The Catamount Vol. 2 No. 2 December 2013

Catamount

the

Vol. 2 No. 2 Friday, Dec. 6, 2013

College Station High School

Junior Kelsie Warren leads the team to the 3A girls cross country championship on Nov. 9. See more on page 14 ●

4002 Victoria Ave. College Station, Texas 77845

Military families show pride in service

by Brianna Aguilar and Kayla Kurmaskie Staff Reporter and Managing Editor Army. Air Force. Navy. Four students of our school, out of many, deal with the hardships that come with having family members in the military. Each of the military families in our school has learned the lesson of pride. Pride for the military.

Pride for their family members serving in the military. Pride for

themselves. “[Military and my dad] taught me to be proud in everything I do. He taught me to strive to be great and be proud when you do it,” Kayla VanDe Flier, sophomore and daughter of former Air Force engineer, said.

This life lesson helps Van De Flier be proud of her accomplishments and be able to realize her not-so-proud moments. continued on page 3

Photo provided by Karl Ogilvie

Index News

pages 2-5

Opinions

pages 6-8

People

pages 9-13

Sports

pages 14-17

Entertainment

pages 18-20

Junior Becca Summer dusts off her horse, Tiny, after an afternoon ride. She practices for APHA riding compeitions.

See story on page 12 ●

Sophomore Ethan Desai and freshman Aniruddh Banerjee pull weeds with Cougar Pals to improve the front of the campus. See story on page 13 ●

2 News ● The Catamount

Friday, Dec. 6, 2013

Cougar News

Sophomore violinist selected for All-State Orchestra Sophomore Woody Wang was selected from 672 finalists to perform at the 2014 Texas Music Educators Association All-State Orchestra performance. He will perform at the TMEA convention in February. He competed in competitions at the district, area, regional, and state competitons before earning the title.Wang is the first All-State winner at CSHS●

Musical groups set to perform holiday concerts Choir is hosting a holiday concert and dinner on Friday, Dec. 13, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children and include both the concert and a meal. They can be purchased from any member of the choir. The orchestra’s holiday concert is on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium. The band’s holiday performance will be Thursday, Dec. 12, from 7-9 p.m. in the auditorium ●

National Honor Society informational meeting next week

College Station High School

Juniors interested in applying for NHS should attend an informational meeting on Tuesday, Dec.10, at 4:00 p.m. in the LGI. Invitations for students who qualify academically will be sent out in mid-January. The induction ceremony is planned for February.● ▲Sophomores Mary Pettibon (5), Kassidy McCabe (1) and Sarah Hancock (6) and junior Keaton Schrank (13) celebrate after scoring a point against Bellville at the UIL state tournament on Nov. 22. Pettibon had just taken advantage of Schrank’s set to score against the Brahmanettes. For more information on the Lady Cougar Volleyball team’s trip to state look on page 17. Photo by Stacey Schrank●

Be a Part of the AWARD WINNING U.I.L One Act Play!

AUDITIONS NEXT WEEK! See Mr. Stanley in the drama room for more information

DATE Tuesday, December 17th

Fall Final Exam Schedule 2013 FALL FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE

Wednesday, December 18th

Thursday, December 19th

Friday, December 20th

TIME Regular Schedule 8:20—10:15 10:20—12:15 12:15—1:45 1:50—3:45 8:20—10:15 10:20—12:15 12:15—1:45 1:50—3:45 8:20—10:15 10:20—10:45 10:45—12:45 12:45

ALL STUDENTS Review Day 5th Period Final 1st Period Final Open Campus Lunch 7th Period Final 4th Period Final 6th Period Final Open Campus Lunch 2nd Period Final 3rd Period Final Advocate Open Campus Lunch Early Release

Petal Patch Florist 3808 S. Texas Ave. Ste. A Bryan, Texas 77802 979-696-6713 petalpatchflorist@gmail.com “Let us help you make someone smile!”

Friday, Dec. 6, 2013

The Catamount

● News 3

Families remain strong despite time spent apart continued from page 1 “Be proud in what you do, but if you make a mistake, own up to it. If you know you are doing something wrong, stop it,” Van De Flier said. Though most members of a military family share this pride, there are moments when frustration becomes the dominant emotion. Sophomore Grace Donovan experienced this frustration after her father, an Air Force diplomat, was promised a permanent homestay only to be sent overseas again to Kazakhstan, where he will stay for another year or two.

Despite the inconvenience Donovan chooses to find the positives in the situation.

“It’s caused me to mature in a lot of ways,” Donovan said. “I have to help out my mom with a lot of things that my dad would normally do.”

This includes paying the bills and helping her mother grocery shop.

Junior Joseph Cohn agrees with Donovan about his heightened maturity level, but has also learned many militaristic habits from his father, a major in the Air Force.

“I got to a point where I had to know everything going on,” Cohn said. “I had to have a plan for every day.”

Mrs. Cohn, a Spanish teacher at our

school, military wife and the mother of Joseph Cohn, relates to having a hard time at home once her husband leaves. But Cohn has a new perspective--a perspective worth admiring.

“I never really thought of it as something to be afraid for his life. You have to be strong and not let them worry. I thought of it as how I was very proud of him and that he was doing what he felt called to do” Cohn said. “He always said being in the Air Force was a calling--not a job. So, that made it easier for me to lead him out the door. I knew that’s what he wanted to do and make a difference somewhere.”

This attitude toward having her husband in the military provides a new insight about how military families and wives deal with their family members gone at war and fighting for other people’s lives while risking their own. Cohn states it’s different from how most people think military families deal with having their military family gone.

“If you’re the family at home, you have to be strong because you don’t want them to worry,” Cohn said.

Ultimately, all of the military kids and wives agreed that they are thankful for their fathers or spouses being in the military becauseit provides a new perspective on life. ●

4 News ● The Catamount

Friday, Dec. 6, 2013

Individuals weigh different aspects of living with dyslexia Before being deemed dyslexic, they had to take a series of tests. The tests can take up to a few days to complete during multiple hour time periods. “[The tests] had a lot of single letters,” dyslexic sophA small girl sits at her desk rumpling her hair, trying to omore Jalie Smith said. “I had to read stuff out loud, then figure out what the assorted letters in front of her mean. A read a passage and answer questions [over it.]” teacher patiently sits beside her, waiting for the girl to spit Different factors propelled each each individual to get out the words. This is the typical routine for the fourth grade tested. Kema’s third grade teacher suffered from dyslexia “Let’s Read” class that specializes in teaching children with herself so the symptoms were all too familiar. In Akin, judyslexia how to improve their reading skills and was junior nior Peter Williams, and Smiths’ cases, they had parents and Kailee Kema’s daily existence from fourth to sixth grade. teachers who were perplexed as to why seemingly normal “I thought I had some sort of disease,” Kema said. children could not read easily.

Kema was in third grade when it was deDespite being surrounded with support, living cided that she needed to with dyslexia still produces a fair share take the test to deterof difficulties. Every month Akin mine whether she had said she dreads having to balQuick Facts About Dyslexia dyslexia. Kema said ance her check book due to she did not react well the amount of numbers and Around 1 in 10 people have dyslexia upon receiving the letters she has to decipher.

Over 40 million American adults are dyslexic initial diagnosis, but As an adult, Akin also Dyslexia is not tied to IQ with age and time her grows nervous at the thought understanding and acEinstein was dyslexic and had an IQ of 160 of job interviews since having ceptance of her condidyslexia is an awkward, but tion grew. necessary topic to bring “It’s made me up to the employer. work harder in classes and Even though improve myself more,” Kema said.

Smith does not Chemistry teacher Casey Akin shares some of Kehave to worry ma’s sentiments and experiences. about interviews “It’s not hard to overcome unless you’re told you right now, she is can’t,” Akin said. concerned that Luckily for both Akin and Kema they have always reher peers think ceived the love and support necessary to come to terms with of her as not that having dyslexia. capable of assign“My parents didn’t let me dwell on the challenges as a ments and school child,” Akin said. work because of Akin said she thought of having dyslexia as another asher dyslexia. pect of herself that made her special. “[People] think There, teachers focused on helping the students in I can’t do things by myself, but I realstrengthening their fundamental reading skills and helping ly can,” Smith said. “The teachers treat me differently [too]. the students learn how to sound out any unfamiliar words I’ve overcome it most of the way, and I still have some difthey might encounter. ficulties. But most of it has become easier for me.”

by Kayla Kurmaskie and Rachel Grant Managing Editor and Senior Editor

Though Kema is sure to face many and more of these difficulties in the future, she has not let a few jumbled letters stop her from accomplishing any of her goals, even if that means working a bit harder than her easy-reading peers to reach them.

