April 2015 by The Crimson Connection

THE

CRIMSON

CONNECTION VOLUME 2|ISSUE 6|APRIL 2015

ADVENTURE IS OUT THERE

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CONTENTS ON THE COVER

STUDENT LIFE 12 Adventure is out there!

Wildcats travel accross oceans over Spring Break

Photo by: Cameron Brooks

SPORTS 6 Blood bath with a ball

Beneath the surface of water polo

7 Wildcats in the water

Southern legislators ban funding for APUSH

16 How do you fandom? Loving TV shows so much they become your life The friendly faces behind the cat shack

Photo by: Abbie Paysse

8 Pushing it away

Managing time is about more than getting all your homework done

18 Cat shack fever

212 performance and improvement in water polo

OPINION

14 The balancing act

ENTERTAINMENT 20 Music festivals for dummies Students share their experiences about attending music festivals

22 Sufjan Stevens review

Student competes for 40 spots at a world wide camp

10 Model United Nations Experiencing Montessori Model United Nations

New â&#x20AC;&#x153;Carrie & Lowellâ&#x20AC;? album review Photo provided by: Kate Smith

FEATURES 9 Dancing in the Big Apple

23 Mixed page

Cover by: Abbie McIntosh, Kauriana Kendall

STAFF

acting editor-in-chief KAURIANA K. SENIOR REPORTERS DAVID GAY BYRIA HAMBLIN ABBIE MCINTOSH ASHLEY PELTON

STAFF REPORTERS ASHLYNN BROWN GAGE HENRY MIREYA LOPEZ MATTHEW RAMOS LEAH TORREZ

ADVISER

ABIGAIL PAYSSE

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Dear Fellow Wildcats,

EDITORIAL POLICY The Crimson Connection is published seven times a year and distributed free by the Cy Woods Journalism Department. The Editorial Board consists of two editors. The Board determines the stances of editorials, as well as the content of the newsmagazine. Letters or comments are welcome and should be sent to room 1866 at the school address. To be printed by the school newspaper, the letter or comments must be signed and legible. The editor reserves the right to edit letters. The opinion of the staff does not necessarily represent the opinions of the faculty of this school or this district. Make your voice heard. The Crimson Connection staff wants to know your questions, concerns or comments. If you would like to contribute to the next issue of The Crimson Connection, please contact us at: abigail.paysse@cfisd.net Cypress Woods High School 13550 Woods Spillane Blvd. Cypress, TX 77429

As acting editor-in-chief of my first issue, this has been an incredibly stressful and amazing experience. Less than half of our staff remained once the seniors began to devote their time to C-Magazine, so going through the process of creating a full magazine has been twice as difficult without their talent. Fortunately, while this issue is about half the size of our last and largest one, we managed to pull together what I deem some pretty great content. The reporters who made this magazine possible, many of whom were completely new to the newspaper staff at the beginning of the year, have progressed so far in their writing and displayed some of their best work in this issue, where their abilities have really been put to the test. So sit back and read about water polo, some cool Spring Break trips, your favorite fandom, and what goes on at the ever-mysterious Cat Shack. It may be difficult, but keep sticking it out for these last couple months of a great school year. I hope you enjoy the issue, and remember to check out our website, thecrimsonconnection.com for additional content. Sincerely,

Kauriana Kendall Acting Editor-in-Chief

BLO D BATH Beneath the Surface of Water Polo

WITH A BALL Regan Massey passes the ball during a match against Langham Creek game. Photo by: Cameron Brooks

EMILEY SMITH

CONTRIBUTING WRITER Two nets, one ball, 14 players. The object is to swim across the pool and throw the ball into the other team’s net. Sounds simple? Now do all of that with people throwing elbows and pulling down on swim suits. Try treading water with someone kicking at your legs and pushing your head under the surface. If all of this sounds like fun, and you don’t have a fear of drowning, then water polo is the sport for you. Water polo is a simple sport with simple rules, no hitting, no kicking, and no splashing. However the referees can’t really see what’s happening under the water. “Water polo is basically a blood bath,” former high school player Chris Ackles said. “Underneath the surface is where the fight takes place and it’s just a kick-fest. Broken toes are a common injury in water polo because you’re just kicking at each other’s shins under the surface.” Water polo is not a UIL sport in the state of Texas. This means that a lot of schools don’t have a team and if they do it is a club sport. Because of this, players either have to meet before or after school for practice. “It’s a sport that not a lot of people

play,” senior Regan Massey said. “Every one who is there is there because they want to play.” Because it’s a club sport the school does not provide funding for equipment or suits. This makes parents and students have to pay to play “because you wouldn’t have to pay to play (if it was UIL) it would encourage more people to play,” Massey said. Transportation is another issue. Schools don’t bus to games, so students who don’t drive have to carpool. “We are having issues because we are finding it hard to fit every one in cars with people who can drive,” sophomore Allison French said. “Also parents can’t bring us because of work so it’s hard to show up on time to the games.” Several of the players are competitive swimmers who use the sport to stay conditioned for swim season. “We played water polo to train before going to big swim meets in Ohio, in the late 80’s, and we used water polo as strength and conditioning class,” Ackles said. To play water polo well, players not only have to have a thick skin, but the physical endurance to keep up. There are a lot of

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different challenges to the sport. “Trying to keep your head above the water (is the hardest part),” junior Tommy Prisk said. Ackles disagrees. “Four periods,” Ackles said. “The fourth period is an awful challenge especially if you don’t have anyone to rotate out with. Its brutal, you’re exhausted.” As brutal as it can be, water polo is not all blood guts and glory. “It’s fun,” Ackles said. “It’s a change of pace from swimming laps.” French agrees. “It’s fun because it’s such an intense game,” French said. “All of us work together.” Even if you have never played the sport there are a lot of good things about it. It’s a spectator sport. Unlike swimming where you watch people swim back and forth, water polo has a strategy and a competitive edge unlike any other. There have even been movies made about it like “Bloodbath” about an Olympic water polo team in 1984. “Go out and watch a game,”Ackles said. “For anyone who has not seen it, go out and watch a game.” C

SPORTS

WILDCATS IN THE WATER 212 preformance and improvment on the Water Polo Team.

