ROCK C ote
College Station High School
4002 Victoria Ave. College Station, Texas 77845
Vol. 7 No. 2
Friday, Nov. 2, 2018
the
the CATAMOUNT
12
Love of cars bonds students to their vehicles.
16
Midterm elections spark interest in civic duty to impact country’s policies
Two sets of sisters play varsity volleyball.
Dru Peacock Editor-in-Chief
19
Staffers review local Italian restaurants.
INDEX
News Opinions People Sports Entertainment Etc.
2-5 6-8 9-13 14-17 18-19 20
With the midterm elections on Nov. 6, voting and its significance, especially to young people, has come to the forefront of many political discussions. “Voting is definitely the most important part of the political process,” senior Robert Dorhman said. “I would say that because no matter how much tweeting you get done or door knocking or phone banking, it’s all about who votes. So, you can do all of these things, but if no one’s voting, then our voices aren’t going to be heard.” On Oct. 5, Dohrman organized a voter registration drive in the social studies computer lab to help seniors who had not yet registered. “I’ve always seen [voting] as making your voice heard. We should all try to get involved in our government and our politics because how else are we going to get the issues that matter to us taken care of in the way that we want them to be?” Dohrman said. Voter turnout for people ages 18-29 has recently been the lowest out of any age group. In the 2016 presi-
dential election, only 46% of millenials voted compared to the 70% of those 65 years and older, according to census.org. In fact, every age group older than the 18-29 year olds had a greater voter turnout. “For young people, I think it’s important to vote because their voting rate is the lowest of any age group, so of course politicians are going to focus on issues for older Americans because they know that’s who is going to come to the polls,” government teacher Jessica Kouba said. “But if young people were more likely to vote, then [politicians] would be more likely to listen to that population.” Even though voting may seem time consuming, the entire process is rather quick. “I’m not saying you have to run a campaign or run for office, but the last election I voted in took me 7.5 minutes to vote. So, you’re telling me right now it’s not important to give up 7.5 minutes?” Economics teacher Gregg Frashure said. “When people say ‘oh I just didn’t have time,’ that’s hard for me to wrap my head around.”
continued on page 3
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2 News The Catamount What’s
Friday, Nov. 2, 2018
What's
PAST PAST
NEW Texas
Success
Orchestra holds fall concert
Initiative
Oct. 30: The group held their first concert of the year on Tuesday in the Auditorium. They will perform again for their Christmas Concert. on Dec. 1.
Boys XC third in region; moves on to state
CC
Oct. 22: The team ran in Huntsville to qualify for state. They will compete at the state meet on Nov. 3 at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.
Band places 1st at Waller Marching Festival COUGARS Oct. 27: The Band took home 7 trophies, including Best Percussion, Best Marching, Best Guard and Best Music.
Cougar quality of the week: responsibility 5 Principles of Digital Literacy: -Choose Kindness -Give Credit -Authenticate Your Information -Understand Your Footprint -Protect Your Privacy
C O U G A R esponsibility S
Juniors & Seniors: TSI assessment held Nov. 12 For all students planning to take dual credit or go to community college next year. $15 registration fee; register by Nov. 6
Thanksgiving Break Nov. 17-25: For the first time ever, students will enjoy an entire week of vacation and will return with 4 weeks left in the semseter.
Drumline hosts Drums Along the Brazos Nov. 10: 14 Texas drumlines will compete next Saturday at the stadium. The competition begins at 2:00 p.m. and costs $5 for adults and $3 for students.
Upcoming Cougar punch card activities • •
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Football Game vs Tomball • Warrior Walk Nov. 2 at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 from 11 a.m.2 p.m. Avid Lecture Series Nov. 28 during 4th in LGI
T
U
C
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Complete your card by the end of the semester to win a Cookies & Cocoa party!
Graphics by Katie Guye
News
The Catamount
Friday, Nov. 2, 2018
3
Teen political involvement encourages long-term interest in voting continued from page 1 representatives make those decisions in Congress and in the Senate, so you have to see who they are, what they are and what they stand for. You have to choose the best person that represents you,” said junior Meghan Nelson, who has attended a presidential inauguration and two political marches. Caring about politics and what is going on in the world can start years before being eligible to vote. “I don’t necessarily think it’s a light switch. I don’t think you can say ‘I’m 18 now. I can start caring,’” Frashure said. “I think a passion for that has to be developed. I don’t think you can just start thinking about how you want the world to be when you turn 18. That has to be an ongoing process. I think about how I viewed the world when I was 18 and how I look at things now, and I’m completely different. If we’re not changing, we’re not growing. If we’re not growing, then what’s the point?” Voting plays a huge part in what makes our country different from some others. Each citizen of voting age can have a voice in our government through their vote. “There’s a lot of people making a lot of sacrifices, so that we have that right to vote,” Frashure said. “I think that by being born in the United States with the opportunity that we have is like having a winning lottery ticket, and why would you not cash in your lottery ticket?”•
Voter Turnout by Age Percentage of Voter Turnout
In addition to the voter registration drive, Kouba and Frashure pass out registration cards to students who are eligible to vote, and stress the importance of voting to their classes. “We actually had volunteers from the community come in and sign people up during class,” Frashure said. “We try to make it as easy as possible to get registered to vote. I try in my personal way in class to tell how important it is [as well].” A common misconception may be that politics doesn’t affect everyone and therefore voting is not a priority. However, almost everything in our lives has a connection to our government. “Even if you don’t want it to, politics influences your everyday life,” Kouba said. “Politics affect education, it affects taxes, it affects the things that you’re able to buy with trade-- pretty much anything in your life, the air that you breath, the government has had a hand in regulations in that. So, you can say that it doesn’t affect you, and you can pretend that it doesn’t, but of course everything we really do is influenced by government and politics. You can’t get away from it.” Going to the polls is one of the only ways to directly affect our representatives. Without voting, we could leave our political decisions up to those who do not hold our same values. That being said, students who are not yet 18 can still be politically active in how our country operates. “You make your representatives, and those
80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0
18-29
30-44
45-59
60+
1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 Source: electproject.org
Overall Voter Turnout
2016
61.4%
2008
63.6%
Source: pewresearch.org
How many people voted in 2016:
137.5 million
4
News
Friday, Nov. 2, 2018
The Catamount
New Cougar Quality lessons highlight positive behavior expectations Melanie Evans Photography Editor The Cougar Qualities-- character, outstanding leadership, understanding of others, goal-oriented, academic excellence, responsibility, and service-- have been a part of College Station High School since its opening in 2012. This year, the Cougar Qualities are becoming a part of the curriculum at school. Along with the Cougar Qualities, a new program, Hero Points, recognizes examples of the Qualities in action. “The Cougar Qualities have always been an important part of our campus culture. Certainly in the last six years with this being our seventh year, we wanted to revisit those qualities,” Principal Tiffany Parkerson said. During most Tuesdays, teachers conduct a lesson during the morning activity period. Assistant Principal Kim Rodgers has provided a powerpoint presentation to teachers that includes a video that relates to the Cougar Quality for that week. “I implement the Cougar Qualities by just teaching those lessons and
reminding my kids throughout all of my classes,” graphic design and programming teacher Kimberly Munoz said. “In my other classes, I will mention the videos and remind them of what we are looking for.” Also, Hero Points awards students
The Cougar Qualities have always been an important part of our campus culture. - Tiffany Parkerson Principal who exhibit one of the seven Cougar Qualities. “We wanted something to give a positive spin and notice the good thing
