The Eagle's Eye; Issue 1; Volume 16; Akins High School

THE

EAGLE’S EYE

W. Charles Akins High School

Austin, Texas

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P.5

Volume 16

Marcelo Cruz

Stephanie Valle

Issue 1

October 5, 2016

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Voodoo Doughnuts P.6 Courtesy of Gage Skidmore

“Everything that Concerns You”

House of Torment p.8

Candidates & Voting

Bus Tracking P.3 Erno Hannink

Paper cutbacks forces class changes

Annie Ricotta

Due to new rule, teachers find new ways to teach lessons Ashley Sanchez Life & Style Editor

Zeta Handy Staff Writer

10,000,000.

That’s the number of sheets of paper that were purchased last year at Akins, according to a memo by Principal Brandi Hosack sent to teachers in August before school started.

The memo says that the school spent $50,000 to buy all of that paper. And that kind of spending must stop, she said.

Hosack announced in the memo that teachers would be going on a “paper diet” and suggested that they use innovative strategies to cut back their paper usage. To make sure teachers were remaining faithful to their diet, Hosack announced that each teacher would only be given one box of paper each semester instead of having unrestricted access to paper in the teacher workroom.

“I had to cut back on the paper because we were spending about $50,000 a year on paper, and when you don’t have that regulated it could create a lot of waste,” Hosack said. “If you’ve seen the recycle bins they were full. $50,000 is a lot of money that can be used towards other things besides paper.”

Before school started, each teacher received a box with 10 reams of 500 sheets of paper. That means that all teach-

Campus

ers will start off with 5,000 pieces of paper for the fall semester and recieve another box for the spring semester.

If teachers need more than that, they can ask their department chair for more paper.

Hosack said she hopes that the paper cutbacks will encourage teachers to find creative ways to use the 1,000 new laptop computers that were purchased last school year.

The transition to using less paper is going well for some teachers. English teacher Alan Brooks said he has gone almost completely paperless.

“This year I have only printed out six pages of paper and those have been sign-out papers for the computers,” Brooks said. “I have not even opened the box of paper that they have given us.”

Brooks said it was easier for him because he was already starting the transition to paperless classroom last year.

“I’ve changed some of the things we do around here, doing things online instead of by hand or writing it,” he said. “I use Google Classroom and Google Forms to do quizzes. Things like that made a lot of improvements.

They have made it easy to do things.”

However, the transition is not as easy for other teachers. Some are seeking ways to adapt their curriculum to use online resources, but in some cases that is not possible.

One problem is that there are still not enough laptops to

New Logos

go around for every classroom said social studies teacher Melinda Horowitz. ”I would like to use the computers and have the students do things electronically, but I don’t have enough computers for the number of students in my class,” she said.

Horowitz said there are just some things that she prefers to have students do on paper, such as annotating texts.

Beyond problems with lack of computers, students often experience technical problems with websites blocked by the district filters, complications with accessing online textbooks and loss of Wi-Fi connections.

“I find it frustrating that the Google Classroom freezes when the whole class is using it because I can’t do my work,” said sophmore Rodolfo Maldonado.

In previous years, math teachers have used a lot of paper running off thick packets full of math problems for students to work on for homework.

Math teacher Derek Hamm said that the adjustment to using less paper has been challenging. Geometry teachers have stopped running copies of large numbers of note packets that could be up to 15 pages long.

“I have done about half as much as last year, but I have not gone completely paperless,” Hamm said. “Worksheets is the one things I feel is necessary for math at all times, especially a class like geometry and in any math where pictures are so important.”

Education

College Prep

New logo announced TSI is high stakes test Bee Barto

Bethany Bissell

Strength. Agility. Bravery.

These are words that often come to mind when people think of eagles.

However, if someone was to ask 10 random students what the Akins Eagle looks like, they would probably get 10 different answers.

That’s the problem that Principal Brandi Hosack sought to address when she commissioned VIP Branding to develop a new logo and branding guide for the campus. The campus’ original logo was designed more than 15 years ago, and since then various teams, clubs and programs have created dozens of different logos featuring different looking Eagles.

“If you look around our campus, you might see a different eagle around every corner,” Hosack said.

She said she hopes the new logo will help students create a sense of unity and increase school pride. Hosack said she expected the new logo to be used everywhere on campus, including campus signage,

Move over STAAR test; there’s a new standardized test in town that has serious consequences for prospective college students.

Although the Texas Successive Initiative exam is not as well known as the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness test, its impact is just as important, if not more so, for college bound students. It determines whether or not they can go to college.

Edgenuity is an online test prep program that has been credited with reducing dropout rates and creating significant increases in standardized test grades. AISD has partnered with the program to supply students with it for free in preparation for the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment, which determines whether or not an individual can go to college.

“The whole idea behind it was to increase the student’s productivity because I don’t want you to go take the TSI test, fail it, and then be frustrated,”

Opinions Editor

See “New Logo” pg. 4 ►►

Staff Writer

See “College prep” pg. 4 ►►

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

Opinions

page 2

The Eagle’s Eye

wednesday - October 5, 2016

Stigmas prevent discussion of mental illnesses EDITORIAL

F

or too many years, mental illness has been an elephant in the room at home, in the workplace and at school. It has become a taboo subject with media, schools and the general populous.

We as the editorial board feel that this needs to change. Mental health should be a subject frequently talked about and given the opportunity to be accepted by everyone.

It seems like the only time that mental health issues make it into the news is after some kind of mass shooting takes places. The talking heads will point fingers back and forth about what the cause is: (1) lack of gun restrictions (2) lack of mental health screening. And once something else takes over the headlines, the issue disappears from the national discussion and nothing happens.

Media will cover mental health, not because they care or because they are trying to create a solution to an issue or inform people about something. They will cover it to scare or make people misunderstand those who suffer from mental health disorders. Media will create this taboo, or wall, around the situation and make people feel outcasted or like they have no one to talk to about what they are going through.

The teenage years of a person’s life is a breeding ground of stress and a constant feeling of rejection or letting themselves or others down. These situations that teens are placed in can easily lead to depression, or the worsening of depression they already suffer with. According to Colleen Arnold “The SSS office provides support to students daily who experience anxiety and/or depression. We typically serve 800-1,000 students each school year. Not all of these students have diagnoses of anxiety or depression but many experience these emotions at times throughout the school year.”

The discussion needs to extend beyond the news media. Conversations need to happen in families, among co-workers and even in classrooms. It’s a difficult topic, but it’s a conversation that needs to happen so that everyone understands that mental health problems are more common than they think.

A perfect time would seem to be in health classes when

Business

Annie Ricotta

they discuss the signs of students who might be suffering from a mental illness. Students need to know how to assist someone who is suffering from certain problems.

Thankfully, some teachers and student organizations are attempting to take steps to support students who suffer from mental illnesses. A club called “Endurance for Life” is basically a support group for students after school, held by the sponsor teacher Georgiana Morell. The club happens every Monday after school in her room, but the meeting is actually run by a student who wants to help students who suffer from severe anxiety.

We need to fight the stereotypes that surround mental illnesses. Far too often is mental health made into a joke or not taken seriously. People often joke about mental illness like it is trivial. Or far too often are people bullied for

having a mental disorder. The fact that someone suffering from depression or someone who has committed self harm is bullied and called “emo” is disgusting and appalling.

But where there is ignorance there is something to be learned from. We applaud the work of Yesenia Castelan and the other students in “Endurance for Life” that are brave enough to take on these issues. Akins has a number of support groups of all varieties. Sponsors and teachers across our campus spend much of their time trying to help students, during and after school.

We as the editorial board believe that mental health disorders should not be a subject people are afraid to address. Others should not be judged for suffering from mental health disorders and that anyone should be willing to assist another when they need it.

Monopolies

EpiPen price increases continue to get more ridiculous If something as small as a peanut could cause a loved one to suffer an extreme allergic reaction possibly leading to death, how much would you pay?

That appears to be the question that pharmaceutical company Mylan is testing as it has raised the price of it’s life-saving EpiPen anti-allergy medication from less than $100 in 2007 to more than $600 this year.

According to an Aug. 22 article in The New York Times, families most affected by the price hike are those who don’t have insurance or those with high-deductible health plans. This means that the people who can least afford the medication are the ones feeling the pain of the price hike the most.

