Catamount
the
Vol. 2 No. 5 Friday, May 16, 2014
College Station High School
Beauty
4002 Victoria Ave. College Station, Texas 77845
Junior Jaxxon Grrisham and the Cougar baseball team will play Waco Robinson tonight for the regional quarter finals. See more on page 14.
is in the Eye of the Beholder
Cosmetics influence personal views of beauty by Megan Paradowski Editor-In-Chief Many people say technology is taking over American citizens’ lives, but makeup is also a huge part of this generation’s lifestyle. Is makeup a mask for women or merely a form of self-expression? Sophomore Anna Solcher and freshman Kalen Wootan gave up makeup for Lent this year, hoping to discover the answer to these questions. “I realized that I found worth in other people’s opinions of me,” Solcher said. “I believe that I was created in the image of God, and I shouldn’t have to change that.” Photo by Megan Paradowski
continued on page 3
Index News
pages 2-5
Opinions
pages 6-8
People
pages 9-13
Sports
pages 14-17
Entertainment
pages 18-20
Junior Bailey Wooten and the Steel-Toed Stilettos practice roller derby at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Bryan for a match on April 27. See more on page 9.
Junior Kaleigh Syler and freshman Braden Yosko perform the trombone section of “I Wanna be Like You” from Disney’s “The Jungle Book”. See more on page 12.
2 News ● The Catamount
Cougar News
Friday, May 16, 2014
UIL One-Act Play advances to state
The UIL One-Act company competed at the regional meet on May 2 at Brenham High School. The team perfomed along with five other schools to earn the privilege of claiming a state spot. College Station’s play, “The Miracle Worker” and an additional play advanced. In addition to now being ranked one of in the top eight 3A One-Act plays in the state, many cast members earned individual acting awards at the regional level including best actress, Kayla Kurmaskie; all-star cast, Kathleen Finch and Marcus Nealy; and Honorable Mention All-Star Cast, Alexander Sanchez. The state competition will be held in Austin on the University of Texas campus on May 18-21.●
Junior receives overseas scholarship
Junior Sarah Lenox will spend six weeks in Japan over the summer. This includes staying with a host family and attending school in order to become fully immersed in the culture. Lenox applied for the scholarship through the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). Lenox is one of 14 other students to be granted the honor to study abroad.● ▲Members of the UIL academic team celebrate their numerous victories at the regional meet on Saturday, May 3rd. Their accolades include first place number sense, science and mathematics teams, second place calculator and accounting teams and third place computer science team.From left to right, front row: Will Cholett, Samantha Villalobos, Eugene Tian, Kelly Zhang, Megan Clark-Tchen, Jiatao Liang and Diana Hajali. Middle row: Phoebe Fu, Tessa Johnson, Ellen Wang, Elmira Adili, Teshan Fernando and Rohit Madhav. Back row: BJ Kim, Jason Tan, Hongsen Qin, Zach Russel, Annie Liang, Zoë de Beurs, Alexandra Pratt, Jamie Roberman, Fiona Cohen and Sebastian de Beurs. The teams are coached by Chad Lehrmann, Casey Akin and Courtney Wellmann. Photo by Chad Lehrmann●
Catamount earns Bronze Star The newspaper staff was awarded a Bronze Star from the Interscholastic Leaugue Press Conference. This places the publication in the top five percent of school papers state-wide as one of only 22 schools that recieved a Star Award. Members of The Catamount Staff include Megan Paradowski, Kayla Kurmaskie, Rachel Grant, Julie Potrykus, Lily Parsi, Lisa Liu, Brianna Aguilar, Fiona Cohen, Zoё de Beurs, Alex Miller, Becky Nam and David Rambo. The newspaper is advised by Courtney Wellmann and Teresa Laffin.●
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!”
The Catamount ● News
Friday, May 16, 2014
Teens make up their mind on controversial cosmetic issue continued from page 1 Before Lent, Solcher wore makeup to school almost every day. “When I wear makeup, I have more confidence because it accentuates natural beauty,” Solcher said. “I shouldn’t, but I do.” For Wootan, putting makeup on in the morning was a routine. “Giving it up for Lent made me realize that it was a part of me,” Wootan said. Wootan hopes to show others that it is okay not to wear makeup. “I hope that girls realize that they don’t need it to be beautiful,” Wootan said. “You should find beauty in your confidence and how God created you.” Junior Steven Smith holds similar opinions. “I like it better when girls wear less makeup,” Smith said. Although Smith appreciates when girls look put together, he does not believe that makeup should be worn as a mask. “It’s cool when girls are comfortable in their own skin,” Smith said. “Too much makeup can make them look plastic and fake.”
Junior Jillian Volkmar said that she wears makeup as a form of self-expression. Volkmar often does not wear makeup because she doesn’t feel like putting in the effort. “I personally believe that makeup has nothing to do with self-confidence or how you feel about yourself,” Volkmar said. “I think it’s just a reflection of your artistic abilities.” Volkmar’s boyfriend, junior Thomas Torres, says he typically doesn’t notice when Volkmar is or is not wearing makeup. “I don’t think girls have to wear makeup all the time,” Torres said. “If it makes them feel better, then I’m totally for it, but if they don’t think they need to, then I don’t think they need to.” Volkmar agrees. “If you feel like you have to wear makeup, that’s okay,” Volkmar said. “It’s just an addition to your personality. There’s nothing wrong with wearing makeup, and there’s nothing wrong without wearing makeup.” Smith admitted that a girl’s use of makeup can affect his willingness to pursue a relationship. “If I see a girl with tons of makeup on, I might think she’s hot, but I wouldn’t want to date her,” Smith said. “If I date someone, I want them to be
comfortable and pretty without makeup on, too.” Currently trending in the media is the “No Makeup Challenge,” where girls do not wear makeup for one month. This is a challenge for girls that feel like they have to wear makeup all the time. “Any girl that feels like they have to wear makeup to fit in should try the no makeup challenge,” Volkmar said. Volkmar added that if you want to take on the no makeup challenge, you should get a small group to do it with you for support. Volkmar is willing to participate should anyone ask her to. “Your value does not lie in your appearance,” Solcher said. Volkmar agrees. “If you feel good about yourself, that’s what matters,” Volkmar said.●
3
Friday, May 16, 2014
4 News ● The Catamount
Seven Skills USA students advance to national competition by Zoë de Beurs Staff Reporter Culinary, carpentry, cosmetology, leadership, engineering, robotics and computer applications shape the Skills USA competition. In this wide variety of arts, seven students are even advancing to nationals. These students will represent the Lone Star State on June 25 and 26 in Kansas City. “I’m very pleased [they’re going to nationals],” said Stephen Green, Skills USA adviser. “It’s really cool that [the Interactive Game Design students] were able to put all that together and get first at state, which is a pretty big deal. Because if you’re the best in the state of Texas, you’re pretty much the best in the United States.” The purpose of Skills USA is to prepare students for the workforce and to create leaders.Within the competitions, team members with different skills work together. In the Interactive Game Design Team, which is going to nationals, sophomore Tyler Johnson, and freshmen Pablo Villalobos and Kelvin Wang created the technical part of their game Batventures. On the other hand, Samantha Villalobos directs the financing and marketing. Although other teams at state made impressive games, Batventures advanced as the team combined their strengths. “A lot of the games [had] intense 3-D stuff,” Pablo Villalobos said, “We went for a 2-D game, but we still managed to win because of our sales pitch.” Indirectly, Skills USA members assist each other through stimulating environment. Samantha Villalobos describes how junior John Cassler did an outstanding
job. Cassler won first place in Jobs Skill Demonstration and advanced to nationals. In this competition, Cassler gave a 7-minute presentation on a speed square. “John had just been competing for his carpentry competition before he presented his skill,” Samantha Villalobos said. “When he came up, he was sweaty and exhausted from hitting hammers for seven hours. His arm was stiff, but he still got first place, and he got second place in carpentry. He is amazing.” These amazing accomplishments also arise in Audio Video competitions. Johnson explains how the stress and pressure have positive effects on the results. “It turned out to be a better product [because of] the atmosphere. To sit down and work for 12 straight hours was really intense. I ended up drinking three Monsters,” Johnson said. The astonishing results inspire Green to spread the stimulating competitions to his own classroom. “[The performance of the students] makes me want to entice my own students by providing prizes for the best project. There is a lot of motivation involved with being in a contest. It’s a good atmosphere to be in,” Green said. In spite of the emphasis on competition, the Skills members also participate to improve for next year. “The atmosphere is really motivating,” junior Ricky Greenwade said. “Everybody is in a good mood and ready to compete. They’re all excited. Nobody is mad about losing; you’ll just improve to go next year.” Green describes how watching other people’s proj-
ects can also lead to personal improvements. “Looking at other people’s work is one of the best ways to develops skills,” Green said. “[It is] taking leaves out of people’s books and maybe using that next time.” A student discovering new skills delights Eric Pesak, Skills USA adviser. “[Seeing them developing as a person] gets me excited,” Pesak said. “They don’t even realize that they’re learning.” Cassler transformed from being quiet to National Bound acting goofy and making jokes Interactive Game during the Jobs Skills Presentation. Design “[Cassler] has - Tyler Johnson confidence be- Kelvin Wang cause [he proba- Samantha bly knows] Villalobos more than Mr. - Pablo Villalobos Swanson, who invented the speed square in 1928,” Pesak said. Robotics In the future, Kelvin Wang, like & Automation many Skills USA members, hopes to - Aric & Hunter spread and improve his creations. Ziegelmann “We want to make [Batventures] available on every market: on the comJobs Skills puter, phones, whatever we can play it on. If the printer could play it, we Demonstration would put it on a printer,” Wang said. ● - John Cassler
Check the Spring Final Exam Schedule! Exam Exemption cards will be available during all lunches the week of May 19-23 and will close on May 27.
