C
College Station High School
4002 Victoria Ave. College Station, Texas 77845
Vol. 7 No. 1
Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018
the CATAMOUNT
12 Selfexpression takes form in tattoos, piercings.
District begins random drug testing program next week
15
Students in extracurriculars, those who park on campus will be included in monthly testing pool
Football prepares for upcoming season.
Catie Sikes Entertainment Editor
19
Staffers review Asian restaurants.
INDEX
News Opinions People Sports Entertainment Etc.
2-5 6-8 9-13 14-17 18-19 20
A new random drug testing policy will go into effect Oct. 1 that will cover students in extracurricular activities and those who own a parking pass. This policy is meant to be a deterrent against drug use and motivation to say no to peer pressure. Parents can opt for their students to be included in the pool if they are not already. Though there will be no consequences from the school, if a student tests positive the student would still be enrolled in the next three tests, and the family would be informed. “If you’ve done a little bit of research, you know these cases have gone all the way to the Supreme Court in terms of who can be involved, so you can’t drug test your entire student body. It has to be those students who voluntarily opt into different things like extracurriculars,” said Chief Administrative Officer Molley Perry, who is overseeing implementation of the new policy. The policy development started last spring when both high school athletic directors pitched the idea to Superintendent Clark Ealy.
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“They both worked in districts previously where they had similar policies and found that it was a really great deterrent for students,” Perry said. The stakeholders who helped develop the policy for CSISD included the principals, athletic directors, fine arts directors and assistant principals from both high schools in the district, as well as other members of the district and school board. “I came from a district where we did drug testing. It helped us hold our kids to a higher standard,” said assistant principal Christopher Southard, who previously worked in Frisco ISD where they had a similar policy. There will be nine undisclosed testing dates throughout each school year. However, there will be fewer this year due to the policy effective date of October. The test will be a urine sample, and all samples will be taken in privacy in a restroom. The samples will be collected by the personnel from a testing lab hired by the district. If a student has a confirmed positive test result, that student will automatically be tested on the following three testing dates.
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continued on page 3 @cshscatamountn1
2 News The Catamount What’s
Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018
What's
PAST PAST
Student Population Grade Breakdown Freshmen
525
Sophomores
540
Juniors
Seniors
479
472
National Merit Semifinalists
NEW
Homecoming Football Game & Dance Game: Sept. 28 7:30 p.m. Dance: Sept. 29 8 p.m.-12 a.m.
Sophomore and Junior PSAT testing
Stephanie Brown, Michenna Allen, Robert Dohrman, Yaxin Duan, Sohmee Kim and Judy Zhou
Oct. 10
Seniors spend day at Camp Tejas on Sept. 19
October 18, 19, 20 & 22 at 7 p.m. $10 for students $15 for adults
Peter and the Starcatcher
Student Council Spooktacular Oct. 24 4-9 p.m. in cafeteria
Game ball skydived in at first football game on Aug. 31
The Catamount
Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018
News
3
Random drug testing provides students a reason to resist peer pressure continued from page 1 1 in 9 young people aged 12-15 used prescription drugs nonmedically within the past year according to drugabuse. org
28% of teens know a classmate or friend who has used ecstacy
60% of teens said that drugs were sold, used or kept at their school Source: addictiontreatment.org
Consequences for a positive test include suspension from the activity and/ or parking for 15 calendar days after the first offense. The student may practice, but cannot travel to or participate in competition. A second offense results in suspension from the activity and parking for 30 days. If a student should receive a third offense, he or she will be suspended from the activity and/or parking for one calendar year and cannot practice, travel or compete in the activity. Students who receive a positive test will have a meeting with their parents and administration. A list of places where the student can receive treatment and/or counseling will be provided to the family. “It’s not really all about the consequences. It’s about the prevention and education [on drug or alcohol use],” Southard said. Campus athletic coordinator Steve Huff thinks that the policy will be an added weight to help students say no when faced with peer pressure to make a wrong decision regarding drugs and alcohol.
“I think it works, I think it’s a great deterrent. Beyond that I think it’s a great avenue for young people to say no,” Huff said. A medical review may be requested by a medical review officer in order to determine if a result is due to a prescribed medication. No one is forced to disclose personal medical information, but when administration speaks with the family regarding a positive test result, that is an option. Students will not be subject to any consequences until the review has been completed. Should a medical reason be verified, then the test will be recorded as negative. There will be an orientation video regarding the policy as well as a consent form that will be posted on the district website within two weeks before the policy goes into effect, Perry said. “If you’re going to wear that purple and black and represent us publicly or travel with us, it is a privilege to be a part of that, and part of that privilege is being a part of the [drug testing] program,” Principal Tiffany Parkerson said.•
Substances that will be tested: K-2 (synthetic marijuana) marijuana cocaine amphetamine (includes ecstasy) opiates phencyclidine (angel dust) barbiturates (central nervous depressants) benzodiazepines (Valium®, Xanax®) methadone propoxyphene (Darvon®) alcohol Source: csisd.org
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News
Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018
The Catamount
Student population increase necessitates portable classrooms Loredana Pearlstein Staff Reporter Four portables with eight classrooms were added to the school for this academic year to accommodate the school’s growing student population. The Languages Other Than English (LOTE) department volunteered to move to the new space and will remain there indefinetly. “It felt like an adventure. Our whole department was awesome,” chair of the department Michelle Vizquerra said. “We all helped each other and supported each other. The administration went above and beyond to help us transition.” The transition, though, was something the administration had been attempting to avoid. However, once the student population had reached well over the school’s 1,850 capacity, it was inevitable. “We spent the summer trying to minimize the number of people we had to put in the portables and having any portable buildings as long as we could until this year,” Principal Tiffany Parkerson said. “It was unavoidable.” For the last two years, several teachers have shared classrooms and floated into classrooms. “I’d have to say portables [are better than teachers floating] because then they have all of their stuff in that classroom rather than having to bring it all with them,” junior Anjali Ghosh said. The portables will be here until the school is expanded, and for that to happen, the school board would need to call for a bond election for taxpayers to approve additional funding to add more clasrooms to CSHS. “The building was designed so it could be added onto
whenever,” Parkerson said. “Inevitably it would need to expand, which is why we have an H shape.” However, since A&M Consolidated has room for approximately 600 more students, rezoning rather than a bond election for expansion is more likely to happen first. “Consol has room for several hundred more students, so their capacity is around 2,400, and they have about 1,800 students at the moment,” Parkerson said. “So, it’s hard to go to the taxpayers to say ‘Can you pay a million more dollars?’ when we have enough room as a district.” The portables will remain the current solution to managing the school’s curent student population size. “We are still getting to know our new ‘home.’ One thing is we have amazing language teachers and equally amazing students that come our way literally rain or shine!” Vizquerra said. “We are truly blessed as a department and as a school. I would not wish to work anywhere else. It is my family.” However, during the transition from classrooms to portables, several problems arose. “The difficulties were mostly air conditioners,” Vizquerra said. “Some items to install, cabinets, figuring out what to do when it rains, and going to the language lab.” The portables are a work in progress, including consistent air conditioning and walking to the classrooms in the rain, but the administration is overseeing those issues. “We just ordered a set of ponchos for every classroom so that if you do forget a jacket, you can be able to use them,” Parkerson said. “If there’s lightning or something dangerous and close, we certainly won’t make you all walk outside.”•