Williams agrees that dyslexia can act as motivation to make you grow, but he also notices the differences in treatment that Smith has observed.

“I can’t really say that people [treat me differently], and I don’t want them to. It’s my personal challenge, and only I can deal with it,” Williams said. “[Having dyslexia] has impacted me by inspiring me to do more and to become a better student.”●

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The Catamount

Friday, Dec. 6, 2013

● News 5

Adoptive families establish lasting bonds

by Rachel Grant and Megan Paradowski Senior Editor and Editor-in-Chief When sophomore Austin Bingaman was 12 years old, he was sent to a foster home in Weatherford, Texas. There he attended Tyson Middle School. His younger sister, Samantha, was also sent to the foster home.

“You could tell that the foster parents cared about you, but it was kind of weird because they would have strange people come into their house and check out your room,” Bingaman said. “Some days I would just be doing homework in my room, and a random person would walk in and start looking around.”

Bingaman was adopted at 14 by Jean and Fred Bingaman, along with his younger sister.

“We decided to adopt,” Jean Bingaman said, “because we know there are many children needing a family, and we knew we could be a loving and nurturing family.”

Similar to Bingaman, English II teacher Otha Graham wanted to adopt or foster children too. The process to receive a license in order to foster was long and grueling. “[My wife and I] had to do hours and hours of training,” Graham said. “The whole process took us about seven months to complete. There was a month [where] for two days out of the week we had to go to classes for about four or five hours at a time. Once you get your classes done and your hours, you have to fill out literally hundreds of pages of paper work. It’s definitely a long process to get your license.”

Graham is not the only one who had to go through an exhausting process in order to be qualified to adopt. After Mrs. Bingaman completed the steps, which included multiple background checks and interviews with family and friends, the Bingamans finally adopted the two siblings on June 4th, 2013. Ever since that date, Bingaman has been very thankful for the adoption by his parents.

“It’s been quite a bit different from what I went through and what I’m going through with these parents,” he said. “It’s a lot more stable.”

On the other hand, sophomore Lillian Ford never entered a foster home and was adopted from a province two hours away from Beijing, China when she was only seven months old.

Ford is also grateful that her biological parents put her up for adoption.

“They knew that if I had stayed with them

[in China], I probably wouldn’t have had as good of a life,” she said.

Like Ford, Bingaman experienced an improved life. He said his new parents are “a lot more supervising in what I do and a lot more loving.”

Bingaman also said that he is close with his new family. Similarly, Ford feels connected to her family, as well. “[My family and I] are really close,” she said. “It’s almost like I was born to my mom.

There’s no rift or gap where I think, ‘oh, you’re not my real mom.’ It’s always purely real.”

In his new family, Bingaman has an older brother named Ross who is 22 and an older sister named Amy who is 20. Samantha Bingaman is now nine years old. Bingaman also has a biological older brother who is 22 and was not adopted.

After Ford was adopted, her parents had her younger sister named Griffin, who is 12 years old.

Bingaman has a deep appreciation for his adoption.

“It’s really changed my life,” Bingaman said. “Everything has been a lot more positive, and it’s given me a new perspective to look at everything.”

Junior Kaitlyn Terzian’s family has fostered multiple children over the years, one of which they adopted.

Five-year-old Lexi Terzian was fostered only for a short time by the Terzians before becoming part of the family. When they were told that putting her up for adoption and her adoption process would take a long time, they decided to adopt her themselves.

Terzian also has a biological sister, Sydney, who is currently 13 years old. Terzian doesn’t feel that there is any difference between her biological sister and her adopted sister.

“We are all a family,” she said. “[Lexi] is still my sister.”

The Terzian family plans on adopting one or two more children after Mr. Terzian’s retirement.

Terzian also said that she would like to adopt kids in her future, if the Lord gives her the space and money that would be required to do so. Like Terzian, Bingaman agrees that adoption helps guide a persons life.

“I think if I wasn’t adopted I wouldn’t be on the path I’m on right now,” Bingaman said.

“I would be on the wrong path.”●

Available for catering, private parties, and special events For more information contact Catherine Parsi M. Ed.

phone: 979-694-5800 email: cparsi@csisd.org

▲ LIllian Ford and

her family smile for a family photo. Ford was adopted by her family from a province two hours away from Bejiing, China, when she was seven months old. Photo provided by Ford ● ► The Bingaman family poses for a picture. Austin and his sister, Samantha, in the front row, were adopted on June 4, 2013.

Photo provided by Jean Bingaman ●

6 News ● The Catamount

Friday, Dec. 6, 2013

Feminism sparks skewed social perspectives

THE CAT’S EYE VIEW staff editorial Holiday cheer and charitable acts should be maintained throughout year Ebenezer Scrooge must not have been the only one set straight by a certain trio of ghosts—during the holiday season, we all seem to act more charitable. Soup kitchens are wellstaffed with well-wishers. Students begin volunteering more of their time to the community, and not just because of the unspoken service-hour quota for college. Donations of food, clothing and even presents start to flow in as people remind themselves to think more of others during this time.

This desire to give is undoubtedly part of what lends the season its festive spirit…so why, then, is its existence limited to a scant twelfth of the year?

As soon as December ends and the strings of Christmas lights are put away, it seems that the neighborly feelings of the holidays are shelved right along with them, stuffed into a box in the attic until the next winter season. The new year does represent a clean slate for everyone, but the good from the previous year is sometimes wiped away with the bad. When January comes around, people take advantage of the fresh start to put their mistakes and regrets behind them—often, unfortunately, also forgetting the goodwill that drove them to act a little less selfishly only a month ago.

Without retaining that spirit, its meaning is compromised.

True kindness after all, cannot be turned on or off with the flip of a switch as the season changes. Admittedly, keeping the same heightened sense of benevolence of the holidays throughout the rest of the year would be difficult, but it is only necessary to maintain a normal, balanced amount of compassion.

It seems strange that something as trivial as the time of year should influence actions so easily, and yet it does. The season, however, should not be what directs the involvement of people in their community and their willingness to give to others. An interest in giving should be continuously upheld and determined by the individual, not the fleeting holiday cheer.●

2013-2014 Newspaper Staff Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Senior Editor Executive Editor Opinions Editor Features Editor Staff Reporters Graphic Artist Cartoonist Faculty Adviser Assistant Adviser

Megan Paradowski Kayla Kurmaskie Rachel Grant Julie Potrykus Lily Parsi Lisa Liu Brianna Aguilar and Fiona Cohen Becky Nam David Rambo Courtney Wellmann Teresa Laffin

the world, but some “privledges” should be natural rights. Being treated equally is one of those natural rights.

Yet we aren’t treated equally despite this right.

Sexism still pollutes how we interact every day, which can negatively impact both women and men.

We unintentionally fall prey to what our sexist society tells us is okay. Sexism is boys always paying for dinner during dates. Sexism is “ladies first.” Sexism Julie Potrykus is how the school penalizes women’s attire more than I need feminism because no one deserves to be men’s attire.

Sexism is treating one gender differently betreated as lesser than someone else.

I think most people imagine feminists as bra cause of their gender.

We shouldn’t treat each other differently. Yet burning, angry women who sing “Anything You overcoming the constant threat of sexism Can Do I Can Do Better.” in today’s society is like climbing The point of feminism Mount Everest. You trudge up isn’t about being better. the mountain of privilege and The point of feminism shake off the numbness of cold is to be equal. Femiremarks until you reach the nists do not hate men top. On the top, you can yell despite how media ofbecause you made it. ten portrays feminists.

