The Reporter, Cy-Fair HS, Issue 5, March 11, 2016, Vol. 69

the

REPORTER Cy-Fair High School

Issue 5

Volume 69

March 11, 2016

THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN Texas caucus gives insight to political popularity Page 2

CULTURE SHOCK Students from around the world attend Cy-Fair Page 8

LET THEM EAT PIE Celebrate national pie day on March 14 Page 13

Amendment I. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. Amendment II. A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. Amendment III. No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. Amendment IV. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. Amendment V. No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. Amendment VI. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district where in the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

Amendment VII. In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law. Amendment VIII. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. Amendment IX. The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. Amendment X. The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people. Amendment XI . The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State. thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.

Amendment XII. The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for President and VicePresident, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate;--The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted;--The person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be

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a question of

R GHTS ARE OUR RIGHTS AS STUDENTS SECURE?

@cyfairpress

22602 Hempstead Hwy Cypress, TX 77429

www.cyfairreporter.com

02

INTRO

To Our Readers

We are now more than halfway through the school year, with AP tests approaching and end-of-year celebrations, we can start to feel somewhat relief from school and stress.

Yet are we always aware and vigilant of what is going on in our school? Whether it is the opportunities we are given for higher learning or the policies enforced we must always be listening to what is going on in our school community.

In this issue, the center is focused on student rights and the First Amendment, which is always being debated on how to interpret by our government.

As students, it is vital to understand the importance of free speech and its “limits� when we walk onto school grounds.

Whatever side we stand on major issues or whatever opinions we hold, it is evident that social media has started to play a huge role in exercising our rights.

In fact, the Supreme Court has already examined cases on students posting controversial things and that consequences that follow: which has begged the question, to what extent do schools have in limiting speech on social media?

Check out page 10 and 11 to find out how our district sees these issues, and their influence on our society.

Emme Enojado Co-Editor in Chief

5

1

3. 11. 16

NEWS

fast facts about EMME ENOJADO co editor-in-chief

What is the Zika virus?

The Zika virus is an Aedes mosquitotransmitted infection related to yellow fever, dengue, and West Nile Viruses. Symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (more commonly known as red eyes). The illness is actually usually mild, with the symptoms lasting about a week following the bite from the infected mosquito.

People normally do not get sick enough to go to the hospital, and very few die from the virus.

2

How does it affect the US?

No local mosquitotransmitted Zika virus cases have been reported in the United States, however, there have been travel-associated cases.

These imported cases of Zika could possibly lead to the spread of the virus in some areas of the United States.

Julia Ryza Co-Editor in Chief

WE PROUDLY SUPPORT CY-FAIR BOBCATS! Amber Nall

Owner and Realtor

832-283-5634

amber@echelonteamrealty.com 13602 Kluge Corner Ln. Cypress, TX 77429 www.echelonteamrealty.com

3

What about other countries?

Before 2015, the Zika virus stayed local to the eastern hemisphere, mainly in areas of Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. After 2015, the virus reached the western hemisphere for the first time when the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported the first confirmed Zika virus infections in Brazil.

Zika virus likely will continue to spread to new areas.

4

How is it transmitted?

The virus is mainly spread through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, but it can also be transmitted from mother to child, sexual transmission, and blood transfusion.

5

How can we prevent/treat it?

Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent Zika. However, it can be prevented by simply avoiding mosquito bites by wearing long sleeved shirts and long pants, sleeping a under mosquito net, and applying insect repellent when traveling to countries with active Zika virus transmission.

SOURCE: cdc.gov nytimes.com

3. 11. 16

The people have spoken TEXAS PRIMARY GIVES INSIGHT TO POLITICAL POPULARITY SUZY VAZQUEZ opinion editor

Senior Ashley McMahan voted in the Texas Primary on Super Tuesday.

She was one of several seniors who voted for the first time in a presidential primary.

McMahan said she went to the wrong place to vote twice and was filled with fear at the thought that she wouldn’t be able to vote for the person she believed in.

“When I finally voted I was really excited that I was able to support the person that I believe should be president. It felt good to do my part as an adult and an American citizen,” McMahan said.

Super Tuesday is the day when the greatest number of states hold primary elections and caucuses.

More delegates to the presidential nominating conventions can be won on Super Tuesday than on any other single day of the primary calendar.

Senior Nikki Larson said she had to wait in line for up to an hour before being able to cast her vote.

“The line was definitely overwhelming when I voted at Aragon Middle School, but it was worth it. I was so hyped about finally

Illustration by Lauryn Walker

being able to vote and getting to leave wearing my ‘I voted’ sticker,” Larson said.

In primaries all over the United States, the polls showed that among young voters, Republicans were more likely to vote for Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio over front runner Donald

Trump, and that Democratic voters were more likely to vote for Bernie Sanders over frontrunner Hillary Clinton ,according to the online Time article Y”oung Voters Didn’t Support Front-Runners on Super Tuesday.”

Seniors Nikki Larson, Caroline

SPOTLIGHT TEACHER - Coach Bonni Wass-Jones was named Cy-Fair Spotlight Teacher for 2016 and accepts the award from Mr. Smith, school principal. “I have been at Cy-Fair HS for 33 years. I was so shocked when they surprised me with this tremendous honor for our school. All I could think of is that my dad would be so proud of me. He was one of the best teachers I ever had, even though that was not his occupation,” Wass-Jones said.

Smith, Carrie Detering, Katie Mynatt and Julia Bugos said that they hardly saw anyone around their age at the polls.

“It’s important for young people to vote because as a nation, the voter turnout is abysmal. I think our generation can be a significant change and presence in the political sphere simply by taking the time to go to the polls,” Mynatt said.

Only 51.1 percent of 18-29 year olds voted in the 2008 Presidential Election, according to civicyouth.org.

Only a little over half of youth voters have let their voices be heard in the elections nationwide, and the other half of this generation have chosen to stay silent.

Government teacher Kevin Satterfield said the earlier young adults realize the power they have in voting, the more change they will be able to enact.

“Most people do not realize how much their voice matters in Government and Politics until they are much older, which is usually too late to promote any kind of change for their generation,” Satterfield said.

NEWS

03

STUDENTS SPEAK UP Newspaper staff members polled 92 government students during the Texas primary in Mrs. Balke’s government K classes.

Republicans: -Ted Cruz: 27 -Donald Trump: 19 -Marco Rubio: 18 -Ben Carson: 3 -John Kasich: 2

Democrats: -Bernie Sanders: 20 -Hillary Clinton: 3

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3. 11. 16

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3. 11. 16

NEWS

Got knitting?

KNITTING CLUB SPREADS KINDNESS, AWARENESS THROUGH YARN

05

Positivity.

Knitting Club creates crochet hearts to spread positive messages.

Photo by John Sanchez

JOHN SANCHEZ managing editor

A nationwide project that hopes to make the issues of suicide, bullying, and mental health more visible will soon be a part of Cy-Fair.

Knitting Club members are participating in the Peyton Heart Project, in which they knit or crochet little yarn hearts attached to meaningful and uplifting messages. These hearts are meant to represent a heart of someone who took their life.

This project is a part of the

Sidewalk Smiles campaign, a campaign where people stand on the street holding hand made signs that promote positivity and self worth. The campaign and project were created by Jill and Julia Kubin in 2014.

“I just stumbled on it one day while I was on the internet,” club sponsor and sculpture teacher Sarah Hartman said.

The project was created after 13-year-old Peyton James committed suicide in 2014 after

being bullied for years.

“Bullying is something that we have to deal with,” Hartman said.

“These are good things that we can all help spread.”

The club meets every first and third Wednesday of the month to work on the hearts. Their goal is to make as many hearts as they can by the end of March.

Although the hearts only take about 10 minutes to knit, the impact they have on a person can last forever.

“Everyone has bad days,” senior Kristin Tevlin said. “If someone finds them, we hope it will be a nice pick me up.”

The club plans to hide these hearts around the school for students to find.

“We’re going to make a bunch of these and place them all over the school,” Tevlin said. “They are going to be in the library, the cafeteria, down main street, even in the seats of the auditorium.”

If you or someone you know is having thoughts or actions of suicide, call the national suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273TALK (8255) or visit the schools tip line at www.safe2helptips.com/ keyword. For more information on how to get involved, check out the Peyton Heart Project Facebook page, or go to www. thepeytonheartproject.org

Take a walk with Best Buddies SENIOR PROMOTES ORGANIZATION TO CONNECT STUDENTS BRI GONZALEZ life editor

Senior Abbie Stroud said it is her duty to spread the word about the Best Buddy program and raise awareness throughout the Houston area.

As president and a third-year member, Cy-Fair is the only Best Buddies chapter in the district.

That will hopefully change after the Best Buddies Friendship Walk on Apr. 9 at the University of Houston. It is a city event held to raise money to create other chapters in the Houston area.

“It is my personal goal to expand into multiple chapters,” Stroud said. “It costs a ton of money to start a chapter and the money raised goes toward this effort. Best Buddies programs have helped thousands of people with disabilities move from segregation and isolation to acceptance in their community.

We walk to support social inclusion.”

Best Buddies is an international organization that promotes social and personal development for people with

intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs.) It is an organization entirely dedicated to connecting people.

According to the Best Buddies website, the organization’s goal is to put itself out of business. Best Buddies strives for a society in which people with IDD are so successfully integrated into schools, workplaces and communities that its current services will be unnecessary.

Until that vision becomes a reality, the organization will continue to educate students of all levels, community members, corporations and employers about the emotional, functional, and natural needs and abilities of people with IDD. Stroud said Best Buddies is “her calling.”