Portable Classroom Statistics • Dimensions: 24’ x 38’ • Temperature: varies with the outside weather • Number of desks: approximately 20 to 30 depending on the subject • Number of students: no more than 30 per teacher Art by Jaycie Robinson
Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018
The Catamount
News
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Schoology program consolidates educator, school information Makayla Fox Senior Editor Whether it is known as a notorious source of confusion or as an exemplary organization tool, Schoology is here to stay. “College Station has never had a learning management system that encompassed everything throughout the district,” technology coordinator Randi Costenbader said. “It’s being implemented so parents and students can have a one stop shop for communication, learning resources, whether that’s homework or class notes, projects, a calendar with due dates.” Schoology includes a home section, courses, groups, resources and a calendar including due dates. “I feel like Schoology is going to be a place where people can keep themselves organized, at least their files or what they’re doing. I think it will also make communication eas-
ier between teachers and their students and their parents,” Costenbader said. Both students and their parents can have an account under the app that can be connected for the parents to view what their student is participating in and communication through the app. “Because everything in Schoology is archived and documented, it’s a safe platform for teachers to communicate with students and teachers to communicate with parents. If there were anything inappropriate, there would be a way to investigate or research,” Costenbader said. “We know that as teachers if we contact students through Schoology, it follows the CSISD guidelines for student communication.” Schoology being a digital program benefits its users by creating less paperwork, resulting in less forms being lost. “Schoology benefits me be-
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cause it makes a lot of things digital. There are no more forms or worksheets that I have to keep up with. They are all on
parents and students can have a one stop shop for communication. -randi costenbader technology coordinator Schoology, which makes it easier for me to make sure they get to the teacher,” senior Maddie Abdalla said. Students can access their
account and assignments outside of school any time they are on their phone or computer. “Staying up to date with school and when you’re not there, when you’re sick or a last minute change is made is very nice,” freshman Hayden Bennett said. “Schoology will definitely make school less stressful [when I miss school] since I don’t have to worry about looking for [classwork] that I missed.” Schoology was not only newly introduced to the students, but the faculty as well. Chad Lehrmann, teacher of Social Studies, Speech and Debate, and Sociology, sees benefits from the program’s release. “I’m able to have everything in one spot and be able to see what’s going on, to remember when I have an assignment that’s up or keep my pacing going. It’s also super helpful because I’m not having to rely on sending my students
in 14 different places to do assignments,” Lehrmann said. “It makes it really easy for me to not have as much paperwork to handle. A chain of reluctance towards starting a new program went through students and teachers, but realization has come to see Schoology’s benefits. “I think right now it’s difficult because it’s not well-known how important [Schoology] is: the fact that students can see their work, parents can see their work and what interactions are happening with their teachers, the students feel a lot more informed,” Lehrmann said. As users begin to use the program more, they will become accustomed to its system. “Give it time. I know that it can be a learning curve here at the beginning, but I really think it’s worth it in the end,” Lehrmann said.•
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Opinions
Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018
The Catamount
THE CAT’S EYE VIEW
staff editorial
Schoology adds to concerns of school becoming too digitized Though schools have utilized advances in technology for years both in classrooms and administering information to parents and staff, the addition of the program Schoology to CSHS has us wondering whether we have become too digitized. We have apps for studying, websites for grades, URLs for quizzes, and online videos to be watched in or out of class. Technology is a major advantage for teachers and students that undeniably makes our lives more convenient. However, the increase of tech in the school setting may also mean a decrease in social interaction between not only student and peers, but student and teacher. In fact, if the teaching of information can more “conveniently” be done via computer, teachers may be totally eliminated from the situation. Though this may sound extreme, it is logical if a software program may cost a significantly less amount of mon-
Student-painted parking spots offer fundraising opportunity Senior year. One of the very best of the four best years of our lives. As Jaycie upperclassRobinson men we are able to enjoy several exciting events and privileges we did not have before. However, a tradition for seniors at many schools but not here is painting senior parking spots. The school plays music on home game days, sells merchandise in the cafeteria, and enjoys having various clubs and organizations perform at the pep rallies. Having this yearly parking spot painting would get new and incoming seniors excited for the school year. Students would have an opportunity to express themselves
ey than employed individuals. However, teachers can offer us
publicly. Getting started in this process is not hard, and it would potentially benefit more students than just the seniors. Pick a Saturday out of the school year for painting and have food trucks and music. Students could bring their own art supplies. To secure student credibility, all plans would be
Art by Grace Costenbader submitted, approved, and kept on file. If art isn’t a student’s forte yet he or she still want to paint a spot. Students could be paired with an art student and the event could even be used as a fundrais-
er for the senior class and would make our school more creative and colorful. Many students who pay for a parking pass only pay for a general tag that costs $25. I parked in the same spot my entire junior year and had no problems with other cars taking the spot before I got there. Students that have the numbered senior spots pay $50, $25 more for the exact same year of parking that I had. Most of the general parking students say that they would rather pay for a senior spot if they were allowed to decorate and paint them. For graduating seniors, painting parking spots would allow a chance to be proud of what they have accomplished. This is an opportunity that many would appreciate and love to be a part of in their last year of high school.•
View of the Pride: is schoology benefiting you?
so much more than technology ever can. They not only educate students in a subject, but they also teach us valuable life lessons and majorly influence who we become as individu-
AGREE
als. Teachers model integrity and patience as well as intellect when instructing the classroom, which is something noted by the students. They are selfless people who submit their time
“It is pretty helpful, but I can’t use it on my iPhone.” -Victor Almarez, freshman
and efforts to the betterment of others. These individuals on school staff should be the reason for advancement, not the
DISAGREE “I don’t really like it because you can’t access grades.” -Raaee Caldwell, sophomore
technology. Fortunately, with the right balance of social interaction
“It makes it easier to access school stuff like notes and homework.” -Alex Diamond, junior
and technology, a school can thrive. CSHS can be that place with the conscious decision and care to create a balance between the valued teacher and convenient electronic systems.•
The Catamount Newspaper
2017-2018 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
“It’s honestly annoying. People pronounce it differently, and it bothers me. Is it ‘school-ogy’ or ‘scho-ology’? Someone tell me.” -Giselly Gomes, senior
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.
Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018
The Catamount
Myers-Briggs personality test leads to empathy for others If you know me, then you know my obsession with the Myers-Briggs personality test. And if I know Kylie Vernon you, then I probably know your personality type. I took the personality test over the summer in between my freshman and sophomore year and immediately I was hooked. I received the results that I was an ENFP, meaning that I was the Campaigner personality type or that I was Extroverted, Intuitive, Feeling and Perceiving. I proceeded to read constantly of my strengths, weaknesses, and relational tendencies and it seemed to be 100% accurate. I was curious, I was highly emotional, I was incredibly enthusiastic. The personality type fit me to a T and it provided reasons for why I am the way I am. Naturally, my next step was to force all of my friends to take the test and figure out which personality type they were. My friends were INTJ’s, ESFP’s, ISFJ’s and any of the other 16
diverse types. I began to read about each of them, and it gave me a lot of perspective as to how they viewed life and other people. Countless times after, I would read about a friend’s personality type if I was having trouble understanding his or her decisions or actions because I knew that if I understood the person, it would make interacting with him or her easier and more enjoyable.
empathy knits people together For as long as I can remember, if I could understand the reason why people acted or thought a certain way then I would like them because I could empathize with them and see where they were coming from. This skill was especially helpful if I ever met someone who disagreed with me. My response to the disagreement would be to ask questions or to seek understanding. If I could do that, then
I would have no problem liking this person or his or her viewpoint. However, this desire of mine also worked the other way around. If I could not understand someone’s views, then I frequently found myself disagreeing or not getting along well with that person. For me, the Myers-Briggs personality test was one way to get to know others and understand them. Through it, I was able to empathize with those around me and my social bubble got a little bigger. Empathy knits people together, of that I am sure. If our truest desire is to build a society that is diverse and complex, then we must start with empathy. This requires the time and energy to ask questions to people with whom we may disagree. It does not mean refusing to listen to other people’s views because we think that they are unintelligent or because we simply disagree with them. Feelings might be hurt and sacrifices might have to be made, but if two people are willing to meet in the middle, empathy will flourish. All this and more but for now, start with the personality test.•
??? QUESTION issue OF THE
Do you have a tattoo? 59.3% 31.9%
8.8%
I have a tattoo = 20%
No, but i would like one
no, and I don’t want one 260 people polled
Opinions
7
HUMANS of CSHS
Kenya Terrell junior
“I’m kind of happy-go-lucky. I like to see the best in people even when they’ve shown me their worst. I love hanging out with people, and I think that’s something CSHS is really good for. “Some of my unpopular opinions are pineapple does go on pizza, a hotdog is a sandwich and water is not wet.”
Check out our Instagram to learn more about the Humans of CSHS @cshscatamountnewspaper
COUGAR UNVEILED by sloan peacock
8 Opinions The Catamount Development of self-image changes with love, acceptance My experience and struggles with body image began in the eighth grade and worsened as I got to high school. Makayla Fox School shopping was a whole new experience because I had stricter rules that needed to be followed. A tag that read, “one size fits most” sat in my pile to try on and haunted me as I hung it back on the rack. Realization hit me that my body was not in the category of “most.” Subconscious comparison ruined me. My thighs touched. My stomach wasn’t flat. I had more curves. My face was more round. In my mind, everything about myself was wrong. Body shaming, however, is a new concept to me. And it never stops being new. Recently I was addressed about how my shirt rode up while walking down the stairs and resulted in a slim part of my stomach showing, with the comment “I don’t need to see that.”
Words are so powerful and can stay on someone’s mind for a long time, affecting how they see themselves. The words swarmed my head for the remainder of the day. I tried to understand how someone could say something so demeaning to make me comply to the rules of the dress code. I am lucky to understand that I should not be ashamed by the way I am made and that my skin showing in the slightest of ways should not make
Love and acceptance of our bodies is a life-long journey me disdained, but I also know that I will be taken aback by these incidents and need to validate myself. Through time and conscious effort, taking time to myself, slowing down and realizing nobody’s body looks the same and clothes are made in varying sizes for a reason, telling myself that it’s okay
to know that I am beautifully unique, it does not make me vain; I have learned to love myself and my femininity more and more. I took time to make myself know that I look good in the way I am made, which improves how I felt and how I went about living my day, which still applies to my everyday life. It becomes effortless, yet so impactful. My comparison slips through time to time, but I now know to empathize that others are struggling with acceptance as well. I learn to love and accept my peers and the struggles they deal with; I am not the only one hurting. A lesson that I’ve learned is that when others root for me, I feel empowered and should return the support. Love and acceptance of our bodies is a life-long journey of experiences, both positive and negative. Taking time to learn, using self care methods, and breaking through my comfort zone aided me into loving my body and soul. All I have to do is continue to tell myself: “I gained some weight, I bought new jeans, and realized it’s OKAY to accept change.”•
Characters in stories give meaning, purpose to writer One of my most cherished hobbies and my ideal career path is writing, specifically fictional writing. There is a certain thrill I get when I’m describing beautiful landscapes and documenting an epic journey. However, one of my favorite parts Catie Sikes of building a story is the characters. Once at a middle school library convention I attended, the author Kiera Cass said that she didn’t come up with her stories. Her characters told her what happened. As a writer, I live by this. My characters have minds of their own. They have lives. They are real to me. My characters are the people I aspire to be. The people I relate to on a daily basis. They are the people who I see on the street doing day to day things. They are my children and my parents and my brothers and sisters. They are lovers, fighters, scholars, leaders. The characters that I create are like my security blanket. When I’m sad, my characters are there to cheer me up, in a completely sane way. My characters are what makes the story. They are who the reader gets attached to when reading. The plot, descriptions, and dialogue are all well and good,
but without the characters, there is no purpose. I am not always proud of the characters I make. I doubt any writer is entirely proud of all their characters. They are at times sloppily written, overpowered, and overly obnoxious characters. A few of my characters have been with me for years. One of my first charcters was the humanoid cat named Riot, that I made up when I was five years old. Others are rathe r new, such as the blind, bitter teenager named Azeryn. A common joke that is shared between writes are our uncommon and sometimes disturbing internet searches. My personal favorite is the ‘I swear I’m not pregnant, I’m just naming characters.’ Any writer will tell you that they have searched up baby names or something else when naming their characters. Art by Grace Some of my characters have no Costenbader stories to tell. They just sit taking up space in my already overcrowded brain and waiting for the day when I’m inspired enough to write but am in need of a character to write about. Sometimes I just revisit an older character, as if I’m visiting an old friend. My characters are parts of me, as I am part of them. They are what inspire me to write because they give me something to write about.•
Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018
Voices What’s your favorite Netflix show?
