4002 Victoria Ave. College Station, Texas 77845
the CATAMOUNT
Vol. 9 No. 5
Thursday, April 1, 2021
n g i l t g h n e a k t n n o U
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College Station High School
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Theatre advances in UIL One-Act with Greek tragedy “Medea”
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Visual arts competition showcases students’ best work
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Art by Elisabeth Stewart
Coping mechanisms help teens form healthy habits Erin Park Editor-in-Chief
Thrift stores sustainably style locals
INDEX News Opinions People Sports Entertainment Etc.
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As the pandemic swooped over the world, people saw and acted upon the deterioration of their mental health, and some adopted ways to manage emotional challenges. “Students feel cut off. Teens feel let down because special events are cancelled. Staff face challenges of teaching both in person and online. There may be more stress in the home,” school nurse Briana Dugan said. “Coping mechanisms help people maintain emotional wellbeing as they diffuse these stressful events.” As a healthcare worker, Dugan herself felt the intensity and uncertainty of the pandemic catch up to her.
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Her initial way of coping was binge-eating, but soon, she began working out and planning out her meals, which helped her feel more content. As the pandemic continued and school resumed, Dugan saw that, just like she did, students and faculty faced challenges due to the pandemic. Senior Kendall Corona-Dragotta is among many of those victims. Corona-Dragotta had trouble being stuck in isolation because she was unable to socialize with people. After some time, she found out that reaching out to others for help, even in the virtual setting, is her way of coping. “I’m an extrovert, so not being around people is hard because I can’t recharge from their presence,” Corona-Dragotta said. “Reaching out online helped me
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Thursday, April 1, 2021
The Catamount
Meditation grounds mindset, provides time for quiet reflection continued from page 1
quell anxiety and center myself around what really mattered to me, which was being connected.” Finding out that connection was her coping mechanism wasn’t an easy journey. She tried other methods like reading and meditation to finally find what stuck with her best. For people like senior Caleb Surovik, meditation stuck. “I started meditating not only to try out a new activity over quarantine, but also to control my thoughts and mindfulness,” Surovik said. “Meditation has worked because it helped me be in the present and understand myself better.” Dugan explained that meditation helps “reduce stress, control anxiety, enhance self awareness and reduce racing thoughts.” She also touched on the difference in positive and negative coping mechanisms, categorizing meditation as a positive. Some other healthy mechanisms include talking to someone, problem solving, humor and physical
activity. Unhealthy mechanisms include withdrawing, binging, risk-taking and self-harming.
you develop positive coping skills.” The key to achieving a healthy mentality, as agreed by Surovik, Coro-
Meditation has worked because it helped me be in the present and understand myself better -Caleb Surovik senior “If you experience stress and do not know how to cope, seek help from a therapist or mental health professional,” Dugan said. “They can provide a safe, non-judgmental environment to help
na-Dragotta and Dugan is to be emotionally mindful, try new activities and accept the ups and downs. Senior Siena Healy further emphasizes this, coming from a place where she had trouble ac-
cepting her body for as is. Over quarantine, she learned that her way of coping is to love others. “Being more accepting of others has helped me overcome the lack of acceptance I have for myself,” Healy said. “I constantly reminded myself that comparing my body to that of others’ comes from a place of hatred and judgement.” Every person stumbles upon unique challenges, and even these evolve over time, according to Dugan. Therefore, being conscious of boundaries, needs and priorities in each moment will serve as fundamental steps to discovering new coping mechanisms. This will be particularly important when dealing with unexpected but life-changing events like the pandemic. “Facing emotional trouble in this pandemic is valid, and there are plenty of coping mechanisms to try out,” Corona-Dragotta said. “At the end of the day, what matters most is being happy.”•
Best Apps for Meditation Calm
Smiling Mind
Cost: Free
Guided sessions ranging from 3 to 25 minutes. New meditations every day, progress trackers, and seven-day and 21day programs.
Aura Cost: Free
Art by Elisabeth Stewart
Provides an option to track your mood and review patterns of how you feel. Sets reminders to breathe and take breaks for mindfulness.
Cost: Free
Headspace Cost: $7.99 to $12.99 per month after trial Includes hundreds of guided meditations, sleep sounds and animations to help people understand meditation.
Developed by psychologists to encourage mindfulness practice as a pillar of wellness, much like daily exercise, good sleep and healthy eating.
Insight Timer Cost: Free
Includes different styles of practices like body scan, loving kindness and anxiety/stress reducing.
Source: Women’s Health Magazine
The Catamount
Thursday, April 1, 2021
News
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Attending virtual school abroad bonds family, provides safety Jyotsna Naidu Executive Editor Increased educational options due to pandemic now include attending virtual school abroad. Motivated by health concerns and family connection, five seniors relocated this past year to Taiwan and South Korea. “Before I came to Taiwan, I was upset that I was never going to have a high school graduation, but being able to come here is bigger opportunity for me,” Huang said. “Even though I may not have had the traditional experiences that a high school senior gets, the experience that I have right now is also really special that a lot of other people may not have the opportunity to experience.” What most separates the experience of virtual students in College Station and virtual students abroad is balancing school work and family in two different time zones over 12 hours and thousands of miles apart. “[When] my parents are sleeping, I wake up at that time to follow the American time zone, but it’s difficult for me to do that,” senior Paul Jang said. This has resulted in these students having to stay awake as late as 4 a.m. to take synchronous tests, discouraged from attending office hours cutting into their sleep and quitting in person activities. But international students can benefit from being closer to their families. Now re-connected with his immediate family in South Korea after living with a host family in America, Jang was able to celebrate his father’s birthday in person for the first time in six years. For Huang who has always lived with her immediate family, moving to Taiwan has meant more time with extended family and living with her grandmother. “Usually we are not able to visit everyone, and it’s really hard for my cousins because I only got to hang out with them a few times before I disappeared for another two years,” Huang said “It’s really special to be able to
spend that time getting to know them.” Huang also is now able to participate in holidays for the first time such as Chinese New Year and experience new traditions. She arrived in Taiwan in January. “In Texas, we weren’t really comfortable going out,” Huang said. “Taiwan has been pretty strict about their response to COVID-19. We felt a lot safer here.” With only 10 Covid-19 deaths and resurgence of “normal” activities, many citizens have returned to Taiwan, according to the New York Times. Jang’s return to America is contingent on the vaccine, he said. “If it wasn’t for safety, I would have stayed in America,” Jang said. “Whenever I go outside [in South Korea], everyone is wearing masks. If you don’t wear it, you have to pay a fine, so [my parents] trust me to go out because they know I wear a mask.” As an former international student living apart from his family, Jang returned to South Korea as the pandemic began without all his belongings. To bridge the gap, communication became a priority and counselors served as contact points between students and the school. “[Ninety-nine percent] of the time a question came up, the question right back was what’s best for kids and that’s how questions got answered,” counselor Stacie LePage said. “They were advocating for themselves and making sure they got their stuff done, and it’s gonna pay off because they’re gonna be able to graduate on time and that’s a beautiful thing.” Yet, LePage said some students did not inform the school before leaving such as Huang who was scared that a teacher would tell her she could not leave. However now Huang says communication with teachers allows her to “be the most successful.” “Being in Taiwan, even though it may not feel like home, I view it as a special opportunity to be around my family and learn more about my culture [while attending CSHS],” Huang said.
