Staff Writers

Sneakerhead — (noun) \sneek-ur hea-d\; a person who respects, collects and understands, the culture of what they have on their feet.

They walk Akins halls everyday sporting their extravagant shoe wear, showing off their own unique style.

Junior Tomas Rodriguez, a fellow sneakerhead, says he has been collecting shoes since he was a baby. He said his dad would goto the mall every time a sneaker released and his dad would get them for himself and Tomas.

“My dad showed me; he just started collecting a whole bunch of sneakers like every Saturday he would go and take me,” Rodriguez said. “Seeing my dad he influenced me to start making my own sneaker collection.”

Not all sneakerheads started as early as Rodriguez, but when they did discover the lifestyle they fell head over sneakers for it.

What attracts a typical sneakerhead to get started, would be them getting influenced by the culture and the looks of them. No shoe looks like the next silhouette, every single pair of Jordans that was ever released and that was worn by ‘The Greatest Basketball Ever’ has always attracted a sneakerhead, since they want to be Like Mike.

Such as another sneakerhead who started around the time he was in middle

Drive in

school, goes by the name Mario Granado. He said his first pair of shoes was the “Bred 1s” those are the shoes that had him hooked straight off the bat. Mario also said he got more and more into shoes by just getting what he liked, it just made him feel special.

“Like I felt I had a passion every time I had a shoe, like I had to get more and more every time. And I felt a certain kind of love to it,” Granado said.

Especially with the collaboration Nike and Jordan Brand have with the Doernbecher Hospital giving severe ill boys and girls the chance to creating their own silhouette and expressing themselves on a shoe of their own. Granado says that he admires that idea, and hopes to one day be able own some of the creations the kids make.

“I don’t really have a particular pair that I like, I really love all of them, I would probably have to say the Doernbecher 5s or the Doernbecher 8s, I really like what Jordan Brand does with the Doernbecher Hospital and gives severe ill young adults a chance to have their own shoe and get to express themselves to the world on how they visualize who they want to be and who they are,” said Granado.

A significant way for the sneakerhead culture to get shoes from the past, or a present release would be off the internet.

Since in today’s world everything is online, various sneaker sites, such as Flight Club, Rif La, etc, and some groups on Facebook that contain sneakerheads that want to

▲

Adrian Guarjado Jr

Kickn’ It

Junior Mario Granado shows off his Supreme Jordan 5. This is the camo version, 1 of 3 shoes Supreme released with Jordan Brand. sell or trade sneakers for reasonable prices.

There is a group on Facebook in the Austin area that local sneakerheads use called ATX Shoe Exchange and in that group contains fellow sneakerheads wanting to sell or trade their shoes many sneakerheads at Akins High use it for local meet ups. ATX Shoe Exchange is a group on Facebook that allows you to sell new and old kicks to make money. Meanwhile you can also do trades if you’re not willing to sell your pair.

“I use the ATX Shoe Exchange group on Facebook, I’ve resold many of shoes on

there and bought some gems off of there.

I think it’s a good group to sell your shoes on there and make good money selling to local sneakerheads,” said Granado.

Shoes play a special part in sneakerheads lives, but not just for them. Many people care what they have on their feet, especially around the start of a new school year people get what they like and make it look good and show them off. A fun fact having what you collect or call “heat” makes you a “Sneakerhead” collecting what you like and having knowledge about what you are wearing.

movies

Stars and Stripes offers a new way to watch films Staff Sometimes going to the movies is not the escape you would hope it would be, especially when it means going to the same old theater you always go to.

But there are some unique movie theaters that offer a different kind of experience that will help viewers break their stale routines.

The Stars & Stripes Drive-In Theatre in New Braunfels requires a drive out of town, but it’s worth the drive to experience this place first hand. When you drive into the Stars and Stripes theater for the first time, it’s like driving into a portal transporting you to a time when drive-ins were the way to experience a movie. Drivers simply pull into a spot in front of a large screen and tune their radios to a station that allows them to hear the audio for the movie over their car speakers.

An important part of the movie ex-

Orchestra

perience is the food. Stars and Stripes feature classic movie foods such as popcorn, candy, and soda, but also some features that normal movie theaters don’t have such as grilled cheese sandwiches and chicken fingers.

It’s also a great place to go if you have younger siblings who can’t sit still and need to get up and play. They can go play on an onsite playground or you can enjoy a family meal at their picnic area.

People are even allowed to bring their pets as long as they remain inside the car or on a leash.

In terms of the movie selection, the theater offers new releases of current big name films, but screenings are limited by the fact that there is only one screen.