that all of our kids are doing, and we wanted to make sure that everyone was recognized for those good things that they were doing,” Rogers said. The new Hero Points program allows students to use the points they get to eliminate violations like tardies. Not only can teachers give students Hero Points, they can also recognize students they have seen exemplifying the Cougar Qualities with a Cougar Hero Award. “I think Hero Points are an awesome idea,” senior Amelia Moder said. “I think it is great to reward students for doing good things, and I think that it gives people more incentives.” Hero Points and the Cougar Qualities presentations are informing and then encouraging students to exhibit the seven Cougar Qualities every day. “The Cougar Qualities are such an important part of who we are that it is something that is a part of our foundation of as College Station High School, and we just want to make sure that we are keeping them at the forefront, and that regardless of when you joined us that you have that same level of understanding,” Parkerson said.•
Cougar Hero Point System
•
A mobile software that tracts student behavior (good and bad)
•
Five points erases one tardy
•
Points are earned by exhibiting the Cougar qualities
•
It replaced the behavior management system Plasco Source: Randi Costenbader
Friday, Nov. 2, 2018
The Catamount
News
5
Increased popularity of Juuling leads to concern in schools Jaycie Robinson Assistant Editor Advertised as a “new and improved alternative to smoking,” electronic nicotine devices are targeted to young teens and adults. However, despite the appealing flavors, no smell vapor, and the easily concealed design, even the most common vape pens, like Juuls, contain the same amount of nicotine in one flavored reusable pod as a pack of cigarettes. As the devices become more common among students, they are being used on school property, which is against the law in Texas. However, it is legal to use and possess the device off of school property, and in designated areas elsewhere. Assistant Principal Trae Davis has a strong opinion on the devices since he works with the students and their placements in detention and ISS. “If a student is in possession of a device, protocol consists of an automatic five day placement in ISS. On average I see a device being used once or twice a week, typically with more than one person being involved,” Davis said. Some students believe that there
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should be harsher consequences for those who choose to bring it on school property. “It is not only bad for your health, but there are also moral reasons to be dealt with each time you decide to do it,” senior Casey Adams* said. Many companies are not approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and conceal their ingredients to the public eye. “The way the products are marketed is smart on the company’s part. They specifically target a young and easily influenced audience. It is crazy to see that the population of users considers the action a social thing instead of what it is really used for which is to wean mature smokers off of cigarettes and other ‘harsher’ products,” junior Hunter Thompson* said. “I think the device should be taken away for good, not to where their parents can come pick it up at the end of the day type of thing. Then the student should be closely monitored by special personnel,” senior Julie Makowski* said. Choosing to use a device in public can also impact the health of others.
“It’s one thing to be 18 and do it outside of school and not on property, but then to bring it into the classroom and do it publicly is just idiotic. I struggle with asthma and try to avoid being around any type of smoking, but what can you do when it is a classmate sitting next to you? I can’t get up and leave, and I don’t want to get in trouble for their poor decisions,” Thompson said. As the vape device producing corporations intake more support and money, they are able to bypass many restrictions and regulations on the design and ingredients of the smoke. “It is very interesting to see the evolution of tobacco products,” Davis said. “Instead of nasty cigarettes, now we have fruity flavors accompanied by odorless smoke. This is appealing to the only audience that is willing to throw away money on such things, and that is young adults. It is just a hard thing to accept for me, that our students, that this generation of kids, is basically the guinea pigs for the big corporations.”• *Names have been changed to protect identities
through the vapor cloud
2.7x 40%
Juuls free nicotine faster than other e-cigs of adult e-cig users also smoke cigarettes
are exposed to 7 in 10 teens e-cig advertising
Graphics by Katie Guye sources: National Institute on Drug Abuse & truthinitiative.org
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6
Opinions
Friday, Nov. 2, 2018
The Catamount
THE CAT’S EYE VIEW
staff editorial Foundational value lessons assessed to determine benefit for school To review the Cougar Qualities, the foundational prin-
ciples of our school, staff have implemented a weekly lesson on each quality. Approximately every week, a new quality is showcased in our extended 2nd period when examples are shared and teachers lead a class discussion on when and how to use these qualities. While this all seems very beneficial and efficient on the surface, many students have complained that these lessons are fruitless and a waste of time. The morning activity schedule every Tuesday makes it difficult to remember the beginning and ending times of classes and throws off the lunch schedule, which students have questioned incessantly. We understand that the minor inconveniences brought
Atmosphere of live music concerts creates fond memories C o n certs, I love them . In intermediate it was Hannah Montana. In middle Melanie school it was Evans Taylor Swift. Now it is Ben Rector, Needtobreathe and just recently Colony House. My favorite concerts, however, are not the ones where I can barely see the band and am forced to look at a jumbotron, but the ones where I can reach my hand out and just almost touch the musicians. The concerts where hundreds of strangers are piled into a tiny room that can barely hold all of them, singing, even yelling the same songs. The bass guitar shaking the en-
tire building. Everybody bobbing their heads, jumping to the beat of the music.
Art by Grace Costenbader Listening to live music is so different and in my opinion 100 times better than listening to music from a phone or radio. Live music draws me in and captures all of my attention. Although it may sound cheesy, concerts are not just about listening to music
but being with the friends around me, creating memories that will last long after the concert ends and the lights come back on. In October 2018, I went to my first and for sure not last Colony House concert, which was opened by The New Respects. The atmosphere of the tiny Grand Stafford Theatre in downtown Bryan was extremely energetic and exciting. Standing shoulder to shoulder with a few friends and people I had never seen before, we jammed out to songs most of us had listened to on repeat for hours. Being able to hear the band live and see them standing only a few feet in front of me and feeling the beat move through the crowd was incredible and reminded me just how unbelievable live music is.•
by these weekly lessons may be aggravating for students and teachers alike, but we believe that these reminders on the
View of the Pride: Have the Cougar Quality lessons been beneficial?
Cougar Qualities are important for each student’s own success and for the betterment of our school environment as a whole. If even only one student learns from these lessons or is
AGREE
impacted by the qualities upon which this school was built, then the time is completely worth it to continue with these lessons. Valuing character, outstanding leadership, understanding of others, goal-orientation, academic excellence and respect will help develop not only good students, but good people. High school is supposed to prepare us for the rest
“Sometimes the chaos of high school overwhelms me, but the lessons help me focus on what’s most important.” -Amaka Okonkwo, junior
“No because people should have certain standards for themselves and the school shouldn’t have to tell them to be good people.” -Samantha Doyle, senior
“Of course! It’s always nice to learn how to be better Cougars.” -Hannah West, senior
“Everyone basically treats it like a joke, and it is a waste of time.” -Madison Morehead, junior
of our lives and putting these values at the forefront of our minds on a weekly basis is going to create an opportunity for the enhancement of our success, in and out of school.•
The Catamount Newspaper
2018-2019 Newspaper Staff Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Executive Editor Senior Editor Opinions Editor Entertainment Editor Sports Editor Photography Editor Assistant Editor Staff Reporters
Graphic Artist Cartoonist Faculty Adviser Assistant Adviser
DISAGREE
Dru Peacock Grace Costenbader Katie Guye Makayla Fox Kylie Vernon Catie Sikes Ethan Cohen Melanie Evans Jaycie Robinson Ayden Woods Aliza Ali Loredana Pearlstein Jayci Tawney Grace Costenbader Sloan Peacock Courtney Wellmann Teresa Laffin
The newspaper is produced by the Advanced Journalism: Newspaper Production class at College Station High
School, 4002 Victoria Ave., College Station, Texas, 77845. The opinions expressed are those of the writers and are not reflective of the administrators, faculty or staff of the College Station Independent School District.