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Friday, May 16, 2014
The Catamount
● News 5
Grasp of language unlocks freedom of expression by Fiona Cohen Assistant Editor
For freshman Srna Sunik, learning a language has never been difficult. This is due, in part, to the fact that she has already gained fluency in four languages (English included). “When we were growing up, [my brothers and I] would learn to mix Macedonian, Serbian, my mother’s language, and English, so it’s kind of hard to tell which one we learned first,” Sunik said. After her parents met in Macedonia, they relocated to the United States to pursue a different lifestyle. Sunik was born in New York, but says that language has always been a part of her cultural identity. “I know I’m not fully American,” Sunik said. “[Speaking Serbian] is a reminder of my family, to know where I come from.” Actively using the languages of her heritage allows Sunik the opportunity to both express and maintain her cultural values, a sentiment shared by freshman Anastasia Nekrashevych and sophomore Maxim Zelenko. “Let’s say one day I come home and start speaking strictly English,” Zelenko said. “That would be just unusual. I wouldn’t be able to stand that. I would want to go back to speaking Russian.” Zelenko, having lived in Israel until the age of three, spent several years of his childhood in Italy. There he learned English, Hebrew and the spoken language of Italian. “Ideally [language learning] would be best if you could learn as you did when you were a child: immersed in language-rich surroundings where the language acquisition ‘just happens,’” French teacher Susan Baillie said.
Immersion in a language has proven to increase the speed of comprehension and speaking development significantly as compared to learning in a classroom setting. Nekrashevych became familiar with the German language through a combination of both experiences, having lived in Germany for several years, and supplemented with lessons after moving away. “I began speaking German when I was three, so I
Languages on the Map 6.
5. 1. 2.
3. 4.
1. Italian 2. Macedonian 3. Serbian 4. Hebrew 5. German 6. Russian developed it and don’t have an accent when I speak it,” she said. Learning the language naturally allowed Nekrashevych to gain the fundamental understanding of a native speaker, and grammar lessons later on helped her maintain fluency. Zelenko experienced similar circumstances in learning English and reflects on the importance of learning language amongst peers. “When you’re in a class you don’t get to experience
the nature of a language as much as if you were in an environment where you have to learn that language in order to survive,” Zelenko said. Learning languages from both his parents and classmates led to his quick mastery of both Russian and Italian. Nekrashevych, like Zelenko and Sunik, constantly speaks her first language with her parents and sibling. “At home it’s basically a rule to speak Ukrainian,” Nekrashevych said. The ability to practice her native language has strengthened Nekrashevych’s bond with her family, allowing them to live in what she refers to as their “bubble.” “When I’m talking to my mom in the grocery store I can bring up anything,” Nekrashevych said. Maintaining a form of communication that is most often restricted to Nekrashevych and her family has allowed them to be more open with one another. “Language becomes a zone of comfort where you feel able to express yourself completely,” Baillie said. “When you live surrounded by another language, you often find your range of expression to be limited by what you are able to say rather than by what you truly feel.” The transition into a foreign and alien environment is daunting to anyone. However, after developing the language skills in order to assimilate, one must fight to preserve his or her native tongue. “Usually if you learn a language as a child, and you keep it for eighteen years, it tends to stick with you, even if you don’t try hard to keep it,” Sunik said. Sunik plans to continue to communicate with her family over Skype when she leaves for college, continuing to exercise her use of the languages she speaks. Both Nekrashevych and Zelenko echoed this interest. “It’s a natural thing,” Zelenko said. ●
13-14 Cougar Pride Yearbooks are here! Distribution Party Thursday, May 22 during lunch outside the LGI for students who pre-paid for books. Still need to buy a copy? The remaining books will be available for $75 beginning Friday, May 23 in room 2120 during lunch/advocate. Make checks payable to CSHS Yearbook.
Available for catering, private parties, and special events For more information contact Catherine Parsi M. Ed.
phone: 979-694-5800 email: cparsi@csisd.org
6 News ● The Catamount
Friday, May 16, 2014
Pressbox offers alternative perspective for student PA
THE CAT’S EYE VIEW staff editorial Societal standards should not dictate personal self expression The question of the true definition of beauty seems to be answered in a plethora of ways, from photographs containing “beautiful” models malnourished and airbrushed to death, to ads upon ads detailing the products you can buy or the clothes you can wear to look just like a famous celebrity who buys the same merchandise. It is easy to be fooled by the illusion of marketing into becoming a clone that speaks, walks and acts just like every other young American citizen. Self-expression is defined as the expression of one’s feelings, thoughts or ideas in writing, art, music or dance. The true definition of this term goes much deeper than that and can include but is not limited to, expression through popular mediums such as tattoos or make up, two topics covered in this issue. Once an individual begins to express themselves in this way, controversy follows. Some may say large amounts of makeup equal insecurity or tattoos are for unsuccessful people. Harsh judgment commonly occurs from one’s own insecurity, and people lash out at others differences. It is easy to feel like being different is not the “cool thing” to do, but the answer is quite the opposite. Young people should feel free to express themselves, without discrimination against them. Originality of a teen’s feelings or beliefs should be praised, not looked down upon. This is a good way to express what your own ideas of beautiful mean, from wearing red lipstick and styling your hair every day to never wearing makeup and only featuring your natural beauty. Or, tattoos tell a story about you, a clear way to showcase the battles you’ve fought or the experiences you’ve dealt with. Challenge yourself every day to only do what makes you feel beautiful, not what society tells you to do.