Overall, Stars and Stripes offers a nice day-trip experience with great hospitality for a fun family experience.

If you’re planning a trip, make sure to check their schedule before visiting

Courtesy of Stars & Stripes Drive in Movie theater

▲ Drive on in

Stars and Stripes brings back the retro years by having an old fashion drive-in movie theatre.

Twins

Orchestra twins advance to regionals and state Alejandra Arguello Staff Writer

Akins Orchestra sent eight students to audition for regionals and state. Twins Alyssa and Alisson Pasaol were two out of the eight that auditioned and were accepted into both regionals and state.

Alyssa Pasaol is a junior, at Akins and she plays the violin.

Although Alyssa practices every day she was surprised when she got the results.

“I practice every day and I take private lessons with my private lesson teacher and I just work really hard,” she said.

Alyssa said that even her own success has surprised her as she has qualified each year for the past three years.

Alyssa’s dedication to orchestra can be seen through the constant and daily practice. The music she receives is not easy.

“I practice around two hours

a day. It’s hard to practice, but I love working on it. It helps me get better and that’s what I love about music,” she said.

Although they are twins, they each have their own unique personality which match their choices of instrument.

Alyssa said the violin reflects her personality because violinists tend to be very expressive.

“The type that just really puts themselves out there. Well, maybe not most of the time but I can be like that sometimes. Some people even say violinists are sassy, which I get a lot. I admit I can be. Point being, violin is pretty accurate to my personality.”

The Pasaol sisters distinguish themselves with their instruments. Unlike her sister, Alisson prefers the cello.

“I loved the sound of the instrument and I didn’t want to play an instrument everyone knows like the violin. I wanted the instrument I play to be unique,” she

said. Alisson said that the cello best matches her because it resembles her personality as it can make very low sounds and high pitched sounds as well.

“My personality relates to this by my attitude,” she said. “Sometimes I can lie low but other times I brighten up and show my playful side.”

Alisson was pleased when she received her acceptance into regionals, all her dedication to orchestra and hard work paying off.

“It was kind of terrifying just like waiting for those results to come in and when it finally came in and I got in I was relieved,” she said.

The twins said that their main motivation comes from their older sister who graduated from Akins in 2011.

“Just like listening to like all these professional groups and my older sister played the violin also so that inspired me as well,” Alyssa said.

Both Alyssa and Alisson would like to continue to pursue music after high school.

“Well I just really love music for some reason, I feel like I found my path with music,” Al-

▲ Music with twins

yssa said. “I plan to be a music major in college.”

Being accepted into regionals and state wasn’t easy for them but through 5 years of practice and experience they were accepted

Matthew Rocha

Senior Yesenia Castelan is the first student at Akins to have a service dog. Castelan has started a new organiza

Entertainment

page 8

The Eagle’s Eye

Wednesday - November 16, 2016 Performance

Rock of Ages

Rock of Ages is coming to Akins on December 8-10 AKINS FINE ARTS NOW PLAYING

Kelly polachek Staff Writer

Big hair, rock’n guitars and Hollywood’s Sunset Strip set the scene for the Akins Journey Theater’s latest musical production set to hit the stage this December.

It’s a recipe that first-year theater director Brad Distelhorst hopes will attract an audience who were alive during the 1980s and students who have only heard the rock anthems of the era on the radio.

The musical, which is modified from the original script for high school audiences, will feature well known 80s rock songs like “Pour some sugar on me”,

“Hit me with your best shot” and “Don’t stop believing”. The music will be performed by a live rock band and sung by cast members.

The play centers around a group of wannabe rock and rollers striving for fame and love.

Senior Maddy Simpson plays Sherrie Christian, a young girl who meets a young rocker named Drew Boley, played by Ethan Cannon. The pair dream of making it big in Hollywood’s hard rock scene.

The story is narrated by Lonny ( Jonathan Macedo), the owner of the Bourbon room, where most of the story is set. “I’m the one that narrates the show and basically guides everyone throughout the whole musical,” Macedo said.

Mary Griffis

▲ Rock Out

Drew Boley, as played by Ethan Cannon, plays the guitar as practices his solo scene.

Convention

“There’s a love story between Sherrie and Drew, and there are people who are trying to go against rock and roll,” Simpson said. Sherrie and Drew will give everything they have and stop at nothing to keep their music alive as they sing and dance all through Hollywood with a burning passion, in hopes to make things right.

“I feel like my character is very outgoing, like he doesn’t have a limit, he’s basically like a Jack Black in the show,” Cannon said.