“I joined it immediately,” Stroud said. “It was one of the only clubs that actually benefits someone’s life, and who doesn’t want to be a part of that?”

Since the main purpose of Best Buddies is to match students with IDDs to those

without and create a lasting bond built on friendship and trust, commitment and dedication is a requirement for being involved in the program.

According to Stroud, the friendships formed between the Life Skills students and their buddies is life long and very rewarding.

“I have a lovely buddy named Michele and I cherish her presence every day. We have had a growing friendship since my sophomore year. She likes to call me her sister,” Stroud said. “Michele has changed my outlook on life and I will be forever grateful. It takes time and commitment to start a friendship, but in the end it’s so worth it.”

To sign up or donate to the Friendship Walk: visit bestbuddiesfriendshipwalk. org/houston/ supporting/#CyFairHighSchool.

Best Buddies.

Senior Abbie Stroud with her buddy Michele Collier at last years’ friendship walk. Photo Courtesy of Abbie Stroud

06

3. 11. 16

SPORTS

Golf team on par: Boys, Girls teams drive in season

Hole in one. Junior Jasmine Freed hits the ball during one of their tournaments. Photo by Bri

Baiza

The Bobcat’s girl golfing team has been hard at work with Coach Benotti leading them through a great season.

After six tournaments, the girls golf team have three more games including district. The team has already completed six tournaments with only two more until districts. With a seasoned coach and team hard at work it seems that the Lady Bobcats golfers are on the road to regionals.

“They’re hoping for a spot in regional with hard work and low scores. The kids’ score really determine how much work they’re putting into it,” said Head golf Coach Donna Benotti who has been coaching golf 24 years.

One particularly surprising rising star is freshman Grace Ni who is ranked nationally.

“We have a sensational freshman, she is probably one of the best golfers that has gone through, not only Cy-Fair High School, but throughout the district. She has been under par in all her games, she’s really put in the time to work hard,” Benotti said.

Grace Ni started golfing at age four with her father and is the only non senior on the girls varsity golf team.

“Right after I get out of school I practice until it’s too dark to see anything then I go home,” said Ni. They put a lot of work in, even on bad days.

“We really have to shake it off and have a really nice mindset,” Benotti said.

‘So far so good’

With just a couple of tournaments left, the boys’ golf team has become district runner up champions.

They’re a team of twelve players with the first group being lead by seniors, Niko Martinez and Eric Laughlin. Both boys each won a tournament this year and each placed in top three this year.

“I don’t have to motivate them at all. They have a goal of reaching the state tournament and realize what they need to do to be successful,” head coach Roy Smith said.

The team won the district title last year, but didn’t make it to the state tournament.

“We missed out on making it to the state tournament by one place,” Smith said.

The coach from last year retired and Coach Smith jumped at the opportunity.

“When the previous golf coach retired I had this opportunity and decided it would be a good move. I’m a lousy golfer, but I really enjoy being around the game. I’ve also been an assistant in baseball and track and really enjoyed both experiences,” Smith said.

This excellent achievement with small experience the team’s shortcomings shining through as perseverance and endurance to come out on top.

“They work very hard, and are known around the district as a group that likes to put forth the time and effort to be successful. They are very self-motivated,” Smith said.

KAITLYN COATS assistant business manager

Fore. Eric Laughlin lines up his shot during one of their tournaments. Photo by Bri Baiza

Softball hits off season ALEX WHITE public relations

For four years, seniors Michah Schroder and McKenzie Peet have been sprinting around the bases on the Lady Bobcats softball team.

Softball wasn’t Schroder’s first choice sport.

She originally played volleyball, but since her dad played baseball and her sister played softball, she knew that she had to get in on the action.

“I actually played volleyball first and my sister played softball and she really enjoyed it so I quit, and my dad was a baseball player too, so he wanted me to give it a try,” Schroder said.

Softball has been a part of Peet’s life since she was four. She has grown up on the fields and said she has learned many lessons from softball.

“Softball has definitely taught me responsibility and it has definitely made me into the person I am today. I’ve been playing softball since I was young and it made me grow up and I know a lot more people. Softball kind of teaches you the essence of family, if you’re going to play then your team has to be your family,” Peet said.

Schroder also implies some of the lessons she has learned to her daily life.

“Softball has taught me how to overcome failure. Softball is a failure sport and you’re going to fail 6 or 7 out of 10 times. So, it’s taught me how to overcome failure and how to deal with not always being successful,” said Schroder, who is very familiar with obstacles since she was diagnosed with diabetes at the

age of 7.

This makes softball harder for her, but she knows that her teammates will always have her back.

“I’ve been very fortunate with my teammates. They take really good care of me and if they notice that I’m not as intense as I usually am they’ll ask if I’m okay and if I need to go check my blood sugar. Diabetes definitely, in a sense, it makes softball tougher because I have to manage my blood sugar but at the same time I’m surrounded by such good people who really care for me and take care of me,” Schroder said.

Another obstacle the team has experienced for the past 10 years is making it to the third round of playoffs and then losing.

“This year we’re going with the mentality that we’re not cursed,” Schroder said.

Peet agrees that the Bobcats control their fate in the playoffs.

“I think it’s more of us getting into our heads and not playing like we should,” Peet said.

Head coach Stevens agrees with Schroder and Peet, and she believes that the playoffs curse is ancient history.

“The playoffs curse is dead and gone,” Stevens said.

The season began the week of February 2nd and the lady bobcats have a 9-4 overall record.

“It’s going good. We started games last week and we’re doing pretty good. Our team is pretty

Home Run. Senior Micah Schroder hits the ball in the game against Klein Collins. Photo by Madi Christian

solid this year,” Schroder said.

Peet is also confident in the team and their abilities.

“So far so good. We’re playing well and we’re playing like a team,” Peet said.

Schroder also continues to remain positive.

“Cy-Fair has taught me to always persevere.

There have been times when we weren’t put in the best of situations and we just have the mentality that we’re strong enough to get through it. There’s nothing standing in our way,” Schroder said.

Another base the softball team has had to pass is the replacement of their former coach, Coach Burrow.

The impact of Stevens taking over hasn’t deterred the team’s drive, Schroder believes that Stevens is the perfect match for the job.

“For the seniors it impacted us a lot when Coach Burrow left because she was our coach

for the last 3 years, but with Coach Stevens in charge we have a different mentality and we’ll prosper more,” Schroder said.

Peet is also hopeful that with Stevens in charge the team will go far.

“Our new head coach was our assistant coach and she’s actually conditioning us more and pushing us more than we were in the past.

So hopefully we’ll be better in the future and we’ll get past the 3rd round instead of losing,” Peet said.

Stevens is confident that this year she can take the team to the next level and prove to all the naysayers that Bobcat fight truly never dies.

“It’s fun. It’s been a good change. We are passionate about where we came from and we are respectful of the people that came before us and we try to adhere to everything that they had in place. This season the girls are going to go far,” Stevens said.

3. 11. 16

SPORTS

Let the good times roll

07

Bowling team spares none

AUDREY GRAY culture editor

Cy- Fair’s boys varsity bowling team snatched the district champions title in the East zone with multiple students moving onto regionals. Varsity players Gunner Gregurek and Gavyn Heffker were named first team all-district and will be attending the All- Star competition in April in College Station.

“I was really proud of Cy- Fair this year as last year we only won one match, but this year we won our first seven and went seven- two for the season,” Gregurek said.

Along with the first team qualifiers, CyFair has four boys, Eric Schoiber,William Davis, Luke Northcutt and David Joe who were named second team all district.

Sophomore David Joe joined the varsity bowling team as a freshman. He began bowling in a youth league when he was a kid, and it has been one of his favorite hobbies ever since.

“It’s been such an awesome year with becoming district champions and getting a huge trophy with our names on it,” Joe said.

Not only will Joe remember this year for winning, but for the memories he has made with his teammates and coaches.

“One time Coach Townley bet us for fun that if we got a score of 200 on a baker game he would buy us five soft drinks,” Joe said, “We tried multiple times, but never got it, so instead of a drink for everybody we ended

with one drink and five straws.”

The Cy- Fair bowling team started in the 80s, but ended soon after due to it never taking off as a popular sport with most students not knowing about it.

Two years ago, Coach Townley retired after 32 years, from being head coach of the varsity basketball team, but continued teaching PACE. When a close friend heard the news, he had an idea for Coach Townley.

This friend of Townley’s owns Copperfield Bowl on Glen Chase Dr. where all Cypress Fairbanks schools bowling practices and tournaments take place. When he realized Cy- Fair didn’t have a team, he asked Coach Townley if he would sponsor one.

“I started it as a favor for a friend, but I’ve come to love the kids who are in it,” Townley said, “Coach Lawyer and I have our official ball and we are practicing too trying to get better.”

Coach Lawyer joined Coach Townley to sponsor the bowling team along with Ms. Money as coach and together they have created the best bowling team Cy- Fair has ever had.

Tryouts for the team are at the beginning of October and bowling season begins soon after and ends in February, unless the team qualifies for regionals. Each match is competed against other teams from Cypress Fairbanks schools at Copperfield Bowl. At every match there is an

Rolling into 1st place. The boys bowling district champions pose with their trophy after their victory Photo provided by Coach Townley

individual concept with a team concept.

Sophomores Gunner Gregurek, Gavyn Heffker and David Joe went to regionals on Saturday March eight. From there, Heffker and Joe qualified for State which will be in San Antonio.

Although Townley has only been sponsoring this team for two years, he already has an appreciation for everyone on a team.