It’s no coincidence, that the price increased even higher this year. The article from the Times says that a competing drug maker’s product was recalled last year, leaving Mylan as the only company selling a primary emergency treatment for severe allergic reactions.

The enormous jump in prices made it much harder for anyone with an extreme allergic reaction to obtain it, and therefore putting lives at risk. At a time where

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

Bee Barto

Another problem, on top of all of these, is that Mylan is a monopoly. They are extremely dominant over this part of their industry and it is making it harder for other companies to compete with them while all they do is gain more and more revenue from the product that they are the sole producer.

If this continues, what happens to the antitrust laws that we have in place? And furthermore what happens to EpiPen users who are in severe need for this product, and then the patent runs out? Will they be forced to cut back on production, thus lim-

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.

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Roy Harnadez Annie Ricotta *

iting the overall distribution of EpiPens that are life-saving? Or will they renew their patent and continue to monopolize on this industry?

There are way too many people who rely on this to bring these prices up. I would think that it’s robbery and a mockery of ethics. In a time when companies can raise their prices to whatever price they want it to be customers cannot trust the product they’re selling. The government needs to step in to stop this kind of price gouging so that people who need the product can afford it and the basic necessities to live.

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.

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

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many people would worry about specific allergic reactions, and especially the severe ones, why is it that Mylan would raise their price? This decision is surely one which has been made with complete disregard for anyone who has budget problems, or any type of financial limits.

Another thing that is occurring with this pricing issue is that Mylan, with their new monopoly on the market now feels invincible, as they not only have increased the price of their base product, but also of the children’s dosage, EpiPen JR. In an attempt to diffuse criticism for the rapid price increase, Mylan began offering coupons to lower the cost of the drug for people on certain health service plans or low-income households. And then the company announced that it would produce a $300 generic version of the drug. Critics argue that this reduced price generic version is just a ploy to make the company’s image look better while it continues to rake in large profits, maintaining its dominance over a market of a vastly overpriced product.

Many students at Akins keep EpiPens at the nurse’s office in case they have an extreme allergic reaction. One student, who asked to not be named, said her father has one in case he needs it to give him enough time to make it to the hospital when he has bad allergic reactions.

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Wednesday, October 5, 2016 t The Eagles Eye Health

Opinions t page 3

Debates

Students debate over the needs to be vaccinated The Con’s:

The Pro’s:

Stephanie Valle

Nicole oCampo

Editor-in-Chief

Staff Writer

Although the concept of mandatory vaccinations seems like a basic civic health function, the battle over whether or not to vaccinate still rages across the country in

some corners.

To some people, the idea of not getting your shots is completely unacceptable. For others, vaccinations present the fear of suffering debilitating side effects or lifelong conditions such as autism.

Diseases such as polio, measles and tetanus are very rare among Americans, thanks to the help and progression of vaccinations. This leads people to believe that they are not at risk to acquire these deadly diseases. The sad truth to this idea is that they are wrong. Not getting your vaccinations against these diseases can put you at a high risk of obtaining them, and then passing them on to others who are not vaccinated.

Naturally under state law, Austin ISD schools are forced to accept all students whether they have been vaccinated or not. However, if the students are not vaccinated their parents will have to sign what is called a conscientious exemption form. That form is basically telling the school board that the parents did not want their child to be immunized.

Austin ISD is one of the biggest public school districts in Texas and has the highest exemption rates when it comes to vaccinations. According to an article published by KUT in August, out of the 2,547 students attending Akins about 26 were exempted from needing their vaccinations. Of those 26 exemptions, 21 were conscientious exemptions and the other five could be medical exemptions but it is not clear.

Some argue that vaccinations are not necessary because of the “free ride” theory. The free ride theory is this: if all of the people around you are vaccinated and insusceptible to deadly diseases, then a non vaccinated person is safe from getting the disease as well because they are practically inside a safe bubble.

Bottom line: we get vaccinated not just for ourselves but for the greater good. By deciding to vaccinate, you chose to protect yourself, and the ones you love.

Laws

There has always been a argument on whether you should or shouldn’t get vaccines. My stance on vaccines is that I am against it. Ever since I was younger I had never gotten vaccines because my mother didn’t believe in it.

When it came to school my mom would have to get an affidavit request for exemption from immunization for reasons of conscience from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services to avoid getting shots that are required for school.

My mom said, “Vaccines have many chemicals in them that can cause various neurological issues. I feel that injecting these chemicals into our children can overload their bodies natural abilities and hinder their immune systems from developing properly. More studies are needed to prove that the chemicals used are not causing the many illnesses seen today.”

After getting vaccines there are side effects like life-threatening allergies, long-term seizures, comas and permanent brain damage. Most common side effects that are experienced from vaccines are muscle and joint pain, headaches, mild fever and shiver, etc. these are things I don’t want to experience and put myself at risk. It might be a low risk for the life threatening side effects but I refuse to take the risk because without getting vaccines I’m still at risk to get sick.

I’ve gone 17 years without getting vaccines and I’m just as healthy as a kid with vaccines. There are hundreds of kinds of diseases that don’t have vaccines or a cure so I would rather take the risk of not getting the vaccines and getting one of the side effects.

The percent of the kids exempt from getting vaccines is 2.02% in Austin ISD. Many parents get their kids vaccines because of the requirement for vaccines at school and because of the pressure given by the doctors about vaccines. The government shouldn’t intervene with a person’s medical choices. It should be the decision of the person or guardian to get toxic medicine into your body.

Overall vaccines or not you’re still at risk for diseases and getting sick in hundreds of different ways so getting vaccinations is not a necessity, and is something you’re able to live without.

Flaws

Campus carry may stifle debates among college students Annie Ricotta

Graphics Editor

Once havens for free expression, Texas universities have suddenly become less friendly places to the free flow of knowledge and ideas.

Texas lawmakers passed the “campus carry” law in 2015, which allows license holders to carry a concealed handgun throughout university campuses. Although the law allows universities to set up certain “exclusion zones”, the rules for the exclusion zones are inconsistent. Some areas are only excluded for a period of time and students can freely possess a handgun in most buildings including classrooms and residence halls.

This law has fundamentally changed the collegiate atmosphere of Texas universities, stifling discussion of controversial ideas out of fear of offending someone who is carrying a handgun in their class. Now that campus carry is in effect there will always be this new looming threat to student and faculty safety.

The UT website it states that faculty can’t ban guns from the classroom because it would violate state laws involving concealed carry. Because of this many members of the faculty have left or are going to leave and many who could join the faculty are turning down jobs. This is causing the students to miss out on better opportunities for learning.

I was seriously planning to go to UT, but this new law is making me rethink that decision because I wouldn’t feel safe there anymore. How am I, or anyone, supposed to learn anything with the knowledge that the person sit-

Technology

Annie Ricotta

ting next to me could have a gun and one wrong word could set them off. So much time would be spent worrying about not offending anyone, I wouldn’t be learning anything any professor was saying.

I would be so worried about being followed to my dorm or apartment I wouldn’t even go to class. And I am

not alone in feeling like this. Many incoming students are rethinking their decision to go to any college that has campus carry. A misfire has already happened at Tarleton State University, and while no one was hurt that time, what can be said about the next time? Or what will happen when the gun is fired on purpose?

The argument that everyone having guns will make the world safer holds no value. The people who say that a “good guy” with a gun will stop the “bad guys” with their guns are insane. That argument has been disproved by the FBI over the course of 13 years between 2000 to 2013.

The FBI conducted a study in 2006 analyzing 160 “active shootings” which showed that 56 percent the shooter took their own life, 26 percent they were stopped by law enforcement, 13 percent were disarmed by unarmed citizens, and 3 percent were stopped by an armed citizen. But the thing is only one case out of that three percent was in fact a random “good guy” with a gun. The other four cases were on-duty security guards.

How long before the next story about someone who decided to open fire in the courtyard, or a story about a professor being shot because a student didn’t like something they did or a grade they gave? Or a story about a racist shooting a group just because they believed that they didn’t deserve to live?

No matter where you plan to go to college, everyone should be as worried as I am about the addition of this law. It is an insult to those 15 people who died on the UT campus 50 years ago because of the clock tower shooting.

All this law has done is open the door for more people to die. Even if it hasn’t happened yet, it’s only a matter of time.

School apps

New bus tracking app with easy, safe information Jennifer Espinoza Staff Writer

Austin ISD may have answered an age-old question for students this year: when is my bus going to get here?