But the saddest part of Feminism is not misandry: screaming on a mountain is hatred of men by women. knowing you won’t cause an Feminism, according to avalanche, but you can try anyMerriam-Webster, is the ways. belief that men and womI try can to stop the sexism en should have equal rights around me by fixing me. I’m not and opportunities. the perfect feminist. I say poEquality shouldn’t be litically incorrect statements, something we have to fight but I try can fix that. Will we for. Equality should be free ever be able to treat each other for everyone. So then why like equals or will we always is treating people differenthave to try to be better? ly still socially acceptable?

I am not saying “Anything You Our sexist society has no Can Do I Can Do Better” because right to treat me differently I am not better. Society reminds me because of my gender. of this every day. I don’t want to be I realize that I am privbetter. I want to be equal, which is why ileged as an educated American, which art by Becky Nam I am a feminist.● gives me better opportunities than most of

View of the Pride: Do you perform more charitable acts during the holiday season?

YES

“We donate old and new toys to kid’s homes.” -Alicia Trimble, 9 “The holidays make me feel thankful and happy so I want to spread the joy.”-Eric Briggs, 11 “I donate clothes to twin city missions.” -Marcus Neeley, 10

“Not entirely, I try to be charitable throughout the year.” -Davis Ponjuan, 10 “No, I’m never really given the opportunity to help around the community.” -Colby Bachmann, 10

NO

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), the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) and the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA).

College Station ISD does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex or handicap in providing education services.

Glynn Walker, 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. Catherine George, 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.

Friday, Dec. 6, 2013

The Catamount

Death of friend leads to overcoming shyness

Fiona Cohen “I understand the gravity of a train from the empty space and warm afterbirth air of recent loss which I encounter when I run down to the platform thirty seconds too late. It is the same with all things of such weight, to understand them best when you have just missed them” -Franny Choi When I was five years old, my neighbor Jacob and I went to the pool. I watched in admiration as he swam back and forth, back and forth beneath the rope barrier separating the shallow and deep ends. Eightyear-old Jacob surfaced, glanced at my still-dry curls and said “You do it. It’s fun!” That day he taught me to swim underwater.

On September 18, 2013, I attended Jacob’s funeral. The feeling I had sitting between the pews, the gaping absence left behind by a boy who had become such a regular figure in my daily routine, was similar to the feeling of swimming for the first time.

Jacob and I were not close. In fact, we were both so shy we hardly spoke to one another unless it was absolutely necessary. That day I watched Jacob’s parents doling out hugs and handshakes to people who had come to remembered

him, and I wondered what he would say now. What would he have to say now that it was too late to say it.

What would he say to his parents, his friends, his family, his neighbors? Jacob was a man of few words, but it seemed that day as though each of us in attendance had no greater desire than to hear from that nineteen-year-old boy.

Instead I sat with empty ears and eyes streaming and it was the closest I had ever come to drowning. The shyness that had kept us from speaking for nearly seventeen years that I had known him now left me feeling lost. I had waited my entire life to find the right words, sure that there would be time for me to get to know him. I was sure that there would be time enough to talk.

I could not have dreamed that the “later” I had been counting on would be too late. Someday did not come soon enough.

I have found that waiting tends to come with far more regret than it does reward. But knowing the people around me is not the sort of thing worth waiting on.

Shyness is no excuse for not fully participating in the life I lead with the people I share it with.

And I have had to learn to swim again, to paddle through this regret. It is far too easy to drown in grief. Funny that Jacob should be the one to teach me to swim through this also.

Should my life end just as suddenly as Jacob’s, I do not want to leave behind regret. I refuse to allow the same shyness that kept distance between Jacob and me to keep me from knowing the joy that exists in other people. What is there to lose?

“If nothing else, remember the ghosts I leave behind.”●

“I had waited my

entire life to find the right words, sure that there would be time.”

What time do you do most of your studying?

Late at night

200

150

100

50

Early evening In the morning

After school

0 378 students surveyed

OVERHEARD What is your favorite holiday tradition?

“Gaining ten pounds from holiday foods.”

Diana Hajali, junior

“We have a fabric Christmas tree that hangs on our front door, and it’s a countdown calendar, so every day we get a Hershey’s Kiss.”

Katie Harris, freshman

“Baking and decorating sugar cookies with my cousins.”

Clarissa Parulian, junior

“Not going to school because school is depressing.”

Regina May, junior

“Shopping the afterChristmas sales.”

Audrey Hamff, sophomore

DAILY GRIND

QUESTION of the ISSUE:

Not at all

● Opinions 7

By: David Rambo

8 Opinions ● The Catamount

Friday, Dec. 6, 2013

Student offers glimpse into unique Christmas celebration

Brianna Aguilar Yes, my Christmas is different than most others my age -- or in general really.

I celebrate Christmas the Peruvian way. On Christmas Eve, while most families typically open a present or two or dream about what presents they will receive the next morning, I, eat a grand dinner at midnight, party the Peruvian way with Christmas songs and Christmas skits, and even open presents that night too. Although I celebrate a Peruvian Christmas, I also celebrate the traditional American Christmas with my dad’s side of the family the next morning at my grandma’s house, where I open even more presents. Win. Even though my family has two distinctly different ways of celebrating Christmas, I love how my family incorporates two diversely different ways of Christmas and embracing both.

Ever since I was little, on a chilly Christmas Eve, my grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles, cousins, and the rest of my family get together and prepare a magnificent and delicious Peruvian Christmas dinner consisting of a Peruvian-style seasoned turkey, rice stuffing, apple sauce, nuts, pineapples, hot chocolate, and paneton (dried fruit bread).

Yummy right? I still remember walking

around, three heads shorter than of all of my aunts in the kitchen, peeking and peering at the dishes as well as having a little taste too.

Now older, and three heads taller than all my aunts, I still enjoy the peeking and peering and tasting of the food. While the cooking takes place, Spanish and English languages intermix due to socializing, Spanish Christmas music plays in the background, little kids play and practice for the nativity scene, families practice for their Christmas musical presentations, and everyone anticipates the delight of opening their Christmas gifts.

Finally, after what seems like an eternity of waiting and tortured by the smells of the food, the whole family joins together at midnight -- midnight being when we eat the Christmas meal. After I serve heaping amounts of food onto my plate for myself, the sounds of “mmhmm’s” are heard and compliments are made out to our family chefs and their mystical powers of preparing tasty food.

After the tasteful meal, each of the families practice for their own Christmas skit for our family Christmas presentationeither singing a Christmas carol or acting

out a Christmas scene. My family and I typically sing a traditional Christmas song like, “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” or “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” along with a Spanish hymn or song as well. Skits are shown, laughter is shared, and excitement is created.

We also choose the youngest child of the family to put Baby Jesus in his nativity bed at midnight and afterwards drink warm apple cider.

Before sleep hits, we open all of the presents. My grandpa grabs the presents one by one and calls out the name of the future owner.

Once all the presents have been opened, our mothers quickly usher us to go bed in order for Santa to art by Becky Nam come because, of course, he can’t deliver our presents unless we’re fast asleep. After hugs and kisses are given, we wish each other good byes and Merry Christmas’ and depart to our own homes.

Once at our house, we celebrate a much known custom of leaving cookies and milk for Santa. Excitedly, we rush off to bed with full tummies, dreaming about our Santa presents, and having great memories of our magical Peruvian Christmas traditions.

Driving responsibly essential to preserve life

Lily Parsi I’ve felt firsthand the pain and mourning one feels when a loved one is killed from a car crash. My childhood friend’s life was cut short at the age of 16 when he swerved into the other lane and hit a Prius head-on.

The ambulance found him in the backseat of the car; he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt.

My father was his family’s doctor. He had to bear the news no person wants to tell a mother and father; their son was brain dead and there was no hope for survival.

My brother played on the same soccer team since the age of five, and was a pallbearer at the ceremony along with the rest of the soccer team. This young man who I’d known

since pre-K, with no other health problems besides a few broken bones, died from one bad decision.

At the ceremony the grief was tangible. His parents stood by his casket shaking from sobs, muttering “thanks for coming” here and there. This event showed me how precious life is and how fast life can be taken from unsafe driving decisions.

In my hometown, Caldwell, there is a trend in fatal high school car accidents occurring every year to every other year. Once a boy tried to pass in a no-passing zone, swerved back into his lane, lost control and hit a tree.