2013-2014 Newspaper Staff Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Senior Editor Executive Editor Opinions Editor Features Editor Assistant Editors Staff Reporters Graphic Artists Faculty Adviser Assistant Adviser
Megan Paradowski Kayla Kurmaskie Rachel Grant Julie Potrykus Lily Parsi Lisa Liu Brianna Aguilar and Fiona Cohen Alex Miller and Zoe de Beurs Becky Nam and David Rambo Courtney Wellmann Teresa Laffin
Alex Miller The microphone is a powerful item. Whatever you say is heard by everyone and you cannot change what you say. A rush goes through me as I begin to introduce the starting lineups for the opposing team. When Coach Holder asked me if I would be interested in being the PA for the Varsity baseball team this year, I gladly said yes. Last season, I was the voice of the JV team, but now I moved up to the big leagues. While struggling to play music, run the scoreboard, and talk into the mic sometimes, I always looked forward to walking into the Press Box when I was about to call a game. From car alarms and breaking glass sound effects when there is a foul ball hit, to the deafening police siren I play when we hit a home run, I try my best to make the atmosphere at the Cougar Ballpark like no
other. One of the best parts of it is pronouncing the names of the visiting players. I do not know if y’all have ever been to Caldwell, but if you can go there and say everyone’s name correctly the first time, you deserve a million dollars. The people in the Press Box make the games fun for me as well. Between visits from coaches, my friends Tim and George, as well as parents from the other team who complain about some of my side comments, it is an attraction of its own besides the game itself. I have all the power in the world up there, only controlled by about seven buttons. Plus, I get to watch the best high school baseball team in the state of Texas all for free. Although the home b a s e b a l l schedule is over for now, I know that there are still two more years to come for me to entertain the Cougar Nation at the games. Those cold February scrimmages and packed district games will be placing themselves onto a future schedule. Until then, I will be patiently waiting, coming up with new ways to make the games more eventful than they already are.●
I try my best to make the
atmosphere at the Cougar Ballpark like no other.
View of the Pride: Does makeup change the public’s perception of women?
YES
“Absolutely. The only perception of women that people consider to recognize is feminity, and makeup is a key element to that idea.” -Danna Bader, 9 “Some women are dependent on makeup and feel they’re not beautiful without it.” -Aidan Parsi, 11
“If you truly think a woman is beautiful, it shouldn’t matter what they’re wearing.” -Garrett Grant, 9 “Most women aren’t as affected by other women not wearing makeup. It’s less of a shock for women than men.” -Dorothy Hudson, 10
NO
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) and a winner of the ILPC’s Bronze Star award in 2014.
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. Molley Perry, Director of Special Services, 1812 Welsh, Suite 120, College Station, Texas 77840 (979-764-5433) has been designated to coordinate compliance with the nondiscrimination. requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Friday, May 16, 2014
The Catamount
Former ideals, views change with time coming up with crazy schemes to accomplish all this. I could probably form a pact with some friends to make it extra dramatic, à la Phineas and Ferb meets Adventureland meets American Pie. I could probably get all those things done and finish in the nick of time, and the movie would culminate in a triumphant shot of me parallel parking as I arrive at my job, a boyfriend sitting Lisa Liu next to me and tears of joy streaming down my face at the realization of those seventh grade dreams. I distinctly remember being 12 years old and wishing But do I really want to do that? Um, no. I like to to be 16. 16, I had thought, was the magic number—it think of my life as less of a mediocre cliché teen movie was an age young enough that the future, full of taxes and more of a mediocre indie flick, one in which the and retirement funds and probably cubicles, was still far protagonist (me) learns life lessons through a series of away, but it was old enough that I was sure to have my life artfully framed shots and pretentious metaphors. At the sorted out by then. Man, I remember thinking to myself, end of this movie, the camera would pan slowly across 16 is gonna be great. I’ll have a job, I’ll have the wreckage of the car that I had crashed a boyfriend and I’ll be able to drive. during my driving test, finally pausing I’m 16 now. I don’t have a job, and I on me as the realization hits—I don’t definitely don’t have a boyfriend. I guess care any more about those predictions I can kind of drive, but I only have my I made years ago. After this epiphany, I permit, and driving reminds me of my would get out of the smoking car, walk impending adulthood so I tend to avoid dramatically away, and move to New practicing. I’m not sure if that counts. York to take taxis for the rest of my life. Art by Becky Nam All this has been on my mind because Unnecessary movie analogies aside, in about four months I’ll turn 17, and so far, only one— I’ve realized that I don’t meet the standards that my okay, like half of one—of the three expectations I set for younger self set, and I’m okay with this. What I valued myself as a 12-year-old has come true. I have four very in middle schools no longer affects me, and I’m sure that short months to do my optimistic seventh-grade self some of the things that are currently important won’t stay proud. Only four months. that way for long. And, even if they do, I’m only 16. I suppose that if my life were a mediocre, cliché teen Besides, I’m sure that I’ll have it all together when movie, I could spend those summer months frantically I’m 20. ●
QUESTION of the ISSUE: How much are you spending for prom? 23% GIRLS
30% 30% 24% 24% 24% 24%
$0 - $50 vs 39% $50 - $150 vs 37% $150 - $300 vs 20% $300+ vs 4%
OVERHEARD Who is your favorite substitute teacher? “Mr. Hannett because he has a British accent, and I like to hear him talk.” Abby McIntyre, sophomore
“Mr. Allen. He’s nice and reminds me of my grandpa.” Steele Fancher, junior
“Mr. Fairleigh. He was in a commercial, so he’s basically a celebrity, which makes me one too for knowing him.” Diyor Sattarov, sophomore
“Ms. Colson because she is fun and she knows how to teach certain subjects without confusing the whole class.” C.J. Manyame, freshman
DAILY GRIND
G U YS
277 students surveyed
● Opinions 7
“GUYS, LOOK AT MY MOVES”
By: David Rambo
8 Opinions ● The Catamount
Friday, May 16 2014
Encouragement can lead to success
Rachel Grant It seemed like any other day; I was sitting in one of my classes as my teacher called the roll. Then it hit me, everything felt exactly like a movie. Typical teenager who goes to high school then college and has a conflict… but I realized that there is potential in everyone to be different and stand out from the rest. Not everyone has the same ideas or thoughts, and there is something different that drives us all. Realizing it is good to be different and to want to be different made me start to think of things in a new way that had
a big impact on me. What if people were nicer to each other? Stopped calling each other “loser” and telling each other they “suck” or putting them down? Instead, the students should encourage each other to excel and be themselves. I’ve observed a lot of people using harsh words and being negative towards one another more than ever lately.