With the addition of Austin ISD in the new app called “WheresTheBus” students and parents can finally track the location of their bus, gaining an accurate estimate of when their bus should be arriving.

Austin ISD buses have been equipped with GPS tracking devices since 2009, but they have never been used in this way. Now the district upgraded the system so it is compatible with the new app. The upgrades cost the district $194,000 for the first year and then $155,000 for each 12-month period thereafter, according to an article on KXAN.com.

AISD says that this new app should lighten the bus dispatchers’ workload.

They are the people who have to answer phone calls from parents on days when

buses run late.

To use the app, students or parents will need an Austin ISD cloud account.

Then, they will log on, search for the app, and request to access the arrival of the bus. The app can either be downloaded from the Apple Store (iOS/ Apple) or Google Play (Android). It is also available on a desktop computer.

Once signed in through the Austin ISD cloud, the bus arrival information will be available.

If parents have multiple kids that go to multiple schools, they can track each of their routes separately with tabs at the bottom of the screen.

Also, it’s convenient to be able to locate your bus. One day you might wake up late and you can check to see how much time you have before the bus actually arrives to the bus stop. Or in the afternoon, if you can’t find your bus, you can easily find out if its coming.

“The success rate has been high over all, great and positive,” director of pupil transportation Kris Hafezizadeh said.

I had some doubts about the security of the app as many people do, especially

parents for they want their kids to be safe. I worry about hackers who can access sensitive private information that can lead to horrible situations.

Hafezizadeh said the app is designed with safety and privacy in mind. Only Austin ISD parents who have been signed up through the “parent cloud” with the school district can login to the app and get information for their children.

Also, for teenagers waiting at the bus stop it’s too dangerous; anything could happen. Even waiting in the terrible heat, or bitter cold isn’t safe for kids.

The bus tracking app is very useful not just by solving the waiting time for kids but also in keeping them safe and secured. Some think the idea of location tracking is creepy and I agree. The world is dangerous and the app can help save lives by providing up-to-date information to avoid creepy people attempting to misuse the information.

The app is overall easy to access, secured, and beneficial to anybody attending Austin ISD schools. It’s a great app and easy to use.

Daylin Ettles

News

page 4

The Eagle’s Eye

Wednesday - October 5, 2016 CONT. FROM “College prep” pg. 1 ►►

TSI necessary to avoid remedial classes for college

Austin ISD offers free access to Edgenuity for students to achieve high-stakes test Principal Brandi Hosack said.

“I’m trying to get you prepped before then so you can knock it out the first time.”

The TSI is a test used within the state to determine whether or not an individual going into college or looking to take dual credit courses is “college ready.” It is divided into three parts: reading, writing, and math. According to Davelyn Forrest from the Austin Community College Dual Credit office, the eligibility score will go up in fall of 2017.

“Math will go to 356,” she said.

If a student does not meet the required score but still makes a score of 336 or higher, they then take remedial, or developmental, courses before they can take a course that counts as a credit.

These classes are not eligible for financial aid.

“Those are not transferrable and you have to pay for them,” Forrest said. “A lot of kids will see it as a waste of time and money, but they can’t take regular classes if their TSI scores are not high enough.”

If a student does not pass the TSI test, has a certain score, and

does not go into developmental courses, they have a few different options. They can go into classes and do Edgenuity work before taking the test again.

“We have created Akins TSI support classes with (Kenyatta Williams, Math teacher) and (Lisa Johnson, English teacher),” Simmons said, “We also have a college readiness class with Austin Partners In Education that (Christine Kesling, College Readiness Counselor) works with students to get into.”

In order to prevent students from failing or having to take developmental courses, College and Career advisor Sarah Simmons suggests that students begin using Edgenuity as soon as possible. It can be access through the Austin ISD Cloud at my.austinisd.org. From there, search “Edgenuity” and click the tile that comes up.

“If they have questions about how to navigate the program, they can come by the (College and Career Center) and we’ll help them,” Simmons said. “Also, if a student is having issues logging in, they should let their teacher or counselor know.”

Food options

Once inside Edgenuity, a student can find the TSI-specific test prep in the lobby on the sidebar.

They are labelled VT-TX-TSIfollowed by one of the TEKS for the subject it’s under. When it is opened, clicking “Next Activity” will take the user to a diagnostic pretest to take before beginning the coursework. These pretests are more than 20 questions long and create a “learning path” for the student based on their understanding of the topic. Sophomore Zachary Arriaga said he uses it for science and math classes.

“I like it,” he said. “It’s really easy to use. It’s helpful”.

In order to help students, teachers attended a training about the programtoo learn how it works. In the training, they set up their courses and put their students in it. Hosack said she knows that teachers may still have questions about it.

“We’re trying to provide follow-up support and hopefully get a couple experts on campus to help teachers help each other,” Hosack said. “But it is a new program, it’s coming right out of the district. The district is all on top of it. We want to be the campus

that really takes it to the next level and utilizes every function that we can.”

In addition to using Edgenuity Simmons said that students should finish geometry and English II before taking the assessment. She advises upperclassmen

to not wait to take the test. She says that they will forget the math by the end of senior year.

“Students need to realize that this test is the most important standardized test they’ll take,” Simmons said. “They should take it as seriously as such.”

TSI EXEMPTIONS CRITICAL READING

TEST

MATH

OTHER

TSI

351

350

Writing 5 or 4/363

SAT

500

500

N/A

SAT

480

530

N/A

ACT

19

19

23 composite

STAAR

4000 ELA II

4000 ALG I

Must have a C average in ALG II

(Prior to March 5, 2016)

(After March 5, 2016)

Breakfast

District provides breakfast to improve food accessability Adriana Galindo Staff Writer

In a sudden reversal, eating breakfast in class has gone from being against the rules last year to something that is not only encouraged, but offered for free to all students across campus.

The change is the result of a district initiative to expand food access to students, reduce tardiness and improve academic performance. The decision to provide Breakfast in the Classroom at Akins was an easy decision for Principal Brandi Hosack after district officials approached her with the proposal last spring.

“The district came to me at the end of last year and gave a presentation that about only 300 students eat breakfast in the morning and that told me that a lot of my kids are going to class hungry,” Hosack said.

More than 57 percent of the students in Austin ISD qualify for free or reduced price meals.

One out of every four children in Travis Country live in a food insecure households according to district statistics. This means many students rely on the school meals for their nutrition. Offering breakfast in the classroom allows the district to reach more of the students to ensure they start

the day right with a healthy meal.

Since students receive breakfast in the classroom Monday through Friday every morning do the teachers think it’s really helpful and notice a change in students focuse in class or do the teacher think it’s a huge disaster and they should get rid of it.

Some teachers said they are noticing a difference in student performance already.

“I have noticed that my students are all here and on time for class 1st and 5th period,” said SEL teacher Sarah Nickle. “They are focused, prepared and they participate in the activities we do in class.”

Brenda Amaya-Rangel

▲ Healthy Breakfast for All

Senior Rodrigo Delafuente is enjoying his breakfast in class. Last year only 300 students ate breakfast, this year it’s more popluar than ever.

CONT. FROM “new logo” pg. 1 ►►

Akins recent logo is design to symbolize unity and pride

briefs

club fliers and even campus letters home to parents.

“Part of school is pride is being able to center yourself around an image that everyone identifies with,” she said.

Now that logo is created, the next challenge though is getting the various organizations to use it on their T-shirts, fliers and various other paraphernalia.

Softball coach Anthony Degelia, said he appreciates having the new logo.

“I think anytime you do something new it helps with the atmosphere and change in the culture of the school,” Degelia said. “When you show the students you care about something it becomes a domino effect and the kids start to get excited.”

In the gym, the floor was just replaced this summer, but it doesn’t include the new logo, but the new design was completed before the work was scheduled.

It may take time for the athletics teams

to use the new logo on their uniforms because the teams will have to wait for their current funding cycles to end before they can purchase new ones.

For athletic teams and their jersey, thr new logo will not be used right away. The baseball team will likely be the first team to use the new logo because it’s uniform cycle will be renewed next year, Degelia said.

David Distelhorst, Akins Journey The-

Green Teens works for a refillable bottle hydration station Green Teens and the Just Keep Livin’ after school clubs are pursuing plans to acquire a refillable bottle hydration station to reduce plastic bottle waste and are awaiting word from the district sustainability office on securing low or no cost options for installation

on our campus.