•
covid-19 case rate per 100,000 0
Taiwan
▲Senior Iris Huang attends virtual school in Taiwan while adapting to the time zone difference of 14 hours. PHOTO PROVIDED IRIS HUANG
time zones Texas
Taiwan
S. Korea
CST
+14 hrs
+15 hrs
S. Korea
.8 13
Texas Source: bbc.com
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News
Thursday, April 1, 2021
The Catamount
Theatre’s UIL One-Act Play Medea advances to bi-district
Aliza Ali Managing Editor
College Station High School Theatre is currently competing in the UIL One-Act Play contest with this year’s chosen production, “Medea.” The cast and crew advanced from the first round of the contest on March 6 to bi-district on March 31. In the first round, the crew also won the award for Best Tech Crew, the Savage Chorus won All Star Cast, senior Saul Canchola won Honorable Mention All Star Cast for his role as Jason and senior Lucy Stephens won Outstanding Performer for her role as Medea. “I am so proud of all of us for advancing to bi-district, and I can’t wait to perform again,” Stephens said. “I am honored to be able to portray a character that represents the internal rage many people experience.” In the One-Act Play contest, competing schools condense a full-length play into a 40-minute show. Contestants are also given seven minutes before the show to set up the entire scene from a completely blank stage and seven minutes afterwards to take everything down. Three out of eight schools advanced in the first round, and two from each round afterwards will advance until the state competition. “One-Act Play is a whole next level of artistry for us as actors and technicians,” theatre director Beth Creel said. “We try to really make sure that everything we do on stage shows the level of performance, the professionalism that we have, and it really paints our company in the best light. While we are incredibly competitive in our department, we also know that we do this to tell a story and to really connect with our audience.” The Greek tragedy “Medea” centers around a woman named Medea, who feels scorned and betrayed when her husband, Jason, leaves her for Glauce, the princess of Corinth. As a result, Medea seeks revenge against the new couple. The production class helps with the selection of the production as part of their curriculum. “‘Medea’ was selected because it had the most opportunities for the most students,” Creel said. “It allowed both our actors and technicians to show the best of their abilities and as an artist, it was the most intriguing for me because I hadn’t done a Greek show in years.” The cast and crew both work vigorously to prepare for the contest, from researching and studying the historical context to rehearsing each scene and polishing every last detail. The crew runs everything behind the scenes, from makeup and costumes to sound, lights and projections, to ensure the play runs smoothly. “I program and run the booth lights,” sophomore Colin Medlock said. “I prepare for it by watching the actors movements and blocking on stage and making sure that no one is left in the dark. I also have to work with the other areas of tech like fog and haze machines as well as backstage lighting so we all work and transition toggether.” The cast includes the Greek Chorus, which represents
▲Medea, played by Lucy Stephens (right), proposes a truce with Jason, played by Saul Canchola, in the UIL One-Act play Medea. The cast and crew advanced to bi-district. PHOTO BY ALIZA ALI Greek society. “The Greek Chorus is a representation of society and how they feel about the events occurring in the play,” said senior Hannah Shaw, a member of the Greek Chorus. “To prepare for this role, I have to try and consider the views of people during that time period and base my reactions off of that. Views were very different then than they are now, especially for women.” The Savage Chorus represents the evil thoughts in Medea’s head. “The savage chorus is supposed to represent Medea’s inner thoughts and self,” sophomore Alexa Ayala said. “My part in the savage chorus is Medea’s intellect. I prepare for a show by just being with the cast and calming myself down. The most challenging part about the show is trying to not just be a facet I overcome this by responding like a person would but keeping that facet in mind.” Due to the ongoing pandemic, performers must wear masks while performing. As a result, projecting their voices and showing their facial expressions has become more difficult for the actors. The actors overcame this by making the most of this situation and utilizing full body movements. “This differs from past years because wearing masks is something none of us expected,” Shaw said. “No one would have ever guessed that we would have to learn how to act while wearing masks.” Students work together and build strong relation-ships
with each other, which helps them overcome any challenges they may face. “I would definitely say there are challenges, and that’s how it is working within any group,” said senior Grace Garrison-Tate, who portrays Glauce and is also the student director. “We’re up late, working together late, we all get hangry really easily. But we overcome that and the next day we’re all good together. It’s not like a drama club; we all have the angle to work together and feel good about what we put up together.” For many students, participating in the theatre program has become a safe place that provides a sense of belonging. Throughout their time in theatre, students have also had a chance to improve their acting skills. “I’ve been in theatre since my freshman year and have done every show since,” said junior Junior Carreon, who portrays Aegeus, the king of Athens. “I have grown in my acting skills by being more adaptable and having more range than when I first started.” Overall, the cast and crew of Medea has been working diligently this year to produce the best show possible despite the various obstacles thrown at them. “I think that this year we are gonna be the show to beat! We’ve come so far as a cast and crew and regardless of the result, I’m so proud of the hard work and dediction we’ve put into this,” Carreon said. •
Thursday, April 1, 2021
The Catamount
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Adulthood anxiety overcome with time
THE CAT’S EYE VIEW
staff editorial
Fast fashion trends ignore impact on human rights, environnment With the rise of fast fashion, the consumer market makes buying and returning as easy as a couple of clicks. However, more clothing is going to landfills than ever before. Aparna Mehta, Global Solutions Director at UPS, revealed in a 2018 Ted Talk that four billion pounds of returned clothing ends up in landfills each year due to a lack of processing technology for returns. Polyester, a man-made plastic used in the fashion industry, has become increasingly popular because it is cheap to produce. Polyester makes up more than half of all clothing and takes 200 years to decompose, according to Forbes. The list of issues caused by fast fashion go on and on, including the creation of smog, toxic chemicals and pollution. And as one of the top five water consuming industries in the world, textile production and consumption is largely responsible for the worldwide water crisis, dubbed a “silent emergency” by the UN. Additionally, many of the products sold by fast fashion companies are produced under poor conditions by severely overworked and underpaid employees. Company management often take advantage of immigrants, especially immigrant women, in the United States as well as in countries with weak labor laws such as China and Bangladesh. Many garment workers are also human trafficking victims, and Human Rights First, an international human rights organization, estimates that this forced labor makes up roughly 81 percent of human trafficking cases. It is easy to turn away from problems that don’t affect us directly. However, the exploitation of resources and people behind many inexpensive clothing websites is something that we, as consumers, can change. Perhaps transforming the way we consume by being conscious of what we buy and where it comes from will make a difference in the gilded world of fashion and its dark underbelly. And while we’re at it, we can make the oceans and skies a bit cleaner and clearer for generations to come.•
2020-2021 Newspaper Staff Erin Park Editor-in-Chief Aliza Ali Managing Editor Jo Naidu Executive Editor Ayden Woods Senior Editor Jenny Langhoff Entertainment Editor Saul Canchola Sports Editor Calla Duffield Opinions Editor Elisabeth Stewart News Editor Cheyenne Clark Staff Reporters Katherine Gulde Rhyan Kalke Sophie Harkins Sophia Amstalden Graphic Artist Zoe Taylor Cartoonist Courtney Wellmann Faculty Adviser Teresa Laffin Assistant Adviser
Opinions
Rent, taxes, tuition, jobs, money, fees and freedom beyond belief: a world I’m totally unprepared for. I mean, I’ve been taught not to spend money, stay out of debt, pay my Ayden Woods bills on time, build my wealth, pay cash for college and buy my house, not rent. All of these things sound fantastic, but nobody was telling me how. I felt pretty lost in the world of adulthood. I knew the basic concepts of putting money where it goes, but I never knew how much it took to just live. I quickly learned that life on minimum wage was next to impossible. I had no idea how I was going to afford college and not go into crippling amounts of debt, and I had never even remotely thought about building a budget. All of this stacked in my mind and was weighing me down with anxiety. I asked myself, “how am I going to do this?” Then came the second semester of senior year. The college acceptance letters started coming and the stress from waiting started leaving. I finally could enjoy the fruits of my labor. All this stress and tension slowly started unwinding and the haze
of anxiety lifted. I got into college and my dreams are starting to come true. I talked to teachers and counselors about finances and paying for college, working on my budget, working on the baby steps to financial independence from my parents. I realized that all this stress was unneeded, that I still have time. My parents aren’t kicking me out and I don’t have bills to pay yet. The answers to my questions were right in front of me; I just needed to ask. I learned how to pay my taxes and how to pay rent. I figured out how to pay for my tuition and how to pay my bills on time. The answers laid in all of the adults around me who had gone through the exact same process. Everyone is just trying to stay a float long enough to find land. We all are just struggling to grasp onto something solid and confirm that we are safe, being able to say “I made it!” It’s not an easy process and at times, it is overwhelmingly terrifying. But as students we have to remember that this is just the beginning. Don’t let the idea of the future slow you down from getting there. Take a leap, Try something new and figure it out later. Now is the time for action, even if you don’t have a clue what to do. •
View of the Pride: Do you prefer buying secondhand clothing or new clothes?