He had no art by Becky Nam serious injuries but he killed his 21 year-old brother who was pronounced dead at the scene. You might not kill yourself, but you

could kill someone you love and live with that guilt for the rest of your life.

Another year a senior and his three friends were driving back from a party when he fell asleep at the wheel killing himself and his two friends, while one boy was able to jump out of the car before its crash.

Here were four young men who had their whole life set in front of them, and one bad decision ended it all.

Motor vehicle fatality is the number one cause of death among teens. This can be a result of a range of risky driving, from drunk driving to texting while driving to not wearing a seatbelt. 3,000 kids lose their life each year from 100% preventable deaths.

Teens believe they are invincible and underestimate the dangers of driving every day.

There’s nothing more important than your life or the lives of other people on the road. Will every teen have to witness the death of a loved one to realize the seriousness of safe driving?

Voices Students and staff share their New Year’s resolutions “To improve students’ understanding of Spanish.”

Sra. Vizquerra, teacher

“To control my stress and enjoy life more.”

Kyle Nugent, junior

“To learn how to play guitar.”

Kathryn Cole, freshman

“To become stronger.”

Sagar Patel, sophomore

“Get a six pack... of coke!”

Grayson Downey, freshman

“To have a straighter posture.”

Will Cholett, h junior

“My resolution was going to be to not procrastinate, but I’ll save it for next year.”

Sarah Lenox, junior

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“Greenest Paw” at Brazos Bark and Build “Best in Show” at Brazos Bark and Build Honorable Mention for booth at BEST Honorable Mention for notebook at BEST

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The mist of the mingling saw dust and barbeque smoke.

The hum of saws and power drills.

The clamor of laughs and yells. In the farthest back corner of this school, magic is made by the members of RECD whose interests are joined together.

“RECD is where people with various skills and interests can find like minded people and help out,” junior Sam Park said. “No matter what your skills are, you can have a place in RECD.” RECD stands for robotics, engineering, construction and design. The groups recently joined together to form one club to help each other in their projects. Together the groups build upon each other with their individual skill sets.

For a recent robotics competition, all the clubs helped in the production: engineering assembled the mechanics, construction built gears and design drafted plans. The competition required a robot with an arm to grab items and for the members to market the robot. The club earned honorable mention in notebook and booth for their presentation. Junior Samantha Villalobos is especially proud for the team’s accomplishments.

“I really like to show people I can do it,” Villalobos said. “If people think I can’t, well look what I did. Anything you can do where you can go create a project through a lot of effort and time is a very gratifying experience.”

Engineering handles the mechanical aspect of RECD, which was instrumental in

constructing robotics’ robot.

They hosted Game Circuit on Nov.22 where they offered different games for students to mingle with RECD. “Engineering in RECD taught me the value of accomplishment,” junior Jiatao Liang said. “Watching a robot rise from the design board to a fully functioning real-life machines feels like nothing else.”

Construction builds major projects such as water coolers for Pebble Creek’s golf course, pig pens and bookshelves. They also constructed dog houses with lighting and plant life. On Oct. 5, RECD entered their dog houses in “Brazos Bark and Build” where they won “Greenest Paw” and ”Best in Show.”

“I like building and learning new stuff,” sophomore Patrick Clouston. “It’s a new skill set to add to my list.”

Design incorporates programs such as Solidworks to help robotics, engineering and construction execute the plans for their projects.

“Design is turning the thoughts in your head into a physical media,” Park said. “I enjoy the creative freedom associated with design because the only restraints are the materials, skill and time. Everything else is up to us.”

Anyone can contribute their talents into creating something great in RECD where everyone’s ideas are explored.

“RECD is great because anyone can have ideas,” freshman Dan Hung said. “All those ideas will be brought up. People will listen. Those ideas are used.”●

●

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by Julie Potrykus Executive Editor

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RECD Gears Up r a promising start

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● People 9

The Catamount

Friday, Dec. 6, 2013

10 Student Life

The Catamount

Friday, Dec. 6, 2013

The Catamount

Student Life

11

◄ Junior Jayme Holden whisks ingredients together on Nov. 21. Photo by Megan Paradowski ● ► Juniors Gabriel Sabljic, Ashlyn Bradicich and Stephanie Do rock chop cilantro on Nov. 21. Photo

by Megan Paradowski ●

▼ Junior Alana Batista measures a block of butter

for her cupcakes on Nov. 21. Photo by Megan Paradowski ●

Good Eats Culinary program excels in classroom and competitions

by Megan Paradowski Editor-in-Chief Cooking under immense pressure, the team stressfully works together to execute the dish they’ve been practicing in the classroom for a month now. One simple mistake could blow them out of the competition. Everything has to be perfect.

After successfully creating their dish, the team wins second place. Juniors Jayme Holden, Matt Rogers, Megan Clark- Tchen and Emmy Vasquez are the second place champions of the Texas Reds Festival in downtown Bryan on Sept. 27-28.

“I was excited for them,” culinary teacher Catherine Parsi said. “I thought that they worked well as a team, and they completed their dish in the time that was given.”

Transporting all of their own supplies, the team had to set up an entire kitchen upon arriving to the competition. They were then given a short amount of time to put together a practiced dish which they had planned and organized in culinary class.

With marvelous facilities, the culinary program is extremely noteworthy. Culinary students attend this class for two periods in the school day, and some students compete in culinary competitions such as the Texas Reds Festival.

Junior Matt Rogers joined the culinary program after moving to College Station from California last winter. Displeased with the culinary program at his old school, Rogers enjoys this one much more.

“When I came here and saw this huge kitchen and how amazing it is, I had to do it,” he said.

Rogers said he has always had an interest in culinary, and he began cooking at only five years old.

He competes in culinary competitions along with junior Jayme Holden. Holden said she began cooking when she was six or seven years old.

Her favorite part about culinary is “getting to taste different foods and experience all of the different cultures.”

Rogers also enjoys this aspect of culinary.

“I like how the foods connect with different parts of the world,” he said.

Rogers hopes to become a chef in the future, along with junior culinary student Jazmin Green.

“My mom was a big food person, and it’s fun,” Green said.

Green said that she enjoys making the

food in culinary and getting to taste it to see how it turns out.

Parsi hopes that her culinary students will “learn to love cooking and find their own inspiration and flare.”

“My favorite part is seeing my students connect to cooking, where they not only understand what they’re doing, but they are able to create and do something different,” Parsi said.

The culinary team won first place at Taste of the Brazos last year. Holden won fourth in state individually, and she also won first place in the mystery basket event along with her partner Tchen. Tchen is the president of the culinary program this year, and Rogers is vice-president.

"We love to cook, not only to create smiles upon others, but to fill our hearts as well," Tchen said. •

The Iron Chefs ◄ Juniors Jayme Holden, Matt Rogers, Megan ClarkTchen and Emmy Vasquez smile for a culinary team photo in the culinary lab. The team won second place at the Texas Reds Festival in downtown Bryan on Sept.

27-28. Photo by Catherine Parsi ●

12 People

The Catamount

Friday, Dec. 6, 2013

THE MANE EVENT

by Fiona Cohen Staff Reporter At six years old, junior Rebecca Summer was not the only little girl begging her parents for a pony for her birthday. She is, however, one of a rare few who actually got one.

“My first pony, Captain, had one eye,” Summer said. “He bucked me off every single day.”

It is difficult to imagine such humble beginnings when looking at Summer’s horseback riding career today.

Her horse stands at a staggering 17 hands (68 inches) tall. Seeing the pair circling the show pen is, at times, intimidating. In a black coat, shining boots and a gleaming hunt cap, Summer is the picture of the ideal hunter rider. Her horse, a bay paint, trots around the circumference of the arena in half as many strides as any of the other English horses there.

But merely a few years before, Summer’s current mount was one that she had only ever dreamed of.

“Mikey was a horse I got for free on my tenth birthday,” Summer said. “He was a lesson horse at the time and had been

ripping reins out of peoples’ hands and being mean, but he didn’t do that for me.”

With that, Summer was hooked. She discovered the connection between horse and rider and how to communicate with the massive animal.

