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Unprecedented natural disaster unites Texas communities Makayla Fox Staff Reporter After category four Hurricane Harvey reigned destruction and devastation along the coast of Texas and into Houston over a four-day span in August, many organizations connected to College Station High School felt the call to action to help those in need in the affected areas. “I didn’t realize how bad it was driving up, because the houses looked fine and everything looked normal. Then you see the rubble, and it’s huge, as tall as I am,” sophomore Emmi Wilson said. “When you go inside of the homes, the walls are torn down and the tiles are scraped up off of the ground from the floors.” Wilson visited League City, Texas, to help family members whose house flooded. “As we were cleaning up, it taught me what kind of person I wanted to be in that situation because people could have been upset about what they lost, but they stayed really positive, considered it another project and went right to work,” Wilson said.
Vol. 6 No. 1
Friday, Sept. 29, 2017
AFtermath Aftermath ofthe storm Storm
continued on page 3
PHOTO OF A NEIGHBORHOOD IN SPRING, TEXAS PROVIDED BY APRIL FALCO
INDEX
News Opinions People Sports Entertainment Etc.
2-5 6-8 9-13 14-17 18-19 20
16 Cougar football begins district play at Bryan. PAGE 16
18 Jazz music sparks passion and provides creative outlet. PAGE 18
19 Staffers review local burger and shake restaurants. PAGE 19
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Cougar NEWS College Board recognizes four seniors Seniors Anna Bardenhagen, Yiannis Pistikopoulos, Ilham Thomson and Sarah Yao earned qualifying scores as semi-finalists for National Merit on their 11th grade PSAT score. They will begin the process of competing to be a finalist by submitting recommendation letters, SAT scores, an essay, list of extracurriculars and transcript.•
HOSA members sponsor first blood drive Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) hosted their first blood drive of the year last Friday, Sept. 22, with 52 donors. Donations made can help more than 150 people. The next blood drive is scheduled for Dec. 4. Students must weigh at least 124 lbs to be eligible for blood donation for their own safety.•
Diversity dance classes hosted by ACED The ACED (Alliance of Cougars Embracing Diversity) club will be hosting free dance classes next week from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the commons in preparation for the homecoming dance next Saturday and to celebrate cultural diversity among students. Classes include Bollywood dance on Monday, salsa and bachata on Tuesday, bellydancing on Wednesday and country dancing on Thursday hosted by the Wranglers.•
Strutting their stuff at the first pep rally on Sept. 22, senior Callie Fowler, junior Brianna Jacques, senior Graesen Johnson, junior Grace Costenbader and junior Megan Kersten perform a hip hop routine with the drill team. The cheerleaders, Cougar Crew, drumline and the C-Stat Steppers also showcased their routines before the Friday night football game against Pflugerville. The Cougars won 35-0 and finished non-district play at 2-2. PHOTO BY COURTNEY WELLMANN ▲
Theatre casts upcoming shows for fall Two Shakespearean plays, “Romeo and Juliet” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” will be performed by the theatre department Nov. 9-13. Student directors are Cassidy Rogers and Kersten Hester with Noah Bullard as student technical director. Cast members include Noah Cassens as Lysander, Donnie French as Demetrius, Jessica Rambo as Hermia, Emma Krajicek as Helena, Kolbe Cashion as Romeo and Cassidy Rogers as Juliet.•
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Friday, Sept. 29, 2017
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Local groups, individuals help Houston-area schools, families rebuild continued from page 1 Social Studies teacher April Falco went to the town of Spring, Texas where she grew up to lend a hand to her best friend’s parents whose house flooded to the roof. “Everyone was very appreciative, but they were also in a fog,” Falco said. “They didn’t realize what had just happened to them. They couldn’t tell you what they needed because it was new to them. The people didn’t know where to begin.” Though the community impacted by Harvey may have been distracted, people around them were quick to come to the rescue. “The most memorable part was the amount of people who came to help,” Falco said. “People come out of the woodwork. One day a Baptist church came to help and the next day the Mosque. To see the different religions and all of the people in different walks of life coming together to help was really neat.” Helping nobody in particular, but as many as she could, senior Kate Hinckley also visited the damaged town of Spring. “I think that if you are more fortunate, it’s your responsibility to help those who aren’t as lucky as you are,” Hinckley said. To view the desolation first-hand was heartbreaking for junior Megan Kersten, as she saw the destroyed building of a Houston church where mission trip friends attend. “It’s real. It is super horrible, but with help, they can get through it,” Kersten said. Many of those unable to travel to affected areas have
donated money and supplies. Student Council hosted a drive for basic necessities like boxed or canned food, diapers and personal hygiene products, while the Fine Arts department collected spare change to donate to the United Way. They raisied a total of $1,102.68. The athletic booster Cougar Club challenged fans to donate to CE King, the football team’s scheduled opponent on Sept. 1 who had to cancel after their school was flooded. The Cougars then
Recovering from this disaster will be a marathon, not a sprint. -Tiffany parkerson Principal rescheduled Austin Westlake whose opponent Katy High School also experienced flooding. Both Westlake and the Cougars collected donations at their football game and then each booster club donated $1,500. The total given to CE King and Katy surpassed $4,000 each. “First and foremost, it’s human nature to help others in times of distress and misfortune,” Cougar Club board member Floyd Daughters said. “When the game was cancelled and the photos of CE King appeared, there was a desire to help in some way. Thinking about our visit to CE
King last year really made the desire to help even greater. A few of us started thinking of ways we could help. It became apparent that the best way to help was to provide resources through supplies and monetary donations.” Daughters and Cougar Club board president Mitch Luedecke traveled to C.E. King to provide a hot meal to the football team and to present a check to their athletic department. Now CSHS has adopted C.E. King High School and Angleton High School and will continue to donate and aid them as the school year continues. “This was a great opportunity to show that banding together in support of our fellow Texans supersedes any rivalry on the field of play,” Principal Tiffany Parkerson said. “Seeing the pictures on the news of the King High School football field completely submerged struck a chord with many in our Cougar community because just a year before we had been seated in those stands ourselves.” sa Parkerson said she realizes how lucky our Cougar Community was through the tragedy of Harvey and wants to help C.E. King and Angleton get back on their feet. “Recovering from this disaster will be a marathon, not a sprint,” Parkerson said, “and I think it is important that as a school community we continue to offer our support to these schools with which we are partnered not just now, immediately after the disaster, but in the coming months, when historically resources start waning.” “By sharing the simple things that we sometimes take for granted, like pencils and paper,” she said, “we are helping them to establish some normalcy through getting back to the business of school.” •
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Reliability of mainstream media affects views of students Tiffany Ha Senior Editor With recent and frequent accusations of fake news from President Donald Trump, the question of mainstream media reliability has often been brought to the forefront of political discussions. “Every news source is biased to some extent, and even news sources that claim to be unbiased aren’t; it depends from show to show and author to author,” senior Chris Williams said. “Fox News traditionally has more of a conservative bias as opposed to CNN [and] MSNBC, which have traditionally more of a liberal bias. The vast majority of any news outlet will be biased one way or another.” If bias is inherent, then consistently only reading one news source may narrow the scope of one’s knowledge on the world’s conditions. “There are definitely sources that are more biased and I think that’s part of the reason why we have such conflict right now amongst all of us, because a lot of the news sources are taking very different stances and be-
