The Eagle's Eye; Issue 4; Volume 16; Akins High School

THE

EAGLE’S EYE W. Charles Akins High School

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“Everything that Concerns You”

Austin, Texas

Volume 16

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February 15, 2017

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Mathew Rocha

Restorative Justice program is model to others

City of Austin police meet with students weekly to build positive relationships Formerly skeptical student becomes ambassador for Restorative Justice program Chris Ojeda Staff Writer

When senior Taylor Smith first heard about the Restorative Justice program, he went in skeptical yet hopeful.

“To be honest, I didn’t think that it was going to have this much progress but I didn’t think that it was going to be a failure either,” Smith said.

After he experienced it first hand he has become a believer, who openly encourages students and teachers to use it. He has even become an ambassador for the program as it expands Smith to the elementary and middle schools that feed into Akins.

Our interview follows:

Q: Before RJ, How were your interactions with your teachers?

A: I didn’t communicate with my teachers enough to [tell them] “Look, I don’t like what you’re doing… I used to just think you couldn’t really talk to a teacher like that so I would just be like, “you know what [forget] it. I don’t really like them, they don’t really like me so [I’m not going] to really do anything in class. I’m going to just chill out, he’s not going to tell me what to do.” And then they had the restorative thing and asked me if I wanted to have a circle with him. And I was like “yeah, cool.”

In the circle I told him, “you know, I don’t like you because you do this and that,” and I was able to tell him what he was doing wrong and on the bright side they told me what I was doing wrong and it was better because I got to realize that it wasn’t the same mindset that I thought they had you know. I thought

See “Smith” pg. A3 ►►

Mathew Rocha

▲ Police Outreach

Officer Joshua Visi speaks to freshman Domanick Flores during a story sharing group activity. The Restorative Justice program has officers come in every Friday to build community relationships between officers and teenagers.

Brenda amaya-rangel

tragedies that have created a bad reputation for law enforcement agencies across the country.

News Editor “I’ve had negative experiences with officers, I would consider When City of Austin police officer Joshua Visi first partici- it as racial profiling because sometimes I’ll walk into a store and pated in a Restorative Justice circle meeting at Akins in Novem- I would feel like they’re always watching me,” sophomore Isaiah ber, he remembers one student’s reaction to his presence: “Oh, Kinney said. “I was confronted for stealing when I really wasn’t hell no!” doing anything.”

“He just walked out and he didn’t Police departments have notice that come back and so I was like ‘That’s his they have been associated with being right. He can do that.’ But that just kind the “bad guy” and are reaching out to of highlighted and told me that ‘OK, schools to change that. Since the fall, there are some students here that I’ve City of Austin police officers have been got to change their minds,’” Visi said. meeting with Akins students on Fridays “I never met him before, never had any in the Restorative Justice Center to help interactions with him before. He didn’t overcome these perception problems. know me. All he saw was the uniform During the first week, Officer Visi and he was like that’s a bad guy or I don’t — Officer Joshua Visi noticed the tension between certain want to be a part of the circle if he’s in minority groups and the police. It’s the circle so that made me feel kind a these specific types of situations in of unwelcomed but I was like challenged which police officers want to build a trust bond with accepted.” the public.

“Things like the uniform and the car can be a little intimi“I wanted to impress upon some of these young people and dating and it’s suppose to command respect not intimidation,” there’s different perspectives and I wanted them to just hear me police officer Joshua Visi said. out and give me a chance,” he said.

Over the last few years the tension between the police deAfter the first few weeks of having officer Visi present during partment and teenager minorities has increased tremendously to the Restorative Justice circle students began to understand how the point where teens don’t feel comfortable in the presence of difficult the job of a police officer really is. a police officer, which prevents any sort of communications be“I think it was a positive thing to have police officers come tween the two. into our Restorative Justice circles because I wanted to hear what For example, riots were started in Ferguson, Missouri after they had to say and how they felt day-by-day being an officer a white police officer shot and killed an unarmed young Afri- it made me see things differently,” sophomore Ariel Escobedo can American man named Michael Brown. It’s these types of said.

‘Ok, there are some students here that I’ve got to change their minds’

Behavior program expanded to feeder schools near by Chris Ojeda Staff writer

Trust. It’s the fundamental value that is lacking when disagreements occur between students and teachers.

And when students and teachers don’t trust each other it’s hard to make any progress when schools resort to punishing students for misbehavior originating from misunderstandings. At least that’s what Restorative Justice counselor Dionte McClendon believes.

McClendon is one of several counselors that have been working to help repair and grow trust between students and faculty at Akins since the Restorative Justice (RJ) program started at Akins last year. While the program is gaining acceptance among teachers and students, it still faces challenges.

“Of course, it’s still something new to students, especially incoming freshmen, and students that have had issues before and they see us as the people who resolve the trouble,” McClendon said. “Mainly, because people don’t understand the overall (message). In some people’s world, it’s a place where you come to share your feelings, and it takes a lot of trust with people, and vulnerability, to open up about something that’s bothering you and get down to

what the issue is.”

McClendon said Restorative Justice has several layers.

“The purpose of it here (at Akins) and other schools, is a school wide approach to give support and prevention from students and staff, to have intentional conversations of issues we may face,” he said. “On supporting students through their issues, whether it be academically or fi-

We want to know what’s really going on (with you).

— Dionte McClendon

nancially, give advice on family issues and relationship issues. We try to prevent fights/altercations, tensions between a teacher and a student, relationships and on the family side, as well.”

McClendon and his fellow RJ staff members use “intentional conversation” to help students get down to the root of what they are going through.

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McClendon said they work to make the student understand that they care for them.“We aren’t going to throw you away, put you in ISS, or suspend you,” he said.

“We want to know what’s really going on.”

Though Restorative Justice initially had some negative reactions from teachers, the staff has worked to help improve the referral process and communication with teachers.

Students can be referred to the Restorative Center by a teacher going to the Restorative Center, and telling a staff member about a student they’re having ongoing troubles with.

McClendon said the RJ process should not be seen as a “magic spell” solution to fixing a problem.

“Most of the problems are misunderstandings,” he said.

“It could be that they have tension with a teacher, not understanding the work, have problems at home. They feel that the teacher doesn’t want to understand them, which is really the scope of the things we have. It all really boils down to the communication of humanity.”

One of the shared goals between the RJ and administration staff of the school is to lower the rate of student suspensions.

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News

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The Eagle’s Eye

Wednesday - February 15, 2017 Education

Endorsement

Class hopping discouraged under new condition Students are now required to have a four-year sequence in order to graduate Ashley Sanchez Life & Style Editor

Students who have trouble deciding on what classes to take could find it to difficult to graduate next year if they haven’t completed a four-year sequence of classes to earn what’s called an endorsement with their diploma.

Endorsements consist of a related series of courses that are grouped together by interest or skill sets. At Akins, that mostly consists of Career and Technology classes, but it can also be made up of Fine Arts or another series of advanced electives. “(If ) students began their first two years in the vet program they decided to focus on their Diamonds (dance participation) then they choose to take multiple classes in dance once they have received four credits in dance they can receive their Arts and Humanities endorsement,” Green Tech Academy counselor Margarita Moreno said.

Next year’s seniors will be the first-graduating class that is required to have taken this four-year sequence to earn a diploma with the Distinguished Level of Achievement plan.

There are five endorsement options, including Arts and Humanities, Business and Industry, Public Service,

Real world

STEM and Multidisciplinary. These endorsements align with many of the academies at Akins because the campus was ahead of many of schools in adopting a requirement that students earn a “major,” which was the previous requirement at Akins.

Changing academies or majors might not prevent students from graduating with an endorsement as long as they stay within the same endorsement, Moreno said.

For example, if a student changes from a Public Services endorsement classes in Social Services, but then changes to Public Services in ABLLE, they should still be on track to earn endorsement.

Students who transfer into Akins in their junior or senior year are expected to have an endorsement.

“They are still expected to have an endorsement. We as educators will help the students make sure they graduate with an endorsement,” Moreno said.

Many transfer students graduate with an endorsement called Multidisciplinary endorsement, most out-of-state students have taken classes that fall under that endorsement.

Some students like junior Alejandra Arguello are worried that they will have to double block their elective major classes during their senior year because they switched.

“I don’t know if I have to double block newspaper next year since I switch majors this year,” Arguello said.

Many students have this problems and when asking some counselors they have no response some don’t even know how many students are worried about not graduating next year “ I don’t want students to worry about not graduation without an endorsement we will find a way for them to graduate with an endorsement” Moreno said.

ABLLE

Endorsements Social Services

-Business & Industry

-Public Services

STEM -STEM -Public Services

-Business & Industry -STEM

New Tech

AHA

-Business & Industry

-Arts & Humanities

Green Tech

Experience

Career SPARK speakers help students learn about different professional fields raidy zanjeel Staff Writer

While some students know what they want to be “when they grow up” when they are little kids, others don’t figure it out until they get to college.

To help those who are undecided learn more about what working in a career field is actually like, counselors in the College and Career Center (CCC) have created a new speaker series called Career Spark, featuring professionals from a variety of backgrounds.

The meetings take place on Wednesdays in the CCC, giving students a chance to learn and ask questions of people ranging from lawyers to doctors to business professionals.

“I realized that it’s hard for our students and families to sometimes get into different enrichment experiences outside of the school day,” said CCC counselor Sarah Simmons. “Everybody is super busy in life and so we’re trying to find ways for students to learn more about different careers by bringing different types of professionals here for them to hear what life is in these different professional pathways.”

Organization

It’s not new for Akins to host guest speakers, but it is the first time to have a regular speaker series in the CCC. Teachers often bring some professionals to their classes to talk to students and give students a different idea of the subject

or how it will help them in their lives after high school.

However, this is only for one subject and a one-time thing.

“Teachers on their own bring professionals and different academy’s do specific

Raidy Zanjeel

▲ Career Paths

Students sign up to learn about different types of professions. Career SPARK features many professional speakers.

things so there’s definitely talks like this happening around the campus,” Simmons said. “I just wanted to open up another avenue and provide something again and your regular bases during the school day for students.”

On Feb. 1, The CCC hosted two speakers: an attorney and a speech pathologist.

Other upcoming featured speakers this year include a pharmacy technician, information technology specialist, and an accountant.

Junior Brianna Candelas said that she asked the speakers about what kind of degree they needed to obtain a job in their field. She recommended that other students check out the Career Spark speakers.

“I think it teaches them that there is other opportunities out there for them to check out like exploring new types of careers for them,” she said.

Simmons said she is looking forward to growing this program in the future.

“This is going to be our first semester doing this and so were gonna kind of go through this spring semester and look at how it works and then come back next year and hopefully add to the program and make it just better,” Simmons said.