NEW
OLD
“They’re cheaper and it’s a fun shopping experience!” - Elizabeth Morton, sophomore
“New, because it feels cleaner.” -William Gomillion, junior
“It’s more environmentally friendly and just more affordable.” -Simmy Ghosh, junior
“Secondhand clothes are sometimes ruined and not always beautiful.” -Gemma Raganato, freshman
The Catamount Newspaper
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, 2016 and 2019 as well as their Silver Star Award in 2017, 2018 and 2020.
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 (979-764-5433) has been designated to coordinate compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
6 Opinions The Catamount Journey through art competition shapes creative outlook
Jenny Langhoff
My first time competing in the Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) was in 6th grade. The purple and teal glit-
ter-painted ceramic chalice I crafted for two months scored a 4/4 with a first place medal. During the interviews of that competition, I realized that art class was a space for me to interpret my imagination into physical work in which I had complete creative control. In 6th grade, I looked up to the high school competitors and admired their work in hopes that I could create art that looked as polished and beautiful as theirs. It wasn’t until my sophomore year when I competed again in VASE.
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I entered my first painting of fish swimming that took me five months to paint. I was extremely proud of the colour theory behind it, how the phthalocyanine green of the artificial plant contrasted the stark orange of the fish swimming. That piece also earned a medal and pushed me to further my experience in acrylic, oil and gouache painting. For the next year, all the art I created were paintings because I wanted to push my technical skills. In my junior year, I explored my artistic style, experimenting with naturalism and connect-
Art by Sophia Amstalden
Developing my own artistic style, I began painting deer in fields with glass bottles and blue and orange grapefruits. Now as a senior, I am comfortable and confident in my artistic style, which I am pursuing in my AP Portfolio. My AP Art Concentration for my portfolio is my perception of nature. I admire every part of nature because it is untouched by mankind. I draw Zebras and bananas on shelves, paint bunnies on old chairs and sketch dancing geckos. Writing the concept of my art on paper sounds e x t r e m e ly weird, but my art makes sense to me and brings me joy. I love my artistic style and VASE pushed me to test my creative boundaries, and for that I thank each competition because I grew from each one.•
ing objects that shouldn’t work together, but do because of color theory.
QUESTION issue OF THE
Have you had your vaccine? No and I’m not planning to
40.2% Graphics by Calla Duffield
No but I’m planning to
54.6%
Yes, I have had one or both shots
5.1% 97 people polled
Thursday, April 1, 2021
HUMANS of CSHS
surya sunkari junior
“I did computer science [for UIL last weekend] and got second individually [in] the [written] event for district, which really surprised me because the guys I went with are extremely talented in programming. Our team got second [overall]. “I’m in programming II with Mrs. Muñoz and the computer science club. I really like how Mrs. Muñoz lets us practice what we want. We can go at our own pace and focus on topics that we individually need to focus on.”
Check out our Instagram to learn more about the Humans of CSHS @cshscatamountnewspaper
COUGAR UNVEILED by Zoe taylor
The Catamount
Thursday, April 1, 2021
Focus on little joys in life brings positive perspectives Oftentimes, I put too much focus on the negative aspects of life. However, I was scrolling through TikTok Aliza Ali oneday and came across this video of someone listing some little things she loved about life. This prompted me to stop and forget about my problems for a little while and think about what brings me joy. 1. Evening flights I absolutely love traveling, whether it is by car or by airplane. My favorite time to travel is during the evening or night, particularly on planes. I love watching the sunset from the plane window and seeing the city all lit up and glowing in the night before landing at the airport. I have family living in Las Vegas that I go see every few years, and I believe that traveling to Las Vegas at night is the best time. The Las Vegas Strip is located right next to the airport, so all the beautiful lights from the
casinos are visible from the plane while taking off or landing. 2. Albums with no skips The best albums are the ones with no skip tracks. My personal no skip albums are “Golden Hour” by Kacey Musgraves, “Punisher” by Phoebe Bridgers and “The Good Times and the
Art by Sophia Amstalden Bad Ones” by Why Don’t We. This varies for everyone because everyone has different music tastes. 3. Stuffed animals I love cuddly things, especially
stuffed animals. I’m a firm believer that one is never too old for stuffed animals. My favorite stuffed animal is a bunny named Rainbow that I have had since I was eight. She always brings a smile to my face. I also have a pillow pet of Simba from The Lion King, which I got from Disney World and is really special to me. I like taking him with me on vacations and long car rides, so he has essentially become my little travel buddy. 4. Friday Night Lights My fondest memories from high school involve spending Friday nights in the stands with the band. Regardless of what happens during the game, we always have fun dancing and playing music in the stands, performing during halftime and overall enjoying ourselves as we cheer on the football team. One of my favorite memories is from the last playoff game back in December, where we played the last movement of our show, Beatlemania, in the stands. I love how we form a bond during our time together in band.•
Meditation, mindfulness provides balance to thoughts I first came across the idea to meditate after watching an episode of “Avatar: The Last Air Bender” where Uncle Iroh prays and sings for his son on his birthday. Uncle Iroh is a former fire nation general, wisdom-speaking old man Saul Canchola and a tea enthusiast. Anyway, his character is well known as the most spiritually-enlightened character in the entire series. He abandoned a life of conquest and ruthless destruction to become a peaceful man who delivered wisdom and believes love ismore powerful than any form of bending. The reason I love Uncle Iroh so much is because I wish I could be the same spiritually enlightened old man he is. I long for the same ability to look at the positives and maintain my peace in any situation. I have been struggling with balancing my life and it’s been leaving me a bit unconnected with my mindfulness. Because I’m a virtual student and I don’t go out as often as before, I’ve been minimized from receiving human interaction. I needed to find a way to help myself when I can’t go to anyone for help. I decided to take a chance and try meditation. The first couple of attempts weren’t great. I did not know if I was mediating or just sitting there in silence. I looked up some guides and read a couple articles on different ways to meditate. I
found that the main goal was to be able to feel calm, rather than being fully present on what’s unfolding in order to use my energy skillfully. This would relax my body, my head, and keep myself mindful. After I had read the guides, I gave it another shot. I sat in my room, put on some melancholy music, lit incense and began to slowly try to clear my mind. My eyes naturally closed. My body rolled back and relaxed. I controlled my breathing. In everything I read about meditation and learned from the practice, breathing is vitally important. I sat there relaxed in my body and my mind, always catching when my mind wandered. I managed to keep still, to where nothing was happening. After what felt like a couple minutes, 15 had passed and I felt at ease. My eyes felt wider and my body felt fluid, unrestricted. Now, this did not automatically fix anything I wanted when I first considered meditation. I began to practice more frequently like before school, when I woke up, after working out and after showers. I learned that my main goal when I meditated was to anchor my thoughts, my breathing, my body. After a couple months of practice, my reasoning, understanding and mindfulness feels like it’s improving and functioning better now than it did several months ago. I get overwhelmed, and life can feel overwhelming, but I found the recollection after anything horrible or uncertain happens has a silver lining. •
Opinions
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Voices Where would you go for a study abroad program?