cause people will only read the CNN stories on snapchat, they won’t hear the Washington Post’s take,” junior Arianna Pearlstein said. “They won’t get to hear all the different views and so it kind of creates an ignorance to the world around us.” As the prominent controllers of information to the masses, media has a major influence over the political climate and how citizens view the government. “[News bias] affects the viewer, politics and society in general because the media is what you see. It’s what you hear. It’s what you listen to,” freshmen Ben Crockett said. “Just this past election, we saw great swings in the political pendulum because of media.” In order to avoid the restricting effects of bias news outlets, debate president Pearlstein relies on multiple outlets to receive a variety of views. “I go into looking at a news source assuming it’s biased. If proven wrong, then that’s great, but 99 percent of the time the sources are biased so I’m going to have to look at multiple sources,” Pearlstein said. Though mainstream news outlets often cover the same stories, the bias comes from how the story is por-
The news Spectrum liberal
trayed and what aspects they choose to share. “When you receive reporting that is biased, it’s usually designed to trigger a reaction out of you,” Williams said. “Depending on who’s telling you something, they can twist the exact same information to make it seem more in line with what their views are.” Some high schoolers depend on social media for their main source of news. “I follow a news source on Instagram and mainly get my news from there because I check Instagram like every other teenager often so it’s an easy way to stay updated,” sophomore Shreya Majeti said. Although statistically high schoolers are now less informed, those who follow the news encourage their peers to do the same to expand their perspectives. “I’ve been watching the news since I was little because my parents thought it was important to understand what’s going on in the world and not censor things to me just because I’m younger,” Pearlstein said. “It’s our world, it’s what happens. We have to understand it now because it impacts our future.” •
source: marketwatch.com
conservative
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New district email policy creates challenges for students, teachers Emelie Gulde Tools for News Editor Teacher-Student communication College Station district administrators unveiled a new electronic media policy in August that limits communication between teachers and students. “The objective is to help balance our employees’ work and personal lives as well as to have a standard expectation across the district,” CSISD Director of Communications Chuck Glenewinkel said. Between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., one-on-one communication is permissible. After 9 p.m. emails or text messages should include another adult, like a parent, or a group of students. If teachers are contacted about a time-sensitive issue, they can have the option to post to a professional public site such as Remind or Edmodo. “Nine o’clock is not very late for high school students,” senior Student Body President Sam Crockett said. Not being able to talk is
very inconvenient, Crockett added. When it comes to extracurriculars that are generally outside of normal professional hours such as athletics or clubs, students and parents can sign a waiver to allow for communication between them and the organization sponsor. “The waiver is there in case of emergency. Last year, the night before Thanksgiving, a student had a pig that was having seizures and that student had to get a hold of me. I had to go to her house and administer medicine to save the pig’s life,” FFA advisor Sheridan Clinkscales said. Exceptions are usually made only for leaders in groups, as being a member in an organization does not merit one-on-one communication. The waiver is to be used as a last resort, only when other options are unavailable, Glenewinkel said. However, students see the policy as a barrier. “We email our coach with a lot of issues, like whether or not we have practice, scheduling during the
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week, tournaments,” senior Elizabeth Kellstedt said. While these new guidelines are instituted to make interactions between students and teachers professional, there is a concern that, in the case of an emergency, communication barriers could hinder more than help. “In those instances, we encourage our employees to do what they can to make sure the student is safe, no matter what time it is,” Glenewinkel said. Clinkscales said the increase in communication with parents can be beneficial because often students do not convey important information, dates and projects with their families. “I think it’s important to keep the parents in the loop, but still put the responsibility of communication on the students because they are practicing to be adults,” Clinkscales said. •
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THE CAT’S EYE VIEW
staff editorial
Summer assignments create stress for students, diminish free time Many students have experienced the dreaded summer assignments in advanced English and science classes. Teachers give these assignments during the summer to help students ease into the new school year, but the debate on whether students should be assigned summer homework or not is a hot topic among educators and students everywhere and it should be considered to be removed from the curriculum at our school. Summer assignments are a time-consuming activity that hinders one’s ability to fully enjoy their summer. Summer break is a time for students to unwind from the pressures of the school year, for relaxation, vacationing and leisure. Assigning extra work that adds stress to our break is a bit inconsiderate due to students’ busy summer schedule. Granted, summer work is not as stressful as real school work, but it consumes a large part of those glorious days of
Car wreck causes student to reflect on daily simplicities I don’t have a habit of hanging out in cow pastures at 4 a.m., and I don’t recEmelie Gulde ommend it. My dad, my brother and I were en route to an early morning flight when we were hit by a drunk driver. We spun off the road at 60 miles per hour, breaking through a metal fence, a ditch and trees. Have you ever seen your life flash before your eyes? I have, and it’s very real. I saw key moments of my life, the people I love and the choices I’ve made. Suddenly, I felt tiny, like I hadn’t made an impact on the world around me and that I took too many good things for granted. It’s sad that it took such a horrible
summer. Teachers usually assign two novels to read and annothat, we are usually faced with an assessment during the first weeks of school. This places an unfair burden on students who
AGREE
travel during the summer or have jobs. This school is extremely diverse and with that comes students who spend their time during the summer vacationing in
“I like the idea of having optional summer assignments, so that we have the option if we’re busy.” -Meredith Krause, sophomore
different places around the world. Not to mention the other students who spend their summers in the United States doing community service, other activities, or even have jobs. That does not allow much time for students to complete their summer as-
“Yes, because it allows students to refresh their memories before school starts.” -Dayton Pham, junior
signments. So ultimately, what do advanced students gain from doing some extra reading or assignments to supplement an AP class during the summer?•
DISAGREE
“No, because if the teachers can’t fit it in during the school year, we shouldn’t be punished for that during the summer.” -Yochanan Sanchez, junior “No. Summer is the only free time from school students have. Adding assignments defeats the purpose of summer.” -Adie Elliot, senior
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2017-2018 Newspaper Staff
Graphic Artist Cartoonist Faculty Adviser Assistant Adviser
with God, times I made my parents proud of me, times I made my boyfriend laugh and times I surprised myself by making hard decisions. The wreck has ruined some things about my daily life that will slowly get easier, but it has also shed a great light on the amazing things God has given me. The number of things I took for granted are more than I can count, and I have never been more grateful for the simple life I have. I hope sharing this experience is enough to influence you to make a change in your life too, because we all have flaws that we struggle with. We can all change, and learn to appreciate what is really important and set the rest aside. All it takes for anyone is a simple, conscious choice, not a near death experience.•
View of the Pride: Do you think students should have summer assignments? Why?