Cannon also said “playing the character of Drew has been a challenge” because he is an archetypal character with two love interests. “It’s very different for me because I usually play a younger

▲ The Band’s All Here

kid or a villain of some sort, and so it’s very different to be playing one of the main characters,” “Some of the - Maddie Simpson struggles of playing is definitely pretending I’m in very determined and love with someone else. It’s ina lot of them come from differteresting because you’re having ent backgrounds,” Simpson said. to play this person who wants “We have the Diamonds and to break out and be this big suchoir working with us and we per star but also wants to have a have Mr. D and Mrs.Vallejo who life and a family and, just having are awesome and push us very to take these two opposites and hard, and that’s really motivated meeting him in the middle.” he me personally because I know we said. can do it.”

“I like all the cast members.

They work very hard and are

They work very hard and are very determined.

Mary Griffis

Unlike any show before the Rock of Ages will have live music played by Akins students.

▲ Time for Rehersal

Mary Griffis

Cast members practice a scene that requires them to dance in front of their set of the Bourbon room

Go Games 360

After its first attempt Go Games needs improving Jordan Rouse Staff Writer

In the current day and age when there is a convention for every niche form of anime, video game and physical activities, the joy of discovering something new can be elusive.

The founders of Go Games 360, a three-day event encompassing all of the above, sought to combat this problem by bringing all of it together. Their stated mission is to harness “the power of games to build bonds through an amazing day of play.”

The event held in late October on the grounds of an outdoor obstacle course was the first of its kind and organizers are planning to take it to other cities in Texas, including Houston, in February. While the event had a few hiccups that made it feel like the event promised more than it delivered, there was a lot to like, as well.

Physical Games: When you think of a gaming convention the first that comes to your mind is definitely not physical games but Go Games brought in some cool events like laser tag, arrow tag, and BMX biking. These few events brought a lot of people together to enjoy more than just console or pc gaming.

Highlights: The addition of the physical games gave the convention a unique aspect that no other convention, probably, has. Even though a lot of the games may have been tough for their younger audience Go Games thought of that ahead of time and included a bounce house to make it even more family friendly.

Areas for Improvement: Many games were listed on the brochure but weren’t brought to fruition when asked about what had happened to the events, the staff would simply shrug and turn away. If games, or even performances, are listed on the program then they should happen and if they don’t attendees should be given a heads-up so they don’t get their hopes too high.

Tabletop Games: With so many different games inside the tent you can’t help but join in on a game. Even if you didn’t know how to play those who were at the tables would help you understand, this type of family friendly atmosphere definitely made Go Games more enjoyable for all.

Highlights: The amount of people that visited the tent was astounding and the different games were very good and well picked. Ranging from Dungeons and Dragons to Pokemon, there was a different game to chose from, bringing in many different types of gamers to the tent and giving it almost a tavern feel.

Areas for Improvement: While the tent was set up and tables were in place many of the scheduled games almost didn’t happen due to the people who were running the games being late or they didn’t even know what was going on.

Electronic Games: Because many people love console games a tent was set up for those who didn’t feel like playing a board game or something physical. In the tent there was a wide variety of games, and even consoles. With the addition of both old and new consoles players could experience a wide range of games they may not have played before.

Highlights: Due to the wide array of consoles there was a great game selection including Super Smash Brothers melee and Mortal Kombat X, a game that only came out last year. There wasn’t just console games however a company brought in their new

VR experience for people to enjoy. The game takes you through a burning city destroyed by a giant robot and it’s evil henchmen. While you played the game the developers were alongside you waiting for your feedback. There was also a big screen Mario Kart tournament area where people would face off, either as individuals or as teams of two inside the tent.

Areas for Improvement: The electronic tent also included a gift shop but the prices were a little steep. The quality of the products were lacking and so was the customer service. The people running the gift shops weren’t even at their stations were found playing a video game somewhere else.

Enter tainment: For entertainment, there were several performers and acts that took the main stage ranging from dance routines to magic - Jordan Rouse shows, which were all good in their own ways, but attendance became a huge problem. Although the acts were good many people came to the event for the games not to see someone perform.

Highlights: Besides all the major tents there was a strip of smaller tents that featured science, magic, and even dogs. The mad science show, on the main stage, displayed a whole range of different activities, such as the main performer getting a potato shot at her, and a different outlook on germs. After the mad science display there were dancers who performed to many different genres of music including the Breaking Austin performers who tore up the stage with their different styles of breakdancing.

Areas for Improvement: Due to the lack of incentive at the main stage the audience became very lackluster. If there was some kind of motivation for the audience more people would have watched the performances and you wouldn’t have to feel bad for the performers.