out and don’t be afraid to make your own mark. You are only in high school once so do not be afraid to live it to the fullest and get the best experience out of it while showing others all of your special talents. Those abilities are what make you special. Even though our high school years may seem like a big deal now, it is only four years of lives. Compared to the rest of life, it is only a small portion. Make other memories of you r fond ones by being considerate of others feelings. So, next time you are speaking negatively art by Becky Nam towards someone, think about Because of this, some the long term effects that it has on him or may feel afraid to be themselves or try her and how even a few simple words can something new that they could love. Stand make a world of difference to a person. ●
Lost friendship results from move Kayla Kurmaskie About a month ago, I received a much-awaited phone call from Florida. After weeks of trying to get in touch, my closest friend from my old hometown was finally calling me back. I had so much to tell her! My life was finally in a really good place again, and I was at peace with the world with the exception of a bad math grade. I was not entirely prepared for what she had to tell me. My best friend of over 15 years, literally since birth, no longer wanted to maintain contact with me. No matter what questions I asked or compromises I proposed, she remained steadfast in her decision. No contact. No phone calls. No emails. No texts. Nothing. Admittedly, we had both been changing ever since I moved, but I thought that despite inevitably growing apart with time and distance, the bonds we had forged in our childhood and adolescence would withstand whatever life could throw at them at the dawn of
adulthood. I thought wrong. She assured me that she had no hard feelings against me and that there was nothing I could do to change her mind. I continued to ask questions, trying to gauge where she was coming from, but all of her answers were convoluted and unsatisfactory. The final words we spoke were our final I love you’s and then I hung up without another word. I am hurt, angry, but most of all, I feel incredibly used. Years of tears, hugs, phone calls and friendship were taken away from me with a few words. How could she say she loved me only to hang up and never speak to me again? I would never have done the same to her, so why did she do this to me? Am I really worth that little to someone? Thinking about her still stings. I’m not sure the wound she left with her departure will ever heal. The scars will always remain. I would like to think that some day I’ll get a call from her apologizing, asking if we can start over. Even if that does happen, our relationship would never be the same. The intimate trust we had in each other would be gone, and there would be a weird feeling of guilt art by Becky Nam that would never leave. So, in the meantime, I will move past it. I will treasure the time we had, but focus on the now. I will value the love I have and not the love that has been lost. ●
Voices What tattoo would you get? “An arrow as a reminder to keep moving forward.”
Bryanna Decker, junior
“A cross on my wrist to remind me that God is always with me.” Abby McIntyre, sophomore
“A broadway mask with a musical note”
Mitchell Bradford, sophomore
“A flowery ankle tattoo in honor of my Hawaiian culture” Kailee Kema, junior
“I want to be in the military, so dog tags on my rib cage.” Zach Russell, junior
“A Cougar holding a Texas flag.” Mike Martindale, principal
The Catamount ● People
Friday, May 16, 2014
Skateof Mind Roller d erby in
spires in
by Lisa Liu Features Editor
Their nicknames range from “Jammit Janet” to “Hips N’ Salsa.” They fall often, but they wear their bruises proudly (some even name them). A few have tattoos; others, hair dyed shades like red and violet. Twice a week, these women meet to practice and let loose on the rink. Is all of this a scene out of “Whip It”? Close, but not quite. These are the Steel-Toed Stilettos, the Brazos Valley’s women’s roller derby team. “Some of these people’s stories are crazy, but they’re all really sweet and care for each other,” said junior Bailey Wooten, a member of the eclectic group. “It’s a supportive team of girls who are there to chill out.” She first became interested in roller derby during her freshman year, when she heard about it through her mom and then attended a game in Houston. There, she fell in love with the sport, although she lived too far to drive to practice. But two years
dividua
lity am
have passed since then, and now, she has moved and can easily access the VFW—the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post—in Bryan, where the Stilettos use the rink. The change is obviously fortunate for her; her lanyard has “Brazos Valley Derby Girls” stitched on it and her Instagram description gives thanks for her “blessed life with roller derby.” This enthusiasm makes it easy to forget that she’s still relatively new to the sport. She only joined in mid-January of this year, but even when she first started, her passion for roller derby was evident. “She had heart,” said coach and captain of the Stilettos, Tessa Miranda. “Roller derby is not easy to learn, but I knew that she had it in her. She had the drive.” Both Miranda and Bailey Wooten share an appreciation for the great diversity in the league—as Miranda puts it, they’re nurses, they’re moms, they’re lawyers, they’re scientists, and they’re students. Bailey Wooten’s favorite part of roller derby is actually the people whom she has had the chance to meet. “There are so many different personalities,” Bailey Wooten said. “There are not a lot of [sports] teams that adults usually play on, so you get all kinds of backgrounds here.” Her mother, Kim Wooten, notes that her daughter has integrated into the group well. According to her, the other members (who are all
Derby Names
Photos by Lisa Liu
Baby Glock Back Rogue Rage Cindy Trujillo
Dusty Debutante Bailey Wooten
Elizabeth Scott
Maza Rotti Nora Maza
9
ongst s
katers
older, since Bailey Wooten, at age 16, is the youngest) have taken her under their wing. Even though she cannot play on the home team since she is not 18, she has undoubtedly become a part of the Stilettos. “She’s found her niche, and it makes her feel complete,” Kim Wooten said. “Complete” is an accurate way to describe Bailey Wooten now, who has embraced the sport and all its quirks from the start. She particularly enjoys the individuality. “You get to pick your own [derby] name, and that’s one of the ways that you get to make this your own game,” Bailey Wooten said. “We have our jerseys, but you can wear whatever bottoms you want, dress up and put crazy makeup on. You get to make it your own.” Roller derby is an accepting sport in other ways as well. Though it is a full-contact sport requiring hard work and practice, people of all skill levels can join. “Anybody can play, and anybody can do it,” Miranda said. “You just have to fall in love with it.” This mindset, the camaraderie, the sisterhood, and the empowerment have all attracted a variety of women to the Stilettos, whose ages range from 16 to 50. Bailey Wooten herself plans on continuing to play roller derby well into the future. “I want to do this until I’m 80, 90, even,” Bailey Wooten said. “Bury me with my skates.” ●
Beatle Juice Jolynn Roth
Stunflower Kathy Tomkins
Beneath the surface
Students with tattoos reveal the origin of the ink by Fiona Cohen Assistant Editor “The sound of the machine really freaks you out,” junior John Callier said of the buzzing needles that tattoo artists use to create their famously painful form of art. Though Callier confessed to being concerned before his first tattoo experience, he has proved himself braver than most by getting several more. Callier is one of a small group of students to make the decision to get a tattoo. “Once you get started, it doesn’t hurt so much - unless it hits bone.” For Callier, the tattoo experience came from a desire to memorialize aspects of his familial relationships and the times he hopes to remember for the rest of his life. Callier’s tattoos reveal both his faith and his loyalty to his family, something he says he hopes to maintain for a lifetime. “I got a dove, stars, a cloud and my mom’s name and my birth year,” Callier said. Each design holds personal meaning to him. Junior Curtis Thompson had similar motivations in selecting the designs of his tattoos. “I have praying hands to help relate to God [...] and a basketball because that’s what I do and what I want to do in college and for the rest of my life,” Thompson said. He hopes that basketball will continue to be as important to him in the future as it is now. “I think of the coaches pushing me from the beginning to now, and now I’ve worked up to the top, and I’m trying to stay there,” Thompson said. “I want to get out of College Station to go play basketball somewhere else. I pray all the time that I get a scholarship to play basketball, so my cross and my basketball go together because of that.”
Photo of Esmerelda Salazar by Fiona Cohen
The Catamount
Friday, May 16, 2014
Junior Esmerelda Salazar’s tattoos also provide motivation in her athletic career. As a wrestler, strength is a quality that Salazar is constantly striving to enhance and maintain. “In sports I always get real low and think ‘I’m not going to be able to do it’ and [my tattoo] is somewhere I can look to,” Salazar said. The word “strength,” written in a traditional American tattoo style, is tattooed on Salazar’s forearm. After battling multiple major injuries, including a broken leg during a crucial
“
It wasn’t just to get a tattoo. It means something.
