the CATAMOUNT
POWER to the PEOPLE
College Station High School
4002 Victoria Ave. College Station, Texas 77845
Vol. 6 No. 5
Friday, April 6, 2018
National protests inspire local students to voice opinions on pressing issues Makayla Fox and Ty’Asia Hubbard Assistant Editor and Entertainment Editor Young adults joining to fight for the ban of guns that killed their friends. Women crying out for liberation and equality. Citizens demanding that local government leave their homes alone. Supported by the first amendment, protesting is an outlet for many to express their beliefs and opinions on topics of concern and importance. “Protesting is standing up for something you be-
lieve in. If you feel strongly about an issue and no one is addressing it, protesting is a way to make your voice heard,” senior Susan Nam said. For sophomore Athena Polymenis, protesting is making a statement. “Protesting is a crucial part of my life because it’s a peaceful way to make yourself heard in a world where voices are spread out and often ignored,” Polymenis said. “I definitely wish I could take part in it more, but there weren’t a lot of movements that really affected me until recently.”
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Freshmen Arden Duffield, Grace Garrison-Tate and Lexi Munoz participate in the March For Our Lives rally March 24 onGarrison-Tate the Texas A&M campus. More 1,500 people attended the Freshman Lexion Munoz Grace Arden Duffield andthan blank blank attend the March march in support of school safety and gun control. PHOTO BY TIFFANY HA For Our Lives Rally in College Station on the A&M Campus. PHOTO BY TIFFANY HA
INDEX
News Opinions People Sports Entertainment Etc.
2-5 6-9 10-16 17-20 21-23 24
11 Skateboarding provides entertainment, alternate transportation. PAGE 11
12-13 Shattered Dreams program warns against driving under the influence. PAGE 12-13
24 Students share spring break experiences through photos. PAGE 24
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News
Friday, April 6, 2018
The Catamount
Cougar NEWS SkillsUSA team sweeps local district competition CSHS won eight championships, three Best of Show projects and a total of 18 individual and team medals at the Skills USA competition in Beaumont Feb. 18 and 19. Chloe Merkel, District 7 president, presided over the awards ceremony. Students advancing to state in Construction Projects and Video Production Projects include Tannah Brister, Cella Siegelman, Griffin Ford, Ashlyn Riddle, Maddie Abdalla, Flame Dong, Hannah Luedke, Sophia Hernandez Ramzi Portales, Tony Qing, Jack Holmes, Kelsey Beasley, Kylie Meyer, Sam Seale, Sully O’Shea, Hannah Marks, Zane Arnold and Aiden McGuire.•
Three students reach state level at VASE competition The art classes entered a total of 35 pieces at the Regional Visual Art Scholastic Event on Feb. 24-25. Junior Logan James, senior Cella Siegelman and junior Katelyn Silvey advanced to state, which will be on April 27 and 28 at San Marcos High School.•
Regional Science Fair earns 3 students trip to state The Austin Regional Science Fair was held on Feb. 21-24 with three students advancing to the state contest in San Antonio in March. Stephanie Brown won first place in three events, Ioannis Pistikopoulos won first place in Energy and Judy Zhou placed first in Biomedical Engineering and Health Science.•
The floral team placed third with senior Jessica Blanchard, junior Rylee Psencik and senior Suzanna Borchgardt at The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Senior Blaine Borchgardt placed second in the Ranching and Wildlife Video Contest with a video about wildlife and the reduction of wildlife habitats in the state of Texas. Senior Suzanna Borchgardt placed second in floral design. PHOTO PROVIDED BY SHERIDAN CLINKSCALES
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FCCLA students advance to state this April Seniors Sara Do, Sophia North, Sydney Terzian, Hannah Pierdolla, Grace Lindahl, Amaya Birch, Christian Denolan, Lexi Harp, juniors Daniel Phillips, Charlie Robison, Stassney Krueger, Vanessa Baker, Mildred Orozco, Regan Hedrick and sophomores Mika Loehr and Isabelle Arrington will advance to state competition April 5-7 in Dallas.•
The Catamount
Friday, April 6, 2018
News
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Protesting provides sense of unity, ability to share viewpoint continued from page 1 How protest numbers compare Recently sophomore Isabella Bernal protested against gentrification, the controversial process of renovating urban neighborhoods, potentially forcing current residents to relocate. “My brother, a few friends and I went to Houston to protest gentrification in the neighborhoods in Northside,” Bernal said. Leading her first protest with the small group, The Brown Berets, Bernal felt the liberation she had been waiting for her whole life. “It was really strange, especially being in the front with a megaphone. It felt really great to be able to lead [the protest] and voice my opinion,” Bernal said. “Even though it wasn’t huge, there were probably like 30 people, I felt like I was making a difference.” While most stand for protesting, others don’t see the effectiveness of it. “I know most people say that signs, protests and rallies aren’t going to do anything,” Bernal said. “But I feel if we push and resist it will actually do something. Maybe not now, maybe in decades, something will happen.” Furthermore, Nam expresses the goal of protesting for those who participate. “I believe those who are against protesting have valid arguments. Protesting isn’t directly solving the problem,” Nam said. “The whole purpose of protesting isn’t to get something done, but to make your voice heard.” There are always two sides to an opinion or argument, which is present in protesting.
“Being a democrat or liberal in Texas, for a lack of better words, is frightening because there are very hateful people who would like to hurt or silence people like me because of our opinions,” Polymenis said. “I assume I would receive hate for standing against pro-gun rights especially in Texas where many people, especially children and teens, own guns.” Having her mom to look up to, Polymenis has learned the importance of voicing opinions to make change. “I think it’s important to make your voice heard because so many people have been oppressed and ignored to a point where they could have forgotten that they have the right to speak out against things that are unethical,” Polymenis said. “No one’s going to change something unless there’s some sort of outcry saying that it is wrong.” When people speak up about concerns, others often will follow. “When you voice your opinion, change happens. You get change when people speak out. Change occurs when others are open about their thoughts,” resource deputy Martha Smith said. Stressing the importance of conversation causes others to open up to the idea of progression. “Opening up to thought and conversation is the starting point of any movement’s progress towards change,” senior Justin Moore said. Coming together with like-minded people as a unit will draw attention to the cause. “If we all unite, we can make a difference,” Bernal said. “We need to have our voices heard because we are so young.”•
Year
Marches in Washington D.C.
Number of People
2018
March For Our Lives
800,000
2017
Inaugural Women’s March
500,000
1995
Million Man March
500,000600,000
1969
March Against Vietnam War
450,0001.1 million Source: USA Today
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News
Friday, April 6, 2018
The Catamount
Pornography leads to shift in overall health of watchers Kylie Vernon Assitant Editor Her heart spikes when her friend grabs her phone. They know her password and her body tenses. What if they see? What if they open her web history? What will they think? She grabs it furiously out of their hands and, when she sees the confusion on their faces, she becomes defensive. No one can ever know that she watches porn. According to purehope.net, 93% of boys and 62% of girls are exposed to pornography before the age of 18. If this applies to College Station High School, then more than 1,500 of the ballpark 2,000 students have already been exposed. “At the beginning, I didn’t know it was wrong. I was very curious and that’s what it started with. I think that’s what it starts with all the time, just curiosity,” student Lindo Jong* said. “It was super addicting, but after I would finish watching it, I felt so horrible and disgusting.” Though there is a stigma surrounding pornography, viewing porn has become increasingly acceptable in today’s culture, particularly among teens and young adults. According to the Barna Research Group, among teens age 13-24, only 32% say viewing pornography is wrong. This indifference and acceptance can be dangerous. Many viewers do not realize that by watching porn they are helping fuel the demand for sex trafficking. In a study done by Fight the New Drug, of 854 women in
prostitution, 49% said pornography had been made of them and 47% said they had been harmed by men who had forced them to do things shown in the pornography. A viewer has no way of making sure that the pornography viewed was made consensually. Though millenials are the most consistent porn viewers, they are also the most involved in the ending of sex trafficking.