tate or homework to accompany AP science classes. On top of
Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Executive Editor Senior Editor News Editor Opinions Editor Entertainment Editor Sports Editor Photography Editor Staff Reporters
event to change my point of view on life, but it has. Now I wake up every day wondering: if this is my last day, how should I live it? I no longer feel invincible. Before, I had the mentality that I could make it through anything, that I could stay up late and sleep when I’m dead, that my choices didn’t matter as long as I paid up for them later. My choices are still not well thought-out at times, but at least now I know I can make a change. The wreck was my wake up call. It showed me that all we have is today. Our lives can change faster than we expect. This experience also showed me what I love and value, and that no matter how much time I invest in my classes or extracurriculars, they will not be what I look back on. The scenes that flashed before my eyes were moments I had
Kalindi Desai Noe Canchola Dru Peacock Tiffany Ha Emelie Gulde Grace Costenbader Ty’Asia Hubbard Ethan Cohen Sophia North John Clendenin Makayla Fox Jaycie Robinson Catie Sikes Kylie Vernon Susan Nam Cella Siegelman 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, Sept. 29, 2017
Change in climate warns of detrimental possibilities The air is dark, like a black fog has descended upon the world, inhibiting our vision from extendSophia North ing more than 5 feet in front. Every breath is painful as we inhale the harmful toxins that infected the once clean atmosphere. And the air is so hot that skin feels as though it is melting off bodies like the ice that no longer exists naturally on Earth. It’s terrifying, but this descending blackness is predicted to take over if we don’t do something to reduce the eradication of the sustainable atmosphere through global warming. Global warming can no longer be ignored because its results are harming everything around us. NASA scientists predict that global warming will only increase as we continue to release an excess amount of chemicals into the air through the greenhouse gas effect (trapping of the sun’s warmth in the atmosphere). In the next century, the overall damages
that will be committed to the living world are horrific: the temperature of the earth is predicted to rise 2.5-10 degrees. Precipitation will increase. Droughts will grow in number. Hurricanes will intensify. And sea levels will rise 1-4 feet by 2100. These tragedies may seem irrelevant because we will be dead in the next century, right? O u r fu-
Art by Susan Nam ture is fine, right? But it’s not. This is hurting people now and will harm people from now onward. The number of temperature related deaths and illnesses such as heatstroke, and hyperthermia will increase. Air quality is decreasing, and that dreaded allergy season will only
expand because the increase in carbon dioxide levels will promote plants to release airborne aeroallergens. It is time to take responsibility for our immense contribution to the damages of the atmosphere. We have mistreated this planet. Humans were given the glorious gift of this world as a place to create families, to share laughs, to experience memories, but we are taking it for granted. Something must be done to ensure that the future of this world remains as beautiful as the present and the change begins with each one of us. We can do something (you have already done something by reading this editorial and becoming informed about climate change). To continue helping improve the quality of this planet, use transportation less. If it’s close, walk or ride a bike. Reduce waste and burning by recycling. But most importantly, get involved. Find more ways to fix this problem and spread the knowledge. Problems can only worsen if actions are not taken to resolve it. Don’t ignore this because if we do the black fog will descend upon the beautiful earth.•
??? QUESTION issue OF THE
how many hours a week do you work, if any? 59%
16%
16% 9%
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1-6 hours
7-12 hours
13+ hours 775 people polled
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HUMANS CSHS of
CALEB Elliot a.k.a. “noodle” freshman
“At home, I’m really laid back and lazy, but at school I’m quirky and weird. I am the most like myself in theatre because I can be who I actually am. Theatre was really helpful for me because I made my first friends there. “Believe it or not, people in theatre are usually introverts. They love to act as other people, so I get to be around others who are a lot like me.”
Check out our Instagram to learn more about the Humans of CSHS @cshscatamountnewspaper
COUGAR UNVEILED by cella siegelman
8 Opinions The Catamount Defining beauty as inherent erases labels, negative self image Slowly walking to the bathroom mirror, I mentally prepare myself for the reflection that is going to be Ty’Asia Hubbard staring straight back. Throughout this undeniable self-persecution, I look at myself as if I’m beastly and hideous. What I didn’t know is that my chocolate skin, wide nose, thick thighs, acne-filled face and bouncy curls can also be denied by society. How is beauty truly defined? As a Black teenage girl in America, there are so many judgements and assumptions directed my way. For example, a family member once told me that I am pretty, but that if my acne cleared I would be beautiful. Hearing those excruciating words come from her mouth made me feel even more insecure about myself than before. What makes it even worse is that my family member said that she didn’t mean anything by it, that she was only talking
to talk. Ever heard of the saying, “drunken words are sober thoughts”? Yeah, I felt that part of what she said was true. Being denied and denying yourself can be
being black is already a struggle in america... but being a black girl is an even bigger difficulty. tiring. This ongoing process is long and rough. When does it end? In the spring, I attended a conference for newspaper in Austin, where we sat in on short lectures held by journal-
ists from all over the nation. One lecture I can never forget was when we read stories from students in journalism. One story stood out to me because it’s relatable. The story, “For a black girl… for a black...” in short was about two friends discussing one another’s girlfriends. One of the guy’s girlfriends was black and he was telling his friend, but all his friend could say was that she was pretty for a black girl. My mind automatically went to labels. Some labels black girls face are being loud, ghetto, pregnant at 16, and working in fast food restaurants as their career. Being black is already a struggle in America with police brutality, conviction rates, unemployment and education, but being a black girl is an even bigger difficulty. We are set for destruction since the beginning of time and what makes it even worse is that society is still allowing this destruction. Beauty is Black and Black is beautiful. Instead of tearing one another down and labeling, let’s encourage and lift each other up.•
Friday, Sept. 29, 2017
Voices do you think you could make it as a model?
