the CATAMOUNT
College Station High School
4002 Victoria Ave. College Station, Texas 77845
d
Vol. 5 No. 3
Friday, Dec. 9, 2016
angerous istractions
Distracted driving leads to increase in traffic accidents Abby Hopkins and Kalindi Desai Assistant Editor and Managing Editor Last year, in Texas alone, there were 103,576 car crashes involving distracted driving. More than 400 people were killed from these crashes and 3,076 were severely injured. These statistics have increased by three percent since 2014, and they will only continue to grow without a change in the way people drive. While texting and driving seems to be the most common form of distraction on the roads, there are other factors that can take away focus from behind the wheel. “Distracted driving is any activity that takes your attention away from driving,” Texas Department of Transportation representative Bobby Colwell said. “Distractions can include anything from texting and talking on a mobile device to eating and drinking, putting on makeup, shaving, reading, programming a navigation system, watching a video and even adjusting the radio.”
continued on page 3
INDEX
News Opinions People Sports Entertainment Etc.
2-5 6-8 9-14 15-17 18-19 20
9 Junior Hannah Franke creates handmade jewelry. PAGE 9
14 Sparkle crew assists in keeping the school clean. PAGE 14
15 Rise of football program leads team to the semifinals tonight. PAGE 15
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2
News
Friday, Dec. 9, 2016
The Catamount
Cougar NEWS Choir students earn all-region accolades Two choir students, junior Ryan Herriage and sophomore Samantha Herrick, recently earned a spot on the All-Region Choir at the Texas Music Educators Association Region 8 auditions. All-Region choir members qualify to compete in the area round and continue in the process of becoming a member of the Texas All-State Choir. Additionally, sophomore Stephanie Lee earned a spot on the ninth and tenth grade all-region choir.•
FFA radio broadcast team places at area The FFA Radio Broadcast team consisting of Jarrett Jordan, Lindsey Rodgers and Keelie Wendt placed runner-up at the FFA Area Leadership Development (LDE) contest on Nov. 19 at Blinn College in Brenham. The top two teams from each area contest advance to compete in State FFA LDE Contest in Huntsville on Dec. 2.•
Youth and Government qualifies for state and junior males (pictured from left to right) Sam Crockett, Grayson Privett, Harrison Wellmann, Braedon Lawless, Brandon Fortner, Brandon (Burt) Smith and Tyler Lucas dance in the finale of Mr. CSHS before the announcement of the winners on Nov. 17. Mr. CSHS is a “mangeant” (man pageant) put on by Student Council to raise money for the senior class gift. Contestants were critiqued on formal wear, a personal interview, video interview, casual wear and a talent portion. Austin Hatley was crowned Mr. CSHS and Sam Crockett as Mr. Junior CSHS. PHOTO BY TIFFANY HA ▲ Senior
On Nov. 19, members of Youth and Government attended the YMCA Youth and Government District conference and all qualified to compete at the Youth and Government State conference in January. The district mock trial team, composed of seniors Kaylea Haas, TJ Smith and Iain Wooley, junior Tiffany Ha and sophomores Mabel Dorta and Braeden Thorton placed 10th. Seniors Som Shadparvar, Hayden Sinkule and Alicia Trimble advanced as judges, and junior Sophia North will compete in print media.•
HOSA members excell in online competition Seven HOSA students qualified for second round or state competitions from online testing. Area round two advancers include juniors Kanwal Bhimani and Allie Morgan and freshman Anjali Ghosh. Additionally, juniors Jenny Liu and Rosetta Wang along with seniors Alina Dhanani and Anjali Dhanani advanced to state.•
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Friday, Dec. 9, 2016
News
3
Attempts to prevent distractions while driving improve safety on roads continued from page 1 tips to stay focused while driving Simply having a conversation with someone else in the car can draw away from one’s full attention. “Even when you’re talking to someone, you’re distracted,” junior Thomas Nelson said. “You don’t have to be playing with your radio, your phone or even bluetooth; you’re still distracted with that conversation.” Nelson has been in multiple car accidents throughout his life, some of them caused by other drivers who were not paying attention. These accidents have caused Nelson to care more about safety on the roads for him and other drivers. The effects of using phones while driving creates major problems on the road. “You are 23 times more likely to get in a car crash if you are texting and driving,” said Marci Corry, a local woman who created a phone app to encourage safe driving practices. The Safe2Save app offers rewards redeemable with points earned for staying off mobile devices while driving. “I’m not on my phone because I turn it on Safe2Save, and I get points for just driving safely,” junior and new driver Braeden Whitten said. Since launching at the beginning of October, 6,300 people have downloaded the app. In order to use it, one simply has to open the app before they start driving, and it will add up points once they reach fifteen miles per hour. “It’s a positive way to incentivize people to not use their phones while driving,” Corry said. Alongside the app, other measures have been taken
to prevent distracted driving. The city of College Station passed a new hands-free law on Nov. 9 that makes it illegal to use a cellular device if it is not through bluetooth. “I love the new law,” Whitten said. “I’m thankful that they put it in place. Hopefully, it fixes a few problems, and hopefully people will stay off their phones, which will make society a safer place.” While the law is a good start, Corry believes people need to truly desire safety on the roads. Without motivation, some drivers will still choose to disobey the law. “My hope is that nobody will want to text and drive wherever they are. The law is effective, and I am thankful they did it, but you don’t want people to do something only because of the law. You want them to be motivated,” Corry said. Students can also be motivated to stay off their phones on the road by practicing with experienced drivers. “The best way is to practice with parents,” Nelson said. “Get in the habit of not using their phones, paying attention to the road, not having too many people in the car. Just have experienced drivers to imbed those habits in your mind.” Not only is distracted driving dangerous to the individual involved, it can also impact every other driver on the road. “Driving with distractions might seem like it doesn’t affect you, but it can affect others around you,” Whitten said. “If you get in a crash, then it affects your family and other families. You can lose your life from one simple text, and it’s not worth the risk.”• Free meal and worship gathering @ 6pm on Wednesday evenings. Sunday morning Bible study and worship @ 9:45am.
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1.
Avoid playing with knobs on the radio
2.
Don’t answer your cellphone
3.
Be aware of problems on the road
4.
Obey road signs and signals
5.