“Japan because it’s a beautiful country and I’d love to learn Japanese.” Hayden McQuaide, freshman
“Italy, because their food is amazing and I’d love to revisit the culture.” Jasmine Hudnall, sophomore
“I would go to France. I enjoy learning the language and I adore the French culture.” Madison Kimes, junior
“I would go to Argentina because I want to learn Spanish and I think the nature there would be beautiful.” Emma Finke, senior
“I think Dubai or Singapore would be really cool because there’s just so much to do in those places.” Ryan Beck, junior
“Florence, Italy. It’s a place where you can hear opera in the street and where history is alive in front of you.” Casey Akin, chemistry teacher
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People
Thursday, April 1, 2021
The Catamount
Senior prepares to take Oath of Allegiance, exercise voting rights Elisabeth Stewart News Editor Senior Paula Bernal’s entire life was displayed in a large file compiled by the San Antonio Citizenship and Immigration Services Office. After years of preparation, Bernal was finally ready to take her citizenship test. As the testing official flipped through the papers of Bernal’s life, he asked her questions to verify her identity. However, even the comprehensive interview was not sufficient enough to detail her family’s 20 years of hard work and dreams to become American citizens. “I knew that I was going to pass, so I wasn’t surprised,” Bernal said. “It was just a good feeling to know that we’d been here a long time and were able to do what my parents had wanted me to do since before I was even born.” In the coming months, after years of residency and paperwork, Bernal will take her Oath of Allegiance and officially become a citizen of the United States of America. The journey for her family began in 2000, two years before Bernal was born in Bogotá, Colombia. Bernal’s grandmother, an American citizen, officially requested that her immediate family undergo the process of naturalization. “My grandmother realized that even a minimum wage job here pays a lot more than a normal job in Colombia,” Bernal said. “She thought it was a great opportunity for my parents. If my mom came here, I would be able to grow up here and have that experience.” Bernal lived in Colombia until she was six, then attended international schools in the Middle East while her parents worked as petroleum engineers. “Growing up, I definitely noticed that having a Colombian passport anywhere you go is an issue,” she said. “I think the his-
tory of drugs in the country leads to doubt from other [nations], so it limits your opportunities to travel.” The U.S. Embassy in Oman eventually cleared Bernal’s family to reside in America when she was 13-years-old. “It was a really uncertain time for my family,” Bernal said. “Once you get approved to move to the United States, they give you a time-frame to move here, and if you [miss it], you just don’t get to become a citizen. It’s over.”
I want to be involved in voting and in the political process -Paula Bernal Senior To meet this deadline, Bernal’s parents resigned from their jobs. To continue with the citizenship process, Bernal had to reside in the United States for five years. Her family moved to a tight-knit, suburban neighborhood in Houston. “It was the type of neighborhood where kids know each other from kindergarten all the way until high school,” Bernal said. “I was that one odd kid, and that was really bad for me. I didn’t like it much.” A year later, her family moved to College Station, where she felt more welcomed, due to the diversity at Texas A&M University. “When we moved [to College Station], I was able to quickly find people who were like me, had similar experiences to me or parents
who were first generation immigrants like I was,” Bernal said. “It was a lot easier for me afterwards.” Bernal’s family completed their five year residency last year. Then, she began preparing for the citizenship exam. The test includes a 20 question civics exam, a written and spoken English exam and a comprehensive verification of the test taker’s identity. “The point of the test is to make sure you know some basic things about America, or that you’re educated to inform yourself in the future, to know what your rights are,” Bernal said. Bernal prepared with her mother using a 100-question booklet provided by the United States Citizen and Immigration Services. “We quizzed each other in the car on the way to San Antonio,” Bernal said. “We had a lot of fun, joking around, and the atmosphere was really light.” Now that she has passed the exam, Bernal will receive a date to officially take her Oath of Allegiance and gain the full rights of an American citizen. “I want to be involved in voting and in the political process,” Bernal said. “A lot of politicians have really strong opinions on the immigration process when they don’t understand, or they have not lived through it the way that my parents have.” Bernal acknowledges that “a lot of immigrants, from a lot of different countries, have to work really hard” to attain their citizenship. “I’m very fortunate,” Bernal said. “I know that I’m very lucky to have been able to come here at all, and I know a lot of people don’t get the chance to come here.”•
Photo by Erin Park
TestCouldyour knowledge you answer these questions on the US Civics Test? 1. What does the judicial branch do? 2. How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case? 3. Name one power that is only for the federal government. 4. What are two examples of civic participation in the United States? 5. Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain. 6. What founding document was written in 1787? 7. Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one. 8. Dwight Eisenhower is famous for many things. Name one. 9. Why did the United States enter the Vietnam War 10. Name one example of an American innovation. Possible answers: Reviews laws, five, declare war, vote or join a political party, high taxes, U.S. Constitution, First Secretary of State, general during World War II and 34th president of the United States, to stop the spread of communism, light bulbs.
Source: US Citizen and Immigration Servcices
Thursday, April 1, 2021
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CANVAS ON SKIN
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Tattoos bring personal stories to life, give meaning to inked art Sophie Harkins Staff Reporter Art is one of the greatest ways people can express themselves. Through meaning, design, color, and artistic style, some students have chosen a tattoo as their form of self-expression. “Both of my parents have tattoos, so I felt more of a connection to getting one.” senior Anika van Steinburg said. Steinburg has two tattoos: a tattoo of a bee and a design inspired by the famous artist Keith Haring. “I am very passionate about the conservation of bees, and they are my favorite insect,” Steinburg said. “Keith Haring is one of my favorite artists, so I decided to get his artwork tattooed.” Tattoos can have many different meanings, but senior Lexi Muñoz chose to reflect on high school coming to a close. “The luna moth represents change and evolution,” Muñoz said.
“It’s almost college time. We are going to be starting a new life.” While Muñoz’s tattoo has to do with her going into college soon, her want for a tattoo started long before the thought of higher schooling. “I’ve wanted tattoos ever since I was a kid. I would see people with tattoos and be in awe,” Muñoz said. “As a creative spirit, I’ve always wanted tattoos all over my body.” While tattoos can be chosen for their design or their meaning, senior Grace Garrison-Tate chose a tattoo that showcased them both. “I have a symbol of equality near my shoulder,” Garrison-Tate said. “Growing up I went to peaceful protests, so fighting for equality is a huge part of who I am.” The message incorporated within her tattoo had very special meaning, especially during this past year. “I felt 2020 was the perfect time to get it, because this year had a lot of
much needed recognition about the struggle for equality,” Garrison-Tate said. While her tattoo showcased her passion for equality, it has another layer of meaning. It is the same one that her father has. Naturally, she brought him with her. “I’m really close with my dad and I thought it would be neat for him to be one of the first to see our matching tattoos,” Garrison-Tate said. Tattoos can showcase an individual, whether it’s one’s passions, interests, or anything in between. Bryan and College Station have more than 10 tattoo studios, and students under 18 must have a parent present for tattooing. •
Lexi Muñoz
w o FE ll
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Grace Garrison-Tate
Saul Canchola
Photos provided by Grace Garrison-Tate and Lexi Muñoz Canchola photo by Erin Park
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Student Life
Thursday, April 1, 2021
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Liberation
Art of
Inspiration Artists celebrates success in the Visual Arts Scholastic Event Jenny Langhoff Entertainment Editor Art acts as a bridge between reality and the imagination for many students. Exploring one’s artistic style comes with time and practice, and with the motivation of a competition, students can be pushed to create pieces that help them grow as artists. The Visual Arts Scholastic Event, or VASE, competition recognizes exemplary high school students in the Visual Arts, pushing art students to create miraculous work and memories. “The competition is an enormous motivator for the upperclassmen because they’re competitive,” AP Art teacher Annie Sellers said. “Sometimes students face creative blocks, but with the motivation of a competition, for most students VASE gets kids moving when other things can’t. We had a really good year this year.” Of the nearly 55 students competing for CSHS, 45 earned a 4/4, which is the highest score. Furthermore, pieces from Art Pre-AP student Boya Shi, and AP Art Students Mayson Kalke and Sakaia Veguilla have also advanced to state. AP Art students have also used the competition as an opportunity to finish pieces for their AP Art Portfolios, art pieces made from a Sustained Investigation or topic. Senior Mayson Kalke had two pieces, “Me and Biology,” and “Introducing the Art Class,” that advanced to
state. “My sustained investigation focuses on emotion in the facial features,” Kalke said. “For these two pieces, I emphasized emotion in the eyes. Color theory was probably my biggest artistic element because I wasn’t working with typical skin tone colors. I had to work hard to use the colors properly to obtain depth.”