Verdict: As far as an event like this goes, it’s hard to pull it off on the first try, and it isn’t expected to be perfect, but when you have events that are on the program disappearing without any explanation, people late to their stations, and others just ignoring their jobs, it’s hard to have an enjoyable time. There weren’t nearly enough people, or even food available. Only one food truck arrived and it barely sold food alongside the food tent that was set up. The location wasn’t the best choice either, as it was very hot and there wasn’t very good air conditioning in the tents. Unfortunately this event was a great idea in theory, but the flaws were in the execution. What comes in the following years for this event? Hopefully nothing but improvement.years for this event? Hopefully nothing but improvement.

It’s hard to pull it off on the first try

Wednesday, November 16, 2016 t The Eagles Eye Video Games

Entertainment t page 9

Call of Duty

A battle between new and old to see who’s better Remastered makes a comback beating the newest game Infinite Warfare

Modern Warfare Remastered

Robert Harris

Mary Griffis

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

Call of Duty Modern Warfare Remastered overall goal was to regain all the players they lost due to all the jetpack and jumping around. When this happened tons of players found other alternatives such as Battlefield and Counter Strike. Infinity Ward’s is trying to say that they can do FPS(first person shooters) correctly.

Graphics: The graphics look much better than the old version of Modern Warfare obviously because all games have been upgraded graphically over the last 9 years. These changes include more detail and better color palette, which improves the game dramatically. Compared to other games made this year the graphics are keeping up to par. The graphics are exactly how they should be at this time.

Overview: The plot to the campaign is excellent. It follows the story that Modern Warfare had created perfectly.

Gameplay: The gameplay is very similar to the original Call of Duty 4. Infinity Ward did a good job at keeping the same guns, perks, grenades, maps and even the suits or uniforms the player wears. Even though they haven’t taken out the so called “annoying perks” such as juggernaut, if they were to be removed, it would be considered a different game instead of a remake of original game.

The Verdict: This game did an excellent job at staying the same as the original like it was suppose to be. Modern Warfare Remastered replicated the single player and multiplayer just upgraded the graphics to be on par with those of other modern games.

Lasting Appeal: When Modern Warfare was announced old CoD players returned just for the simple fact that boots-on-the-ground combat would be coming back. Many players that the next game will follow the same format but knowing Infinity Ward and Activison this may not happen. Although the boots-on-theground style may be gone Modern Warfare Remastered has given players hope and the game developers more players that they had lost.

Number of Concurent Players on Average

Infinite Warfare Modern Warfare Remastered 15,281 6,075

Information from SteamCharts

Black Ops 3 63,681

Even with a rocky release, Infinite Warfare, the 13th installment in the Call of Duty storyline, has promise for fans of the series.

The game’s release trailer became the second most disliked video on YouTube and game sales are now down 50 percent lower than Black Ops 3 Infinite Warfare. However, the game has a lot of promise and if the developers give it the attention it needs it can become a really great game.

Overview: Because of overpopulation and industrial expansion to meet human demands , the Earth’s natural resources were stripped away, forcing the world’s nations to d create the United Nations Space Alliance (UNSA).

The UNSA handles any political matters regarding trade, travel, and land claims. Those people who left Earth are now living on colonies in far flung planets to mine for resources. These colonies are now attracting militants from the Settlement Defense Front, who want to take over. The SDF has just attacked Earth destroying UNSA ships and leaving only two ships: the Retribution and the Tigris. Unfortunately, the captain of the Retribution dies and Commander Nick Reyes, the character you play throughout the story, becomes the new captain. Its Reyes’ job to take back control of the Solar System for the UNSA and to stop the SDF from destroying everything.

Gameplay: Even though players are begging for boots-on-the-ground style combat to return, Infinity Ward seems to be ignoring this plea and continues with wall running and thrust assisted jumping. Although this style of gameplay is getting overused, the game developers added in features that take your mind off the combat style including new combat rigs and weapons. Like every game, Infinite Warfare’s beta was a lot different from the real game and many people aren’t happy. The game feels unfinished and somewhat uncared for.

Graphics: Although the gameplay is lackluster, the graphics are, honestly, really amazing. The game feels really smooth, when it’s not lagging, and the colors are definitely more vibrant. In either multiplayer or the campaign the environment looks almost like it would in nature. The developers put a lot of attention to detail and it definitely shows.

Verdict: This game has a lot of promise and it can be seen that many are still giving up. The lag is very ridiculous and the game is unfinished, or so it seems.