The club focuses on health and wellness, nutrition, service and gratitude.

On October 5th the club plans to participate in International Walk to School Day. Meetings are on Monday and Wednesday at 4:30 p.m in room 168.

atre director, recently created a new logo for the program, which includes an eagle that looks different from the new eagle logo. He said he is still figuring out how he might use the new logo although he is considering at least using the new official school colors in his version.

“I designed it and went to the administration. They saw it and they liked it and they approved it,” he said.

Yearbook teacher Sean Claes, who has experience with managing branding campaigns, said that everyone on campus needs to be familiar with the branding guide that was produced with the new logo. The guide includes official school colors, fonts and even examples of improper uses of the logo.

“For the most part, if you are streamlining the branding of the campus, that needs to be the singular logo used throughout the campus,” he said.

4th: Mock Presedential Elections 11th: Registration Deadline to vote 19th: PSAT 26th: Blue & Gold Night 31st: Halloween

He said any organizations should use the new logo that was just introduced.

“It has to be taken on a case to case basis. That’s why it would be important to have a brand manager on all this,” he said.

Upcoming Events S M T W T 2 3 4 5 9 10 11 12 16 17 18 19 23/30 24/31 25 26

6 13 20 27

F 7 14 21 28

S 1 8 15 22 29

Indepth

The Eagle’s Eye

page 5

wednesday - October 5, 2016

Presidential Candidates vie for votes before November Election Student Voices

Democrat •67th US Secretary of State •Former First Lady of the US

“(Trump) wants to shake the country with his biases and prejudiced views.”

-Senior Phillip Kerns

Republican •Businessman •Television Personality

“What I like about Clinton is that she has experience.”

-Sophomore Jennifer Espinoza

“A man who doesn’t have a plan.”

-Senior Jameel Harrod on Donald Trump

Hillary Clinton green

“(Hillary) lies, and covers up truths to keep her image perfect.”

-Senior Brittany Leon Quotes complied by Ashley Massie, Eli Gutierrez and Eliana Gutierrez

– Death Penalty – Gun Control

Donald Trump Libertarian

– Abortion – Health Care – Transgender RR – Mex-US Wall

Jill Stein

– Against the issue

gary johnson

Campus positions on the issues How To: Register to Vote

Preferred Presidential candidates for Akins students Other Johnson Annie Ricotta

33.70% • • • • • •

•

First, you have to be 17 and 10 months to register and 18 by election day.

You will need to filll out a registration form. They are availble at your county’s clerk office, libraries and schools.

Next, fill out your information. For example, your name, address and your driver’s license ID number or the last four digits of your social security.

You return the registration form by October 11th. If you are not sure you are registered to vote you can go online to: teammrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov After about two or three weeks, you should receive your voter registration card in the mail with your name.

You will need to bring your voter registration card to the polls to prove that you are registered. You will also need your photo ID or either your birth certificate, or any government documents that states your name and current address.

You can vote at any polling place in Travis county such as libraries, churches and schools. Once there, provide your photo ID and vote.

39.13%

Stein Trump Clinton

11.96%

8.69%

6.52%

All results based on a campus wide survey

What are your opinions on college expenses?

80 70 60 50 40

College should be free They should be lowered They're Reasonable

30 20 10

Information complied by Evelynn Valladeras

0

Annie Ricotta

All results based on a campus wide survey

ELIGIBLE VOTERS should visit SEL teacher Jack McGavick in room 149 on October 6 to register to vote.

The final deadline to register to vote is Oct. 11.

Page Layout by: Eliana Gutierrez

life & Style

page 6

The Eagle’s Eye

wednesday - October 5, 2016 treats

Weird

Eccentric doughnut shop creates new idea of food

Marcelo Cruz

▲ Delicious Doughnuts

Voodoo Doughnuts features a large assortment of extraordinary doughnuts including the Marshall Mathers (left) and seasonal doughnuts like those designed for the anniversary of 9/11.

Alejandra Arguello Staff Writer

Walking into Voodoo Doughnuts for the first time is like walking into Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.

Everywhere you look, it’s a sensory overload experience with taste being the most eagerly awaited.

There are crazy decorations on the walls like a bright pink duct tape mural of women on white and pink horses, pillars sprouting tree branches with doughnuts at the end.

And of course display cases full of extravagant doughnuts.

And as the name Voodoo implies, these are not your every day doughnuts.

This eccentric doughnut shop originating from Portland, Oregon and opened up their first Austin location on Halloween of last year and has been in business for 18 years known as Voodoo Doughnuts.

Although Voodoo Doughnuts originated in Portland, Oregon, the company found a natural home in Austin, when it opened here in 2015 and has been a major success since then.

“The first original location started in 2003. I think people just wanna make crazy stuff and keep it weird for lack of better words,” said Nay Hobrock.

With confections with names like Diablos Rex, Ain’t That A Peach, and Rappers Delight, these fried delights can’t be found at the average doughnut shop. Voodoo is located on 6th Street in downtown Austin and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Hobrock worked at the original location in Portland before her boss sent her to Austin to help open up the new location in July of 2014.

Hobrock said she had never even made doughnuts be-

script

fore starting to work at Voodoo. All she knew was that they were known for being good to their employees.

“I was just basically tired of working for a company that didn’t care about it’s employees,” Hobrock said. “I worked at a call center where people yelled at me about 40 hours a week. My friend was like ‘Hey Voodoo’s really rad and they actually take care of people.’ I was like ‘alright then.’ So I quit my job without any callback from Voodoo and then they called me back two weeks later and I’ve been working here since then.”

Voodoo has 70 different types of doughnuts, although some are only available seasonally like the “All American” — a doughnut sold around the 4th of July, which has frosting, a star, and a mini American flag on it.

Voodoo’s most well known doughnut is the “Voodoo Doll.” It’s a yeast raised doughnut in the shape of a voodoo doll filled with raspberry jam, topped with chocolate frosting and a pretzel stake punctured into its body. Each doughnut is decorated by hand so customers will never get the same doughnut twice.

Junior Andrea Cuadra found Voodoo through some friends and decided to check it out herself to see what all the hype and commotion was about.

“My favorite donut is the T.C.P,” Cuadra said. “I go there because I love donuts and because they seemed really cool and interesting.”

Hobrock said she enjoys working at the Sixth Street location because of the constant buzz of activity in the area.

“It’s crazy! It kinda reminds me of back home in Portland, but like it’s so awesome,” she said. “I mean Austin in general is so much bigger. I mean it’s ‘The Music Capital of the World’ and there’s always something going on. And

like they close down the streets and stuff. It’s incredible to have all this energy of like everyone, everywhere.”

Tres Shannon and Kenneth “Cat Daddy” Pogson are the co-owners of Voodoo.

They said they wanted to come to Austin because it’s a great city and was also known for it’s “Keep Austin Weird” motto which intrigued them.

“We love the vibe and culture,it’s a very fun and outgoing place that fits our company well. And if anyone can keep two cities weird at once, it’s us.”

They hope that Voodoo continues to succeed here in Austin and becomes one of the most well known and top selling doughnut shops.

▲ Funky Decore

Marcelo Cruz

Voodoo Doughnuts features psychadelic art such as the duct tape mural.

Director

Akins seniors film picked for Austin Film Festival Aylin valdes Staff Writer

When the Austin Film Festival opens in mid-October, an Akins senior will have her very own film screened alongside those featuring the biggest names in Hollywood, including Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone and Jennifer Garner.

In early September, Aylin Valdes received the news that her film was selected by a panel of judges to be screened at the annual festival, which attracts filmmakers from all over the world to show off their work.

Valdes said she is thrilled to see her film showcased in front of such a big audience.

“I’m exhilarated,” she said. “It’s such an amazing opportunity to experience. I feel truly blessed.”

Valdes’ 6-minute film, was recorded last year as part of film teacher’s Melissa Royer’s film studies class. Royer said.

This is the first time since 2011 that Akins has had a film screened at the Austin Film Festival, Royer said. Valdes’ film will be screened at the Alamo Drafthouse Village location off of W. Anderson Lane in North Austin on Oct. 15 and 16.

Valdes shared a reflection on the film, the experience of making it and her upcoming screening.

Valdes’ Reflection on the film: Well it’s actually based on a true story — just this story is more exaggerated.