Submissions to the editors are welcomed but must be signed and should not exceed 300 words. The editor
reserves the right to edit submissions in the interest of clarity and length or to not print a letter at all. Letters containing obscene or libelous material will not be considered. The Editorial Board consists of all staff.
The newspaper is a member of the Interscholastic League Press Conference (ILPC) and a winner of their Bronze
Star award in 2014, 2015 and 2016, as well as their Silver Star Award in 2017.
College Station ISD does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex or handicap in
providing education services. Monica James, Director of Human Resources, 1812 Welsh, College Station, Texas 77840 (979-764-5412) has been designated to coordinate compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Title IX. Molley Perry, Director of Special Services, 1812 Welsh, Suite 120, College Station, Texas 77840 (979-764-5433) has been designated to coordinate compliance with the nondiscrimination. requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Friday, Nov. 2, 2018
The Catamount
Voting provides empowerment, vehicle for change Millennials and teenagers have the reputation of being lazy. We’re constantly on our phones, conDru Peacock stantly looking for shortcuts, constantly looking for a quick-fix. But at the core, we are innovative, opinionated and ready for change. Change, that is, in the way our country functions both politically and socially. No matter where you stand in politics- left, right, middle, none of the above- I bet we can all agree that we would like to see change in the world. We all want the world to be a better place, even if we have different ideas of what that looks like or how that should happen. Either way, we need to make that change happen because nothing ever improves without change. One surefire way to make that change is by voting. While this may seem trite or useless, one drop in a very large bucket, voting is the one way to truly shift our political landscape. Without voting, how can we
say we did everything we could to make the world a better place? Without voting, how do we expect to make a difference? Voting not only gives the ordinary person a voice, it also allows us to improve and revise the way we live. It’s important to care what is happening in politics because it affects everyone. Ignorance may be bliss but it serves no purpose in
Art by Grace Costenbader accomplishing change. The right to vote is an opportunity to influence our government not only with policies and laws but with how our society is structured. We
need to exercise our right to vote because like Franklin D. Roosevelt said “nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves, and the only way they could do this is by not voting.” We have to continue voting representatives into office who are going to uphold the values we believe in. Unfortunately, according to NPR. org, people ages 18-35 continue to have the lowest voter turnout, which is scary. Sure, I can retweet posts and articles on Twitter, wear graphic t-shirts depicting political slogans I believe in and tell my friends why I stand where I do on certain subjects, but voting is the only way I can make a direct impact. Be active now, and even if you aren’t 18 yet, understand issues so when you can vote, you can make an educated decision. Go to rallies, attend marhces and inaugurations. Encourage friends to vote and ask your parents to also. Have conversations with people to hear their views and opinions. Appreciate our right to vote, cherish it, and go vote on Nov. 6 in the midterm elections.•
??? QUESTION issue OF THE
Do you think it’s important to be politically informed?
ye
76 s
%
VOTE
12 No
.4%
VOTE
11
Kin .6% do f
VOTE 490 people polled
Opinions
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HUMANS of CSHS
Daisy Eager Sophomore
“I’m in powerlifting, wrestling and choir because I love each of these activities, and I want to show colleges that I’m well rounded. I will go the extra mile to get the last shot or to improve my singing voice.” I’m getting out of my shell because through choir and sports, I’m learning to not be afraid to voice my opinions.”•
Check out our Instagram to learn more about the Humans of CSHS @cshscatamountnewspaper
COUGAR UNVEILED by sloan peacock
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Opinions
Friday, Nov. 2, 2018
The Catamount
Faith tempers anxiety about college applications, future plans I got my first email from the College Board in the middle of freshman year. Several months later, the college Katie Guye mail began pouring in, and thus began the tuition-sized anxiety of college admissions. Anxiety and I have a rather long relationship, and it frequently visits anytime the topics of applications, majors or graduation comes up. While I would love to say that I’ve submitted all of my applications, figured out living arrangements and decided upon the perfect career path, it would be a bold-faced lie because the truth is I’m just battling to meet the deadline and find a major that I won’t completely despise. The College Board likes to make students such as myself think that if they don’t start studying for the SAT freshman year and volunteering at infancy, then they have no hope of gaining any higher education. For me (and I suspect
many others), the smiling teens pictured in those emails who clearly have it all put together serve only to incite frustration and nervousness as I run a mental checklist of every task that must be accomplished. I’ve spent almost every single day of my high school career crafting a well-rounded application, impressive transcript and competitive GPA that some stranger in a random admissions committee will boringly stare at. It wasn’t until the end of junior year that I seriously analyzed my choices. Are my mental breakdowns worth it? It is truly wise to make myself miserable for what many say are some of the best years of my life, just so that I might get into some prestigious, expensive private school, only to repeat the competitive process for the next four years? The cold hard truth is, in 30 years, I’m not going to remember whether I got a 91 instead of a 98 on a math test. But I will remember discovering new passions, lifelong friendships and the sense of pride felt when hard work pays off.
And this isn’t to say that my decision should be taken lightly. It is, after all, the largest decision I’ve made in my life up to this point and one that will affect me for decades to come. I feel the significance constantly, and it follows me around wherever I go. The pressure to “find my passion,” as countless teachers, friends and blog posts have recommended, is intense, but how can I, a 17 year old girl who can hardly decide whether to get nuggets or strips when she goes to Chick-fil-A, determine what career to pursue and at which institution to spend tens of thousands of dollars? College-related anxiety is a beast I fight daily, and not just when I sit down to file my FAFSA. Yet, in the midst of all the pressure and decisions, comes a reminder to seek God first and foremost. He might not make the items on my todo list disappear, but I can sleep easily knowing that my Savior will guide and protect me every step of the way on this crazy-long journey. And people who have it all put together are pretty boring anyway.•
Romance books inconsistently stereotype teenage characters N o v e l s have integrated themselves into all aspects of our lives. Whether as beLoredana loved friends, Pearlstein dreaded enemies, or information, we as a society forget to think about books as a luxury our ancestors did not have. Yet in a modern era where books are popularly dissected for educational purposes, there has risen a subculture of books less devoted to these meaningful ideals, calling back to a fantastical era of Disney-like wonderment. Yet as someone who has dreamed of creating my own world, I have become perplexed by what characters in the general medium insinuate about people, particularly teenagers. The worst perpetrators of this are most probably romance novels, and I do acknowledge that there are exceptions;
nonetheless, a good majority follow these rules. First, there’s the “mean girl” or “somewhat feminine girl.” For whatever reason, romance novelists often love to illustrate the two main character’s love by creating some awfully one dimensional character who is no different from the protagonist other than presenting more female characteristics than her and is still somehow villainous. However
They don’t deal with real-life problems. blinding fuschia looks in the hallway, I’ve never thought those who wear it are any less of a person, nor does this help progress gender equality. If we as a society continue to pursue these negative characterizations of femininity, we insinuate that femininity is not welcome. Then we have the male lead, who often times insults the main character be-
fore coming in and sweeping her off her feet, proclaiming that he loved her since they met, even though they barely know each other--like people do. However, I’d like to point out that not only is the male almost borderline psychotic, but that there are plenty of guys out there that are actually kind and supportive of their significant other. I am cynical about these novels because not only is the majority of the ensemble cast typically Caucasian, but they don’t deal with real-life problems, or if they do, it’s easily compatible. As people, complex beings of all races, genders, sexual orientations, we deserve to be represented as such. We deserve love that these books often leave us wanting, which is why I’m eager new books that venture into new frontiers are around, such as “This is How You Lose Her”, and “Rubyfruit Jungle,” as we can finally experience a fantastical world without abandoning all our meaningful thoughts upon turning the first page.•
Voices What’s your most used emoji and why?