Resist eating and drinking while driving
STOP
Source: wikihow.com
4
News
Friday, Dec. 9, 2016
The Catamount
App rewards students for no cell phone use during class Earning coupons allows incentive for minimum phone use
1249 downloads out of 1734 students Cougars’ time spent off phones since the introduction of Pocket Points:
79,589,723 seconds 22,108 minutes 2.5 years Source: Pocket Points App
AJ Jones Senior Editor Founded in 2014, Pocket Points is an app that rewards students for staying off their phones during school hours. The app works based on the number of students actively using it. Every 20 minutes a student stays off his or her phone, one point is earned. However, when more students participate, then the required time for a point decreases. Points needed for a coupon vary between 10-50 depending on the participating merchant and value of the coupon. “It’s a great way to reward students for doing something as easy as paying attention in class,” junior Hannah Rodlund said. With increased interest, Pocket Points investigated expanding to high school campuses. Therefore, the company decided to extend free participation for certain high school campuses, including CSHS. “They charged to create a
“GeoFence” around the school, as well as $1 per student. It was not in our budget at the time, so we thought we would not be able to participate,”assistant principal Kim Rogers said. “Then, in October, they contacted me and said they would like us to try it for free.” Pocket Points has been actively used due to the appealing rewards for students of all grades. “I was in one of my classes and people were like, ‘Hey there is this app where you can get free food,’ and I thought it was a neat idea.”sophomore Grace Beikirch said.“I asked what it was, and they said Pocket Points. I tried it and have been using it everyday since,” Students have also found the app to be appealing for the competitive aspect of reaching the leaderboard along with the rewards. “I’m a competitive person. I thought I should really try and be on the leaderboard,”sophomore Frida Bernal said. Even teachers have downloaded the app and found it beneficial to
participate in. Teachers, however, have a slight advantage. “I feel like the teachers are probably benefiting more than the students because we are not on our phones during the day,” chemistry teacher Cindy Knapek said. Negatives also come with the app. It can run down the battery percentage, which can be inconvenient with a long day of classes. Students have also experienced a glitch where the app’s location services will place them off campus and not allow them to earn points. However, many schools find the app to be helpful in cutting down the use of phones in classrooms. With Pocket Points constantly improving the app, motivation is increasing. “Phones are so prevalent in our lives. It’s often hard to put them down and give 100% to the task at hand. We are hoping Pocket Points will help provide the motivation we all need to put them down for a bit.” Rogers said.•
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Friday, Dec. 9, 2016
The Catamount
News
5
Seniors choose to graduate early with full credit to pursue goals Some seniors are wrapping up high school in December rather than waiting until May. “I will be going straight to school when I graduate,” senior Jenna Salazar said. “I will be going into the medical field, and I’d also like to get started and finish earlier than my peers.” Others are looking to be more financially stable before anything else goes on. “I want to be able to work as soon as possible,” senior Jonathan Beikirch said. “I plan to work with my mother at Neighbors ER Clinic and be working full time.” Most have different motivations, whether it be themselves or other individuals pushing them to achieve this goal of graduating early. “Other than myself, my dad wanted me to graduate early,” senior Jaqueline Yanez said. “He really pushed me to do it, no ifs, ands or buts about it.” These seniors are also in remorse that they will not be seeing some people in the second semester. Most of them would agree that they’ll miss all of their friends, but they are over ecstatic to be out of school earlier than those
same friends. Counselor Anne Hoffman wants students to know that there are pluses that can come out of graduating early. “It’s great if you have a plan on what you want to do,” Hoffman said. “Some kids want to work for awhile and have some money saved up. Some people want to jump start into college.” For someone looking to be able to graduate there are multiple ways to do it. First, double up on classes. Doubling up is having two of the same classes in your schedule. The most common classes to double up on are social studies classes and math classes. Also, take some summer classes to earn credits. However, there are also some disadvantages in graduating early. “I think forsome seniors who leave so early, they won’t fulfill some of the feelings you get your senior year,” Hoffman said. “That great feeling of ‘I’m a part of this class’ or even just walking the stage with all of your friends. Some of them will be missing out on that.” However, those graduating early recommend it. “No doubt in my mind you should do it,” Salazar said. “If anyone has a thought about it, without a doubt, go and do it.”•
I want to be able to work as soon as possible -jONATHAN bEIKIRCH SENIOr
Minimum credits to graduate 4 English
1 Fine Arts
3 Math
1.5 Speech
2 Science
6.5 Electives
4
Social Studies
Physical
1 Education
22 credits total Source: 2016-2017 Student Hand-
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Kyle Alfaro Staff Reporter
6
Opinions
Friday, Dec. 9, 2016
The Catamount
THE CAT’S EYE VIEW
staff editorial
New hands-free law promotes awareness of safe driving habits Close your eyes and count for one second. Traveling at 45 miles per hour, you’ve just covered 66 feet, a distance that could cause you to hit a slower car in front of you, or worse— it’s plenty of time to hit a child that just darted into the street. For most of us, one second seems like nothing. We forget that taking our full attention away from the road for any amount of time is enough to cause grave damage. Because cellphones have become a growing threat to safe driving, states have declared war against their use by drivers. The City of College Station has taken a bold new stand, banning the use of hand-held devices while driving. We should remember that not everyone obeys the law. Sadly, this truth leads others to feel that it’s an accepted rebellion, and they ultimately disregard the law themselves. As good citizens, and smart human beings, we should encourage
Candle-lit dinner reveals birth of a new baby brother The lights were turned down and a candle was on the table. A steak had Emelie Gulde been grilled, potatoes mashed and little glasses of wine were set by the plates. It was an amazing dinner, and though romantic, I was very confused. I had an intense feeling of deja vu, because I knew this type of setup. My parents had only done dinner like this a couple of other times that I could remember, and those were times when my mom announced that she was pregnant. I found out that I would get to be a big sister all over again to a little brother who will be born in February. He will be named
It’s up to us to take initiative in this area; we can’t wait until an accident happens. Try taking new precautionary even in the back seat. If you find yourself needing encouragement, download the Safe2Save app that ensures safe-driving
“It’s good because the law will force younger drivers to focus on driving and will reduce teenage accidents.” -Nathaniel Speed, sophomore
habits by rewarding you points that convert into discounts at local restaurants and stores. Don’t let distraction become a way of life. Rise above the temptation to look down at the fast food you just picked up, to apply your makeup or to respond to that text you just re-
“This law is long overdue, but nonetheless will prove effective in avoiding accidents.” -GC Lingan, junior
ceived. Together, we have to emphasize the reality that some ac-
tivities, like driving, require our full attention.•
Amelia Kurk Kalindi Desai Emelie Gulde AJ Jones Tiffany Ha Alina Dhanani Dru Peacock Ty’Asia Hubbard Noe Canchola Ethan Cohen Grace Costenbader Abby Hopkins, Sophia North Kyle Alfaro Susan Nam Cella Siegelman Courtney Wellmann Teresa Laffin
From each of my three younger siblings I have learned something new. I’ve learned patience, sympathy, and when they are annoying, faith that someday they’ll grow up. I’ve learned to play COD, with LEGOs, and I can make a mean mess out of play-
AGREE
measures in your car. Keep your phone in the glove box, or
Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Executive Editor Senior Editor News Editor Opinions Editor Entertainment Editor Features Editor Sports Editor Assistant Sports Editor Photography Editor Assistant Editors Staff Reporter Graphic Artist Cartoonist Faculty Adviser Assistant Adviser
i would get to be a big sister all over again.
dough. I can’t wait to make new memories with my baby brother and eventually find out what I can learn from him too. My family is the foundation of who I am, no matter how much they drive me crazy. I love them, and now that we are going to be one member stronger, that love will only grow. The past couple months have become more hectic, and I know I’m about to be a whole lot busier. Of course, I have worries about how well he will know me and the rest of my siblings. When I am 30, Charlie will be just entering high school. I wish I could be there every step of his life, but the reality is that I will miss things. That is why I’m so excited for these next two years, to soak up all the time I can get.•
View of the Pride: What do you think about the recent Hands-free law in cars?
everyone to adhere to this new law.