GAGE HENRY

PHOTOGRAPHER

This year the water polo team has exploded in its popularity and its performance under the authority of Coach Pease and Coach Bricarell. Over 60 student athletes make it to practice Monday through Thursday by 5:45 am. Junior Olli Bernal is a wing, meaning he sprints for the ball at the start at each quarter, and stays on the edges making passes. “My favorite part about playing for the water polo team is having the team sport experience that I miss in just regular swimming,” Bernal said. Water Polo member and junior, Tommy Prisk, is also a wing and sometimes plays goalie. “I thought joining would be really fun,” Prisk said ” I heard about it through other swimmers who are also on the water polo team. The best part probably is just being together as a team and having that fun experience.” Coach Brandon Bricarell is a 2009 graduate of Cy Woods. He played here briefly and then went on to room with the

Junior Cody Zientek defending the goal Photo by: Cameron Brooks

starting water polo goalie in college. “I regret not playing more in high school,” Bricarell said. “It’s a fun sport, but I am enjoying the coaching aspect much more than I ever expected I would.” Success is just one of the many things people look for in us at our school, and the team has the motivation and the inspiration that others lack. They have the mentality to gradually succeed as expected By the early morning practices, outstanding performance at tournaments and their commitment to the sport these wildcats have improved the quality of the team drastically. The past few seasons have been marvelous for the team and this program should be around and triumphant for many

years to come. “Our girls and boys teams are full of outstanding young students who are putting time and effort in to really excelling and turning this program into a winning culture for Cy Woods,” Bricarell said. Through the students’ hard work and achievements water polo members also have the opportunity to earn their letterman jacket based on numerous aspects. Their next tournament will be held in Tomball as the Tomball Double Down Tournament April 9th through the 11th. The Varsity Regionals will be played on April 16th. For more information about joining the water polo team, speak to Coach Bricarell in room 2407. C

CREATED FOR SENIORS, ABOUT SENIORS, BY SENIORS Each year, the seniors staff members of the Crimson Connection publish a special edition magazine, Crimson Magazine. The magazine includes stories about you, the members of the senior class, in your preparation for life after high school. These magazines can be pre-ordered from any newspaper senior staff members or in room 1866 for only $3.

$3 pre-order $5 regular

COMING MAY 2015

PUSHING IT AWAY Southern legislators ban funding for APUSH BYRIA HAMBLIN

OPINION EDITOR

This past February a group of Oklahoma education legislators passed a bill that we could only wish was a Saturday Night Live skit. The bill was to cut state funding for the teaching of Advanced Placement U.S. History. Unfortunately, the vote ended with 11 Republicans voting for the bill while only 4 Democrats voting against it. The House Bill 1380 was recently introduced by Representative Dan Fisher, a Republican and member of the Black Robe Regiment, a group who seeks to rid the “false wall of separation of church and state.” He believes that the class curriculum covers too much of “what is bad about America” and not enough “American exceptionalism.” This belief has spread vastly among southern states these past few months. However, some of the other states are calling for action. Earlier in February, Georgia’s state senate proposed that the new AP U.S. History course minimizes “discussion of America’s Founding Fathers, the principles of the Declaration of Independence, [and] the religious influences on our nation’s history,” while its “radically revisionist view of American history” is not educational. However, instead of simply cutting funding, the state says that if College Board does not change the test, they will cut the funding for the class completely. This sort of discussion has also risen in Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Colorado and is causing outrage with teachers. Furthermore, with the debate so close to home, raised eyebrows have been a common response in local teachers. “Of course I think [the bill] is foolish,” Mr. Villamagna said. “Yet, I understand

State funding was cut for APUSH curriculum and testing as of Feb. 19th. Photo by: Flickr user Fort Wirth Squatch

that the teaching of history is politically charged.” Mr. Villamagna has been teaching AP U.S. History for several years and although he is not pleased with the trend, he says the stigma is quite common. “I also understand that there are some people who believe that the teaching of history should lead young people to one primary conclusion:,” Villamagna said, “[that] the United States is the greatest and most exceptional nation in human history.” Even AP English III teacher, Mrs. Tannous, agrees that despite the understanding of the attitude, cutting the course would hurt many teachers and especially students across the country. “The Oklahoma legislature is misguided and does not understand how important it is to understand the complexities of historical moments,” Tannous said, “and try one’s best for an honest evaluation, even when it’s not pretty. How else can we learn from the past and move forward with wisdom and restraint if we don’t take a critical look at the hard truths of history?” According to a Ted Talks by Gayle Kimball, with the internet, social media, and increased digital communication, teenagers are not the same. “[Teenagers] have unlimited access to knowledge,” Kimball said, “and can communicate [their] thoughts in unbiased areas through the anonymity of the internet.” Moreover, in a study by MIT, teenage years are naturally when humans should start being critical thinkers and “constructing philosophers.” Students are inherently being analytical during high school and striving to gain deeper thoughts than “God bless America”