However, Summer was forced to give Mikey back to his original owners, making room for her first real show horse. This experience lasted for several years until Summer earned a spot working with local trainer Kelly Lazo.

“Mrs. Lazo had a horse named Ryan, and he was the prettiest horse I had ever seen in my entire life,” Summer said.

Just as Summer had been the lucky girl to get her first pony, so was she the lucky girl to buy her first English horse.

“We ended up getting [Ryan] and going to the [American Paint Horse Association] breed shows,” she explained.

But Summer describes her first horse show experiences to be far from the scenarios she had imagined as a child. She was forced to memorize patterns, sit in perfect position at all times and perform to the absolute best of her ability. It was a bit of a shock, she said.

After a full three years of competing

Horse competitions fulfill childhood dream

with Ryan, Summer moved to the horse that she showed this summer at the American Paint Horse Association Youth World Championship Show. Summer drove to Fort Worth on June 26 with her trainer and her 17-hand monster of a horse named Tiny.

“With Ryan, every single step you had to tell him what to do, but I didn’t have to tell [Tiny] what to do. He just knew it. It was amazing,” she said.

After one unsuccessful class at the Youth World Show, and with her horse struggling with lameness, Summer worked for hours to get Tiny ready for their next event. Summer ran multiple patterns and drilled her own riding position.

However, Summer’s equitation class called for either a simple change of gait or the more advanced flying change. Summer and Tiny played it safe with a simple lead change and were the only top ten finishers to do so. They came home from the World Show with an eighth place buckle.

Today, when Summer rides around the warm-up pen in her pristine attire, working with the horse that took her all the way to the World Show, she rarely speaks to other competitors. However, she always makes an effort to talk to any little girl who looks like she got her horse for free. ●

NO TIME FOR HORSEPLAY each month, summer spends:

25 hours showing horses

40 hours riding for practice

28 hours

on horse upkeep

▲ Summer interacts with her horse Tiny at her house in Wellborn, Texas, on Saturday, Nov. 30. She purchased him in ▲ Summer practices her equitation at her home on Saturday, Nov. 30. She February of 2012 after her trainer recommended that she try him out. Photo by Fiona Cohen●

rides for an hour at least three times a week. Photo by Fiona Cohen●

Friday, Dec 6, 2013

Best of Pals

The Catamount

● People 13

New club unites students through friendship

by Brianna Aguilar Staff Reporter One school. One student body. One student can make a change in an amazing disabled student’s life by being a part of Cougar Pals. By attending Cougar Pals meeting every other Thursday both are able to interact with one another and form relationships of a lifetime.

“I really just want to be able to spend more time with them and to be able to encourage my classmates to get to know them,” Lewis said. “[I want to] show everyone that being disabled isn’t as big of a deal as people think it is.”

Club members feel this club helps disinigrate their fears of socializing with disabled students. By participating in this club and getting to know each of the studetnts, the club members learn valuable life lessons of seeing a person for their true character.

“A lot of people think disabled people are very different than other people but they’re still the same and have such great hearts,” Lewis said.

Biggs states how when she was in high school, she was never aware there was disabled students in her school until she got into college. Therefore, Biggs and club members feel this club brings awareness about the

disabled students here at our school.

“You may have no clue that student has a disability,” Biggs said. “They could be sitting next to you in your Honors English class and be serviced by Special Education and you would never know.”

Biggs excitedly hoped that this purposeful Mrs. Biggs and enriching room club would involve m a n y m e m bers and Have fun w o u l d and hang out grow to be a bigger club than last year.

“This year we’ve been really pushing it because we want as many kids involved as possible,” Biggs said. “I didn’t just want it to be the A&M students, I wanted [all of the students] to be involved.

I wanted everybody in this school to be involved.”

Where?

What?

And how she was amazed. For the first meeting, she originally planned to meet in her room but in a manner of minutes, the room was filled and overflowing with students.

“I don’t think there are words to describe it. It’s overwhelming,” Biggs said. “It’s because Make new you see the kindness, friends you see how everybody’s reacting, the openness and Every other w illing[Thursday at ness] to put 4:00 everything at the door and come in.”

Biggs admits talking to disabled students can be scary because they have a harder time with socializing or may have behavioral issues on a certain day. Kyle Nugent, junior and club member, agrees with Biggs by admitting his initial fear of this issue.

“I think you’re kind of intimidated by

Why?

Cougar Pals

When?

[interacting with the disabled students] because you don’t want to offend them, but you learn to just talk to them. You don’t have to be scared,” Nugent said.

And indeed did the fear of socializing with disabled students melt away once Nugent learned disabled students like to laugh, smile, hang out with friends, and have fun just like everyone else.

“It’s fun to hang out [and] have fun with people you usually don’t interact with.

It’s a new experience [and] it’s enjoyable,” Nugent said. “Just showing up is a good contribution I think, because it shows you care and you want to be there,” Nugent said.

Just by having students come to visit every other Thursday highly builds the confidence of our disabled students, “knowing they can go down the hallway and they have friends. Whenever people call them by name, that’s incredible. You can just see them smile from ear to ear,” Biggs said.

Just by watching these brave, strong, and inspiring disabled students, grateful for everything they have provides a new perspective to Cougar Pals members.

“I feel like they’re the ones who are really making a difference in my life morejust seeing how they live life and how even their grateful for the things that they have,” Lewis said.●

▲Sophomores Taylor Holland, Madeline Dungan and Cody Lewis and junior Sam Morris gather together on a Thursday afternoon to write thank you notes with donated art supplies. Photo by Brianna Aguilar● ◄ Sophomore Micah Saldivar shows his thank you card to freshman Jordan Fedorn at a cougar pals activity. The pals meet every other Thursday in Mrs. Biggs room afterschool. Photo by Brianna Aguilar●

14 Sports

The Catamount

Friday, Dec. 6, 2013

Straight to the Top Freshman girls earn spot on varsity basketball team

by Fiona Cohen Staff Reporter

Katelyn Francis

“It smelled like Home Depot and Lowe’s,” freshman Raenette Hughes said.

The smell is her first memory of the varsity girls’ basketball locker room. “Well,” she said, “the smell and the carpet.”

This locker room, otherwise home to strictly juniors and sophomores, made room this year for two talented freshmen: Raenette Hughes and Katelyn Francis. But neither of these youngsters are intimidated by their sudden ascension through the ranks.

“The pace is a lot faster,” Francis said.

“You get to learn a lot more and be more involved in plays.”

As point guard, Francis plays a pivotal role on the team. However, this is not without assistance from Hughes, who plays the guard position. Each has learned to find her place within the varsity dynamic among their older teammates.

“They tell us a lot to ‘stop being freshmen,’” Hughes said. “I’m not always sure what they mean.”

Jumping from eighth grade basketball to high school basketball is a step in itself.

To extend this jump to a varsity position is a definite leap.

“We had to be more social,” Hughes said. Each of the girls had to break out of their shells in order to work with their team.

“I’m not always sure how the sophomores and juniors play [compared to my previous team]. Being friends with them

has helped that.”

Hughes and Francis have both found encouragement and inspiration from other varsity players. The age difference has led older team members to step up as leaders and advisors for the new girls.

“They’re always there to pick you up when you make a mistake,” Francis said.

The burden of point guard is one that Francis shares with any of the other four girls on the court with her, specifically the upperclassmen.

“I got a lot of negative talk about me at first,” Francis said.

Because of their age, Hughes and Francis were both placed in a position that warranted criticism. The two have played through any rumors or comments about their deficiencies as players, proving themselves on the court and allowing their work to speak for itself.

“Now the talk has all cleared out and everyone is really supportive,” Francis said.

“We’re a family,” Francis said of her team. “We argue a lot, we annoy each other, but we stay a family.”

For these freshmen, varsity has not been an easy step. But the cooperation between these young athletes and their older counterparts has smoothed their transition considerably. Their abilities speak for themselves and earned them each a spot in the varsity locker room.