“‘Law and Order: SVU ‘because it shines a light on the big injustices in our world.” Jace Cortez-Fields, junior “‘Iron Fist’ because he’s got a cool fist and cool hair.” Mohammed Charara, freshman “‘The Vampire Diaries’ because it’s super suspenseful and entertaining to watch. And I love romance.” Mary Claire Phelps, sophomore “‘Parks and Rec.’ because I watch it with my brother and it’s a way for us to bond through humor. It’s also straight-up hilarious.“ Rachel Lee, junior “‘Life Sentence’ because it’s funny and romantic but also hits you with reality.” Logan James, senior
“It’s gotta be ‘Arrested Development’ because the characters are ridiculous.” Maggie Pruitt, English teacher
Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018
The Catamount
People
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Creativity, organization aid found through artistic online trends Grace Costenbader Managing Editor With the calamity and chaos of school, the responsibilities at home and trying to balance extracurriculars, the life of the average high school student looks somewhat messy. Messy room, messy car, messy backpack, messy life. Organization can manifest itself in many ways, but an opportunity for creativity to coincide with it is found between the dots of the bullet journal. “A bullet journal is essentially whatever you want it to be,” senior Taryn Hairston said. “I use my bullet journal to keep everything organized.” Commonly found on the shelves of Hobby Lobby, Michaels and other local craft stores, bullet journals are notebooks that have a grid of dots on every page instead of the usual lines. The dots make it easy to create straight lines without the restriction of the repetitive lines on notebook paper, allowing for creative minds to run wild. “It allows me to be as organized or disorganized as I want,” senior Eliza Roeth said. “It’s been a really nice outlet for me. The reason I liked it is that I get to be creative.” A common use of a bullet journal is to create calendars and lists to keep all aspects of life under control. Without the limitations of a pre-made planner, a bullet journal can be made simple or complex depending on the workload of a certain week or month. “You can have whatever you want in there:
the days of the week, a monthly calendar, a habit tracker,” Hairston said. “People like to track their sleep and their water intake and what they eat, which is really cool. The possibilities of what you can do with it are endless.” A lot of times, organization can seem like a hassle, especially if it doesn’t come naturally. However, senior Giselly Gomez believes the hassle is worth it. “The benefit of being organized is actually getting things done and being more efficient,” Gomez said. “Before [bullet journaling], when I wasn’t organized, I would think I didn’t have anything to do, but I’d have things piling up.” Putting in the work to be organized allows for not only efficiency and good time management habits, but also a peace of mind. “When you know what’s going on, it’s way easier to be calm about things,” Roeth said. “It’s hard on you to live on the edge all the time. Even though it’s work to be organized, it’s a good investment.” Bullet journaling is a good way to avoid wasting time on tasks that are not beneficial. “It’s a positive distraction,” Gomez said. “I’d rather waste time taking pretty notes or bullet journaling than be on YouTube or Instagram.” It’s easy to be swept up in the stress of not being organized, but bullet journaling provides a productive outlet for creativity as well as a constructive system of organization. “Overall, being organized in everything is less stress,” Hairston said. “Anyone can be organized, especially with bullet journaling.”•
▲ Using her bullet journal, senior Katie Guye plans her week in a list form and crosses off her tasks as she completes them. PHOTO BY MAKAYLA FOX
where to start
Index:
list of the pages in your journal
Future Log: calendar of upcoming events
Monthly Log:
list of events during the month
Daily Log:
the heart of the bullet journal Source: sublimereflection.com
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Student Life
Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018
The Catamount
SOCIETY’S NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON BODY IMAGE More than 80% of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat. supermodel
Age 6 is when sociocultural factors seem to start influencing body dissatisfaction. Approximately 80% of women and 34% of men are dissatisfied with their bodies in the United States. The average American woman is 5’4” tall and weighs 144 lbs, while the average model is 5’10” and weighs 110 lbs. More than 50% of teen girls and 30% of teen boys use unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals, smoking, vomiting and taking laxatives.
Graphics by Grace Costenbader
Source: Park Nicollet Melrose Center
The Catamount
Student Life
11
EXPECTATION HURTS REALITY
Distorted body image diminishes self-esteem, self-worth among teenagers Katie Guye and Jayci Tawney Executive Editor and Assistant Editor
average woman
F
rom the moment children can understand their surroundings, they begin comparing themselves to others. Flash forward 15 years and this practice, combined with a society flooded with airbrushed images and Insta-perfect selfies, results in students having an intimate awareness of their every perceived flaw. Insecurities stemming from body image are an issue that most students face and one many are working to overcome. “I’d wake up in the morning and look in the mirror, and what I saw made me want to cry everyday,” senior Faith Perez* said. “I knew my body was fine. I think everyone knows that, but you just don’t feel it.” For much of last year Perez struggled with bulimia, an eating disorder in which people force themselves to vomit after a meal. “I mostly wouldn’t eat or I would eat and purge when I got home,” Perez said. “On a regular basis, my parents would make me eat dinner, and I would throw up afterward. All I could think about was how I didn’t want to be here living like this.” Whether an individual recognizes it or not, discomfort in one’s own body is a real condition to medical professionals. “According to NANDA (North American Nursing Diagnosis Association), body image disturbance is the distortion of one’s mental picture of oneself,” school nurse Jill Lovell said. While every student faces a unique set of mental and emotional hurdles, a contributor to
nearly all appearance insecurities is social media. “Everybody sees these skinny girls: they’re pretty, they’re tall, they have all the curves in the right places,” said sophomore Daisy Eager, who as a wrestler is required to meet specific weight classes before each competition. “Normal people just don’t look like [models],” Eager said. “It’s not good for people to
Babcock, who also sponsors S2S, where she encourages her members to think empathetically. Many teens who struggle with eating disorders and body image remain silent out of fear of hostility. “I used to put on fake smiles everyday,” Perez said. “I’d fake fine and that’s why a lot of people don’t believe me, but a lot of people
We have to stop trying to reach these unattainable, unrealistic versions of what other people call perfection. Because perfection is a myth. It doesn’t exist. -Virginia babcock English teacher compare themselves like that because some people are just not meant to be stick thin or super duper tall.” Another source of body image hypersensitivity is the perceived pressure on teens to look and be what society dubbs as perfect. “We have to stop trying to reach these unattainable, unrealistic versions of what other people call perfection. Because perfection is a myth. It doesn’t exist,” said English teacher Virginia
put on those fake smiles, and you never know if someone is struggling unless you talk to people and [can] be open about the situation.” While body image dominates many teens’ minds, it is, in fact, only a small part of what makes someone a human being. “I think kids need to remember that your physical appearance is just one aspect of who you are as a person and it does not define who you are,” Babcock said. “Realistically your body
is going to change over time and I think the earlier you can accept that your body is imperfect, the easier your life is going to be and the happier you will be.” Teens struggling with body image often believe they are alone, but as social norms wither away, more people are willing to open up about their experiences and insecurities. “There’s people who are there to help you,” Perez said. “You might not feel like there is or like no one can relate to you, but there definitely is.” According to Lovell, body positivity often begins with each individual, and includes surrounding oneself with uplifting friends. “You absolutely have to love yourself, and then you can learn to love others,” Lovell said. “By loving yourself, you’re going to know that you are fine just the way you are and you don’t have to have a distorted image.” Contrary to what pops up on an Instagram feed, character and integrity should trump social pressures on physical appearance, said counselor Valarie Reed, who works with students on issues ranging from schedule changes to personal conflicts. “We need to focus on what is on the inside, be kind to each other and build each other up,” said Reed, who has counseled students on the topic. “Put down our phones and really find out who people are on the inside. We have a lot of great students and teachers here - everyone has a story - but do we take the time to stop and listen?”•
*Name changed to protect the student’s identity and privacy.