With this many problems the Call of Duty franchise is digging a deeper hole for itself but I don’t believe this game can get any worse. The game needs a lot of help but if it receives the nurturing that it deserves I think it can pick itself back up and become something everyone can enjoy.

Courtesy of Microsoft Studios

Become a Legend

When you buy the legacy edition of Infinite Warfare you receive Modern Warfare Remastered and the season pass for Infinite Warfare.

Titanfall

Video Games

Titanfall is reinvented with release of new game

Second installment in the series brings back lost players Mary griffis

Entertainment Editor When Respawn released the first Titanfall game back in 2014, many players considered it to be a flop.

It didn’t live up to its hype and many players quickly became bored of it and moved on to other games. But with the release of Titanfall 2, the developers have earned redemption, executing a well crafted first person shooter with new weapons, characters, and an engaging single-player mode.

Overview: Because of the Battle of Demeter, set in the first game, the Militia has to be on the offensive against the IMC. The IMC, although weakened, are trying to drive out the Militia from the Frontier and stopping any resistance they might have. You play as an aspiring pilot named Jack Cooper, who is training to one day help the resistance and fight against the IMC. However,training is cut short when a battle on the militia run planet Typhoon arises. Jack Cooper’s trainer Captain Lastimosa is sure Cooper can hold his own during the battle and he brings Cooper to the battle. An unfortunate death occurs and Cooper is left with BT-7274, Captain Lastimosa’s Titan battle mech.

Cooper and BT are left alone fighting against the IMC trying to make it back to the crew and eventual to victory against the IMC. Gameplay: Unlike the original, Titanfall 2 features six new Titans: Scorch, Ion, Ronin, Northstar, Legion, and Tone, each featuring a unique weapon class. Each Titan, besides the campaign exclusive BT, can be used in either multiplayer or the new solo-campaign, giving players a new way to fight against friends or the campaign’s bots. With the new installment of Titanfall comes new pilots. The pilots are what you play as throughout the game and each have their own special abilities. Rifleman is the frontline type

Video Games

fighter who uses nothing but his instincts and his trusty weapons.

Closer is the one who finishes off what everyone started and does it quickly. Ghost Marksman hides in the shadows and picks off their enemies from afar.

Graphics: With the exception of a few brighter colors being added, graphics really haven’t changed from the first game.

There are very minor fixes but nothing has changed and thankfully nothing has taken away from the game.

Courtesy of Respawn Studios Verdict: I believe that Titan- ▲ Time for Touchdown BT and Jack Cooper ready up for battle against the fall 2 has revived the game franIMC militia. chise making it a fan favorite. This game includes what fans loved about the first game and adds new features that amp it up. With the inclusion of new Titans, pilots, and a solo-campaign players are able to have a greater experience. Titanfall 2 brought players back to what had been lost and hopefully they can keep those players there with free downloadable content and new updates to come.

Battlefield 1

World War 1 returns to console with Battlefield 1 Alex Moreno Staff Writer

Battlefield has been one of the most influential game franchise and competing with top “first person shooter” franchises such as, Call of Duty, Halo, Gears of War, etc.

Battlefield 1 is scheduled to be released Friday, October 21, 2016.

Overview: EA (Electronic Arts) have taken a different outlook in the new Battlefield, instead of making the new game futuristic they went to the past. Battlefield 1 is inspired and takes place during WWI. Gameplay: Battlefield is known for having bad campaigns in their franchises but this year was different. The campaign mode has larger and more open environments than those in previous installments in the

franchise, with more options and choices in terms of paths to completing levels and how to approach combat. The campaign is a merge of very different people telling their stories and experience that they have been through the war.

The multiplayer maps are now bigger and more intense than its predecessors. Now you are able to ride horses and older versions of motorcycles that have a passenger seat installed which is useful because you know that the passenger has your back. They also have battleships, Armored trains, and many different vehicles, The game launched with nine Multiplayer maps and six game modes, which include Conquest, Domination, Operations, Rush, Team Deathmatch, and War Pi-

geons Battlefield has improved a lot over the year and now it is even more destructive. During the matches you have opportunities to take down air crafts, and when the aircraft’s crash to the ground they destroy parts of the battlefield.

Verdict: I personally I have tried Battlefield 1 and it is one of the best first person shooter since Black ops 1 came out in my opinion. The graphics are great and it makes you feel as if you are in WWI and whenever you shoot you have to pre aim in order to kill an opponent .It is really intense.I really enjoyed it and I really recommend it if you like FPS(first person shooter) games. know that the passenger has your back.