2016-2017 Newspaper Staff
Charles James after my grandpa, as this is the only grandchild he will never be able to meet. There will be an almost 17 year age gap between Charlie and me, but I have never been more excited.
DISAGREE
“It’s great, but eventually people may become too focused on connecting blue tooth than driving.” -Zoe Bullard, freshman “Sure, we need to prevent texting while driving, but for some, this has never been a problem.” -Travis Psencik, senior
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 and 2015.
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 (979764-5433) has been designated to coordinate compliance with the nondiscrimination. requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Friday, Dec. 9, 2016
The Catamount
View on academics shifts after moving to new school At my previous high school, in based on where they can be the most successful versus where a class of over 700 students, I was they can get the best education. They’ve suddenly become ranked academically in the top two content with favoring the academic ranking system over percent. But, when I valuable knowledge and a stellar education. moved to College Not only is it affecting students’ edStation last ucation in high school, but many highly qualified students are being denied acAbby Hopkins J a n u a r y , I found ceptance because automatic admissions myself just outside of the top are filling up spots. I am not arguing ten percent in a class of over that a GPA is not important, but rather 400 students. My first instinct that a rank isn’t. This school is one of the was to panic. I questioned my most academically competitive high schools in ability to get into a good college Texas, and students who are within the top fifsimply due to a rank. My GPA was the teen percent of a class could be valedictorians same. I still took rigorous courses and made at another school in Texas. Colleges should be A’s and involved myself in extracurriculars to required to consider these factors. For instance, further invest myself in the school. So, why did Texas A&M has added automatic admission for stuthis number matter so much to me? dents who achieve certain SAT/ACT scores. Though I The Texas Legislature passed House Bill 588 in benefit from this, I do not believe it is a fair system. 1997, which guarantees automatic admission to all Students can make excellent grades and test scores universities in Texas for students in the top ten perbut lack involvement in their schools and personal cent of their class at public high schools. passions. Since this law has been in place, academic comAcceptance should be rewarded based on not only petition has risen to get into the top ten percent for auclass rank and standardized test scores, but everything tomatic acceptance. Though this rule was originally put in that makes a student who they are. Where all schools place with good intentions, I believe it has corrupted Texas are not equal, our abilities cannot be measured by a class high schools. Students are increasingly sacrificing rank. Our identities cannot be seen in an SAT character, honesty and integrity to get an A so they Art by Susan Nam or ACT score. The ten percent rule limits a won’t risk losing their spot in the class rank. In fact, college’s ability to discover the true talents some parents determine what school their children will go to and identities of prospective students.•
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rite What is your favo christmas movie?
“My favorite is The Grinch because it shows the Christmas spirit in that even people who have been hurt can still feel Christmas joy.” suba johnson, senior “The Miser Brother’s Christmas because it’s always been one of my favorite movies as a kid.” Jamie hendershot, junior “Elf because it captures the essence of Christmas joy.” Ruth zamora, junior “A Christmas Card because it’s my favorite Christmas movie.” Madelynn eddins, sophomore
COUGAR UNVEILED by cella siegelman
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8 Opinions The Catamount America’s unequal pay leaves women questioning equality In 1920, women gained the right to vote. In 1981, Sandra Day O’Connor sat on the Supreme Court as the first female justice. In 2016, the Dru Peacock first woman became the nominee for a major United States political party. Through the decades, women have gradually earned their rights for equality and made their way up the ladder. However, there is still a major problem concerning equality when it comes to jobs, mainly the large pay gap between men and women. According to the American Association of University Women, on average, women get paid only 80% of what men earn. For example, if a man is working for $51,212 a year, a woman is only making a mere $40,742 in that same job. This vast difference is the cause of decades of oppression that can be solved by the recognition from the general public and a drive to fix the unnecessary is-
sue. There is absolutely no reason men should be making more than women, especially because the majority of the time women have to work harder just to get the same position a man can easily attain. The pay gap is absurd, hard ev-
Art by Susan Nam idence of the fact that despite America’s evolutions in the right direction, it still has major improvements to make to
achieve true equality. Although many believe that people fighting for equal rights aim to place women above men, that is truly not the case. What women are vying for is equality, the same opportunities men are given, the same rights, the same amount of pay for the same job. Because, when it comes down to it, why not? What is it about women asking for equal pay that is unrealistic or greedy? America is about everybody having the same opportunities, but what do those opportunities amount to if there is not the same reward at the end of the tunnel? Furthermore, the Equal Pay Act, enacted to insure equality between the sexes in the workplace, has not been updated since it passed in 1963. The large wage gap is exponential proof that the act has been ineffective and is in dire need of revision. Everyone can fight to resolve the issue, whether you are a man or a woman, and should to improve the country we live in and make it a better place for the girls of tomorrow.•
Friday, Dec. 9, 2016
Voices What is your favorite magic trick?
“My favorite is America being revived from national debt. I haven’t seen it, but I’ve heard it’s really good.” Breanna Wallen, freshman “I love when I think I did well, but then magically fail a test. It is the best trick ever.” Derek Song, sophomore
“The one that will fix the fault in my GPA.” Jori Hohensee, junior
Listening proves more beneficial than impulsive problem-solving Some beautiful things are extremely underrated. For example, listening. It is absolutely beautiful to listen and to be listened to. The difference between hearing and listening never really clicked in my brain when Grace Costenbader I was younger. My mom used to tell me, “Grace, you aren’t listening. You hear me, but you aren’t listening to me. Listen.” I never truly understood what she meant until much later. As I’ve grown up, I’ve realized more and more that I really just want someone to hear me out. To truly listen to me. To take in my words and ponder them as much as I do. I’ve also learned that listening doesn’t always have to go hand in hand with answering or advice-giving. As surprising as it may seem to some people, trying to solve other people’s problems doesn’t actually help the majority of the time. It is incredibly frustrating trying to explain a problem to someone and see them immediately try to shrink it and shove it into a little box labeled “solvable.” Not every problem can be solved. There isn’t an easy fix to everything. Usually, belittling
someone’s problem in order to solve it for them is more destructive than helpful. Listening is directly correlated with the gaining of knowledge and it’s a chance to broaden the horizons on which opinions and viewpoints sit. For this reason, words should not be thrown around carelessly or be untruthful. Taking the time to hear someone out is tremendously impactful. And the thing is, it is so easy to listen. All you have to do is close your mouth and make the person in front of you feel like you are attentively drinking in everything they’re saying. It can sometimes be difficult not to tell someone what you think will solve the problem, especially because everyone believes their own opinion is correct. For some reason, humans decide to conceal how they truly feel and wear a stiff, plastic mask that is frozen in a forced smile. It is rare to find anyone these days who loves themselves underneath the mask. If someone takes the risk of removing their mask to talk about how they truly feel, why should their feelings be swept under the nearest carpet?•
belittling someone’s problem in order to solve it for them is more destructive than helpful.