12 People
Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018
The Catamount
Tattoos, piercings enable expression Dru Peacock Editor-In-Chief
The old connotation of tattoos and piercings might have reminded people of biker gangs, rebellious teenagers or unprofessional adults. These days, however, tattoos and piercings are becoming increasingly popular in pop culture, appealing to teenagers and young adults in a way that hasn’t been present in the past. “I feel like tattoos and piercings are not as taboo as they used to be because they’ve become more of a social norm,” said senior Preston Prescott who has snake bite piercings. Another reason forms of body art are more widely accepted nowadays is because the types of people who were getting them have also changed. “I think people are starting to realize that you can still be a professional with tattoos,” tattoo artist Derek Kinchloe said. “But also tattoos kind of [had] a bad era. There was definitely a time period where gang members and gangsters got tattoos, and there were horrible tattoos. And of course tattoos existing like that meant that people thought they were terrible, and I don’t blame them for thinking that. The world’s changed.” There’s no denying that there’s been a surge in tattoos and piercings seen in recent years. According to Statista, only 39% of Americans do not have a tattoo, but the reasoning behind them may be more of a mystery. “I would say that people are getting tattoos [because] that’s their outlet to express what they want to show visually,” art teacher Candice Oberdorf said. “Maybe that’s why they do the tattoo because it’s a visual representation of what they want to express in a permanent way that someone else helps them create.” Self-expression seems to be a driving force in most cases. Whether viewed as art or a creative
outlet, tattoos and body piercings appeal to many looking for a way to express their identity. “I’m getting [tattoos] for religion. I’m getting my horoscope, and I want to get a rose for my mom. I want to get either a cactus or a sugar skull because that’s my heritage. These things define me,” senior Sarime Villasana said. “I’m being the most authentic version of myself that I can be with tattoos.” Despite the old connotation, tattoos and piercings have evolved into something more people can relate to because of their versatility. “It’s an artistic medium just like anything else. People like seeing the art on themselves,” Kinchloe said. “Especially when you get a good tattoo, everytime you see it, you feel kind of a sense of pride because it’s something that belongs to you and it’s something that you’re going to carry forever. ” However, the pain that comes along with getting a tattoo or body piercing is usually a concern when someone thinks of getting one. The pain can vary depending on the person and the location of the tattoo or piercing. “From a scale of one to ten, the one on my ribs [was a] ten, the one on my bicep [was a] six and the one on my wrist didn’t really hurt too bad. That one was just felt like getting stung by a bee,” said senior Stone Green who received his first tattoo when he was 16. Tattoos and piercings do not appeal to everyone, but the need to express oneself is universal. Whether it is writing, drawing, tattooing or piercing, the need to create is common. “I feel like when you can create something and you can express yourself, even if it’s not what you need to express right now,” Oberdorf said, “it can pull your attitude, your attention, your desires in the direction you want to go.”•
i’m being the the most authentic version of myself that i can be with tattoos. -sarime villasan senior
Tattoo and piercing care Avoid picking at, playing with, and touching your piercing.
Apply a mild soap and warm water to gently wash the piercing or tattoo.
Source: bodyelectrictattoo.com
Apply a very thin coat of Bacitacin to the tattoo 3 to 4 times daily for the first 3 days.
Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018
The Catamount
Culture Club
People
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Diversity in new country provides experiences, opportunities Aliza Ali Staff Reporter The United States is being exposed to different cultures and becoming more diverse every day. Therefore, cultural awareness becomes important so people can be aware of how other people in different parts of the world live. This gives everyone a more worldly, open-minded view point. “I hope my students learn, understand and respect the diversity of others,” AP Human Geography teacher April Falco said. “I like to open their eyes, break down stereotypes. If everyone was the same, it would be boring. It makes us all unique.” According to a report from the Center for Immigration Studies, the United States has 42.4 million immigrants from every corner in the world as of 2016, the highest it has ever been in American history. 46 percent of these immigrants reside in California, Texas and New York. Today, the United States has more immigrants than any other country in the world. “The language, the food, the beliefs, the clothing, make each culture unique,” Falco said. Cultures are being spread throughout the world daily through immigration. Chinatown in New York City has the largest quantity of Chinese people in North America and has many authentic meal options that are traditional to China. New Orleans’ French Quarter displays the culture of France through its architecture. Multiple languages are spoken in the United States, aside from English, including German,
French, Vietnamese, Chinese, Spanish, Korean and more. Junior Christina Choi hails from Seoul, South Korea, and came to the United States in hopes of studying industrial engineering at the University of Virginia. Choi described the people of College Station as friendly and diverse. “I learned English very quickly and met a lot of diversified people,” Choi said. “College Station is a nice place to live with many friendly people near me.” Moving into a new culture is not without challenge though. “At first it was hard, but I love it and having so much experience in a new place. I came from a city so a lot of things around me changed,” Choi said. Senior Mateo Seghezzo came to College Station from Salta, Argentina to study jazz music at the University of North Texas or Berkeley. He felt welcomed by the hospitality of the teachers and the Cougar Band. “I love it; the culture, the hospitality, the jazz, the food, the people, everything,” Seghezzo said. “I like it very much. You’re free to do what you want.” Living in a new culture also offers many benefits. “My English got better, and I made a lot of friends,” Seghezzo said. “I love the people here, they’re super friendly. I like variety in my life.” Falco echoes this sentiment for all. “Go out, meet new people, visit a new place.” •
U.S. Cities With Highest Immigrant Populations: Miami, Fla.
San Jose, Calif.
San Francisco, Calif.
38.5%
36.8%
29.8%
Houston, Texas
22.3%
Source: CityLab
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Sports
Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018
The Catamount
Senior runner exhibits strong values Ethan Cohen Sports Editor Cross country is widely considered to be one of the most grueling sports on the planet. It tests those who participate to the limit physically and mentally. Given its natural difficulty, it takes a unique kind of athlete and person to be able to meet the challenge cross country presents, and nobody exemplifies this blend better than senior Sloan Peacock. “Sloan has been with us since she was a freshman, and over the course of the last three years, she’s grown so much as a person, leader and athlete,” girls cross country coach Joshua Munson said. “She’s just always done things right, and I felt like she needed to be recognized for that.” Doing everything right is a daunting task in any sport or activity, but it is the fruition of a variety of things most people overlook. “One of the most challenging things about cross country is the little things,” Peacock said. “Getting your form right and making sure you’re on pace for certain runs are important, but resting, nutrition and recovering everyday are some of the most important aspects of cross country.” Part of what helps Peacock get all of the little things right is the commitment she displays in everything she’s involved in. For over 300 consecutive days, Peacock has logged in a mile or longer run every single day. Besides cross country, Peacock is in AP Art, plays bass in a youth band, was the school mascot for several years and contributes artwork to this very publication. This special kind of commitment and unique quality has solidified her place as a leader on the team. “I would definitely consider her a leader, and she’s also the comic relief at times,” Munson said. “Her work ethic is tremendous, and she’s not always vocal, but she definitely leads through actions.” And Peacock has led by example. In track she is the defending district and area champion in the two-mile, helped the girls cross country team win their seventh consecutive district championship, and ran in the regional championships, where the team finished third. It’s easy to relish in these past successes, but Peacock said she is hungry for more. “We’ve been put in a more challenging situation this year, and this makes me want to continue our district championship streak that much more,” Peacock said. “I also want to qualify for state this year.” These big goals are a reflection of the success the team has had in the past, and these aspirations are echoed by Munson.