“The face-palm emoji because people disappoint me.” Iris Huang, sophomore
“The crying-smiley face because something was so funny that I started crying while laughing.” Zoe Taylor, freshman “The smiley with closed eyes emoji because I always have something to smile about.” Angela Cupp, sophomore
“The winking emoji because I love subliminal messages.“ John McDougal, junior
“Probably the thumbs-up emoji because I’m too lazy to say okay.” Caroline Quick, senior
“The sunglasses emoji; always have my hater blockers on.” Colin Slattery, US History teacher
Friday, Nov. 2, 2018
The Catamount
People
9
shelf awareness Reading heightens creativity, language in busy student lives Grace Costenbader Managing Editor From a young age, students are taught to read, and acquiring this ability is often a celebration. As years pass and times change, reading seems to be slipping from the minds of many students and is often considered too time consuming and, ultimately, “boring,” but this indifference to reading can have negative effects on both individuals and our society. “Reading enhances and enriches one’s creativity and imagination, allowing people to gain new ideas and perspectives on the world,” said senior Erin Clendenin who has studied reading in her Ready Set Teach class. What has been quite obvious in recent years is a declining interest in reading among young children, due in large part to the ease and accessibility to technology. “Not reading at an early age affects the development of one’s mind for the worse because it doesn’t allow children to form a basic skill needed for their future,” Clendenin said. With the welfare of children’s minds at stake, it is more important now than ever to encourage reading. “When children haven’t been exposed to enogh language, their brains just don’t develop,” librarian Tina San Angelo said. “That is why it’s important to read.” One of the biggest benefits of reading is the opportunity for expansion of vernacular and the heights one can reach with impressive diction. In order to further encourage reading among
high school students, the library has implemented reading goals. Once a student reaches his or her reading goal, the library rewards them with a pizza party. Additionally, achieving these goals allows students improve their vocabularies and acquire valuable intangibles. “The most important benefit of reading, especially for students who don’t think about reading, is the way that it helps their vocabulary,” San Angelo said. “I think you don’t realize how much you take in when you read and how many words you learn.” Another alluring aspect of reading is the ability to be completely engulfed in a different world that allows for escape from reality. “Reading has allowed me to view subjects from various perspectives,” English teacher Maggie Pruitt said. “Reading has allowed me to put words to feelings I could not put words to before. Reading has made me feel less alone.” The advantages of reading are boundless. “[Taking the time to read] could be an advantage as it’s a chance to escape the fast life we force ourselves to live, a chance to sit down in the middle of the rat race, and a chance to get off the roller coaster that is making us sick,” Pruitt said. Altogether, the benefits associated with reading far outweigh the potential inconveniences of taking the time to invest in education and expansion of the mind. “Patience, listening, comprehension and application to one’s own life are key virtues that come from reading,” Clendenin said.•
Reading has always allowed me to view subjects from various perspectives. -Maggie Pruitt English teacher
Kick Back and Relax, These are the Facts Extensive reading was linked to superior performance of general knowledge, vocabulary, spelling, verbal fluency and reading comprehension.
Research consistently shows a strong correlation to reading and academic success at all ages.
Differences in reading volume make an independent contribution to growth in reading and language skills.
Students not reading well in third grade are four times more likely to drop out.
Source: www.stackup.net
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Student Life
Friday, Nov. 2, 2018
The Catamount
The Catamount
Student Life
11
seizing the senses Sensory changes in classrooms enhance learning experiences by stimulating five senses Kylie Vernon Opinions Editor The five senses dictate our perception of reality and affect what we do and how we do it, including our performance in school. According to the professors in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, using multiple senses increases connections to our cognitive memories when learning a particular concept. In our everyday lives, there is a constant influx of stimuli that our brains are equipped to handle. Therefore, in the classroom, an engaging multi-sensory approach may also improve learners.
Sociology and debate teacher Chad Lehrmann keeps his classroom relatively dark with only lamps and the Smartboard for illumination. “I’ve found that it makes people feel more comfortable in their environment and makes it easier for people to focus,” Lehrmann said. “It draws attention to the board where the notes are because that’s the bright light in the room, so people pay attention to it.” The low-light setting not only draws attention towards particular things, but also provides emotional
Having been in a lot of different classrooms, I want it to be as pleasant as possible. -Teresa Laffin English teacher comfort in the debate teacher’s room. “When it comes to discussion, a darker room tends to mean that people feel safer to speak out,” Lehrmann said. “Discussion increases with a darker room as well as attentiveness, which seems counterintuitive, but the darker light does typically make people focus in a little more.” Apart from light, senses like smell and sound can also be of consequential benefit to the learning environment in creating a positive atmosphere for students and teachers. English and yearbook teacher Teresa Laffin uses an essential oil diffuser in her classrooms to permeate the room with fragrant scents. “I really want my classroom to smell good because
having been a teacher for 17 years and having been in a lot of different classrooms, I want it to be as pleasant as possible,” Laffin said. “Part of our memories are associated with our senses. Since smell is one of those senses, I think it’s just true that people have different associations with different smells.” Apart from memory, appealing to each sense in different ways can simply increase happiness, making an environment more productive. Band director Eric Eaks spends his day surrounded by the sense of sound and is subsequently familiar with the psychological effects it has. “Music has the ability to swing things around if you were in a negative state of mind,” Eaks said. “Along with that, whenever people listen to music, they tend to involve both the left and right side of their brain, so they begin to perform more efficiently.” As our brain translates the influx of sensory information, the cognitive response impacts how the rest of our body behaves and performs. The sense of touch also impacts learning. As a result, math department head Mary Selcer attached bungee cords to her desks to account for the more fidgety students she has in her classes. “Some people just have to have movement. They can’t sit still,” Selcer said. “The bungee cord allows them to bounce their feet up and down like shaking their legs. It satisfies that urge and helps them calm down which makes them more productive.” Motion before a strenuous activity such as a test or a daily job can help focus one’s attention on the task at hand. According to the pediatricians of Silverdale Pediatrics highlighted in Sara Lindberg’s article “How Movement in the Classroom Helps Kids Focus”, when the body is exercising or moving, the prefrontal cortex of the brain is stimulated, thus leading to heightened concentration and attention. It’s important for students them to know what makes up the best learning environment. “For me, having a dark room keeps me healthier and a little bit less stressed so I’m able to get done the things that I need,” Lehrmann said.•
Studying with the senses
SEEING
Color coding your notes and watching videos is a good way to retain information.
Hearing
Creating a jingle you are familiar with and replacing the lyrics with facts can help you remember information.
smelling
Lemon and lavendar scents promote concentration.