VASE IS A good way for artists to know where their work stands. -boya shi junior VASE is also an opportunity for students to showcase different art styles, such as fabric work, embroidery, or metalwork. Senior Sophia Amstalden entered the district competition with two tapestries that earned near perfect scores. “These pieces are a part of my AP Portfolio, so I had a concrete idea going into VASE,” Amstalden said. “My pieces explore ‘the portray-
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al of self,’ where I’m using different textiles and fabrics to portray emotion, investigating how people accommodate themselves for the views of others. My AP Portfolio includes tapestry making, embroidery, fabric manipulation, patchwork punch-needling, which is a form of rug-making.” The beauty of VASE is that every student has a chance to compete, including students who aren’t currently in a studio art class. Senior Hannah Brick took Art 1 last year, but could only fit AP Art History into her schedule. Brick took time outside of school to try new ceramic processes and create a piece to enter in the competition. “I submitted my puzzle box, which is a ceramic box that fits together like a puzzle. I made the box for Mrs. Sellers to use as an example for another ceramics class,” Brick said. “‘Screffeeto’ is a technique [I tried] where after I underglaze the bowl, I use a tool to scratch into the glaze and it leaves line projections behind. I used my piece as an opportunity to try different techniques.” Overall, VASE gives students an outlet to challenge themselves creatively and showcase their work. Artists can develop their ideas and see their creativity from a new perspective, invoking growth and fulfillment. “I have definitely grown from competing in VASE because it has pushed me to develop my own ideas and concepts,” Shi said. “It’s also a good way for artists to know where their work stands.” •
Mirage
sOPHIA aMSTALDEN
“I experimented with glazes by adding a dripping effect and adding leafery with roses.”
“My pieces explore “the portrayal of self,” where I’m using different textiles and fabrics to portray emotion, investigating how people accommodate themselves for the views of others.”
Sakaia Verguilla
Kelly Timoney
Hannah Brick
Mayson Kalke “It conveys the passage of time along with human nature; society can fall, but nature perseveres.”
“I used my piece as an opportunity to try different techniques. Sgraffito is a technique when after I underglaze the bowl, I use a tool to scratch into the glaze and it leaves line projections behind.”
Introducing the Art Class
“My sustained investigation focuses on emotion in the facial features. For these two pieces, I emphasized emotion in the eyes. Color theory was probably my biggest artistic element because I wasn’t working with typical skin tone colors. I had to work hard to use the colors properly to obtain depth.”
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Boya Shi “‘Liberation’ is about nature, tranquility, and a sense of freedom. ‘Mirage’ was an oil painting and it was inspired by self-exploration. I wanted to express how people reflect society. Usually how we portray ourselves to others is not very realistic.”
Mark Ling “One side is supposed to represent sin and unforgiveness, and the other side represents life, joy, happiness and peace.”
Me and Biology
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Thursday, April 1, 2021
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Sweet Smell of Success
Foods of Texas project turns into successful small business Katherine Gulde Staff Reporter After long hours at school, junior Isabelle Wong returns home and pulls out her Kitchen Aid and starts baking for her business. “My favorite thing about running a business is making people happy,” she said. “[Clients] really enjoy having these cookies and it makes me smile to know that they have this as a treat for themselves!” Wong runs Sweet Kicks Company, which began as only an SAE project for her Foods of Texas class. The class project grew into a permanent opportunity. “With the Supervised Agriculture Experience project you get to earn money and experience marketing, business and learn what happens if you give someone [your product] and they don’t really like it, and how you handle that,” Foods of Texas teacher Erin Stutts said. “There are huge benefits [to the project] and we’ve had several former students who’ve turned their SAE project from high school into their full time job now.” As a small business owner, Wong experiences many challenges such as juggling her busy schedule with school, while also making sure she gets enough customers weekly and advertises regularly. “Challenges would also include following all the Texas home cottage laws for my bakery,” Wong said. “I pretty much bake everything out of my home kitchen, so there is not as much space as I could have as other bakers in town.” As Wong prepares to go to college she weighs be-
Types of Cookies Offered by Sweet Kicks Co. • Confetti Funfetti
tween going into business or pediatric speech pathology. She is also a member of many different clubs such as Orchestra Student Leadership, Cougar Speech and Debate, CSHS HOSA, and is founder and chairman of CSHS YAF. She enjoys advertising and managing social media for many of them. If she continues on to business, she will pursue public relations as a major. “I enjoy managing social media, making posts and pushing out content for people to see what our clubs and organizations are up to, which is why I’ve been trying to take that approach with my bakery,” Wong said “Having more posts and stories to keep people interacting and engaged! So probably something along the lines of public relations if I was to go into business.” Wong hopes to grow her business through more engagement in the community. She would like to have a summer pop-up shop or sell her cookies at a local business here in College Station. Junior Andrew Li said he loves the variety of cookies, while senior Jackson Bosenbark said he likes the reasonable price and taste. “Quality and taste were top notch. They were definitely worth the price and are better than a n y cookies I’ve had anywhere else,” Bosenbark said.
Although Wong only learned how to bake her freshman year, her business is flourishing. “I don’t have the precision and patience for baking the way that Isabelle does,” Stutts said. “But that very much fits in her personality as someone who loves to create a beautiful thing that is also tasty and do it with such exact precision that is needed.” •
Prices of cookies • Chocolate Chip half dozen- $12
• Snickerdoodle
• Half dozen of other cookies- $10
• Sugar Bean
• Chocolate Chip dozen- $20
• M&M
• Dozen of other cookies- $18
• Chocolate Chip
• Two dozen- ranges from $35-$40 Source: @sweetkicksco on Instagram
Thursday, April 1, 2021
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People
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Passion for horse riding creates new freedom to improve self Rhyan Kalke Staff Reporter Early mornings. Physical and mental exhaustion. Injuries and long days. All of these are part of the horse rider’s world where they exercise both their minds as well as their bodies. “Most people don’t understand the hard work that goes into it,” senior dressage rider Elizabeth Beazer said. “They don’t think about the early mornings, the long hot days out at the barn that we endure or the physical ability you have to have to be a successful equestrian. The literal blood, sweat and tears that go into our horses is often brushed off as the general public groups together equestrians and labels us as horse girls.” Riders are forced to work in sync with an animal 10 times larger than them and are always learning. The countless forms of equestrian sports can include dressage, barrel racing, show jumping, eventing and many more. “It’s a really cool branch of the AG industry,” senior barrel racer Nicole Graham said. “The people in the industry are so cool and it’s a really fun sport. I’m passionate about the AG industry as a whole, and it’s nice to be involved in a sport that’s part of it.” Being involved in the agriculture industry is one of multiple reasons equestrians love the sport they’re a part of. The learning aspect of it, the bond that develops between horse and rider and the engagement required to participate in the sport are some of the other draws that can pull people into riding horses. “To me, it’s kind of one of the only activities I’m involved in where I do it without any obligations,” junior English rider Madeleine Renard said. “It’s just the thing that I do for myself that makes me really happy. It’s not only a physical activity. It’s really kind of as much of a mental workout as it is physical. I’ve really enjoyed just being able to do it because I love it and not because I