I was facetiming my best friend one night telling her how I had to write a script for film class and that it was due the next morning. We were talking about this boy she liked and all the things we did to try to get him to notice her.

Then, it hit me: I said “Oh my god, I know what to write my script about.” And then I just started typing on my comput-

Aylin Valdez

▲ Student Films

Senior Aylin Valdez is the first Akins student since 2011 to have a film screened at the Austin Film Festival in mid October. The film is scheduled to be shown at the Alamo Drafthouse Village in North Austin on Oct. 15 and 16.

The film was produced by the Akins Film Making class last spring.

er and started reading aloud of what I was typing. It took me two hours to finish my screenplay and I couldn’t stop reading it after I had finished. I laughed so hard because this was basically our lives in a script.

Hence the title “mad and aloof,” which is each of our nicknames for each other.

A representative from Austin Film Festival came to the class to meet me and so that I could start the script revisions. It was not what I had expected. I had to change so much and take out so many lines because the maximum limit of the film cannot ex-

ceed seven minutes. I took out about five pages of my script to make it shorter and to the point during pre-production.

During the actual production process, oh my god, it was stressful. I had to make sure everybody had everything they needed, I even made all of the actors checklists.

We went all around the school to shoot and it was such a surreal experience. I felt super cool because I was a director at only 17 years old. It was a phenomenal and grateful experience making my own film with my cast and crew.

When I found out that Austin Film

Festival chose my script, I was amazed. No one really thought mine would get picked because I kept changing my story every week, and because I wasn’t really a “strong film kid” in that class.

But, the night before I had a dream that my screenplay got chosen, so when it was time for class, I was so nervous but deep down I felt mine wasn’t going to get chosen.

When Ms. Royer said “mad & aloof ” I just started bawling. I was so shocked and so proud of myself that AFF picked my script.

wednesday, October 5, 2016 t The Eagle’s Eye anxiety

Life & style t Page 7

new club

Service dog brings happiness to Akins’ students kelly polacheck Staff Writer

A new face is turning heads on campus: a dog named Cova.

Cova is a service dog that accompanies senior Yesenia Castelan throughout the day.

“It makes me really happy to see how positive people have reacted to having her on campus,” Castelan said. “I love how a lot of people smile when they see her and she makes not just me feel better, but other people feel better.”

While Cova’s presence on campus has brightened the days of Castelan and others around her, some people do not always understand her role. Cova is a service dog, trained to help people suffering from anxiety.

While some people are familiar with seeing service dogs helping the guide the blind, anxiety is another common condition that these dogs can help treat. Dogs help anxiety sufferers by providing comforting companionship and a sense of purpose for their owners.

While Castelan says that most students are respectful, there are a few occasions when some can’t contain their reactions to seeing a dog on campus.

“Maybe once or twice I’ve had people whistling at her in the hallway or someone will come up and just start petting her, and I’m trying to get to class. But for the most part it’s pretty positive things. People have been pretty mature about it.”

However, none of this would have been possible for Castelan if not for the school staff giving her the help she needs. ”I feel like they’ve supported me in every way they can,” Castelan said. “And I

Attraction

Matthew Rocha

▲ Puppy Love

Senior Yesenia Castelan is the first student at Akins to have a service dog. Castelan has started a new organization called Endurance of Life, focusing on anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.

know that Cova has been the first service dog they’ve had on campus so I really appreciate it.”

It was a struggle for Castelan to figure out what she was going to do so she could bring Cova to school.

“I didn’t want to just show up for the first day of school like ‘hey I have a dog’ so in the summer I came and told the office staff and we had a meeting to see if they

would allow her to come with me.”

Cova and Castelan have passed their trial period to make sure she wasn’t a big distraction for other kids. If that went well she would be able to stay, Castelan said.

Castelan has started a new club called Endurance of Life for students willing to talk about their problems and help other students feel more open to seeing things in a more positive light. The club meets

on Mondays in English teacher Georgina Morell’s room after school.

For members, it’s a safe place where they feel open to sharing. They said it helps them feel better about life.

“It’s a place where you can get away from your problems,” junior Zaasia McDonald said. “You can talk about them and if you’ve had an overwhelming or bad day you can come in and we talk about it.”

Finding Clues

Escape Game brings adventures to Austin Nicole Ocampo D’Shalon Williams Staff Writers

A new mystery game has surfaced in downtown Austin, and the name of it is The Escape Room. Participants are locked in a room with a certain scenario and forced to find hidden clues around the room to escape under 60 minutes.

The Escape Game is the perfect attraction for groups of gamers, co-workers, family, friends and travelers alike.

Escape Game Austin manager Vanida Vongsamphanh said the company is focused on amazing customer experiences.

“Our highest priority is providing each customer with an amazing interactive experience,” she said. “Our game team designs fully immersive and elaborate rooms with intricate storylines. Paired with our highly trained staff and modern facilities, these are the key pieces that set us apart.”

The Escape Game Austin was one of

the first three in the nation, and is the first location in the South. At the Austin location there are four different rooms with different levels of difficulties and different themes.

Some of the rooms are “Prison Break: Can you escape Iron Gate Prison?” “The Heist: Can you steal back a classic masterpiece?” “Gold Rush: Can you discover the gold?” and “Classified: Can you complete the covert mission?”

The Escape Game originally started in Nashville, Tennessee in 2014. It is the only Escape Game with 7 different rooms.

One of the additional rooms only located in Nashville are “Mission Mars: Can you repair the ship and launch it to get back to earth in under 60 minutes?”

Classified is one of the easier rooms in which your team are in a international antiterrorist organization and you are assigned a mission. During this mission your objective is stop an international terrorist threat by gathering the date, time, and lo-

cation of the attack. To get these details you have to find different clues in the room to help you find out this information so you can escape.

The scenarios for The Escape Game come from video games, and the scripts of the scenarios come from a team hired to come up with riddles and the clues throughout the room. Vongsamphanh said there are many cases where people cannot solve these riddles and try to cheat, and even try to break down the door in some situations.

It is the mystery of the games that draw people into play — the anxiety of beating the clock. In order to escape these games it takes a little bit of strategic thinking, teamwork, bravery and detective skills.

The Escape Game challenges players so it is good to have multiple people on a team to get different perspectives on things in the room.

Developed by brothers Jonathan and James Murrell and Mark Flint, the idea of

The Escape Game came from a videogame that Flint played while he was in London with his family. Originally debuting in Nashville, Tennessee in 2014, The Escape Game quickly became one of Nashville’s top attractions. The Austin location opened in December 2015.

The company invested $1 million into the Austin location, using innovative designs to create transformative environments.

The intricate props, scents, displays and tools allow players to lose themselves in the games and heighten the ability to focus on each challenge.

The Escape Game in Austin is located on the corner of Fourth and Red River streets near the Austin Convention Center.

In order to play the game players have to make reservations on www.theescapegamesaustin.com. Guests can register for a game for $31.99 per person, plus tax.

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Classified Mission

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Akins HS News

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Entertainment

page 8

The Eagle’s Eye

wednesday - October 5, 2016 Halloween

Attraction

House of Torment raises the bar even higher with new haunts With double the size comes double the amount of horror

Mary Griffis

Entertainment Editor For years now House of Torment has been filling their halls with screams but this year the bar is being raised.

House of Torment is now introducing three new haunts: The Frenzy, Dawn of Fear, and Graveside Manor, making the fright house a total 40,000 square feet. With that much space there is a ton of room for many more screams of terror and tears from the timid.

Before you enter any attraction the House of Torment you should realize that these are not for the faint of heart. You may think you’re up to the challenge, but you won’t truly know until you’re face to face with a chainsaw wielding clown or some other pee-in-your-pants inducing sight. The company wants you to be safe so if you have any mental or physical ailments don’t attend until you are prepared to be so scared until you are possibly on your knees.

In the first haunt you’ll enter, Dawn of Fear, a virus has broken out and Central Texas is under attack. The seemingly indestructible zombies roam and terrorize the area searching for the one thing that can satisfy them — human flesh. Only a few people are still alive at the local hospital working tirelessly trying to find a cure while still fighting for their lives. You and your friends have to try and escape or else you’ll become fresh meat for the undead.

Are you prepared to face your deepest fears? In the next attraction, “The Frenzy,” you have to. As the description says The Frenzy will “bring you to your knees.” You’ll encounter psychopathic clowns, dreadful humanoids, and maniacal beasts each determined to scare you until you’re huddled in a ball in the corner. You can try and escape, but you will have to do so in complete darkness or you will never wake up from this nightmare.