“These kids are unique,” Townley said, “They’re doing something not everybody can do..”

The Few. The Proud.

The Insane.

HANNAH WOODRUM reporter

RUGBY KICKS OFF SEASON Rugby at Cy-Fair hasn’t been around very long but it’s slowly growing. Only being a club at the moment the team is already number one in the division and is already coming together as a family.

With the rugby’s team 2-1 record, this makes them number one so far in the division.

Just like soccer, rugby is based off points.

Our rugby team, started two years ago by Arnold’s Middle School coach Kenneth Hepburn, who played for the U.S. team and the Jamaican National Rugby team.

For sophomore James Luecke, playing rugby has giving him a different feeling to playing a sport.

“It’s literally the biggest adrenaline rush I’ve ever had. It’s crazy,” Luecke said.

Luecke is the fly-half on the rugby team.

“I play what’s called the fly-half, I’m number 10. I’m basically the quarterback of the back line, I call the plays and pass the ball” Luecke said.

Luecke was also asked to play by Coach Hepburn and this is his second year playing.

“My middle school Coach Hepburn asked

me to play and I was like heck yeah I’ll play,” Luecke said, “I’ve been playing for about two years now.”

Coach Paul Rogers is the coach for the JV rugby team.

“Coach Hepburn asked me since I was in the Cy-Fair building if I would like to coach rugby with him and I said you know what you teach me and I’ll do it.” Rogers said.

Since coaching rugby, Rogers has seen a family form. The coaches remind the players before each game to always look to their left and then to their right because those are the people they are going into battle with.

“I love coaching, it feels like a family, most of the guys out there the reason they love playing rugby is because it feels like a family,” Rogers said.

And that means no member is left out.

Each week the best 15 players get to play but the coaches encourage players to come out and learn and the coaches try to find ways to let them play so they can get some playing time.

“Everyone is valued and strives to be the best. We teach them, as coaches, it’s about the

Hand off. Senior Orlando Hardy passes the ball to sophomore James Leucke during practice at Arnold Middle School. Photo by Aya Rawashdeh 15 players on the field and that’s who you play for. You aren’t playing as an individual, we play as a team and most of the guys have stated that’s the reason they come back is because they love that atmosphere,” Rogers said.

Rugby is an open sport and everyone has a chance to play. Anyone can show up. There are no tryouts and the coaches will teach new players the rules.

“Some of the guys who haven’t gotten to play another sport, and is just on the team, they like it. They are participating and feel like they are part of something” Rogers said.

Some of rugby’s traditions differ from other sports like football and soccer. It’s not show up to the game, play the game, shake hands and the game is over. No, in rugby players get to know other team members.

“The tradition in rugby is after the game the home team feeds the visiting team. So you actually sit, talk, and visit and actually get to know the guy that you played against. It’s about brotherhood it’s about building lasting relations with the guys you go into battle with” Rogers said.

08 LIFE

Culture shock

FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS COME TO AMERICA, MAKE MEMORIES

CODY BROWN life editor

GIOVANNI RIZZI, A bustling hallway, surging with unfamiliar faces. A new school, thousands of miles away for home.

An entire year, far away from family.

As a foreign exchange student from Italy, Giovanni Rizzi has exchanged his familiar “Ciao!” for a more local “Hello!” for a year at Cy-Fair.

“It was a different kind of, you know, experience for me, because I was not used to this many people in one school,” Rizzi said. “My school at home is very small, but there are all the same kinds of people here too.”

Rizzi, who comes from a school with less than 2000 students, found the transition to Cy-Fair not as bad as he initially thought. In fact, he found himself as more of a social magnet rather than a loner.

“In theater, I made friends fast because everyone asks me about my accent,” Rizzi said. “It gets annoying sometimes, but people think it’s fun to hear me talk.”

Rizzi found about the foreign exchange program from a friend in Italy, and saw it as a chance to come to a place he had dreamed of visiting. Rizzi also grew up watching movies like High School Musical that encouraged him to want to travel the world.

“We get a very blown up image of what America is like, but it’s nothing compared to what actually living here is like,” Rizzi said. “In Italy, people are so much more lively because everyone knows one another, and here it’s the same thing, except so much more.

3. 11. 16

Italia

NINA SCHNEIDER,

Deutschland

Sick on a 12-hour plane flight from Dülmen, Germany to Houston.

Nothing could ruin Nina Schneider’s excitement when the plane landed on American soil. Anticipation builds up inside her about the good weather and new experiences.

Schneider started her sophomore year at Cy-Fair High School at the beginning of the spring semester. This is not Schneider’s first time to leave her hometown to visit a different a country for an educational experience. Schneider went to France with some of her classmates for a week in 2012, 2013, and 2014. Coming from France to America was a different learning experience.

“I had friends around me the whole time in France and I could speak German with people able to understand me but here in Houston I knew nobody when I came to the school and everybody here spoke English.” Said Schneider.

Schneider came from a small town with a population of 46,762 to Houston that has about 6 million people. Going from group of friends to knowing nobody and not even knowing how to speak English wasn’t easy , but learning English was one of Schneider reasons why she wanted to come to America. “ I wanted to have a great experience and I wanted to meet new people and learn the new language.” Schneider said. , “ The people here are so cool and open minded. They always ask me to speak in German and later on they try to speak it.”

Although Schneider has only been here since the beginning of the winter semester she has made deep connections with her house mom, Jackie Haladay and her house sister, Kaitlin Rinker.

“We are very close. I’m definitely her mom in the states.”Haladay said.

When students enroll in the foreign exchange student program, house parents can choose the student who lives with them.

In the six months that Rizzi has been a student at Cy-Fair, he has learned and adapted to cultural norms, and has even learned new things about himself.

“People always asked me what I thought Texas was like,” Rizzi said.

“Now that I’m here, I feel like I’m becoming more Texan each day.”

After all the memories that Rizzi has made, he will not leave Cy-Fair as easily as he came. Since he arrived, Rizzi has been to the Homecoming dance, football games, and the Houston Zoo Lights, which will serve as mementos of his life as an American.

“The people here are the ones I will miss most,” Rizzi said. “I have a great host family, great friends, and great teachers that have made life here great.”

Say “Sorridi!” Giovanni Rizzi and Nina Schneider show pride for their home nations on Schneider’s Snapchat story. Photo by Nina Schneider

MADI CHRISTIAN opinion editor

Rinker grew up with two brothers. When she was younger, Rinker played with cars and rode bikes. All of that stopped when Schneider came to Houston.

“When Nina came around, we started doing girl stuff, like watching High School Musical and cooking.”Rinker said.

Schneider did not just make an impact on her house family, but she changed the lives of the new friends she has made here at Cy-Fair High School. “ I first met Nina during tennis.

She was standing in the corner by herself so I decided to go introduce myself.” Said Audrey McMahan. , “ When I first found out she was from Germany I was so excited that I introduced her to my friends.”

Schneider has been to the Houston Premium Outlets , Galleria, and Vintage Park with several friends she has made here in Houston.

Schneider has not forgotten about her friends and family back home though. She only allows herself to contact Germany only about three times a week so she doesn’t get homesick, but she has one friend who is also a part of the foreign exchange student program and who is in South Carolina. Knowing that her friend is going through the same thing she is going through makes it easier for her. “ I’ve Known Flo for about my whole life. He and I talk about our different experiences we have in America. I talk to him about everyday, he isn’t in Germany so my rule does not apply to him.” Said Schneider.

If Schneider ever has problems she is able to ask Flo for advice and maybe when they get older they will be able to visit America together.

Schneider will return home to Germany at the end of the school year.

“I am for sure, this trip will be my best experience in my life.”Schneider said. “ Not everybody is fortunate to experience a new cultural.”

3. 11. 16

LIFE

Cameron crushes competition SENIOR EXCELS IN DEBATE

Left: Triumph. Cameron McConway holds an award plaque from a Lincoln-Douglas Debate.

Right: Flawless victory. Cameron McConway celebrates victory at a tournament with sophomore and fellow debater Tess Welch.

Photos courtesy of Cameron McConway

EMILY SCHULTE culture editor

People like Cameron McConway are the ones that are going to change the world. The majority of people on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, a compilation of some of the youngest and most successful leaders and entrepreneurs, were once debate students just like McConway.

Placing third in the state of Texas last year, Cameron is the first Cy-Fair HS student to ever qualify for Tour of Champions (TOC, a competitive organization that travels across the nation to debate in places like Minneapolis, Harvard, and a Round Robin showcase event for 12-20 of the most talented debate students.

She is one of the 85 students selected each year. Through winning more than 75 debate tournaments she has developed quite a reputation her herself.

“Kids who don’t know me think I’m really intimidating,” McConway said.

Cameron practices the Lincoln-Douglas form of debate. It requires the student to research an affirmative and negative solution to the topic at hand for two months before going to competitions to perform in four prelim rounds that take 45 minutes each.

Within her particular form of debate, the community is surprisingly close knit. There are only 200 students that compete in LD. Even if someone doesn’t personally know someone, they have found them on various forms of social media.

“The kids you debate with end up becoming some of your closest friends. Regardless of the results, we’re still going to get up and shake hands and laugh about it later,” McConway said.

As a TOC qualifier, McConway must speak at about 400 words per minute. By speed reading, she is able to break down speech by

not really processing what she is reading. Along with continuous drills, debate students are constantly studying philosophers such as John Locke and John Rawls. With all of the extensive research on both sides of an argument, it has made it almost impossible for McConway to pick a definite side on a debatable topic.

“People should be open minded. Someone who is too closed off won’t learn anything from it,” McConway said.