“Of course!! As a teeth model though.” Mikhaela Babasoro, sophmore
“Definitely. I’m not afraid to be beautiful, and I don’t mind standing out.” Morgan Lemans, sophomore
“Yes, because I have large feet.” Ethan Hanks, junior
Perspective on existentialism provides solace, comfort College Station. Texas. The United States. North America. Earth. Our solar system. The Milky Way Galaxy. Our galaxy cluster. The Universe… In the vastness Tiffany Ha of the universe, where do we truly stand? Amidst the frenziness of our lives, we often lose perspective of our true position in the world. A bad test grade or a tiff with a friend may feel overwhelmingly heavy in the moment, causing our worlds to feel as if they are collapsing. Someone well-intentioned may then condescendingly remind you that none of this truly matters, and these are small adversities in the grand scheme of things, leaving you to reflect on our triviality. When pondering the massiveness of the universe, one may feel more insignificant. Our mundane lives seem to pale in comparison to supernovas and asteroids. Not only is there our universe to cause our existential crises,
but there are theories of alternative universes. A personal favorite of mine is the multiverse theory: a theory that every choice one person makes affects the entire outcome of the future; therefore, every time a person makes a choice, a new, alternative universe is formed. Since the combinations of choices we make are infinite, so are the amounts of universes. This places grave pressure to make t h e correct decisions. However, I learned to find solace in my existentialism. Instead of viewing my littleness as unimportant, I allow it to comfort me in that my small mistakes aren’t so detrimental. It is okay to mess up. As long as we grow from our mistakes, we shouldn’t allow them to define us. This does not completely omit us as members of the universe though. According to Carl Sagan, we are all star stuff. So even though our effects may be minimal, we are still a part of the grand universe.•
Art by Susan Nam
“I definitely can, girl. Let me get my camera out and show you. Dorian Moore, junior
“Yeah. Do you think a model could make it as me?” Tanner McNamara, senior
“For feet, yes, but not as anything else. I have really cute toes. Casey Akin, chemistry teacher
Friday, Sept. 29, 2017
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Young models pursue their goals with determination, enthusiasm Grace Costenbader Opinions Editor
Amber Black
While on the path to pursuing their dreams, these student models are doing everything they can to put themselves out there with resilience and grit. As they have been discovered this young, they are already ahead of the game. “Modeling has exposed me to so many different people and taught me about time management and commitment,” freshman Paige Seale said. “Modeling has made me well-rounded and taught me to be confident but humble.” Both Seale and freshman Carlee Shimshack work with local talent director Nikki Pederson and have only grown from where they started. As well as teaching them about responsibility, modeling has given them the tools needed to set and attain their goals. According to Shimshack, goals are set to be met, and it’s important to have something to strive for. “I feel like a lot of people don’t reach for their goals as much as they should,” Shimshack said. Additionally, modeling has helped shape and change the lives of these students in many ways, including their decisions for the future. By broadening their horizons, doors to the future have never been more open.
“Modeling has helped me meet new, different types of people,” senior Amber Black said. “My agents hope for me to sign in Los Angeles.” Black is with the Campbell Agency based in Dallas and appears on many JCPenney ads both in and out of stores. “[Modeling] has shown me that there’s a lot more than just CSHS,” Black said. Senior Landon Brooks has been modeling since childhood, and still enjoys it to this day. Following in his sister’s footsteps, Brooks was swept up off the street and asked to be a youth model for an agency right off the bat. “Modeling has brought me out of my shell, I used to be really shy but then I started meeting people from England and Australia and just from all over,” Brooks said. “It made me more social.” All in all, these models have learned and experienced so much, and continue to grow and thrive while pursuing what they love. “Having a dream is very important, and even if you don’t reach it, I think it’s still important to have it because it’s something that you keep working towards,” Shimshack said. “Everyone should just try their best to reach it.”•
Paige Seale
Landon Brooks
CARLEE SHimshack
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Mega n
Encourages creative thinking
Art programs spark interest, provide outlet for students Sophia North and Catie Sikes Photography Editor and Staff Reporter
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The stroke of a paint brush against a clean, blank canvas. The sound of an instrument as each note is played softly and delicately. The lull of one’s voice as it reaches high notes and low notes. All are mediums of art. “The music you listen to, the car you drive, the house you’re living in were all crafted by an artist,” art teacher Candis Oberdorf said. According to an article on the benefits of art, called The Synapse, one major benefit of art is that it provides a sense of achievement because it increases the neurotransmitter dopamine. “Creating art is exciting and frustrating, but always fulfilling,” Oberdorf said. Dopamine is also released when one is able to hear their music or observe the art that they worked to create which can boost one’s confidence and morale. “Art makes me feel happy, especially when it goes as I planned,” sophomore cymbal player Meghan Jones said. Additionally, according to The Synapse, art is different than school or sports because instead of following rubrics or drills, artists follow their imagination, which has no restrictions. Oberdorf feels that these creative outlets are often overlooked because they are not viewed as an important pillar in school. “Often times creating any kind of art is considered a hobby and nothing more,” Oberdorf said. “It makes me sad to think that there are people out there who don’t fulfill these kinds of needs in themselves because fine arts can’t be a real job.” However, Oberdorf hopes that by the end of the year students in her art classes learn to see art as something more paramount.