watching porn gives a false interpretation of what love is. -lindo jong sophomore “I didn’t have any idea how it was affecting others and the amount of money that industry makes is insane,” Jong said of the $99 billion dollar industry dedicated to sexualizing society. “And for what? Just so people can fulfill their selfish desires for temporary pleasure?” The common stereotype is that watching pornography is only a “guy-thing,” but according to the statis-
tics, that is simply not the case. “I felt awful because I was a girl, and I thought only guys struggled with porn. But I had never met or known anyone who had struggled with it as a girl,” Jong said. “As a girl you think you’re alone, but you’re not.” The Barna Research Group reports that 33% of girls watch porn consistently and 67% of men seek pornography regularly. To CSHS, this would make up 50% of the student body. According to purehope.net, in 2009 56% of divorces involved one spouse who had a continued use of Internet pornography. Watching porn can lead to dissatisfaction with a significant other as well as unrealistic expectations placed on that significant other. “To those struggling with a porn addiction, I would say there is always a way out. Text somebody. Get an accountability partner. Tell somebody,” said Jong. “If you’re the only one who knows about what you’re dealing with, then it’s going to be extremely difficult to get through. You need the support of others.” Though there are extensive negative effects, there is one that can affect possibly the most important aspect of life, the one thing that binds people together: love. “Watching porn gives you a false interpretation of what love is and that is something you don’t ever want to lose,” Jong said.• *All names have been changed to protect identities
Implications
Friday, April 6, 2018
The Catamount
News
5
Recent flu season causes district to revise exam exemption policy John Clendenin Assistant Editor In light of the most serious influenza outbreak in nearly a decade, the district has decided to revise their exemption policy for the spring semester to allow for more absences. “Every so often, the flu is much stronger than other years. This year we are finding that doctor recommendations for absences were longer, but students are not heeding their doctors advice in order to make sure they can exempt finals,” principal Tiffany Parkerson said. “Because of that, we were having kids coming back to school and infecting others.” The new policy will allow students with an average between 90-100 to exempt with a total of five absences and those with averages falling between 80-89 to exempt with four, each number up from three and two absences last semester respectively. However, the new policy was more than just extended amount of absences, it also included a new exemption benchmark: perfect attendance with a 70 or higher. “We have a lot of students who are under-recognized, who come everyday and take care of their business but might just be a C student,” said Parkerson. “This gives them the opportunity to earn something. A 70 is mastery of a concept.” This flu season has also caused more students to seek help from the counselors trying to avoid retaking
courses during summer vacation. “I wouldn’t say my duties have changed, but I have just had to work with more students, parents and teachers to make sure [students] get caught up and don’t receive an incomplete for a grade,” guidance counselor Anne Hoffman said. “I have just heard more discussion about it than in the past.” Most of the discussion has centered around the change in the exemption policy due to how it allows more students an opportunity to exempt. “I think they should keep it the way it is this semester for a number of reasons. The number one reason is sickness and the other being college days,” student body president Sam Crockett said. Yet, while there have been cases of students missing entire weeks at a time, some students have remained perfectly healthy. However, the school administration does not feel that the new policy will entice students to take “personal days” just because they have an A average. “I think students who are in the A and B average lines may be more concerned with their overall GPA and class rank,” Parkerson said. “The motivation of not losing your spot in the class ranking trumps playing the perfect attendance card.” Hoffman echoed these comments when asked about the same issue. “I don’t anticipate it having a big effect at all,” Hoffman said. “The idea was that we didn’t want a huge number of kids not being able to exempt this year. Add-
ing in the new policy keeps it more consistent to what it has been.” As the year comes to a close, however, many students continue to voice their opinion on the sensitive issue of exemptions and what is and what is not fair. “They can’t fix the system. There is always going to be some flaw in it, but if you work hard enough, you should be rewarded in some way,” Crockett said. “Three days for an A is one way, but you can’t say that because you don’t know if you’re going to get sick. I don’t think that it’s perfect, but it’s an improvement to our system.”•
Updated spring exemption policy •
Students can exempt with an average of 90-100 and five abscences. • Students can exempt with an average of 80-89 and four absences. •
Students can exempt with an average of 70 or above with perfect attendance. Source: CSHS Administration
Tony’s Alterations
900 Harvey Road #8 College Station, Tx 77845 (979) 696- 1947
6
Friday, April 6, 2018
The Catamount
Opinions
Kindness triumphs amid broken generation
THE CAT’S EYE VIEW
staff editorial
Safety of school considered, solutions examined More and more students are voicing their feelings on gun control and school safety, and we are considering safety in our own school. As a reflection of recent events, we feel like there should be some measures taken in order to increase security throughout the school. One way to better this issue is by adapting the way the lunch drop off system works. Currently, it is easy for outsiders to enter the school during lunch hours. With a lunch in hand, people can walk through the front office with ease and then they are in the school. If a new system was created, this problem would cease to exist. Honestly, increased safety around all points of entry would be optimal. Reinforcement of identifying students could also contribute to a safer school environment. Some students still roam the halls without IDs around their necks, which makes it hard for admin-
Tide pods. The phrases “I’m going to kill myself,” and “I hate my life.” Depression. Life is becoming harder and harder to handle for our generation. Millenials are known for their accepEmelie Gulde tance of death culture and communal unhappiness. There are many things I could name that could be the cause of our generation’s unhappiness, but a simple answer is kindness. As teens, we dig ourselves into holes of unhappiness. We want the world to be a place full of goodness, but the modern world is so flawed that we feel broken inside. Kindness is the remedy, and kindness can heal our hearts because it is true desire for goodness. I’ll admit, I am not a very kind person. I’m critical, I’m known for being blunt and for my trademark “tough love” attitude. I compare myself to others, and once I find some tiny characteristic that is flawed, it is the first thing I think of when their name is mentioned again. It is something that I am ashamed of be-
istrators to quickly identify if a person is a student or not. Stricter
View of the Pride: Do you feel safe at school?
rules or punishments for such actions would encourage students to follow the regulations already set in place. Although school safety has been a topic of discussion re-
AGREE
cently, the school has not taken measures to practice the routine we should follow if a disaster were to occur. The circumstances during a drastic event are endless, but we should be practicing emergency plans so we can keep as many students as safe as possible. Despite these concerns, we remain thankful for the amount of safety we already feel at school. The suggestions presented are meant to pose ideas for readers to ponder. Overall, more preventative safety measures would not do any harm to the school, so we think that these measures should be practiced so we would be prepared in the event that an emergency did occur.•
“No because you can’t always be protected and there aren’t always people to be there in an instant if something were to happen.” -Lauren Wilkins, sophomore
“While I recognize that we live in a dangerous and broken world, I feel just as safe at school as I do anywhere else.” -Chris Williams, senior
“I don’t feel safe because the gun threats on other local schools made everything more real.” -Athena Polymenis, sophomore
The Catamount Newspaper Staff Reporters
Melanie Evans
Editor-in-Chief
Kalindi Desai
Managing Editor
Noe Canchola
Katie Guye
Executive Editor
Dru Peacock
Jayci Tawney
Senior Editor
Tiffany Ha
Ayden Woods
News Editor
Emelie Gulde
Graphic Artist
Susan Nam
Opinions Editor
Grace Costenbader
Cartoonist
Cella Siegelman
Entertainment Editor
Ty’Asia Hubbard
Faculty Adviser
Courtney Wellmann
Sports Editor
Ethan Cohen
Assistant Adviser
Teresa Laffin
Photography Editor
Sophia North
Assitant Editors
John Clendenin Jaycie Robinson Catie Sikes Kylie Vernon
DISAGREE
“Yes, I feel that our school district does a phenomenal job at really paying attention to the students and that the teachers all really see their students which is great.” -Hayley Nugent, senior
2017-2018 Newspaper Staff
Makayla Fox
cause every person is beautiful, and the people I criticize are better than me in their own way. The challenge of kindness is that anyone can do it. Yes, the problem with being kind is that it is too easy. People tend to leave kindness uncultivated because they do not understand how valuable it is, and that is why the world can easily turn into a mean and sad place when it was created to bring joy to our lives. I have too often avoided being kind. There have been too many times that I’ve thought, if I take this time to make conversation with this person, so-and-so will look down on me because the person I’m talking to isn’t cool enough. The irony in this is being kind is what makes people cool. The way popularity should work is that the kindest people rise to the top because they are genuinely admired and liked, not because they are rich or ditch one friend the second there is a better offer. A kind word, action or tone of voice can be enough to calm a suffering heart. Sadly, those things are not always given, even though it is possibly the easiest way to show that we care.•
The newspaper is produced by the Advanced Journalism: Newspaper Production class at College Station
High School, 4002 Victoria Ave., College Station, Texas, 77845. The opinions expressed are those of the writers and are not reflective of the administrators, faculty or staff of the College Station Independent School District.
Submissions to the editors are welcomed but must be signed and should not exceed 300 words. The editor
reserves the right to edit submissions in the interest of clarity and length or to not print a letter at all. Letters containing obscene or libelous material will not be considered. The Editorial Board consists of all staff.
The newspaper is a member of the Interscholastic League Press Conference (ILPC) and a winner of their
Bronze Star award in 2014, 2015 and 2016, as well as their Silver Star Award in 2017.
College Station ISD does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex or handicap
in providing education services. Monica James, Director of Human Resources, 1812 Welsh, College Station, Texas 77840 (979-764-5412) has been designated to coordinate compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Title IX. Molley Perry, Director of Special Services, 1812 Welsh, Suite 120, College Station, Texas 77840 (979764-5433) has been designated to coordinate compliance with the nondiscrimination. requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Friday, April 6, 2018
The Catamount
Opinions
Stigma surrounding career gender roles should be broken “You hit like a girl!” the class of elementary kids shout, echoing around the unwelcomingly frigid gym, as they taunt the frail boy whose bat missed the softball. Although not athletically gifted, the boy Tiffany Ha sings with passion. However, his father takes it as a silly pastime that cannot be nearly as masculine as tossing a ball around. The boy does not respond to his classmates due to already growing accustomed to this gender marginalizing rhetoric. With the constant balancing act of appeasing the strict standards of being a certain gender, people inevitably lose sight of their passions and underestimate their strength. However, if people start to encourage others to grow in a healthy manner instead of confining themselves to those strict standards, society will be more unified and liberated. Sure, women are allowed to own land and men can be homemakers in modern society, and though these liberties are pretty invigorating, gender roles are still present. There is still progress to make. People do not blatantly enforce gender roles, but since they are inherently embedded into societal norms, ideals are passed down accompanied by subtle remarks that lead to fragile masculinity and fear of not being feminine if not dainty.
???
