December 2012 - Volume 106 Issue 4

The Horseshoe D

2012

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Harold Jackson: The Coach, the Teacher, the Man Pages 6-8

Why does Santa get all the credit?

(Pg. 2)

Teacher moving to Hawaii: “YOLO” (Pg. 4)

Recipient of charity, giver of charity (Pg. 8)

Color Guard’s Cowboys halftime performance (Pg. 9)

Swimming hoping to make state for third straight year (Pg. 11)

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OPINION DĊĈĊĒćĊė 2012

Behind Christmas I want recess back Jackie Wostrel Staff Writer

Elves; they’re Santa Claus’ most prized helpers and they basically make Christmas happen. So why does Santa get all the credit?

What really happens behind the scenes deep in the North Pole? What if it’s not all candy canes and gumdrops? When the snow falls, Christmas is near, but is that the work of Santa or our little elf friends?

Because, honestly, elves are the real rea-

son we have Christmas.

It’s not the snow, the hot chocolate, the tree, the presents, or even Santa. It’s the elves.

According to all the movies and all the stories, the elves practically worship Santa, the fat man in red.

But is Santa a good, jolly man in red, or a mean, domineering boss who orders elves and reindeer around just so he can get all the credit of bringing joy to the children of the world? Even when he’s not doing the

work (except maybe collecting coal to put in stockings)?

Why is Santa given all the credit and the elves just made into a background noise?

Elves are the most important part of the Christmas operation.

They build every single toy for every single child all around the world. Santa should share the spotlight and the glory. All Santa Claus does is ride around in a sleigh and deliver the presents.

But without the elves, there would be nothing to deliver.

Player’s 138 illigetimate

George Roberson Editor-in-Chief

Here’s a weird thought: we need recess back.

All those years of having a half-hour after lunch to play and socialize were not a waste, as I initially thought.

This might surprise you, but I was a big nerd in elementary school, and I preferred staying inside doing homework to going to recess.

But now, I realize the value of recess, and I actually miss it. In fact, I think we need it

more now than we did in elementary school.

Recess allows students two things: exercise and sunlight. Everyone needs both for healthy living, but many teenagers, me included, get neither. (Exercise and being outdoors weren’t problems at my middle school, because it had an open and spreadout campus, but lack of time outdoors is something that has bothered me more and more about high school.)

People who join sports generally get enough activity and exposure to natural light, but students are only required to take one year of a sport, and many students elect to take PE, which does not always satisfy the need for daily exercise and time daily outside.

In our culture, when people leave their houses each day, they get into their cars.

Once they get to their offices or school, they leave their cars and go directly inside. When school or work lets out, they flood back into their cars then go back home.

We don’t even have to get out of our cars to purchase food or medication.

It’s not surprising that so many Americans are overweight, when our lives are spent almost entirely indoors from a young age onward.

Recess needs to come back into our lives, and we need to change our ways as a nation.

Air conditioning will still function. Technology will still exist. Let’s just get a bit healthier by spending more time outside.

Dareious Scott/Contributing Writer I’m sure by know you have heard about Jack Taylor and his astonishing 138-point game on Nov. 20, but I don’t feel as if he deserves as much credit as he is being given.

First of all, Taylor shot the ball 108 times in a 40-minute game.

Professional teams in the National Basketball Association do not shoot the ball 108 times in a 48-minute game span.

He shot the ball on an average of one shot for every 20 seconds.

That is an absurd amount.

Taylor had zero assists. He didn’t pass the ball to his teammates at all, which means he was sort of in the ball-hogging zone.

Taylor also shot the ball from behind the three-point line 71 times. Again, professional basketball teams do not shoot threes as a team that much.

what’s good what’s bad about winter at DHS The Ann Windle Adopt-a-Child program It’s good to have a party during class, but it’s even better to give back to underprivledged kids during the holiday season.

The awkward temperature variance between rooms It’ll make you think twice about your wardrobe.

In some classes, you need three layers, but in others you’ll get toasty in just one.