Additionally, art is used as an escape from the burdens of daily life by many students. “When I’m sad, I play, when I’m happy, I play, because anything I’m worrying about disappears, and it’s like a mood of clarity takes over,” varsity orchestra player Johnny Masabni said. According to the Huff Post, art serves as a distraction from natural thoughts. It requires an intense focus that pushes aside worries and acts like a state of meditation. It can not only improve the state of one’s mind, but mood as well. “Art releases endorphins in your brain which makes you feel good,” junior choir singer Justine LeGassey said. Although art offers tranquility and happiness, many find this state hard to reach because they are afraid they are not good at art. They beat themselves up about “being a bad artist,” but sophomore Megan Jones feels that art is for everyone. “All you need is a pencil and paper and no other experience in other mediums to do well.” Jones said. Even if students feel that they did not create a masterpiece, art encourages creative thinking, according to Brain Fit, because it allows for one to create unique solutions and outside of the box thinking. In turn, it develops a deeper appreciation for other’s fabrications of art. “Each one will create something they didn’t know they could create in the beginning and with practice each will improve. I hope that each one of them feels like they made something they are proud of creating,” Oberdorf said. Therefore, while Oberdorf feels that art is often overlooked, she adds how art can be extremely beneficial to the mind and soul. “Everyone is capable of creating art. Like a sport, practice makes perfect,” Oberdorf said. •
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Source: bebrainfit.com
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Increases tolerance and feelings of love
Jon e
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Increases brain connectivity
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benefits of art helps relieve stress
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Chick-fil-
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Students who have jobs in addition to their schoolwork take on responsibilities different from those just concerned with school, but they learn valuable life skills along the way. “Definitely if I do not find a job in the future, I have these skills I can fall back on,” senior and employee of Rick’s Home Repair Will Donovan said. “I could start my own handyman business if I wanted to or if something goes wrong with my house, I have the knowledge to fix it.” Like Donovan, other students also credit jobs with learning new values and teaching them the ways of the real world. “It gives me more responsibility, and I think [my job] will give me good social, team working and team building skills for future jobs,” freshman and employee of Chick-fil-A Maggie Wade said. Having jobs at this age can greatly impact how these students deal with situations in their future careers. By learning these lessons now, they can perfect them for jobs they want to pursue. “No matter if you’re working at Chickfil-A or HEB, you’re learning those soft skills that can be carried on to other jobs in the future,” Career Preparations teacher Monica Smith said. Because juggling the pressures of school and the responsibilities of having a job can be overwhelming, there is a class in place to help students manage their time and boost
More than 2/3 of students in America have jobs as of their senior year
Source: ascd.org
their GPA. Career Preparation teaches students about job applications, customer service and even money management. “It gives me the opportunity to have three off periods instead of just two so I have more time. I go to work in the mornings and that way when I get home from school I have time to do homework. It helps a lot,” senior and employee of HEB Camryn Riggins said. It also counts as three credits, and students are only required to attend 50 minutes of this class and can use the rest of their time to go to work. Also, the grade counts three times. For example, if a student earns a 90, it is multiplied by 1.5 whereas in a regular class, it is only multiplied by .5. “No other class here offers three credits,” Smith said. “They learn about the world’s work. They’re learning communication, teamwork and how to handle conflict. They’re dealing with situations now that they will be dealing with 40 years from now.” Many processes are in place when it comes to applying for a job. In Career Prep, students learn about these processes and how they can be successful in any work environment. “[Career Prep] is preparing me for time management. I’m going to be working in college too and I’m going to have to manage schoolwork and work so it’s helping me learn what works best for me.” Riggins said. Despite the challenges that come with working and staying on top of academic responsibilities, many benefits are earned to help students in their futures.
▲ Senior Jackson Roderick scoops ice into a drink cup to fill his next order at his afternoon shift as a team member at Chickfil-A. Roderick has worked there for over a year. PHOTO BY TIFFANY HA Senior Kyle Holden checks out a customer at HEB during the last shift of the day. PHOTO BY TIFFANY HA
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Dru Peacock Executive Editor
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Students find balance in academic, work responsibilites
what’s the buzz? 14.5% working at grocery store With 25% employed in food industry
22.7% of those working more than 20 hours a week
11.8% working in sales
Friday, Sept. 29, 2017
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all ears on me
People
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Lack of communication cultivates barriers between people Jaycie Robinson Staff Reporter For those who do not know the same language as the people around them, communication can be a setback. Adjusting to a new place can be difficult as it is, but doing that on top of learning a new language can increase the stress. English Students of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher Judy Foster understands this concept well. She grew up in South America where her education was in Spanish, although English was her home languge. “I was missing instruction to keep up with the translation of the material,” ESOL Foster said. This is one of the reasons why Foster is so motivated to help these students, she said, as she knows what her ESOL students are going through to do well in school. Foster also made a point to say that even though these students experience difficulty learning in school, in the end, they get a better education. Foster explained that their brain functions are actually higher while they try to differentiate between two languages. Not only is this beneficial for them, but they can also be an advocate for other incoming English Language Learners (ELL). Some students’ transitions were easy and smooth for
the most part. Senior Larissa Schwigert transferred from Germany her junior year. “Even though at some points adjusting was stressful, I had my stepdad and friends to help me,” Schwigert said.
Now when people speak, I can understand the actual meaning of the conversation. -Nhi Kha senior Others took a little more time, like senior Nhi Kha, who transferred from Vietnam in the middle of her sophomore year. The difficulty level for her was higher but what made it easier for her was watching movies in English and the help of Foster.
“Now when people speak, I can understand the actual meaning of the conversation,” Kha said. At first Kha was scared and shy, but with the ESOL class, it was easier for her to adjust and feel comfortable in her school work again. Language is not the only obstacle though, as students who are hearing impaired also face challenges with communication in and out of school. Senior Ashley Poprik lost hearing in fourth grade when the needle of an ear piercing gun shot below her ear and caused nerve damage. Due to her hearing loss, she said she has had to give up many things she loves, such as sports because she could not hear the coach and his instructions. This was discouraging for Poprik, but she said she was able to find another love in film and theater. These outlets helped her feel normal again as she had to relearn to do a lot of things. “I learned to read lips on my own, but there are programs for that and it would have been easier if I had those,” Poprik said. Her loss of hearing also made learning more difficult on a daily basis. She said she was frustrated because she felt as if she was not progressing and learning the same amount of material as the rest of the class when she could not hear the tecaher, other students or audio sounds. •
communication in numbers 21% of U.S. residents speak a language other than English at home Chinese was the third most prominent spoken language at home. 3.1 million residents speak it — up from 2 million in 2000 Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov & washingtontimes.com
More than 39 million residents spoke Spanish at home last year — a jump of more than 11 million compared with 14 years earlier.
1 in 8 people in the United States (13 percent, or 30 million) aged 12 years or older have hearing loss in both ears
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off to the races
Sophomore takes strides in leading team Ty’Asia Hubbard Entertainment Editor As she runs the course, a tingling sensation takes over her body. Stopping at nothing until she executes the run, aware of the lessons the coach previously taught, dedicated to sticking to the script, with only one goal on her mind, sophomore Grace Wu wins the race. Only a sophomore on varsity, head coach Josh Munson said she’s determined, attentive and willing to put herself out there. “Even though she’s a sophomore, I would already categorize her as a training leader,” Munson said. “She’s going to do things the right way, and others are going to look at her and see how we as coaches want things to be done.” Because Wu did not succeed in other athletic fields, she turned her attention to running. “I wasn’t good at any other sport. When I was in the sixth grade, I saw girls running in the morning, and I thought ‘Hey this is cool’,” Wu said. Race days bring a lot of emotions, but a lot of focus goes a long way. “I look really angry, I’m all focused and coach O said it’s like war, so I need to be ready to go,” Wu said. “Stephanie Brown told me racing is supposed to hurt. That motivates me to keep going.” Teammate Rosetta Wang finds Wu hilarious, dependable and responsible. Wang speaks out on the team working together cohesively. “I am tremendously thankful for all of my 40 plus teammates. Each girl’s willingness to arrive at 6:30 every morning to run is a testament to her character,” Wang said. “The strain that we put ourselves through brings us closer.” Most students would rather spend their summer vacations away or hanging out with friends. However, Wu remains determined and driven to do her best during the season. “We started practice the first day of summer, and I don’t know if she’s missed a single practice,” Munson said The Cougars placed first in their first meet in Waco on Sept. 9. •
▲Sophomores Grace Wu and Kyla Mach compete against a rival runner from Consol at the Hewitt Kiwanis Invitational in Waco. Wu placed sixth The girls team earned the gold, finishing first overall scoring 33 points. PHOTO PROVIDED BY ROBERT ORZABAL.