“Our girls’ goals are first and foremost to win district, and then start another state meet streak,” Munson said. “And our goal once we’re there is to get into a position to be on the medal stand. We have a big group of seniors who I think can do that.” After a successful start to their 2018 season, Peacock and the rest of the Lady Cougars will compete at the Nike South Invitational in The Woodlands on Saturday Sep. 29. This meet will be key for the team to ready themselves for the upcoming district meet, which will be held in Bryan on Oct. 11.•
▲Senior Sloan Peacock competes at the Region 3 Preview at Sam Houston State in Huntsville on Saturday, Sept. 8. Peacock finished 37th overall at the meet and helped the Cougars place sixth in the Elite division. Peacock’s teammates Stephanie Brown and Grace Wu both placed in the top 25. PHOTO PROVIDED BY MICHELLE PEACOCK
Predicting outcomes of the 2018 college football season Alabama wins the national championship: Call it a safe choice, but the Crimson Tide have shown no signs of slowing their roll as the 2018 season commencEthan Cohen es. The biggest question coming into Alabama’s season was the quarterback situation, but Tua Tagovailoa’s 227 yard, 2 touchdown performance may have provided an answer (regardless of what he said in the post-game interview). Aside from Tagovailoa, the offense will rely on returning senior running back Damien Harris, and the slew of talented receivers the Tide have ready to go. The first game against Louisville proved that Bama may have some weaknesses defensively, but with a coach like Nick Saban, early mistakes will likely be corrected. Keeping players healthy will be a big challenge due to Bama’s competitive conference play, which includes LSU, Mississippi State and rival Auburn. However, the sheer depth that Alabama has at every position will play to their advantage. All in all, it’s looking like another dominant season for the Tide. Will Grier wins the Heisman: After a rather unimpressive performance from early Heisman frontrunner Bryce Love, Will Grier took his place at the top of the Heisman standings. Grier threw for 3,490 yards and 34 touchdowns last season and began his season hot, shredding the Tennessee Volunteers for 429 yards and 5 touchdowns. Grier has one of the best receivers in the nation in David Sills to rely on and won’t face the toughest teams in his conference until late in the season, meaning he has plenty of time to keep racking up more impressive stats. So far, Grier’s biggest threat to the coveted trophy is Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa. Tagovailoa has played incredibly in his first few games, throwing for over 1033 yards and 12 touchdowns. Other Heisman hopefuls include Bryce Love, Justin Herbert, Jonathan Taylor and Jarrett Stidham. The Aggies get better: Texas A&M has had a string of lackluster seasons, but with a new coach and a new energy to the program, we could see a totally revitalized A&M program. Even though their game against #2 Clemson ended in a loss, the Aggies were the better team for much of the contest, and had several controversial plays gone their way, A&M likely would’ve pulled off the upset. Kellen Mond has solidified himself as the clear starter, and the receiving corps (which consists of mostly sophomores) stepped up big against one of the best defenses in the nation. Though it may have begun with a little bit of adversity, (especially after the loss to Alabama) the Jimbo Fisher era is off to a very exciting start in College Station.•
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Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018
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Cougars open district play after succesful non-district games Ethan Cohen Sports Editor The College Station Cougars are the defending 5A Division II State Champions, and though last season was one to be remembered, a new division and new district means that this year is a whole new ballgame. The offense provided answers to many of the questions coming into the season, as the team looked to fill important roles left by the graduating seniors. Senior quarterback Brandon Williams spent his junior season playing tight end and wide receiver for the team but has stepped up to fill the starting spot left by Marquez Perez. Williams will have a strong receiving corps to rely on, as seniors Jatavion Tutt and Zachary Williams and juniors Austin Sosa and Peyton Rusk looked solid in their first three games as starters. At running back, several players have had to step in due to injuries. Contributing so far has been senior Trevor Feese, junior Kolbe Cashion and sophomores Roderick Brown, Terry Green and Christian “Bubba” Carter.
sep. 28
oct. 5
OCT. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 nov. 2
The offensive line returns two starters in seniors Logan Flasowski and Xavion Lewis. Filling in on the line is senior Luke Gardner and juniors Hayden Goodlett, Payton Blair and Noah Hahn. Defensively, the Cougars have two key returning starters in the secondary in Brandon Joseph and Ryan Stapp. Besides their important roles on defense, Stapp and Joseph have both gotten reps as wide receivers, strengthening the receiving corps. The linebackers are led by returning starter and outside linebacker Garrett Draper, while senior Zach Sacky and juniors Michael Medlin and Traevon Thompson will fill roles left by graduating seniors. Thompson, Sacky and Draper each recorded interceptions in the Cougars game against Nuevo Leon. On the line, seniors Truce Tumlinson and Jay Hannath will fill in at defensive end, while junior Christian Monroe shifted from linebacker to defensive tackle to fill in for KeKe Anderson. The Cougars had a strong showing in their non-district games and will open district play at home tonight against Caney Creek.•
Caney Creek (2-1) @ Waller (1-2) Lufkin (2-1)
▲ Senior quarterback Brandon Williams leaps over Huntsville’s Jaden Schroeder at Elliot Bowers stadium in Huntsville on Friday, Oct. 14. The Cougars defeated the fourth-ranked Huntsville Hornets 20-7 in a physical contest. PHOTO BY DRU PEACOCK
The Panthers surprised many by opening their non-district play with two consecutive wins, tying the amount of wins the team had all of 2017. The offense returns quarterback Julian Hernandez, who threw for over 1,000 yards last season.
The Bulldogs finished last season 1-9; however, the team was incredibly young, and the maturity of the returning players has already shown, as Waller notched their first win over Bryan 20-10 in their season opener.
Despite opening the season with a loss against rival Longview, Lufkin has looked dominant. “The Pack” has relied on their very strong defensive line and several talented receivers to push to a 2-1 record.
@ magnolia (2-1) Willis (1-2) Tomball (2-1)
Magnolia opened their season by defeating Barbers Hill 43-13, but then losing to Shadow Creek 49-27. After finishing 2017 with a 5-5 record, Magnolia will look to new quarterback Brady Heitzmann and wide receiver Ben Renfro to make the team more competitive.
The Wildkats rebounded from their opening loss to Huntsville by defeating Lake Creek 37-23. Since then the Wildkats are 1-2 and rely on Jermichael Dickerson and Trevion Jones to lead the offense, while Payne Billings and Davonte Nephew shine on defense.
Tomball had a strong 2017 season, finishing district 7-3, but losing in the first round to Magnolia West. The Cougars return starting quarterback Hunter Dunn, who threw for almost 2,000 yards last season.