Art & Crafts

Totally Cool Totally Art program gives teenagers opportunities to be creative Bethany bissell Staff Writer

On Mondays and Wednesdays in a small Dittmar Recreation Center classroom, a group of 10 students gather to talk and create movies, paint, and learn how to cook.

These students, grades 7-12, are in a program called Totally Cool Totally Art (TCTA), which is a city-sponsored club for teens to learn urban painting, mixed media, culinary arts, and video art. This little known program has actually existed since 1996.

“A lot of negative things surrounding teens lives were on the rise, so they created the Social Fabric Initiative,” Kelly Hasandras, TCTA coordinator, said. “It was several different programs and Totally Cool Totally Art was one of them.”

Each year, TCTA has four different classes in different mediums of art.

Their classes are in Urban Painting, Culinary Arts, Mixed Media and Video Art. Each class runs for about a month before switching into a new one. The Dittmar location has already finished the Mixed Media and Urban Painting class and will be doing Video Art until Feb. 23.

“I like doing Video Art because I get to act,” 7th grader Gabrielle Gonzalez said.

“I like how I get to really show emotion when we make the scary movies.”

Culinary Art will begin on Feb. 27 and will have a themed evening each night, such as Mexican or vegetarian. The instructors of the class bring in recipes for the students to follow. When the meal is prepared, everyone sits down to eat together.

We really want to highlight healthy eating and nutrition,” Hasandras said. “We

want to highlight the vitamins and minerals and the goodness of eating whole foods and making things from scratch and how inexpensive it is.”

In the Mixed Media class, the students do a number of projects in different mediums. They are 3D projects that don’t qualify as sculpture, such as lamps and paper mache heads.

In Urban Painting, students involved learn about street art. They do spray painting projects, make their own temporary tattoos, and put designs on hats. To finish the unit, the students at Dittmar painted a mural in the classroom.

“I enjoyed making temporary tattoos,” said Ani Jimenez, a freshman at Harmony Public School. “My aunt has a lot of tattoos and it’s cool to be able to have one too without the pain.”

TCTA takes place regularly at eight different recreation centers Austin-wide, the closest of which to Akins is Dittmar.

The locations all come together at the end of the year for an art showcase at the Daugherty, the largest of TCTA’s three showcases. Unlike the other two showcases, the one at Daugherty allows art from everyone.

“It’s our end of year show, so it’s super fun,” Hasandras said. “And it’s cool for the kids to see the breadth of the program.”

At Dittmar, the Akins and general high school age presence is lacking. Hasandras said she does not know why this is. She said that transportation might be the reason for this.

“I think that students have a lot of options at their schools, there’s a lot of extracurricular activities, but I know that not every student is involved in everything,” she said.

Gonzalez said she thinks that students

should go to TCTA because it’s a fun program to be involved in. She said that TCTA was a very welcoming place.

“It’s a type of environment where they

▲ Be Artistic

really accept you and where it’s really friendly,” Gonzalez said. “It’s really great to meet new people and get introduced to new things with all these people.”

Bethany Bissell

A sixth grader participates in recording and making Video Art . TCTA located in Dittmar Recreation Center helps teenagers expand their creativity.

wednesday, February 15, 2017 t The Eagle’s Eye

News t Page a3

CONT. FROM “Smith ” pg. 1 ►►

Student shares experience on opening to others Restorative Justice program has helped teenagers develop communication skills they had you know. I thought they were just like, ‘Forget Taylor he’s just this thug dude. He don’t really care about working so I’m not going to help him out.’ That’s how I thought they used to look at me.

And that not 100 percent true it’s a little trust but I think it’s better because I get to see how they see me. So I can respect them by the decisions they make. I won’t just be like man forget you bro you don’t even like me so why did you do that. So now I can understand.

Q: What were your initial thoughts about Restorative Justice?

A: To be honest, I didn’t think that it was going to have this much progress but I didn’t think that it was going to be a failure either. When we started circles and they got to tell us who they really are and once you get to see who they are you can have a better relationship. You don’t have to think about how they might react, you know how they are going to react they told you so you know what line to cross and how to make them smile. I saw that the first day I went and it really made me think “Oh snap! We can really do something with this.” I’m trying to use that for the whole school because if we can get the whole school to do the circles then we can make a difference. The whole world can make a difference.

Q: Did RJ change the way that you saw your teachers and peers?

A: Yes, it did. I used to think that they

looked at me a certain way because of my record. After doing circles I started seeing the real motive about things. Like I can understand why he just told me to stop talking. I understand you, I respect you enough to be quiet again when you really need me to be quiet. With my peers, they can understand me better. Everybody has two sides: the good and the bad. And a lot of people have seen my bad side so it’s like they understand me now to where I can show my good side. I’m the kid that can show love to people when they need it. I smile because I have a good side, I want

Everybody has two sides: the good and the bad.

— TAYLOR SMITH

people to understand that.

Q: How, exactly, did you become a restorative practitioner?

A: My first thought was getting everybody together, it was really just black people. Then I saw things like racism, discrimination, and segregation. We need everybody. I had to get my word out. We wanted to see how people felt about different situations. It started with talking about Donald Trump. It was the day he got elect-

ed. I wanted to tell the world how I felt, but I had to do it in a more organized way.

We went to elementary schools and they were asking, Should we do circles starting this young?.’ Yes, we should, because kids grow up not talking to people. If they can have a circle when they’re young, they can have those skills when they get older. The world isn’t what it’s supposed to be.

Q: Do you enjoy working with the people/students in RJ? A: Yes, because when I go there, there’s at least one person goofing off. People might be mad, but we need that. If we’re all serious and crying, we need that one person to make us laugh, to cut that tension.

We also need that one person to get back to the seriousness. We need people with different types of personalities.

Q: What kinds of things have you done to grow the program outside of Akins?

A: We did the circles at the elementary schools. I’m doing this thing for AISD, it’s on the topic of suspending students in Kindergarten to Second grade. My opinion is that we shouldn’t suspend students because they’re young and learning. They don’t know what is exactly right and wrong.

They just know what is going to please them. You can’t blame them for that. They don’t know any better. If I can say the right (things), it will, hopefully, change the way elementary (school) are ran. I can make a difference with my words, that’s the best thing that can happen. I can’t change the

world if I can’t look after my family, or my own people.

Q: Has RJ helped you academically?

A: They actually have, they told me what I was failing, they kept me on my game. I need to graduate. I got into a lot of stuff, I need to pass every single class with a “B”. Even though I’m a little lazy in class, they’re still there to tell me they care. How I know they care is because, they wouldn’t tell me about my grades. That’s the way they’ve helped me, by telling me certain things and giving me opportunities to help my dream.

Q: Will you continue doing this after high school?

A: I want to say, definitely, but it really depends on what I’m fighting for. I want to change the world, but I don’t want to do things that have nothing to do with what I want to change. My goal is really changing the world for black and brown people. I’m not saying we’re supposed to rule this world, but the way it is right now is not a good way. I might not change the world, but if I can spark somebody’s brain, to know what’s going on, that’s the better way. I want my actions to be for a reason, I don’t want to do things, or just to do things and make myself look good. It makes me mad every single day, what’s happening to our people. If I can open people’s eyes to know it’s not all good, we still have problems. It’s all under the cover, but all you have to is raise that blanket up.

CONT. FROM “expanding” pg. 1 ►►

Revised disciplined program will expand to other schools for younger students

▲ Let’s Talk

Matthew Rocha

briefs

Senior Javier Angel Villarreal participates in a Restorative Justice circle.

The Restorative Justice program helps students express themselves among others.

New locker rooms built on practice field offer many features The new multi-use building under construction on the practice field is expected to be able to use after spring break.

The building the will feature three different uses including bathrooms, storage and a concession stand.

Akins Athletic Coordinator Humberto Garza is excited because they won’t have to walk players back to the gymnasium to use the bathroom.

They will have enough storage room for practice equipment without having to walk back the gym.

Groups that use the practice field on the weekend will also be able to use it to sell concessions.

Garza said he is concerned about the incoming traffic that will be caused by the construction of the new apartments that are being built around the football practice field.

Spring Fling dance will help raise money for prom this year For the first time, Akins will host a Spring Fling dance, satisfying a longtime request from students.

“We heard a lot of kids talking about wanting to dance,” Social Studies teacher Marcy Emerick said.

This school year Emerick and science teacher Jacqueline Laflamme decided to host the dance, which will take place on Feb. 17 in the cafeteria, running from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

All grade levels are welcome to attend.

“We just thought having a dance in the spring will be a good way to raise money for prom,” Emerick said. “It’s a fund-raiser for the class of 2017.”

There will be concession stands, a live DJ and photo booths. Get your tickets now for $10 in room 268 or 233. Tickets at the door will be $15. Go get you freak on kids!!!

Even though some people were skeptical at first, Principal Brandi Hosack pushed to start the program last year. She said the program has helped administrators and teachers rethink how they address behavior problems across the campus.

“It’s taught to us to reformulate how we talk to each other, how adults talk to the students,” she said. “And how students talk to students, how students talk to teachers.

It has helped us much more than just what happens in the Restorative Justice room.

It’s really about what happens all over the campus, everyday.”

Hosack said she and other principals at feeder middle and elementary schools for Akins are working to expand to the program to younger students.

Through the restorative practices, in the elementary and middle schools, students will have the skills to talk to teachers and their fellow peers.

The whole idea is to give the students the necessary skills to work with others, and to have students work well with adult figures.

Administrators said they hope the ex-

8th: Parent Conference Day 13th-17th Spring Break 23th: PTSA Meeting 28th: English 1 STAAR 31st: English 2 STAAR

pansion will; give the students a chance to advocate for themselves, diffuse an altercations, and help them control their anger.

“If they can show up to high school, already having those skills, our job becomes much easier,” Hosack said.

“It’s not about our job; we can get down to the business of learning. We can build those relationships in elementary and middle (school), and foster those in high school. That’s what people talk about, 21st Century Skills, it’s that you’re supposed to graduate, go into the workforce, go to college, and work with other people. It’s the way, in which, we are hoping to prepare our kids.”

It’s the way, in which, we are hoping to prepare our kids.

— Brandi Hosack

Upcoming Events S M T W 1 5 6 7 8 12 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 26 27 28 29

T 2 9 16 23 30

F 3 10 17 24 31

Know Your Rights will provide legal assistance for immigrants Texas Here To Stay will host a an event at Akins on Feb. 25 to help immigrants know their legal rights.

The group provides legal services to immigrants and is dedicated to informing the immigrant community of their rights.

The upcoming immigration clinic meeting will provide presentations and immigration consultations to anyone who is seeking immigration information or legal services.

Immigration attorneys will be present during this event and they will offer free one-on-one consultations relevant to immigrants no matter their immigration status.