▲The Lady Cougar JV team prepares to take off in Waco on Sept. 9. PHOTO PROVIDED BY ROBERT ORZABAL.
Friday, Sept. 29, 2017
Analytics play major role in sports If you’re a lover of sports movies, odds are you’ve seen or heard of the movie Moneyball. The 2011 film tells one of the most inspiring and fascinating Ethan Cohen stories in baseball, and in sports history: the story of the 2002 Oakland Athletics baseball team. The Athletics went from being one of the worst teams in the MLB to winning 20 straight games and making it one round in the postseason before falling to the Minnesota Twins. What lay behind the Athletics miraculous transformation was the unconventional methods of their general manager Billy Beane. Faced with a small budget, Beane and his partner Paul DePodesta were forced to choose from players disregarded by traditional scouting methods. Beane and DePodesta made their decisions based on statistical and analytical sabermetrics, and were highly scrutinized for doing so, but their method changed sports forever. Their approach is the most popular example of the revolution in sports decision making, as teams have begun adopting principles of psychology, behavioral economics and many forms of analytical hypotheses to succeed. Experts in psychology and economics have leant their ideas and expertise for the field of athletics, resulting in the proliferation of dependence on analytical reasoning in sports decision making. This has in turn given way to a variety of fascinating stories of teams trusting the numbers to transform their performances. Many of which go completely overlooked. In another example, a study detailing the promising implications of taking risk in sports from an economist at Berkeley was adopted by Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas.When implemented, the teamstopped punting, never kicked field goals, and always went for two point conversions after scores. They won two consecutive state championships, and became ranked 16th nationally. Data now influences all aspects of modern sports on almost every level. From the courts of the Houston Rockets to the football field of Pulaski Academy, statistics and analytics are used to determine the way teams do practically everything. The success of an algorithm can make or break a season, and recognize future star athletes who would otherwise go overlooked. When the 2002 season came to an end for the Athletics, a spreadsheet and formula proved to be more important than individual players. It’s often said that big time players make big time plays in big time games, but sometimes the biggest plays being made are made by people who will never see the field.•
Friday, Sept. 29, 2017
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Young runners set out to continue teams strong history of success Ty’Asia Hubbard Entertainment Editor
Senior Nick Joyner makes a dash for the finish line while Sophomore Siddarth Jayaraman and a competitor from Deer Park High School give chase at the Texas A&M invitational on Sept. 23. Jayaraman placed 78th overall while Joyner came two places behind in 80th. The team finished 13th out of 40 teams and placed first overall out of competing 5A teams. PHOTO BY TY’ASIA HUBBARD.
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Over the last few years the Cougar boys cross country team has been one the most consistent programs. The team boasts an impressive streak of four straight state appearances and a runner-up spot in 2014. However, losing their top five runners from last season, this year’s squad hopes to keep alive the success established by past teams and prove the doubters wrong as they head into district next month. “I think this team is special because we have a lot of new faces. The neat thing about that is though we lost several seniors and now we have new guys stepping into leadership roles,” head coach Rodney Wellmann said. “This is a young team. Half of them are underclassmen, and that’s going to be a challenge, but the guys have done great so far.” Sophomore Joseph Benn is one of the younger faces on the Cougar Cross team, and watching past runners lead by example, has pushed Benn to achieve personal success and a greater leadership role on the team. “You learn from the past guys, and you try to do what they did. I help by pushing guys along and try to help the younger guys,” Benn said. “We want them to know that coach isn’t going to be the only person who will push them. We as team will do the same.” However, success does not come easily. In order to compete with some of the best programs from across the state, a team must be able to train smartly and remain focused the whole season, and the Cougars training regimen is rigorous and thorough. “This year we’re trying to emphasize no room for error, and we’re also trying to prevent injuries,” senior Nick Joyner said. “We have just been more focused this year, and that is a credit to how our team is structured.” Often that thirst for motivation comes from knowing that other opponents are training very competitively and
finding that spark has been no problem for the Cougars. “Coach Wellmann is helping us out with the motivation. He’s telling us that Consol is training and that we need to train harder than them,” junior Matthew McGinnis said. “While we lost our five top guys, they are returning their top five guys, and we don’t want to be the first team in this program’s history to lose to Consol.” No matter what happens heading into district and the tail end of the season, this year’s team will always be remembered for their stellar chemistry and endless grit despite losing so many valuable runners from year’s past, Wellmann said. “We told ourselves that this was not going to be rebuilding year for us and that we were going to come back stronger than ever,” Benn said. “All of us try to help each other in whatever it may be, not just cross country.This is not just some team. This whole team is family.”•
Cougar Cross Team Achievements 2013-2014
District Champions, State Qualifier
2014-2015
District Champions, State Runner-up
2015-2016
Regional Champions, State Finalists
2016-2017
District Champions, State Finalists
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Friday, Sept. 29, 2017
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Cougars open highly competitive district schedule tonight Ethan Cohen Sports Editor Last season saw the Cougars improve upon previous successes to reach new highs for the program. Their accomplishments included a third straight victory over rival Consol, an undefeated regular season and a five-round playoff run to the state semifinals that ended in a controversial loss to Corpus Christi Calallen. The Cougars now look to capitalize on their past success and battle through a highly competitive schedule of district and non-district opponents. The season began with a tough loss against non-district opponent and 6-A powerhouse Austin Westlake Chapparals in a close 35-28 final score. The Cougars quickly rebounded the following week with a 49-10 victory against Killeen Shoemaker. In a gritty game, the Cougars fell short to non-district opponent St. Pius in a 58-41 loss at home but then dominated in week 4 to shutout the Pflugerville Panthers 35-0 in a defensive showdown.
sep. 29
oct. 6
OCT. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 nov. 3
On the offense, quarterback Marquez Perez returns for his second year as a starter, after throwing for 2,220 yards and 27 touchdowns and rushing for 1,126 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. Perez relies on a strong receiving core of seniors Harrison Wellmann, Jaelin Campbell and Azarian Foght and junior Spencer Maxwell, as well as a rushing attack led by Foght, Maxwell and senior DaDa Anderson. The Cougars are averaging over 200 yards rushing and passing per game, both well over the national average. Defensively the Cougars are relying on a strong mix of seniors and juniors to lead the defensive line and secondary. Seniors Marquise Conchola, Keke Anderson and Ben Wolz lead the defense up front, while a backfield of Garrett Draper, Reid Stapp, Ryan Stapp, Quandree White, Jordon Bellows and Brandon Joseph continues to impress. The Cougars have a very tough schedule ahead, as rival A&M Consolidated and new district rivals Temple and Waco still lie in wait. •
@Bryan (1-2)
▲ Senior Marquez Perez hands the ball to senior running back DaDa Anderson in the game against Pflugerville on Sept. 22. The Cougars defeated the Panthers 35-0. PHOTO BY JOHN CLENDENIN
The Vikings rely on a very young team and in new sophomore Kerry Brooks to lead the offense at quarterback. The Vikings are averaging around 184 rushing yards thanks to a backfield consisting of senior CJ Koonz and sophomores Jalen Davis and Kerry Brooks.