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every morning. Besides, how is one to learn from our countries mistakes when we are not even allowed to be taught them? Not allowing students to see the uglier points in our country’s history is only hurting our educational system and the future of our country. “Students will miss out on critical thinking and analysis skills that are developed in looking at all points of view of a story,” AP U.S. History teacher Mr. Wilson said. Not only will students miss out on the expository opportunity, but also the civil rights aspect of the course. “[I liked AP U.S. History because] it was really eye opening to see how the country reacted to women’s’ rights, black rights and just overall civil rights for workers and citizens,” Senior Cristal Pena said. It’s highly important for students to understand the bigotry and mistakes this country made. Covering up those mistakes by not teaching it is only hurting the country’s future. If anything, it is violating our constitution. “I’m a believer in academic freedom as guaranteed in the Constitution,” Wilson said. “I try to tell both sides of a story and believe we should trust the students to analyze the real story. It’s accepted in science to go off the well-worn path, let history help develop minds the same way.” Although the bill hopefully will not pass, teachers will still strive to teach the in depth curriculum students deserve. “It’s hard to fight against people who look at a course like APUSH and come to the conclusions that they do,” Villamagna said. “I hope that common sense will prevail. All we can do as teachers is to continue to work hard to try to provide students with the best learning experience possible.” C

OPINION

DANCING IN THE BIG APPLE Student competes for 40 spots at a world wide camp in New York City KATE SMITH

CONTRIBUTING WRITER Morrison performing on stage Photo provided by: Emily Morrison

After being denied by Julliard, she was determined to get into Complexions Contemporary Ballet. After a quick two hour practice, she got ready to shoot her video. All she had to do was video herself at the bar and out in the middle to show technique, then a repertoire from a contemporary solo that she had already been performing. Sounds easy until you realize she is competing against the world for 40 spots. Freshman Emily Morrison has been dancing for 10 years and spends at least 20 hours a week between taking classes at Hintze Dance center and dancing at Leon Dance Arts Houston. When Morrison found out about the audition she had two options, fly to New York and audition or stay down here and send in a video. “Obviously I had to stay down here cause I had rehearsal,” Morrison said. She had already recorded a similar video for Julliard, but unfortunately was turned down. “I saw their show here in Houston and then I looked up their summer program,”

FEATURE

Morrison said. Every summer Morrison dances at Leon Dance Arts NY, so she is used to traveling and the competition. “Only 40 were accepted in my level worldwide,” Morrison said. Morrison admitted to being extremely nervous, but wanted to prove she was capable of dancing at a high level. “I spent like two hours in the studio getting the technique before recording the video,” Morrison said. Morrison is used to dancing under pressure, so she wasn’t bothered by the camera. “I kind of just winged it; I already knew the dance, so it was just making sure the details were correct,” Morrison said. She also had to fill out an application about her height, weight, age, and dance experience. “We sent in the little DVD and the forms to be reviewed at 10:00 am,” Morrison said. While Morrison was nervous, her mom, Tauri Morrison, had a different view. “I had confidence in her ability and knew

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it would be a great fit and a great way for her to learn and grow but was also nervous because they only take a few kids during the summer. Would they see what I knew or was I using my mom glasses?” Tauri said. At 4:00pm that day Morrison got the acceptance email. “I don’t know anyone that is going to be there, but it is three weeks in New York and I stay in a dorm not far from the studio at the college we are dancing at,” Morrison said. Morrison is extremely excited and can’t wait for July to come around. “Apparently I’m a good fit for the program,” Morrison said Morrison plans on making new friends and is ready to learn. “Complexions Contemporary Ballet is classes and at the end there is a performance showing what we have learned and a choreographed dance,” Morrison said. Even though she didn’t get into Julliard, she is ready to take the next step, and show the world she has what it takes to be a professional dancer. C

MODEL UNITED NATIONS Experiencing Montessori Model United Nations

MATTHEW RAMOS

STAFF REPORTER

The telephone rings around 6:30am…. It’s the concierge with our wakeup call. My three roommates and I begin to dapper up. We grab our ID badges and head out to breakfast before the commencement of committee sessions. We stay in committee sessions until around 6:30-7:00pm. This is a day in the life of a secretariat member for the United Nations. I’ll spend the day seeing charismatic middle school students stating their position on global issues. An experience second only to riding a bike without training wheels for the first time. Montessori Model United Nations is a Model United Nations program in Montessori schools. In Model UN students are taught caucusing etiquette and the proper way to write positions papers. The students are assigned countries and committees where they work to solve actual world conflicts from the perspective of their respective countries. At the end of committee sessions, the students vote on the best draft resolutions in their committees. Those draft resolutions are then presented by student delegates at the general assembly hall of the United Nations. Any resolution passed on the floor of the general assembly hall is then made an actual resolution for each committee that it represents. This conjunction of Maria Montessori’s principal of learning (from the opinions of our youth) and the concept of global outreach from the United Nations allow student delegates to make real changes in global issues. The United Nations has numerous outreach programs that work to better social deficits on a global scale. Students spend months researching committee topics and the opinions of the countries they represent to find the best resolution. I started off in this program as a delegate myself having been a part of my school’s Montessori Model United Nations program in Florida. With the help and support of my sponsor and my middle school principal, I honed my skills in caucusing and global awareness. My first year as a delegate was in the eighth grade and I entered the program a month late. My partner delegate and I worked tirelessly to be proficient enough in each other’s topics of the economic and social council just in case either of us was to become sick before the conference.