have to.” Although it’s active and enjoyable, riding is a sport that few people tend to be involved in due to time, expense and lack of opportunity. “I think a large part of it is just an economic issue,” Madeleine Renard said. “There are ways to get around it to ride horses. I think a lot of people when they think of horses, just think of expense. That kind of scares them away from that a little bit. And the biggest thing, it’s just really, really time consuming. It just takes a lot of time. It’s not just something that you can casually do. You have to want it.” Along with time, cost is the biggest concern, but prices aren’t as much of an issue as they’re made to seem. Graham said she “worked and did lessons” to help cover the steep price of lessons throughout the beginning of her riding career. Aside from cost, common dangers associated with equestrian sports such as broken bones and head injuries are also a deterrent associated with equestrian sports. Riding and working with horses poses potential dangers and risks despite the specific style or competition. “You’re riding an animal who has a mind of its own,” junior Katherine Renard said. “There’s always a risk of the horse freaking out and you not being able to control it. So with that, there’s the risk of falling off and breaking something, getting kicked, getting trampled, or getting a concussion. The horse could also hurt themselves or fall on you. If it’s really bad, you and the horse could potentially die, to put it bluntly. Different disciplines are more dangerous than others, so that plays into it as well.” Despite the challenges, the love of horses overrides all. “I’ve always loved horses,” Madeleine Renard said. “It’s something you can do kind of individually, but you’re still not completely alone. I kind of like being able to be by myself, but then you’re still with this powerful animal that you’re learning with. You’re by yourself, but you’re not alone.”•
Most people don’t understand the hard work that goes into it -Elizabeth Beazer
▲ Junior Katherine Renard riding on her horse Skye on March. Renard competes in English Jumping. PHOTO BY RHYAN KALKE
senior
Types of Equestrian Events Endurance Riding: These events are usually held over the span of one to three days, over a 50-150 mile trail. Barrel Racing: The goal of barrel racing is to have the fastest time of the competitors and to make a tight circle around three barrels that are set up in a triangle. Time penalties are given if barrels are knocked over. Reining: Competitors are judged based on their performance of one of 13 approved patterns with a focus on smoothness, finesse, attitude, quickness and authority. Show Jumping: Riders compete to perform a course of jumps and are judged on time and the number of faults made throughout the course. Horse Racing: Two or more jockeys ride over a decided distance and competitors are judged on the time it took them to cover the distance. Source: dressageridertraining.com
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Thursday, April 1, 2021
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World of Writing Creative writers exercise valuable tool with help of club Calla Duffield Opinions Editor The consensus among teachers and student writers at CSHS seems to be this: a good writer is simply someone who writes. And in the Creative Writing club, students are developing that determination in order to best express themselves. It’s all about having the drive to come back to a piece in order to perfect it, according to club sponsor and English teacher Krystle Lopez. “It’s a love that you have to have. Some of our members have been perfecting pieces for three years,” Lopez said. Club president Vivian Lyday said that good writing doesn’t come from talent, but a willingness to work. She has had to hop around from different genres of writing to find what suits her best. “When I was younger, I told a lot of stories with my stuffed animals when I couldn’t go to sleep. Eventually I started writing songs, but I realized that I’m not good at that, but I am a good poet,” Lyday said. Lyday joined the Creative Writing club as a sophomore, but said that she struggled to find the level of enthusiasm for writing that she had in the club. “Our club was really small. Last year there were five members, and none of them were returning,” she said. “I realized that I [was] pretty much the only one that [wanted] to do this.” Lyday said that she became the club president out of necessity. “If I [said] no to leading the club, then the club might [have disbanded]. I want to make sure that this can keep going,” she said. Her efforts have been successful,
as the club now boasts many members, and is planning to release its first anthology to the CSHS library by the end of the year. Junior Allana Frost said that she joined the Creative Writing club this year because of interests she found through studying Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets and other books.
Great writers are shaking things up -Krystle Lopez English teacher “[During] sophomore year I got really interested in writing because of my English class and all the different books that we read,” she said. “I couldn’t find time to do [Creative Writing club] sophomore year, so I decided to join junior year.” The club meets every Thursday after school for 30 minutes in Lopez’s room. “It’s been amazing having [the club] even though it’s really short. I have all of these inspirations and thoughts that build up during the week, and I have this time I get to completely focus on writing and developing all of my skills,” Frost said. According to sophomore Logan Vasquez, who attends the club via zoom, the creative writing club provides a break from busy school life, where he often feels that he has to prioritize school over acting on “creative spurts.” His latest writing venture is a “Guide to Life” story that Vasquez said he wrote during an existential
crisis about death. “It’s about someone named Joshua who was in the military and killed,” he said. “The story is about what the afterlife looks like for him, as well as some of the decisions he makes, [and] what exactly you’re allowed to do. It’s meant to give you a peaceful end. I made it as a comfort, but it turned out to be a really good story.” Vasquez said that he gets help with his writing from Lyday as well as Lopez. “My job is to ask questions of their writing,” Lopez said. “For instance, if they’re saying they don’t feel like the dialogue is true to real life, I’ll ask questions like ‘what age range is it supposed to be?’ and give them tips on what to observe.” Frost, who is mainly interested in historical fiction, said that she gets help from Lyday and Jonathan Brady, who is an English and history teacher. “[Lyday] has helped me with my writing so much, and all the lessons that she has taught have been so valuable,” she said. “I think Mr. Brady helped me understand what good writing is. He’s also a history teacher, so I [liked] being in that class where it’s almost history and English mixed together.” And just as writing genres are seemingly limitless, so are writing platforms. Lopez said that she wants people to join the club with no preconceived notions about the bounds of writing. “We are not looking for a specific type of genre. I’m constantly saying that great writers are shaking things up,” she said. “Memoirs can now be done as graphic novels and narrative poetry. I want [students] to know that whatever they create or invent, we’re welcoming of that in our club.”•
hIGH sCHOOL wRITING cOMPETITIONS YoungArts’ National Arts Competition YoungArts offers a national competition in the categories of creative nonfiction, novel, play or script, poetry, short story, and spoken word. How to Enter: The deadline for submissions is the second Friday of October. Students submit their work on line and pay a $35 fee (there is a fee waiver option).
National High School Essay Contest Essays should be about a successful diplomatic situation and analyze what characteristics and approaches made the enterprise a success. How to enter: The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 5, 2021.
Voice of Democracy Audio-Essay Program The theme this year is “Is This the Country the Founders Envisioned?” How to enter: Submissions must be received by Oct. 31. Essays must be recorded on an audio device for submission.
Art by Calla Duffield
Source: https://www.weareteachers.com/student-writing-contests/
Thursday, April 1, 2021
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LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!