“The other day somebody asked me if I was on varsity,” Hughes said. “It feels great to say yes.”•

Raenette Hughes

Girls cross country wins school’s first state title The girls cross country team competed at the state meet in Round Rock on Nov. 9 winning the 3A title. Junior Kelsie Warren was also the state individual champion, finishing the 3,200 meter race with a time of 11:24, followed by Leah Lewis in fifth place with a time of 12:01. ◄ The girls cross country team poses with their state title and gold medals on Nov. 9. Pictured left

to right on the back row are coach Robert Ondrasek, Kelsie Warren (11), Abigail Kellstedt (11), Gabbi Orzabal (11), Madeline Dungan (10) and coach Josh Munson. On the front row are Leah Lewis (10), Cayleigh Lekven (9) and Arisha Ali (9). Photo provided by Robert Orzabal ●

Above and Beyond

Friday, Dec. 6, 2013

The Catamount

● Sports 15

Sophomore works hard in order to become star tennis player

by Lisa Liu Features Editor Three months. Five tournaments. Over eighty hours of practice total.

For sophomore Tarun Muthuchamy, summer does mean a break—just not from tennis.

While most of his peers relaxed, Muthuchamy devoted his vacation time last summer to practicing tennis. He returned to tryouts just the following fall to move up several ranks from the year before, an impressively swift ascent.

“To move that many positions is really quite an accomplishment, considering that we have one of the best boys’ teams in state 3A tennis,” varsity tennis coach Ed Stricker said. “He’s worked so hard.”

Before his sudden rise this year, Muthuchamy had been only one spot out of the varsity line-up. As a result, his matches did not contribute to the team’s wins in tournaments.

“Last year, I was an extra, so I was basically playing people pointlessly. Even if I won, it didn’t count for anything,” Muthuchamy said. “I just wanted to get better.”

Muthuchamy eventually asked some of his teammates on varsity for advice on improving during the summer, and sophomore Nick Bradham, who was one of them, suggested that he participate in tournaments. Bradham recalls that after taking this advice and practicing even more in addition to that, Muthuchamy caught the rest of the team off guard with his advancement three months later.

“I knew [his improvement] was going to happen, but the kids he didn’t know were really surprised,” Bradham said. “Even Coach Stricker was surprised by how much better he’d gotten.”

Stricker was unprepared for Muthuchamy’s rapid growth despite being aware of his goals.

During his freshman year, Muthuchamy had gone to Stricker for help with advancing to varsity.

“He came to me last year and said, ‘Coach, what do I need to do to make varsity?’ So we sat down and talked about it,” Stricker said. “He was

really eager, wanted to make it very badly.”

Muthuchamy’s enthusiasm did eventually pay off, but his rise in ranking did not come easily.

It required dedication and more effort than he had expected.

“I thought it was going to be easy, but I hard to work hard to achieve it,” Muthuchamy said. “[The ranking] is sort of solidified. Everyone wants to improve.”

Because of these difficulties, Stricker was both surprised by and proud of Muthuchamy’s progress, attributing his success to “willingness and a desire to accomplish his goal.”

“I was impressed,” Stricker said of his initial reaction to Muthuchamy’s performance at tryouts in the fall. “We always talk about showing up each day and trying to get just a little bit better, but not all the kids actually do it. He’s definitely an overachiever.”

Muthuchamy’s recent development has only made him work harder, though. Far from allowing him to relax, it motivates him to continue developing his skills.

“Before, I was a casual player, just playing because tennis was fun,” Muthuchamy said, “but now it’s gotten more competitive for me, and I have more of a desire to win. I want to get better every time I practice.”

Bradham, who has known Muthuchamy since sixth grade and has been on the tennis team with him since last year, considers this determination to be one of his key qualities that helped him improve.

In addition to that, Muthuchamy’s attitude has influenced the rest of the tennis team as well.

“He’s hardworking and has the mindset that he’s going to go out there and try to get better,” Bradham said. “When we see him working hard, we all want to work hard too.”

Stricker agrees that Muthuchamy leads by example, setting a standard for the other players with the consistent effort he puts into practicing.

“He sets a work ethic. He shows up, works hard each day, and gives the player across the net a good work-out,” Stricker said. “A coach couldn’t be prouder to have a player like Tarun on the team.”●

▲ Practicing during seventh period, Muthachamy perfects his serve. He started playing tennis three years ago with his parents. Photo by Lisa Liu ●

Tennis Team Heads to State

First Round - Lost 10 matches to 8 to Vernon, defeated Kilgore 10 matches to 6, defeated Rockport-Fulton 10 matches to 9.

College Station was 2 to1 at the state team tennis tournament and finished ranked 5th in the state.

Team members include (from left to right) Gyumin Hwang, B.J. Kim, Srujan Kancharla, Wesley White, Kyle Miller, Akshay Selvakumarraj, Tarun Muthuch-amy, Rohen Sukkawala, Coach Stricker, Emi Maren, Srna Sunik, Anastasia Nekrashevych , Lillian Ford, Coach Kovacs, Noah Jean, Leah Blume, Sandhiya Ravichandran, Katherine McDougall, Nick Bradham, Meera Vadali, Aly Sams

16 Sports ● The Catamount

leader of the COURT

Friday, Dec. 6, 2013

Varsity basketball team admires junior’s leadership on court

by Lily Parsi Opinions Editor “Leader by example” are the three words used most to describe varsity basketball player and junior Matt Albrecht.

Head basketball coach JD Sullivan said that Albrecht leads more by example than vocally, and his teammates look up to this leadership quality. Junior and fellow varsity teammate Collin Lawson agrees. “[Albrecht] leads by example and is always a positive influence on the rest of the team,” Lawson said. “People look up to him; whatever he does the rest of the team does.”

Sullivan describes the qualities that make Albrecht a leader on court. “[What makes Albrecht a leader on the court] is partly learned and partly in his DNA,” Sullivan said. “He is just a guy that practices hard and plays hard and gets irritated if his teammates don’t do the same.”

Collin Lawson, Albrecht has been playing basketball since the 5th grade, and his interest in the sport initially sparked when all his friends started playing club basketball. Since then, Albrecht’s achievement and hard work has led to his position as small forward in the varsity basketball team.

Being with his friends and bonding with other teammates are the main aspects of playing high school basketball that Albrecht said he enjoys the most, while

conditioning is the least.

“I hope to gain the overall experience of playing a team sport, being with friends and having fun,” Albrecht said.

Albrecht prepared for this season by participating in a summer basketball league with fellow teammates, where they played approximately 60 games and multiple tournaments.

Sullivan said he’s already seen improvements in Albrecht this season.

“I think he’s improved in every way. His leadership skills, ball handling skills, and his effort have improved exponentially,” Sullivan said. “He is also stronger and more athletic. As he’s grown and matured, we’ve seen incredible growth in so many areas.”

Albrecht said that his team hangs out often outside of school, and they’re all close friends. Some examples of activities they participate in are Young Life, football games, volleyball games and Aggie basketball games. junior Lawson and Albrecht agree that their number one goal for this season is to qualify for playoffs.

Albrecht states that his parents are his biggest role models in his life for numerous reasons.

“My parents are the most influential [in my life] because when I grow up I want to be just like them,” Albrecht said. “They are such good people and treat everyone with kindness and I want to be just like that.” ●

“People look up

to him; whatever he does the rest

of the team

does.”

▲ Junior Matt Albrecht shoots a layup after stealing the ball from his opponent on Nov. 19. The Cougars won the game against Hempstead 73-49. Photo by Brianna Aguilar ●

Boys Cross Country team runs at state meet After winning district in October, the boys cross country team punched their ticket to the state meet by placing third at region in Houston on Nov. 2. At the state meet in Round Rock on Nov. 9, the Cougars finished 11th overall. The team pictured at left includes junior Corban Ogle, junior Jonathan Cole, sophomore Jon Bishop, junior Hogan Daughters, junior Rustam Kaunas, sophomore K.J. Grimes, junior Jay Payton, assistant coach Larry Payton and head coach Rodney Wellmann. Bishop was the top team finisher, placing 18th with a time of 16:59 on the three-mile course. Photo provided by Daughters.