“The magician’s red ball that’s able to move from one hand to another and out of his or her ear.” Aaron Calliham, senior
“I love when they get the audience to participate in the tricks. It’s so much better that way.” Kailey Goodie, senior
“I like when someone pulls a quarter from behind my ear because magical money is great.” Sheridan Clinkscales, floral teacher
Friday, Dec. 9, 2016
The Catamount
People
jewelry rocks
9
Young entrepreneur sells handmade jewelry through social media Sophia North Assistant Editor She carries a large pink package by her side. The bag has many containers full of rocks, wire and tools. Every day she sits down and opens up the bag, twists and weaves the wire around each rock carefully, delicately, creating a beautiful and complex pattern to hold each one in place. Her creativity allowed her to create beautiful rock jewelry but her hard work, dedication and commitment allowed her to maintain a successful business selling these creations to people. Junior Hannah Franke has loved rocks since she was young. She had a massive rock collection which she kept in a large box. Until one day her grandmother asked her to create a necklace with these rocks, and everything changed. “My grandma wanted me to make a necklace for her out of a rock I had found,” Hannah said. “I figured making this kind of jewelry would be just a one-time thing, but after that, it kind of took over my life.” Her business started small, with her only selling to close friends and relatives, but over the past couple years, it expanded greatly. “Most of her early sales were from friends, relatives and people who told their friends,” said Hannah Franke’s mother, Sarah Franke.
“Now she advertises on Instagram and Facebook, the Craft and Antique Mall and on her social media page.” Running a business is not easy though. Constantly creating new, unique pieces, advertising them and selling them is challenging, but Hannah accepted the challenge. Additionally, upon starting her business, she faced some negative feedback with people telling her that it would not last, but she overcame what people said and continued to pursue her passion. From the time Hannah was young, she admired the idea of running a business. “I’ve always wanted to have a business,” Hannah said. “When I was young, I used to try and have my own business. I would draw pictures then ask people to pay $2 for each drawing.”
Later, she also tried to sell polymer clay jewelry, but none of these items sold like her rock jewelry sells now. “I decided to try and start my business after I picked up a sheet of 7 by 7 crystals from Earth Bound,” Hannah said. “I then asked people if they would be interested in buying a piece of wire wrapped jewelry, and I got a lot of positive feedback.” Many of her friends and family were very supportive of her during the start of her business, as was her previous math teacher Mary Selcer. “What’s great about her is I’d say I love this rock, and she’d sketch a picture of a design and would then help me figure out something I want,” Selcer said. “Her jewelry is very wide range, and there’s something there for everyone.” Her customization and design of the jewelry is unique too because it stems from the rocks. “I get a lot of my inspiration from the rocks themselves because I see one with a lot personality and then I try to find ways which I can show it off,” Hannah said. Her business is very important to her and each creation has special meaning to her. Every rock has a purpose and every design is unique. Creating all these items can be hard to do while balancing school, but Hannah has managed to balance the two very well. “She’s a great kid,” Selcer said. “Someday we will see her famous.”•
10
Student Life
Friday, Dec. 9, 2016
The Catamount
The Catamount
Teens and E-Cigarettes
E-cigarette popularity climbs among youth demographic despite risk
A recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control shows that E-cigarette use among high school students increased by 61 percent between 2012 and 2013, and the upward trend continues. Amelia Kurk and Tiffany Ha Editor-in-Chief and News Editor *Name changed to protect the student’s identity. Pick a flavor—peach, mocha mist, cherry crush, vivid vanilla, passion fruit or blueberry. It reads like the menu at Bahama Buck’s, but these harmless-sounding, kid-friendly flavors pack more than a sugar rush. They are this month’s most popular E-cigarette cartridge flavors, and they might be in a backpack near you. These days, many students turn to vaping as an alternative to smoking cigarettes. This option has its own disadvantages, but despite the health and legal consequences, students continue to use E-cigarettes. “It wasn’t about the nicotine; it was more just blowing smoke,” current vaper Zack Curtis* said. “It’s just fun.” Though for some, vaping serves as an amusing pastime, the intriguing flavors can hide the actual dangers of this habit. E-cigarettes were previously touted as the safe alternative to cigarettes. But last August, the Food and Drug Administration extended its authority to regulate all electronic nicotine delivery systems after the American Lung Association documented dangerous health risks. “It’s clear to me that we need to be proactive about discouraging teens from using E-cigarettes,” said phy-
sician’s assistant Michelle Lindberg of BCS Heart. “The marketing is aimed at kids with candy-flavored names and sleek-looking devices, but kids need to know that their health is truly at stake, and they do not want to make a lifestyle choice that could give them chronically poor health as they age.” Besides health risks, E-cigarettes can also pose legal problems for users under 18 who are caught with nicotine in their devices. “If caught with nicotine, a student can be charged with minor in possession,” resource officer Rhonda Seaton said, “same as it would be with tobacco. It’s a Class C Misdemeanor.” Students who use E-cigarettes on school grounds risk consequences that can be far-reaching, according to assistant principal Julia Mishler. “The standard consequence is that we’re going to confiscate the device and any paraphernalia,” Mishler said. “We place students in ISS for three days if it is the first offense. If it were to continue to be an issue after that, then we are looking at possible harsher consequences up to and including Venture.” These consequences may be executed more as the appeal of vaping grows among students on the school campus. “[The culture] is really obsessive around vaping,” Curtis said. “For some people, their whole life revolves
around it, and they [will vape] every passing period in the bathroom.” A recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control shows that E-cigarette use among high school students increased by 61 percent between 2012 and 2013, and the upward trend continues. Medical and legal professionals are concerned about the transition from nicotine products to more dangerous substances. “[Vaping] presents itself as a gateway drug just like cigarettes did back in the 1960s,” Mishler said. “People get on that and then move on to marijuana and pills.” Unlike cigarettes, a culture has formed around vaping. Vapers find each other and develop this practice into a social aspect. “It depends on the crowd you’re around. I never really smoked cigarettes with anyone, but vaping is a ‘doing it with people’ thing,” Curtis said. “Cigarettes are pretty lonely.” Though this crowd mentality may provide a safe sense of unity at first, the peer pressure associated with it can lead people blindly into dangerous places quickly. “Some kids will just say, ‘Okay, I can do that because it won’t hurt me,’” Mishler said. “That’s what’s very scary about E-cigarettes in general. Just taking that first puff can open up a whole new ballgame that you weren’t prepared for.”•
Student Life
High teen exposure to E-Cigarette advertising
Teens are more likely to use E-Cigarettes than Cigarettes
7 in 10
16.2%
14.0%
exposed to ads
11.4%
9.5% 6.3% 3.6%
56.3%
52.8%
42.9% 35.8%
8th grade
10th grade Cigarettes
12th grade E-Cigarettes
retail ads
2x as many boys use E-Cigs as girls Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse
S S
internet ads
42.9% 34.6%
34.1%
25.0%
tv/movie ads middle school students
newspaper and magazine ads high school students
11
12
People
Friday, Dec. 9, 2016
The Catamount
cougar fashion
Ty’Asia Hubbard Features Editor
Selling school shirts and supplies, Cougar Den showcases school spirit and excitement that goes into school events. Seniors Falen Williamson and Aaron Calliham find value in the marketing and business experience. “Ultimately it’s a problem and solution class, we assign the class a problem, which is to make money. We try to solve the problem throughout the year with promotion ideas, and keeping track of inventory,” senior Falen Williamson said. Furthermore, marketing and business teacher Kelly Yates acknowledges how staffers earn their grades. “Problem and solutions is a really unique opportunity because students have more freedom in determining what their grades look like,” Yates said. “It’s not based on assignments and tests as much as it is understanding and participation.” However, Yates addresses how students take on a more significant role once on the Cougar Den staff. “There’s a lot of individual responsibility and self-management, so there is a selective process,” Yates said. “Not everyone has that option. They have to show they are able to handle responsibility with money and time.”