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Audio Video Production officer unites class, achieve excellence Saul Canchola Sports Editor For senior Estela Riera-Vales, a small interest in film would be her first step in her successful career in the school’s Audio/Video Production (AVP) program. “I was a very artsy kid growing up with theatre, dance, art and I really wanted to get into film,” Riera-Vales said. “I joined Principles of Audio Video Production (PAAV) and from there I fell in love with it and I joined AVP. Riera-Vales had found a love for the art of film making her sophomore year and joined PAAV. “When Estela joined, she definitely stuck out as a hard worker and also a very strong visualist,” senior Arden Duffield said. “She has a very creative mind and she will work hard to make her idea come to life. Last year, Riera-Vales and her partner competed in Skills USA in Digital Cinema Production where they placed third and best in show, advancing to the state competition. “That was really the first time we were able to showcase our abilities and skills and competitiveness,” Riera-Vales said. “We were so happy with the result.” Riera-Vales’s ability to work diligently and to the best of her abilities is one of the reasons she’s so successful. Her personality has helped her build a trust with her AVP teacher Stephen Green. “It’s a wonderful thing when you can trust students,” Green said. “I trust that she will be a great officer, try her best at everything, reach out to the younger students and make everyone feel welcomed.” The role of an officer brings forth responsibility, trust and influence,
and Riera-Vales upholds every one of these qualities according to Green. Riera-Vales serves as the president of AVP and with that, she devotes a lot of her time to make sure things run smoothly. “She keeps me on track of what’s going,” Green said. “I have so many things going on, and she’s great at reminding us what needs to be done and going above and beyond her officer role.” Green has described Riera-Vales as having a welcoming atmosphere and attitude whenever she speaks to the younger students in AVP. Her welcoming hospitality contributes to her ability to working well with her friends in AVP. “When I first met her, she definitely made me feel welcomed, and her personality is what makes it great to work with her,” junior Dat Ha said. Riera-Vales and Ha worked together on many projects, one being the new YouTube show Cougar Caliente where students and teachers are challenged to answer questions and eat hot wings. “One of my favorite projects to work on is our show Cougar Caliente,” Riera-Vales said. “It was a huge feat for us and we worked really hard to reach this goal we set during the fall. With COVID and everything, we wanted to make videos that teachers and students, both in-person and at home, could enjoy.” The show has helped AVP gain publicity, and a brand new season of Cougar Caliente will be coming this spring with brand new people, spicy wings, challenges and games. AVP will also hold Film Fest this year in May, where chosen films will be shown in the auditorium for people to watch and enjoy. ▲Senior Arden Duffield positions a clapperboard while Estela Riera-Vales Riera-Vales and her partner Duffield hold a 4K Panasonic camera. After placing first in the district competplaced first at the Skills USA district ion, they will compete as a team at their state Skills USA Digital Cinema competition in Digital Cinema Produc- Production on April 15 and 16 at College Station High School. PHOTO BY tion and will compete at state. • SAUL CANCHOLA
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Sports
Thursday, April 1, 2021
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Powerlifter overcomes sudden injury to compete at state Ayden Woods Senior Editor To athletes, there is nothing scarier than the thought of a major injury stopping them from doing what they love. For junior Gaby Niswanger, powerlifter and cheerleader, this was an all too familiar reality. “She is very focused and extremely coachable,” powerlifting coach Greg Frashure said. Frashure described Niswanger as a student who works constantly to get stronger. “She understands everything I’m teaching her and she does it right away,” Frashsure said. Frashure said that Niswanger started lifting her freshman year while also being a cheerleader for CSHS. During Niswanger’s sophomore year she had performed well and was preparing for state. “I qualified for state, and I was coming in to practice over spring break, but then COVID-19 happened and ruined that.” she said. Niswanger said that over that summer she was doing as much as she could to work out but she lost a lot of muscle, so she came to this year prepared to work. “She worked all summer and fall, but unfortunately had an injury in cheer,” Frashure said, “leading us to question if she would get through
rehab in time for this year’s season.” Niswanger had a sudden injury during practice that took her out of the season. “I was in cheer practicing for homecoming, and I was practicing a stunt,” she said. “I don’t know exactly what happened, but I fell backward onto somebody’s head, breaking my tailbone.” Frashure said she has never gotten discouraged, but has done everything she has needed to to get back to lifting. “Her work ethic is unmatched,” Frashure said. “It doesn’t matter what it is, she is always doing whatever it takes to get whatever it is she needs to do.” Niswanger has worked tirelessly to get back into shape for this year’s competition. “I’m really hoping for her to go to regionals and just crush it, qualifying for state and getting a state medal,” Frashure said. “Maybe even a state championship.” Niswanger earned a second place medal at region and then finished in third place at the state competition on March 20. “I’m so thankful for the chance to qualify for regionals and state,” Niswanger said. “A few months back I didn’t know if I was going to have a season. So, getting the chance to place third and receive a medal was just a huge accomplishment for me, but I’m going to continue to push my limits and possibly win a state title next year.” •
Her work ethic is unmatched. It doesn’t matter what it is, she is always doing whatever it takes -Greg frashure Powerlifting coach
▲Junior Gaby Niswanger squats in the weight room during practice on March 3. Niswanger has competed since her freshman year and placed third at the state meet in the 105 weight class on March 20. PHOTO BY AYDEN WOODS
GIRLS powerlifting state championship results 1st Place Finishers Anna Scarborough (114) Madison Kimes (132) Fayth Ham (165)
3rd Place Finishers Gaby Niswanger (105) Sidney Shipley (148) Brook Ragan (220)
4th Place Finisher Hannah Scott (181) 5th Place Finisher Jenna Champlin (198)
Thursday, April 1, 2021
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Sports
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Golf captain leads teammates by setting example Cheyenne Clark Staff Reporter Senior golfer Felisa Sajulga motivates her teammates with positive feedback and attitude. “Golf in a way is basically life.” Sajulga said. “It can be very frustrating, it can be fun; it has its hardships.” Golf shaped Sajulga into the person she is today: it taught her how to stay calm under pressure and learn how to have more fun. She does not know what her life would be like without Golf. “Felisa is a special player because of her tremendous work ethic,” coach Allison Rackley said, “The other day we finished playing in the tournament, and instead of going home. She went and practiced the things she struggles with while playing. She is always working to better herself and her team. She is a senior leader of our team and does her best to help her teammates and encourage them to be better.” From the first time Coach Rackley coached Saljuga she could tell she was special because of her deep love for the game. Sajulga does not just play because she wants to win, she plays because she loves the sport, Rackley said. “She is the cornerstone! She is our best player,
our cheerleader and captain all in one,” fellow golfer and senior Caroline Lobb said. “Her feedback is so valuable because she is a phenomenal golfer and her criticism is always constructive. Felisa is our rock and without her I probably would not be on the team still because she made practice and tournaments fun, while also motivating me to do my best.” When put in a position where others are relying on her, Sajulga has performed under the pressure. “My greatest achievement for golf is me being able to play college golf,” Sajulga said. “I think that is one of my greatest achievements for golf. That has been my goal ever since I was little to play college golf.” Commitment is also important to Sajulgabecause knowing there are temptations and setbacks, she still makes that decision, that commitment to do that something that you love. “Another great achievement is being able to be friends with people who play golf.” said Sajulga. “I feel like you need those people around you.” “Be easy on yourself,” Sajulga said. “Do not be hard on yourself because you can only do so much in a day. I know that is easier said than done, but just do the best that you can. Even though it might not be the best you still were able to achieve that or even get one homework assignment done.” •
she is our best player, our cheerleader and our captain all in one -caroline lobb Teammate
▲ Senior and team captain Felisa Sajulga holds her back swing with an iron during practice on Tuesday, March 23. Sajulga plans to play golf in college at Newman University. PHOTO BY CHEYENNE CLARK
in the bag
Best Rounds of Golf
Felisa Sajulga - 72 @ High Meadows Ranch Caroline Lobb - 90 @ Pebble Creek Begona Berrenechea - 90 @ Pebble Creek Abigail Dunker - 101 @ Panorama in Conroe Emma Beard - 105 @ Brenham ▲Senior Felisa Sajulga prepares her shot on March 23. PHOTO BY CHEYENNE CLARK
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Entertainment
Thursday, April 1, 2021
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Treasure Hunting
Local thrift shops sell fashionable second-hand clothing UpTown CheapSkatE
Photo by Katherine Gulde
$13.99
$7.99
$19.9
9 $39.99
Katherine Gulde Staff Reporter