The General Assembly Room Photo by: Matthew Ramos

During caucusing Judith Cunningham, the president of MMUN, saw me present and debate my topic and asked me to return as a secretariat member. Secretariat member’s duties include moderating caucusing, clarifying points and answering any questions delegates may have. The secretariat is also responsible for the organization of the committee and the voting process which happens in the general assembly hall of the United Nations. I am a part of the secretariat of the NGO forum, a committee that creates nongovernmental organizations (non-profits without governmental assistance). In my committee delegates create NGOs and find practical realistic solutions to global issues and together with help from the secretariat, we help them find sponsors and funding for their global initiatives. Being a secretariat member is one of the most remarkable things I have ever experienced in my life. Hearing the innovative ideas of young people is truly inspiring. In my committee (The NGO Forum) delegates were prompted to debate on the topic of childhood education in Malawi. The young diplomats hard at work thought up methods of funding philanthropic missions to build schools. Their ideas were to build schools above the land slide line (the area where land

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and irrigation moves houses down the side of mountains) for students to attend. Delegates also participated in a voting process on social night where they presented their proposed resolutions to all of the mock committees in MMUN. The conference lasts four days beginning with opening ceremonies, two days of committee sessions, with voting and closing ceremonies at the United Nations General Assembly Hall on the fourth day. My trip is sponsored by the United Nations and all of my expenses excluding food are covered by them. We also go through airport security style security before entering general assembly hall and background check for all delegates and their sponsors prior to attending the conference. This year as I attended the single largest and most diverse Model United Nations conference in the world my eyes were opened in a completely different way. Delegates from every continent except Antarctica were present. Montessori Model United Nations and my experience as a secretariat member have really taught me to view the world without borders. Montessori Model UN has been the single best experience I have ever had. It has opened my eyes to global issues and how blessed we are to live in a country like the United States. C

FEATURE

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ADVENTURE IS OUT THERE Wildcats travel across oceans during Spring Break

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SENIOR MEDIA EDITOR

“Adventure is out there!” This famous movie quote from Disney/Pixar’s Up, explains what some Wildcats over Spring Break were chasing: adventure. Wildcats traveled all over the world to Hawaii, Spain and Greece to find and create their own adventures.

Adventure One

Travel half way across the Pacific. It was a trip that sixty girls have been buzzing about since last May. Hawaii is considered a dream destination for many across the world and the Crimson Cadettes had the opportunity to visit the island of Oahu. “While we were [in Hawaii] we visited a secret island, hiked a volcano, shopped, attended a luau and spent a good amount of time on the beaches,” sophomore Alexis Butsch said. “It was the most beautiful place I’ve ever been.” While Cadettes had plenty of time to dip their toes in the water and sit in the sand, they took a day off to do what they do best: dance. “As part of this trip being a school trip, we competed in a national dance competition,” Butsch said. “We placed second, which I would say is pretty dang good for a national competition.” Just like any trip, Cadettes had their favorite part of the six day adventure. “Surfing was definitely my favorite part of the entire trip,” junior Kayla Brock said. “It was on my bucket list and it was so cool to cross that off and experience all of that.” While traveling is an adventure in itself, traveling with friends can be a whole other experience.

“Traveling with my friends was so much fun,” Brock said. “[Traveling with friends] made the whole trip that much more fun.” Even though the trip had to end and Cadettes had to return to Cypress, Oahu will always be there waiting. “I would go back right this second if I could,” Butsch said. “It was so beautiful and the best trip of my life.”

Adventure Two

Travel back half way across the Pacific, across the lower 48, the Atlantic Ocean and half of Europe. Over Spring Break, some lucky theater students were given the opportunity to travel to Greece. “[Greece] was amazing,” junior Cameron Hill said. “It was so beautiful and I learned so much about their history. It was a fantastic trip.” Greece has a history that records all the way back to B.C. times, which Hill took an interest in. “My favorite part was seeing all the ancient ruins,” Hill said. “It’s really cool to think about how those people lived back then and how different it was. It was just so beautiful to see everything.” Along with visiting the ruins, Hill visited

other aspects of ancient Greek culture. “We got to tour a bunch of different cities, museums with artifacts from the ruins and we got to experience Greek life,” Hill said. Even though Hill traveled with Theater, she met some new friends along the way. “I loved traveling with Theater not only because I traveled with my friends, but we also traveled with different groups from all across the United States. It was fun to meet new people.” For Hill, Greece was a once in a lifetime trip. “It was a really great experience,” Hill said. “This trip was one that I most likely wouldn’t have got to experience if Theater didn’t offer the trip.”

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Adventure Three Now travel back over Europe to land in Spain. Each Spring Break, history teacher Mr. Kent takes a group of students to travel to other countries, and this year the destination was Spain. “I loved the trip,” senior Kirsten Osborne said. “We traveled to Madrid, Seville, Granada, Toledo and Costa del Sol. The weather was more than perfect and it was wonderful.” While traveling all across the country, Osborne visited many Spanish buildings. “We visited a lot of super old cathedrals, palaces and castles all over the country,” Osborne said. “We also did a lot of shopping which was super neat. We also spent some time at the beach.” While Osborne has traveled to other places before, this trip gave her a new experience.