Waco univeristy (0-4)
The University Trojans continue to suffer loss after loss as the Trojans stretch their losing streak to 40 games. The Cougars are playing Waco University on Homecoming weekend.
@A&M Consolidated (4-0)
The Tigers are currently undefeated and led offensively by first-year starting quarterback Caden Fedora and wide receivers Cade Williams, Nate Floyd and Brian Darby. Defensively, safety Kolby Peel and tackle Josh Ellison have dominated.
Rudder (0-3)
Rudder welcomes new head coach Greg Morgan, after Will Compton stepped down in the off-season. Morgan will lean heavely on senior quarterback Hunter Dobbins and senior running back Kevonte Johnson on offense, as senior linebacker Hunter Norris looks to lead a young defense.
@Waco (3-1)
Quarterback Jaylen Harris and running backs Terrance Hamilton, Landon King and Randy Carpenter lead the prolific Lions rushing attack, averaging 237 yards a game. Led by dynamic safety Damion Mangum, the Lion’s secondary has already recorded five interceptions on the season.
Temple (2-2)
Temple comes into the season after making a playoff run all the way to the 5A Division 1 state championship game before falling to Highland Park High School. A mix of senior and junior running backs has led the Wildcats to a (2-2) record.
Friday, Sept. 29, 2017
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Senior outside hitter emerges as leader among her peers John Clendenin Staff Reporter In volleyball, no one player can carry a team. It takes six players in perfect unison to have success. No one knows this better than College Station High School senior outside-hitter Bethany Butler. “Volleyball is the ultimate team sport,” Butler said. That facet of the game was something that was not taken lightly by the Lady Cougars. Butler would make sure that the team aspect of the game was not forgotten during the off-season. “Mentally, I think we were really focused on the team aspect and I was primarily focused on unity. We are all kind of new to each other,” Butler, one of only two seniors on the team, said. The Lady Cougars return only three players of seventeen, including the loss of nine seniors who helped build the program. Butler had to rise and lead during the offseason, something head coach Kayli Faigle noticed. “She has stepped up in that role and leads them in the direction I need to go,” Faigle said. “She’s been a great mentor for my underclassmen.” Even though Butler is now a senior team captain, it doesn’t mean that her spot in the line-up is secure. Last year her spot on the team was to push those starting over her to a high level of play, something that is now happening to her with the same underclassmen she is mentoring. “It humbled her a lot and made her the great team captain she is because she’s been on both sides of the fence,” Faigle said. “She’s been that back-up player, and now she’s that starting player.” One such underclassmen is junior McKenna Dudley, whose is on varsity for the first time this season. The competition between the two for playing time does not just make Butler raise her level of skill set. “[Butler] is really good at pushing oth-
er teammates,” Dudley said. “Honestly, she makes me more competitive because of how good she is.” Butler’s impact on her teammates extends to off the court. One such teammate is fellow senior Erin Whitman. “She opens my mind a lot.” Whitman said. “She thinks about things in a very different way than me.” This bond between teammates and the hard work they put in is something that Butler believes is the key to the school’s early athletic success. This is something that she has used as a learning experience. “All of our athletes are committed and want to win, and it was a drive for us, being a young school, us wanting to compete.” Butler said. “I really look up to all the seniors who have gone through and have gone before us, who really set the tone. This year is my last year, and I think about all the seniors and watching them play and getting to play with them at some point. Because the people you watch before you are the people you learn to lead from.” Butler will be leading the Cougars into action on at Temple on October 3rd, and at home against Rudder on October 15th for Parent Night.•
She’s been a great mentor for my underclassmen. -Kayli Faigle head coach
▲ Bethany Butler drops the ball behind a Rudder defender in the second set of a straight-set victory over the Rangers. PHOTO BY JOHN CLENDENIN
making the leap: Butler’s stats Attacking: 2016 (74 Sets Played): Kills - 110, Kills Per Set - 1.5, Kill Percentage - 21.7% 2017 (75 Sets Played): Kills - 208, Kills Per Set - 2.9, Kill Percentage - 23.3% Blocking: 2016 (74 Sets Played): Solo Blocks - 8, Total Blocks - 34, Blocks Per Set - 0.5 2017 (75 Sets Played): Solo Blocks - 9, Total Blocks - 21, Blocks Per Set - 0.3
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Friday, Sept. 29, 2017
h l l a t T JAZZ A
Unique rhythm appeals to musicians Kalindi Desai Editor-in-Chief The movie La La Land may have brought jazz to a wider audience, but for jazz musicians, the unique sounds provide a creative outlet and an emotional response from the audience. “In normal classical music, emphasis is on different beats, but in jazz music it is swing style,” senior and jazz musician Hayden Stellges said. “It’s also one per part, so no one else is playing exactly what I’m playing.” Jazz has an interesting history in America, and over time the genre has broadened to have multiple varieties of itself. “Jazz is unique to America and there’s many different sub-styles of jazz compared to classical or pop music, such as swing and rock,” junior Taryn Hairston said. The listener also perceives jazz music differently from other genres of music because of this unique beat. “It’s more of a groovy tone, so not as rigid at classical music,” junior Johnathan Smalley said. “It’s much more wavy.” Many jazz musicians improvise what they are playing by basing what notes they play from the other band members’ actions. “Its different from any regular ensemble because
Main Genres Of Jazz Music
everyone is just listening to everyone whereas in a regular ensemble everyone is listening to one person,” Stellges said. Improvisation allows the musician to put his or her own twist on the music. “We have to feel the music we play, so we’re allowed to put a lot of personality into the music,” Stellges said. Jazz also produces emotions in listeners that other genres of music simply cannot do, according to senior Marina Munoz. “No jazz is the same because most of it is based off of feeling,” Munoz said. “Whatever [the musicians] are trying to express, you receive and you feel that. It’s nothing that’s spoken.” Sophomore Noah Taylor similarly states that jazz music can help set the tone based on the rhythm and tone of the music. “My favorite part of jazz is the diversity,” Taylor said. “You have slow jazz for a calm moment or you can have big band jazz with loud blaring brass. Jazz is for anybody.” Overall, jazz has proven to be an outlet where students can express themselves and their passions creatively. “I’m really bad with words, so [with jazz] I have the ability to be an individual without having to speak,” Stellges said. •
Classic Jazz: Originated with brass bands that performed at parties and dances in the 1800s and early 1900s. Hot Jazz: Characterized by collective improvised solos. Ragtime: The origin of jazz, rhythms were brought from a musical heritage in Africa.