Touching
Incorporating a physical activity into your day will help your overall concentration in your classes.
tasting
Eating a grainy breakfast in the morning gives your brain the glucose levels it needs to fuel concentration. Information compiled by Kylie Vernon
Graphics by Grace Costenbader
12 People
Friday, Nov. 2, 2018
The Catamount
Passion for cars brings students together at car meets Ayden Woods Assistant Editor
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o the average person, a car is a mode of transportation. It’s a fast way to get from point A to point B. Most people don’t care too much about the size of the engine or whether or not it’s supercharged. But to some students, cars mean much more to them. “An average car is like an appliance,” said senior Gunnar Lingsweiler, who owns a ruby red 2018 Ecoboost Ford Mustang. “But with a sports car, it’s more about the ride. It is about the experience and the feeling of the car.” Lingsweiler has loved cars since he was a kid, and he keeps up with companies and their vehicles such as Ford, Dodge, Lamborghini and Ferrari. Lingsweiler’s favorite car brand is Ford, and he has wanted a Mustang since he was thirteen. Some students have such preferences for their cars. “It’s just more fun to drive a manual car than to drive an automatic vehicle,” said junior Ceasar Delrio who owns a 1964 Volkswagen Beetle that he and his father restored together. His car has a manual clutch that he has to shift to change the gear. Delrio’s Beetle is on the rare side of cars because of the age and functionality of the vehicle. Custom cars are also popular in the car community. “I’ve changed the throttle body, the air intake, and got a tune on it,” said junior Guillermo Jimenez who owns a Dodge Challenger. “I wanted to make it
suit me.” Guillermo loves his car and has put a lot into it and has customized his car to his personality. People who have built cars or customized them have developed certain bonds with them. Delrio said he got his car from his cousin, and through repairing it, he has developed a bond with his car that means a lot to him. “It has a lot of memories behind it, and I have a sort of bond with it,” Delrio said. Similarly, Guillermo keeps his car in high condition by changing his oil frequently. He also checks his spark plugs for water and replaces them when needed. “I have a really deep bond with my car,” Guillermo said. “It has been there when i was sad, happy; it’s just something I wouldn’t ever get rid of.” Guillermo said he enjoys his car and he likes to share his experience with it to other people through car meets. “You get to meet new people,” Guillermo said. “No matter if you’re a racer or not, you can go and experience others and see other people’s cars. Like Guillermo, Lingsweiler is also part of the car community. He is also part of a car club and enjoys showing his car to others and seeing other people’s custom cars. “At car meets you just get together with your cars and you talk and bond over your cars,” Lingsweiler said. “It doesn’t matter what car you have, you can just go and have a good time.”•
most popular car brands at cshs during 17-18 school year
110 Fords 105 Toyotas 80 Chevys 66 Jeeps 65 Hondas 41 Nissans 34 Dodges
Friday, Nov. 2, 2018
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ca M E R A S Ro l l i n g
People
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Audio-Video Production students discover outlet for creativity Makayla Fox Senior Editor In this world, we need something to say. In this case, something to see, too. “I saw my brother take [Audio/Video Production], and I got see all the films at the Cougar Cannes Film Festival and saw how many good ones were made. Tie that to my inspiration to inspire and entertain others, and you get an AV Student,” said junior Simon Kinman, who has taken AV one and is currently enrolled in AV two. The Audio/Video Production classes include three levels, and each one is two class periods a day, plus time outside of school to create an original film. “The AVP program functions both as a class and a club, a technology class and an art class, and my students are both coworkers and family to each other,” Audio/Video Production teacher Stephen Green said. “It’s so much more than just a high school course to get your CTE/elective credit.” Being a fine arts credit, the program serves as an outlet. “[Audio/Video Production] benefits me by letting me express myself creatively and being surrounded by different, but equally creative people,” senior Maddie Abdalla said. The first class teaches the basics and functions of equipment, different film techniques and projects, and editing skills. “I have always liked using cameras, but never really understood the more advanced functions, so I thought the program would be a great way for me to learn a better understanding, to improve my photo and video taking skills,” junior Jeremy Garcia said. Creating a film can be a tedious process. “First, we have to come up with a concept. Once we have our concept, we need to create a storyboard and script for the film. This helps us get an idea of the shots required,” sophomore Gracie Lawhon said. The filming process takes from four to six weeks. “Once you have finished filming every scene, then we will start the editing process. This is where we will edit all of the clips together, cut out things we don’t need, add sound effects, audio, graphics, fix image coloring and lighting,” Garcia said. Through the content being produced, Green hopes that more valuable lessons than just the technical skills
▲ A still from “Snakes and Ladders,” a film created by the students of the Audio/Video Production of 2017-2018. Pictured are Sydney Harris, Griffin Ford and alum Alex Krouskop. PHOTO PROVIDED BY CSHS AVP are taken away. “I hope that my students take to heart all of the other life lessons that arise in my classes and while making their projects,” Green said. Each detail of the project creates a significant aspect to the film to engage its audience. “My favorite part of filmmaking is the challenge of creating shots that are not only visually pleasing, but play a vital role in the plot of the film,” Lawhon said. The film industry can be a rigorous career path, but the drive and passion contained in the students creates optimism towards success. “I’d like to try and make it [in the industry], but I’d also like to teach one day. AVP prepares me for this by teaching me different filming techniques and different aspects of the process,” Kinman said. Filming jobs range from directors and editors, to set designers and other jobs; ranging from large industries to local companies.