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“I have traveled out of the country multiple times and each time my eyes get opened to something new and exciting,” Osborne said. “Here in Cypress, it is easy to get caught up in the everyday bustle and forget that there is a whole world out there just waiting for us.” C

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Managing time is about more than getting all your homework done

KAURIANA KENDALL

ACTING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Endless notes, hours of homework, club meetings, family and social obligations, more activities outside of school and sometimes even sports and a job makes up the majority of teenagers’ lives. Students in all grades are forced to spend every moment of their day focused on school and work in order to fulfill the requirements for that certain college they just have to make it into. While students are often commended and admired for their ability to keep up with all the responsibilities they give themselves, the habits being created, such as all-nighters to complete homework and lack of social experiences with friends, can be extremely unhealthy. The homework load is often the biggest stressor. With four core classes, and most electives giving out just as much work, students get bogged down with several projects in one night, as well as tests and quizzes to study for in between. Taking multiple AP classes makes it even more difficult. Senior Anika Ramchand is in two AP math classes, Environmental Science AP, English AP, Economics K, and has been taking Art since her freshman year. She goes home with her fair share of homework every day. “Usually I start [homework] around

A student attempting to balance all the aspects of her life Illustration by: Laura Barbe

six then it can go up to 12 or one in the morning,” Ramchand said. “It depends on how much work I have that night. Usually it’s a pretty long time.” When feeling sleep deprived, she will take a nap before starting her assignments for the night, meaning she stays up even later. “I usually sleep a lot because being sleep deprived is something that can stop you from doing things,” Ramchand said. “Maybe it’s four in the morning, but I get [the work] done no matter what.” Ramchand a l s o participates in several organizations in and outside of school, spending large amounts of time volunteering and working. “I’m involved in Key Club,” Ramchand said. “I’m in National Honor Society. I’m the co-president of [Cy Woods Hope], so that takes up a lot of my time; we do the kickball tournament, so that’s a big thing for us, and it’s a lot of work. I do dance; I’ve been doing dance for about 10 years now. I feel like being active is important, especially in going to college soon - I’m going to have to be active, so I feel like I have to start being used to that busy schedule.” Volunteering for meaningful clubs is extremely worthwhile, and staying in shape is also important, however, with both of these added to the stress of school, the overall consequences may not be ideal. While college matters, and being prepared is important, there is a point where what a person really needs is not to keep studying, but go out and spend some time relaxing with

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friends. For students like Ramchand, this opportunity does not come around often. “A lot of my friends are also up in the middle of the night, so we help each other stay up and get stuff done,” Ramchand said. “If we’re all in anatomy together and we have a big test tomorrow, we’ll study together so it helps both of us. It works because when you’re with your friends doing something, you have more motivation to get things done. So if that’s what it has to come down to, studying with friends just to socialize, then [that’s what it is.]” Psychology teacher Jason Porter has strong opinions about the way high schoolers feel about their schoolwork and the common focus of getting into nothing but the best college. “I tell kids all the time, it doesn’t matter what college you go to,” Porter said. “Bottom line: whether I went to A&M, U of H, Sam Houston or Texas, it doesn’t matter. College isn’t going to get me the job. I still have to interview. I still have to show up. Just go somewhere, get a degree.” Porter believes that teenagers should take this time to have fun and enjoy themselves, w i t h o u t stressing so much about grades. “When you think about it in the big picture, you have a student who’s stressing about a test,” Porter said. “[I ask] ‘why are you so stressed about the test?’ ‘Because it’s going to matter for my six weeks grades.’ ‘Why does your six weeks grade matter?’ ‘Because it goes into my semester average.’ ‘Why does your semester average matter?’ ‘Because it goes into my grade point.’ ‘Why does your grade point matter?’ ‘Because that determines what college I can get into, then that determines whether I get a good job.’ So you’re going to freak out right now about a paycheck you’re not going to get until you’re 23? You’re going to let that drive you crazy right now? You’ve only got one ride. Enjoy it. If you gave me a half sheet of paper and said, ‘fill out everything you remember from high school,’ I couldn’t fill it. What I’m never going to forget are the times I had with my friends. Life is full of responsibility and stress and deadlines. You’re going to have that for the rest of your life. You only have this time to say, ‘I’m just a kid; I don’t get it.’ This is the only time you have for that excuse. When you’re 25 you can’t do that.” Porter points out that completely focusing on one thing, even academics, is not tbe most beneficial course of action in

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It’s your own expectations that are driving you crazy, not everyone else’s

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STUDENT LIFE

every situation. “I used to be a principal in Detroit,” Porter said. “I didn’t want a teacher that got straight ‘A’s. How are they going to have any compassion for my students that don’t get it? Failure is good - failure builds character.” This is not to say that keeping up with grades is unimportant. The healthiest way of life is a balanced one, and decent grades are usually necessary to achieve big dreams. However, there are ways to handle it without sacrificing sleep, friends and fun. “Don’t be lazy and don’t procrastinate,” senior Nick Nguyen said. “That’s important, especially if you’re a freshman. It helps set the foundation for senior year and all the classes you have to take.” There is also no reason to be ashamed in simply not understanding the material. It makes sense to get help on homework and receive tutoring sometimes. “I would say it’s okay to ask for help,” Ramchand said. “You’re just a student, you’re just trying to get through it. Everyone has to experience working hard, doing all their homework and staying up late at night. It’s okay to ask for help from your teachers or your mom or your dad or your other friends, especially when it comes to not understanding things in school. People are going to help you. And if it’s the workload that’s a lot, talk to your teachers, don’t just try to put up with it. If you try to manage it all and you think you can handle it, but you really can’t, you’re going to get overwhelmed and stressed out even more, and that’s something that will stop you from achieving what you want to achieve while you’re in high school. So I would say take breaks, get help, relax a little, and don’t take it so seriously.” Much of the stress students may feel about their homework load can be selfinduced. There are distractions galore, but a student’s own ideas of what they must accomplish can hold them back from feeling fully satisfied with themselves as well. Accepting that we can’t do or know everything is sometimes the only way to truly relax and enjoy the few years given to us to be teenagers before entering the world of adulthood for the rest of our lives. “What you guys might have trouble doing is just living in the moment,” Porter said. “You’re juggling a lot, but at the same time, there’s others who are going through this building sort of riding the wave, they’ll get out fine and they’ll have success. But that’s just different people and their personality types. It [the stress] has nothing to do with [the work load] there. A lot of it is you, it’s your friends, it’s what’s in your head. It’s your own expectations that are driving you crazy, not everyone else’s.” C

Anika Ramchand balancing her classes, dance, clubs and art Photo by: Kauriana Kendall

HOW DO YOU FANDOM?