”
Tyrique Hayes, junior
match, she knew that this reminder would be important to her success. “Every time I feel like quitting I look at it and remember that I made a promise to myself,” she said. But Salazar’s strength goes beyond just physical fortitude. “I told myself that as soon as I get [my tattoo], there’s no turning back and getting in trouble. As soon as I got it, I told myself ‘you’re going to stay in a straight line and do what you have to do to be what you want to be,’” she said. Salazar’s tattoo was inspired by a decision to turn her life around. Changing her ways was a commitment worthy of
commemoration. “Now that I’m doing better, I just want to remember where I came from and what not to go back to,” Salazar said. “I used to be in trouble a lot. That kind of inspired the style of it.” For Salazar, tattoos are worthy of the lifelong commitment they are famous for. Her second tattoo is one she and her sister received together: the Chinese symbol for love. Junior Tyrique Hayes’s tattoo is a similar expression of the love he has for a family member. “I got my mom’s name to show how much I love her,” Hayes said. “It wasn’t just to get a tattoo like some people. It means something.” Hayes expressed his desire for his first tattoo to be in honor of his mother. He hoped that it would be the first part of a tattoo collection he hopes to get after high school. “She helps me stay out of trouble. She makes sure I make good decisions,” Hayes said. Callier, on the other hand, has made a bit of a hobby from the art form. “Some of them mean stuff and some of them I’m just getting them just to get them,” Callier said. “My dove means a lot because it represents something good happening in my life. I need good things to happen to me. My stars are just because I liked them.” Callier, Thompson and Hayes each expressed the desire to continue to get tattoos after high school. Salazar, however, recognized the burden that the placement of her tattoos puts on her career opportunities. “When I finally got it I thought ‘what did I do?’” Salazar said. “I really like them but it’s a pain to have to cover them up” But this inhibition won’t stop Callier from heading back to the shop once more. “I think I’m addicted,” he said.●
Student Life 11
No Pain, No Gain The least and most painful areas of the body to tattoo
Most painful Moderate pain Least painful Source: tattoos-hurt.com
Guess that tat A
B
C
D
Match the tattoo to the student. Choices are 1) John Callier 2) Curtis Thompson and 3) Tyrique Hayes A and B. Curtis Thompson C. Tyrique Hayes D. John Callier
10 Student Life The Catamount
12 People
Friday, May 16, 2014
The Catamount
Japanese animation provides pastime, cultural knowledge by Kayla Kurmaskie Managing Editor “Death Note.” “Bleach.” “Naruto.” “Fullmetal Alchemist.” The list of anime, Japanese animated T.V. series and movies, goes on and on. The people who love it, otakou, as they call themselves, describe the world of anime as a sub-culture full of vibrant colors, art and language. “It’s not everyone’s cup of tea,” junior Ifeoma Okonkwo said. “It’s very different from American culture.” This difference is what first drew junior Sarah Lenox to the world of anime. She started reading manga, the written form of anime, and watching it freshman year when she noticed some of her friends were engrossed in the cartoons. Now that Lenox has grown accustomed to the Japanese animation style, American cartoons pale in comparison. “English voice acting sounds so dull and similar,” Lenox said. “[With] the Japanese voice actors, I can usually tell the difference between the characters; they sound much more emotional.” Since then, Lenox has joined the Anime Club and applied for a Japanese exchange scholarship, which she won. The Japanese culture often intrigues anime followers. “I got interested in their art style and histories,” Okonkwo said. “I had always been interested with Asian culture but [anime] made me want to explore it more.”
▲ Sophomore Haity Qin’s fanart shows her appreciation for the anime show “Case Closed,” which originally was a manga series. The show features the adventures of Detective Conan, a teenager who was transformed into a young boy (pictured above). ◄ Sophomore Haity Qin also creates different crafts based on Case Closed. This miniature train that she hand made has a collage dedicated to her favorite character from the show. Photo by Lisa Liu ●
◄ For extra credit, sophomore Haity Qin created a clay ornament in the image of chemistry teacher Casey Akin. The ornament was made in the recognizable style of anime because Qin is familiar with it. Photo by Lisa Liu●
The anime lovers say they tread with caution when it comes to the historical and cultural information the anime provide and always conduct further research to verify the accuracy. “I like learning and reading for fun and learning about new things, but I don’t like reading those dry, bland, scientific journals,” Lenox said. Along with being a cornucopia of cultural information, anime provides a common ground for people with totally different backgrounds to relate to each other. Sophomore Chloe Bell said she met her boyfriend due to a shared love of anime. They both noticed each other’s anime character avis on Twitter and struck up a conversation. Okonkwo also said anime has provided a social outlet. “I get a different group of people,” Okonkwo said. “I’ve made friends because of it.” The world of anime can seem intimidating to those who do not understand it. This overwhelmingness often deters individuals from trying to get into it. The key is to start slow. “Ask somebody who has a lot of experience watching anime,” Bell said. “It’s best if you start small and work your way up.” A general consensus among the anime connoisseurs is to be careful with what one watches and reads. One bad experience could cause one to permanently lose interest. “It’s like with different genres of books,” Bell said. “You can’t start out with something really hardcore. Find the thing that you’re comfortable with to start and then branch out.” ● ◄ Sophomore Chloe Bell owns a copy of the Studio Ghibli Movie Collection, which includes anime movie favorites by Japanese director Hayao Miiyazaki. These include Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke.
Friday, May 16, 2014
Di ck
Garrett Smith: “I’ve been asked if they can touch my hair. It’s not very uncommon, but it actually happens a lot more when I’m subbing than anyllen A where else. n I always so t h i n k that’s funny.”
Compiled by Zoë de Beurs Staff Reporter Garrett Smith: “[I enjoy] the nicknames [the most about subbing]. I think it’s hilarious, actually. [My nicknames are] the dreadhead sub, the cute sub, the hot sub, Jaylee’s brother, or the guy that works out all the time, and my sister has become the hot sub’s sister or the dreadhead’s sister. It’s kind of funny.”
Robert Hannett: “I think I have a good [relationship with students]. It partly has to do with the accent. I’m surprised how people in America are fascinated by accents, in particular fascinated by the British accent, which seems strange when they told the British to ‘Go away! Go away!’. ‘We don’t want you’. But now they’re so fascinated by the accent. ‘I wish I could speak like you’, so many students tell me that line.”
rt
an n
H
A LITTLE WORD OF ADVICE
Bill Layman: “Work hard and take more math and science classes. Those two things rule the world right now. Put yourself out there. The more experience you can get [with new cultures and environments, the better]. [Don’t] remain in Texas the rest of your life. Get outside your bubble as much as you can.”
t
Nathan Buchner: “You guys are hilarious. Just the questions y’all ask. [I’ve been] asked if I live with my mom, if I play video games because apparently that’s what exudes from me. In every class there seems to be someone [that asks] ‘do you play video games?’ It makes me smile. It makes me happy because they are interested in me.”
WHERE WILL THEY BE IN FIVE YEARS? Garrett Smith: “Hopefully [in five years I’ll be] in Canada playing for the CFL. But if not, I’ll probably be coaching football at N a t ha n the collegiate level.”
Bu
Ch
apman
Dickson Allen: “[In five years, I see myself] completely retired and home resting.”
er
K
at e
chn
A SUBSTITUTE’S PURPOSE
Dickson Allen: “I would hope that through my subbing I could maybe reach some students with the benefit of my relatively average mind, developed over my over 70 years of life.”
ar
G
Robert Hannett: ”If there is a sub in the class, talk to them. Sometimes you come into a class, and no one talks to you. Talk to them. We are human beings.”
et
Andrew Fairleigh: “I got to partake in AVP. They did a video, and they wanted me to play the small role of dad. So, I got to be Jacklyn Miller’s dad for a scene. So now when Britney and Jacklyn see me, they wave and say “hi dad”. That’s always kind of fun.”
FUNNY KIDS
R o be
Andrew Fairleigh: “Don’t wait for the right moment for something. Don’t wait for it to be perfect for something to happen. I know a lot of people feel that way about a lot of things. ‘I need a sign to do this, or I need it to be absolutely perfect and essentially fail proof’. But nothing in life is fail proof even when you think it is.”