The last — but definitely not least — is Graveside Manor.

Just east of town lies Graveside Manor on Ridgepoint Drive.

Many people have gone missing behind its walls but no one knows why or what the property’s past is and certainly not what lies beneath it. While the building has been abandoned for decades people still claim to see an old feeble woman moving among the shadows. The mysteries surrounding the manor have led the daring to a search for clues. But those who are looking for answers are met with a “dreadful fate.” Only you and those who are willing to enter are left with the task of uncovering the secrets unless you fall into the darkness and then your eventual death.

Now all these Halloween style scares are cool and all but there is more to the House of Torment than just that. The haunted house offers more than just the traditional style haunts, they offer special occasional events like Blackout and Valentine X. Hopefully, you’re prepared to try and escape a maze full of monsters equipped with night vision while you and your friends only have a measly glowstick, between all of you. In Blackout, that’s all you get. You may think a glowstick isn’t much light but try to escape without one. Monsters roam around you while you frantically try to find your way out and those who are determined to watch you suffer are going to steal that little light you have. While having a group is helpful not everyone stays together. People get lost or even separated subtracting time from the already short clock. If you can’t make it or you are too scared to finish it the only way to escape is with a secret password.

Prepare for Butcher Bear’s message to be even deadlier in Valentine X. Butcher Bear hasn’t been seen in many years and people have started to copy his murderous actions and creating their own. At the House of Torment you and your date will come face to face with the real Butcher Bear, his gang of copycats, and his lovely chainsaw, while you try and enjoy a candlelit dinner.

With this many attractions, people from all over can see why the House of Torment has acquired so many awards and has had so many people pass through their halls. They have so many people who put in so much hard work and those who venture into the experiences they offer can see why.

This isn’t just your average haunted house it’s the House of Torment where your fears come to life and where you come to make new ones.

▲ Tongues Out ▲ Smile for the Camera

Courtesy of House of Torment

Feature monster from House of Torment horrifies comic con goers at Austin Wizard World.

Courtesy of House of Torment

Nemesis waits outside the haunted attraction scaring patrons while they wait to get in.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016 t The Eagles Eye Discounts

Entertainment t page 9

Movies

Victory Vanguard offers movies for most students Adrian Guajardo Jr. Staff Writer

The Alamo Drafthouse had this amazing idea to start a group for the youth. The idea they came up with is to offer a place for teens to go to watch movies for a cheaper price. Victory Vanguard is what Alamo Drafthouse came up with, they wanted a to do something for groups of kids to be apart of a group that informs them about movies and get them into the film industry.

The founder of this idea was started by the family and community handler Amy Everick.

She had the idea to start a membership for teens between the ages 15-17 to get to interested in the film industry.

“Victory Vanguard membership which is a pretty easy application process we tend to just figure out what you love about the movies, you are able to get $5 tickets to most movies without parent or guardian’s

required.” Morgan Hendrix said.

The way you would get accepted into the Victory Vanguard Program is if you were to fill out an application on their website And on that website they ask why would you want to be interested in joining the program and reasons you love movies, and if you were to know how to tip.

Another reason to join the Victory Vanguard would be no you do not have to go as a group to watch the movie of your choice. Once you are a member you can go by yourself or you could go in a group if you would like to but you are not required to go as a group.

“We do often set up certain events throughout the year, this year we have a couple more, last year we would have Victory Vanguard screenings but none of that was strictly mandatory.” Morgan Hendrix said.

If you were to go out of town yes you could still be able to go to an Alamo Drafthouse outside of Austin.

And yes they all offer the Victory

event

Vanguard Program, they even have a Alamo Drafthouse in Brooklyn!

Once you grow out of the age between 15-17 you can now apply to be apart of the Victory Rewards Program and that has no age limit.

If you are still unsure about joining Ms. Hendrix gives her input on the idea.

“Absolutely! I think it’s one of the best ideas Alamo Drafthouse offers, I grew up in Austin I grew up in Lake Travis when I was growing up the movie theatre was really far from us.

I think this is one of the ideas that’s like wow!” Morgan Hendrix said.

Melissa Royer the Filmmaking Teacher, AKA AHA Coordinator.

Said that Ashley Hogan was the Victory Vanguard Secretary and that she was a very good partner.

When the two Melissa Royer and Ashley Hogan came about each other it was basically like they needed each other like a mutual relationship where they both would help out each other and it would go equal on both

sides. So with this relationship Alamo Drafthouse would give Ms. Royers class interns and after that would lead to the class getting a director from the film industry to teach Ms. Royer’s class.

Ms. Royer’s class would then go on trips to the Alamo Drafthouse as Victory Vanguard members, and for the 18 year olds they would would have to pay regular price but instead of it being out of pocket Ms. Royer would have them sell rice crispie treats to help pay for full price.

“The Austin Film Festival is so fun we did it last year as a class, and it’s such a good experience for my students that are interested in film.”

Melissa Royer said.

Royer’s class also attended trips to the Alamo Drafthouse as Victory Vanguard members. The 18 year olds would have to pay regular price but instead of it being an out-of-pocket expense for the students, Royer organized a fundraiser to help pay for full price.

The Drafthouse is also a venue where the Austin Film Festival shows films, giving students another way to see new and independent films.

“The Austin Film Festival is so fun we did it last year as a class, and it’s such a good experience for my students that are interested in film,” Royer said.

Comic-con

Comic-con hits the convention center for 4th year Celebrities and fans gather under one roof to enjoy fandoms and artists

Mary Griffis

Entertainment Editor In late September, Wizard World held a comic-con at the Austin Convention Center, welcoming its guests with giant realistic statues of The Incredible Hulk and The Ninja Tur-

tles posed next to an extravagant red carpet.

Down the red carpet was an entrance to the convention which was surrounded by booths.

These booths held artwork, jewelry, figures, and even companies.

Wares for sale ranged from simple

trinkets to complex artwork to elaborate cosplay items.

The artwork for sale by various well known artists attracted many attendees at the convention. Artists from all over came to the convention to showcase their amazing work and sell prints to those who had the mon-

ey for them.

But the artists weren’t the only people charging an arm and a leg for only a picture — the celebrities were, too. You could meet one of your favorite celebrities but you had to pay up to $100 for an autographed picture and, if you were lucky, a hug as

well.

While the booths, artists, and celebrities were in the spotlight the fans weren’t just cast into the shadows. They also played an important role. The more dedicated fans wore costumes inspired by games, movies, and shows.

New games and add-ons got released September Black Ops 3 Salvation DLC alejandro Moreno Staff Writer

World of Warcraft: Legion Robert Harris Staff Writer

Madden 17 Jaden Garrion Staff Writer

NBA 2K 17 Lavel Deckard Staff Writer

Treyarch has released a new and final DLC for Call of Duty Black Ops 3 on September, 6, 2016 which includes 4 new multiplayer maps Micro, Rupture, Outlaw, and Citadel. It also includes the final Zombie map from the Black Ops franchise.

Micro is a map in which you are in a picnic and everything around you is huge. It is one of the strangest maps in the Call of Duty franchise. This map is meant for a close-range fight, but it feels more like a long range fighting map.

Rupture, is one of the biggest multiplayer maps that Treyarch has created. It features battlemechs, which are giant robots which have rockets and machine guns. In my opinion this map is bad because the robots make it unfair.

Citadel is one my favorite maps because it is basically like the old Call of Duty maps and I like that. It is a three lane map, the reason this map is good is because you can switch the spawns and be able to flank your

The Plot: 10/10 The plot of this expansion was highly anticipated due to one of the older expnasions called Burning Crusade. This expansion nailed it when it comes to the story and gameplay. It’s exactly what the WoW community wanted from this expansion. Blizzard needed to nail this part of the expansion. Otherwise, Blizzard would have a lot of its WoW community angry at them for not getting it correct.

I played the questing zones through for the experience, and they nailed the lore behind the Burning Legion.

The Graphics: 9/10 The graphics are classic cartoony but still stylish and updated compared to other open world RPG games. I would say they crushed it when it comes to graphics but it would be nice to see some updated graphics.

Lasting Appeal: 10/10 Previous expansions brought WoW’s popularity down by at least half. It went from 12 million to around 7 million subscribers. Legion brought a lot of these players back to play.It made people wanna keep playing and spending money on the game.