McConway joined debate her sophomore year after her parents convinced her to join.

After spending only three tournaments on Novice, the Junior Varsity debate team, she quickly claimed a spot on the Varsity debate team.

“It has made me a lot more confident, I definitely speak my mind more,” McConway said.

With the help of her personal debate coach, Arun Sharma, who has worked with her over video chat several times a week for the past year and a half, Cameron has continued to excel and grow in her talents.

“Coaching Cameron has and is a privilege and an honor. She’s an incredibly hard worker who’s always willing to learn, take criticism, and constantly strive to be the best she can be. As a coach, I can’t ask for anything more,” Sharma said.

The current debate team, its alumni, and Mr. Beard has been alongside Cameron every

step of the way as mentors and as friends.

“It’s kind of a cult and Mr. Beard is like a father figure to us,” McConway said.

Throughout her journey, she has lost debates, been verbally harassed on and off the podium, and dealt with bullying, but she has remained as resilient as ever. Being one of 15 girls on the 85-90 group of students involved in the Tour of Champions has inspired her to become involved with a women in debate movement to work towards ending sexism within the program.

“It’s a very male dominated event, girls get told they are too aggressive while boys are praised for it,” McConway said.

This summer she will coach debate for middle and high school aged kids at three summer camps at Occidental, Swarthmore, and UT. With her understanding of the uncertainty younger kids feel when they are starting out, she enjoys mentoring for them.

“It takes someone who is very resilient because you lose a lot at first. You have to get used to having your teeth kicked in a couple times” said McConway.

Through her experiences, foreign policy, a frequently used debate topic, caught her attention and inspired her to begin working to become a diplomat for the United Nations.

Although she will not be continuing with debate in college, she will forever hold the memories she has made within the program here.

“Debate has taught me to speak up for myself and others which is something I will always cherish about this experience,” McConway said.

Army strong: SENIOR EARNS ACCEPTANCE TO WEST POINT ACADEMY HANNAH HELGREN business manager

Photo by Diana Richie

Senior James Richie is a top ROTC student who was recently accepted into the most recognized military academy in the nation: The United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.

Thousands of high school students apply for admissions each year, but only a few are accepted, according to our ROTC Captain Scott Thomas. With only a 9 percent acceptance rate, being a part of West Point is an exceptional honor.

According to the West Point website, usma. edu, The Academy has an acceptance criteria of 60 percent leadership, 30 percent academics and 10 percent physical fitness. West Point specifically looked at Richie’s career in ROTC, and is, “definitely above average.” as stated by Captain Thomas.

Richie said he is ranked number 28 in the senior class, has a GPA of 6.8. He made a 1980 on the SAT and a 31 on the ACT. Richie is also captain of the cross country team.

To get into West Point, you need a nomination from either a congressman or senator. The application process is lengthy and takes 6-7 months to obtain.

“For people that are really wanting to go to

09

an academy, they really need to plan ahead. You need to be competitive,” Thomas said.

Richie started applying for The Academy in March of 2015, and his results were returned in January.

The Academy requires three essays, although Richie said he probably wrote about 20, considering all his different military applications. James received a nomination from Senator John Cornyn and Congressman Michael McCaul, the only two Texas

Representatives.

Richie is especially looking forward to the teamwork and culture that military school offers.

“Hard working people work together to reach one goal,” Richie said. “No one really slacks. It’s a bond of brothers and sisters.

Through all the mutual pain, training and hardships the students grow together. And that’s just not something you see at any other college in the United States.”

Because West Point offers their recruits the scholarship without tuition, recruits need to serve five years active duty, and four reserved years in the military. After doing this, Richie plans to continue his career in the army for 20-30 years.

Although he has his mind set on the army, but he has also recently been accepted into the US Air Force Academy as well. Being in the Air Force is a clear second to being the Army, for Richie.

“Of Course, West Point was his first choice, he jumped on it right away,” Thomas said.

Even after these options, he has the backup of using his scholarship for decor to Texas A&M University.

?

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3. 11. 16

CENTER

A Question of

RIGHTS

JULIA RYZA co editor-in-chief

ARE OUR RIGHTS AS STUDENTS SECURE?

“WHERE DOES THE BALANCE LIE BETWEEN OUR RIGHTS AS FREE AMERICANS, AND OUR RIGHTS IN THE SCHOOL SETTING?”

EMME ENOJADO co editor-in-chief

accusing two coaches of sexual misconduct toward other female students. Senior Taylor Bell posted the song - littered with vulgarity and retaliatory violence toward the coaches - to Facebook and Youtube.

School administration soon found out about the song, and suspended Bell, sending him to an alternative school.

Bell then accused the school board of denying him his 1st amendment rights, and that he brought awareness to a serious issue that would otherwise be dismissed if he only told a “responsible adult” about the misconduct instead.

When taken to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in Feb. of 2015, according to scotusblog.com, “The question presented is whether and to what extent public schools, consistent with the First Amendment, may discipline students for their off campus speech.”

The court ruled in favor of the school district’s decision to punish Bell for the song, and according to splc.org, “(The Fifth Circuit Opinion) affirms the district court’s ruling that the school administrators

reasonably understood the speech to be threatening, harassing and intimidating the teachers, and that the song caused a “substantial disruption” at school.”

For Itawamba county’s lawyer Michelle Floyd, the ruling made her “excited.”

“I was very pleased with the majority opinion’s very favorable attitude toward education and the hurdles educators have in disciplining students and maintaining control in classrooms, and how hard that is these days,” Floyd said, according to splc.org.

The end of this case was a denial of the petition of Amicus Curiae filed by Massachusetts Citizens for Children on Feb. 26 of this year.

Massachusetts Citizens for Children gave the Supreme Court a brief of new information for re-examination of the Bell case, but the Supreme Court stood with the current decision of the lower court.

1943

1969

1985

WHAT ABOUT CY-FAIR?

In order to understand the connection of free speech to school settings, three categories of student speech under the first amendment must be defined.

Board v. Barnette

Tinker v. Des Moines

New Jersey v. T.L.O.

Supreme Court ruled that students could not be forced to recite the Pledge of Allegiance nor otherwise salute the flag against their will.

The high court agreed that students’ free rights should be protected and said, “Students don’t shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gates.”

School off icials may search a student’s property if they have a “reasonable suspicion” that a school rule has been broken, or a student has committed or is in the process of committing a crime

>

STUDENT RIGHTS THROUGH THE YEARS

We can complain about a bad day on Twitter, post a photo of a date night with friends on Instagram, and maybe if you’re still into Facebook, update a status.

For high school students, social media has become an outlet for our opinions and ideas.

If someone were to mention a teacher, a student or an administrator on social media, could there be consequences even though it’s outside school grounds? According to the U.S. supreme court, yes there could be. And the school could very well be the one accusing you of causing “a disruption to the learning environment” instead of simply exercising your first amendment right.

Our first amendment right of Freedom of Speech is one of the most protected rights in the constitution. But it is vital to understand that free speech does not protect all speechspecifically speech defined by the supreme court as threatening, libel/slander, “fighting words” or obscene.

In 2011 a senior attending Itawamba Agricultural High School in Itawamba County, Mississippi produced a song

3. 11. 16

CENTER

11

Taylor Bell with his attorneys Wilbur Colom (left) and Scott Colom.

Photo courtesy www.thef ire.org

Photo by Blake Nall

Photo by Aya Daouk

KEVIN SATTERFIELD

RICHARD FENNER

General counsel of CFISD Marney Sims further explains, “School-sponsored speech is speech that occurs in schoolsponsored publication, theatrical productions, and other expressive activities that students, parents and members of the public might reasonably perceive to represent the school,” Sims said.

Then, there is lewd/vulgar speech or speech that promotes violence or drug abuse, or otherwise referred to as “Prohibited Speech”, and can be prohibited by the school regardless if the speech causes disruption.

Lastly, there is schooltolerated speech that occurs on school property.

“A school official may regulate school-tolerated speech only where the speech would “materially and substantially interfere with the requirements of appropriate discipline in the operation of the school or the rights of others. (Tinker v. Des Moines Indep. Comm. Dist) (1969),” Sims said. “Please note, this can include off-campus speech that eventually makes its way onto school property—if there is a “nexus”(connection) to the school.”

This type of speech was the main focus of the Bell case, and it was argued that the Tinker standard did not apply to Bell because it was off campus, (the Tinker standard is applied to find if “the record does not demonstrate any facts which might reasonably lead school authorities to forecast substantial disruption of or material interference with school activities, and no disturbances or disorders on the school premises in fact occurred.” according to www. firstamendmentschools.org) While Bell did publish the rap song onto Youtube and Facebook at his home and not on school grounds, the speech made its way onto Itawamba Agricultural High School’s campus, allowing the speech to be regulated by school authority. “...if the off-campus speech ends up at school by students using school resources (computers in a computer lab) to access it or it is disseminated at school (writings created offcampus are brought to campus and shared with students), the Tinker standard will apply,” Sims said.

A student showed the song to the coaches who were mentioned in the rap, and students at Itawamba High became aware of the song. The song was determined to “threaten, harass, or intimidate” a teacher, making it subject to the Tinker standard.

While social media and the internet may be the gateway to a world with an infinity of personal opinion and discovery, the consequences of posting is naturally going to increase because of this large capacity for free speech. Especially when applied to speech directed to a school environment.

Where does the balance lie between our rights as free Americans, and our rights in the school setting?

“I do not believe there is a “thin line” between a student’s right to free speech and a school district’s obligation to protect the learning environment.

Students do not forfeit their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and expression based solely upon their status as a student in a public school, and school officials do not possess absolute authority over their students,” Sims said.