Often, people are scared to pursue opportunities outside of their gender norm. In order to protect their misconstrued idea of femininity, girls sometimes sacrifice their passions. Young girls usually have halloween costumes of princesses, nurses, or ballerinas thrust upon them, so they grow up thinking those should be
their only career Art by Susan Nam aspirations, but girls are capable of more. Girls are rarely encouraged by their families to pursue the STEM field or become professional athletes. Instead, parents should open up their young girls to a wide range of opportunities. Although more women than before are working in these fields in
QUESTION issue OF THE
How many days did you miss due to the flu this semester? 5+ days
16%
3-4 days
24%
0-2 days
60%
551 people polled
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today’s society, they may not receive the same respect and camaraderie as their male counterparts. Gender is not a construct applicable to skill in an industry. Children should be able to pursue whatever healthy passion their hearts desire. People should not doubt their strengths because they don’t conform to the typical standards of masculinity or femininity. Telling a little boy that “men don’t cry” perpetuates the idea that expressing emotion equates to weakness. Tears and allowing yourself to feel sadness is necessary for coping and acceptance. Crying is human, not weakness. We must experience all aspects of life, including negative feelings, in order to grow. If boys are continuously taught to suppress their emotions to preserve their masculinity, it will hinder their ability to express love in a healthy and respectable way in future relationships. Society could switch from promoting gender conformity to encouraging self-improvement. Instead of telling a girl to “act like a lady,” she should be taught to show kindness. Instead of telling a boy to “man up,” he should be told to have courage. Too many condemning phrases are associated with gender. Society must change this dialogue to create a world of freedom and acceptance. In this world, the boy now hits the ball, misses and laughs at his silly mistake. “It’s okay,” he thinks. “I don’t need to hit a ball in order to be a singer anyway.”•
COUGAR UNVEILED by cella siegelman
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Opinions
Friday, April 6, 2018
The Catamount
Keeping up with old friends reaps more rewards than disadvantages A couple of weeks ago I was having a conversation with a friend when I asked him about his friend Noe Canchola who moved outof-state for college. To my surprise, he said, “I haven’t talked to him in about seven months.” This astonished me. Then I remembeed that I used to be guilty of this. I have shrugged off contacting friends because I didn’t want to give the effort or time to communicate with them due to geographical location or because I wasn’t going to see them anytime soon. However, after visiting my hometown of Aurora, Illinois, I came to the realization that keeping in touch with “old friends” reaps more benefits than disadvantages. When I first arrived in College Station during the summer of 2014, I did not
know a single person. In fact, the first six weeks of high school were rough because I felt alone. Despite this, I relied on my best friend, Noah, back home to be my support system during these hard times. If I had stopped communicating with him on a regular b a s i s , about how I should
Art by Susan Nam interact with more people, I don’t know where I would be right now. On numerous occasions I found myself struggling with problems in school. Whether that was academically or socially, I needed to seek advice. If I am ever in a situation where I need advice from
someone who is not in the same social scene as me, I always FaceTime my old pals. Keeping in touch with old friends is great because often times they provide an unbiased and objective solution. By keeping in touch with old friends, I can always share beautiful and funny memories. From reminiscing about how our middle school basketball team went 0-27 to getting reminded that I once made a joke about a girl’s eyebrows and got backlash from a group of girls in a group chat. These are the memories that are worth remembering. Since we live in a tech-savvy society, it is much easier for us to communicate with our friends from the past. It is imperative to keep the people who care about us around and show them that we care. Keeping great friendships from our past can sometimes prove difficult, but establishing a lifelong connection is great because then we never have to worry about not having anyone to talk to.•
Uncomfortable situations add excitement to bland rhythm of life For the past four years, I’ve been ations create excitement for me, and I remember that life isn’t doing just about the same thing every as monotonous as it leads me to believe. As I’ve become more day. I walk the same halls, hear the confident in myself, I’ve grown to love being uncomfortable. same muffle of voices in the cafeteria, This isn’t just the universe’s fault, and feel that same mild panic when I though. I take some responsibility don’t see my ID around my neck. This for my ever growing yearn for Kalindi Desai is my life day to day for nine change. What I’ve learned months out of every year. As a is that I have the capabillittle freshman, I was so scared of this massive place ity to change some parts of and all of the inhabitants that walked these halls my life that I’ve become alongside me. As time went on though, I betoo comfortable in. Maycame increasingly comfortable i n be I should branch out and this school. It’s bound to meet new people while still holding on happen when you spend so to the friendships I already have. Maybe much time in one place seeI should involve myself in different clubs ing the same people every day. with people that are unfamiliar to me. MayI may not know everyone I see in be I should try new things even though I know the hallways, but their faces are fathose new things will make me uncomfortArt by Susan Nam miliar. Familiarity makes me comfortable. able. But now I only have six short weeks left in What I’ve started to realize, though, is that I’m so tired of this school, and it seems as if time has just run out. comfortable. This consistency that has followed me since freshWith graduation, summer and college approachman year almost haunts me now, and I’m itching for a change ing at full speed, this realization of my unwanted comof pace. I wake up in the mornings now already having some fort makes me all the more excited for the future. Soon sort of idea of how my day will go because nothing ever changes. I’ll be forced to be uncomfortable in all the new situations The reason why I have such a strong dislike for comfort that lie ahead. This time though, I just hope I embrace this now is because comfort makes my life boring. Unfamiliar situstate of unfamiliarity instead of eagerly wishing it away.•
Voices
What are your thoughts on Fortnite? “Literally everybody gets first so why does it still flood my Snapchat?” Jadynn Enriquez, sophomore
“I’ve heard it ruins relationships.” Katy Meier, junior
“I don’t play shooty games, but I do play Star Wars.” Richard Rossman, junior
“It’s ruining my productivity and my life. It’s so much fun and addicting. It’s like you can’t stop yourself from playing another game.” Cameron Paul, junior “I don’t play games.” Tyler Lucas, senior
“That’s like two weeks, right?” Shawna Mizer, astronomy and physics teacher
Friday, April 6, 2018
The Catamount
Identical twin reflects on unique childhood experience According to Baby Centre, ally share a car. It’s a lot like “The Parent Trap,” except identical twins are about one in less scheming to reunite parents and more getting into a 400. To anyone else, that might fencing match because I borrowed her sweater without seem pretty rare, but to me, that asking. .25% is my entire life. If I had a People always feel so bad when they call me my sisnickel for everytime someone ter’s name, and often spend an uncomfortable amount asked me what it was like beof time staring at my face, scanning for a difference to Katie Guye ing a twin or if I had any telepdistinguish us. Both of us got used to these things surathy powers, I’m fairly prisingly quickly, and I spend a significant certain I would be a millionaire. And the amount of time explaining to friends, thing is, I’m not sure how to even begin acquaintances and near-strangers answering their questions, because I’ve that they haven’t mortally offendnever experienced not being a twin. ed me by calling me the wrong For some reason unbeknownst to name. me, God decided to provide one of my At this point in my life, the greatest blessings and give me a sisword “twin” sounds so weird. It’s ter who is not only there to support a key part of my identity, yet it imme, but to share every aspect of my plies that I am special, an anomaly. life. You know you can trust a perI often forget that everyone doesn’t son with unwavering certainty when they share this experience with me, that possess your exact genetic makeup. it is incredibly rare to live life with a I’ve always struggled to find the right carbon copy of yourself. To me, that’s balance of individuality in my life. The whole just life, and I live it like any other perArt by Susan Nam matching-outfits thing wore off the moment son in my shoes would. You could comwe turned five, and since then my life has been a balancpare the experience to a heart: you know it’s always beating act of trying not to color coordinate on the same day ing, but you’re not always thinking about its placement or wear the same hairstyles. I am my own person after all, in your chest. but there also just happens to be someone who is nearly I’m so glad that somehow, out of 400 babies, I got to identical to me in so many ways. be the one with a twin. I’ve spent almost 17 years with a For a lot of things, we come as a package set: we person who understands me like no one else ever will bego almost everywhere together, have many of the same cause we have a relationship with which nothing else can friends, shared a room for many years and will eventuever compare. She’s my literal other half.•
Current gun laws question government protection Why does a person need a gun? S o m e might say it’s for protection, Ayden Woods while others say it’s a tool. Whatever the reason, their justification for owning a firearm is that there is a process to go through before you can own one, and it’s a not a long one. First, you fill out some paperwork on yourself and then there is a background check. That’s all. The buying process is way too simple! How can we allow anyone under 21 years old who has a brain that isn’t fully developed to own firearms of any kind? If you can’t legally drink until you’re 21, why can
you get a gun at 18? If we could change the legal age to own a gun, that could bring down the chances of having another mass shooting, or just any homicide in general. Also, we should have more indepth background checks. We need to have a better way to monitor people and their mental stability when they are buying a gun. I don’t think you can tell enough about a person’s mental health with just a short conversation to sell them a deadly weapon. I would never sell a gun to anyone who I wasn’t sure was in good health because that could cause the loss of a life. In addition to guns why not do background checks when people buy ammunition? Or at least try and monitor how much people can own. There
is no reason to have an externally large amount of ammunition. What is anyone doing with that much ammunition? I don’t believe that anybody needs to stock up on ammunition. If people want to have enough to “defend themselves,” they can have ammunition for that, but that shouldn’t be several thousand rounds of ammunition. If we just adjust our system for modern times a little bit we could protect a lot more people from harm. I truly believe that it’s not just the gun’s fault, but is equally the person behind the gun. I like guns, but not enough to allow more people to get hurt because I want it to be easier for me to own firearms.•
Opinions
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HUMANSof CSHS
Briana Elisabeth owirodu senior “I came to College Station three years ago from Dallas. I’ve been home schooled most of my life. My parents made the decision to switch me to public school, but the transition was hard because home school was so lonely. I couldn’t go out and do activities, like I’m doing track right now. “The difference with home schooling and public schools are the lessons. When I was home schooled, learning math was a difficulty. I had to teach myself most of the time, and now I can get that one-on-one time with my teacher. “Also, coming here helped me with my grades, especially the second six weeks of my junior year. I saw improvement. “It’s hard to make friends while you’re at home. It’s still hard for me to make friends. If you see me then I’m by myself mostly.”•
humans of cshs aims to highlight student’s stories throughout the school. see our instagram for more: @cshscatamountnewspaper
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People
Friday, April 6, 2018
The Catamount
Commonly northern sport makes its way to southern athletes Jaycie Robinson Assistant Editor Aching bodies, sweat in the coldness of the stinging air, falling often and still managing to try again- all part of the two most famous sports on ice. Ice skating and hockey date back to the 1800s but have recently become popular in this southern city. Although the market is rare, there are a special few that take pride in being able to call themselves figure skaters or hockey players. Junior Luke Batteas has been skating for eight years but actually playing on a team for four. “My team, we all went to different schools and [practice] was really the only time we got to hangout because of our conflicting schedules so we always made the most of our time together,” Batteas said. Being a part of a team, especially ones that must protect the goal, builds a foundation for trust and communication. “What I like most about being a part of a team was my position on it,” Batteas said. “I played defense and I really connected with the defense mindset. More people should try it. It is definitely an interesting experience.” Not only does a team mindset on the ice apply to hockey, but the solo aspect also has its role, especially in figure skating. Sophomore Jadynn Enriquez started the sport at seven years old and has high hopes of achieving a scholarship for her figure skating. “I have worked a lot and had my shares of bruises and injuries, but I enjoy it enough to keep going and it feels great to be able to do so,” Enriquez said. Both of these sports involve falling and slipping on the hard surface of the ice. “I think the thing that most people are afraid of is the falling part,” Enriquez said, “but once you land that trick you have been practicing for a week and a half, it is so rewarding, and it is almost addicting to keep going,” Enriquez said. She is not one to give up easily as obstacles come her way, especially ones that have perfect timing during competitions.