Attorneys will interview attendees to match them with an appropriate organization The event will be in the Cafeteria from 11 a.m to 2 p.m.

For additional information, email THTS at TexasHeretoStay@gmail. com.

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entertainment

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The Eagle’s Eye

Wednesday - February 15, 2017 Convention

Pax South

PAX impresses game fans for third year in a row

Mary Griffis

▲ Prepared to be Scared

An interactive display for Resident Evil 7: Biohazard makes an appearance showcasing the newset installment in the long-running series in a new and more intimate fashion, allowing attendees to experience the house from the game.

Three years means time for improvement and they have Mary Griffis

Entertainment Editor

Mary Griffis

crowd. Tables were full of people either playing the games they bought or painting figures they bought for their games.

Cosplayers reigned supreme when it came to creativity of the attendees. Overwatch characters like McCree and Soldier 76 were seen everywhere. Other costumes from Fallout, Mario, and TMNT also seemed to be everywhere you looked.

Even if someone’s costume wasn’t perfect there was no judgement. Those who wore costumes showed support for their favorite games and caught the eye of everyone around them.

Some costume pieces were purchased from professional manufacturers, but those who made everything themselves gained the recognition they deserved.

Twitter, Instagram, and other social media outlets put the costumed attendees in the spotlight, highlighting their creativity for all to see.

Most of the noise was downstairs, but the upstairs area was busy, too. Conference halls filled with people waiting for panels.

An old school arcade was also upstairs allowing fans to play games they haven’t played since they

were kids. The next floor up also showcased older video games allowing fans to bring their own games or play the ones the convention offered.

I would definitely recommend PAX South for not only gamers but those who want experience something new. PAX isn’t just for gamers and even if you don’t enjoy video games you may find yourself something new to enjoy.

Top Ten Booths to See • • • • • • • • • •

Resident Evil Experience Twitch Capcom Jinx Overwatch competition Astro Loot Crate Nintendo Switch tinyBuild Games Valve Store

▲ Eye in the Sky

Mary Griffis

Annie

Ricotta

Three years later and PAX South is still going strong. By adding new booths and inviting more streamers, and creators, PAX is giving more people a reason to attend. Even with minor problems, attendees won’t regret the experience.

PAX South’s first year was not it’s best but with three years under it’s belt there have been many improvements. Bigger games and retailers are now gaining floor space catching the eye of their players.

While the floor space wasn’t utilized the best as it could have been, the booths that took up the space were big names in the gaming industry. With games like Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and the Nintendo Switch making appearances PAX South is gaining the credibility

it needs. Twitch’s presence is also rapidly growing with each convention, inviting more and more streamers making PAX a more personal experience. The chance for attendees to meet their favorite streamers and take pictures with them makes the $35 ticket price even more worth the cost.

The big names aren’t the only ones on the floor. Indie games such as tinyBuild Games and smaller retailers also share the space, drawing in large crowds. By not having just the behemoths PAX is becoming more diverse and showing that the little guys can share the limelight.

Artists put their creations on paper and sold them to those who appreciated their hard work. Some vendors sold prints and others sold sculptures.

Although PAX is centered around video games, board games drew in a tremendous

PAX South attendees and company booths fill the floor at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio in late January.

▲ Board Games Annie

Ricott

a

Annie Ricotta

Fans of games like Dungeons and Dragons play the games they recently purchased with other attendees of PAX South in San Antonio.

PAX South is getting bigger but the cramping is an issue annie ricotta Graphics Editor

PAX South’s was a enjoyable event, running much smoother than some other cons.

Though this was only the third year of PAX South, held at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center in downtown San Antonio, there was a lot going for it. Indie games made by everyday people such as Attack on Kitten were featured alongside big name games like Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and Hyper Universe. There were several affordable art/gaming design schools showing off and trying to

Annie Ricotta

recruit. The booths had items from a wide selection of games and were all friendly and open. The panels were fairly informative. There was even an area dedicated exclusively to tabletop gaming.

Even though PAX South quite a few things going in its favor, there were still problems that could have been easily fixed that seem like rookie mistakes.

By far the biggest most glaring problem was the poor use of space on the main convention floor. From the entrance there was a large area sectioned off for the lines to get onto the main floor in the morning that never had the rope sections cleared out. As soon as you entered where the booths began, the booths were stacked close enough that some spaces were hard to navigate. However, as you got further and further away there were more empty spaces, leaving the impression that the placement was not well thought out.

The Nintendo Switch was such a highly anticipated attraction that everyone wanted to see it at some point. I assumed that it would be one of the largest booths, but

in reality the booth itself was not only too small for large numbers to really experience it, but the entire display was squeezed in against the Hyper Universe players area,

the tables themselves were pushed close enough together that two people could barely push out their chairs without running into each other. This left huge areas of nothing but clear floor in odd patches around the convention floor. The tabletop gaming area being so large it pushed the stage where games such as Overwatch were being played into the farthest corner away from the entrance behind a section of partial walls that made finding it difficult.

The panels being almost exclusively about the making of games seemed to exclude anyone who didn’t want to make games. Having a broader stroke of different panels will attract more guests.

These problems distracted from the overall experience, but they did not make going to PAX regrettable. Usage of space is an easy problem to fix when you have as much open area as it did so my hopes are even higher for next year.

Problems distracted from the overall experience but did not make Pax regrettable — Annie Ricotta making the whole experience cramped and uncomfortable. People waiting in line for the Switch and Hyper Universe could touch elbows without much difficulty, leaving little space for anyone to navigate through. The crowded space made the display uninviting,turning people away from the whole area around the two booths.

The tabletop gaming area had nearly a quarter of the total convention floor, but

Wednesday, February 15, 2017 t The Eagles Eye Student

Entertainment t page A5

Rapper

Student raps his way into dowtown Austin gigs

Opened for bigger artists such as Trill Sammy and Ugly God after just one year Amy Rodriguez Melissa Ortiz Staff Writers

While his teachers know him as Duberli “Dube” Ruvalcaba, this Akins junior is also known from his life outside of school.

When Ruvalcaba is not busy as the captain of the Boys Varsity Soccer team, what he really enjoys to do is create music. When he started rapping a year ago he didn’t see it as a serious thing. It was just something he did for fun with his friends.

“I ended up asking if I could join for fun. I ended up making a good song, and people kept telling me to keep doing it. I got better as time went on,” he said.

Music has become an important part in Ruvalcaba’s life. Not only did he notice it, but his fans did, too. The impact that music brought to Dube as an artist, made him see the music industry different and it showed him how much music can mean to someone and their fans.

“I have not seen him perform, but I’ve seen videos of him performing and I see how he enjoys it, and the crowd, too,” said senior Fabian Vargas.

The main focus on his songs is expressing how he feels or believes in a way that people can relate to things in the real world.

“You hardly hear me talking about drugs,” he said.

“I might say some vulgar things but I talk mostly about things that I go through and what I think is going to hap-

Sponsored

Melissa Ortiz

▲ Lyrical Genius

Junior Duberli “Dube” Ruvalcaba improves on his rapping abilities when he’s not busy scoring goals on the field with the varsity soccer team.

pen later on in the future, what I want. Basically what people can relate to.”

He has enjoyed the chance to perform with some big name rappers at downtown Austin venues.

“Honestly, it’s fun. I performed for bigger artists like Trill Sammy and Ugly God,” he said. “I like the experience. You hear people cheering for you and you see people dancing and vibing to your music. It’s a cool feeling, you get excited to be up there.”

When he is writing songs his inspiration is every-

where. of course it takes him time. One example of that is the song “MARIA” that he featured on.

Although the writing process can take a long time, once he finds inspiration, it becomes easy, Ruvalcaba said.

A friend of his named Solodon asked him to remix a track for him so he could be on the new version.

“I was sitting there for two hours thinking on what to write,” he said. “I didn’t write anything until I was in bed and I actually ended up writing it in like 10 minutes.”

His future plans is recording a set of six new songs soon. He hopes that him and his group can collaborate with more people.

“The group of artists that I’m with, “Cash Gang,” plans to do more opening shows soon and collaborate with more artists and get more exposure so we can get more people to listen to our music,” Ruvalcaba said.

The fans enjoy his music, they can connect with the things he talks about in his songs.

“He raps about the world or his personal experience, he lets people see the real him. He is not a double faced artist,“ said Vargas.

Ruvalcaba said he believes that if he keeps making the moves that he’s making right now, he will improve and it will take him a step forward to becoming a bigger artist after high school.

“I just hope to take it as far as I can,” Ruvalcaba said. “I know right now I’m not that big or anything serious but if I keep doing what I’m doing I know I’ll be satisfied and get somewhere.”

DJ

Red Bull manages student who professionally DJs Bethany Bissell

Agudo plays both shows Red Bull finds for him and his own events. In addition to Staff Writer playing shows, he has posted some of his Junior Rob Agudo has been producing tracks to SoundCloud, which can be found music for six years. He began in middle under the username RoughStylez or at school, making tracks using the Apple ap- soundcloud.com/rob-agudo. Agudo said plication GarageBand on a Mac computer. that he draws inspiration from and listens Now, he is a sponsored DJ and produc- to other DJs and producers like Calvin er under the name RoughStylez. He has Harris and Hardwell. played gigs and events in downtown Aus“There are a lot,” he said. “There tin and is managed by Red Bull. are so many great artists out there.”

“I applied for it Aguonline, and I just got do also produclucky,” Agudo said. es beats for stuRed Bull sponsors dents at school Agudo through their to rap over. He culture sponsorship has produced program. This probeats for junior gram “gives wings to Mason Ar—Mason Arvalo creative people and vallo to rap their ideas in many over. He said areas” such as music, that Agudo film and art. Artists can apply for a spon- would send him beats to listen sorship by going to the Red Bull website to through email and he would tell him and filling out their form, including a pro- what he thought about them from there. posal for what capacity they would like to “Rob’s beats are good and he’s a good work with them in. Red Bull assists Agu- person to be around working with.” Arvaldo by helping with promotion and funding lo said. “Rob makes feel good beats that his performances. you can just vibe to with other people” “If it’s my personal event that I want to When Agudo collaborates with sturun, they’ll help me get all the gear togeth- dents, he begins by sending them a track. er and stuff,” Agudo said.

If they don’t like it or want something else,

Rob makes feel good beats that you can just vibe to

preview

Courtesy of Rob Agudo

▲ Sponsor with Wings

Rob Agudo holding the product of his current sponsor Red Bull. When he applied for the sponsorship he recieved finacial aid for equipment, and more recognition for his skills.

Agudo sends something back to them.

Then, the student raps over it to produce their own track.

“I treat them like any other artist, professionally. If they want something else, I’ll shoot something else back at them,” he said. “We find a common ground.”