The Verdict: 10/10 The expansion definitley improved the game. This expansion brought many WoW players back because it was like a flashback to the good old days.

Eventhough Madden NFL is one of EA’s biggest franchises Madden NFL 17 was glossed over at the company’s E3 2016 press conference. Game Fans were worried that the game was not going to be good. In fact, Madden NFL 17 is perhaps the most polished entry in the series available on current-gen consoles.

Whether playing offense, defense, or as a coach, everything about the gameplay is as smooth as possible although it is lacking that one defining feature to really help it stand out from its predecessors.

While the game is good it’s lacking in terms of new game modes. Besides the lack in game play it has several zone improvements, including a simplified defense mechanic, as well as a fun way to tackle your opponents.

Madden continues to strengthen its gameplay by integrating the consistent button-pressing mini-game into the ground game with the addition of new character specialties.

Other new features added to Madden 17 include ball carrier special moves, tackle battle interaction, upgrades to special team system, gap play and zone coverage.

I would recommend this game to the people who have been playing madden all these years because of the interestingnnew features.

Gameplay: 2k NBA games are known for smooth, fluid play and true to form 2k17 allows you to move the ball around the court, mixing in advanced ball maneuvers and fancy footwork with ease. Employing the right stick’s ability to juke is when you’ll really feel the satisfaction of faking out an opponent on your way to the net.

Scoring Strategies: The AI isn’t going to fall for the same trick every time so mixing up your strategies is required. You have to pass the ball to your best player in an attempt to score.

Going for three points every time isn’t going to work. Finding out the best way to tackle each shift on the court is continually rewarding and engages you wholeheartedly in the excellent court action.

Graphics: The release of 2k17 sparked a debate over the graphics and if 2k17 looks better than 2k16. 2K games have provided a fair amount of graphics improvements. PC gamers can select the quality of Anti-Aliasing. NBA 2K17 features the best visuals we’ve seen in a sports title; however the changes between NBA 2k16 and NBA 2K17 are minimal.

The Verdict: Overall, 2k17 is the next top game that everyone is discussing with their friends about if they are basketball lovers.. Meanwhile, 2k17 is a good game to play with friends. It would not be that type of game that would just be sitting on your dresser.

enemimies which is very useful.

Outlaw is a remake of the Black Ops 2 map, Standoff. I really enjoy Outlaw because it it is a fast pace map which is very cool because it makes the game feel more intense. And finally Revelation, which concludes the Zombies series and it tells us about what the meaning of all of it was. Revelation is a mixture of some of the Zombie maps in the black ops franchise mixed into one big map.

sports

page 10

The Eagle’s Eye

wednesday - October 5, 2016 FOOTBALL

goals

Varsity football sets sights on turnaround, district

Matther Roacha

▲ Stealing the Ball

Line backer Isaiah Davilla snags ball from Crocket player and scores touchdown against Crockett Cougars. Akins won 40-13

amy rodriguez Staff Writer

After the University Interscholastic League announced the realignment of districts for football teams for the 2016-2018 seasons, coaches and players said they have their best shot at making it to the playoffs in years.

The change removed Austin, Westlake and Lake Travis high schools as district opponents for Akins and added Manor and San Marcos. The number of teams in District 14-6A is also dropping from nine to six.

Quarterback Demarcus Cabezas said he is excited about the team’s chances of making it to the playoffs.

“We’ve shown a bunch of potential,” Cabezas said. “We just have to put all the pieces together and hit the field fast. Making playoffs is something that’s in our reach this year, no doubt.”

Coach Humberto Garza said there’s good chemistry on this year’s team.

“I have a great senior class. They set great examples for lower classmen to follow,” Garza said.

The varsity football team currently has two wins and three losses overall. After the

volleyball

Justen Arzola

▲ Making a Run For It

Running back Keenan Lockhart evades a defenders tackle in a game against the McCallum Knights. Akins lost this game 17-7.

team’s disappointing loss to Canyon Lake at the Homecoming game, players said they are working to turn things around before district matches start on Friday against the San Marcos Rattlers.

Junior Isaiah Davilla said the team can still overcome their recent losses if they just “do what they have to do.”

“We need to practice, start from there and execute during practice,” said Davilla, a middle linebacker. “I think if we just do what we have to do and keep going we will be great. Fix our simple mistakes like defense not getting to the ball quicker and offense not moving the ball a little bit faster, but I think if we do that then we will be set.”

Although Akins only needs to two district wins to guarantee a spot in the playoffs, Cabezas said that team is not taking their games seriously.

“Yes, if we win two games, it’s almost an automatic spot in, but not at all,” Cabezas said. “That gives us no reason to relax. Nothing is going to be handed to us. We have to go get it. We’re hungry for playoffs.”

Sophomore Ryan Davis said that the team can still recover if they can stop making simple mistakes like not getting to the ball fast enough and moving the ball faster.

“I think if we do that then we will be set,” he said.

The varsity team will take on the Rattlers at 7:30 p.m. in San Marcos.

new records

Eagle Volleyball has high expectations this year chris ojeda Staff Writer

Although the girl’s varsity volleyball team broke the school record for wins in the regular season, the team has had a rough start in district games, losing their first two.

The team made school history by going into district play with a winning record of 18-14. They have their sights set on making it to the playoffs, but they will have to make a turnaround soon if they are to be successful.

The team lost 0-3 against the San Marcos Rattlers and the Anderson Trojans in their first two district games.

Despite the losses, the team is determined to turn things around. Helping fuel the turnaround would be team captains Brittney Roberts and Lexi Aguilar.

Lexi said that she has been talking with teammates and coaches to help keep spirits up. She hopes to get a win against district rival Del Valle on Friday night.

“We try and be energetic the whole time,” Aguilar said.

Brittney Roberts has contributed to the cause by keeping her teammates calm and

Kaepernick

collected throughout the games. She too expects a win against Del Valle.

“I want to blow them out,” Roberts said.

The Akins Girls Volleyball team seeks to win during district play and make it to the playoffs with a winning season. Coach Amanda Thomas has high expectations about this season ending with a better outcome than most years.

“Out of all the years I’ve coached, this is, by far, the best team I’ve coached,” she said.

She said that the team has a lot of heart, passion to play, and the determination to overcome any and all obstacles in their path. She also said that her two team captains, junior Brittney Roberts and senior Lexi Aguilar, helped the team break the school’s record for wins, which was 11, and kept the team motivated throughout the season.

“I feel that me and Brittney are always talking on the court and motivating people if you see that they’re down, pull them aside and talk to them,” Aguilar said.

“Most of the teammates take it really well and it’s good to see that we have a sense of (leadership) because we’ve been here since

the start. Everyone knows that we’re not going to tell them something that’s not going to help them.”

Coach Thomas added that Lexi Aguilar is the most consistent hitter on offense and defense.

Roberts shows character on and off the court, Thomas said. She’s the playmaker of the team, and motivates the team when their mettle is being tested.

“I feel like last season, we were pretty solid, but we weren’t there as a team or didn’t have the right motives, our skill level wasn’t there yet,” Roberts said.

She said that she felt down about last season’s performance; however, the team’s progress has given her hope for this year’s season.

“My goal is to make it to the second round in playoffs,” Roberts said.

Senior Naisjah Rivera is another player to watch this season. Thomas said that she is very proud of who she’s become and hopes that she’ll grow more as a player.

“It was a very challenging season.

Though we overcame it, we pulled together as a team and overcame all obstacles,” Rivera said.

Coach Thomas said the entire team

shows a great deal of passion for the game, and the players all come together as one when things get tough.

Alex Castro

▲ Now Serving

Junior Basil Montemayor serves the ball in a game against Eastside Memorial on Sept. 16.

anthem

Stand for the National Anthem or take Kaepernick’s side Spencer Sayfarth Staff Writer

Colin Kaepernick, the quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, is by not the first professional athlete to use his star power to protest something he believes is wrong.

However, he has captivated a lot of attention for his ongoing protest, which is not as common today as it has been in years past.

Kaepernick, who was born to a white mother and a black father and was adopted, has been either sitting or kneeling during the National Anthem since the beginning of the NFL season. While his protest has gained some support, he has also been criticized by other players and fans who said he was disrespecting the military.

But Kaepernick says he is not standing

up “to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.”

“To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way,” he said in an interview with NFL Media. “There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder. ” Kaepernick’s protest is catching on among collegiate and even high school athletes.