▲ Batter Up

Courtesy of Electronic Arts

A soldier prepares for incoming enemies, pulling up his shovel ready to strike.

sports

page 10

The Eagle’s Eye

wednesday - NOvember 16, 2016 hoops

goals

Varsity basketball plans to take on new district

▲

Larry Durden

Scrimmage for Success

Girls Varsity Head Coach Jane Martin gives senior V advice on a play during a scrimmage versus St. Michaels High school.

▲

Boys Preparing to Ball

Amy Rodriguez

Head Coach Jesse Hayes coaches senior Matthew Castillo, by showing him the way a post move should be properly done.

Akins basketball back in action with pre-season Girls basketball players focus on improving consistency in games Larry Durden ii Staff Writer

Despite facing new teams in the new district, the girls varsity basketball are not sweating the their new opponents, and the team plans to focus on their consistency.

Head coach Jane Martin said the team is focused on “playing consistently at our level.”

Most basketball teams always have their minds set on going to the next level and winning district or making it to the playoffs. So for the girls, playing at a consistent level isn’t their only main focus.

The girls had a pretty decent season last year but Coach Martin and the girls know they can do better. “We want to do much better than we did last year, and hopefully make playoffs this year,” said Coach Martin. Coach Martin’s winning mentality is flowing the her players as well.

FOOTBALL

“We hope to win district or get the one of the top spots in district and we plan to make it to playoffs and of course try to win against whoever we face”. Said junior and team captain Denae Lofton.

“I think we will do great, we have a good team and good players so I think we can reach our goal of getting a championship” Said senior Vania Hampton also known as “V”.

But sometimes in all sports, teams fall short and sometimes teams can get discouraged. And with that comes all kind of different attitudes and feelings.

But that’s why coach Martin is there to hold her players accountable, motivating them and also picking them up when they’re down.

“I make sure I encourage them in a positive way, even when they mess up,” she said.

Martin said she hopes the girls are stay focused as they try and fulfill their hopes of making it to the playoffs.

Boys team works on developing good habits, personal growth amy Rodriguez Jaden Garrion Staff Writer s

The Akins Eagles Basketball boys are ready to enter the season 20162017 confident.

The players and coaches alike believe that they will do good this season.

Expectations and hopes are especially high for head coach Jesse Hayes. Hayes said he is trying to create good habits.

The team said coaches are being more stricter to them this year, Hayes said he doesn’t like seeing the team being lazy. When he makes the team run at practice and they lean down to their knees, he gets mad and makes them run again.

“It’s tough but I know (Hayes) wants me to be the best player I can be and (Hayes) has high expectations for (the) team,” senior Henry Stewart said. “He is just making sure that we’re doing what we’re supposed to, even if

it means that he has to be hard on us, it’s for our own good,” Said Shooting guard Koebe Dawson.

Akins’ new district will pit the Eagles against new teams that can bring up a new challenge. However, if the team can stay focused on teamwork they have a chance for success, Hayes said.

“Although the district is tough,” Hayes said. ”The toughest challenge heading into the season, is the expectation for the year. “Getting better every day can be very difficult, but it is a challenge I am definitely looking to face,”Hayes said. “The main goal is to get better everyday and to go deep into the playoffs,” point guard and junior KJ Robinson said.

The players said there’s a good chance of making the playoffs this year.

“I think we’re gonna do good we’re going to grow as men, were going to be determined to get better and get some wins,” Robinson said.

Coaching

Favorite memories shared by graduating players Nicole Ocampo Staff Writer

Twenty-six Varsity Football players walked off the field of Tony Burger Stadium on Nov. 4 for the last time.

For the seniors who have shed blood, sweat and tears through the seasons playing for the Eagles during the last four years, it’s a bittersweet moment. Football was the center of many of these students high school lives and now it is time for them to move on.

“Half of me is hurting because we didn’t make playoffs, but then the other half of me is really proud because in the past seasons, once we were down, we gave up,” senior Quarterback Demarcus Cabezas said. “But this year, we kept fighting, and all of our games were close, but we just fell short on a lot of them.”

Their time together of the field is more important than their win-loss record, said senior outside linebacker Samuel Roberson. The team won two preseason games, but was winless in district play.

“This season’s wins/losses did not go the way we wanted, but the bond we made with each other and the brotherhood we built, I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” Roberson said.

The players have put their heart and soul into this game, especially the seniors. This season was the last year to call Burger Stadium home. For some seniors, it’s the last year to play football at all. For others, it’ll be a new beginning, saying goodbye to the high school season and getting prepared for the college level. But as they leave the field, they are taking a lifetime of memories.