Because there are many first year staffers on Cougar Den, Williamson takes on the role of a leader. “I like to consider myself a leader, I’m a returning student to the class, and I’m in charge of making sure everything runs smoothly,” Williamson said. In addition, Calliham said Cougar Den helps develop a sense of responsibility. “I’ve already learned how to become a team player and more of a cooperative member of Cougar Den,” Calliham said. “I can make sure we achieve what we set out to do.” Williamson enjoys being on staff with a diverse group because the diversity allows each staffer to acknowledge other opinions. “We have a wide variety of different characteristics. We all have strong personalities,” Williamson said. “I think it’s good for us to bring new ideas to Cougar Den, it also helps us reach a range of students.” Along with the wide variety of personalities on staff, Cougar Den also has various affordable merchandise on sale in the cafeteria during lunch and advocate. Williamson and Calliham plan on attending Mays Business School through Texas A&M University, using their Cougar Den knowledge.•
Get the look Cougar Den offers a variety of school supplies and items to showcase school spirit.
Spirit store offers business experience through hands-on opportunities
“Fear the Purple” Long sleeve T-shirt
“The Purple School” Tank Top
This long sleeve purple and white t-shirt offers an option for the colder season.
This tank top is a statement of school spirit and is an option for hot summer days.
$10 This short sleeve t-shirt is black with purple, white and grey acccents.
▲Members of Cougar Den open the store during all lunches allowing students to purchase the products they have created. Cougar Den is a student-led class that allows members to experience running a real business. They learn to handle money and how to manage their time. PHOTO BY TY’ASIA HUBBARD
$10
“CS Cougars” T-shirt
$10 These unique socks are purple with black toes and have the CS logo on the front.
$15
Custom socks
Friday, Dec. 9, 2016
The Catamount
People
13
PHOTO OF PHOEBE FU BY DRU PEACOCK
Model UN program provides knowledge of world politics, issues Emelie Gulde Comimittees of United Nations Exectutive Editor College Station High School has a surplus of organizations, many that are hard to find or unrecognized. So much so, that when young sophomore Phoebe Fu went to create a Model UN here, she did not know one was already organized. Now, the school’s Model UN is growing. In comparison to the rest of America, Texas and the south is far behind their program development in Model UN, which is an extremely popular extracurricular in northern states. Other officers for Texas Model UN are from Dallas or Waco, some of the oldest cities in the state. “Even though we are very, very accomplished in sports and academics, we aren’t established in this area yet,” Secretary General of Model UN Senior Phoebe Fu said. During general assembly, Fu addresses about 300 high schoolers participating in various model committees pushing different objectives. These conferences take a lot of dedication, and it is necessary for the officers to meet in person and talk about how the conference can meet its full potential. “The first step into leadership is taking initiative. If you cannot lead yourself, then you cannot lead anyone else,” Fu said. CHANGE Model UN not only helps students become better communicators with others, but also with themselves.
They learn where they stand on issues and what subjects they should be passionate about. “[The students] learn public speaking skills, critical thinking, thinking on your feet, how to listen and how to be a student leader,” Model UN sponsor Stephanie Padgett said. Model United Nations is a simulation of the United Nations and goes through the same procedures, containing the same positions. The students also discuss similar topics and truly behave as if they were representing their respective countries. “During the year we prepare students by helping them research and solve problems from their country’s point of view,” Padgett said. Model UN is about making the best decisions for countries and understanding that those large-scale decisions trickle down to affect each person’s life. “I first started doing charity when I was six years old with my grandmother and that made a huge impact on my life,” Fu said. Now Fu is hoping to change the way students learn and view world issues, and promoting a cohesive atmosphere for teens interested in not just politics but other cultures.•
If you cannot lead yourself, then you cannot lead anyone else. -Phoebe Fu senior and secretary general
Department of General Assembly:
In charge of making sure it is a functional forum.
Department of Economic and Social Council:
Overviews international cooperation for a peaceful world.
Depar tment of Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs: Promotes human rights and peacekeeping.
Department of Peace and Security: Determines existence of threats and takes enforcement measures to maintain peace.