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STRANGE SITUATIONS
Substitutes share unique job experiences
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● People 13
Andr
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“Sub”stantial Contributions
F
The Catamount
Dickson Allen: “Everybody is always hollering at me ‘hey, Mr. Allen!’. That makes me feel good.”
re
tt Smith
Kate Chapman: “Do you know those teachers that have a really great depth of knowledge on their subjects? I hope in five years I’m one of those, and I’ll be able to answer any question that comes at me.”
14 Sports
Friday, May 16, 2014
The Catamount
Juniors lead varsity team to victory by Alex Miller Staff Reporter Winning is the sole expectation for a team whose talent is shown everywhere, even if they come up short every now and then. Led by only the two years of experience of the junior class, the baseball team has soared into new heights in only the second year of the program’s history. “There is no senior leadership on the team, so they are forced to lead themselves,” head coach Scott Holder said. “We come out to play every day, and we are always ready to prepare for the next thing.” It is simple for the coaches to lead a team, but the teams who make a bigger statement are the ones who are led by their players. “We have to keep everyone accountable,” junior Cole Whittlesey said. “We have to do what we’re supposed to do.” The Cougars began the season ranked number one in the Preseason 3A Coaches Poll. Their prominence was never relinquished throughout the season, as the baseball team held the top spot every week during the year. Being top dog for nine consecutive weeks is a tough task to conquer as teams from all over the state are trying to take down number one. “There’s kind of a pressure in the fact that we know we should win every game,” junior Jaxxon Grisham said. “We try not to let it get to us, and we go through pressure situations during practice so we are prepared for the game.” The team lost a tough first round playoff series last season to China Spring. The players took the experience as a good lesson and has since learned to mature from last year’s short playoff run. “We figured out how to handle adversity and come together as a team,” junior Baylor Rowlett said. “We
aren’t playing as individuals anymore, and we are having more fun together.” Moving onto this season the team put up an impressive 24-4-1 regular season record. It helps when the junior class is made up of five Division I commits. Another intangible the players have is that two of the members have state tournament experience with A&M Consolidated and Allen Academy. “I think that experience has helped a lot being able to be a part of a team that went that far and seeing how important it is to have older and more experienced guys for a team to have,” junior Ryan Johnson said. The team has a dominant pitching rotation, which has given other teams a tough time at the plate. Opponents are scoring on average just three runs a game. With a team ERA of just 1.86, their pitching is statistically better than NCAA-leading University of Houston with a team ERA of 1.88. “Overall, [our pitching staff] allows us to use different guys to eat up innings,” coach Chris Litton said. “We stay well rested, and when our guys run out to the mound, they are in great shape.” Three different pitchers have thrown 30+ innings on the season. The variety of options gives the team different players to choose from in specific situations. This deep
bullpen allows the team to pitch the best they can any given night. “It gives us so many options and great depth,” junior MacGregor Hines said. “It helps us save arms and keep pitches at lower counts.” However, you cannot win a game with just pitching. The pitcher has to have the offense score runs to back him up. Power-hitting is the name of the batting order though. The Cougars have a team batting average of .345, which is five points better than NCAA-leading Delaware State, whose team batting average is .340. “We’ve been playing the game for so long and we’ve been playing together for a long time, so we have developed good chemistry,” Johnson said. “We just got lucky that our class is this talented and that we are a very hard-working class.” With a first-round matchup lying ahead against China Spring, the team has shifted gears into survival mode. It is must win situations now, as losing either one or two games will eliminate you for good. This team has “beat them” written all over as well. “Last year there was more pressure on us,” junior Izzy Martinez said. “Now we are a laid back a little more, and we have that one year of experience to help us.”●
Photo by Teresa Laffin
Playoff Results
5/1 China Spring 5-10(L) 5/3 China Spring 10-7(W) 5/3 China Spring 6-3(W)
5/8 Diboll 5-1(W) 5/10 Diboll 13-1(W)
The Cougars play Waco Robinson tonight at 7p.m. in Mumford.
Friday, May 16, 2014
The Catamount
● Sports 15
Batter-up
Players express reason for passion of softball by Rachel Grant Senior Editor
▲During the game on March 28, sophomore Hope Spacek hits a line drive toward third base. She plays shortstop when the team plays on defense. Photo by Rachel Grant ●
Taking the Lead Batting Average: Katelyn Francis: .507 Hope Spacek: .364 RBI: Katelyn Francis: 16 Hope Spacek: 6 Hits: ▲During the same game, freshman Katelyn Francis prepares for the opponents to hit the ball Katelyn Francis: 37 in case it flies towards her at her position, first base. Photo by Rachel Grant● Hope Spacek: 28
It all started a little over twelve years ago. Freshman and first baseman Katelyn Francis began playing softball at age 4. A few years later, sophomore and shortstop Hope Spacek was drawn to the sport at age eight. “I played in a small town,” Spacek said. “I remember playing tee ball, and so I just worked up to playing softball.” Francis started to play because her mom had played when she was younger and she wanted her daughter to love the sport as much as she had. To this day, Francis is encouraged by her parents to play the sport. “My parents are a big inspiration,” Francis said, “because they’re always there for me and always know how to cheer me up if I have a bad game.” The main inspiration for Spacek playing this year was because of her grandmother’s influence. “My grandma was diagnosed with cancer this year,” Spacek said. “She’s always enjoyed watching me play softball. It’s one of her favorite things to watch. I continued to play this year for her. I seriously wasn’t going to play, but my grandma asked me to, so I said, ‘Okay I’ll do it’.” Since she has continued to play, Spacek has grown closer with her teammates. Being a part of a team has many benefits, as well as a few challenges. Some of the benefits include support while the challenges include drama. “You know that you have your teammates behind you,” Francis said. Spacek agrees that having the team to support them is one of the many benefits. “If you’re down,” Spacek said, “they can always bring you up. It’s not relying only on yourself. It’s relying on
your whole team to pull through.” Although the team has a great support for each other, they also have to be sure to work hard in order for the whole team to win. “They’re always counting on you,” Spacek said. “If you’re quitting your team, you let them down.” Another confidence boost is the coaches who not only help the players grow in the sport but who also keep the spirit of the team alive. “They’re always there for you,” Francis said. “If you feel like you’re losing confidence, they’ll tell you to keep your head up.” The coaches feel that these girls are two diligent women who love to lead them. “They are both hard workers on the softball field and in the classroom,” head coach Brandy Gibson said. “They both have great attitudes and work ethic. They are model student athletes.” As the coaches encourage and motivate the team, they are getting ready to add new players to the mix next year. “There will be a lot more people in the program,” Spacek said, “and a lot more people coming up. I think [the team] will get better, and [we will] gain a lot more trust with each other.” As the next season approaches, the players know that this year is not over yet. Spacek said her favorite part about the game is to dive after difficult balls as shortstop. Francis’ favorite part of the sport is a little different from Spacek’s favorite part. “My favorite part is that if someone makes a bad throw,” Francis said, “I can always be there to save them.” The many different part of softball all combine to make one memorable experience for the girls on the team. “Softball is a part of my life that I can’t really let go,” Francis said. ●
16 Sports ● The Catamount
Friday, May 16, 2014
Dashing for Gold
Junior’s determination, will to win leads to success by Brianna Aguilar Assistant Editor
▲Junior Travis Tate prepares for the state track meet on May 9-10 in Austin during practice as he runs sprints. Photo by Briannaa Aguilar●
Eight physically fit, tense, and adrenaline filled athletes line the black rubble track, focused on the one and only daunting finish line. The referee walks up to the starting line, gun in hand. 3. 2. 1. Go. Soon junior Travis Tate crosses the finish line in first place-unbeatable and invincible. “Hard work and dedication. That’s what it takes to be the best,” junior Travis Tate said. Tate not only trains for boys track in his fourth period class and 45-minute practice after school, but sometimes will even do extra running and lifting to progress in this sport. “Travis excels with his work ethic in track [and is] dedicated with what he does. [He] makes sure he is in the shape he needs to be in order to excel and [is] ready for the meets,” junior and friend Jeremiah Booker said. However, the fight to keep working diligently can be a challenge especially when “some days are worse than others,” Tate said. This is when the need for a positive attitude is crucial, and Tate always seems to have it—even on the toughest days. “You have to have the right mentality,” Tate said. “If you’re not all the way there, then it’s just not going to come to you. You have to be dedicated.” Tate not only works to keep up with schoolwork after long track nights, but he puts considerable effort into preparation before a meet the next day. “I typically like to focus on what I eat because what you put into your body is the result you are