Source: apassion4jazz.net
Fries Shake
Friday, Sept. 29, 2017
The Catamount
Entertainment
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h t i w at th
Staffers visit two burger bars located on University Drive
Hopdoddy
Dru Peacock Executive Editor On University Drive tucked into a cozy, newly-built outlet, Hopdoddy Burger Bar is a trendy diner that offers many versions of the American-favorite cheeseburger. The interior of the restaurant offers a modern look as customers order at the front and have food delivered to their table, making themselves a drink on the way. We got an order of parmesan truffle fries with truffle aioli to share for $6.95 and the Primetime and Buffalo Bill burgers, $12 and $10 respectively. My burger, the Primetime, contained brie cheese, arugula and caramelized onions, and the Buffalo Bill had bacon, blue cheese and hot sauce stacked on top of its bison patty. While the fries were superb, the burgers left something to the imagination. Despite the in-depth descriptions of them on the menu and the seemingly endless things they topped them with, the burgers were rather bland
Kalindi Desai Editor-in-Chief The first time I walked into Grub, it instantly struck me as a trendy burger joint that college students would flock to. My prediction proved to be correct when I saw that the line to order was nearly out of the door. But it moved by quite quickly, and my friends and I were soon able to order at the counter. After ordering, we got situated at our table, and I noticed that Grub has a super hip and upbeat vibe going on. The lighting, artwork on the walls, and music all factor into that. While we waited for our burgers, my friends and I enjoyed sipping on our milkshakes. I ordered a Nutella shake and some of my friends got flavors such as mint chocolate chip, red velvet cake, and classic chocolate, which we all enjoyed. (Side note- Milkshakes are two for the price of one everyday from 2-5 p.m. I’m a big fan of this deal). About 15 minutes after ordering, our
food was served to us by friendly employees. I chose to have the Guacapotle burger, a regular burger topped with cheddar cheese and spicy guacamole, and this burger definitely did not disappoint. I added a side of fries to my order, because can you really have a burger without some french fries? A good french fry makes my heart happy, and Grub fulfilled that happiness with their super crispy french fries that I literally could not stop eating. Grub is definitely ranked near the top on my list of favorite burger places in College Station. There is a wide variety of unique burgers, such as the Mac n’ Cheese, Thai Peanut, the Hippie Chickpea and many more. Grub also offers a wide range of sandwiches and salads if burgers aren’t your thing. The tasty food, good customer service, and overall vibe of the restaurant has me wanting to come back time and time again. •
and disappointing and were overpriced for what we got. However, the vanilla bean milkshake we ordered for $6 for dessert did not fall short. The service was good but somewhat lacked promptness. It didn’t really make sense why we had a waitress since we ordered our own food, got our own drinks and didn’t really see her until the check arrived. She was friendly, but the system needs some improvement. However, the woman at the front where we order was very nice and chatty, sparking a conversation with me about the brie cheese that came on my burger. The total came out to be $39.29 including tip which, compared to Whataburger, was a little bit of a shock to my credit card. I wouldn’t have minded paying that if the burgers would have been better, but honestly going to Fuddrucker’s for half the price would have been more satisfying. Overall, my experience was 50/50. The shake and fries were good, but we would probably not return because the experiencejust didn’t give us enough bang for our buck. •
Grub
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The Catamount
Friday, Sept. 2017
What’s Poppin’ Movie fanatics share love of film experiences
Match that Quote!
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When i see a great movie, I forget I’m watching a movie. I’m just in an experience with these people. -Jonathan Brady English teacher
2. A
“Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.” Does that line sound familiar? How about this: “You’re killin’ me smalls.” For CSHS resident cinephiles, movies include more than just memorable lines. “When I see a great movie, I forget I’m watching a movie. I’m just in an experience with those people,” English teacher and movie buff Jonathan Brady said. “A great film always generates the response it wants to get,” Brady said, referencing specific films. “No one walked out of Schindler’s List thinking ‘Okay, that was the happy-golucky film of the year’. No, it got the response it wanted even though most people don’t go ‘Let’s go see that again’. It was a great film for what it did.” Other notable movies that caused change include “Gone with the Wind.” “It’s movies like ‘Gone with the Wind’ that allow for people to see things as more than just black and white, emphasizing on the grey areas of life,” senior Hayley Nugent said. Accoring to People Magazine, the 1939 classic resulted in the first African American, Hattie McDaniel, winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1940... fourteen years before the Civil Rights movement. This began the blur of grey that streaks across Hollywood even today. Another was “Concussion,” a biographical sports drama that highlighted Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease that affects football players. “I learned a ton about the lasting effects football can have on players and really mess them up. You can bet my kids won’t be playing football if I can help it,” Nugent said.
The film brought awareness to the previously unknown dangers of the sport which resulted in protocols implemented, research done and rules changed in the NFL. “There are few movies that after I watch them I’ll think about them for a week after cause they’re just so good,” junior and self-proclaimed movie fanatic Mason Cochran said of some movies that stuck with him. One movie that impacted his life specifically was Braveheart, the 1995 movie about a Scottish revolt which he said made him think about society. Not only are films something people reflect on, but they are something that can reflect a society’s culture. “I feel like they represent whatever culture is hostile about, whatever culture deems acceptable,” Brady said. One example is the movie “Philadelphia” which introduced the perspective of people suffering from AIDS. The movie was released amidst the AIDS epidemic of the 1990s at a time when society was struggling to understand the implications of the disease, according to the CDC webiste. One notable film of 2017 has been “Dunkirk.” The potential Oscar winner centers around the “Dunkirk” evacuation miracle of WWII. “Just as far as a technical marvel, it was just so well done,” Brady said. “It tells the story without emphasizing any particular character. You feel what the soldiers feel. And I think that’s the biggest thing: the claustrophobia and the fear of constantly worrying if you’re going to get shot or drowned. And then of course the beautiful part being the miracle,” Brady said. For some students and teachers, movies mean more than a filmed story. “It’s hard not to be influenced by what I watch,” Nugent said. •
Answers: 1. C
Kylie Vernon Staff Reporter