Agudo said that he would like to both

DJ and be producer for as long as he can.

He said that he would like to thank everyone that has supported him as an artist over the years that he has been a producer and DJ. “I couldn’t have made it this far without them,” Agudo said.

Split

James MacAvoy has 23 personalities in new film

M. Night Shyamalan induces horror through the use of a psychological disorder Kelly Polacheck Staff Writer

M. Night Shyamalan’s newest psychological thriller “Split” has received critical acclaim across the board for it’s amazing storytelling and attention to detail.

Fans of Shyamalan are always hopeful that his latest films will be as great of some of his previous classics like The Sixth Sense. He is known and beloved for his use of the sudden twist ending and brilliant story telling; however, sometimes this technique can lead to just as many failures as masterpieces.

Split is about a man named Kevin Windell Crumb who suffers from DID (dissociative identity disorder) after a life of seemingly unending domestic abuse from his mother and the sudden departure of his father, breaking his psyche beyond repair. Under the immense stress, Crumb, as a child develops multiple personalities to cope with the abuse with each personality wanting to “protect Kevin.” His various personalities consider Kevin “weak” without them. To prove to the world how extraordinary they can be, his personalities believe they must force people to see it up close and personal, so who better to show than kidnapping three normal teenage girls.

Each personality is completely different as though they are separate people entirely. They each have different IQ’s, interests and even have different physical traits. For example, one of his personalities has diabeetus and has

▲ Multiple Personalities

Ulises Chavez

(On left) James MacAvoy as Patricia, one of two personalities that believe in releasing “the beast” (on right). “The beast” is the result of all the hatred and anger that built up over the years from constant ridicule and abuse. “The beast” is meant to show the world what “the broken” can do.

to take injections regularly for it. while strangely others do not. There is also a personality named “Hedwig” who is a 9-year-old child who changes Kevin’s body from a 29-year-old man to the equivalent of 3rd grader. And still another personality provides Kevin’s body greater physical strength than three people combined.

Two of his personalities, known as Patricia and Dennis, believe in a 24th personality known as “the beast” that could transform Kevin into “something more than human.” With skin hard like armor, supernatural physical

strength and agility far beyond that of any regular man and even some animals, allowing him to crawl on walls of stone and bend solid steel with ease. However, this personality also inflicts Crumb with animalistic cravings of human flesh. Hence the need to capture those who have never truly suffered like he did and show the world what the broken can accomplish greatness.

The question the movie leaves audiences grappling with is it all in his head?

Or is it out there hunting you down right now?

Opinions

page A6

The Eagle’s Eye

Wednesday - February 15, 2017

Walkout devalues message of student protesters

Participants’ conduct jeopardizes education and the significance of their opinion EDITORIAL

O

n Feb. 1, more than 100 students walked out of their classes to protest President Donald Trump just off campus.

This elicited strong reactions across the campus with some believing it was just an excuse to skip class while others said it was important chance for students to voice their opinion. Still others said they agreed with speaking out, but said it shouldn’t have happened during the school day.

We as the editorial board believe that exercising your freedom of speech is a good thing. However, there are better ways to protest than walking out of the classroom.

We commend the fact that students took initiative to express their beliefs. We also commend the administration for fostering an environment in which students felt safe enough to voice their opinions at their school. Akins is a special school, most administrations would have shut something like this down very quickly.

But, after students made their stance, instead of stopping them, the administration kept them safe and managed the protest.

Principal Brandi Hosack said, “You sent a message yesterday by doing that, but that can’t be your go-to method.” Hosack went on to insist that there are better ways to protest. “You must find alternative ways to get your message across. Find a way for your government representatives to hear your voice, write them a letter, tweet at them, show up at the Capitol with your fellow protesters, if that’s what you

choose to do.”

Despite the fact that the protest was peaceful and well managed, it did not belong at the school. First off, a protest focused about politics has no relevancy at the front of a school. Secondly, because the protest was a walk out, it wasn’t clear why people were there. There wasn’t a clear message and it didn’t have the visibility needed to make it effective.

While students protested that day, some people seemed to have forgotten that they were representing not only just themselves, but their school as well. While the protest was not violent, students chanted vulgarities that are never helpful to have policy makers take them seriously. It demeaned their point and just showed that they weren’t mature enough to express what they felt.

Just because it’s an available option, that doesn’t mean it’s the best one. Students should take it upon themselves to use their voice, and not ruin the reputation of their school.

Protests should not impede on student’s daily education. It is important that students are aware that their education is just as important when they are protesting their beliefs. Skipping school to march around the school does show your commitment to the cause, but it doesn’t show your commitment to your education. You do not have to take this lying down, you don’t have to be silent. But don’t ruin your argument by ignoring your education.

Our voices and how we respond to this moment matters.

Flawed

Bee Barto

State changes

Rating system imposed by the state stigmatizes schools Less wealthy schools set up for failure and judged unfairly by A - F letter grades When the state released preliminary letter grades as part of a new accountability system in early January, the results did not look good for most school districts across the state.

In Austin, the results were similar to those across the state. Schools like Akins with large numbers of socioeconomically disadvantaged students received averageto low-letter grades. As you might expect, schools with wealthier parents scored As and Bs. The idea of using letter grades to rate schools and school district performance was pitched by supporters as a simple means for parents and community members to understand how schools are doing academically. However, critics of this system say that the system does not accurately describe the positive things that are happening in these schools by using vague and oversimplified letter grades.

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

a way that is completely different to most people, starting this year. The STAAR and MOY testing is now being done on the laptops that move around the school, called COW’s. This not only takes away the familiarity of paper testing. Making students less prepared for testing this year because of this technical change and will likely

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 Editors

Graphics Editor

Stephanie Valle*

Opinions Editor

Bee Barto*

News Editor

Brenda Amaya*

Entertainment Editor Mary Griffis*

Matthew Rocha*

Eliana Gutierrez*

Sports Editor

Alejandra Arguello*

Life & Style Editor

Ashley Sanchez*

Web Editors

Thomas Cross* Jared Cordero*

Roy Hernandez Annie Ricotta *

Social Media Manager

make scores suffer all across the state, for both students and their schools.

While the bill may not go into effect until late next year, will bring so much more pressure on students and administration alike. However, it could bring good changes and affect the school in ways that no-one can expect.

Vol. 16, issue #4 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

In fact, school districts across the state, including Austin, have passed resolutions opposing the use of such A-F rating systems. They say the system is heavily weighted toward STAAR scores, which makes up 55 percent of a school’s rating.

There are four other categories that schools and districts are being graded on besides STAAR scores, including how much students improve each year on STAAR, attendance, how the school closes the academic gaps between low- and high-income students and how well prepared students are for college and careers.

There is a reason why students with low-income backgrounds are called disadvantaged. This system of letter grades will do nothing but punish disadvantaged students and schools who have to work much harder to achieve at the levels the state is requiring to earn an A. This flawed system will do nothing to fix the real problem with public education, which is to provide adequate funding to support schools to help them boost educational performance.

Also, soon testing is going to be done in

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 2015 2016 - Best In Show

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Basil Montemayor

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

Icon Credit:

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All-American 2013 2016 Nominated for Pacemaker -2013

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

Wednesday, February 15, 2017 t The Eagle’s Eye Campus

Opinions t Page A7

Developments

Contest money opens debate for improvements

Students and staff all consider changes that could be made with more money Annie Ricotta

years old, wear and tear on the building is taking it’s toll. The sudden influx of $10,000 to the campus has many thinking about what improvements could be made.

There are many ways we could spend money that would also help improve campus pride. And isn’t that what the spirit contest was all about?

Classes based entirely around using technology are being hindered by the fact that the computers break down or that there just aren’t enough computers for all the students who wish to take the class.

Teachers’ whiteboards and blackboards went unreplaced for long enough to hinder class.

Installing brand new banners and signage is nice, but doesn’t address our longterm facility needs like fixing broken toilets and maintaining the things we already have such as whiteboards, computers, and projectors.

Granted the $10,000 is only a small drop in the bucket toward paying for computers and facility improvements. The state and the school board need to look into finding funds to ensure students have

Graphics Editor

Last month McDonald’s hosted a school spirit contest on social media with a grand prize of $10,000. Thanks to all the support of teachers and students, we won.

Soon after hearing that we had won Principal Brandi Hosack made the decision on how to spend the money. She choose to allocate that money to three things; paper for teachers, signs and banners with our new logo for around the school, and polo shirts for the teachers.

This money being from a spirit contest it is understandable to spend some of the money on updating the preexisting signs and things with our new logos. Spending some more of the money on paper will cut back on a lot of stress for teachers, without having to worry about what assignment to actually print and having to buy their own paper teachers should be able to work more efficiently.

However, now that the campus is 17

Courtesy

Daylin Ettles

Bee Barto

a clean, safe and technology rich learning environment.

How are we supposed to progress in a world driven by technology if we can barely keep up. Yes, Akins is much better off than a lot of schools when it comes to technology, but students can’t help but compare themselves to schools with more

resources than us.

This contest money could have gone towards things that will boost school spirit in the long run, but it’s gone more towards shirts and banners that run the risk of only working now. We need to look more towards the future instead of only focusing on the now.

Respect

Praying or reflecting is optional, being silent is essential Annie Ricotta

‘Listen’ and ‘silent’ are composed of the same letters so if you are incapable of being silent, listen.

Eliana Gutierrez In-Depth Editor

Introduced to public schools in 1985, the moment of silence (supposedly) lasts merely 60 seconds.

For one minute students and staff are expected to be respectful of everyone by refraining from speaking.

The wonderful thing about the moment of silence is that it’s optional. Some of us get to take a moment to “pray, meditate, or reflect” as our morning announcers say. For everyone else who doesn’t want to participate, they are permitted to do anything they want except for one obvious thing: talk.

Converting oxygen to carbon dioxide would suffice.

Unfortunately, this is not what typically happens.

Routinely, I hear chatter among my classmates and sometimes even the teacher during the moment of silence.

The most absurd interaction I’ve had obstructing my right to pray during the school day stunned me, leaving me at a complete loss for words (pun not intended.)

My classmate repeatedly tried to gain my attention during the moment of silence as I was ignoring her, focusing on my prayer.

“Pst! Hey! Hey you!”

In my head I said, “I hear you. I’ll be right with you in 30 seconds. Please take a number.”

When I was done, I looked up at her, acknowledged that she was trying to talk to me; however, she looked confused to why I didn’t respond to her within an instant.

Apparently I had upset her a bit there. My bad.

Not only have I personally been disrupted by talking but as I bow my head I’ve felt a tapping on my shoulder.

This kind of behavior is offensive to me because not only can I not express my freedom of religion by praying in a public place, but you cannot observe this sacred practice and be silent for 60 seconds to show respect to me, my classmates, or my beliefs.