A high school football player in Worcester, Ma was suspended for kneeling during the national anthem. His coaches and principals decided to suspend him for one game.

“I’m standing up to the injustice that happens to black people every day, not just cops killing black people,” he wrote on Twitter. Some players at the college level are also feeling compelled to follow Kaepernick’s lead in the protest. However, I believe William McRaven, the University of Texas System Chancellor, provid-

ed a strong rebuttal to any other athletes whether they professional, collegiate or high school level.

It’s these kinds of sacrifices that are being honored as a tradition at the beginning of sporting events. Not the misbehavior

and discriminatory actions of a few bad police officers.

I think that Kaepernick should keep doing what he is doing but he should do it off the field and forget it and go play ball.

Free Chips and Salsa on your next visit!

Applies only to the Southpark Meadows location: 9900 S IH35 Bldg Z. Limit ONE coupon per customer.

(512) 280-9300 C01423@chilis.com Expires: 11/16/16

Photo Essay

The Eagle’s Eye

page 11

Wednesday - October 5, 2016

Eagle Band, Color Guard work to hone their craft Matthew Rocha Photo Editor

Band is life for the Akins Eagle Band and color guard.

They prove that as they spend about 16 hours a week before and after school rehearsing for their big show under the stadium lights. They solider through the intense Texas heat and repetition of their maneuvers to master their halftime show.

Under the watchful eyes of band Director Tate Fincher and the drum majors, the band practices their routines over and over again to avoid bumping into each other and messing up. It’s a bit tricky at first, but is something that improves with repeated practice.

“Learning the maneuvers is not hard, but it does take while to get a hang of it,” junior Amanda McCauley said.

“Before you know it you learned it and mastered the routines that follow the performance.”

Even after the harsh work after school it pays off at the long for the games and future competition.

“Having the upper classmen helping the freshman really does help and they learn quick to the music and the maneuvers,” senior Rustyn Swinson said.

The fantastic teamwork is really shown at their performances and hard hours after school.

Matthew Rocha

▲ Band at the Ready

Band director Tate Fincher watches over his band warming up with music scales after tuning their notes on their instruments. The band members work long days on game nights, getting home around 10:00 at the latest.

Matthew Rocha

▲

Start to Finish

Senior Raynne Miller-Moya is performing a sword toss routine with the other color guard members in sync making sure all of them start and end together when the sword comes back down.

Karla Dominguez

▲ Play all Out

Senior Robert Martinez marches while playing his trumpet with the rest of band as they exit the field playing Akins Eagles fight song. After the game against Austin High Maroons at Burger Stadium.

Matthew Rocha

Matthew Rocha

▲

Solo Bassoon

The band lowers their instruments and stand still while senior Sarudzai Chigubu gets to play her solo on the bassoon.

▲ Follow the Beat

The entire band and color guard take direction from senior Buddima Wanniarachchi giving them counts and the tempo to the music and right time to move to the next maneuver in the next sequence. The band stays very late in the evening after school getting around 4 hours of practice.

Community

page 12

The Eagle’s Eye

Wednesday – October 5, 2016

Support Service office to reopen Oct. 31

Principal’s Message Dear Eagle’s Eye Reader: What an amazing start to the 2016-17 school year! It has been the smoothest first month of school I’ve ever been a part of, by far — thanks to everyone (admin, teachers, parents and students) for doing their part to make sure we got off to a great start!

Students and Teaches are finding their rhythm to make sure the rest of the year goes just as smoothly.

We are all here to support our students and make sure they stay focused on their academic career. I ask stu-

dents for four things every day to ensure their success: 1. Go to every class 2. Be on time 3. Do your best work 4. Be respectful If students are (at a minimum) doing those things, we are sure to see them succeed. Teachers have committed themselves to providing rigorous coursework so that students are prepared for anything/ everything beyond graduation.

We have high expectations of our Akins’ Eagles and you are ALL fit for the challenge.

It is because of YOU that W. Charles Akins High School is the #BestHighSchoolOnThePlanet!

I look forward to an amazing year with you all!

Sincerely, Brandi Hosack

Coffee with principal dates • • • •

Oct. 21 (Friday) 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

November - No event December - No event Jan. 27 (Friday) 9:00 –10:30 a.m.

• • • •

Feb. 24 (Friday) 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

March - No event April 28 (Friday) 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

May – No event.

The Student Support Services (SSS) program is continuing this year with the goal of serving students at Akins who need or want extra support with academic or life experiences.

The SSS office will reopen on October 31, when Mrs. Arnold returns from maternity leave.

SSS offers a variety of services, including individual sessions and group sessions (groups include: LGBTQ; Pregnancy/Parenting Support; Anger Management; Emotions Management; Girls Empowerment; Grief/Loss; and Healthy Relationships - one for girls and one for guys). In addition, SSS matches students interested with trained peer mentors, these meetings occur during lunch. SSS also supports students in need with resources such as clothing Students who are in need of clothing should visit the SSS office the first week of November to get connected with an awesome clothing resource), school supplies, referring outside resources, and working with students and collaboratively with staff to meet any need they may have.

All SSS services are held in strict confidentiality. All SSS services are free and voluntary, meaning students can seek services as needed. This semester SSS has terrific interns from the University of Texas School of Social Work and Our Lady of the Lake University.

SSS will has a Baby Stuff Give-away each semester. The community is encouraged to donate gently used and new

clothing, books, toys, unused diapers and baby blankets. SSS will accept donations through the end of November.

Students who are interested in SSS should visit the SSS in the office at the front of the school. You can reach the SSS office by calling (512) 841-9878.

Support Groups Available 1. Emotions Management Group • Focusing primarily on coping with feelings of depression and/or anxiety

2. Anger Management Group 3. Grief and Loss Group 4. Pregnancy and Parenting Groups 5. Healthy Relationships Group 6. LGBTQ Support Group 7. Girls Empowerment Group • Girls-only group

8. Sober Living Support Group

Outside agencies will also provide groups in the following areas: 1. Con Mi Madre 2. Expect Respect • separate groups for boys and girls (Safe Place)

Students encouraged to join business training group

The Eagle’s Eye

W. Charles Akins High School 10701 S. 1st St. Austin, TX 78748

Business Professionals of America is the leading CTSO (Career and Technical Student Organization) for students pursuing careers in business management, office administration, information technology and other related career fields.

BPA prepares students to succeed and assesses real-world business skills and problem solving abilities in finance, management, IT and computer applications. It is BPA’s showcase program and facilitates students demonstrating their career skills at regional, state and national conferences in 72 competitive events.

We have a great group of students already involved in BPA at Akins. Some current BPA members have done really well in past competitions. BPA is a great way for students to sharpen skills that will last a lifetime. The list of competitions is really impressive. BPA holds events ranging from business applications like

accounting and finance to competitions in computer programming and law. See bpa. org/compete/eventlist for the entire list of events. BPA gives students an opportunity to meet new people, try new things, and it looks great on college applications! I know we will have a lot of fun this year and I would love for you to become a BPA member!

See Mr. Hebenstreit in room 263 for more information and meeting schedules.

Did You Know?

High School students who take Dual Credit courses are: # 2.2 times more likely to enroll in a Texas twoyear or four-year college or university

“I want to be a DC Eagle! What are my next steps?”

# 2.0 times more likely to return for a second year of college # 1.7 times more likely to complete a college degree.

DC Eagle Program steps:

LABEL

Step 1: Attend a Dual Credit Information Session. See Ms. Kesling for dates of sessions.

Step 2: Take and pass the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) test in Reading and Writing to show readiness to take college courses.

Step 3: Complete the DC Eagles Program application, including a Statement of Commitment, three teacher recommendations, and an essay.

Step 4: Be interviewed by the DC Eagles Committee

High School students enhance their chances for college success if they understand what it takes to succeed in college. They can do this by actually experiencing real college coursework in dual credit courses.

Post-secondary credentials are the key to good jobs with better pay.

Step 5: If accepted into the program, be advised by ACC and register for Akins’ on-campus dual credit courses

Blue and GolD night NON PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID MANCHACA, TX PERMIT NO. 209

Come enjoy the celebration of all things Akins!

Enjoy food, game booths, and various Akins performers, including the Diamond Dazzlers, the Akins band and orchestra.

Oct. 26 (Wednesday) ◆ 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.