Illustration by: Laura Barbe

Loving TV shows so much they become your life

MIA LOPEZ

STAFF REPORTER

There was something really special about being able to come home from a hard day at school, from dealing with immature bullies on the bus every morning and afternoon, wondering whether all your

Dean Winchester’s amulet from TV show Supernatural Photo by: Anna Emmanuel

hard work in school made a difference, knowing you can come home on Tuesday and Supernatural was going to be on that night would bring peace to the end of a stressful day. Watching characters from Supernatural like Dean Winchester as he struggled with questioning his worth and being able to see Himornaru Amu from the anime Shugo Chara as she fought to help people understand who they were meant to be. Watching these characters fight against all odds to find themselves again after taking what life threw at them could help the viewers carry a new hope in their lives. All of this was inspired from just TV shows and fandoms that could give anyone hope

that maybe, just maybe we could fight our own battles, our own demons and win. Fandom definition: The fans of a particular person, team, fictional series, etc., regarded collectively as a community or subculture. According to Urban Dictionary. Huge fandoms have erupted from recent TV shows like Doctor Who or Sherlock. Fans spend time and money doing things for the fandoms they love, whether it is creating fan art or buying clothes, posters, and even jewelry. Fandomers spend hours creating cosplay outfits and attending conventions to possibly meet the characters they love and idolize for an autograph, or picture. Share a few words of gratitude and love with the actor(s) that made it possible. All to show how much what their favorite TV show means to them. “My Favorite character is Donna [from Doctor Who],” second year Melbourne university student Anna Emmanuel said. “What I love about her is how confident she is. She doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her. I aspire to be more like her.” Characters that inspire fans like Emmanuel are important in any fandom.

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Doctor Who fans even fight over who is the better doctor number Nine, Ten or Eleven or who is the hotter brother from Supernatural Sam or Dean Winchester. All for the love and adoration of fictional characters that give hope to fandomers who

Serena Bunn on right dressed as Casitel from TV show Supernatural Photo provided by: Serena Bunn

need it. “My favorite character is the Tenth doctor from Doctor Who,” freshman Amanda Ruiz said. “He’s silly, he’s really intelligent and he can handle any situation easily,” Fanfiction definition: Fiction written by a fan of, and featuring characters from, a particular TV series, movie, etc. According to Urban Dictionary.

STUDENT LIFE

TV show Doctor Who couples necklaces Photo by: Anna Emmanuel

Some fictional characters are so adored that mostly romantic fan fiction is written about them. “If I could marry someone [from Doctor Who] it would be Rory Williams,” Emmanuel said. “He’s so loyal and loving, and would make such a perfect husband.” Being able to meet these characters in real life could make any fan girl or boy scream until they peed themselves; the idea of meeting the actor(s) that play a character so perfectly in a fandomers eyes is a once in a lifetime chance. The one place this is possible is none other than at a convention. “In Florida, visiting my family, we saw an ad for Mega-Con,” junior Serena Bunn said. “On the whim we bought tickets and went. It was one of the biggest conventions I had ever seen. I had only been to ones in Texas and I mainly wanted to go because the actors that played Fred and George Weasley were going to be there. I shook their hands and I cried.” Social media has become a gateway for fan girls/boys to express their “feels” for their fandom with the rest of the world. Whether it is an Instagram account for Doctor Who or a Vine account dedicated to nothing of the Destiel ship (Dean Winchester and Castiel Novak), the possibilities are endless within fandoms. Emmanuel has an Instagram account for the Superwholock fandom. This fandom was created for fans that are loyal to Supernatural, Doctor Who, and Sherlock. Her account is dedicated to making picture

STUDENT LIFE

edits with quotes relevant to this fandom. Precious time is spent on fandom accounts or constant reblogging on Tumblr when a fandomer could be using that time to get work done. “I had to do reading notes, but instead I watched Big Hero Six,” Ruiz said. “I watched The Lego movie and then watched two episodes of Supernatural instead of doing my homework.” Fandoms have the ability to emotionally break or make a person who is so in love with a TV show. If a character dies on a show to the fandom world it is like the death of the president. If two characters end up together it is treated as the marriage of William and Kate. Despite the admitted silliness and outrageousness that can surround the fandom world, there is always a personal connection for fandomers. Whatever aspect that maybe to an individual, it holds something that inspires them. “The show repeatedly brings out about the concept of everyone being important,” Emmanuel said. “And when I feel unimportant I remember that I am because of Doctor Who.” As the Eleventh doctor said, “In nine hundred years of time and space, I’ve never met anyone who wasn’t important.” C

The OTP’s

(one true pairs)

We Wish Were Canon (Together)

TV show: Sherlock OTP : John Waston and Sherlock Holmes OTP name: Johnlock

TV show: Sherlock OTP: Molly Hooper and Sherlock Holmes OTP name: Sherlolly

TV show: Sleepy Hollow OTP: Ichabod Crane and Abbie Mills OTP name: Ichabbie

Marvel characters: Black Widow and Hawkeye OTP name: Clintasha (Clint Barton and Natasha Romanoff)

TV show: Supernatural OTP: Dean Winchester and Castiel Novak OTP name: Desitel

TV show: Scandal OTP names: Olitz and Olake (Olivia pope and Fitzgerald Grant) or (Olivia pope and Jake Ballard)

Serena Bunn cosplaying as Marty Mcfly from movie Back To The Future Photo by: Serena Bunn