The moment of silence extends to the world. Maybe not in the same minute but it’s certainly not limited to our classroom.

We’re not only taking one minute to pray, but this moment is also to show reverence to those who lost their lives fighting for our country.

Do you have the restraint to sacrifice 60 seconds of your day to not interrupt your classmates who just might be praying for these soldiers?

“Listen” and “silent” are composed of the same letters so if you are incapable of being silent, listen.

The moment of silence is only one minute. Please refrain from talking and in exchange, you get 1,439 minutes left in the day to talk now.

Testing

Technology

Test-takers concerned with new computer-based STAAR

Former glitches and data loss leaves students and staff uneasy with new format Jaden Garrion

Annie Ricotta

Staff Writer

For the first time, students taking the writing portion of the STAAR exam will take the high-stakes test using computers.

Some are worried that this might be a bad idea because last year students who took STAAR exams on computers encountered technical problems that caused some 14,000 students to lose their answers, according to an June 2016 article in Texas Tribune.

On the other hand some students say they like the idea of taking the writing portion on a computer because they compose better with a keyboard than with a pencil and paper.

But we also have to remember 14,000 tests we lost.

Hopefully, ETS, the company that administers the STAAR test across the state has worked on these problems so this won’t happen again. Last year the Texas Education Agency fined ETS in August $120,000 because of the botched STAAR administration.

Unfortunately, many students have experienced technical problems with using the laptops stored in the Computers on Wheels (COW) sets across the campus. I myself have had some bad experiences with these computers.

When we took the English Middle of the Year exam the computer glitched during the middle of it and wouldn’t load the questions. I had to exit the browser tab then reopen the test to fix the problem.

Just imagine how long it’s going to take for the computers to load up when we need to take our STAAR on the computer. Teachers will have to become tech experts to diagnose computer problems if they occur during the actual STAAR exam.

Recently the administration has told all the teachers the COWS have been reserved for the English teachers until the end of March after the STAAR exam. This is a necessary training time for teachers and students to help them prepare for this new test administration. However,

could take away computer access for teachers of other subjects that could benefit from technology use.

Friends of mine had told me that they like taking it on the computers because they’d rather type and click on their answers instead of handwriting and circling them.

Teachers are aware about the problems last year, but they are confident that administration will make sure that the situation is under control. Teachers also said while taking the test there will be no spelling or grammar checkers on the computers.

page A8

Photo Essay

The Eagle’s Eye

Wednesday - February 15, 2017

Talented Musicians advancing to the next level

Matthew Rocha

Matthew Rocha

▲

▲

Thrilling Music

The Wind Symphony Band conducted by band director Tate Fincher performs “Furioso” by Gary P. Gilroy for their mid-winter concert. Fincher puts up his hand signaling the percussions when to come in and getting the wind instruments to play louder to match the percussions sound.

Double Bass Power

Senior Arantza Aurrecoechea and junior Ruben Nava sight read “Fantasia” for the first time.

Matthew Rocha Photo Editor

The Orchestra, Guitar, and Band students have honed their musical skills to the fullest this spring, preparing for the next level of music performance.

Both orchestra and band are getting ready for full orchestra UIL competitions that will be happening on February, 28. The music consists of two full orchestra pieces known as “Montagues and Capulets”

by Sergei Prokofiev, “Procession of the Sardar” by Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov, and string piece “October” by Eric Whitacre.

“We are having extra sectionals for each individual string groups violin, viola, cello, and bass,” orchestra director Paul Crockett said. “Having people coming in and listen to us and give their opinion on how things are going.”

Selected members from orchestra and band members earned the privilege to play with the Austin Symphony conducted by Peter Bay. “It felt great. I felt lost since I was thinking how I’m able to play with them,” senior Julianne Tran said. “It’s amazing feeling, getting to see how it would be like to play in a professional orchestra.”

Matthew Rocha

▲

Teaching Moment

After sight reading “Fantasia” for the first time orchestra director Paul Crockett starts giving the symphony orchestra advice: what they should watch for, listen to each other, and show them the rhythm of the music.

Matthew Rocha

Matthew Rocha

▲

Musical Guitar

Guitar students start listening and practicing with Austin classical guitar player Jeremy Osborn. Osborn comes visit once a week to help out the Akins guitar students, giving tips and pointers to help them improve their skills.

▲ Follow the Maestro

Orchestra director Paul Crockett holds out his hand to signal the orchestra to stop playing and start again with the baton.

SECTION

W. Charles Akins High School

Austin, Texas

“Everything that Concerns You”

February 15,15, 2017 February 2017

Life & Style The

THE

B

EAGLE’S EYE

Exploring

The Drag

Stores, eateries provide college like experience

Dean Keeton Stree

t

2. Madam Mams

Guadalupe Stre

et

3. Symon’s Burger Joint

4. Tyler’s 1. Coco’s Cafe

W. M a

rtin L uthe

r Kin

g Jr.

Blvd .

5. University co-op

Map by Ashley Sanchez and Luis Correa

Reporters stroll down Guadalupe Street, exploring the different locales at The Drag 1. COCO’S CAFE: This Taiwanese cafe provides good food and a pleasant environment as it serves as a gathering place for UT student because it is really close to campus and is also good spot to study or write papers.

They are known for their amazing boba tea Taro smoothie and their plain strawberry smoothie as well as their fried chicken noodle soup. They have a very friendly staff a great place to go with friends and family.

Coco’s Cafe has many bright colors they have screens to where customers can see the different drinks and food. They also have the selection of what ever toppings you would like in all your drinks.

They have a wide variety of drinks such as green tea, Black tea, Shaved ice, smoothies, slushies, and also coffees. They also have an amazing selection of food, including noodles, vegetable, tofu and also rice. They have two different locations: the north location off Research Blvd. and a central location which is down in central Austin. We happened to go to the one down at the drag you can see Coco’s Cafe from afar they have a big bright sign outside. They are also open pretty late the location down at the drag is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

We would recommend Coco’s Cafe to anyone ranging from college students to any person who loves boba tea. They have amazing food and drinks plus it’s a great place to get school work done. It helps to keep calm while working or just hanging out with friends it’s amazing to seat and eat noodles and drinking boba.

— Ashley Sanchez & Bee Barto

2. MADAM MAM’S: It’s hard to find authentic food in Austin, especially Thai food, but for those random noodle cravings Madam Mam’s is the place to go.

Madam Mam’s has been located on the drag for over 15 years feeding the mouths of hungry college kids and people a like. The restaurant was opened

by Chatfuang (called “Mam” by many) and her ex-husband Sap Apisaksiri back in 2001. Before opening the restaurant Chatfuang worked as a restaurateur in Bangkok and was a Thai food critic becoming extremely familiar with the ins and outs of the restaurant business.

With three different locations open, I had the unexpected delight of walking into the one on the Drag when I was on a field trip downtown with a couple friends. From the outside, it looks like a small green building with the sign “Madam Mam’s Noodles & More” right next to a printing store. Once I walked inside, I was immediately able to tell that the restaurant had been around for a while.

We were seated by a very friendly hostess who handed us very big menus and in the menu, everything was divided by your typical categories such as appetizers, soups. But seeing as how they were famous for their noodles we just had to try them so we ordered a dish called “Pad SeaEw.” You could choose between flat or vermicelli rice noodle that was stir-fried with Chinese broccoli and a special soy sauce — all for the price of $9.50. Lord, it was delicious and the portion was stupendous for the price! I honestly have no complaints of this place. not “ew” it was “delicious.”

— Stephanie Valle

3. SYMON’S BURGER JOINT: This is the brainchild of chef Michael Symon, who is famous for being an Iron Chef and his many appearances on Food Network shows. He owns many restaurants across the country ranging in style from fine dining to casual.

In 2015, Symon opened his burger joint next to the University of Texas campus on The Drag.

It’s in a great location getting a lot of foot traffic and customers from UT, providing a collegiate feel.

Symon’s Burger Joint differs from the average burger spot like a Whataburger. The food is always good but the orders can come out greasy and sometimes sloppy. This one aims to please it’s customers. The presentation of the food is professional instead of that rushed look you get when at a fast food place. You get the feel of being a judge on one of those cooking shows, because the food is so fresh and well put together.

In terms of recommendations on what to order, I’d say keep it simple and try the cheeseburger. Honestly, you can never go wrong with a cheeseburger. It comes with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickled red onion (optional). I personally did not have the onion on my burger, and last –but not least – their famous Symon’s sauce. Now, that will cost around $6.99, and $1.99 to add bacon — just because a burger isn’t a burger without bacon. That in total is around $9 and some change.

The atmosphere there is very urban. It’s a place where you can walk up to the window and order your food. Then you sit and wait on the patio outside and enjoy your burger, or your sausage.

— A. Guajardo Jr

4. TYLER’S: Athletic wear brands like Nike,Adidas and under armor are almost universally popular Tyler’s started in 1978 in Tyler, Texas, originally was called Racquet and Jog specializing in tennis and running and evolved selling other athletic wear and clothes. Tyler’s is known for their unique designed shirts that was shopped by traveling tourist and then became popular all over Texas.

Tyler’s sells all varieties of outdoor footwear ranging from sneakers to sandals. It also features a large selection of brands ranging from Nike to Toms.

But in Texas, especially in Austin, Tyler’s is one of the most commonly seen brands worn by athletes of all stripes. Tyler’s location on the Drag just across Guadalupe Street from the University of Texas at Austin is perhaps the key to its success in getting college students and teens to shop there. However, don’t expect discounted rates at Tyler’s.

Their prices tend to be higher than most retailers. To help draw shoppers in and coming back, the company focuses on the shopping experience, said a manager named Erica Governale “We talk to the associates to get them in the mood to talk to the customers, Governale said.

The goal for Tyler’s employees is that the customers have a good experience.

Tyler’s started a non-profit foundation seven years ago called The Flatwater Foundation. This foundation helps people that have been diagnosed with cancer. They have raised over $1 million for the foundation through Tyler’s “Dam that Cancer” fund-raiser.

— Evelynn Valladares

5. UNIVERSITY CO-OP: This is one of the oldest businesses on The Drag, making it a popular shopping destination for UT students and an institution for fans of the Texas Longhorns.

While the Co-Op started out as mostly a textbook store for UT students, it has become a major shopping destination for anyone looking for Burnt Orange gear to show of their university pride.

With their reasonable prices they have come a long way and have been a great support for UT students. Today it is the go-to spot for fans looking for souvenirs, T-shirts and other game day gear. The Co-Op’s first location on The Drag was built in 1917 on the drag In 1947 the store was expanded with an addition of a second floor,featuring a radio and record shop that sold popular 12”record albums In the 1950s the store became one of the most successful bookstores in the nation and had become a million dollar business with a staff of 65.