“If you have gotten to a certain point and you have mastered certain tricks and moves that are high difficulty, then you know that you can keep going and skate on,” Enriquez said. “If you want to try it, I say go for it. It is not as intimidating as it looks.” Kim Williams of the Spirit Ice Center has worked at the center for four and a half years and has seen firsthand the sacrifices as well as the rewards as the skaters train on a daily basis. “For most, it of course involves the skater, their parents and their coaches,” Williams said. “As skaters reach higher levels, they often work with a team, which may include a nutritionist, choreographer, ballet instructor, off-ice specialists and on-ice specialist, in addition to their coach.” But skating is not just for the young or those wanting to compete. “One of the truly wonderful things about skating is that no matter where you are in life, you can still participate in the sport, whether recreationally or competitively,” Williams said. “We have many skating families, in which parents pursue their own on-ice goals while their children are training.” Williams notes how much hard work is required every day for those competing. “Like many sports, skating is physically demanding,” Williams said. “And due to the nature of skating, it involves the strength of the entire body. For skaters training, multiple falls during a practice session are normal. Injuries of all types are certainly always a concern.” Preparing for competitions also involves work off the ice. “For more challenging skills, such as jumps, skaters often work on these off-ice or on a harness before trying them on the ice,” Williams said. Despite the pushback from basic laws of gravity and how easy the skaters in the Olympics make it look, skating on the ice involves skill and precision. However, those such as Batteas and Enriquez encourage others to give it a try, even if it is only once. They said it will be an experience unlike any other.•
It’s almost addicting to keep going. -Jadynn Enriquez sophomore
▲ During a practice at Spirit Ice on April 3 a local skater performs a spiral, which is a one-foot glide with leg extension. This is a staple of many basic figure skating techniques. PHOTO BY JAYCIE ROBINSON
learn to skate Classes:
Prices:
Tuesday 6:30-7:00 p.m. $140 for 8 lessons Saturday 11:45-12:15 p.m. $210 for 16 lessons
Ages 6+
ages16+
March forward, 2-foot glide, dip, forward swizzles, wiggles, snowplow stop, rocking horse, 2-foot hop
Fall and recovery, forward strides, forward swizzles, turns, stops
Basic 1
Basic 2
Forward one-foot glide, backward two-foot glide, backward swizzles, 2-foot turn, moving snowplow stop, forward alternating 1/2 swizzles
Graphics by Emelie Gulde
Adult 1
Adult 2
Forward stroking, one-foot glides, pumps on a circle, backward glides, backward swizzles, salom
Source: spiriticearena.com
Friday, April 6, 2018
The Catamount
Off the wall
People
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Skateboarding provides entertainment, alternate transportation
▲Junior Jack Franklin longboards on his way home from school on March 14. Franklin has been skateboarding since he was in eighth grade. PHOTO BY MELANIE EVANS
Types of skateboards Longboard
Old School
Graphics by Grace Costenbader
Cruiser
Whether as a stress reliever, a form of transportation or a way to have fun, many students longboard and skateboard. “Longboarding is something that just gives me time to relax and think a bit. It’s really nice to just plug in some music and not focus too heavily on anything,” junior Jack Franklin said. Longboards are designed with a longer deck that can range from 35-60 inches long and 9-10 inches wide enabling a smooth turn and traveling long distances at high speeds. Skateboards, however, have a deck length that ranges between 28-34 inches and a width between 7-10 inchesalong with a distinct curve upwards that is designed to perform tricks. Many students use skateboarding as a way to spend time with their friends, whether riding to the park or learning new tricks. “A couple of my friends and I go to the parking garages at A&M and we skateboard down them,” freshman Shane Grant said. As well as being a hobby, longboarding or skateboarding can not only be used as a way to spend time with friends, but students often use longboarding every day to get to their destination. Some students even longboard to school and then store their boards in the racks located in the entryway, providing a secure and easy way to store their boards. “I used to use skateboarding as a form of transportation every day, but now I use it about every other day,” junior Benny Altiner said. Not only can longboards be used for transportation, tricks are something that can be done on both longboards and skateboards. Different tricks, however, can depend on the length and weight of the board and are all factors that longboarders and skateboarders have
to take into consideration. “I have about an inch and a half of tail, and my board is extremely heavy, so I can’t really do many tricks. At most, I can maybe do a manual or reverse manual,” Franklin said. These limitations for longboarders don’t stop them from trying out new things and sometimes adapting skateboard tricks to something they could do on a longboard. As an activity for unwinding or entertainment, skateboarding and longboarding are enjoyed by many students. “I like to do something called the coffin, which is where you lay down on your longboard and go down a hill,” Altine said. “It’s kind of unstable because you’re not balancing, but it is my favorite.” Though longboards aren’t the best for doing tricks, they are commonly used for traveling long distances at high speeds. “I prefer longboarding over skateboarding because I like cruising around the city,” sophomore Jonathan Lopez said. While longboarding is great for traveling and certain tricks, skateboards enable skaters to do intense stunts and go to skate parks to test out tricks that they can’t necessarily do at home. “I usually ride at the skate park, but I will skate anywhere I can,” Lopez said. “The best part of skating is the feeling you get once you pull off a trick that you have been trying so hard to do.” Although it can be something that requires a lot of focus and effort, longboarding and skateboarding have both become activities that students use to have fun and relax. “Skateboarding and longboarding can both provide either an exciting or relaxing experience, and I would recommend it to anyone who has some spare cash and a sense of balance,” Franklin said.•
Shortboard
Melanie Evans Staff Reporter
Source: warehouseskateboards.com
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Student Life
The Catamount
Friday, April 6, 2018
shattered dreams The scene goes something like this: a wrecked car stands in front of the school filled with classmates in fake blood and costumes. A helicopter stands to the side and blue and red lights flash from the ambulances and police cars. As first responders cut students out of the mock car crash and transfer some of them to gurneys, the rest of the student body watches on. “The intent of the Shattered Dreams program is to illicit a level of emotion within each student in the hope that that emotion may have an impact on the choices they make in the future,” assistant principal Trae Davis said. On March 8 and 9, the Shattered Dreams program exemplified what the repercussions could be from driving intoxicated. Six students were selected to participate in the mock car accident, which was followed by an assembly the next day. Along with Dr. David Gochnour, teacher Erin Stutts, Callaway Jones Funeral Home director Ricky Aldrete and principal Tiffany Parkerson shared a few words about the program as well. “I want our students to realize that they are part of the Cougar family and that the choices they make will impact others around them,” Parkerson said. “While the Shattered Dreams program is focused on driving under the influence of alcohol, I wanted to remind students that driving under the influence of drugs is not acceptable, either.” To start the process, student participants are nominated by teachers based on academic performance, maturity and interactions with others. A wide array of students are represented in the group in order to impact the whole student body. “It really doesn’t take more than a few people to touch everyone in our school,” junior Dallin Garlick said. “One decision could change a bunch of people’s lives.” Some students on the other hand were nervous to participate, especially those involved in the mock crash such as senior Kristin Bellows, who played the part of the drunk driver in the crash scene. “Before the accident, I was really nervous to [be
the drunk driver] in front of the whole student body, but I knew that it would really get the point across that stuff like that can happen to everyone,” Bellows said. “I also knew that I could impact a lot of people, so while I was nervous, I’m still glad I was able to participate because I think I was able to reach a lot of people.” Shattered Dreams is a two day long program, with the first day being a mock car crash as a result of a drunk driver. The whole school is gathered outside and watches as first responders arrive and follow normal protocol as if it were a real accident.