“I plan on pursuing a career in film and I already have a job at a local film production company. This program helped me learn the basics and the terminology that is unexpected of high school students coming into film,” Abdalla said.•
@cshsavp CSHS AVP
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Sports
Friday, Nov. 2, 2018
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Gymnasts aspire for career in sport Aliza Ali Staff Reporter Gymnastics has approximately 4.81 million participants ages six and older in the United States. Around 20,000 are high school gymnasts. Junior Katelyn Kolodziejczyk has had a fondness for gymnastics since childhood. “I’ve been doing gymnastics since I was two,” Kolodziejczyk said. “I did mommy and me classes first and then my mom signed me up for regular classes and I just loved it ever since then.” Junior Alysse Loopstra started in preschool and has been in love with the sport ever since. “As I got older, I just loved it and stuck with it,” Loopstra said. “I’m not really a competitive person, necessarily, it’s kind of like you’re trying to be yourself.” As captains of the team, Loopstra and Kolodziejczyk describe the position as being the number one supporter and encourager of the team. “You’re trying to support your teammates and help them be their best,” Loopstra said. “What keeps you going is like, ‘What can I do better? What can I do that will make my teammates better? How can I help the team?’” “You do what you do so that you can help them,” Kolodziejczyk said. “Hearing your teammates cheer you on whenever you do good, or whenever you see that you’ve gotten a good score, or whenever we won regionals last year, everyone was screaming and it was just fun to hear all that.” Loopstra and Kolodziejczyk said that their proudest moment in gymnastics was winning the regional competition last year, beating Rudder, who consistently has a strong program. “It was so hard to set up for one day and then compete for two days in a row and take down everything,” Loopstra said. “And to end up on top was just amazing.” Kolodziejczyk and Loopstra feel proud of their teammates whenever they see their happiness after accomplishing one of their goals or doing well in a performance. Kolodziejczyk is planning to stay involved in gymnastics going into adulthood. “One day, I’d want to coach the gymnastics team when our coach retires, which would be in the far future, or just somehow still involved in gymnastics, like coaching or judging,” Kolodziejczyk said. Loopstra would like to have a future in gymnastics as well. “I would like to coach or judge gymnastics in the future,” Loopstra said.•
▲Junior Alysse Loopstra performs on the beam at the Rudder meet on March 23. Loopstra has been a gymnast since preschool and currently serves the high school team as one of two captains. PHOTO PROVIDED BY JESSICA KOUBA
upcoming gymnastics meets: Nov. 16 at Beaumont Nov. 30 at Rudder Dec. 17 at Round Rock Jan. 18 at Rudder
Predicting end results of 2018 NFL football season Saquon Barkley wins ROTY: After being drafted second overall in April, the Penn State product has proved to be one of the most talented and entertaining Ethan Cohen players in the league this year. Through 8 games, Barkley has rushed for 519 yards on 111 carries, averaging 4.7 yards every rush and has been the one bright spot on an absolutely abysmal New York Giants team, overshadowing fellow teammate Odell Beckham Jr. As a rookie, Barkley is currently 6th overall in rushing yards, but his receiving ability is a key part of what makes him so great, his incredibly versatility. Barkley has 497 receiving yards on 58 catches and has been targeted by quarterback Eli Manning more than 60 times, and once by Odell Beckham on a trick play that resulted in a touchdown. Barkley has proven to be an excellent pick, and though the team he is on may be struggling, that hasn’t been enough to slow him down. Rams vs. Patriots Superbowl: Currently undefeated, the Rams have proven time and time again that they have the best offense in the NFL. Quarterback Jared Goff has been phenomenal, throwing for 2,425 yards and 17 touchdowns, and is currently in the top 3 for passing yards in the league. Goff’s receiving corps has played very well, and two of his top targets are currently in the top 10 in receiving yards. Todd Gurley has also been unstoppable, currently the NFL’s leading rusher, amassing 800 yards and 11 touchdowns on 169 carries. This incredible offense has made the Chiefs stand out as the clear best team in the NFC. The Patriots are likely to be the victors of the AFC. Despite a very rocky start, New England bounced back and ended the Kansas City Chief’s winning streak at home on Oct. 14th. The Chiefs will be the biggest test for the Pats to make it out of the AFC, but I believe Tom Brady’s experience and chemistry with his team, as well as the talented play of Sony Michel, will lift the Pats over the hill in the long run. J.J. Watt wins DPOTY: After missing the majority of the 2017 and 2016 seasons, J.J. Watt has returned to football with a vengeance. The Houston Texans defensive end and four time pro bowler has recorded 30 total tackles (7 were assists) and forced 4 fumbles. Not to mention Watt’s 8 sacks, tied for second most overall in the NFL. Other contenders for the award are Chicago linebacker Khalil Mack, and even Watt’s teammate Jadaveon Clowney. Watt has set himself apart fromt the rest of the pack and has been performing as if he never dealt with an injury. If he keeps this up, it will be hard to find anyone else to compete.•
Friday, Nov. 2, 2018
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Sports
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Senior safety leads through example on both sides of ball Ethan Cohen Sports Editor It’s often said that big time players make big time plays in big time games, and on a rainy night in Magnolia, Cougar safety Brandon Joseph’s efforts epitomized this statement. Playing both ways, Joseph led the Cougar defense to several huge fourth quarter stops and then hauled in the game-winning touchdown in overtime. Joseph’s efforts were influential in a pivotal moment for the Cougars’ season, and though he has received an abundance of attention for his skills, he’s never lost track of what made him love the game. “I love how this is a team sport,” Joseph said. “If you mess up, your friend has your back, and if they mess up you have their back. It is all about working together and having each other’s back” Joseph’s abilities on the field have been fine tuned for quite some time, and he has been around the game for as long as he can remember. “I used to live in Houston, and I think from around first to third grade, I played on a football team called the Houston Titans,” Joseph said. “I moved to College Station, and in 6th grade they had a tackle football team called the Raiders, and I didn’t really like tackle football, so I stopped and played flag football for a year.” After his brief hiatus from tackle football, Joseph returned to the game in middle school, where he split reps at quarterback with senior wide receiver Spencer Maxwell and senior quarterback Brandon Williams. Joseph remained a quarterback until his sophomore year when he transitioned into a safety full time and joined the varsity squad. “Sophomore year I was a bit of a scaredycat,” Joseph said. “I didn’t like tackling. I didn’t really like the physical parts of the game, but over the years I have become much more physical.” Joseph noted that the development of his physicality has been integral to his proficiency as a safety. His sophomore year, he logged around 70 tackles in 15 games. His junior year, he recorded 108 through 16, and so far, he’s already recorded more than 60 through 7 games. “I feel like a more physical player,” Joseph said. “With all of this talk about football in college, I’ve worked to develop as a safety. So, I’ve worked on coverage as well as the tackling aspect.”
Though he plans on focusing on defense in college, Joseph has played wide receiver and returned kicks for the Cougars. He has recorded two interceptions, several long returns and two receiving touchdowns. His presence and talent in all parts of the game contribute to his position as a leader on the team, a role that Joseph doesn’t take lightly. “Being a leader I really just do what I have to do,” Joseph said. “I have to be at one thousand percent always. My leadership could be verbal, just by encouraging guys, or leading by example. It’s hard because there’s never any slacking.” The senior has never had the chance to slack. Being on varsity since his sophomore year means that Joseph has been on three of the most competitive varsity squads in the program’s history. Each of these teams are unique in their own right, but Joseph notes that this team stands out in particular. “My sophomore and junior year we came in knowing who everyone was,” Joseph said. “This year we came in, and our quarterback didn’t play quarterback last year, one of our wide receivers played quarterback. We had a few returners, and we needed people to step up, and those who did step up have done a great job.” During the past offseason, Joseph announced his commitment to play football at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. Though he received a slew of offers from programs all over the country, the senior felt a particular attraction to the Red Raiders. “I liked the campus and the coaches, and I plan on majoring in business and they have a good business school,” Joseph said. “I will have two defensive back coaches, and the defensive coordinator is a defensive back guy. I will also be able to play all defensive back positions, like corner, safety and outside linebacker.” Though he may be headed for big things after he graduates, Joseph will never forget what he treasures about the Cougar community. “Our community and fan-base is insane,” Joseph said. “I love all of the people and administrators that support our team, and I love all of our coaches.” Joseph’s final goals for his time as a Cougar are to finish the season strong, and he has confidence in the team’s abilities. Joseph and the Cougars will face off against a talented Tomball Cougar team at home tonight at 7:30 p.m.•