In 1959 the store expanded again,purchasing the lot next door in order to provide more convenient service to students by then the university’s enrollment figures had reached almost 20,000 The store’s charter was updated in 1967 to become a non-profit store and in 1977 it became a tax exempt business. Giving back to the university has always been at the heart of the Co-Op’s mission. Every year the Co-Op offers scholarships to UT students and has made large financial contributions to the university for building projects and special programs.

— Adriana Galindo

life & style

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The Eagle’s Eye

Wednesday- February 15, 2017 Culture

Fantasy

Anime helps students experience new worlds

Club leaders welcome new members, happy with increasing campus acceptance Jennifer Espinoza Staff Writer

The anime community can be said to be one of the biggest fan based communities in the world.

It’s animations and catchy theme songs have reached the whole world, inspiring millions.

Anybody can be a part of this community. Over the years the Anime’s popularity has expanded their genres reaching a bigger audience worldwide. The community is a place where there are different people with different reasons of watching anime. There are casual fans who watch just for entertainment or the beauty of the animation quality. While others dive deep into this world, taking on some elements into their daily lives such as clothing and hairstyles.

Junior Luis Alvarez, a mem-

ber of the Akins Anime Club, said for him, anime opens up new possibilities and worlds.

“The best thing about anime is that it can tell things that, elsewhere, aren’t possible,” he said.

“Worlds that can’t be created in film or TV, stories that are ‘too mature’ for cartoons. The limited amount of boundaries is what can make anime be strong in its storytelling and characters.

Some teens accept the community because the fans can be very intense and be labeled “weird” for obsessively consuming anime. However, anime fans say they are just like any other group of people who enthusiastically show their love for their favorite things.

It’s said the anime community is a family that connects other people who understand each other and can understand exactly

what they are talking about with a lot of passion.

“I guess people think that we’re the cliche weeaboos that everyone hears about but we’re weird and creative people but i love anime and stuff like that.”

Junior Alyssa Rodriguez said.

Anime has been around since 1917 in Japan but years later it expanded to the whole world in the 1980s was a step in Today anime makes up a significant portion of the entertainment industry with $40 millions of dollars of sales each year, according to reflexive Horizons.

Of course the community doesn’t just stop at anime, the animation industry is just part of the community. There is also mangas, which are known as Japanese comic books, featuring less dialogue and elaborate drawings.

Cosplay, in which fans dress

up as their favorite characters in elaborate costumes, is another popular aspect of anime culture.

It’s often seen at large conventions where fans meet up and experience life as these characters.

Cosplay could be done for a number of reasons, but one of the main reasons is for the person to dress up as their favorite character. It is no different than

Art Credit: Annie Ricotta

a little kid on Halloween to dress up as their favorite superhero.

Also people could just feel closer with their favorite character and choose to dress up as them.

Since anime has grown and not only the stereotypical people watch them, the anime community has been more accepted. The anime club meets every Tuesday in room 262 after school.

Speakers

Morning

Freshmen become the voices of campus announcements

Nicole Ocampo

▲ Morning Routine

Freshmen Leah Jarrell (left) and Jenna Thorton (right) say the pledge over the school intercom after the First Period bell rings. They also did this when they attended Paredes Middle School.

Nicole Ocampo Staff Writer

Their voices are heard at the beginning of every school day at Akins.

“Good Morning Akins Eagles this is Leah Jarrell and Jenna Thornton” they say in turn right after the first morning bell.

These two freshmen have served as the Voice of The Ea-

gles since September, leading the school in saying the pledge and helping with morning announcements.

Thornton and Jarrell started doing the announcements in eighth grade at Paredes Middle School. When they started school at Akins, they noticed students were helping with making morning announcements on the intercom. So they went to

Guns

Principal Brandi Hosack to ask if they could do the announcements. After going through an interview process with the front office staff, they were approved to start making the announcements in September.

Jarrell said she wanted to do the announcements because it helps her feel more comfortable talking in front of people.

“I like talking in front of peo-

ple. I like having people hearing me and knowing me.” Jarrell said, “And it’s a good thing to do so you’re not nervous in front of people, so in the long run it’s god people skills. Talking to an adult is so much easier because you have more of a sense of being professional.”

Thornton says how doing the announcements every morning she gains experience in speaking and will contribute to her career later on.

“People have told me I have really good communication skills, that I’m a good public speaker,” Jarrell said. “The job I want to pursue have a lot of speaking in front of people and to people.”

Thornton and Jarrell originally met in first grade, where they said they did not like each other through much of elementary school. But when they began sixth grade they realized they had more in common than they thought and became friends.

From then on they have remained best friends.

“Funny thing, in like first grade I would throw rocks at her because I didn’t like her and one got stuck in her ear where she ended up having to go to the hospital,” Jarrell said. “So yeah

we hated each other. And then in sixth grade we were like ‘Oh hey. We know each other. Let’s be friends.’ We’re both kind of awkward and unique and since then we’ve been best friends ever since.”

Both Jarrell and Thornton are v busy people. Outside of school they are both in FFA and Girl Scouts.

Jarrell is involved with the Akins Wrestling. Outside of school, Jarrell participates in a group of Christian hunters called Cosie Pink and attends Young Life Christian youth meetings.

Thornton has been involved in FFA since she was eight years old.

Through the program at Akins she has learned to raise livestock animals and how to be productive and time management. She is also in her first year on Akins Color Guard where she is part of the flag line.

“It’s really challenging but really fun,” Thornton said. “You get to meet a lot of people.”.

Both girls plan on attending Texas A&M University after high school. Jarrell said she plans on being a lawyer or veterinarian while Thornton plans to be a large animal veterinarian.

Rare finds

Luxury shooting range appeals to novices, experts alike Marcelo Cruz Staff Writer

While some gun ranges feature little more than a target and a safe place to stand, there’s a new place just down the road from Akins that takes the shooting experience to that of a luxury club.

The Range, located just north of Slaughter St. on the northbound I-35 frontage road, offers amenities of a fully integrated entertainment facility with 37 rifle-rated lanes, innovative targeting systems and interactive shooting simulation for seasoned shooters. However, it’s also a safe place for beginners looking to learn how to fire a gun properly. Anyone under the age of 21 needs to have a parental guardian with them in order to rent and shoot at The Range.

Angie Neal, the director of sales membership and private events The Range is one of the few places in the country that is considered an “elite dealer” for Sig Sauer, a maker of high end pistols and rifles.

“Anything new they come out with will be here as soon as it is released,” she said.

“The most popular guns right now are, of course, their large variety of tactical guns, from handguns to rifles to shotguns.”

Neal said The Range’s main goal is to provide a “safe and comfortable shooting environment for all ages from 8 year olds to 90 year olds, who either love shooting guns or want to learn how to shoot a gun.”

▲ Wide Variety

Marcelo Cruz

The Range features a huge variety of guns from different companies such as Sig Saur and Kel Tec.

They also have training classes taught by the U.S. Navy SEAL Jeff Gonzales, who is also the president of a training company called Trident Concepts, Students can go take basic firearm classes if they are just beginning, or marksmanship classes to improve accuracy.

There are different types of core classes for pistol, rifle and shotgun, ranging from introductory, basic, intermediate, and advanced. They also offer one-to-one private instruction and certification for concealed handgun permits.

For those who are past all of that train-

ing and want to perfect their firearm skills, The Range also has specialty and tactical courses such as shooting on move, low light tactics, multiple threats tactics, basic and advanced edged weapons, home defense, advanced tactical problems, and even vehicle defense. All of these courses are watched over by Gonzales, who works to improve defense skills to the fullest.

The Range is also selling gift cards for Christmas time for those who want to give their special someone or a good friend who loves guns some money to go have fun with. Customers don’t even need

▲ Having a Blast

Marcelo Cruz

The Range is fully packed with 37 shooting lanes to shoot

a membership to go shooting there.

The cost is $25 per hour for handguns and $30 an hour for rifles, plus an additional fee for renting guns, and ammunition. The largest rifle ammunition they allow is the massive .375 H&H. The range is recommendable for anybody who wants to have fun learning about how to use weapons, but be prepared to spend some money to have fun prices can get a little high in the blink of an eye. Even so, the Range is definitely worth checking out.

Indepth

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The Eagle’s Eye

Wednesday - February 15, 2017

Compulsive gaming can have serious consequences

▲

A

10% MMO-RPG

different world

7% RPG 3% Puzzle

4% Platformer

Akins’ Students beliefs about whether Video Games are Addictive 60 50

4% MOBA

55% First-Person Shooter

A

17% Fighting

They teach you real life situations

▲

Akins’ Students Favorite Game Type

“I’ve had kids email me at two in the morning, asking about grades, teachers or classes.” Kesling said. “I’ve talked with them about managing their time and why they’re up so late and a lot of them say it’s their technology and school work.”

Mario Howell, animation and video game design teacher, said growing up he spent a lot of his time playing video games.

Looking back now, he said he might have been addicted. But he eventually learned to manage his time and how to turn it off when it came to other more important responsibilities such as work and bills.

“Growing up I would do all my homework during school,” he said. “I would do my easy homework during lunch and my math homework during the easy classes, so when I got home I could video game it up until like three, four o’clock in the morning. This wasn’t a problem then, but the older you get the more you start to understand that you got other responsibilities when you’re not just living under the tutelage of your parents. I wish though, that I could just play as much as I would like.”

A

A

My mind feels free

▲

“I’ve forgot all senses of reality and thought that I myself was the character.”

This is just one of many comments of an online survey about habits of video game players at Akins.

The idea of losing touch with reality and feeling like they were the character in the game is exactly the kind of condition described in a recent Washington Post article that called this condition Game Transfer Phenomena (GTP), in which the boundaries between reality and the game begin to blur.

Conditions like GTP and compulsive gaming, in which players are unable to turn off their favorite games, are becoming more common, according to researchers.

While video-game addiction isn’t yet recognized as an official diagnosis by the guidebook of American psychiatry, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, it does cite “Internet Gaming Disorder” as a condition warranting more research. That said, some researchers have concluded that video game addiction is a serious behavioral problem that is separate from other afflictions.

With the increase in popularity as well as the amount of games out there, it’s no surprise that countless amounts of adolescents and adults might become addicted.

Video games are a huge part of this generation with an estimated 72 percent of American households playing video games, according to the Entertainment Software Association study in 2011.

Douglas Gentile, an Iowa State associate professor of psychology, reported that one out of 10 gaming youths are considered to be addicted to video games, according to a study published in the February 2011 issue of Pediatrics.

With that being said, there are countless amounts of gamers here at Akins although they might not all consider themselves addicts.