The Catamount

Friday, Dec. 6, 2013

● Sports 17

Sideline to the Front Lines Student trainers devote themselves to assisting athletes and learning basic medical practice

by Julie Potrykus Executive Editor All the chaos slows as they wait. The stadium is quiet as they wait. The players take a knee as they wait. Waiting for assurance that the downed player is okay. In all the stillness, the student trainers rush into activity to find the answer everyone is waiting for. The trainers huddle around the player with a backpack of disinfectant, tape and anything else they might need to battle the injury. “[Student trainers] are kind of our first defense on injuries,” head athletic trainer Chelesea Frashure said.

The student trainers are the first responders: they handle minor injuries and report major ones to the head trainers. The main charge of the student trainers is to keep the athletes hydrated. Despite this task, the student trainers are not “water girls,” a popular term abused by freshmen football players and fellow students. Their responsibilities surpass just distributing water: they also tend to any cuts and scraps, tape fingers and wrists, and help with sprains.

“We are not water girls,” sophomore Kassidy Hopkins said. “I take care of [the athletes]. If I were a water girl, I wouldn’t be able to [help the athletes with their injuries].”

Despite mockery from people who assume trainers are football followers who just hand out water bottles, many of the athletes and coaches treat the trainers with respect and recognition since their time and help keep the athletes playing.

“The reward is whenever the player comes up to you and says thank you. We don’t get the fame, but [we] don’t need it,” sophomore Amy Scott said.

Through the season, the trainers have built many personal relationships with each other and the athletes they aid. The trainers and athletes have developed a brother-sister relationship where they joke with each other during practices and games.

“I feel like [being friends with the athletes] makes them trust me more,” sophomore Leah Towslee said. “[They know] mess it.”

This bond though proves difficult when many

of their friends receive injuries. “[We] are out here to help who gets hurt, but [I] also feel bad because it could be the end of their season,” junior Emily Sykes said.

This empathy crashed over Sykes when her boyfriend, Donny Hair, was injured during a football game. From the sidelines, Sykes watched the play unfold to its heartbreak conclusion. From the sidelines, she watched her fellow trainers and supervisors help when she couldn’t. As Hair limped off the field, Sykes avoided eye contact to prevent from crying.

“He had a job to do. I had a job to do,” Sykes said. “When he got hurt, I wanted to drop everything and run out there onto the field, but I knew that was not my job.”

Another drawback of their job as trainers is the time commitment. Their schedules parallel those of the athletes they help as they attend practices during fourth or seventh period class, after-school on weekdays and on Saturdays depending on the Texas A&M football schedule. The trainers also miss their after-school time on Thursdays and Fridays for JV and varsity games.

This heavy schedule requires exceptional time management skills as the girls balance their classes, house work and other activities. The trainers start their homework immediately after practices and bond on the bus ride from away games with physics group tutoring.

“Everything I do revolves around the time I spend being a trainer,” junior Meghan Bauman said.

Despite these challenges, the trainers have experiences on the field that will benefit them in their future medical professions. Since becoming a trainer, they have all gained confidence, experience, and lasting relationships.

“From their first week out to now, the change that we’ve seen in them is tremendous,” Frashure said.

The work of the student trainers is a vital part to high school sports. As the field stills when an athlete is down, the trainers rush into action.

“Without them, we probably couldn’t do our jobs,” trainer Sam Goode said.●

▲Sophomore Leah Towslee wraps an injury that freshman Mark Wagner sustained during a football game. Student trainers refer to this as “blood duty.” Photo by Julie Potrykus●

▲ Sohphomore Kassidy Hopkins address- ▲

Sohphomore Amy Scott provides waes junior Cole Whittlesy’s injured arm. This ter for sophomore Evan Crockett. Scott is was her first time on blood duty. Photo by a first year student trainer. Photo by Julie Courtney Wellmann● Potrykus●

Volleyball sets standard with state bid The Lady Cougar volleyball team made its first appearance at the UIL State Volleyball Tournament on Nov. 22, playing Bellville in the semi-final round, looking to gain a spot in the final match.

Unfortunately, the team fell to the veterans, finishing third in the state 17-25, 16-25, 25-21, 16-25. Freshman Brady Gillum was selected to the 3A All-Tournament Team.

Team members Rachel Nelson and Mary Pettibon both received All-State honors from the Texas Girls Coaches Association.

To claim a state tournament berth, the Lady Cougars claimed the Regional Championship after defeating West High School on Nov. 16 in 4 matches, 25-22, 2426, 12-25, 20-25.

Varsity team members include Kassidy McCabe, Katarina Popovic, Hannah Spacek, Haley Wagner, Mary Pettibon, Sarah Hancock, Madelyn Dudley, Sofia Rangel, Hope Spacek, Natalie Colunga, Ashley Troutman, Shelby Sumlin, Keaton Schrank, Rachel Nelson, Alex Bowden and Brady Gillum.

▲The varsity volleyball team poses with their regional champi-

onship trophy. The team’s victory at the regional level qualified them for the state tournament. Photo by Stacey Schrank ●

18 Entertainment ● The Catamount

Friday, Dec. 6, 2013

Members of men's ensemble become unified team

by Lily Parsi Opinions Editor Freshman Dan Hung describes choir as a stress reliever.

“After all my classes like engineering and math and biology, in choir it’s more peaceful and you release a lot of your tensions through singing,” Hung said.

Like Hung, sophomore Mitchell Bradford agrees that in choir he feels more relaxed and at home. Bradford also enjoys expressing himself through singing. “[I like] being able to express emotion,” he said. “Also showing who you are, and how you interpret things through music.”

Hung and Bradford share what they hope to gain from choir.

“Finding myself, and every time I sing it shows who I am and who I want to be,” Bradford said.

Hung enjoys another aspect of choir.

“I just like singing,” Hung said. “I really like to learn music and write it, and just have the whole experience about it.”

While choir is a fun stress reliever for the boys, there are some challenges that come along with being an all-male singing group.

“Not everyone has a wide range,” junior Trey Cole said.

Bradford agrees that a major challenge is cooperation among the boys.

“Finding out what everyone else likes can be difficult,” Bradford said.

“Some might like rap while I like classical more. We had our issues last year,

◄ The men's choir practice their holiday repertoire in preparation for their holiday concert on

Friday, Dec. 16. Members include freshmen Akash Ali, Grayson Downey, Joseph Espinoza, Dan Hung, sophomores Mitchell Bradford, Will Campbell, Jace Isham, Marcus Nealy and juniors Trey Cole, Ethan Desai, Dakota Faucett and Cole Whittlesey. Photo by Lily Parsi●

but we figured it out, and we’re all back

“Everyone has a

together this year.”

This year the choir group has already participated in a competition at the Renaissance Festival, where they won first place. Next they will compete in the UIL events that take place during the spring semester.

Bradford offers parting advice to others who are interested in choir.

“Everyone has a voice,” he said. “Some people might think it is cliché, but it is all a matter of practice." ●

Scan this QR code to listen to the boys sing one of their favorite songs, Bound for the Promise Land!

voice... it is all a matter of practice.”

Mitchell Bradford, sophomore

and

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Friday, Dec. 6, 2013

WHAT TO DO IN

DECEMBER

horseshoe junction Review by Kayla Kurmaskie

I will admit I did not have high hopes for Horseshoe Junction before going there.

My peers had told me it was fun, but I was not totally convinced. Its website advertises a wide array of attractions such as a large arcade, laser tag, “bumper boats”, mini-golf, go-kart racing and rock climbing, but my skepticism held fast.

Located in Brehnam, Horseshoe Junction is a pleasant, farm-filled, 50 minute drive from College Station. My father, eight-year-old brother and I went on a Sunday afternoon in order to avoid crowds. We parked our car in the gravel parking lot and walked into the main building; its exterior reminding me vaguely of a warehouse.

Upon our initial entrance we scanned the attraction listing and settled on a game of mini-golf for $50 per person. The other activities range in price from $5 to $6 per person with all-day passes for $20.

We made our way out to the golf course nestled behind the “bumper boats” (like bumper cars but with little boats and water squirters) and rock climbing wall to begin our game. Throughout the eighteen-hole game, my father and I noticed how nicely not only the golf course was kept but also the rest of the facility. Sure, some of the park had suffered the natural wear and tear frequented businesses face, such as ripped turf, but overall the grounds were well groomed and very clean.