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Photos from: Pinterest

CAT SHACK FEVER The friendly faces behind the Cat Shack

LEAH TORREZ

STAFF REPORTER

The table sits outside the commons and to the right, just past the VIPs. Most students walk by it without a second thought to the hard working students sitting on the stools. That little table is known as the Cat Shack, a free, student-run tutoring center for students who seek academic help. “I like to give back,” senior Erica Ogumike said. “Anyone who’s struggling in class or is just confused, I can come and help them with whatever subject it is.” Ogumike is one of the many bright senior minds who got involved in Cat Shack through the National Honor Society. “I want to be a teacher whenever I get out of college,” senior Phil Silverman said. “So this is good training.” These tutors are happy to see their students, who were once struggling, obtain their academic goals. “I love the feeling of being able to truly help and allow others to strive

higher,” senior CJ Lockwood said. Silverman agrees. “I really like when I have those break through moments with them where they finally understand something that they haven’t been able to understand,” Silverman said. Cat Shack is open to any and every student who does not have the opportunity to go to tutoring before or after school. “You don’t have to be a freshman to do it,” Silverman said. “We can tutor anybody, from any grade.” Some students may be embarrassed to ask for assistance to solve that one Algebra problem or grasp a concept in Physics, but asking questions is nothing to be

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ashamed of. “Just come along, no one’s here to judge,” Ogumike said. “We all get a little confused in class and if you ever have a question there are kids who just love to help people. Just come and learn during lunch.” For any student, in any grade, there are friendly faces waiting at your lunch to help you figure out what you need to do to prosper in school. “Going to Cat Shack or asking for help doesn’t mean you aren’t smart,” Lockwood said. “It means that you are the smartest because you recognize that you need help. No one is perfect and you have the motivation to succeed.” C

STUDENT LIFE

GET TO KNOW YOUR TUTORS A LUNCH

Nicholas Nguyen is in Key Club, Model UN, works at mathnasium, and is a member of the #AznMafia. Specializes in English, biology and government.

Divya Satish participates in UIL-Science and Current Events, Model UN and is in the #AznMafia. Specializes in biology, English and history.

Grace Seidl participates in Project Linus, works at Mathnasium and has a cat named Percry. Specializes in math, English and history.

Andrew Silverman is in the H.E.A.T. club, is on the soccer team, works at Cypress Academy and likes tacos and Netflix. Specializes in math and history.

Kenzie Miller is in Key club and has a dog named Wishbone. Specializes in math, English, and science.

Zainab is in the Muslim Student Assciation club, Key club and a great negotiator. Specializes in mostly math subjects.

Abbie McIntosh is in both journalism courses, Newspaper and Yearbook, works at Sylvan and her pinky toes donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t touch the ground. Specializes in English, history, and math.

Madelin Cowden is a Wildthing, in Keyclub, basketball, track, student senate and is in love with Phil Silverman. Specializes in math.

Phil Silverman is in PALs, participates in project Linus and is in love with Madelin Cowden. Specializes in everything because he is a genius but not as smart at Madelin, of course.

B LUNCH

David Gay plays the trombone, is in PALs, newspaper, Feminism Club, PTN and loves to go to music festivals. Specializes in history and algebra.

Colin Gay is in newspaper, PTN, choir and likes singing in the car. Specializes in every subject because he loves to help people and is all around a wonderful person.

CJ Lockwood plays tennis, Proclaim the Name, Feminist club, Young Life and is an internationally ranked ping-pong player. Specializes in math.

C LUNCH

Erica Ogwumike is Senior Class President, is on the state champion basketball team and is going to play basketball at Pepperdine next year. Specializes in History and Spanish.

STUDENT LIFE

Mason Armstrong is in the L.A.R.P. club, plays the trombone, is a boyscout, Pathfinders and is hungry. Specializes in math, but not English. Never English.

Tyler Kawakubo is on Student Council, Spanish National Honor Society and his favorite color is orange. Specializes in math and science.

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MUSIC FESTIVALS FOR DUMMIES

Students share their experiences about attending music festivals Lights, lasers and smoke might be typical things to expect at a concert nowadays. Imagine experiencing that with 20,000 of your closest friends in an outside setting. Add it together and you get a quintessential music festival. Music festivals have been around since the 1960s where folk singers came to Rhode Island to perform at the Newport Folk Festival. Throughout the years, music festivals have become more modern, bringing in up and coming bands and focusing on the young adults who come and participate. When you go to a festival for the first time, many things stand out to you because it is new. “I went to Austin City Limits last year,” senior Zach McNeal said. “The amount of people there was crazy. I looked it up and it said that 70,000 people go every year. It’s just ridiculous being there with that many people. We actually got to be in the front row for one of the big concerts. Seeing 20,000 people behind you is crazy.” Not everyone starts with a festival that huge. Most people start off at a smaller festival and still gain memorable experiences out of it. “I’ve been to Warped Tour twice,” senior Cameron Brooks said. “I was not really into the actual bands at Warped Tour but I got front row for Jeezy and that was really cool.” Music festivals are often multi-day events. People have to prepare in advance so they can maximize their time and still be