In an online survey The Eagle’s Eye survey, comprised of 100 responses, the most popular genre of games are first-person shooters. Respondents reported playing an average of about three and a half hours of daily gaming although some reported playing as much as 12 hours a day.

Of these responses, more than 50 percent agreed that video games can be addictive. Meanwhile, 40 percent said that video games have had a negative impact on school work and their education.

Junior Johny Do said he doesn’t consider himself an addict, but does spend a lot of his time playing video games. He said he’s learned to manage his time playing video games and tries to not let them interfere with school or his grades.

Some of the closest friends I have, I have met online

A

Staff Writer

“Growing up I always enjoyed playing video games,” Do said. “I mean my main hobby now is playing video games. I try to not let it interfere with school too much and I think I’ve done a pretty good job at that with me being in the top 5 percent of my class. I know how to limit myself and not spend too much time playing game.”

Junior Ian Wayne also said he doesn’t consider himself to be an addict either but has seen the downsides that video games can bring. He said that it definitely has had a negative influence with his school work and grades sometimes.

“I’ve always loved video games. I feel like they’ve become a big aspect of my life,” Wayne said. “But yeah, I definitely feel that they have had somewhat of a bad impact on my school work, but not my social life. I’ve met lots of my best friends through video games.”

Although video games can be addictive, they aren’t entirely bad. Video games have been known to increase mental abilities such as problem solving skills, reaction time, spatial reasoning skills, as well as perception and memory. Video games can also help in the development of young children’s brains.

Games such as Minecraft or Tetris can have a positive impact on the development and growth of a child’s mind.

In the Fall 2014 issue of the American Journal of Play (Fall, 2014) includes research demonstrating long-lasting positive effects of video games on basic mental processes — such as perception, attention, memory, and decision-making.

Christine Kesling, the college readiness counselor, says she definitely has had her fair share of students that are unable to manage their time and even struggle to get things done.

▲

Daylin Ettles

A

▲

A

It’s fun, takes me away to a

Creating things in the gaming world

▲

All my worries are gone

▲

Emotional connection to characters, incredible stories

Not sure Strongly Disagree

40

Disagree

30

Agree

20

Strongly Agree

10 0

Data and quotes from students comes from an online survey conducted by The Eagle’s Eye with responses from 100 participants. The full results of the survey will be published at www.akinseagleseye.com.

Controller vector from Unrestricted Stock

Page designed by Mary Griffis

indepth

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The Eagle’s Eye

Wednesday - february 15, 2017

Annie Ricotta

Trump takes office; Protests erupt across nation Eliana Gutierrez In-Depth Editor

After an astounding upset across the nation from the 2016 presidential election results, protests broke out in cities across the country.

January 20th, 2017. (Inauguration Day) Scenes of thousands of people marching in the streets have dominated cable news and on social media feeds, especially since the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump.

From the East Coast to the West Coast thousands of people took over their cities, wielding signs indicating their opposition to Trump and his agenda.

Poster boards held high by outraged citizens read: “Dump Trump” “Not my President” “Make America SAFE again” “RESIST” “We will not go!”

“Hear our voice!”

Original political cartoons were also present at the protests with one depicting a caricature of Trump with his infamous border wall closing off his mouth.

Some also featured defeated presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s slogan “I’m with her,” next to a drawing of the Statue of Liberty.

the peaceful path.

January 21st, 2017.

(Women’s March Austin, TX & Washington D.C.) An estimated 50,000 people attended the Women’s Daylin Ettles March on Austin the day after President Trump was sworn While most protests have in. At the same time, been peaceful, some used the out- Washington D.C.’s women’s rage as a chance to riot in Wash- march hosted 500,000 people, ington D.C. on inauguration day featuring speeches from celebriwhere more than 200 people ties. were arrested. However, rioters Neither protest resulted in any smashing business windows and arrests or incidents of violence. setting fire to cars has been the These marches allowed prorare exception as most have taken testers to voice their fears about

Trump and call on their members of Congress to oppose his agenda.. These trepidations rose as women speculated that Trump would endanger their basic rights.

February 1st, 2017. (Akins Walk-Out) More than 100 students walked out of their 4th period classes at 4 p.m. and met on the outskirts of campus to have a rally to protest Trump. The protest was peaceful and students said they were glad to voice their opinions.

Principal Brandi Hosack spoke to students the day after the protest, advising them find more productive ways to express themselves and get involved in the political process.

2 1

3

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▲ 1. Women’s March

Over 50,000 take over the Capitol building and streets downtown January 21, 2017 to defend women’s rights that they believe are threatened under Trump.

n ea

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Cl

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▲ 2. Akins Walk-Out

More than 100 students walked out of their 4th period class at 4:00 p.m.

February 1, 2017.

Background Art: Daylin Ettles

▲ 3. One Resistance March Downtown Hours after Donald Trump was sworn in as President January 20, 2017, thousands marched down Riverside in revolt.

How Austin compares to other rallies in the U.S. 500,000

New York

400,000

Los Angeles Boston

300,000

Denver 200,000

Madison

100,000

Page Layout and Design: Eliana Gutierrez

0

Attendance numbers from USAtoday.com

indepth

The Eagle’s Eye

page b5

Wednesday - february 15, 2017

Trump Tweet-Storm continues Into presidency

Eliana Gutierrez

Barack Obama’s key achievements while president

-13% Homicide rate as of 2016

5%

Unemployment rate as of 2016

• Passed Health Care Reform • Passed Wall Street Reform • Began Draw-down of War in Afghanistan • Eliminated Osama bin Laden • Repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” • Reversed Bush Torture Policies

166%

Corporate profits as of 2016

• Kicked Banks Out of Federal Student Loan Program, Expanded Pell Grant Spending • Tightened Sanctions on Iran • Cracked Down on Bad For-Profit Colleges • Improved School Nutrition

Statistical values factcheck.org Chuck Kennedy/White House

List of President Trump’s Executive Orders Jan. 20: “Minimizing Economic Burden of Obamacare” Jan. 24: “Approvals for High Priority Infrastructure” Jan. 25: “Border Security” Jan. 27: “Immigration Ban” Feb. 3: “Regulating the United States Financial System” Feb. 9: “Preventing Violence against Law Enforcement”

Note: Not all executive orders since presidency depicted.

THE

Freepik.com

EAGLE VIEW

“Everyone around the world needs to get their word out, and if we keep this up something good might happen.”

–Trent Killey

Freshman

Question: How do you feel about the Anti-Trump protests throughout the United States?

“Its really good how everybody is showing how we don’t want Trump as president because there is a chance he could cause a war.”

–Jose Garcia

Sophomore

“I feel like it’s all pointless, at first people had their reasons, but now a lot of people are just mad at him for no reason and don’t have any valid points.”

–Cayli Moreno

Junior

“I think it’s good, people deserve to fight back for their rights like everyone else.”

–Quintin Scott

Senior

“– I highly encourage people to make their voices heard. I would just suggest that it be focused, specific, and particularly nonviolent.”

– Alan Brooks

English Teacher

Sports

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The Eagle’s Eye

wednesday-February 15, 2017 Soccer

Determination

Girls soccer team struggles after good preseason

Coach optimistic in Varsity’s offensive skills despite disappointing performances Sergio hernandez Staff Writer

The Varsity soccer girls have started the year off with the right foot.

Having only lost two games from the pre season and tournaments the girls look really sharp for the upcoming districts games.

“The varsity team this year looks really strong compared to other years,” he said.

“We’re the best offense I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” Cannon said.

Having scored more than 10 goals in their first three preseason games has the team feeling confident about their chances for success and making the playoffs.

While the team tied San Marcos High Rattlers in their first district game 0-0 in regular play the team lost the game 2-4 based on penalty kicks.

After losing some games the girls watch a video of the game and analyze it to see what they did wrong, than practice more on that area.

“We watch the videos and analyze them really good to understand what we need to work on,” co-captain Sarai Sanchez said.

However, just like any other team they can still work to improve themselves both in and out of the field.

“We can definitely improve on our communication in the games.

We tend to lack a lot in that aspect. We also need to work on keeping our head up and finding teammates,” Sanchez said.

Cannon said there are a good amount of things they can work on, but the two most important things are spacing, and positioning in the field.

Although the girls have things

Coaching

to work on, they really have a chance of making it to playoffs for the first time in Akins history.

The girls will have to overcome some big challenges in order to qualify for playoffs. They will have to face off against some of the strongest opponents in district and even state like Anderson and Bowie high schools.

Although the team has those challenges and more to face they are more confident than ever.

The majority of the team is made up of seniors. Being last year playing a high school sport would make any senior nervous both in and outside the game, but that’s not the case for the girl’s soccer seniors.

“We’re not nervous at all, I think we’re more excited and prepared for the season,” varsity captain Deyfilia Betzaly said.

Alejandro Castro

▲

Goal Searching Captain Heidy Fuentes (right) and Itzel Moreno (left) work for possession of the ball against Del Valle.

Motivation

Early success gives boys soccer team playoff hope

Athletics encourage players to improve academically and strive for excellence alejandro moreno Staff Writer

After a month of practice and preseason games, the Akins Boys Varsity soccer team is off to a strong start, winning their first two district games against San Marcos and Anderson high schools.

They won most of their pre-season games with a record of 4 wins,1 loss and 3 draws.

Last year, the team played well, but their biggest problem was that students were not passing their classes. But this year, Coach Bob Williams has pushed the players with a rule that if a student is failing they their classes don’t get to play until they get their grades up. This has encouraged the students to do better in their academic classes.

Another challenge is that the team will have to face is that most of the players on the team are younger than those of other teams they play against. This could lead to a disadvantage in size and experience, but so far this has not been a problem.

Having a lot of younger players could be a bad thing, but it also has some advantages because it could help the team grow

Initiative

Alejandro Moreno

▲ Varsity Unity

Akins Varsity Boys Soccer team discuss plans before their first preseason game against Lanier in January.

and understand how to play better with each other. This could also help inspire other younger classmates to try and reach varsity level performance.

Williams said he believes that the

players have a good chance of making the playoffs and help them improve individually and as a team.

“I want them to become better and more comfortable playing against older

students,” he said.

Freshman player Daniel Alviso said he enjoys playing against older students.

“It feels like it’s an opportunity to show students what hard work looks like, and also to show that anything can be accomplished with hard work and dedication,” he said.

Chemistry is an important factor in having a good team. If the players who play together get along it is more likely that they understand each other and this helps create better opportunities for a better outcome.

Varsity team captain Dube Ruvalcaba said he believes chemistry is important for a team to be successful.

“We are good friends, we like to joke around and we all get along well inside and outside the field, we know when to get serious, and we all enjoy playing the sport,” he said.