▲ Senior safety Brandon Joseph returns a punt against the Magnolia Bulldogs at Bulldog Stadium on Oct. 19. Joseph later caught the game winning touchdown in overtime, capping off an impressive Cougar comeback. PHOTO PROVIDED BY ELISE DRAPER
Rundown on Brandon Joseph Interceptions: 4 Touchdowns: 3 Receiving yards: 89 Receptions: 4 Kick return yards: 173 Punt return yards: 74 Tackles: 69
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Sports
The Catamount
Friday, Nov. 2, 2018
Sister Squad
Two sets of siblings dig playing together on varsity team Katie Guye and Loredana Pearlstein Executive Editor and Staff Reporter Many athletes would say their team feels like a family. They practice together, they play together and they attend school together. This dynamic becomes even stronger when siblings are on the same team, as is the case with varsity volleyball players Abby and Zoe Peterek and Brielle and Bri Warren. “Abby and Zoe have always been close,” the siblings’ mother Christy Peterek said. “They communicate well and trust each other. They know one another’s strengths and weaknesses. They have open and honest communication with one another as well, which correlates to good chemistry and respect for each other’s role on the court.” Participating in a sport together seems to have grown the sisters’ relationship even more, teaching them how to better communicate and work together. “[Bri and I are] very comfortable with each other, and we have a lot of fun,” freshman Brielle Warren said. “We know what we like, and we know how to talk to each other, and I think that’s what really helps us on the court.” Juniors Bri and Zoe found ways throughout the season to take up leadership roles on the team and aid their younger siblings. “I try to help her with mental game and just [with] being the best teammate she can be,” Bri said. “I only get two years to play this sport with her, so I feel like it’s stressful at times because you want the other to do so well.” With Abby Peterek and Brielle Warren being freshman on the varsity team, each faced a distinct set of obstacles. “It was on me to earn the trust of the girls who were there before, and I feel like they made that very easy,” Brielle said. “I [was] just trying to get better and show them that I am a freshman, but I’m going to do my best to meet my limit and surpass that so that I can be beneficial [to the team]. This presented a unique situation for Coach Street as well, as she manages players new to the high school level. “They’re doing whatever it takes,” Street said. “They’ve really done a great job of stepping up and filling into the spot to where we need them, and you can’t be more proud of that.” Having siblings on the team seems to have made the camaraderie even stronger, leading the dynamic to be one of a family. “I love my team,” Abby said. “They’re like my family.” Overall, the unique position of two sets of sisters on the same team has formed strong, beneficial bonds for each and every team member. “I absolutely love playing with my sister, I have loved getting to watch her grow as a player and person over this season,” Zoe said. “She is the person who I can relate to and go to with anything, and I love getting to spend so much time with her. It makes my heart happy when we have the rotation with Abby setting, me playing right side, Bre in the middle, and Brielle on the outside, because it’s the #sistersquad.”•
▲ Sisters Brielle and Bri Warren and Abby and Zoe Peterek are all on the varsity team. Abby and Brielle are freshmen, and Zoe and Bri are juniors. PHOTO PROVIDED BY CHRISTY PETEREK
Volleyball terminology explained Kill: a hit immediately resulting in a point Spike: a hit with intention to score a kill Assist: setting a teammate up for a kill Block: a defensive play by front row players to block a spike from the opposing team
Ace: a serve resulting directly in a point, usually with the opposing team leaving the ball untouched
Source: volleyball.epicsports.com
Friday, Nov. 2, 2018
The Catamount
Sports
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Cougar Cross competes at state tomorrow in Round Rock Jayci Tawney Staff Reporter It’s Oct. 11th, 6:00 in the morning and the air holds a slight chill with the strong winds blowing at the trees. The boys and girls cross country teams are warming up, preparing to race their opponents at the district cross country meet at the Bryan Municipal Park. The girls and boys varsity finished the meet in second place and secured a spot at the regional meet on Oct 22 in Huntsville. “The course was kind of wet just because of all the rain lately so that was kind of tough running through the puddles,” junior Joseph Benn said. “Overall I felt pretty good and and I think I ran pretty well.” Through all the complications, the runners managed to overcome these challenges. “Although it wasn’t ideal, getting 2nd place as a team really helped us focus going into region,” senior
Matthew McGinnis said. At region senior Stephanie Brown finished in 14th place, qualifying her as an individual for state. The team finished in 8th place. “I was really proud of the effort by all the girls and how we worked together to punch each other during the race,” Brown said. The boys team finished, earning bronze medals and a spot as a team at state. They will run tomorrow in Round Rock “This year I think I’m a lot more prepared knowing I have ran it before and knowing what the course is like.” Benn said. The runners are pumped to race and be a good representation of the Cougars. “I’m super excited for state,” McGinnis said. This will be his 3rd time running in the state meet, “I can’t wait to represent CSHS at the state level again!”•
cross country regional places Varsity Boys: 8 Siddharth Jayaraman 13 Joseph Benn 24 Matthew McGinnis 48 Karl Lindahl 58 Andrew Reichmann 85 Shane Grant
Team Place: 3rd
Varsity Girls:
▲ Senior Stephanie Brown runs at the ▲ Junior Jospeh Benn finishes his race at the disdistrict meet on Oct. 22 at Bryan Munic- trict meet Oct. 22 at Bryan Municipal Park. Benn ipal Park. Brown placed 11th at district. placed second at district. PHOTO BY JAYCI TAWNEY PHOTO BY COURTNEY WELLMANN
14 Stephanie Brown 36 Grace Wu 49 Sloan Peacock 64 Abigail Glanz 72 Avery Seagraves 73 Esther Tong
Team Place: 8th
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Entertainment
Friday, Nov. 2, 2018
The Catamount
Dungeons
and
Dragons
Creative outlet found in popular role-play games Catie Sikes Entertainment Editor he die is cast, the players hold their breath, the Dungeon Master smiles and the adventure truly begins. Dungeons and Dragons is a Role-Playing Game (RPG) focused on the players’ and the Dungeon Master’s imagination. According to history teacher and gaming club supervisor Ed Wetterman, the first edition of Dungeons and Dragons was created by Gary Gygax and some friends in the early seventies and was titled Chainmail. The name was later changed to Dungeons and Dragons. When asked about her favorite part of Dungeons and Dragons, senior Sydney Pospech said it is “freedom based on your rolls.” Dungeons and Dragons is best played with a group, with one person being the Dungeon Master, or the main storyteller. The Dungeon Master sets up each scene, and the players make a decision based on the scene. They roll a twenty sided die to determine if their decision was successful or not. The higher the roll, the more successful the action. “It’s a little stressful because you have to come up with exactly what you want, or else you aren’t going to get very far,” Pospech said. “You just have to be really precise with what you do.” A normal D&D campaign is not always a stressful battle of the wits, but a fun and more organized way to have an adventure
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for those who are creative and imaginative at heart. “I’ve always had a big imagination, and I love my friends being in the worlds that I would think of, and so I would throw them in and see what they would think of,” junior Sean Dudo said. “After I discovered Dungeons and Dragons, I found out I could do this with more people with a set of rules that I can work with and they can work with, and it’s just really cool.” Most Dungeon Master’s, or DM’s, get their ideas from the internet, or from their own imaginations, but board games and story boards are also available. “The internet is so good, there are so many ideas through it” Dudo said. Anyone is still able to play with just some dice and their imagination, of course. Dungeons and Dragons is a game that involves reading, math, thinking and problem solving. “There’s a lot of kids of my generation that would not be able to read or do matrices or understand math had it not been for Dungeons and Dragons because the original rules had all of that in there,” Wetterman said. “Anything that gets a kid interested in reading is a good thing.” Dungeons and Dragons helps people get into a positive group atmosphere and to be creative. “I think that everyone who can should try it. It’s fun for everyone,” Dudo said.•
I think that everyone who can should try it. It’s fun for everyone. -Sean Dudo Junior
▲This is a copy of both first edition Dungeons and Dragons Player and Dungeons Master’s handbooks along with player sheets and assorted dice. PHOTO BY CATIE SIKES
D&D Character Races Your choice of character race provides you with a basic set of advantages and special abilities and also provides the first cues for building your character’s story.