Source: un.org
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People
Friday, Dec. 9, 2016
The Catamount
another one cleans the dust
Volunteers help clean school to compensate for custodial understaffing
The 3:50 bell rings. Students pile out of classrooms from all directions. The halls fill up rapidly and empty just as fast. But on Tuesdays and Thursdays, there is one group of students who do not leave. The members of Sparkle Crew are only just beginning their work. Senior members of NHS Adia Alford, Brandon Fortner and Rae Hughes are just a few of the many members of Sparkle Crew who dedicate their Tuesday and Thursday afternoons to sweeping the staircases and washing the windows in order to assist the understaffed custodial team. “The custodians work so hard, and people don’t treat them the way they should be treated, I just feel like we should help them out,” Hughes said. Sparkle Crew was originally just an idea that came from a brainstorm session at the NHS lock-in at the beginning of the year. “Sparkle Crew has really grown to be one of the true service projects of NHS,” assistant principal Julia Mishler said. The participating students are aware of the lack of custodians and are continually striving to help them complete their everyday jobs. “I can clean something and know that they don’t have to worry about that or have to stay here because they stay here super late,” Alford said. Sparkle Crew’s main goal is to make the jobs of the custodial staff easier, take some weight off their shoulders and to keep up the appearance of
the school. “We do what we can to make their lives a little bit easier,” Fortner said. One of the main drives of this organization is the idea of giving back, not only to the custodians, but to the school. “[Giving back] is important because it’s giving back to people or your school that you really feel like you’re a part of it,” Mishler said. Usually, cleaning the school when the school day is over would not seem appealing to students who have several other responsibilities such as homework, jobs and chores, but Sparkle Crew has found a way to make the work fun. “It doesn’t sound that fun, but when you’re spending time with people you enjoy being around and getting to do something good, it’s fun,” Fortner said. In addition to the enjoyable aspect of the job, members are content knowing that they accomplished something worthwhile after the fact. “Cleaning is really fulfilling, and I can enjoy it with my friends while we help out the school,” Alford said. “It feels nice knowing that [the custodians] don’t have to have that weight on their shoulders.” Overall, Sparkle Crew is putting in hard work and showing that it is okay to care about the appearance of our school, even if they do not receive credit. “Even though it may go unnoticed, and no one may ever realize that the stairs are swept and the windows are cleaned, just knowing that you’re providing a better atmosphere for the people that we share this building with is huge,” Mishler said.•
Senior and NHS ember Jeremy Dudo stays after school to help the custodial staff clean the school. Dudo cleans the library windows while representing Sparkle Crew. PHOTO BY GRACE COSTENBADER
▲
Grace Costenbader Photography Editor
▲ Senior Brandon Fortner sweeps a staircase after school for the Sparkle Crew. He gains school credit hours with NHS for his service. PHOTO BY GRACE COSTENBADER
How To Sign up for sparkle crew Scan this QR code or visit this website: https://www.remind.com/ join/sparkl3
Friday, Dec. 9, 2016
The Catamount
Sports
15
Football program establishes tradition, competes for championship Noe Canchola Sports Editor Texas is often considered the hub for the most competitive high school football across the nation, and with the expectations to produce a winning football program, success does not come easy. For a football program that began five years ago with only freshmen and sophomores, the College Station football team has quickly become one of the most feared in class 5-A. “Being as young as we are, we’ve done a good job at building a culture that our guys really like to be a part of,” senior Mark Wagner said. “Every year, there are a different group of guys with unique personalities, and we all get along. Through that, we’ve been able to build a tradition of winning and a program that people are afraid to play.” Opening the door for a new program can prove to be difficult, but the Cougars have established their own unique traditions. “We have a team dinner which is called Brotherhood every Thursday and sometimes we even have former players come to speak to the current players,” senior Caleb Jackson said. “It’s not just a brotherhood dinner every Thursday, but it’s a brotherhood everyday with these guys.” Since their first year of UIL eligibility in 2014, the Cougar football program has seen a climb in success, improving each season record wise, but as head coach Steve Huff has seen, the success of the football program is attributed to the hard working athletes and coaches. “The base that we have developed to the time a player enters high school, they know high expectations set for them,” Huff said. “Their work habits are already set and they know what is expected of them to make this program successful.” Assistant coach and head powerlifting coach Gregg Frashure has seen the dedication of players, specifically in the weight room, translate into success. “You walk into here at 6:30 in the morning and there will be 70 kids ready to lift, and I don’t know how many oth-
er places you’ll see this anywhere else around the state,” Frashure said. “That dedication and willingness that all our guys have put forth in February, translates into November and success on the field.” It is often very difficult to play at the varsity level being an underclassman, but according to sophomore Luke Gardner, the wait is definitely worth it to play for one of the best programs in 5-A. “My proudest moment as a Cougar was playing in my first playoff game,” Gardner said. “Our football program, but most importantly our school, has really impacted our community in a positive way, and I am just proud to be a part of that, especially as a sophomore.” As a four year letterman and team captain, Wagner prepares to depart the Cougar football program, but he is still reminded of what this program has been able to accomplish in a short amount of time. “My first year we didn’t even have seniors on the team and now younger players look to older players and that just really developed leadership skills,” Wagner said. “I take real pride in being one of the guys who has been able to help get this program started. I love to go around town wearing my purple shirt and showing everyone that I am a College Station Cougar and it’s just special.•
▲ The football team rushes onto the field before their regional semifinal playoff game against Port Neches-Groves High School on Nov. 25. The Cougars defeated the Indians 52-28. PHOTO BY ABBY HOPKINS
on the rise Year
Record
2013
6-3
2014
8-3
2015
10-3
2016
14-0 *
*Current record heading into state semifinals
▲ Junior Marquez Perez (left) stands in the pocket, and junior EJ Mosley (right) tackles a Fort Bend Marshall player on Dec. 2. The Cougars defeated the Buffulos 31-27 and advanced to the Class 5-A state semifinal to play Calallen today at the Alamodome. PHOTOS BY ABBY HOPKINS
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Sports
Friday, Dec. 9, 2016
The Catamount
Fall sports teams earn district titles, advance to playoffs Undefeated football team moves on to fifth round, plays semifinal tonight Noe Canchola Sports Editor Finishing the regular season with a perfect 10-0 record and the outright 18-5A title in their new district, the football team is having their most successful season in the school’s brief history. The Cougars have extended their undefeated record by winning four playoff games and the Region III crown and will be in action tonight in the state semifinal game against Corpus Christi Calallen at the Alamodome in San Antonio. A win would earn them a berth in the Class 5-A Divison II championship game next Friday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington either against Aledo or Poteet.•
Volleyball Under new head coach Kayli Faigle, the volleyball team advanced to the playoffs before being eliminated by Rouse in the area round 25-19, 25-14 and 25-19. The Lady Cougars finished their district schedule with an 10-2 record in District 18-5A and a overall season record of 24-19. •
Cross Country The boys cross country team concluded another successful season with their fifth district championhip and a second-place finish at region, advancing to the state meet in Round Rock. At state, the team was led by senior Zephyr Seagraves, who finished fifth overall and set a school record. Seagraves also finished first at the District 18-5A meet and the Region III meet. The girls cross country team won their fifth consecutive district title and earned the Region III crown. The team finished sixth at the state meet, led by sophomore Stephanie Brown and senior Cayleigh Lekven who placed 41st and 60th respectively.•