The team is currently 2-1 in district play. The team will take on the San Marcos Rattlers for the second time on Feb. 20. The Eagles will have four more district games, including some tough opponents like Bowie and Del Valle.

Dedication

Basketball players take on team leadership roles Lady Eagles makes return to playoffs after strong regular season performance Larry durden Staff Writer

▲ One on One

Alejandro Castro

Captain and point guard Denae Lofton advances through her Anderson opponent in a district game.

Within sports there is a common held belief that the coach is the leader of the team.

However, Boys Varsity Basketball Coach Jesse Hayes is working to bust that myth among his players this year.

Instead, Hayes is trying to instill the belief that the best teams are led by the players.

After a rough start to district play and a record of 0-8 district record, Hayes is hoping his players come together behind this idea to turn their season around.

“My high school basketball coach used to tell me that the greatest teams were lead by the players,” Hayes said.

“I’m not going to say anything. I expect you guys to hold each other accountable.”

And the players agree that in order to accomplish their goals this year, they’re going to have to come together and play as a team.

“We all just have to buy into what coach Hayes is saying,” junior KJ Robinson said. “We hear from coach all the time that the best teams are led

by the players, and I agree with coach 100 percent.”

Junior Isaiah Landers said that for the team to be successful everyone has to do their part. ““We all have to come together and play for each other,” he said.

The team’s difficulties this year have been mostly about mindset and not for a lack of talent, junior Nelson Whiting said.

“It’s all a mental thing, once we figure out that it’s up to us to get on the court and perform until the final buzzer goes off, then I think we could be very successful,” he said. “We have to realize that we control our own destiny and it’s us out there playing not coach Hayes. So I feel when realize these things we can secure our playoff spots.”

The Girls Varsity Basketball team has had more success in internalizing the idea of a player led team. With a district record of 4-2 and a secure spot in the playoffs the girls basketball team under the coaching of Jane Martin, has found a way to enter this district season strong.

Team captain Denae Lofton said the team believes that their success

has come from playing together and playing for each other.

“I think our success has come from us playing hard and coming together as a team,” she said. “We knew that playing those tough teams during preseason would help us in district.”

Co-captain Analise Perez believes that her teammates have done a great job playing for each other and with each other.

“I think we knew that in order to get where we wanted to go we all had to play as one team instead of individually, because at the end of the day we’re a team and we’re a family.” She said Junior Arielle Varela said that the team’s hard work in preseason is paying off in the district games.

“We all have worked hard in practice and all of our hard work in practice transitions to the games,” Varela said. “And even during games if we’re down, we’re a good second half team and we were always able to come back and make it a game.”

The Girls Varsity Basketball Team took on Cedar Ridge Raiders at Lake Travis at 6 pm Monday in their first playoff game.

wednesday, February 15, 2017 t The Eagle’s Eye

Sports t Page B7

Competition

wavy

Student earns sponsorships from wakeboarding Robert harris Staff Writer

Senior Beau Goforth didn’t always love wakeboarding — the sport for which he is currently a professionally sponsored athlete.

When Goforth was in middle school his parents sent him to the Texas Ski Ranch outside of New Braunfels for a summer camp. He said he enjoyed it but it didn’t turn into the passion it is for him today until he experienced failure.

When the camp was over his parents entered him into a wakeboarding competition in which he placed last. This trig-

Henry Arvanites

▲ Come on in the water’s fine Senior Beau Goforth carries his wakeboarding gear at Texas Ski Ranch outside of New Braunfels, Texas, where he trains regularly with their cable pull system.

Self defense

gered his competitiveness. He wanted to prove that he could do better than last place. This leads us to the present time.

“Beau is always striving to learn new tricks regardless if it’s something simple like a flip, or something super complex,”

It’s fun to learn new tricks, travel and meet new people who are interested in the same things I am.

— Beau Goforth

said Jack Dorrestijn, who is one of Goforth’s wakeboarding friends. “He loves to teach kids the sport of wakeboarding,” Dorrestijn said about Beau.

Goforth was sponsored by many wakeboarding companies. He was super excited to be sponsored by a company. He felt like it is what made him professional.

“I was super pumped to be sponsored by companies that make an impact on the wake scene,” Goforth said.

Goforth, who was sponsored by Diamond Swimwear, Stay Sweet Clothing co, Modern Mountains Clothing co and Prospect Wakeboarding, trains regularly at the Texas Ski Ranch, which uses an over-

head cable system to pull riders along as they perform acrobatic maneuvers.

Goforth spent many years practicing wakeboarding to get where he is. Over the years he has learned to love wakeboarding.

“I love wakeboarding because it’s fun to learn new tricks, travel and meet new people who are interested in the same things as I am,” Goforth said.

The competition and social aspects of wakeboarding is what excites Goforth about the sport, he said.

Goforth said he prefers wakeboarding with the cable pull parks rather than using a motorboat because it makes the sport more intense.

“The cable systems make it harder because it allows us to hit ramps and do air tricks,” he said.

Goforth has come a very long way since he first started. When Goforth started he was one of the worst wakeboarders in the competition. But with a lot of hard work and dedication he is now able to place top of the professionals in his age group.

“Beau practices wakeboarding all the time, he loves to be out on the water,” said Julie Goforth, Beau’s mother.

Goforth said he is planning on doing this in the future, for his career. He loves the competition, the people and just loves being on the water. It makes him feel free.

It relieves stress that he may have due to school or personal problems, it’s a way to escape reality.

Courtesy Barracks Townhomes

▲ Smashing the competition Senior Beau Goforth shows off his first place award from last year at Texas A&M University in the Smash & Bash contest, where he won a $500 prize.

committed

Bullied student was inspired to learn martial arts

Athlete specializes in kung fu, jiu jitsu and kickboxing in quest for improvement Zeta Handy

to earn higher level belts. The tests involve fighting at higher rankings and performing stances correctly and on command.

Valle said sparring has helped him grow as a fighter and a person.

Staff Writer

The individual nature of martial arts such as Kung Fu, kickboxing, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can obscure their competitive natures.

When you think about these hobbies you usually don’t think of them as a sport. But for senior Matias Valle, who is a second degree red belt in mixed martial arts, it’s more than just a hobby that he enjoys.

“Before I started training I had been in a couple of fights. I’d been jumped twice before and picked on because I was smaller and skinnier,” Valle said. “This was partly the reason why I started training to be able to defend myself.

Now I definitely try to avoid conflict at all cost.”

Valle said he started training when he was about 12 years old with his best friend Carter Palmer. They both trained side-by-side with each other throughout the years.

Valle is three belts away from being a black belt at his school the Void.

He trains in mixed martial arts with a focus on Iron Mantis Kung Fu, Hawaiian Kempo kickboxing and Kore Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

At times, juggling the stress of work, injuries, school, and school wrestling, has made him want to quit, especially when he dislocated his elbow. However, his determination to keep improving has kept him striving to further his skills.

“When I was training more often I’d put in about 6-7

National

Martial arts is a part of me and I plan to continue it.

— Matias Valle

When he loses matches he sometimes feels upset and disappointed, but he sees these moments as learning opportunities. He dedicated himself to working twice as hard in his training.

Jeff Hughes, Valle’s instructor, said Matias has shown Zeta Handy determination throughout his participation in learning ▲ Put ‘em up martial arts.

Senior Matias Valle poses as if he were preparing “From the first time Matias first started and to where for a fight. he is now, he definitely put in a lot of work,” Hughes said.

“Martial arts is a part of me and I plan to continue it, I hours a week,” Valle said. don’t see a point where I’d want to stop practicing Martial The process of getting a black belt is difficult. StuArts after high school,” Valle said. dents start out as a white belt, taking tests along the way

Football

Super Bowl LI goes into history books as best ever Spencer seyfarth Staff Writer

“The Greatest Super Bowl of All Time” is what many have dubbed Super Bowl LI. The game featured a powerhouse New England Patriots against the rising underdog Atlanta Falcons. The fact that the Patriots had previously won four NFL championships and that the Falcons have never won a Super Bowl garnered a large bias among casual watchers to favor Atlanta.

The first half was completely one sided.

The Falcons ran up the score to 21-3 by halftime. It looked like Patriots quarterback Tom Brady wasn’t going to get his 5th ring after all.

Immediately, after halftime the Falcons scored again, giving them a 25-point lead at 28-3. At this point, most people thought the game was over without a chance for the Patriots to win.

However, the world learned to never count Brady out before the end of the last quarter.

In the 4th quarter Brady threw a pass

that should have been intercepted, but Julian Edelman made an amazing catch with three defenders all over him, keeping the drive going.

That play began an unbelievable come from behind never witnessed in a Super Bowl before. After Brady and company tied up the score at 28, the game went into the first overtime period in Super Bowl history.

The Pats got lucky with the coin flip, giving them the first possession in which they drove the ball down the field like it was nothing. It was 2nd down and goal and Brady threw a little screen pass to James White for the touchdown securing the W and getting Brady his 5th ring.

Even though I heavily dislike the outcome over the game, I have to give it to Brady. He lead his team from a 25-point deficit to produce one of the greatest comeback wins in NFL history. This could cement the case that he is the best quarterback to ever play the game.

Photo Essay

page B8

The Eagle’s Eye

Wednesday - February 15, 2017

Pet Clinic cares for all pets for students and staff Matthew Rocha Photo Editor

The Akins pet clinic welcomes all people around the community to care for all kinds of pets.

The clinic offers many service to their customers to choose from to make sure that their pets are in the best shape, including bathing, ear cleaning, nail clipping and grooming.

“There are times that we get 20 or 10 pets to handle, and it’s a little tedious at first but we help each other out to make the process go faster and smoother,” senior Jordan Marrero said.

All of the animals have different personalities and energy levels, making the job challenging senior Klaudia Villarreal said.

“The hyperactive ones are the hardest, but I think my experience I like working with them more cause I think they’re a lot of fun,” Villarreal said.

Beyond the fun of working with animals, the vet tech students are learning valuable career skills they can use when they graduate and start looking for a job.

Matthew Rocha

▲

Grooming Time

After giving a trim senior Gonzales Raeann starts the grooming process to get rid of any extra hairs that might stayed in the dog’s coat.

Matthew Rocha

▲ Next in Line

Senior Victoria Rangel puts the puppy pomeranian leash on the hook to keep her still while she is getting brushed before getting trim by the other vet tech students.

Matthew Rocha

▲ Vet Tech Love

The puppy pomeranian shows his joy to senior Klaudia Villarreal as she starts to give him a little trim on his fur coat.

Matthew Rocha

▲

Pet Multitasking

Senior Alyssa McDonald uses the brush to measure the fur then starts the trim on the fur.

Matthew Rocha

▲

Pet Teamwork

Group of vet tech students work with pets on tables, putting their leashes on a hook so they won’t move while they are getting groomed.