1986

1988

1990

Bethel School v.

Fraser Court held that school off icials may prohibit student speech before a student assembly that is vulgar, lewd and plainly offensive.

Hazelwood School v.

Kuhlmeier The First Amendment rights of student journalists are not violated when school off icials prevent the publication of certain articles in the school newspaper.

West Side Community Schools v. Mergens Public Schools That Allow Student-Interest Clubs Cannot Exclude Religious or Political Ones

Q Q

How do you feel about the First Amendment in public schools?

“The First Amendment has several parts. The administrators have found a good balance.”

“The First Amendment is the most important right you have as a student, particularly in school.”

Do you think a student should forfeit some of their freedom of speech rights when they go to school?

“I think the students here get as much freedom as the law allows them from the administrators.”

“Absolutely not. You should be held to the same expectations in society as you are in school.”

Photo by Blake Nall

Photo by Blake Nall

MICHAEL SMITH

WILLIAM FELDER

Q

How do you feel about the First Amendment in public schools?

Q

Do you think a student should forfeit some of their freedom of speech rights when they go to school?

“You still have freedoms and rights, the school doesn’t take that away.

Some of the certain public speeches have to be filtered so it doesn’t cause chaos in the school system.”

“In this institution of learning, how can you learn without being able to speak? We want people to question.”

“You have a right to your opinions, but we have to protect everyone’s rights, what may be appropriate for 18 or 19 year olds might not be appropriate for a freshman.”

“We want everyone to feel safe when they’re here. Anything that’s being said, published, or broadcasted should be managed on campus.”

2007

Morse v. Frederick

* >

School authorities do not violate the First Amendment when they stop students from expressing views that may be interpreted as promoting illegal drug use.

For more information, visit...

uscourts.gov educationrights.com f irstamendmentschools.org nytimes.com

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3. 11. 16

LIFE

L E V LE

TAKE IT TO THE NEXT SENIOR ARRINGTON LEVEL TAKES MR. CY-FAIR CROWN MELODY BERRYHILL reporter His heart pounded heavily in his chest as the announcer said those 7 words that made all the anticipated contestants listen closely, “And your 2016 Mr. Cy-Fair is”, after a dramatic pause, “Arrington Level!”.

The senior took on a theatrical reaction, flailing his arms over his head with a comical face, making the audience laugh. He proudly accepted the trophy while the two brigade social officers put on his crown and sash while he took his place on the throne.

This is his first year participating in the contest, and he was not expecting to win.

“I never thought of winning since I’m not as well known as the other boys,” Level said, “When they called my name, it was just so surreal.”

Numbered 21 out of the 28 contestants, Level brought a creative flair to the contest. He did a step dance for his talent portion.

Since he moved to Cypress from Kansas he’s always wanted to be apart of Mr. Cy-Fair but Theatre UIL took

up a large portion of his time. Part of his life revolves around theatre and their hectic schedule when it comes to musicals and play productions.

Level played Officer Lockstock in Urinetown and the leading role in Big Love.

During his talent portion of Mr.Cy Fair, he improvised his whole performance.

Rudy Pena and him were originally doing two completely different acts not revolving around step. When he was getting prepared for the show he suddenly told Rudy “I don’t really feel like making up nothing, do you just want to do an act together?”.

They walked to Mrs. Sanders office getting ready to told her their plan, and she seemed hesitant. “It was a little stressful to get the script from the entire show, change it, and get their time slots together but they did great!”, Mrs. Sanders said.

Anything shown on stage that night was the first time they ever did it. They discussed the logistics

Arrington Level takes his seat on the Mr. Cy Fair throne.. Photo by Bri Baiza. of it, the way it’s going to be set up, everything else they just went with the flow.

He’s been on the step team since his time here at Cy-Fair. It’s the most influential organization he’s been in. Being on the step team helped him grow so far as a person, artist, leader, choreographer, and anything else under the sun. The step team also incorporates acting into their routines, which helped him prosper

more as a good actor. “I felt like I can put in everything that I did outside of step and connect all into one”.

Being a member on the team worked as a stronghold for him.

It’s always been a dream of Levels to become an actor and have his own sitcom show. ”Ever since I was a little kid, I would always imitate certain people with the biggest personalities I can find”, Level said, “along with

playing toys, it was me in the mirror pretending to be other people that I saw.”

When he was younger he always had a passion for becoming somebody else and being an entertainer. Level hopes to achieve the goal of entertaining the masses, make bank, and inspiring others.

“My message to others is to just be you.”

: D E T H G SI Cookie dealer on the loose JUNIOR HASN’T LOST HER SCOUT’S HONOR: TEN-YEAR COOKIE SELLING STREAK CLAIRE MYNATT sports editor

Candice and her younger sister in front of their cookie fort. Photo courtesy of

Candice Ferguson.

At summer camp in Conroe, surrounded by the heat and humidity that accompany the typical Texas summer, junior Candice Ferguson realized that she wanted to stay in Girl Scouts until her senior year.

When she was 15 she was told she could work at the same summer camp that she had so much fun at every summer and help girls that were doing the same things she had been doing for so long, like learning camping skills and learning how to canoe She joined Girl Scouts of the USA in the seventh grade to hang out with her friends more and help the community.

“I had wanted to join it for a while and then my friends kept

telling me to join so I went to one meeting to see what it was like,” Candice said.

She’s been hooked since the first meeting. One of her favorite parts of being in Girl Scouts is cookie season.

Her freshman year she sold 3300 cookies, the most she’s ever sold.

Cookie season takes up a lot of time, 2-4 hours during the week and then all day on the weekends working the booths outside of Kroger and HEB. “I loved my first cookie season because I enjoyed selling them, and everyone was happy to see me because they were getting their cookies,”Candice said.

She’s not the only one in her family to do it, her thirteen-yearold sister Amanda joined in fourth grade. They are together through Girl Scouts, from cookie season to camping together. Candice helps her sisters troop when they’re

volunteering, camping at Agnes Arnold in Conroe and even leads some of the meetings “I love doing Girl Scouts together,” Amanda said. “We have a lot of fun together and we always work as a team when it comes to Girl Scouts.”

January of 2015 Candice and Amanda got invited to a ‘Just Desserts’ function because they had joined the 1,000 cookie club. At the event they got to try cupcakes that used Candice was featured on KPRC Channel 2 news with reporter Amy Davis while she was at the event because she sold so many cookies.

“It was a lot of fun. I got to meet a lot of different people and try many different cookie inspired desserts,” Candice said. “It was really cool to hear my name on TV because I wasn’t expecting it when I had first met Amy Davis.”

3. 11. 16

OPINION

Let them eat

(PI)E

CELEBRATE NATIONAL PI DAY MARCH 14 EMME ENOJADO co editor-in-chief

House of Pies

6142 Westheimer Rd The IHOP for pies, House of Pies offers more than 30 different pie flavors, cream, fruit, and everything in between.

Open 24 hours, this restaurant has a classic American diner atmosphere, with retro arcade games at the entrance and old-timey music from the 50’s to the 80’s playing in the background.

French Silk Pie, 3/5 The silky smooth combination of dark and light chocolate makes the French Silk pie heavenly. The layer of dark chocolate tucked at the bottom is denser, creamier and thicker than its milk chocolate layer, which is more whiplike and light. The quality of the pie was an easy A-plus, but I still felt like there was something missing, like there could have been more to the pie to make it over the top and extra special.

Bayou Goo Pie, 2/5 The House of Pies’ specialty is the Bayou Goo Pie, a name to raise some eyebrows. This pecan crust pie with a layer of sweet cream cheese, another of vanilla custard swirled with chocolate chunks, cloaked with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. I was quite hesitant about spending $3.50 on something whose name sounded like a slice of fresh, hand plucked mud from the Houston Bayou mixed with chocolate and cream, but I gave it a whirl for the sake of experimentation. One bite in, I could tell that it definitely was not a mucky glump from the ground, but it also failed to reach the glamour and scrumptiousness of its description.

On the plus side, the cream was sweet and well mixed and the crust had a crisp and clean taste to it; and didn’t leave my mouth dry and aching for water after one nibble. However, the plethora of flavors and textures were much of an overkill and were more contradictory than complimentary, and my interest in it soon waned.

Goode BBQ Company

20102 Northwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77065

Pecan Pie, 5/5 Let me get this point across- I am not a fan of pecans, or really any nuts for that matter. So, my expectations for Goode’s Pecan Pie were rockbottom, despite the high remarks and recognition it’s gotten from food critics throughout and out of the Houston area.

I was wrong. So, so, incredibly and deeply and madly and terribly wrong.

The phrase “Goode’s Pecan Pie” might as well replace the word “heaven”, because I had never tasted a pie so wondrous and enchanting out of the 16 years of my life. For only $3.50, my world turned upside down, my tongue was blessed with a dash of sugar from its rich, warm golden blanket of gooey, syrupy sludge, and my teeth were gifted with the opportunity to crunch into the fresh, Texas-sized Texas pecans that had a hint of cinnamon and the pie’s thick, cookie-like crust that wrapped it all together-both literally and metaphorically. Congratulations, Goode BBQ Company, you defied my very own taste buds with whatever magic you glazed upon your celestial Pecan Pies.

The Bake Shoppe 12724 Grant Rd, Cypress, TX 77429

This quaint bakeshop is the epitome of Cypress, TX. A homey interior with Southern/Country/ “Girly” decorations sprawled on the walls, The Bake Shoppe is located across the street from Hamilton Middle School. The outdoor seating option includes a great view, as you can laugh at the poor unfortunate middle school souls as they trample around in circles on the dirt track-or you can cry as you reminisce of your own terrors at HMS.