Do’s

DAVID GAY

SENIOR REPORTER

One of the Main Stages at Free Press Summer Fest Photo by: Flickr user Alan Cordova

safe. “My advice is to definitely take a CamelBak or at least have water bottles in your backpack,” McNeal said. “Especially when you are waiting in the front to wait for a big concert, you have to stay hydrated and make sure you use the bathroom sometime throughout the day.” There are some precautions that you have to take to spend the whole weekend at a music festival. “Definitely don’t forget to bring sunscreen,” Brooks said. “Because standing out in the heat all day at a music festival is exhausting. Bring sunglasses because it can keep the sun out of your eyes, especially

at a Music Festival

if the sun is right above the stage. I would bring money for food there. You are gonna get hungry sometime.” People at festivals tend to get a little crazy. The heat added to the claustrophobia can make health scares occur. “When we were at the front for Skrillex,” McNeal said, “there were a bunch of girls in the second and third row and whenever there are 20,000 people in a crowd, people tend to push forward to get closer. These girls had claustrophobia and they could not breathe so they had to be pulled to the front.” Make sure you have the essentials before you leave your house. You don’t want to

• Drink water • Wear close-toed shoes • Wear T-shirts • Wear something with lots of pockets • Wear lots of SUNSCREEN (water/sweat proof) • Get cheap sunglasses • Bring smartphone in a ziploc bag in case of Rain • Bring Band Aids • Bring Advil

Artists to see at Free Press • GTA

This electronic duo, who have worked with the likes of Diplo and Major Lazer, will be one of the under the radar electronic acts that everyone should see. People Interacting at Free Press Summer Fest Photo by: Flickr user Randall Pugh

forget something important. “Don’t forget your ticket because I left mine at home, and I had to get my parents to bring it to me,” Brooks said. “You need to make a list and check off everything before you leave.” There are also certain unwritten rules at music festivals that will maximize your time there. “If you leave then you will lose your spot,” McNeal said. “Don’t let the people around you ruin the experience and just enjoy the music.” There tends to be more than one type of genre at music festivals. To get the full feel, broaden your horizons on what artists you want to see. “Try to experience more bands than the ones that you are familiar with,” Brooks said. “I found bands just from meeting people going to different shows. You get

Don’ts

at a Music Festival

involved with a culture being around the people who go to these shows. Don’t limit yourself to one genre. Take advantage of every second you can because it only comes once a year.” There will be different kinds of people depending on which show that you attend. “Try to get a look at all of the people around you,” senior CJ Lockwood said. “Get a feel of the atmosphere.” The biggest music festival in Houston is Free Press Summer Fest. Everyone from Childish Gambino to The Postal Service have played in past years. McNeal is looking forward to this year’s lineup. I’m pretty stoked about this year’s lineup for Free Press,” McNeal said. “There are definitely some great bands that are coming this year. I’m excited about Major Lazer. I’ve seen on YouTube some of their Live Videos. I think that their show will be insane.” C

• Welcome to Houston

This rap crew filled with Houston rappers made their debut last year with high praise. They are returning this year and will be one of the best shows at the festival.

• Lecrae

This Christian Rapper was a surprise addition to this lineup. This will be one of the most energetic shows at the festival.

• Wear things that are expensive • Wear black • Wear long sleeves/long pants • Sacrifice your health/safety by wearing cute/stylish clothes • Get dehydrated • Get sunburned • Bring lots of money • Interact with people you don’t know well • NOT HAVE FUN

Music Reviews

Carrie & Lowell: Sufjan Stevens

DAVID GAY

SENIOR REPORTER

There are some albums you hear that are good, but they don’t hit you in the gut. Sufjan Stevens’ new album, “Carrie & Lowell,” will trigger that gut emotion and will take something out of you as you listen to it. This album, about his troubled relationship with his mom, is the best album he has put out. This album takes you on a journey through the pain he felt when he spent time with his mom and questioning God why she did not love him. Every song on this album is haunting, sad, and also beautiful. His Christian faith is one of the main focuses, with God leading him through these dark times that he writes about here. Musically, this album is much different than the electronic focused “The Age of Adz.” The sound on this album is simpler, with acoustic guitars and a reoccurring theme of a folksy type structure in each song. This album is not an upper, but once you read about why this album was made, a personal connection is created. At the end, you are yearning, as he says in his song “Fourth of July,” to “make the most of your life, while it is rife, while it is light…” This whole album is a standout, but “No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross” is the most moving and beautiful song. Just the simplicity of the song shocks me and the lyrics are so gorgeous. Right after you hear it once, you have to hear it again, With help from amazing artists such as S. Carey, “Carrie & Lowell” is my favorite album of the year so far. It will make you see Sufjan Stevens’ music in another light. C

Sufjan Stevens Photo by: Flicker User Jules Minus

Downloadable: “Feeling Of Love”

MIXED UPCOMING APRIL 21 Passion Pit: Kindred APRIL 23 Wilco @ Bayou Music Center APRIL 24 In theaters: Adult Beginners APRIL 28 Zac Brown Band: Jekyll + Hyde

BEST OF THE BEST: TWEETS ABOUT ZAYN LEAVING ONE DIRECTION 1) DOUG BENSON: “Leaving the group One Direction is a sign that you’re inzayn in the membrane.” 2) @IAMPEDROBATISTA: “You could say that Zayn is going another direction.”

3) @SHATTERINGCTH: “Go find a new band name it’s not one direction without zayn.” 4) @ONEDIRECTI0NFANS: “#ALWAYSINOURHEARTS ZAYNMALIK”

CY WOODS HOPE KICKBALL TOURNAMENT

MAY 1 In theaters: Avengers: Age of Ultron MAY 4 Mumford & Sons: Wilder Mind My Morning Jacket: The Waterfall

Photo by: Zoie Cline

MAY 9 Earl Sweatshirt @ Warehouse Live MAY 11 Sufjan Stevens @ Jones Hall MAY 12 The Tallest Man on Earth: Dark Bird is Home

Photo by: Zoie Cline

MAY 15 In theaters: Mad Max: Fury Road Photo by: Zarin Garza

ENTERTAINMENT

Photo by: Zarin Garza

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Photo by: Zoie Cline