Our game of putt-putt was extremely pleasant. The course provided enough difficulty to entertain experts but was still simple enough for beginners. After our game we had to make our way back home but as a family we agreed whole-heartedly that we would return and definitely recommend Horseshoe Junction to anyone looking for a day trip filled with fun and family bonding.

The Catamount

Texas A&M Rec Center Review by Megan Paradowski

Anyone looking for an active, adventurous day should visit the Texas A&M Rec Center on campus. My friend and I spent the afternoon at the Rec Center a few weeks ago. We walked in and were greeted by a friendly, college student working the front desk. I purchased a one-day visitor pass for $10, which gave me access to all of the features that were open for that day.

Schedules for each pool and sport can be found at the front desk or on the Rec Center website. The possibilities seemed endless. At the Rec Center you can rock climb, swim, dive, lift weights, workout, play racquetball, ping-pong, soccer, volleyball and basketball. We decided to rock climb, so I had to pay an additional $5, but it was totally worth it.

The rock wall is fun and challenging. I only made it about half-way to the top. The difficulty level on the rock wall varies, so you can choose to climb easier or harder sections. Next, we played volleyball and basketball outside.

After a fun time of sports and rock climbing, we grabbed a bite to eat at the Time Out Deli in the lobby of the Rec Center. Here, they offer smoothies, drinks, burgers, fries, quesadillas, breakfast and tacos. I had a delicious cheese quesadilla with a soda. I highly recommend you check out the Rec Center for an afternoon of fun activities.

downtown brya n First Friday Review by Rachel Grant

● Entertainment 19

This monthly event hosted in downtown Bryan is perfect for a night out on the town. It’s the ideal experience for a date night, a time with friends, or family night. In one word, First Friday is all about art. The types of art though are very diverse at First Friday. It is not limited to just art on canvas. There is also live music on almost every corner, food in every store, and glass work. About three or four times a year, they will host a special kind of First Friday called Art Step. When these happen, they have large paper painted foot prints that lead you to different museums, stores, and shops.

In November, my family and I had a great time at First Friday. We went to The Chocolate Gallery where we watched the employees make chocolate and gingerbread. Here you could also buy gelato or anything chocolate. We also went in our favorite store, The Frame Gallery, where they have local artist’s art work, food and live music. In December, you can expect almost all of the stores and shops to be open.

There will be vendors selling items that you won’t be able to see anywhere else. Also, you can expect live music on almost every block. I would say that overall First Friday is a great event to participate in for any occasion.

December Activities Santa’s Wonderland

Until Dec. 30 Experience the lights in your vehicle, on a hayride or in a carriage led by a horse (prices vary).

Sunday-Thursday: 6 - 11 p.m.

Friday and Saturday: 6 - 12 a.m.

Christmas at the Creek - Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater

Dec. 6 6:30, 7:15 & 8 p.m. -- Original Christmas at the Creek Musical, Directed by Mark Taylor 8:30 p.m. -- The Santa Clause Movie in the Park 87th annual B/CS Christmas Parade will take place on Sunday, December 8th, 2013 at 2:30 PM

Southern Classic Livestock Show Dec. 14-15 Brazos County Expo

Ice Skating at Spirit Ice Arena Skate Admission: $8.08 + tax Skate Rental: $3 + tax

Diwalii

20 Cougars ● The Catamount

Friday, Dec. 6, 2013

Appreciation for traditional Indian holiday lost in younger generation

▲Step 1: Gather your materials. You will need rice flour, food coloring, water, a tablespoon measurer and plastic sandwich bags.

▲Step 3: Sketch out your design. Rangoli designs are usually geometric or will involve animals such as peacocks.

▲Step 2: Color the rice flour. In a plastic bag, mix 1/3 cup of rice flour, a tablespoon of water and a few drops of your food coloring of choice. Use more food coloring as needed.

▲Step 4: Begin filling out your design with the rice flour. Pinch it between your thumb and pointer ▲Step 5: Continue to fill finger and rub them toin the rest of your design! gether to release the flour.

Photos by Lisa Liu

Godess Lakshmi is worshiped so that Hindus can receive blessings of wealth and prosperity and celebrate triumph.

Spiritual harvest known as Govardhana Puja is performed

Day Five

On this day, Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasura and liberated 16,000 princesses the demon held

Source: Education.asianart.org

Day Four

Day One

Five Days of Diwali

Oil lamps are lit and prasada (sanctified food) should be offered to Yama Raj, the Lord of Death

5 Steps to Rangoli

Day Three

J

ewel-toned saris made of silk or chiffon, painted diyas that hold glowing candles, fireworks that explode in bursts of reds and yellows—these are all colorful aspects of Diwali, the Hindu celebration that took place in November this year. Everything that accompanies Diwali, which is also known as the Festival of Lights, signifies light and what it stands for: knowledge, goodness, and purity.

Yet, despite all the lively celebrations, the firecrackers and sweets distributed, and the rich meaning, the main spirit of this festival is often lost when it is celebrated here in America.

“It’s all very toned down, and many people won’t even remember that it’s Diwali,” said Sharada Vadali, temple president of the Shri Omkarnath Temple in Navasota. “If there’s nobody to tell them about it, they don’t know when it comes, and they don’t know when it goes. It’s just another day. So, we make an effort to celebrate it in any way that we can.”

Even amongst those who are aware of Diwali and do attend the festivities at temple, the importance of it is still sometimes overlooked.

For many of them, especially the children and teenagers, Diwali is no more than what it appears to be: lights and candles.

“Some of the people who live here may only be seeing what is visible to the eye. They see everything but the concepts behind all this,” Mrs. Vadali said. “That’s what I want my children to understand, and I know that’s what other community members want their children to understand too.”

Junior Akshay Selvakumarraj attributes the younger generation’s apathy to their disinterest in a festival that focuses on ideas like the triumph of good over evil and has little concern for more concrete methods of celebration.

“It’s not a holiday where you receive gifts,” Selvakumarraj explained. “Fireworks are the only fun part, but they usually can’t even be set off because of the laws.”

However, according to sophomore Meera Vadali, Mrs. Vadali’s daughter, the indifference of some is not much of an issue. As evidenced by the turnout at temple on the day of Diwali, many did recognize its value enough to attend

the celebrations and were united there by a common appreciation of it.

“That Saturday, 700 people came to our temple—the most we’ve had for a long time,” Vadali said. “[They] know the significance of it.

It’s just that in India, everyone celebrates it, and it’s so much bigger over there.”

Just showing up, though, does not necessarily mean understanding Diwali, Mrs. Vadali believes. Too often, people—especially the younger age group—engage in the celebrations but have no interest in learning about the meanings behind the actions.

“We make every effort to help them understand, but some just don’t care,” Mrs. Vadali said.

“I would really love to have more children within our community appreciate it and celebrate it, just like how Christmas here is celebrated with so much enthusiasm. Diwali is the same way in a sense—it’s a festival of coming together and connecting with your family and friends.”

Sophomore Arjun Krishnamoorthi makes an effort to fulfill this wish, a desire shared by many of the parents in the Hindu community here. Although Diwali does not concern him personally, he recognizes its importance nonetheless out of respect to his parents.

“Because I wasn’t raised in India, I don’t know the actual significance of Diwali. However, it means a lot to my parents,” Krishnamoorthi said. “So, it still does have significance to me, not because I actually know what it means, but because they appreciate it.”

Similarly, for Vadali, her parents are the main reason she takes part in the commemoration of light. Through celebrating it, she has found an added benefit: it allows her family to come together.

“I’m not religious, but I still do it because of [them],” Vadali said. “My parents really care about it, so it’s a good way to bring us together.

We like to celebrate it as a family.”

In spite of her wishes for a more involved and informed community, Mrs. Vadali agrees that the festival still does allow people to become closer.

“It sends a great message to everyone and unites the family,” she said. “I love every part of Diwali, from what it denotes to how it’s celebrated. I love the concepts, I love the way they’re represented, and I love everything that leads up to it. It’s the spirit of enjoyment.”●

Day Two

by Lisa Liu Features Editor

Dedicated to sisters, brothers visit sisters to ask about their welfare Source: Krishna.com