it really doesn’t take more than a few people to touch everyone in our school. -dallin garlick junior “My little sister started freaking out,” said senior Kaleb Kalke, who “died” in the mock car crash. “The first time she found out that I was in it was when she saw me getting pulled out. I didn’t want to see [my family] like that again. [Your decisions] don’t only affect you, it affects everybody else too.” Throughout the first day of the event, students were pulled out of class every 15 minutes to signify the frequency of deaths caused by drunk driving accidents. These students, along with those involved in the car crash, were called the Living Dead. After being pulled out of class, the students wore all black and were unable to talk to their peers for the rest of the day. “It was difficult because communicating is such a regular part of life,” said senior Carsen Grom, who was a part of the Living Dead during Shattered
Dreams. “What was especially hard was being in choir and not getting to sing. It was crazy to think how I wouldn’t be apart of that activity if I was dead.” Once school ended, the Living Dead students spent the night at Central Baptist Church. Throughout the night, the students got to see what it was like driving under the influence by wearing alcohol-impairment goggles and using a car simulation. They also learned how much a difference seat belts make and listened to a guest speaker who had been a victim of drunk driving in the past. “It was more eye opening, even though I already knew it to a certain degree,” Garlick said. “I definitely saw a lot of people touched by it and wanting to change and help their friends.” The students were also asked to write a letter to their parents and vice versa. At the assembly, some read their letters to the school which elicited many emotions, especially since they were not allowed to communicate to anyone for the previous 24 hours. “It made us realize how much we take for granted because although this was just a simulation, this is a real thing that happens every single day,” sophomore Bailey McCleary said. “We were lucky enough to have been able to see our parents the next morning because if this were a real situation, some of us would not get that opportunity.” Even though the simulation may be taxing for many students, the reasons behind the program still prove to be beneficial and memorable each time it is done. “Hopefully it will bring about an awareness to the problem as well as an understanding that we are the people to fix the problem,” Davis said. “We all have something at stake each time someone decides to drive a vehicle impaired. We can all help if we decide that we will not allow ourselves or anyone we know to drive under the influence.” According to MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, alcohol use by teens kills 4,300 people every year. As this statistic weighs heavily on society, the Shattered Dreams program aims to help prevent teens from driving under the influence. Don’t cause yourself to be another addition to the statistics.•
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▲
Senior Kristin Bellows plays the part of the drunk driver during the Shattered Dreams program on March 8. During the crash scene, Bellows was required to perform sobriety tests as if the accident were real. Afterwards, she was registered at the local jail where she went through the authentic check-in process. That same day, she appeared in front of the judge who “sentenced” her for the “crimes” she committed during the accident. PHOTO BY KALINDI DESAI
Drunk driving awareness activity impacts school community Kalindi Desai and Dru Peacock Editor-In-Chief and Executive Editor
Student Life
The Catamount
▲Senior KeKe Anderson participates in the mock car crash on March 8. Anderson was cut out of the car by paramedics and then taken to Scott and White Hospital by helicopter. PHOTO BY DRU PEACOCK
ways to prevent drunk driving incidents
Always wear your seatbelt.
Tell a friend to hide your keys. source: losangelesduilawyer.org
Refrain from alcohol.
Choose a responsible driver. Graphics by Kalindi Desai
▲(Top) Paramedics care for junior Kendall Hinson. (Bottom) Firefighters remove the roof of the car in order to pull out passengers. PHOTOS BY KALINDI DESAI
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digital designers People
Friday, April 6, 2018
The Catamount
3D animation serves as unique platform for storytelling Catie Sikes Assistant Editor
▲A tree creature designed by senior Ethan Lewis plays a role in his video project for his Animation III class. PHOTO PROVIDED BY ETHAN LEWIS
▲A toy appears in front of speakers and an amplifier (left) designed by senior Justin Jennings for an animation prompt titled “don’t press the red button.” Jennings also designed a music player (right). PHOTOS PROVIDED BY JUSTIN JENNINGS
Pipelines
bringing 2d 2life
Modern day animation is the art of telling a story through digital 3D visualization and concepting. However, it has grown from simple drawings on cave walls to what it is today. Senior Justin Jennings, who joined Animation instead of Audio Video Production for the single period rather than a block period, found his passion for it. “From there I fell in love with the community that is in the classroom, the teacher and the environment in animation as a whole,” Jennings said. Animation teacher Jason Oualline, who has taught the class for eight years, is very passionate about it. “The ability to create from scratch and tell stories about anything is just so intriguing. At this level, the only limit is our ability. The more we study and practice, the better our stories can get,” Oualline said. Animation is a helpful aspect to have when wanting to pursue a career in graphic design. Jennings plans to major in animation with a focus in rigging. “The great thing about getting an animation degree is that you can go into so much more. So even if my dream is for Pixar or Blizzard studios,
animation in action
Texturing
A sequence of functional units (“stages”) which perform a task in several steps, like an assembly line in a factory
A method for defining high frequency detail, surface texture or color information on a computer-generated graphic or 3D model.
Character (3D) Modeling
Hard Surface Modeling
Rigging
Organic Modeling
The process of developing a mathematical representation of any surface of an object. The process of creating a skeleton for a #d model so it can move.
I can still work for a news company designing the extras or the slides,” Jennings said. There are many different aspects to animation such as pipelines, animation, texturing, rigging, lighting, modeling, hard surface modeling, organic modeling and character design and modeling. “I think one of the most important aspects that is also one of the hardest to excel in is lighting. I think that is why it is my favorite. It can make or break an animation,” Oualline said. Animation students are capable of animations all the way from making a ball bounce on a table to having a full character walking across the screen. “[The intricacy of the animation] really just depends on the amount of time I’m given because it is a lot of animation, just how much time you have and what you can animate in that amount of time,” senior Ethan Lewis said. Animation is a source of creativity for most students, a way to tell their stories and bring them to life through their designs. “Animation is so many different things with today’s technology. At its most basic definition, it is giving life to something,” Oualline said.•
The modeling of something that is machined or man-made
The modeling of any Organic or “living” thing source: www.awn.com
“Use Your Head” by Justin Jennings and Evan Howard
Friday, April 6, 2018
The Catamount
three peas in a pod
People
15
Triplets assess benefits, differences of comparison in life Tiffany Ha Senior Editor Bound together since birth, triplets face unique challenges and benefits. Serendipitously, this campus includes a set of triplets in three of the four grades: the Cassens, Williams and Cashion families. “I’ve always had two people to walk beside me in every aspect of my life,” sophomore Kingsley Cashion said. She is a triplet with brothers Kolbe and Kennedy. “[It’s nice] being able to go through life knowing that I won’t be doing it alone, working and helping each other on homework and always having someone to relate to.” However, growing up with siblings the same age elevates the typical sibling competitiveness. “Of course, we like to compete in our academics and athletics,” sophomore Kolbe Cashion said. “We’re still just brothers and sisters.” Living together creates room for self-comparison, but their bond ultimately outweighs competitiveness. “Being the same age and being that close to one another, it’s very easy to compare yourself to one another,” senior Noah Cassens said. “There’s a sense of unity that comes from being a triplet that I have gained from no other experience. A bundle of sticks is never easily broken, and that goes along with the bond of being a triplet.” Despite the inevitable sibling rivalry, growing together through all stages of life creates a unique sibling bond. “We’re really close. We’re basically all best friends,” said junior Makenna Williams, who is a triplet with brothers Brandon and Zachary. Triplets can face difficulty in pursuing individual activities, since they grow up encouraged to participate in the same extracurriculars for convenience. “Spending a lot of time together [was an obstacle] because sometimes you want to do stuff on your own, and it’s really hard when you have a brother the exact same age as you,” Kennedy said.“Everybody just expected us together. Wherever we went, we always went in pairs or all three of us.”