I’ve put myself in the shoes of his teammates who were on the court with him the night he scored this insane amount of points. There’s no way on God’s green Earth that I’m letting somebody shoot the ball that many times in a game.

People often say that his teammates kept feeding him the ball, which gave him the green light to shoot it, but that doesn’t mean

anything. Just because I pass you the ball does not mean you have to shoot it every time.

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith shares the same view.

“There’s nothing about his performance that speaks ‘team basketball,’” Smith said. “There’s nothing that shows how the game of basketball is supposed to be played. If you’re in the park and you launch even half of the

shots he did, somebody is going to come and punch you in your face. We’re on the court just like you and we didn’t come out here to watch you shoot the basketball. You need to pass the basketball to some degree.”

While Taylor was ultimately a ball hog and was wrong his coach also deserves some of the blame for leaving him in that long during the team’s 179-104 victory.

The Horseshoe 1007 Fulton Denton, TX 76201 940-369-2150 Editor-in-Chief: George Roberson Assistant Editor: Taylor Brown Entertainment Editor: Dylan Curtis Online Editor: Ryan Carr Sports Editor: Chandler Elsbecker Standards Editor: Jordan Gill Staff Writers: Dimitrios Aerts, Joi Bailey, Isaac Bowen, Angelica Camacho, Mwape Chintankwa, Evie Clark, Amber Cowles, Tori Davis, CJ Mauricio, Floribel Núñez, Tanneth Oxford, Jackie Wostrel Photographer: Austin Pugh Graphic Design: Cynthia Pantaleon, Alex Plese Adviser: Mr. Greg Bogomol Principal: Mr. Dan Ford

The student newspaper of Denton High School is published by the publications staff. The ideas expressed in this publication and on the Opinion page are solely those of the individuals providing them, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire staff, adviser, faculty, administration, or the Denton ISD Board.

DHS is a member of the Interscholastic League Press Conference, National Scholastic Press Conference, and Columbia Scholastic Press Conference.

Find us online at www.dhshorseshoe.com, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.

A version of this issue formatted specifically for the Internet can be accessed at issuu.com/dhshorseshoe.

FEATURE

3

DĊĈĊĒćĊė 2012

DHS student finds passion in bowling Big eyed and filled with questions, the little boy watched his dad send the shiny bowling ball down the lane, knocking every pin down.

Watching the score rise at every turn he took, he knew that this was what he wanted to do.

At only six years old, Antonio Alonzo found his passion; bowling. Now, 10 years later, he is the captain of the varsity bowling team and is in two other leagues.

“I bowl about three times a week,” Antonio said. “I started bowling when I was six because my dad was bowling with his friends. I joined in too and eventually I just kept going with it. I got my first bowling ball of my own when I was seven.”

With his dad as his biggest supporter, Antonio now bowls an average of 200 per game.

Jordan Gill Standards Editor

she works with them on getting “My dad is my biggest inspi- chel Jones said.

Coach Diana Simpson has the ball straight down the lines ration because he kept pushing me to keep going and to get bet- been at DHS for 12 years and has and with stance and procedure. ter,” Antonio said. “My favorite been bowling since she was 21. At She loves working with the kids thing about bowling is the thrill their practice on Monday nights, and seeing them progress.

“Since we found of getting the Antonio last year, high games of the he has done a match.” tremendous job,” Antonio is one Simpson said. “He of 22 bowlers on is one of the upthe team that and-coming and will be competing will be really good against three othwith a little more er teams in their time.” league this season.

The highlight of His teammates Antonio’s bowling love having him as captain and they life was two 11 in know, with him in a row trophies for charge, they can getting 11 strikes only get better. in a row. He accomplished this “He’s really, refeat during his ally good, and a Surrounded by his teammates, sophomore bowler Antonio Alonzo league play, which great addition to prepares to send one down the lane. Alonzo is the captain of the he still particithe varsity team,” bowling team this year. (photo by Cynthia Pantaleon) pates in as well as junior bowler Ray-

Bowling vocabulary strike - downing all ten pins on the first ball perfect frame - a score of 300 turkey - 3 strikes in a row

the bowling team for school.