going to get,” Tate said. “Staying hydrated and eating right prepares me best.” Along with his healthy eating and hard work, he takes one more significant action to give him strength right before the gunshot. “I always say a prayer before I run. I pray to God that he watches over our relay and makes sure everything goes well and that He helps out every other team that we’re racing against,” Tate said. Whether his team wins or loses, Tate still portrays exceptional sportsmanship and leadership skills. “He gets out there, competes and realizes where he needs to improve,” head boys track coach Eddie Hancock said. “[He] does a really good job [of] coming back and improving the next time. He’s always positive and that contributes to his success in track.” This significant effort shows when he takes his place on the starting line, ready to make all his hard work, preparation and diligence worth it. “Honestly, all that goes through my mind is everything I’ve worked for to win the race,” Tate said. Whatever the outcome at the end of the race, whether win or lose, Tate always manages to look at his loss as motivation instead of devastation. “If I win an event, I feel ecstatic. But if I lose one, I just strive to be better next time,” he said. According to Hancock, this mindset has undoubtedly worked in Tate’s favor as he qualified for the state track meet in the 4 x 100 relay. “Hard work pays off, and he’s an example of that,” Hancock said.●
UIL 3A State Track & Field Championships, May 9-10 Mike A. Meyers Stadium at the University of Texas in Austin
▲Junior Travis Tate practices his stance and start from blocks during practice. Photo by Briannaa Aguilar●
Runners
Event
Place
Time
Drake Carnes, Rajah Preciado, Travis Tate and Tristin Manning
4x100M Relay
5th
42.16
Jon Bishop
3200M Run
4th
9:42.26
1600M Run
7th
4:33.981
The Catamount
Friday, May 16, 2014
Victory Lap
● Sports 17
by Lily Parsi Opinions Editor
Junior strives for success in hurdles, relays Feeling her legs start to give out underneath her, junior Gabbi Orzabal pushes them even harder. With her last few ounces of strength, she sprints through the finish line. The crowd is cheering. She has advanced to the area track meet. “My favorite part of track is advancing to area because I can see how much my hard work throughout the season has paid off,” Orzabal said. “I can continue to push myself harder against harder competition.” Orzabal originally became interested in track in seventh grade and she enjoyed the sport, so she decided to continue running. She competed in a wide range of events, including the high jump, 300, 800 meter hurdles and 400 meter run, 4X400, 4X800 relay, and the distance medley relay, but one race stands above the others. “300 meter hurdles require a lot of precision, but it is my favorite event by far,” Orzabal said. Robert Ondrasek, the girl’s head track coach, explains that Orzabal has several qualities that make her a strong athlete. “She works really hard and is very consistent in her training,” he said. “She’s like our silent assassin. She channels everything in for the day that she competes, and she’s very composed and tough.” Orzabal’s track career has developed into participating in cross country, a great way to condition her body for track during offseason, she said. “Cross country really builds up my oxygen delivery system and gets me ready to do harder workouts in track,” Orzabal said. Orzabal advanced to state last year in the 300 meter hurdles and placed 8th. While
STATE GIRLS TRACK
MAY 9-10, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS
PLACE 1st 1st 3rd 5th 7th 9th 9th
this was a great accomplishment, she has even higher goals set for herself this season, including advancing to state in the 300 meter hurdles and 800 meter race. “I felt excited and pure relief because it was a lot of pressure wondering if I’d make it to state or not,” Orzabal said, describing how she felt the moment she realized she advanced to state. Ondrasek attributed her success to the hard work she puts in at every practice and her application of the advice he gives her. “I know she’s going to lay it on the line when she has to,” he said. “She always goes beyond what we ask.” Ondrasek also explains how her performance in practice has a positive affect on other track members as well. “She definitely leads by example,” he said. “She doesn’t say much, she just steps out and performs. Others definitely look up to her work ethic and her ability to work through pain. That’s our sport, the ones that are able to push through the pain and perform.” Track teammate and junior Brynna Lekven agrees that Orzabal leads the rest of the athletes by example. “Gabbi is really good at what she does, so she sets really high standards, and we always try to compete with her in practice and try to do as well as she is doing,” she said. As for her future in track, Orzabal isn’t sure where her track career will lead her. “I’ve received a few offers, and I think it would be fun to run in college, but it is also a huge commitment so I’m not sure,” she said. ●
Junior Gabbi Orzabal receives her first place medal after winning at the district track meet on April 9-10 at College Station High School. Orzabal’s performance qualified her for the state track meet, where she won a bronze medal.
Photo by Lily Parsi ●
NAME Kelsie Warren Kelsie Warren Gabbi Orzabal Kaylah Cook Cayleigh Lekven Gabbi Orzabal Kaylah Cook
EVENT 3200 meter race 1600 meter race 800 meter race Shotput 800 meter race 300 meter hurdles Discus
TIME/DISTANCE 11:15:86 5:12:53 2:20:86 38 feet 2 inches 2:25:05 46:82 95 feet 1 inch
18 Entertainment ● The Catamount
Preparation for Prom: staff reviews local nail salons Studio Nails
Angel Nails
Nail Spa
Studio Nails and Spa is a new nail salon located in the Tower point shopping strip on William D. Fitch. I have been to this salon a handful of times, and all times I visited the spa it was due to no available appointments at other salons. Visitors should be warned by the lack of customers here. My overall experience at this salon has not been a positive one, and I have left the nail place multiple times displeased with their services. Once I was shocked to find after paying $15 for shellac gel nails, which should last between nine to 12 days, just after two days the shellac began to peel from my nails. This could be because of multiple reasons, but more likely because they do not use high quality gel. While there was a wide range of colors for shellac, I was not happy with the resulting product. With my negative experiences in mind, they have fair prices for the quality of service they give. A standard pedicure is $20, and the deluxe treatment ranges from $35 to $40. This nail salon is only recommended to those who are looking for a cheap color change that will last three days maximum.
Review by Lily Parsi
As I drove up to Angel Nails in the Kroger shopping center on Longmire Dr., in between a cluster of restaurants and beauty shops, I was welcomed by a bright green and red light blinking “Welcome.” As I opened the door into the cozy nail salon, I was instantly greeted by the receptionist with a warm smile accompanied by a row of manicurists diligently working on different people’s nails and toes. As I inquired about their services, I was pleasantly surprised to find out the prices were fairly reasonable, not overpriced unlike some other nail salons-only $23.00 for a manicure and the combined mani-pedi would be $33.00. There was just enough space in the salon for the manicurists to do their work and for the customers to not feel too squished and uncomfortable. I was pleased with how they did not rush to do my nails, massaged my feet with certain lotions, and spent time making sure the color was vivid and bright. Although they did push me to choose some unwanted decorations, they were considerably friendly and sociable. Overall, unlike other salons I’ve been to, I was impressed by their accurate wait time, welcoming service, wide choice of colors, and affordable prices,-especially for the quality of nails I left with that afternoon. Review by Brianna Aguilar
Entering Nail Spa on Texas Avenue was like taking a breath of fresh air. I was greeted by a friendly, well-spoken girl who directed me to a wall of nail polishes. They had every color I could imagine. The building is large and spacious with at least 15 pedicure chairs and 12 manicure chairs. I was then quickly directed to a pedicure chair. Relaxing music played softly, and a lady was waiting for me at my chair. The service was extremely quick, and I thoroughly enjoyed the pedicure up until the point where they actually painted my toenails. I chose a rather transparent color, and the lady did not put enough coats on to successfully cover my nails. Looking down at my toenails the next day, I noticed that they were already chipped in two places. While the staff was extremely kind and there was plenty of space, I was not impressed with the actual pedicure. It was definitely not worth the $21 I paid to have them done.