Senior middle linebacker Joe Leyendecker said his favorite memory involved senior Brayden Roller in this year’s game against McCallum.

“My favorite memory was the McCallum game when Roller dove for the guy’s leg and launched him in the air and I grabbed him in the mid flight and help assist the tackle,” he said.

Every player on the team has a beginning, where the love and hard work started.

“I realized I wanted to play football at a very young age, but didn’t start playing till 7th grade,” Sergio Madrigal said I didn’t grow up with any brothers, so what drove me to play football was being able to have a second family to play the sport I love with.”

For other players, football became a part of their life before they even started playing the game.

“My brothers played, and really everyone in my family played.

So it’s like a run in the family thing and it was my turn to play,” senior Kenan Lockhart said.

What most of the seniors are going to miss are the game nights, the pre-game rituals, being on the field, hearing the crowd cheer them on, and seeing the cameras as they run out.

“What I’m going to miss the most is the Friday night lights,” Roberson said. “Playing for fans and a school that I love dearly. I bleed blue and gold. I love this school to death. I’m going to miss my coaches and teammates and the sport itself. It’s been the best experience a man can have.”

▲ Hug It Out

Ulises Chavez

Senior runningback and Head football coach Humberto Garza show each other love on senior night.

SPORTS t PAGE 11

Wednesday, November 16, 2016 t The Eagles Eye

wednesday - NOvember 16, 2016 Long run

Achievement

Cross country team happy to make it to Regionals Chris Ojeda Staff Writer

Although Cross Country is all about long-distance running, the season feels more like a dash, ending in late October.

The relatively small team accomplished big results this year, sending five runners to the Regional meet for the first time in school history.

The top runners on the team are junior Cassius Serff-Roberts and seniors Betty Ramos and Justin Lazzaro. At the district meet, Ramos placed 8th, Serff-Roberts placed 6th, and Lazzaro came in 5th.

Coach Juan Rodriguez said that he’s very proud of his runners’ performances.

“We’ve had a consistent group of runners and their consistent work is paying off for them,” he said.

Serff-Roberts said that last season went rather well for him.

“I didn’t finish in the places I expected to, my times were good also,” he said.

He said he improved this season by helping the team reach the Regional meet.

He said competing at Regionals was a fun experience.

“Our coaches were proud of us, and we were proud of each other,” Serff-Roberts

Long run

said.

At Regionals, he placed 98th out of 176 participants. Regardless of the outcome at Regionals, he is proud of his teammates.

Ramos also had a good Cross Country season as she placed 8th in the District meet. She said that last season treated her well as she had many friends on the team to help guide her. Ramos added that her highest placement was in a meet in Kyle as she placed 7th and received a medal.

Ramos said she was excited to compete at Regionals because she was the first girl from Akins to make it to the tournament.

In the Regional meet she placed 55th out of 176 participants.

She said that this season has also been a good run for her. ”I did good, I gave it my all. If I could go back, I would do the same thing all over again,” she said.

Lazzaro said he helped the team overcome some difficulties.

“This season was definitely better,” he said. “We put in more effort and overcame a lot of challenges to become the first year qualifiers for Akins.”

Lazzaro’s highest placement for the season was in the District meet, where he placed 5th. He, too, helped push his team

Courtesy Akins Cross Country

▲ The Long Run

Senior Justin Lazzaro( in the front) and junior Cassius Serff-Roberts( in the back) start of strong in their cross country meet in Pflugerville.

forward towards Regionals. He said that along with his teammates, they were elated to go to Regionals. ”We were the first ones to make it there

from Akins. We all felt very accomplished knowing that all of our hard work had paid off,” he said.

Achievement

An amazing tennis team with talented players More individual matches won in Akins high school history Ashley sanchez Life & Style Editor

Although small in numbers, the Akins tennis team is making big strides toward success this year, beating their individual wins record this fall season.

Junior Simon Carandang, captain of the tennis team, is ranked the best boy player, winning all of his individual games this fall season.

“It felt good but I don’t believe I’m the best player,” Carandang said.

Freshman Connor Harkins has experienced a comeback over the season, improving with in the season. “ Yes I felt good I have improved over the season.”

“I lost my first two matches but then won my last two,” Harkins said. There are also more individual winners this year for both girls and boys.

Freshman Corinne Murray, who has played for 11 years, is ranked the best female player on the team, winning all of her individual games this fall season.

“I have been playing since I was 4,” she said. “I’m very honored because I worked really hard to get here.”