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Sports
Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018
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Cross country senior models work ethic for teammates Ayden Woods Assistant Editor The course is laid out. The grass is mowed. The dirt is prepared. Senior Matthew McGinnis is stretching at the starting line. He sees flags placed along the field in front of him, blowing in the wind, he is ready. He waits for the starting gun to signal. The starter raises the signal gun, “BANG” and the race is on. “In 6th grade I ran the mile, and my coach told me to join cross country,” McGinnis said. “I’ve just kept running since then.” McGinnis is a senior on the cross country team known as Cougar Cross, and serves as a role model for the team. “He’s just a great leader,” senior and teammate Connor Lindsey said. “Ever since he was a freshman, he has stepped up and helped hold people accountable and encourages them to be the best they can be.” The team views McGinnis as a person who will provide help or tips and who is always willing to work with the team and help teammates achieve their goals. “He has had some good seasons and some bad seasons,” Cross Country Coach Rodney Wellman said. “But he has always seemed to bounce back, and this year by far has been his best.”
Though there have been some rough seasons, he has come back stronger. McGinnis said that he pushes himself to his limits and works incredibly hard at running to be the best he can at all times for the team and himself. “I just keep pushing myself no matter what, I just push myself to the limit.” McGinnis said. “I don’t let myself slow down, I just keep running.” McGinnis works hard to constantly improve himself and increase his abilities as a runner for the team. Just this year alone he has improved. At the Belton meet he ran 16:50 then at the meet in Waco he was able to shave 50 seconds off and run 16:00. “We have been good at staying together as a team,” McGinnis said. “We also have been good at staying together speed-wise and in health.” McGinnis hopes that the entire team improves and is able to stay healthy and fit for meets, including the upcoming Stanford meet in California. “His work ethic is perfect, it doesn’t get any better,” Wellmann said. “He always goes beyond what I ask him to do.” McGinnis applies his strong work ethic to everything he does, whether he’s running at a meet or studying for a big test. He said he always works as hard as he can to do his absolute best.•
Sept. 29 Varsity Stanford University Invite 10:00 a.m. Palo Alto, Calif. Oct. 11 Varsity & JV District 19-5A Championship 9:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. Bryan ▲ Senior Matthew McGinnis warming up on the College Station High school track. So far, McGinnis’s best 3-mile time this season is 16:00, but he has made it his goal to run a 5k in 16:00. PHOTO BY AYDEN WOODS
Oct. 22 Varsity Region III Championship 2:00 p.m. Huntsville
Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018
The Catamount
Sports
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Junior tennis player rises as athletic leader on court Kylie Vernon Opinions Editor As of Tuesday August 28th, the precedent was set. Junior Mia Maren and her mixed doubles partner Jacob Franke won their first district tennis match of the season 6-2 and 6-4 to Brenham. Maren, second on the girls tennis ladder, proves herself again and again as a valuable player. “She made it to regional quarter finals last year in mixed doubles,” tennis instructor Edward Stricker said. “I’m hoping to see her qualify again for playoffs in the spring and take it further.” Maren’s athletic ability gives her a sharp advantage over opponents. Her agility and strength have continuously been a source of victory. “She’s very powerful. She’s a very good athlete,” Stricker said,.“One of the reasons why she’s such a good doubles player is that she can finish balls with power at the net, which is unusual.” Maren’s ability to position the ball within seconds is a major component to her success. “She has some of the best form on the team and can generate the most power out of it,” Franke said. It is because of her dedication that Maren has become such a valuable member of the team. “She came in as a freshman with not a lot of tournament or general tennis experience,” Stricker said. It is through hard work and time that Maren has gotten to the top of the ladder. “I definitely try hard when I’m playing, and I do a lot of out of school work,” Maren said. “I do after school practice every Monday through Thursday, and then I’ll normally have a lesson on Monday and Friday after practice.” Though the hard work is an obvious influence, Maren’s love of tennis is key. “It’s just one of those extracurricular activities that I really enjoy. My dad played when
he was younger, and it got passed down to me. I really love the sport,” Maren said. Maren’s partner Jacob Franke attributes her to their success in doubles matches. “I would argue she’s the more dominant player on the court,” Franke said. “She has really solid groundstrokes that are faster and better than mine. Mia is the backbone of our doubles team.” This leadership is displayed on and off the court as Maren consistently supports her teammates with a smile. “I love coaching Mia,” Stricker said. “She builds the team up. She’s an encourager.”•
She builds the team up. she’s an encourager. -ed stricker head coach
mia maren stats Brenham Doubles: 6-4, 6-2 Brenham Singles: 4-5, 10-3 Rudder Singles: 7-9
▲ Mia Maren returns the ball across the court during her doubles match with Jacob Franke against Brenhm on Sept. 18. PHOTO BY KYLIE VERNON
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Entertainment
Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018
The Catamount
Equality behind the screen Entertainment media lacks representation from various cultures Jaycie Robinson Assistant Editor In cinema, media and the world eye, there is only a glimpse seen of what it is really like to be submerged in the film industry. When we go to the movies or watch a television show, most of us are not thinking of how a fan favorite multicultural character came to be an actor in real life, let alone the hardships and stigma they had to face in order to be in the role they are playing today. Take it back to the sixties; Marilyn Monroe was the role model for body image. Fast forward fifty years, it is still the mold that is followed by the cinema industry. The landscape, in terms of race and culture, is predominantly white with African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians trailing loosely behind. There are many different reasons and opinions for this scarcity in the media. However, Economics teacher Gregg Frashure provided some very enlightening insight. “There can be multiple factors for the demographics in cinema, especially since acting schools and classes are so expensive,” Frashure said. Many people who are actors today started at a very young age and have been placed in acting classes for years, usually funded or supplied by their parents. “Maybe the reason why we see a platform that is so predominantly white is because of the cost and whether or not parents want to pay another person to teach their child a skill that they are not familiar with or have no experience in,” Frashure said. Peeking in on the higher powers in cinema, there is also a possible explanation for the spotted landscape of cinema. Already being a widely known fact that women make eighty percent of the same dollar that men make, sadly it wouldn’t be surprising if the reason why we are gradually seeing an increase of multicultural actors in cinema is because companies can pay less for the same role played by a different person. “Profit motive is the motivation of a company to make money. Maybe directors and casting agents mostly only cast Caucasian actors and actresses because that is what pays the most,” Frashure said. Although most people can very strongly agree they would like to see more representation of multicultural people in the media, gradually and slowly increasing the
ethnic presence can be a safe strategy. Senior Flame Dong concludes this paced increase can prevent clashing opinions from hitting too hard. “Recently I have seen an increase and more people have started to notice minorities,” Dong said. As more cultures are being integrated into the business, their audiences are noticing and beginning to expect a broader range of ethnicities in the films they watch. “A greater number has started to change with the times and grow with the process. Everyone is so used to seeing a certain face up on the screen and it is a very real