Review by Megan Paradowski
CA and
grubburgerbar.com 980 University Dr East, Ste 400 | College Station, TX 77840 FB GrubBurgerBar TW GrubBurgerBar
Friday, May 16, 2014
Craig G. Anderson D.D.S. Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8-5 Friday 8-12
1615 Barak Lane Bryan, Texas 77802 979.846.1813
Friday, May 16, 2014
All that Jazz!
The Catamount
● Entertainment 19
Jazz Band prepares for annual musical performance by Julie Potrykus Executive Editor
to by Julie Potry o h ku P
Sophomore Davis Ponjuan practices for the jazz band spring performance. Ponjuan will play with the group on May 22 at Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheatre with the symphonic band.
by Julie Potrykus
Freshman Cade Garner practices saxophone during 7th period jazz band. The group will perform “I Wanna Be Like You” during a final performance.
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Jazz invokes the soothing connotation of smooth saxophones and soulful pianists, but the musicians in jazz band embrace the traditional association with a lively influence from the energy of this group of musicians. “It’s given me more of an opportunity to see what I can do,” freshman Matt Smalley said. “Instead of having to stay to a script, I can make a variety. It’s freedom.” During practice, the musicians personalize the music with their own twist on the sheet music to create their own sound. The rhythm sections accompanies the soloists to produce a more uniformed sound. The combination of talent establishes a sound unique to the individual musicians. This opportunity allows the musicians to discover their own sound, which contrasts from other forms of music that rely on the expertise of established musicians. “It’s a different type of music, so it’s more upbeat and awesome,” freshman Caleb Holt said. “It’s very fun and energetic. We can mess with [the style]. It sounds wrong, but it’s right.” These musicians perform this unique musical style at competitions where the musicians pay tribute to jazz by donning fedoras reminiscent of the classic jazz musicians. Like the fedora, other remnants of the classic jazz era linger in the band hall. The love of soulful music stands the test of time, earning its place in modern calssrooms. This appreciation and drive bonds the musicians together like the beam connecting consecutive notes.
“Everybody has a different view of each other,” Smalley said. “In jazz band, it makes you look at individual people. It’s easier to pick out individuals, so it makes us want to stand out as an individual and not blend in. We have to make ourselves be heard.” Each musician is considered “the best of the best” to represent each section in the eclectic band. The mutual respect for talent and dedication encourages the strong friendship among the group. The band meets during seventh period in the band hall where they congregate as musicians and friends. “It’s brought me a lot closer to the people in it,” freshman Kathleen Roberts said. “Before and after class, we have a lot of fun and a lot of laughs together. It’s a bunch of joking around with everybody.” Between the playful moments, the musicians unite to perform as an ensemble of friends. These moments of seriousness demonstrate the students’ dedication and aptitude to their craft. “Jazz band is a really small group of people,” freshman Braden Yosko said. “It’s the best of that section, so it’s really cool to have all those sounds come together.” As the sound and musicians coalesce, their talent crescendos as the ensemble develops as musicians from their time in jazz band. “I want to learn to become a better musician overall,” junior Mason Klemm said. “I want to master the style because it makes me feel special, like I can do things.” No matter where their futures take these young musicians, the friends and skills from jazz band will keep playing. ●
Friday, May 16, 2014
The Catamount
The Wrangler Way
● Etc. 20
Western dancers enjoy group unity by Julie Potrykus Executive Editor Hats off. Heads bowed. Hands clasped. Before every dance performance, the Wranglers pray to be safe, to have fun, and to be the best that they can. When they finish, they are ready to compete. As the lights illuminate the stage, smiles hide behind cowboy hats as the Wrangler boys anticipate the excitement awaiting their audience and themselves. “I am very proud to be on the Wranglers,” freshman Aaron Caliham said. “We are a very dedicated and persistent team. We like to come together to perform as one. Everyone gets an equal chance to show what they can do. It’s an amazing experience that I am happy to be a part of.” Western dancing requires partnered dancing, but the routines incorporate the talents of every partner to captivate the audience beholding their daring routines of flips and dips. This enthrallment with the performance inspired many of the Wranglers to join. “My jaw dropped,” junior Blake Dorsett said. “I had never seen anything like it. I saw them one time, and I wanted to be a part of that.” All of the Wranglers have improved from their previous skills or lack thereof. The routines ridded the dancers of their former two left feet and granted the performers new confidence for whenever life requires a lively moment. This growth is accomplished by dedication and hard work from the entire team to insure marvelous performances. “The Wranglers are a group of people who come together as a team,” freshman Jordan Fox said. “It requires a lot of dedication and hard work, so you put in a lot of long hours a week.” These hours contribute to perfect-
ing routines to ensure the partners are both comfortable with the execution. It is essential for safety that the partners are confident in the choreography before competition. During the competitions, the audience is awed at the risks the dancers take as the males throw their partners into their air. This would not be possible without the constant faith between the partners from practice. “We have a pretty rigorous [preparation] where we show up three of four times a week,” freshman Kurtis Bradicich said. “We practice [our routines]. It’s a pretty big thrill to compete in these competitions with a good chance of winning.” Their confidence roots from their trust in each of their teammates to perform at their best capability. “What makes the Wranglers so good is it’s a whole team doing everything synchronized and just working hard,” freshman Ethan Ellis said. “It’s really a group of friends, even if you don’t really know them at first then, you all get really close. You do your thing together. It’s a real team.” Together, the team has grown into dynamic performers and great friends. “[The Wranglers] changed my life a lot,” freshman Bradley Dorsett said. “With Wranglers, I have something to look forward to, have fun with my friends on the team and dance. I think it changed my life a lot for the better.” Through the Wranglers, these performers have developed their talents and skills from their enthusiasm for dance. As astonishing as the routines are, the Wranglers passion is the true stopper. As the performers assemble on stage, they are prepared to wow everyone with their talent and hard work. “Here is it,” Caliham said. “Let’s show these people what we’ve been practicing for and show them something they will never see anywhere else.” ●
▲During the public Wrangler dance that helped raise funds for the group to compete in a national competition in Las Vegas, Wranglers taught participants classic dance moves. The dance took place April 24th. Photos by Rachel Grant●
Meet the members
Freshmen Ethan Ellis and Mckean Matson dance during the last Wrangler dance.
Juniors Blake Dorsett Freshmen Jordan Fox and Hannah Childress and Morgan Calhoun partner up during the prepare for instruction. dance.
Beat of the Music
Can opener flip
the partner’s leg rests on the boy’s forearm. He punches the air to send her into a air backfllip
Airplane to hip-dip
the boy fllips his partner upon his shoulder and swings her on both sides of his hips
Angel
Jitterbug
the partner runs a style of dance incorporating to the boy who pushes her into polka the air
Cliffhanger
the boy hooks his arm around his partners knees and pulls her up to his chest. She rolls down
Humiliation the boy tucks his partner in and grabs her hands so she can fllip onto his elbows