Often traveling as a trio, triplets can be subconsciously lumped together in the minds of others. “For me, it affected my individuality a little bit: we were always referred to as the triplets when being introduced,” Kingsley said. However, being a triplet does not ultimately take away from one’s sense of identity but rather adds to one’s life. “I wouldn’t say it affected my identity, but I’m true to myself and being a triplet is just an added plus,” Kolbe said. Each triplet’s differences still reign, proving they are unique individuals forming identities apart from each other. “We’re all a little quirky. Personality differences: there’s Madelanne who’s more outgoing than me and Noah,” senior Zeb Cassens said. “Between me and Noah, he likes doing stuff more with his friends. I’m just more of a chill dude.” Expressed by both the Cassens and the Williams brothers, the boys often try to protect the only girl in their set of triplets. “Since she’s basically the only girl, she tries to be the boss. We just try to protect her as much as we can since she’s the only girl,” junior Brandon Williams said. Though the siblings all agree the misconception of triplets being psychically connected is humorously false, they occasionally have moments where the notion seemingly appears true. “Whenever we were younger, we used to get up in the morning and tell each other our dreams,” Kennedy said. “When we were six, Kolbe and I had the same dream.” With rarity of triplets, not only do they have a bond with each other but they are also connected to other sets of triplets. “My mom went to the doctor to find out if she was having twins,” Kingsley said. “After the sonogram confirmed that she was, the doctor left the room. Later, he came back to check again, because he had recently missed triplets in a sonogram. After looking again, he realized there were three babies after all. Interestingly enough, the triplets he missed were the Williams triplets - Brandon, Zach and Makenna.”•
▲(Top) The Cashion triplets, sophomores. (Bottom left) The Cassen triplets, seniors. (Bottom right) The Williams triplets, juniors. PHOTOS PROVIDED BY EACH FAMILY
1, 2, 3 facts about triplets The chances of any mother having more than one baby at a time is about 3%. When triplets are born naturally, the average time between the delivery of each child is 17 minutes. Over 90% of triplet pregnancies are born prematurely and may have low birth weights as a direct consequence. Source: healthresearchfunding.org
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People
The Catamount
a sign of the times
Friday, April 6, 2018
Options for communication further through sign language Katie Guye Staff Reporter “Sign Language” might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about a foreign language, but for several people with and without hearing impairments, it has become a vital form of communication and expression. Whether they see sign language as a future career, have a loved one who is deaf or simply are passionate about communicating with others, junior Anna Kate Bradford, sophomore Brianna Reyes and other students have committed to learning this language. “I get to make people feel good who don’t necessarily get to communicate with everyone in everyday life, who live by themselves in their own little world, and I connect with them or break open that door for them,” Bradford said. “It makes me the happiest person.” Bradford currently serves as an interpreter for her church and often communicates with other members of the deaf community. “It’s just this thought that I get to talk to people in a way so many other people don’t know, and they feel really valued,” Bradford said. Motivations for signing vary greatly, but everyone seems to be united on one thing: sign language is a way to step outside of one’s own world to communicate with and better understand others. “There’s value in being able to communicate with someone else in another language, regardless,”
American Sign-language alphabet
Graphics by Tiffany Ha
▲Junior Anna Kate Bradford signs “uncle.” Bradford taught her friends how to sign basic salutations. PHOTO BY KATIE GUYE interpreter for Texas A&M’s Disability Services Department Diana North said. “I think it’s a way of opening yourself up to different cultures and seeing the world.” Many view sign language as a way to gain insight into a culture and people unknown to many throughout the United States. “The deaf culture is fascinating, so it was really interesting learning about a whole different culture,” North said. “I’m interested in other cultures anyway, so it was a nice way to be exposed to that while still being in the U.S.” Given the rise of new technologies such as Cochlear Implants and the prevalence of closed captioning, sign language has decreased in popularity, leading interpreters to face a changing culture. “It’s kinda hard for me to see it decreasing, but I think it is a good thing,” Bradford said. “But I think it’s also special for them when they see someone who knows sign language.” Particularly among teenagers without hearing impairments, proficiency in sign language is rare, but it is this scarcity that inspires Bradford and Reyes. “It’s something unique that a lot of people don’t know how to do, and [I love] getting to talk to new people and them be surprised that I know it,” Reyes said. For many students and adults alike, sign language serves as a unique form of expression that many use to inspire and contribute to their community. “I want to make a difference in their world,” Bradford said. “I want to make them feel like they are not alone, and talking to them through [sign language] has made me value other people.”•
A B C D E F G H I J K L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Source: maineadulted.coursestorm.com
Friday, April 6, 2018
The Catamount
Sports
17
Golfer works on perfecting skills, motivating teammates Jayci Tawney Staff Reporter Standing in the slight breeze with a clear blue sky, senior Aimee Hodges looks at the hole in the ground a couple of hundred feet away. Aiming for it while swinging the club, she tries to get the ball in. “Before I take the first shot on the first day of a tournament, I get really nervous and freak out. I have to tell myself, ‘play your own game and don’t worry about what everyone else is doing, stick to what you know.’ Once I hit my first shot I’m good to go,” Hodges said. Many of the girls on the golf team will agree that Hodges is one of the most motivated and hard working girls on the the team. “Aimee is a great role model because she has the biggest work ethic since [professional golfer] Jordan Spieth,” sophomore Zoe Kelton said. “She’s the first to arrive to the course and the last to leave.” Rackley agrees that Hodges assists the team on and off the course. “She brings focus,” Rackley said. “She stays focused on the goal and works toward it and helps her teammates do the same.” With Hodges’ personal improvements in her golf skills, she hopes to form some kind of career with what she has learned or will continue to learn.
“I just hope to better my game because I want to coach a little bit, so I wanna help myself in the game of golf,” Hodges said. Hodges has been able to achieve many things since she has made the decision about five years ago to start playing golf. Last year she was the district champion individually and got first place at the district preview. She attributes most of her success to her teammates. “What makes me love the team in general is that they are welcoming and they love you and they want you to do well,” Hodges said. Hodges has been accepted to play golf in college to further her golf career for the Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. “I’m most excited for new opportunities to compete on a higher level,” Hodges said. “I’m excited to be playing college golf in general, and I think it’s so cool that I get to continue to do what I love to do the most.” Rackley believes she has an exciting future ahead of her. “I have only seen her over the last two years, but I know she has improved greatly since she was a freshman,” Rackley said. “She has put in the time and effort to become the number one golfer on our team.”•
▲Senior Aimee Hodges practices at Pebble Creek Country Club on March 22. PHOTO BY JAYCI TAWNEY
Junior finds mentor role with team, continues to improve Ayden Woods Staff Reporter
▲Junior Nick Holland takes a swing at Pebble Creek Country Club on March 22. PHOTO BY AYDEN WOODS
The tee is placed, the club has been selected. The practice swing has been taken. Junior Nick Holland lines up the shot, takes a deep breath, then swings. “I aspire to be the hardest working player on whatever team I’m on,” Holland said. Holland wants to improve his skills and become the best he can. His coach says he is devoted and practices whenever he can. “[Holland] loves the game, and he works really hard,” boys golf coach Brian Edwards said. “Holland is always working on improving.” In the summer, Holland said he practices daily and goes to the range whenever he can, even if it’s
just half an hour to work on perfecting his shots and staying consistent every game. “He is consistent, and golf isn’t a consistent game,” Edwards said. “Holland is able to continually hit the ball where he wants it.” Holland also said he analyzes his game to determine whether he was chipping too strong or if he is missing the sweet spot on the club. He is able to more continuously hit where he wants the ball to go. “He doesn’t mess around. He is all business,” Edwards said. Holland said he also doesn’t join in if others start to slack off a bit and tries to avoid horseplay or getting rowdy at events. “I have changed to believe that golf is just a game instead of believing it to be extremely important,” Holland said.
Holland has had various changes in performance, attitude and leadership throughout his high school golf career. He also has learned that golf isn’t just about winning and that golf is also about having fun and enjoying the game. “I always want to be focused on the game,” Holland said. Holland said he tries his best to pay attention and not get distracted during games. Holland wants to make sure he is aware of what is going on and where he needs to go and what he is doing next. “He sets examples for us and he is a good person,” said Anthony Rubino, a freshman on the team. “Holland is always helping others and puts effort in helping people.”•
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Sports
Friday, April 6, 2018
The Catamount
Veterans, newcomers contribute to team success
▲ Junior Cole Marler warms up his arm during practice on March 26. Marler plays catcher and has recorded two home runs on the year. PHOTO BY ETHAN COHEN
Ethan Cohen Sports Editor As spring rolls around in College Station, the Cougar baseball team looks to continue their tradition of winning. The Cougars finished the 2017 season 22-8, earning their fifth consecutive district championship before falling to Tomball in the second round of playoffs. The Cougars lost several important players to graduation after the 2017 season, but as this year’s season reaches the midway point they are on pace to exceed their success last year. After starting the season 1-1, the Cougars’ current record is (14-5), and (5-1) in district play. Much of the team’s success can be accredited to stellar pitching performances from both veterans and newcomers. Senior Travis Hester (5-1, .944 ERA, 36 K’s) once again leads the Cougar pitching staff, while junior Bryson Lucas (3-1, 2.154 ERA, 35 K’s) looks to return to form from his freshman year, and fellow junior Austin Teel (3-0, 2.471 ERA, 14 K’s) looks to build off last year’s success. They are joined by sophomores Garrett Wright (2-0, .525 ERA, 18 K’s) and Zach Childers (0-0, 2