Chocolate Whoopie Pie, 2/5 It’s called a “whoopie” pie for a reason. 75 percent of this is a mountain of soft, fluffy whip cream, the other 25 percent the actual chocolate cream pie part, along with the crust. Topped with drizzles of hard shell chocolate and crunchy sugared nuts, the pie was a nice combination of textures and quite pleasing to the taste buds. The creamy chocolate melted in my mouth, but there was so little of it so it was difficult to actually enjoy and savor. The crust was mediocre, nice and bready, but it stuck in the mouth and only left me with a fierce need for hydration.

photos by Emme Enojado

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3. 11. 16

CULTURE

Let’s get in Formation

QUEEN B’S NEW MUSIC VIDEO: CLEAR OR CONTROVERSIAL? LIZZIE FARIA online editor

On Feb. 6, the world wasn’t ready when Beyoncé released her new single “Formation” the day before the Super Bowl. When “Formation” dropped, the Internet went crazy.

The video hit just in time for Black History Month and the reception was more than enthusiastic.

Twitter exploded with tweets about how much the video changed people’s lives. One tweet said: “Oh my god! Beyoncé’s new song gave me life!”. It was the number one trending topic on Twitter for at least two days. It was as if a higher being had descended down and gave us this Beyoncé video.

When I first heard about the video, I had it hyped up in my head that it would be the most amazing video I had ever seen. And it lived up to my expectations.

“Formation” displays a southern

Gothic style from some of the costumes that mimic the fashion of the 1800s south. This is depicted in one scene where back-up vocalists wore flowing white dresses with lace and embellishments. Beyoncé’s daughter Blue Ivy Carter makes a cameo, going all natural with her hair and, wow, was she adorable.

Unfortunately, the video has received backlash and negative feedback due to the way the imagery could be interpreted .

An article by Brandon Harris from Indiewire states: “However, if she’s going to demand that her followers stand in ‘Formation,’ and if the commentators are going to take her at face value, it’d be nice to hear her articulate her beliefs and intentions-that is, beyond the allure of her own commercial viability, wrapped in the symbols of black revolt,” said Harris.

Beyoncé is also responsible for financing a multi-million dollar homeless shelter here in Houston, which can be argued to be a much

more significant contribution. What’s sad, is that people don’t know this.

Yes, this is a wonderful contribution to the black community, but that message is overshadowed by the video’s imagery and some of the lyrics, which include explicit and profane language.

Such controversial imagery includes not only the sinking of a police car, but graffiti that says “Stop shooting us.” Now fast forward to a powerful image of a young black boy dancing in front of a group of riot policemen. Viewers may not all see what Beyoncé is trying to convey in “Formation” because of it being lost in the swarm of disturbing imagery.

“Formation” communicates a message that has good intentions, but gets lost in the moment. This is the kind of thing that can happen to any video, but it hits hard with “Formation” no matter which way you look at it. Its in-your-face message steers some people away from what the message truly is and that in itself is a tragedy.

Photo by Nhat V. Meyer/Tribune News Service

Getting fit NOT easy: ‘Eat only when you’re hungry’ JULIA RYZA co editor-in-chief

There is no quick fix or pill that can make a person healthy.

We live in a society that demands instant gratification and fast results.

Unfortunately “fads” do not and will not work for someone who is looking to lose weight sustainably and start living a healthy lifestyle. If they did, everyone would be doing them, and everyone would be as “fit” or “skinny” as they promise. And that’s a hard pill to swallow for some.

It is vital to understand that living healthy is living better, obviously.

But it’s not as simple as working out. There are multiple components that make the equation to living healthy. As for diet, there is a simple formula to follow, and there’s no need for excessive calorie counting or measuring food into individual containers.

Learning from personal trainer and owner of Iforce fitness Nasser Dabbas, I have discovered a successful, simple way of eating right.

“Only eat when you’re truly hungry, eat slowly and don’t eat until you’re over stuffed or full,” said Dabbas.

Our brains don’t process what we are eating until 20 minutes after we start, which gives us enough time to overeat, giving our body extra calories that will only be stored, and not burned off.

But why isn’t this way of eatingthat has been proven successfulemphasized in the fitness world?

“Because they make money.

The health and fitness industry is not just trainers and dietitians. It’s the supplement companies, it’s the pills they come up with, these are the people who make the money,” Dabbas said.

Sadly, the health and fitness industry is mainly comprised of companies and people who don’t care about the true health of individuals, and use psychology to appeal to the public in order to sell whatever new “pill” or diet that is “guaranteed” fast results with minimal or no effort at all.

A diet isn’t just the physical aspect of eating or picking healthy foods. It’s also about discipline.

It is common to smell something good and automatically want to eat it, or to just eat mindlessly...and I have been very guilty of this. I am a huge food lover, and I am a sucker for a good fried chicken dinner with fluffy mashed potatoes and gravy. But looking through a health perspective, meals like these are meant for special occasions, not for everyday eating. After seeing two grandparents go through open heart surgery to unclog their arteries

Art by Bri Gonzalez

and being diagnosed with diabetes, I have seen the importance of eating health conscious foods.

Picking the right meals and snacks throughout the day is a gradual, daily process that does not guarantee instant results, and that is where it gets dangerous. I have learned to tell myself “This will not be better for me in the long run” when I am tempted to eat a whole box of cookies or bag of chips.

Things like nuts, fruits, vegetables and low sugar/sodium foods are some of the best snacks you can eat throughout the day.

For example, my diet mainly consists of high protein, low carb foods, and I have progressively lowered how much meat I consume.

Water intake is also a huge if not one of the most important factors to diet.

Without proper hydration, running and working out can become difficult and can cause symptoms of dizziness and nausea.

While this works for me, I cannot match my specific diet to others because different diets work for different kinds of people. That is why I am an advocate for research based on your lifestyle and health conditions in order to find a diet for what’s

best for your body and it’s natural balance.

For the physical aspect, I emphasize cardio. Running (especially outside- not a treadmill) is what I do mainly, as different types of landscapes can help strengthen muscles like calves, and ankles. According to bodybuilding. com, cardio improves heart health significantly, increases metabolism (giving you more energy), increases good hormones like dopamine that can ease symptoms of depression or fatigue, and decrease recovery time for muscle tissue.

A common myth is that only lifting weights and focusing on specific muscle groups will make you lean and give you abs. A mix of running, conditioning, weight lifting (heavy or light), and a healthy diet will guarantee results, but it will take a couple months depending on your current weight/health, and truly it is best to live your whole life committed to daily exercise and healthy eating.

Real results require dedication, discipline and commitment.

Sometimes it’s just about forcing yourself to get off the couch and go to the gym or go for a run on days you don’t want to. But when you do, you feel so much better for it. There will always be satisfaction from hard work, and your body will thank you.

3. 11. 16

15

CULTURE

Bobcat’s Favorite Bops STUDENTS SHARE THEIR PLAYLISTS LILY ADAM reporter

SOPHOMORE GIO GARCIA Favorite Slow Song?

Higher by Rihanna

Favorite Drake Song?

Thank Me Later Favorite Summer Song?

High By the Beach by Lana Del Rey Favorite Get Ready Song?

Practice by Drake Favorite Song to Sing in the Car? Piece of Me by Britney Spears Favorite Studying Song?

Gold by Kiiara Favorite Remix?

Down in the DM by Yo Gotti remix ft. Nicki Minaj

SOPHOMORE MAGGIE DVORACEK

FRESHMAN CAROLINE JOHNSON

SENIOR PABLO BERRY

Favorite Song to Sing in the Car? Piece By Piece by Kelly Clarkson

Favorite Metal Song?

You Only Live Once by Suicide Silence

Favorite song to fall asleep to?

Exchange by Bryson Tiller

Favorite Slow Song?

Slow Dancing in a Burning Room by John Mayer

Favorite Throwback Song?

The Middle by Jimmy Eats World

Favorite Drake song?

Hate Sleeping Alone

Favorite Country Song?

Beautiful Drug by Zac Brown Band

Feel Good Song?

Lip Gloss by Lil Mama, Forever by Drake

Favorite Pre-game Song?

2 Phones by Kevin Gates

Favorite Alternative Song?

Dreaming by Smallpools

Favorite Throwback?

Apologize by One Republic

Favorite Remix?

Ignition Remix by R Kelly

Favorite Taylor Swift Song?

Should’ve Said No

Favorite breakup song?

Potential Breakup Song by Aly and AJ, Marvins Room by Drake Favorite get ready song?

Ice Cream Paint Job by Dorrough

Favorite Drake Song?

Shot For Me

Favorite Current Pop Song?

Me, Myself and I by G-Eazy

Favorite Foo Fighters Song?

Everlong Favorite Pump Up Song?

Any Dubstep song Favorite Taylor Swift Song?

22

Photos by Lily Adam

COFFEE...It all began with energetic goats NICOLE SHAIR news editor

Art by Lauryn Walker

Ahh, coffee. That rich smell of coffee beans in the morning, that all-consuming black liquid which has been blended into the lives of average Americans throughout the nation. It can be bitter like a surprise cold front coming through Houston or warm like a lazy, summer afternoon spent chilling with friends and watching reruns of Full House.

A drink so delicious and simple that celebrities, like Miley Cyrus, to the average teenager consume a cup at least once a day.

Why is coffee so popular amongst the teenage demographic?

The answer doesn’t involve magic or a bunch of complicated statistics explaining what all the factors involved in caffeine addiction. Well, it does, but magic is hard to come by so most coffee is just ground coffee beans and warm water.