I’ve only been to Uptown Cheapskate one other time when the store first opened, and I thought it wouldn’t be as packed, but this thrifting paradise was still hopping at 6:30 on a Tuesday night. As I looked around for clothes, I noticed how clean everything looked, and that it was much nicer than other thrift stores. I would say that the clothes were definitely more expensive as the selection included popular brands such as Levis, Lululemon, Vans, Champion, Nordstrom and H&M. The clothes were all nice material with no stains or wrinkles, and I didn’t see anything that wasn’t trending. One of my favorite additions to the pop-
st. vincent de paul
plato’s closet
A 50% off chalkboard, a pink “mask-up” sign, a hefty bottle of hand sanitizer and the lady behind the counter greet me every time I walk into St.Vincent De Paul, a thrift store located at 204 East 24th Street in downtown Bryan. At first, I was struck with how organized and large the store is compared to their previous space. While I struggle to find high-quality vintage (or at least vintage-looking) clothing around the BCS area, SVDP is a treasure trove. I can easily spend hours browsing their extensive displays of extravagant dresses, vivid suit jackets for men and women as well as color-coordinated displays, the latest being a monochrome red Valentine’s Day arrangement from which I bought a dark, lacy blouse. But with prom season creeping up, SVDP is the ideal location to browse for all types of fancy clothing: men’s suit sets, funky ties, belts, ball gowns, bodycon dresses, heels, clutches and everything the dance necessitates. Although I have found that items can be a little pricier than at, for example, Goodwill, I recently bought a brand new White House Black Market dress there for $8 due to the seemingly everlasting sales! But even if clothing shopping is not your forte, the display cases host a variety of interesting things: designer tupperware, a vintage china letter made in London, and other antiques. Hidden away by the dressing rooms lie old DVDs, CDs and books. For any trips to Bryan, a visit to SVDP is a must, although I would say that it is worth the journey on its own.•
Located in Post Oak Square, Plato’s Closet attracts the city’s fashionistas who are usually around their teens to early 20s. People come and go on a daily basis, many of them bringing in clothing pieces that can be seen on a trending Pinterest board. Clothing rails stretch throughout the entire store, which is huge, and rummaging through all the clothes would take hours at minimum -- perfect for digging up some treasure. Do keep track of time, though, because they are open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. During my short-lived visit, I ended up picking up a
Calla Duffield Opinions Editor
Erin Park Editor-in-Chief
ular store were the owner’s dogs walking around. There were two big dogs strutting the aisles, allowing anyone to pet them. I thought this made the store seem very home-like and made me feel comfortable, although, it wouldn’t be too awesome for those who are allergic to said canines. Uptown Cheapskate is organized by both color and size. When an item is popular or is by a certain designer they mark it as so. They also have amazing customer service. Everyone I spoke to was friendly and helped me find exactly what I was looking for. I also called in the following evening to ask a few questions for this review, and they provided me with all the information I could need. Overall, I was very impressed with Uptown Cheapskate. Most of my friends buy lots of clothes from the shop, and I can see why. I am excited to return and recommend this fashionable thrift shop to anyone.•
sky blue crop top from Shein, which cost me $6. The fabric was top notch and the style was up to date with the latest trends. All the price tags were marked with unbelievably low prices for even the most wellknown brands like American Eagle and Converse. Apart from buying the trendy, affordable outfits, another key essence that perfects the thrift store experience is selling your clothes. Plato’s Closet often looks for “gently used, current-style name-brand clothes, shoes and accessories.” They also must be “freshly laundered and neatly organized.” The store’s sizes range from 00 to 30, XS to 6X for girls, and for guys, 28 to 42 and X2 to 3X. Among a long list of brands they prefer, here are a few: Nike, H&M, North Face, Hollister, Vans and Kate Spade.
With college ahead of me, not only am I interested in updating my wardrobe, but also in finding a way to sell the clothes piled up at home. I assume that many of my fellow seniors share this interest, so I would recommend that they look into Plato’s. Also, the prices appeal to families or even students who are not able to afford expensive outfits. Overall, Plato’s Closet is definitely worth paying a visit.•
Be sure to check out our other Thrift Finds on Instagram @cshscatamountnewspaper !
Thursday, April 1, 2021 The Catamount
Entertainment
One Trip Around the Sun
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A look back at the year’s most significant events MARCH 2020
Corona-cation Shining with Cougar Pride CSISD campuses celebrated their students after a long month in virtual learning during “Shining for Students” on April 24. Cougar staff and teachers lined up their vehicles in the school parking lot to wave to students, and all CSISD campuses left their lights on to honor students.
Black Lives Matter George Floyd’s death on May 25 revived the Black Lives Matter movement, with protests against systemic racism and police violence. More protests emerged following the deaths of Breonna Taylor, Jacob Blake, and a resurgence of support for Elijah McClain.
Senior Sunrise School started with virtual and on site learning platforms and masks for on site students. Graduating seniors celebrated a socially-distanced senior sunrise in the parking lot at the end of the first week on Aug. 21.
Anticipating a one-week spring break, students happily left school on March 13. Two days before, on March 11, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. In response to growing cases, CSISD shut down in-person learning for five months until the following school year in August.
A Historic Graduation The Class of 2020 proudly walked across Cougar Field to receive their diplomas at their graduation on June 27. To follow safety guidelines, graduation moved outdoors and involved social distancing of both graduates and their families, who were seated in pods of four around the track and stadium bleachers. Masks were provided to each graduate as well, and the ceremony ended with a firework display.
Climate Change Race to the White House Former Vice President Joe Biden was officially announced as the winner of the 2020 presidential election on Nov. 7, beating former President Donald Trump after being the first candidate to reach 270 electoral votes.
Storming of the Capitol Violent mobs stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The mob disrupted a Congres session to certify electoral votes from the presidential election. Lawmakers and staff evacuated the Capitol complex while rioters vandalized the building. Five people died and more than 140 people were injured.
Texas Winter Storm
The U.S. withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement, and international treaty to combat climate change, on Nov. 4.
Vaccinations Emerge The United States approved the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use on Dec. 10., beginning mass vaccinations on Dec. 14.
Inauguration President Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States on Jan. 20. Kamala Harris made history as the first female and African American vice president.
Winter storms plunged Texas into freezing cold, causing power outages, rolling blackouts and boil bans from Feb. 13 to 17. Information gathered by Elisabeth Stewart Graphics by Jenny Langhoff
MARCH 2021
Source: History.com, WebMD, NPR News, The Washington Post, Associated Press, NASA.gov
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The Catamount
Thursday, April 1, 2021
Avengers Assemble
Marvel Cinematic Universe sparks interest, excitement Favorite Marvel Characters
upcoming marvel movies
Black Panther
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
“It’s the first time I have ever seen African culture portrayed as mainstream in superhero movies, and I really liked the power that the Black Panther portrayed and what he fought for.”
- Tiara Cooks, senior “He’s one of the few Black Marvel super heroes that doesn’t have lightning as a super power, and he has a lot of responsibility. I think he’s a good role model for young Black kids everywhere.”
- Jordan Boatman, senior
Black Widow “She shows how to be brave in a mainly male franchise even as a fictional character. She also lives a normal life after being a superhero.”
- Sarah Eichler, senior
“She’s very empowering and strong.”
- Jasmine Hudnall, sophomore
Captain America
“His character is all about fairness, justice, understanding, and he wants the good for other people.”
- Jeneen Hussein, sophomore
“Dr. Strange is my favorite character! I’m excited to see how this movie picks up where WandaVision left off. They did an amazing job of setting up the Scarlet Witch.”
- Matthew Bowen, math teacher
Captain Marvel 2 (2022)
“I watched the first Captain Marvel movie and really enjoyed it! I can’t wait for the sequel!”
- Nessa Larson, sophomore
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
“It’s about time we had a new “He embodies what a true hero should be. He fights Thor film--I just hope it isn’t for a true cause, he’s a leader and he is a true patriot.” cheesy and does the franchise justice.” - Justin Dixon, senior
Iron Man “His commitment, his brains and his teamwork throughout his movies and the Avengers make him the best, even after he died in Endgame.”
- Josh Marsh, senior
“He reminds me of Elon Musk, and both of them are incredibly intelligent.”
- Clint Nichols, junior
Spiderman “I like his childlike, innocent behavior and good humor. He is a fun and enjoyable ENFP like me!”
- Sarah Lee, junior
I have seen every Spiderman movie. I think that I enjoy the idea of a character more my age and that is why I gravitate towards Spiderman.”
- Hannah Shaw, senior
- Katelyn Jones, social studies teacher
Spiderman: No Way Home (2021) “The last Spiderman movie left on such a cliffhanger that I can’t wait to see what’s in the next movie.”
- Sarah Sharp, junior
Black Widow (2021)
“I’m excited to learn more of her story.”
- Emily Alfaro, sophomore
Graphics by Aliza Ali and Katherine Gulde