SVs, 1.680 ERA), both of whom look to contribute heavily out of the bullpen. Offensively, the Cougars are led by senior center fielder Wilson Roubion, who continues playing at a high level after being named to the All-State team a year ago. Outside of Roubion, plenty of fresh faces will fill the vacancies left by the graduating class, and some veterans have transitioned into more versatile roles. Lucas has quickly become one of the Cougars’ best offensive weapons, posting a .385/.556/1.056 slash line as well as 7 RBI’s. The team began the season like every other year, facing high quality competition from some of the country’s best teams. The Cougars competed in three highly competitive tournaments in Fort Worth, Atlanta and right at home in Bryan. The Cougars posted a 2-1 record at the Brazos Valley invitational, defeating Lufkin and first in 4A Waco-Robinson. Next, the team finished 4-2 at the Northwest ISD invitational, including a win over powerhouse Frisco-Wakeland. Before the break the Cougs headed to the ATL for the Perfect Game High School Invitational, going 3-0 and outscoring opponents 25-8 after dropping their first game to local powerhouse Grayson High School 2-1. The Cougars returned from their exhausting travel stretch in stride, taking a 4-2 victory on the road against Bryan and then took their positions at Cougar Field for the first time all season, defeating the Waco University Trojans in extra innings after a walkoff single from Kit Cawley. The momentum from this win would help carry the team to their best game of the season, a 7-1 victory over hometown rival A&M Consolidated. The pitching staff were lights out, not allowing a runner to cross the plate, or go further than first base for the first five innings. Offensively, junior catcher Cole Marler hit his second home run of the season, and from there, the offense would be paced by juniors Jordon Bellows (.375 avg. and 14 RBI’s) and Brandon Williams (.208/.262/.508 14 RBI’s) who had three and two RBI’s respectfully. As the season passes the midway point, the team has suffered only one loss in district play, and are still set to compete for what would be the programs 6th straight district championship before beginning postseason play. The Temple Wildcats currently sit atop the district standings, undefeated in district play with a 4-0 record. Rudder and CSHS are currently tied, both with a record of 3-1. The Cougars are currently ranked seventh overall in their division, and are in one of the most competitive regions in the state. Four teams from the top 25 share the same region as the Cougs, so the post season will be filled with stiff competition. The team will be facing the Bryan Vikings tonight at home at 6:30 p.m.•
▲ Senior Trey Barfield reaches out for a ball during practice on March 26. Barfield plays first base and currently has a .387 on-base percentage. PHOTO BY ETHAN COHEN
Offensive statistics
[Batting Avg./On-Base Percentage/Slugging Percentage]
Bryson Lucas: .385/.556/.600 7 RBIs
Johnny Castillo: .364/.500/.985 9 RBIs
Wilson Roubion: .320/.469/.400 1 RBI
Cole Marler: .283/.365/.856 2 HR 11 RBIs
Kit Cawley: .306/.424/.306 12 RBIs
Jordon Bellows: .289/.391/.395 14 RBIs
Ben Holbert: .275/.351/.373 1 HR 3 RBIs
Friday, April 6, 2018
The Catamount
Powerlifter serves as leader, team player Sophia North Photography Editor When Athena Polymenis entered her sophomore year, she set two goals for herself: to squat 400 pounds and make it to state. Two weeks before regionals, she met her first goal and squatted 400. However, at the regional meet for state, she walked away with something far greater than a medal. “She went to regionals and didn’t make it, but she was only upset for about 30 minutes and then she came down and supported her team the rest of the meet,” powerlifting coach Gregg Frashure said. “She responded well to adversity, and that’s more important than a medal.” Polymenis’ first year and push to the state meet was unfortunately cut short due to a technical error. She joined powerlifting her sophomore year after being scouted by Frashure. “I did shot put in middle school, and I really loved the lifting aspect of it. When Coach Frashure came to the middle school, he promised if I joined powerlifting that there would be more lifting and no cardio, so I signed up,” Polymenis said. Since then, she has only been furthering her toughness both physically and mentally. “There are always mental challenges of breaking the stigma that lifting more could result in an injury,” Polymenis said, “but you have to break that and push through.” Powerlifting is more complex than simply lifting weights though. There are many technical components that heavily play into a clean lift, and Polymenis said she takes every pointer into account to improve her form. “She is a really smart person and is very coachable. I can explain something to her, and she can immediately apply it,” Frashure said. “That’s huge, and usually people don’t come in that easily coachable.” Polymenis’ dedication to execute the lift properly and increase her weight has also been observed by sophomore lifter Hannah Lopez. “She’s dedicated, and she doesn’t want to give up,” Lopez said. “That mentality really made us friends because we kept pushing each other.” Not only does Polymenis push her friend Lopez, but she has also filled the role as a leader to everyone after the girls powerlifting team lost seven seniors last year. “Athena does a really good job of helping the other kids out and coaching others, but coaching in a way that is us,” Frashure said. “I hear the coaching points that I give her then transfer to how she is coaching
▲Sophomore Athena Polymenis works out in the field house during seventh period on March 22. Polymenis is training to make a comeback at regionals next year. PHOTO BY SOPHIA NORTH others.” So even though she missed state this year, she has become both a tough competitor and powerful leader who will continue to grow more in the years to come. “I’m excited for the next two years, to watch her grow into the strong woman I know she will be,” Frashure said.•
Maxing Out
Season Records: Squat = 400 lbs Bench = 165 lbs Deadlift = 330 lbs Source: Athena Polymenis
Sports
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7-on-7 Football For football players all across the nation, the offseason typically means daily grueling workouts dedicated to preparing athletes for the rigorous test of spring ball and the upcoming fall season. Ethan Cohen The last few years has also seen the offseason popularize another way for players to hone their skills and perfect their craft: 7-on-7 football. 7-on-7 football is a non-contact form of football, featuring seven players on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. The offense consists of a quarterback, a snapper and five receievers, while the defense typically features two deep safeties, two outside corners and three linebackers. The game is strictly passing, and all drives start around halfway to the end-zone as opposed to an entire field. The game can trace its roots back to Army bases in the 1940’s, but truly began gaining ground decades later, when high school football coaches in Texas began scheduling games and eventually tournaments. These humble beginnings are a stark contrast to the 7-on-7’s current state. Rather than driving from town to town to play with school teammates, the game’s best teams are loading up on planes and going across the country to face off against national recruits in large-scale, highly competitive tournaments. Social media played a huge role in the proliferation of the games popularity, as videos of players leaping, diving and making people miss helped lead to players and teams getting national exposure. This exposure from 7-on-7 has had a significant influence on recruiting, as college coaches have begun to take notice of the game’s positive impacts. University of Arizona head coach Kevin Sumlin extolled 7-on-7, saying its ability to keep players in action year round “changes everything.” Recently, Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher met with coaches of a Houston based 7-on-7 team while on the recruiting trail, another example of college coaches beginning to seriously factor 7-on-7 in recruiting. However, other college coaches have been very vocal about how little they value the game and factor it into recruiting. Stanford head coach David Shaw sounded off on the subject, saying that 7-on-7 means “absolutely nothing to me as an evaluator,” and that he would “never ever, ever have a recruiting conversation with a 7-on-7 coach.” Regardless of varying opinions, 7-on-7’s intentions and effects are undeniably positive. The game continues to evolve, and has the potential to shake up the world of recruiting.•
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Sports
Friday, April 6, 2018
The Catamount
Sophomore tennis player establishes himself as team leader Grace Costenbader Opinions Editor On a team, there are certain attributes in players that allow some to stand out as not only great players, but great leaders. Some of these attributes include being goal-oriented, perseverance and going the extra mile. These are the attributes that make sophomore Jonathan Bratcher an essential member of the Cougar Tennis team. “I work hard and focus on realistic goals in order to be successful in practice,” Bratcher said. Bratcher started playing tennis as a freshman, which proves to be a challenge on the court. “I am regularly competing against players who have played for over a decade,” Bratcher said. “I put in extra time on the court to make up for [this challenge].” Tennis coach Ed Stricker is very analytical about the strengths and weaknesses on his team, and has acknowledged Bratcher as a strong player and leader on the team. “We have an amazing group of kids
that excel both academically and athletically in many UIL events,” Stricker said. “My favorite part of coaching tennis is developing skills and a love for a sport that players get to enjoy throughout their life.” A challenge that the team faces is the lack of experience before high school. Many freshmen come in with little to no experience prior to high school, but the drive and leadership on the team are what allow them to push through any setbacks. “[In order to improve], I set several small goals and give myself a mental time frame of when I should have them completed by,” Bratcher said. As the season progresses, the team works hard to advance and eventually reach the State Tennis Tournament. “[I look forward to] the challenge of trying to get players back to the State Tennis Tournament in May and keeping our five year streak alive,” Stricker said. Bratcher aims to advance to regionals and use his strong leadership ability and eager work ethic to win there. “I am proud to be a Cougar athlete because there is a big focus on team play and maintaining outstanding character,” Bratcher said.•
I work hard and focus on realistic goals in order to be successful. -jonathan Bratcher Sophomore
▲Sophomore Jonathan Bratcher returns a serve during a practice. This is Bratcher’s first season on varsity and he is currently ranked fourth on the Cougar squad and has a fall district record of 10-2. Bratcher hopes to advance to regionals and then looks to advance to the state tennis tournament in May. PHOTO BY JAYCIE ROBINSON
2018 district Singles / Doubles teams
Boys Singles
Girls Singles
Jonathan Bratcher
Hannah Franke
Desmond O’Shea Blake Bradham
Elizabeth Kellstedt Rebekah Rossman
Arnav Banerjee
Mattie Syler
Jacob Franke Aditya Narayanan
Madison Jobb Nicole Tadeschi
Boys Doubles Girls Doubles
Friday, April 6, 2018
The Catamount
Entertainment
21