►
► Senior Zephyr Seagraves runs at the state meet on Nov. 12 in Round Rock. Seagraves capped off one of the most successful seasons by a Cougar Cross runner with first place finishes in the district 18-A meet and Region III meet. Seagraves also concluded his season with a fifth place finish at state and also with a new school record in the five-kilometer breaking former Cougar Cross runner Jon Bishop’s record. PHOTO BY COURTNEY WELLMANN
▲ Junior wide receiver Harrison Wellmann carries the ballagainst a Port Neches-Groves defender on Nov. 25. Wellmann finished the night with 77 yards receiving on 7 receptions and with one touchdown pass. PHOTO BY ABBY HOPKINS
▲ Sophomore Stephanie Brown runs at the state meet on Nov. 12 in Round Rock. Brown finished 41st overall. PHOTO BY COURTNEY WELLMANN
Senior Lydia Wagner serves a ball in a game against district opponent Temple on Sept. 9. The volleyball team finished the season as the district 185A co-champions with the Lady Vikings and advanced to the playoffs with an overall record of 24-19 before being eliminated by Rouse in the area round. PHOTO BY TY’ASIA HUBBBARD
Friday, Dec. 9, 2016
The Catamount
Underclassmen play vital role on team Ethan Cohen Assistant Sports Editor It is November, and around the state shoes are being laced, sleeves are drawn on and the state’s basketball players begin practice. For head Coach J.D. Sullivan and the Cougar basketball team, it is time to hit the hardwood. “We want to improve on all our goals from last season,” Sullivan said. The desire for improvement this year is shared by both Sullivan and his younger group of players. “My main goal this season is to get farther in the playoffs than our previous team did,” sophomore Cade Kortan said. Last year, Kortan was a standout on the team, as he was the only freshman player on the varsity squad, and his love for basketball shows in his dedication to get better. “I love basketball because it’s a team sport,” Kortan said. “You rely on the other members to succeed.” Kortan views teamwork as the most important part of the game, and it is an aspect that he is confident in with this year’s team. “We really work together well,” Kortan said. “We have great chemistry, and we are all very close.” This year’s team has several underclassmen playing key roles, but Sullivan is confident in their abilities and the way that they work with the older team members to improve on their game. “I’d say the only difference is experience,” Sullivan said. “They became part of the culture that we started at the beginning of the program five years ago.” There is a long road ahead for the boys team, but
▲ Sophomore Cade Kortan dribbles the ball against Navasota on Nov. 8. The Cougars defeated the Rattlers 61-54. The Cougars will begin their district schedule next Friday against Consol. PHOTO BY NOE CANCHOLA Sullivan’s philosophy emphasizes treating each week like the most important they’re about to play. “We treat every single game like it’s a playoff game,” Sullivan said.•
Lady Cougar hoops strives for success Ethan Cohen Assistant Sports Editor The Lady Cougar basketball season is already in full swing, and the team has lofty aspirations. “Our goal for this season is to be state champions,” head coach Megan Symank said. This is a very high goal, but it is one shared by both Symank and her players. “My main goal for this season would be to make it to state,” sophomore post Sierra Reismeier said. As difficult as this may be, the
team has great confidence in themselves. “We have learned to play really well with each other,” she said. “We can tell when we’re going to get a pass or who is going to drive.” Reismeier conveyed that she sincerely values the team aspect of the game, and this year’s team members have forged incredibly strong bonds with one another. “My favorite part of the sport is being part of a team,” Reismeier said. “We have created great friendships from being around each other so much.” Symank also has high praise
for the way her players work as a team. “Each player is valuable to this team. Each individual brings something that makes our team what it is,” Symank said. “They are incredibly unselfish.” The basketball season is just beginning, and there are many hours of practices, close games and exhausting tournaments ahead, but it is clear that the Lady Cougars are eagerly awaiting to face good competition. “I look forward to playing any team that’s going to challenge us,” Reismeier said.•
Sports
17
NFL head injuries remain a controversial issue It is one of the most terrifying, yet often occurrence a fan can witness on a Sunday afternoon: the sight of an NFL player aimlessly attempting to recollect himself following a hit to the Noe Canchola head. For many players, the initial reaction is to continue playing, but in an age where head injuries are being investigated as a possible link to fatal brain diseases, concussion research and protocol must be addressed further at the professional level. Over the last few years, the NFL has faced scrutiny for failing to acknowledge the repercussions of football-related head injuries. In a recent study released in 2015, 88 of 91 former NFL players from almost every position who donated their brains for further study of brain injuries tested positive for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, otherwise known as CTE. However, the league has at least tried to address the issue of concussions. They have taken several initiatives to prevent potentially fatal head injuries. The most notable action came last year, when the NFL reached a settlement to award up to five million dollars to any retired player with serious brain diseases, including, but not limited to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or CTE. But with so much research devoted to CTE and millions of dollars being spent to make sure players are protected with the necessary equipment, will CTE and head injuries being eliminated from the game ever become a reality? The most honest truth is that the league may never resolve its concussion and CTE problem. Last year, the NFL had an increase of 32 percent of diagnosed concussions with a total of 271, and this season looks to be on track to repeat those numbers. Bennet Omalu, a neuropathologist and discoverer of the CTE disease says that “no equipmentment can prevent this type of injury,” and this should come as no surprise. It does not take a neurologist to figure out that repeated blows to the head with a force of a car accident will cause possible lifelong trauma. Unfortuanately, concussions will always be a part of the game, but it is important to note that players voluntarily accept these risks for the fan’s entertainment. However, with better advancements in medical science, the NFL should continue to work on its CTE research and flawed concussion protocol to make sure that when a player finally decides to retire, he should not have to worry about the mental and fatal repercussions associated with football-related injuries.•
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Entertainment
Friday, Dec. 9, 2016
The Catamount
HIT THE
BOOKS
Staffers review bookstores in College Station BCS BOOKS AND COMICS
HALF PRICE BOOKS
Kalindi Desai Managing Editor
Ty’Asia Hubbard Features Editor
When I pulled up to BCS BookS and Comics on the corner of Texas Avenue and Inwood Drive, which is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12-8 p.m., I was taken aback by the appearance of the store. It was an old, rundown house with some of the windows boarded up and trash off to one side. Immediately I was turned off by the looks of this place. On the inside though, they had a wide selection of comics and videogames that were relatively cheap. I’m not super into those types of things, so this aspect of the store didn’t do much for me either. But, if you are a big fan of classic, older comics, you might consider checking this place out to find some things for you. Overall, BCS Books and Comics was not my favorite place. Its unattractive and unkempt appearance was far from what I was expecting. All in all, if you’re looking for a quaint, quiet and comfortable bookstore, this place is not for you.•