Coffee is so popular with teenagers because of the late nights finishing lab reports and studying for physics tests because it’s trendy and makes people feel good and allows students that extra oomph to get through the day.

It’s so popular because teenagers just like

coffee.

But who could have thought that the one to discover this brewed necessity was an Ethiopian goat herder more than a thousand years ago?

According to popular legend, the origin of coffee can be traced to an Abyssinian (Ethiopian) goat herder named Kaldi and his herd of frolicking goats. Kaldi noticed his goats were more excited and energetic than usual and went to investigate the red berries and shiny leaves of an unfamiliar tree that his goats had been nibbling on. After trying out the berries himself, Kaldi was overcome with joy and became the “happiest herder in happy Arabia”.

From there, coffee traveled from remote tribes in Ethiopia to the Italian traders in Europe and then was brought to the Americas.

The first coffee shop was established in Constantinople and, according to ClueSheet. com, Captain John Smith was the one to introduce coffee to North America. It wasn’t long until coffee became a popular drink around the world.

And, according to journalist, novelist and coffee expert, Taylor Clark, it became so popular that under Turkish law it became legal for a woman to divorce if her husband could not provide her with enough coffee.

While coffee was a popular drink throughout history what with its patriotic symbolism in America due to the Boston Tea Party in 1773 to the invention of instant coffee

by George Constant Washington in 1906, it wasn’t until 1971 that coffee became a fastboiling phenomenon.

Starbucks. Some people hate it. Some love it. But one thing that no one can deny is Starbucks role in the rapid rise of over-priced frappuccinos. From Starbuck’s first coffeehouse opened in Seattle’s Pike Place Market in 1971 to its present empire spanning over 43 countries, Starbucks has spread its caffeinated influence into both rural towns and the city scene.

Now, while a nice Americana or an espresso with that extra shot of caffeine can be absolute Heaven at six in the morning, the real effects of coffee on teenagers and adults alike is not a conversation one typically has over a cup of joe.

The short term benefits of coffee can be a hyper sense of alertness and a jump of muchneeded energy as well as it can be a way to calm those with anxiety and depression due to the extra release of dopamine from the brain.

But, although coffee can give people those “happy feels”, the physical effects of coffee on one’s body is not so good.

According to a 2014 study by Healthline, heartburn, diarrhea, muscle aches and irritability are just a few of the effects that coffee has on the human body. It can be even worse for pregnant women as it can cause it to be harder for women to become pregnant and can seep into the placenta and affect the baby in adverse ways.

Caffeine is great, but having too much caffeine in general isn’t the greatest life choice.

Regardless of the science behind caffeine or the history of how coffee came to be, if it’s a warm summer afternoon you’re after or a rare, bitter day of thunderstorms, coffee will never disappoint.

16

3. 11. 16

OPINION

‘Something has to change’ SOPHOMORE FIGHTS UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS BLAKE NALL reporter

Boys like cars, the color blue, talking about trucks, and violence. They can’t like pink, emotions, or stay at home with their kids full time.

Gender roles have trained society to see males this way, and something has to change.

Gender roles are ideas that society pins on a sex. The male stereotype is so ridiculously out of proportion it actually stops guys from being who they really are and expressing themselves in an accepting environment.

According to alternet.org, when asked about what was expected of them, many men said making money was one of the most important aspects of masculinity. Men must make more money than women, and if they don’t, it causes many to raise an eyebrow as if it is not allowed for a woman to make more than men. By having the most money, you win at life, and, according to society’s label, every man must be competitive and constantly craving that taste of victory.

Fixing and tinkering is something that a lot of guys have a blast doing. Sitting under the hood checking out an old car’s engine, or making a bicycle go that much faster. However, this is yet another generalization. Guys who do this have made a reputation for themselves as the “go to dude” for anything that needs to be fixed or improved. However, due to the fact that human beings aren’t the exact same as each other, there are bound to be some guys who do not do these things. They don’t know how to tinker with their car, fix their bike, or anything else like that because they simply do not care, but still are expected to.

They better learn, otherwise they risk looking incompetent.

As well as mentally strong, men must be physically strong. Did Adam Levine win the Sexiest Man Alive award for being skinny? According to livestrong.com, if a man takes on a lifestyle in which he intends to get super jacked, some weeks he could experience zero fat loss or muscle gain. The process isn’t linear by any stretch of the imagination, it takes time, effort, and money to get that “perfect” man body and some guys just do not have the time or money to afford it. On top of that, some guys aren’t even built to have super ripped bodies, some are just naturally small. It isn’t possible for those little guys to get super huge, and it shouldn’t be expected.

There has to be some sort of gender awakening to get these generalizations off guys. Dudes shouldn’t be shunned for wanting to vent their feelings, and they shouldn’t be attacked for not making 7-figure salaries and bringing in the big bucks. There isn’t a single guy that’s the same as another, and there should not be a template man that they should be modeled after.

GENDER

R THEOEXPECTATIONS LES VS. THE REALITY

Art by Lauryn Walker

‘People can’t put us in boxes’

JUNIOR BREAKS STEREOTYPES ABOUT GIRLS LAURYN WALKER reporter

I don’t like pink. I was never a fan of Barbies.

High heels are terrible. I like red. Hot Wheels were my toy of choice. Converse trump all.

Gender roles are stereotypes, expectations, and general societal norms for men and women. It seems that gender roles are an aspect of our society that many write off as nothing.

What is the female gender role? The same as it’s been for decades: take care of the house, be a good wife, have children, take care of said children.

In recent years many girls rebel against this kind of thinking. There is an increased amount of girls who are now going into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics fields. However, the gender gap between guys and girls in the STEM fields is still startling.

The National Science Foundation reported that women only make up 12 percent of the engineers in the United States. The Girl Scout Research Institute found that more than half of all girls say that girls don’t typically consider a career in STEM. These numbers can’t be separated from the societal expectations of women to not stray from ‘feminine’ occupations into ‘masculine’ ones involving math and science. Gender roles can also be seen in more subtle ways that people have come to ignore and disregard without question.

Girls are expected to wear dresses to formal events. They’re expected to have hair at least to their shoulders. They’re supposed to be able to cook and clean and bear children and date boys.

This ideal that has been set forth by our culture is detrimental to the progression and success of women.

Increasingly in the media, girls who don’t conform to the role society has placed are labeled as gay. After a rumor began of Kelly Clarkson being gay, she attributed it to the fact that she wasn’t yet married. “That’s why people think I’m gay -- because they’re like ‘Why aren’t you married?’” she told Huffington Post. This has even stronger implications. Now, breaching society’s gender roles determines sexual orientation?

Whether a girl decides to wear Converse vs. pumps, even to a formal occasion, shouldn’t result in outrage. Why is our society so fearful of women? We’re breaking the barriers that had once been placed around us. In the age of innovation and change, this shouldn’t come at a surprise.

Opening doors up for girls advances the entire population, not just women. Intelligent women make for skilled workers and an overall smarter society.

Girls are not the same. People can’t put us in boxes and expect every woman in the world to fit inside of it. Maybe the stay at home life is for them.

Maybe it isn’t. That’s not society to determine.

Actually, it’s not for anyone but the girl herself to determine how she is going to live her life.

3. 11. 16

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17

18

OPINION

Stop: Hamiltime

BRI GONZALEZ life editor

It’s on twitter. It’s on TV. It’s on the radio, iTunes, and now it’s slithered its way into your own school newspaper.

Hamilton.

Hamilton, the musical was Inspired by the 2004 biography Alexander Hamilton written by historian Ron Chernow. The show tells the story of our founding father, Alexander Hamilton, from his rise as an orphan immigrant to the first secretary of Treasury and founder of the first national bank. It also includes his struggle to maintain his honor and continue to rise above his rank, and ultimately, his downfall.

Oh, also it’s a rap musical.

History and hip-hop? What is this, a sixth grade history teacher trying desperately trying to appeal to their rowdy students? Hamilton is a smash hit. Critics and fanatics rave about this production, which

Art by Bri Gonzalez

opened on Broadway on Aug. 6, 2015 and Wall Street Journal’s Terry Teachout acclaims Hamilton as “the most exciting and significant musical of the decade.”

While I haven’t had the amazing privilege to see the show in person, I have obsessively listened to the soundtrack (over and over and over again) and stalked any and all clips released by Lin Manuel-Miranda, which has been more than enough for me to fall head over heels for Hamilton.

Part of the reason for Hamilton’s

popularity is that the musical portrays Alexander Hamilton is just downright attractive, even to us modern people. Charming and playful, it’s really not surprising that first lady Martha Washington named her particularly flirtatious tomcat ‘Hamilton’.

Alexander Hamilton was gifted with words and this talent won him the hearts of his followers, friends, lovers, and now fans. His intriguing wit and charm are no less effective in the 21st century than they were back in his heyday.

Lessons learned on the job

3. 11 . 16 STUDENT DISCUSSES NEW MUSICAL TAKING SOCIAL MEDIA BY STORM Yet, for all his intelligence and allure, Hamilton had many faults.

He gained as many opposers and enemies as he did allies and friends because of his haughty, holierthan-thou attitude. His ambitious, workaholic nature led him to push away those he loved most, including his loyal, loving wife. And his pride, his honor, was quite literally the death of him. The musical rather than gloss over these qualities, showcases each one. The show succeeds in portraying Hamilton as a multi-faceted and utterly real human being, someone who people can relate to, be angry at and in the end, love.