Akins tennis team has gotten a lot more players this season — half of them being experienced freshmen and returning players.

Although the fall season ended in October, tennis action will pick up again in the Spring.

Tennis has two seasons with the fall season focusing on

NFL

▲ Serve It Up

Luis Correa

Spencer Michalke works on perfectly throwing up the ball and serving it during practice.

advancing as a team. In the spring players advance individually and as doubles or mixed doubles partners.

Carandang, who has been playing for about 3 years, said his motivation to start playing is unique. “What got me into tennis was an anime called Baby Steps.

But both Harkins and Murray have different stories.

▲ One More Time

Sophomore Corrine Murray practices here serve during after school practice.

Harkins got into playing tennis when he was in the 5th grade.

“My mom and grandmother got me into playing tennis, and my father is a tennis coach and has been playing his whole life, so of course I had to play tennis, too,” Harkins said.

DECISIONS

Dallas Cowboys must decide season-ending quarterback Spencer Sayfarth Staff Writer

The Dallas Cowboys, the most popular NFL team in Texas, hawon a Super Bowl in over two

ven’t decades.

In the 1970s, 1980s, and the 1990’s the Cowboys were known as America’s Team because of their dominance. But the team hasn’t lived up to that reputation for some time. The last time the team won was the 1995 season and they have yet to win since then. Now, Cowboy fans are starting to get tired of losing every season Romo, who has been the starting quarterback for the Cowboys for 13 years, has been a valuable player. He has racked up many 4th quarter comeback wins. However, he’s never been able to win a championship, something that has eluded him throughout his career.

Tony Romo was hurt in the preseason in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks.

The Cowboys had to put Dak Prescott in for him. Everyone thought that by putting in Dak for the regular season, the Cow-

boys would do really bad. That was until he had a breakout game against the San Francisco 49ers, throwing for 245 yards and 2 touchdowns. After that, he became known as one of the best quarterbacks this year. He led the Cowboys to a comeback win against the Philadelphia Eagles. They were down 20-10 in the fourth quarter and led them back to an overtime win 29-23.

Now, if you look at Romo, he has a good reputation for coming back and winning.

I think that he isn’t as good as he used to be. His age is starting to kick in and his body is starting to fail him. If you look at Prescott, he is 23 with huge potential. His stats for the season so far are really good for a rookie QB. Now the major decision for Head Coach Jason Garrett is choosing between the veteran Romo and the fan favorite Prescott for the season. If I was Jason Garrett, I would start Prescott because he has the entire team behind him and has chemistry with everybody. Romo would mess that up if he came back and started at QB. If Dallas was smart, they would leave Dak in and have Romo as the backup for the rest of the season and maybe the future.

Luis Correa

Photo Essay

page 12

The Eagle’s Eye

Wednesday - November 16, 2016

Amusing Events and Workshops at GoGames 360

Matthew Rocha

Matthew Rocha

▲ BMX Bike Race

▲

A group of friends started a race together on the Central Texas BMX track in the Physical Games area. Jumping over hills and recovering the after fall.

Lego Fun Shop

Groups of kids played at the Lego Workshop building different kinds of Lego contraptions, in various mini games.

Matthew Rocha Photo Editor

Unlike many other gaming conventions, Go Games 360 had something for everyone. The three-day event held at an obstacle course near McKinney Falls in late October showcased anime, video games and physical activities. Family friendly events were available for all, ranging from a Magic Camp booth to Lego Workshops and, of course, video games.

The entertainment offerings included dancing, musical electronic performances, and an anime orchestra ensemble.

In the physical game area they had BMX bike tracks for anyone to ride and do tricks and have friendly competitions. There were also bouncing house for kids to play in while they wait their turn to ride. For fans of board games there were tents with tables to have a friendly Pokemon card battle or fight goblins and dragons in Dungeons and Dragons.

For those more into video games, there were tents and a trailer full of various consoles to play against friends. Turn to pg. 8 for more info

Matthew Rocha

▲

Family Gaming

A mother and her two children enjoy playing COD Black OPS 2 Zombies in the Rolling Video Games truck.

The truck carries 4 TV screens and holds up to 16 players

Jordan Rouse

Matthew Rocha

▲ Convention Idols

Cosplay group Love Notes performs on the main stage performing as Hoshizora,Rin and Kousaka,Honoka.

▲

Aerodynamic Blast

The Mad Science attracts kids of all ages with hands on materials. The “airzooka” air gun allowed kids to knock down stacks of plastic cups. The booth allows kids to explore the world of science and what they can do and how it can be fun in many ways possible that they couldn’t ever imagine.