Who doesn’t love a good book, especially an affordable one? You typically don’t hear the word cheap in a town such as College Station, but when looking for “All Quiet on the Western Front,” “To Kill a Mockingbird,” or other required literature assigned by English teachers, I’ve stumbled upon Half Price Books. With only one location in town, which is on 1505 University Dr. E in a shopping center, Half Price Books doesn’t go unrecognized with the bright red sign right on top of the building. As soon as you walk into the store, you may feel overwhelmed by all the book cases right in front of you or all the vinyls stacked on a shelf in the front section of the store. Going in my first time I had no clue where exactly to go, so I wandered around and found interesting aspects of the store. For example, a feature that stood out to me was the journal collection. As you enter on your far right, near the checkout station, there are some really creative journals that you can purchase. I recently bought a journal with a newspaper background splattered with paint and covered in butterflies. Another feature that contributes to the store characteristics is past magazines sold for lower prices that date back to the 1990s and possibly earlier on. Although recognized for their affordable prices, the store also has some drawbacks. For example, if you’re looking to sell an old book you are not able to get as much for it considering they might have a lot of them stocked or if that’s just the worth of the book. If you are set on item to purchase, maybe have a backup plan due to the store being well-known for its cheap prices and familiarity with the students’ reading list. The overall experience at Half Price Books was a beneficial and very pleasing one. I plan on visiting more often.•
ED’S BOOKSHOP Tiffany Ha News Editor Curling up with a good book is a favorite winter pastime among many. In search for my next read, I visited Ed’s Bookshop located near the historic Carnegie Library in downtown Bryan. The owners, Ed Davis and his wife, are very welcoming upon entering the store. Ed’s former occupation as a middle school history teacher draws in old students, including myself, and gives them a glimpse inside their middle school teacher’s mind. The selection of used Texana, West and 20th century history books are not ones that younger audiences would typically gravitate towards, but these do reflect the experience and sophisticated taste of the owner and also attract an entirely different audience. The small store has the ambience of telling the story of someone who has lived a full life. The decorations are minimal yet homey. Ed even has a collection of handmade bookmarks made by local artists on display for sale by a window. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, and on Tuesday by appointment, this is definitely a great place to visit if you’re looking for a new local business to explore and support.•
Friday, Dec. 9, 2016
The Catamount
Magic
in the
Entertainment
19
Air
Performing parlor tricks to showcase talents provides enjoyment for others Alina Dhanani Opinions Editor A thundering, immediate silence reverberates through the air because what happens next in this trick even the eyes cannot comprehend. Hoping to avoid any distractions, the audience’s eyes inescapably remain locked at the intricate hand of cards. In the world of magic and its mysteries, this locked fascination and many responses like it are what senior and juggler Amanda Isaacks and a few of her peers not only revel in, but take pride in. “Intricacy in magic is what really captures people and creates that enchantment,” Isaacks said. “[The audience] might just want to enjoy it and that’s where this appeal really lies. It’s rare and immediately attention-catching.” Often the stories of these magicians begin as a child, witnessing clever illusions and ingenious trickery. “One time my friend pulled out this deck of cards and did a really cool trick. From then on, I just wanted to learn new tricks and spread the wonder,” junior and card illusionist Greyson Cashion said. However, for some, their starts can begin just by chance. “My dad once brought home professional juggling balls. I saw them and he asked if I wanted to learn and that’s when the magic really started,” Isaacks said. Their beginnings aside, ultimately, these magicians are fascinated with the idea of entertaining. “Whenever I do magic tricks, I feel cool because it’s these treasured secrets that not many know how to do,” junior and card illusionist Malakai Heinicke said.
“There’s always that hat full of magic tricks that you can instantly pull its metaphorical bunny out of and show people.” Not only have these public performances encouraged the spread of magic, but they have also raised self-esteem. “I’m naturally an anxious person, and juggling gave me a platform to show my confidences and prove to people exactly what I could do,” Isaacks said. In the midst of the numerous advantages magic holds, Isaacks admits that details is magic’s greatest evil and that by focusing on details, one is essentially losing the once sought feeling magic dominates in us. “It’s really just about finding joy in small things,” Isaacks said. “I believe that magic is a communal way in which we can come together and all share this one emotion: pure wonder.” For each of these magicians, they believe it all came down to one reason why they do magic: keeping the spirit of magic alive and the fire of magic ablaze. With this, there is often a new defining factor in fascination. “Entertainment and fascination are essentially the same thing. The only difference I can see is with fascination. It drives the audience to want to attempt,” physics teacher and juggler John Gerzik said. As these magicians pull out their decks and juggling balls, they all uniquely turn to magic to keep that spirit of childhood alive. “When I do magic, I just hope my audience can get a little reminder of what it was like to be a kid and not have to know what actually happened, but believe in that very principle of magic,” Cashion said. “It’s things like this we should always keep within us.”•
the History of Magic: Circa 40 CE
Simon Magus falls to his death while levitating.
1000 to 1500
The Middle Ages where much magic was still associated with the occult and witchcraft.
1720
Isaac Fawlkes performs card tricks and presents impressionists and contortionists as part of his shows.
To spread the joy of magic, senior Amanda Isaacks shows off her juggling skills. PHOTO BY ALINA DHANANI
▲
1997
1805
Jean Eugene Robert- Houdinithe father of modern magic- brings magic ftrom the streets to elegant stages.
Val Valentino, the Masked Magician, provokes controversy by exposing by secrets on Fox TV. David Blaine brings “street magic” to America.
20
Etc.
The Catamount
Friday, Dec. 9, 2016
‘tis the season
Cultural differences highlight spirit of holiday Dru Peacock Entertainment Editor Trees, lights, presents, candy canes and Santa Claus is what one normally thinks of when it comes to the holidays. Families gathered around the tree tearing wrapping paper from long awaited gifts, setting out cookies for the visitor that will soon slide down the chimney, watching Elf for the hundredth time are all traditions that we look forward to throughout the year. Along with these customs, students incorporate their own cultural practices to celebrate the holiday season. “We kind of do the same thing with setting up the tree and getting presents for each other, but we don’t do the whole story of Jesus because we are in a different religion. However, we do everything else the same,” sophomore Apekshya Nepal said. In addition to celebrating Christmas, each culture has their own take on the holiday season, including the celebrations of Diwali, St. Nicholas Day and Novena. “We’d have this thing called novenas in Columbia. Nine days before Christmas starts, we pray every day and, every now and then, we’d go to people’s houses. It’s a celebration where we bring food, and it’s really nice,” junior Dana Ramirez said. Sophomore Mary Shandley also said that she celebrates a German
holiday called St. Nicholas Day, where children put notes in their stockings before Christmas and then the next morning there are presents inside. “I’m not really German at all, but I’ve just been affected by the culture because I’ve been immersed in it when we’ve lived there,” Shandley said. “We celebrate Christmas normally like with American traditions, we just incorporate a little bit of German things.” A holiday that both Nepal, junior Ishwar Balakrishna and other Hindus celebrate is Diwali, the festival of lights, that occurs in October. “I’m a Hindu, so we have a holiday called Diwali that’s a month before [Christmas], so that’s what we really celebrate. We celebrate Christmas, just not the religious aspect,” Balakrishna said. Many students still celebrate Christmas despite believing in different religions because of the mass commercialization of the holiday. “[The commercialization] hypes it up a lot. Even if you’re not religious, chances are you’re still going to celebrate it just because of how much it’s pressured to celebrate it,” Ramirez said. Nonetheless, Christmas is still viewed as a time for celebration, traditions and time with loved ones. “I think Christmas is a time for family, as cliche as that sounds, because I think it’s really important to spend time with family,” Balakrishna said. “I think it’s a good time to slow down and just think about what we’re doing.”•
Celebrating the Holiday La Novena The use of German Christmas Pyramid is popular in celebrating St. Nicholas Day decorated with candles at the bottom and fan blades at the top to propel it around.
To celebrate Diwali, the festival of light, Hindus use firecrackers for celebration.
Columbians use”La Novena,” a religoius book, during Novena for praying.
Sources: Mary Shandley, Dana Ramirez and Ishwar Balakrishna