Human:
Whatever drives them, humans are the innovators, the
Elf:
Elves are a magical people of otherworldly grace, living in the
Halfling:
The comforts of home are the goals of most halflings’ lives:
achievers, and the pioneers of the worlds. world but not entirely part of it. a place to settle in peace and quiet, far from marauding monsters and clashing armies.
Dwarf:
Dwarves are solid and enduring like the mountains they love, weathering the passage of centuries with stoic endurance and little change.
Gnome:
Gnomes take delight in life, enjoying every moment of in-
Half-orc:
Half-orcs are not evil by nature, but evil does lurk within them, whether they embrace it or rebel against it.
vention, exploration, investigation, creation, and play.
Source: dnd.wizards.com
Friday, Nov. 2, 2018
The Catamount
Entertainment
Staffers visit lo al Italian Restaurants
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Cenare Dru Peacock Editor-In-Chief
I am normally in Biology at 1:00 on a Monday afternoon, but a few weeks ago, I was visiting the Italian restaurant Cenare enjoying crab au gratin and chicken parmesan. Cenare is a quaint space located in an unassuming shopping center on University Drive that offers a wide selection of Italian and Mediterranean pasta, chicken, veal and seafood dishes. The atmosphere of the restaurant is sophisticated but charming, and the waitstaff was accommodating and friendly. We were served complimentary bread with oil and spices, but my friend and I ordered crab au gratin for our appetizer, a fondue made with parmesan cheese and lump crab meat. The appetizer is served with warm chunks of bread that we dipped in the cream sauce, twisting the bread so that we could get as much cheese and crab as possible. For my entree, I asked for the classic chicken parmesan, which was
served with a side of spaghetti marinara, and my friend ordered the lobster ravioli. Each entree is served with a house salad with the restaurant’s signature chipotle ranch and croutons. The salad punctuated the appetizer before we got to the next course of noodles and cheese. The chicken parmesan was perfect, cooked fully without becoming tough and with breading that was crispy yet not oily. I tried my friend’s ravioli, and while it was good, I still preferred my dish. The creamy tomato sauce was delicious but the lobster was a tad overwhelming to me. All in all, our lunch was delightful, albeit very pricey. The crab au gratin was $18, the chicken $16 and the ravioli also $16. Add in tip, and our Monday lunch was pretty expensive. Although the service and food could not have been better, I can’t justify spending almost $20 for one plate of food on a regular basis. However, I will be returning to Cenare the next time I want to enjoy authentic, costly, Italian food and thoughtful service.•
fRITtella Kylie Vernon Opinions Editor
Located on South Texas Avenue, the quaint and green restaurant Frittella stands out. On a Saturday night, four of my friends and I decided to give it a try. We stood in line at the front to order and watched the food being made in the open room behind. In addition to spaghetti, Italian foods that I had never heard of were being crafted by the chefs. The menu included ziti, cannelloni, and piccata, foreign to me but each description sounded delicious. We ordered the $9 chicken parmesan, $7 angel hair spaghetti, $8 baked pasta ziti, and $9 fettuccini alfredo. With $3 drinks included, the total for each was a little pricey. However, in comparison to other restaurants, Frittella wasn’t too expensive. We sat down in a little booth and talked and chatted until the bread arrived. It was freshly baked and cleansed our palettes to serve as a sufficient foretaste and base for the rich food we were
▲The classic chicken parmesan, served with a side of spaghetti marinara, accompanied by the lobster ravioli is offered at Cenare. PHOTO BY DRU PEACOCK
about to eat. When our meals arrived, we were a little underwhelmed by the presentation. Everything was drenched in sauce giving each food a soupy appearance. However, as I bit into a bite of that crispy chicken parmesan, I was in heaven. The warm cheesiness was perfectly combined with the marinara, and the garlic flooded my senses. It immediately became my favorite food, and my only complaint was that there wasn’t more. Some of my friends, however, weren’t as fond of their selections. The angel hair spaghetti tasted bland and was not worth the cost, including the single $1.50 meatball. The fettucini alfredo, however, was a classic recipe that combined rich cream with garlic and parmesan cheese. Overall, the food was an adequate representation of some of the most fundamental recipes of Italian cooking. We also decided to order a chocolate frittella, which was a large sweetened pastry folded over into a crescent and covered with chocolate. The chocolate was rich and the texture was delicious. It was definitely a good finishing touch. In the end, Frittella was a nice change from typical restaurants.•
Luigi’s Catie Sikes Entertainment Editor Located on Texas 6 Frontage road, Luigi’s is a quaint, little restaurant with a courtyard atmosphere. The scenery inside includes beautiful trees and bushes with fairy lights in them that create a serene and relaxing atmosphere, which is great for having family get togethers or just hanging out with friends. Seating consists of individual tables and booths that are evenly spread out through the building. Most nights they have live musical entertainment that adds to the relaxed and calming atmosphere. The service at Luigi’s was excellent. They already have ice water set out at the tables, and
their first priority is to make sure everyone is comfortable. My waiter did not make me feel rushed to order. He waited patiently for me and reacted quickly when he received my order. My food was ready and distributed quickly. I ordered the Cannelloni di Spinaci e Ricotta that cost $14. While it was a little on the expensive side, I was pleased with the total outcome of my meal. The fresh tomatoes, ricotta cheese and spinach stuffed in pasta with mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce on top was delicious. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Luigi’s. Although the food might be pricey, the entertainment, service and the wonderful quality and taste of the meal was worth it.•
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The Catamount
Friday, Nov. 2, 2018
eMOTI{C}ONS
Emojis, bitmojis jazz up common text messaging conversations Apple did not create emojis Actually, the Japanese designer Shigetaka Kurita created the first emoji for cell phones in 1999.
“Emoji” was officially added to the dictionary Oxford Dictionaries added the word “emoji” in 2013.
The time of year affects emoji use It’s obvious why the skull is used most in October and the Christmas tree in December, but it’s unclear why the 100 is used most in November.
When you’re speaking the truth or spitting facts, the 100 emoji is what you need. Probably the second best emoji to the cowboy.
I’m pretty sure this is coffee, but people use it to mean tea. You use it when you’re unleashing the tea or have discovered the tea.
When you see something surprising, notice an opportunity arise or are trying to simply say “Hey, look at this!.” Versatile, right?
People love the food emojis The birthday cake and the pizza slice emojis are the most-used food emojis year-round.
source: lifewire.com
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When the heart eyes simply aren’t enough, you pull out the stars on them. This is going above and beyond to say something is amazing.
The most popular emoji is the laughing face with tears Second most popular is the red heart, third the heart eyes face and fourth the pink hearts.
create a Bitmoji:
Emoji Meanings:
This is what you use when you’re trying HARD to be passive aggressive. You sure aren’t happy, but you want to let people know nicely.
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Download the Bitmoji app.
Tap the gear icon and choose your avatar’s gender and facial features.
Customize your Bitmoji’s hair, eye color and clothes.
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Add Bitmoji to your keyboard by following the steps on the app.
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Copy your Bitmoji and paste it in your keyboard. Now send it!
Graphics by Dru Peacock Emoji insight by Ethan Cohen