Hamilton’s story embodies true American spirit. Hamilton rose from the ashes of his broken, spurned childhood, refusing to let himself burn, and blazed as a great, unstoppable phoenix. He came to America for a new beginning, to be more than he ever could, and that’s why we Americans like it so much.

Hamilton strokes the ever needy American ego, and sings of the tales of the rebellious revolutionaries. He

embodies what we like to believe we all are as Americans: young, scrappy and hungry, determined to make it in the world no matter the cost, unwilling to throw away our shot.

The musical score itself is genius, revolutionary in fact. Lin Manuel-Miranda uses aspects both traditional and modern, and blends them together into what might have been cacophonous and sloppy, but is instead unbelievably catchy and altogether inspiring. Miranda blends pop, jazz, hip-hop, R&B and many other modern genres with the style of musical theatre and classical music.

(The violin go hard, in case you were wondering.)

Hamilton leaves me breathing hard, smiling, laughing and crying, all while attempting to sing along.

Hamilton allows historical figures that used to seem like mere faces on textbook pages, to come through as who they truly were: People. Living, breathing people who could feel and did feel, just like me. Hamilton makes me feel. In the end, what more can you ask for?

SOPHOMORE SHARES STORIES OF WORKING WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL

HANNAH WILLINGHAM business manager Some days I couldn’t care less what the oily, stinky 62-year old-guy with a blonde toddler wants to order at Chick-Fil-A, and some days aren’t wonderful, but I have to tell the customer that it is anyway. I’m clumsy, so I drop food sometimes, and I’ve even had a customer ask if they can have the Chick-Fil-A sauce to drink. These are the realities of having a job.

Being on the Chick-Fil-A staff contributes to my self-esteem because my boss and coworkers are counting on me. Going to school and maintaining a job teaches me how to juggle the responsibilities of my family, friends, school, church, parents, other odd jobs, and hobbies. I have to pull up my big girl panties and figure out how to split up my time based on what’s most important to me and who is depending on me.

A job allows me to discover my heart’s desires. How much do I really care about making an A on that chemistry test or burning those calories at the gym? Reading

is my escape, but it’s 10:30 p.m. and I’m stuck in a Youtube spiral instead.

Every day is a different excuse not to play the instrument I love, and I find myself watching my favorite shows while folding my laundry. So with a job, I find out what, and who, is really important to me, and I make time for it. This helps me realize just how much I looked forward to dinners with my family or weekends with my dad. I look up some days and realize that my little sister is not so little anymore and she’s on the honor role or performing in a play. Having a job allows me to appreciate what I have when I have it.

I learn how to think for myself and problem solve. I look around before asking for help. Other people are not always at my disposal and I am often on my own. All those times that my mom told me to look around and be aware of my surroundings will come in handy. How many times did I call her to come downstairs and she found the ketchup bottle that was mysteriously invisible only 5 seconds before? When I’m in the cooler and my manager asks me to bring him juice boxes, I don’t have time to go ask for help. I look around and read the signs.

With a job I have learned how to disappoint people and say ‘no’.

Whether it’s my best friend, my mom or my boss, there may come a day

when they all ask something of me that I just simply cannot give.

In a job, and in life, developing communication is imperative.

At work, I need to communicate about pretty much everything: my schedule, guests and food orders. I need to talk to my bosses, coworkers and guests to make sure that everyone understands what’s going on. Communication is a vital skill that everyone needs to learn and use no matter what stage of life. I get to exercise people skills to make others feel welcome, happy and comfortable. Sometimes I look at a person and decide that I simply do not like them. Whether it’s a customer, manager or coworker; I must learn how to get along, and if possible, they never know that I don’t like them. People skills help in this sort of dilemma.

Having a job helps build my character and responsibility. I need to be on time and do my job well, as well as do it right and be selfless.

When the girl who was supposed to mop the floors walks out at 10:48 p.m. someone has to step up and finish the job before 11. You learn to support one another even when it’s not required, and especially when it’s not popular. This will set you above the rest.

A job helps me to develop traits like honesty, responsibility, and

accountability. It’s been said that who you are under pressure shows a lot about who you really are. Sometimes I do get the order wrong, what do I do then? Will I ‘fess up? Freeze? Do nothing? Be honest?

And finally, as I pass by franchises like Target and Starbucks, I have to chant to myself that just because I am now making money, it doesn’t mean that I absolutely have to spend it. I have to learn how to

Art by Hannah Helgren

manage my money for bills, snacks, savings and friends.

Last year I took a closer look at my life and how much free time I had to see if I would have the time for a job. I concluded that I did when I found myself eating ice cream in my PJs at 4:15 on a Tuesday night.

Who wouldn’t want some extra money and life skills? Having a job is worth all the elbow grease.

3. 11. 16

OPINION

19

STAFF ED

the REPORTER staff

Co-Editor in Chief JULIA RYZA Co-Editor in Chief EMME ENOJADO Managing Editor JOHN SANCHEZ Sports Editor CLAIRE MYNATT Opinion Editors MADI CHRISTIAN SUZY VAZQUEZ Culture Editors AUDREY GRAY EMILY SCHULTE News Editor NICOLE SHAIR SWITCH BRILLO Life Editors CODY BROWN BRI GONZALEZ Business Managers HANNAH HELGREN HANNA WILLINGHAM KAITLYN COATS Public Relations ALEX WHITE Copy Editor LAURYN WALKER Reporters, Artists EDWARD CATEN,, HANNAH WOODRUM, BLAKE NALL, MELODY BERRYHILL, LILY ADAM Online Editor LIZZIE FARIA SWITCH BRILLO Adviser LILLIAN HARRIS OUR POLICY The Reporter is a Cy-Fair High School student publication. Its purpose is to inform and entertain the student body and faculty, and also to serve as a lab for students enrolled in advanced journalism classes. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the entire Reporter staff, the Cy-Fair High School faculty and staff, the Cy-Fair Independent School District or the school board. The Reporter maintains the right to refuse any goods or services that it deems inappropriate for teenagers. The Reporter is a Quill and Scroll, TAJE, NSPA and JEA member. Cy-Fair High School is located at 22602 Hempstead Highway Cypress, TX 77429. Please contact the journalism classroom at (281) 897-4658 to advertise in this publication or email Lillian.Harris@cfisd.net.

art by Bri Gonzalez

Seeing isn’t always believing TV SHOWS ARE BRAINWASHING THE MINDS OF TEENAGERS

We live in an era surrounded by screens.

With television, phones and laptops installed in our everyday lives, it’s difficult to think about life without them. As the advancement of technology grows, the power of media becomes stronger.

To a certain extent, the decisions we make are influenced by what we read on the internet, hear on the radio or see on television. Media, a significant force in modern culture, especially in America, create and reflect the period we live in today. Even as its influence increases, we should not let media completely dictate how we live our lives.

Television holds more power than we think.

As of 2014, according to Nielsen’s Advance National TV Household Universe Estimate (UE), there are 115.6 million TV homes in the U.S. Because of its ability to reach a massive audience, television is responsible for shaping public opinion. Through hundreds of channels, millions of individuals are bombarded with messages telling us who to vote for, what to buy, who to love, who to hate and what to obsess over. We turn on the television to find

biased news stations, gaudy commercials, and idealistic drama shows. From CNN and Fox News’ political biases to McDonald’s’ unrealistic Big Mac commercials, watching these broadcasts play an impact on our attitudes towards a certain subject.

Television shows like Sex and the City affect people’s ideas about human relationships and morality. Sometimes, television can even affect our desires. All of the sudden people want to become doctors because of Grey’s Anatomy or FBI profilers because of Criminal Minds. But scripted shows and glamorized entertainment like Keeping up with the Kardashians and The Bachelor take should not completely take over our thoughts. Television is simply entertainment.

As viewers, we’re heavily reliant on the information we receive from television in order to keep up with everything around us.

Essentially, everything we know is from media.

Media is what connects us to the world, so we’re quicker to trust “facts” from television because we put it on such a high pedestal. But the simplicity of receiving quick information

often makes one forget to think. When our choices are made for us or when we don’t know how to think for ourselves, the ease and comfort of television takes a toll on our decisions. Good information takes patience and time. It’s up to us to seek out multiple resources and form our own knowledgeable opinions.

Ultimately, a person is responsible for the opinions and decisions they hold. Although we can’t change the relationship between media and the people, we can change how we perceive the information we get from them. In a fast-paced society that is constantly evolving, there’s no predicting what technology and media will be like years from now. But as its influence expands, the more power it will have over the way we think.

If we continue to let media, including television, continue to shape how our generation progresses, we’re going to start losing touch of our individuality. Instead we should expose ourselves within our communities and let our own thoughts make us who we are.

20

3. 11. 16

PHOTO ESSAY

Get your kicks

SINGERS VS STRINGERS FIGHT FOR THE WIN

JOHN SANCHEZ managing editor

EDWARD CATEN reporter

Clockwise from top Bunt for the team. Junior Auric Uriostegui bunts the ball softly to advance the runners. “I enjoyed it. It was pretty competitive and I liked that. “ Uriostegui said. Photo

by Lauryn Walker

Teamwork never fails.

Juniors Daniel Ocampo and Richard Garcia work together.

“Teamwork is the key to success,” Garcia said. “If you try to be the hero and carry the team on your back its going to become harder for you to win,” Ocampo said. Photo by Lauryn Walker Dabbin it out. Choir and Orchestra hit the dab after a day of fun. Photo by Lauryn Walker Kick it home. Senior Issac Salas strives to kick the ball home to win a competitive game.

“It was really fun to see both organizations come together to have fun.” Salas said. Photo by

Lauryn Walker