with a woman or a minority at the ready for a sidekick in films and in television shows. “There should certainly be more actors and actresses of culture in film and on stage. As audiences start to realize that, then I believe the industry will change,” Creel said. This new representation is not only revolutionary, but can be inspiring to see many actors overcoming the roadblocks of cinema and the harsh criticism of the audience. “However, I do think that it is a very good thing. Seeing actors of ethnic descent and people who look like myself makes me believe that I can do what they do,” Dong said. The representation of all ethnicities in cinema has been a long running battle and has recently received some light this year in the right direction. It will continue to do so as long as multicultural actors keep persisting and overcome the stigma.•
There should certainly be more actors and actresses of culture in film and on stage. -Beth Creel Share of film, by roles, 2016 Theater arts teacher White: 78.1% possibility that tension can be raised if the representation is thrown in the world’s face. Shock value, I think, should be used wisely and sparingly,” Dong said. Theater Arts teacher Beth Creel, having years of experience in the industry, theorizes as to why there is underrepresentation. “To have a diverse film industry, you have to have a diverse director who inputs those ethnic characters and actors into film,” Creel said. It is undeniably hard to make a diverse film when the author nor director is not culturally experienced or open-minded to the idea of a movie of that level. “I do believe one of these reasons for the under representation is that wide American audiences are used to seeing someone like Brad Pitt or Emma Stone on the screen,” Creel said. America’s general audiences have been almost conditioned to see a regular Caucasian male as the main role
African American: 12.5% Mixed Races: 3% Asian : 3.1% Latin: 2.7% Native: 0.5% Source: socialsciences.ucla.edu
Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018
The Catamount
Entertainment
19
Staffers visit local Asian restaurants
Shiraz Shish Kabob
Dru Peacock Editor-In-Chief
Shiraz Shish Kabob, a small restaurant located in the parking lot of the Kohl’s shopping center on Texas Avenue, is a counter-serve space that serves a variety of Persian and Turkish dishes. When I walked in the doors around 5:30 in the evening, there were about five other patrons eating and a pleasant woman waiting at the counter to take my order. I asked for the number one, which was seasoned beef with rice, and a side of hummus and naan bread. I paid the $13, including tax, and she handed me a ticket with a number. As I waited for my food, I admired the layout of the cafe with its large surrounding windows and the
Chef Cao’s Jayci Tawney Staff Reporter
The establishment Chef Cao’s next to the Tower Point HEB has a lot to offer. From ample parking to multiple menu options, Chef Cao’s can satisfy your cravings. The warm feel of the restaurant dimly lit with a brown and tan color scheme, includes cultural paintings on the walls that add to the authentic feeling. While taking my order, the waitress was friendly. I ordered the low mein with chicken, and the food came in a large portion. My food arrived
water fountain spouting in the middle of the room. After about 10 minutes I picked up the surprisingly large plate at the counter and went back to my table to dive in. Before this experience I had never tried Turkish or Persian food and to be honest, I had no idea what to expect. What I got was a plate of seemingly simple food that was packed with an abundance of flavor. The rice was a tad overcooked but it was buttery with a little bit of lime and perfectly complemented the seasoned beef. The hummus was creamy and delicious with the fresh naan, and there was plenty left over for a snack later. Though I was apprehensive at first, I will return to Shiraz Shish Kabob to experience other cuisine from cultures not usually present in our College Station community.•
5-10 minutes after I ordered and was well cooked and tasted good. The low mein wasn’t soggy, and I enjoyed the taste of the chicken. The food was also big enough to share between two people, and we still had food left over. The prices are inexpensive for the quality of food they serve. My meal was only $6.99. The other options all cost the same price, except for the shrimp, which was $7.99. My first time going there was very good one. I enjoyed both the service and the food. If you want to enjoy Asian food with friends, this would be a good place to go.•
▲The number one from Shiraz Shish Kabob is seasoned beef with rice and a side of hummus with naan bread. The total cost is $13 plus tax. Shiraz is loacted in the Kohl’s shopping center on Texas Avenue. PHOTO BY DRU PEACOCK
Taz Indian Cuisine Aliza Ali Staff Reporter
Located on Texas Avenue South, Taz Indian Cuisine offers many traditional entrees. The staff was very amiable, and the atmosphere of the restaurant was very welcoming. The restaurant was decorated with statues and paintings significant to the culture of India. Soups, breads, and salads were $4 to $5; entrees were $15 to $21; and desserts were $3 to $5. Dessert items included gulab jamun, kulfi, kheer, and ras malai. For drinks, they had typical fountain sodas, as well as iced tea, lassi, and mango juice/shakes. They also served hot beverages such as tea and coffee. There is also a lunch buffet
which is roughly $13. For appetizers, I got papad, which is a lentil wafer, with mint and tamarind chutney and the chicken biryani. Biryani is basmati rice cooked with special herbs and spices. They had an assortment of different biryani dishes, from vegetable and egg, to chicken, lamb, goat, and shrimp. It took around 45 minutes to arrive, but the restaurant was crowded and there were only a few workers. The biryani was a little bit spicy, and I really liked it, and there was enough to take home. Overall, Taz Indian Cuisine was an outstanding restaurant, and I would definitely recommend it, especially for spicy food lovers and Indian food fanatics.•
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The Catamount
Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018
sending Snail Mail
Handwritten letters prove to be rare in technological era Melanie Evans Photography Editor
Writing letters is a powerful and personal form of communication, but with the convenience of technology, letter writing is becoming a lost art. “I think it is important to write letters, because there is so much more that you can say in a letter and it means so much more than texting someone. It means so much when you receive the letter, and it makes you feel special,” senior Erin Clendenin said. Clendenin uses letters as a way to keep up with her friend who lives in a different city. The two have been pen pals for more than seven years. “When I moved, she was my best friend in Crystal Cove, and I didn’t want to lose contact with her. I wrote the first letter to her and asked her to write back. A couple weeks later, she sent one back to me, and it’s been going on ever since,” Clendenin said. “I think that it’s really cool that even though we live so far away and have two completely different lives we are still able to talk to each other through a letter.” Technology does make communication faster and more immediate. “While technology has made it easier in some ways to communicate, as far as speed, it has changed the amount of thought that it takes to memorize somebody.” English teacher Mindi Cameron said. “I think that in today’s age, when technology is so prevalent and you have so many different ways to contact people, a handwritten note can be the most personal.”
Junior Annabel Klemm uses letters as a way to encourage and show appreciation to the people around her. “I typically write letters to people that I feel called to tell them something.” Klemm said. “If I see somebody struggling with stress or a test, I will write from my personal experience with how I dealt with that. It’s not the same people every time.” Both Clendenin and Klemm have seen the impact their letters have had on the people to whom they write their letters. Seeing that has helped encourage them to continue writing letters. “I think there’s value in words and writing them to people, making their day and making them feel special. I love it when people receive the letter and how it makes them feel,” Clendenin said. Both know that writing letters has made a positive difference in the lives of the receiver. Clendenin believes that handwritten letters are a lost art that can be extremely valuable and meaningful to those who still embrace it and realize its importance. “I encourage people to write letters. Tell your friends how much you love them,” Klemm said. “If you have intuition or vibes about somebody who needs advice, needs help, needs appreciation or needs to know how much people love them, then even if you don’t know them, write them a letter.”•
I think there’s value in words and writing them to people -erin clendenin senior
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Graphics by Dru Peacock