Fortnite video game trend proves popular among teenagers Noe Canchola Managing Editor Perhaps the most polarizing free online video game in the last couple of months, Fortnite: Battle Royale, has quickly become a sensation among people of all ages. In short, Fortnite is a mass online skirmish where 100 players fight each other on an island until there is one person left standing. For several students, Fortnite is now their go-to video game because of its fun, brash and realistic visual style of gameplay. “My first impression of the game was that this game sucks. As I got better at it and finally started to get more kills, I got hooked on it,” junior Sydney Pospech said. “Fortnite is basically like the Hunger Games. You start off in a plane and find a location to go on a map. Whenever you land, you get a gun and try to defeat 99 other people to win.” With Fortnite garnering so much attention within the last couple of months, it has brought a sense of community between friends. In order to be successful and achieve more in the game, it is important to work together in the “Duos” and “Squads” modes. “Fortnite is extremely fun because it brings all your friends together and it can get competitive. There are a lot of good memories I shared with my friends while playing this game,” sophomore Caleb Shulse said. “It gets frustrating sometimes and there are some goofy moments, but the main thing is to just have fun and work together.” However, there is one major drawback to the video game. A recurring obstacle that many players encounter is the amount of time spent on the game, as it is not un-
common for someone to spend hours playing Fortnite. “What makes the game so addicting and makes someone lose sense of the amount of time they have been playing is the competitive nature of the game,” senior Josh McKinney said. “Being able to say that you went into a game with 99 other people and came out victorious makes someone more inclined to keep playing.” Fortnite is sometimes seen in the gaming community as a better version of a similar game called PUBG as both of them currently have an iOS game available for download as well. Based on the unique gameplay of Fortnite, it has distinguished itself from other similar first-person shooter games. “This game is different from others that I have played because it’s free, it’s good quality and the concept is different from other types of shooting games,” Pospech said. “Fortnite is so successful because it has the mixture of challenge and addictiveness to it.” A common tradition that some Fortnite players participate in is that after every victory that a player earns, they post it on their Snapchat story or other social media sites. According to Braeden Whitten, not many people understand the difficulty of acquiring a victory and he believes that Fortnite’s online success has made the game popular on social media platforms. “I know a lot of people get backlash from posting their wins on their snapchat stories, but my opinion is that if you win, feel free to post it,” Whitten said. “Fortnite is everywhere on social media. People are live streaming their games on Twitch and posting Fortnite memes on Instagram, or sharing news on Twitter. With the game still growing in popularity, Fortnite will still be relevant for the foreseeable future.”•
The main thing is just to have fun and work together. -Caleb Shulse Sophomore
All-time fortnite wins by video game platform XBOX: MR WHITEGUY - 2,164 wins; 7,073 games Sirsteadyaim - 2,063 wins; 5,387 games Darkthrust - 2,016 wins; 3,894 games
PS4: AlexRamiGaming - 2,541 wins; 5,828 games JeDiiiKniiGht - 2,164 wins; 5,865 games FT_Fateu - 2,115 wins; 5,084 games
PC: Twitch_Ettnix - 2,075 wins; 4,713 games WBG Strafesh0t - 1,984 wins; 4,198 games Twitch_Svennoss - 1,967 wins; 4,152 games Source: fortnitetracker.com
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Entertainment
The Catamount
Lash
Out
Friday, April 6, 2018
Female students express themselves through makeup Emelie Gulde News Editor Beauty is a colossal industry in today’s world with skincare products alone valued at $121 billion, which has also inspired students to become beauty gurus by sharing their tips online. “My interest with makeup began when I was in middle school. I used to sneak into my mom’s bathroom and put some powder foundation on. Ever since then I have been fascinated with makeup,” senior Kanwal Bhimani said. Proper makeup and skincare techniques tend to help prevent the aging process and generally promote better outward health. “If you aren’t taking care of your skin, then makeup will not sit right and will probably continue to damage your skin,” junior Logan James said. “You should take good care of what is basically your first impression.” In some performance activities, makeup is necessary for theatrical purposes or to enhance facial attributes. “Color guard has definitely increased my interest in makeup,” senior Mollie Schatz said. “It has introduced me to a lot of colors looks and styles that before I probably wouldn’t have tried.”
Part of the power of makeup is the ability to change one’s appearance and emphasize one’s best features. “I started wearing makeup in middle school as a response to being bullied. I wanted to be pretty and fit in with the other girls, so I started wearing mascara,” James said. Another aspect of makeup is its potential as an artistic medium. This means using the face as a canvas to portray different personalities or experiment with different looks. “I guess you could say I’m a risk taker and bubbly because I usually like to wear bolder lipsticks or super glam eye looks with pops of color,” Bhimani said. Similar to how some people search for ethical clothing brands, some people particularly care about the contents of their skincare and makeup products. “I do prefer all the products I use to be cruelty free and as natural as possible,” Schatz said. As a subculture, makeup allows many people a new medium of self-expression. “Makeup has no rules. Do what makes you feel comfortable and beautiful. Just have fun with it!” Bhimani said. •
Urban Decay All Nighter Foundation $40 (Ulta Beauty) “It’s so full coverage but if you add a few drops of facial oil it can be natural and sheer,” junior Logan James said.
Cerave Moisturizing Cream
Beauty Gurus Favorites:
$15.99 (Ulta Beauty) “I like how my skin feels after using [Cerave],” senior Mollie Schatz said.
▲Senior Kanwal Bhimani applies mascara. Bhimani explains that makeup is an outlet for many including herself. PHOTO BY EMELIE GULDE 2805 Texas Ave S
Erborian CC Cream $44 (Sephora) “It comes out white from the tube but then adjusts into your own personal skin color. It has SPF 25 and is perfect for everyday use,” senior Kanwal Bhimani said.
979-693-9586
Discount Cleaners 1.35
laundry business shirt
20% OFF of drycleaning order of $20 & up
Friday, April 6, 2018
Jump, jump
The Catamount
Entertainment
23
Staffers check out trampoline parks in BCS area altitude Melanie Evans Staff Reporter
Jumping World
Emelie Gulde News Editor As someone who primarily spends time reading and watching Netflix, heading to Jumping World on a Saturday afternoon in Bryan was stretching a bit out of my comfort zone. I was surprised when I spent the whole hour at Jumping World for only $14.50. The main area of the room was
taken up with long runways of trampoline, but the real attractions were hidden in the back. The most unique attraction of Jumping World is the mini American Ninja Warrior course. With a rope wall and other walls made for running up the sides, it was definitely the source of my aching arms the next morning. I do think that this course was the highlight of my visit. An attraction that happened to be closed the day that I went was a blow-up ball, similar to one that is used in bubble soccer, floating in a pool of water. It was called the water-walking ball, and I am disappointed that I did not have the chance to put my balance to the test. The foam pit was definitely a struggle and felt like a pool of quicksand. I see it as a place perfect to visit with a big group of friends after drinking a lot of caffeine.•
Located in a former grocery store next to Walmart sits Altitude Trampoline Park. Upon entering, the atmosphere is energetic, with upbeat tunes playing that immediately cause you to start singing along. The cost for one hour was about $16 including the required socks, which in my opinion was a little expensive, and we were not really given any information on whether or not we had full access to everything they had to offer. We began putting on the provided socks and stashing our shoes in the cubbies, checked in all of our valuable belongings and began exploring. For the first 10 minutes or so, we jumped on the main trampolines until later making our way to the other numerous activities they had to offer. Besides the main trampolines, they have foam pits, a zipline, a trapeze, a dodgeball area, a rock climbing wall, a basketball court and many other things that kids and even adults could enjoy. Sadly, we weren’t able to do all of the activities they had in an hour, which is a great problem to have. I would definitely suggest paying for two hours if you are looking to experience the whole park. Overall, my experience at Altitude Trampoline Park was great and I could absolutely see myself going back with friends.•
urban air Ty’Asia Hubbard Entertainment Editor With vibrant features, Urban Air is the newest trampoline park in town. The first time I walked into the location, I initially thought it was meant for children. However, the nice cashier ensured me that all ages were welcomed. Standing in awe, I was completely fascinated with the trampoline park’s intriguing features. In their words, they are “more than just a trampoline park. We are an adventure park,” and I couldn’t agree more. From wall climbing, and dodgeball to warrior battle beam, basketball, ropes course and regular trampolines, Urban Air has many features that can keep you moving. My friends and I decided to pay for the deluxe attraction, which is priced at $18.99.
You also have to purchase a pair of socks, which is about $2.15. Other deals they offer are the ultimate attraction and the basic attraction. The ultimate attraction is, priced at $24.99 and includes all the parks features and the basic attraction is priced at $12.99 and includes trampolines only. The deluxe deal included trampolines, warrior battle beam, the tubes playground and the climbing wall. Out of this deal, my friends and I first gravitated towards the tubes playground, a challenge course that times your process through the course. My experience contained many counts of laughter and smiles. The environment and employees are super friendly. The only downfall I experienced was losing my phone. I highly recommend going to Urban Air with friends or family.•
Etc.
The Catamount
Friday, April 6, 2018
they trippin’
Spring break offers exciting, eye-opening journeys to new places NY
Caroline Gatlin and her family enjoy Times Square in New York City. PHOTO PROVIDED BY CAROLINE GATLIN
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weeken
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“When my family and I got to Times Square in New York City, it was so cool to finally see it in real life after seeing it in so many movies and on TV. It was really crowded, but I’m happy to have experienced such an iconic place.” Sincerely,
1. Senior Brendan McIntyre and his friends bundled in blankets 1 while looking at the sunrise on a camping trip in Arkansas. “We woke up super early that morning to go and watch the sunrise as it came over the river. It was super cold, but definitely worth it,” McIntyre said. PHOTO PROVIDED BY MCINTYRE
2. Senior Jackson Roderick and other students on a mision trip
in Roatan, Honduras reached out to the youth in schools each day, teaching them songs and bible stories. “It was a very new and exciting experience going into a foreign environment to teach and love the kids in the area,” Roderick said. PHOTO PROVIDED BY RODERICK
3.
Sophomore Isabella Virgil saw a market in Port-au-Prince, Haiti while traveling with graduate students who were volunteering at schools and researching agriculture. “The people of Haiti have the biggest hearts and are the kindest people I have ever met. Even though they live in such poverty, they find true beaty in the country,” Virgil said. PHOTO BY VIRIGIL
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Caroline Gatlin
2