“I never imagined being very good at bowling,” Antonio said. “I just kept practicing and working with my dad to get better.”

Alonzo’s father is his biggest inspiration when it comes to bowling. He pushed him to become better and to pursue his dreams.

“It’s hard to explain how proud I am of him,” Antonio’s father, Rene Alonzo said. “He’s a hard working, awesome kid and all I’ve ever told him is to do whatever it takes to do your best.”

Koontz’s unlikely path to becoming a prinicpal

Dareious Scott Contributing Writer

Students hate her, teachers have to answer to her, and the school wouldn’t be able to function without her.

She’s been called every name in the book, but at the end of the day she’s still the Associate Principal.

Mrs. Renee Koontz was born in 1971 in Mesquite, Texas, but her journey to becoming the Associate Principal of Denton High was not intentional.

“I wanted to receive my degree as a math major,” Koontz said. “I soon realized that I didn’t love math as much as they were making me do.”

College isn’t cheap, especially when you are paying for your college like Koontz did.

Credit hours, which you gain after paying for and

then passing a course, expire after a certain amount of time or if you choose a different field of study. At one point when she was in school, Koontz was in danger of losing some of her hard-earned hours.

“I talked to my adviser about switching majors, but I didn’t want to lose my credit hours,” Koontz said.

“The only thing I could transfer into was an Education degree.”

Although she was able to pay for the classes, it wasn’t a walk in the park for Koontz. Keeping a roof over her head was a major goal she had to struggle to attain.

“I had to work a job while being a student teacher just so I could pay my rent,” Koontz said. “I wasn’t getting paid being a student teacher, so I would have to go to class all day, and then work all night.”

Koontz went on to re-

ceive her Masters degree in curriculum instrument assessment at Walden University. After receiving her diploma, Koontz began her teaching career.

“I started off as a middle school math teacher,” Koontz said. “After that I became a high school cheerleading coach, and basically worked my way from there.”

According to Koontz, being an Associate Principal is all about having the patience to deal with kids on a day to day basis.

“There is never a typical day on the job, because you never know what the 2,000 or so teenagers are going to do,” Koontz said. “There is so much energy in teenagers.”

Koontz understands how students view her sometimes during the course of a school year or a high school career.

“I can be mean if I have

to,” Koontz said. “I will enforce rules and expect everyone to behave consis-

tently.”

Math teacher Mrs. Marlene Nobles thinks this

Associate Principal Renee Koontz is caught during one of the rare times she sits at her desk. Koontz says she loves her job and the day she doesn’t she will retire. (photo by Austin Pugh)

is one of the things that makes her an effective administrator.

“She’s very efficient,” Nobles said. “She cares about the students and the school as a whole.”

It’s not all business for Koontz. She enjoys travel and hobbies.

“I’m a beach girl,” Koontz said. “I recently traveled to Italy for 11 days. I also play fantasy football.”

One piece of advice is something that drives Koontz to make a difference in the lives of the young adults she works with.

“The best advice I’ve ever gotten was to do something you love,” Koontz said. “There has never been a day where I have dreaded going to work, and when that day comes, I’ll no longer work at Denton High.

I love this job and I’d do it for free.”

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FEATURE DĊĈĊĒćĊė 2012

A day in the life

One student, one day

CJ Mauricio Staff Writer

The sound blares, and Kevin Van Horn wakes up with the 7:00 am alarm he set the night before. He takes a shower and eats his Raisin Bran. He grabs his things and starts his day.

Kevin gets ready to drop off his little sister at school, while at the same time preparing for his morning Tennis practice (8:00 a.m. to 9:50 a.m.).

“For me, tennis is a fun way to stay fit and energized,” Van Horn said.

“The hardest part of the sport is getting a consistent hitting style. My grandfather was really into it, and it seemed fun to me, so I joined it as well.”

For Kevin’s second block of this day, he goes to his Pre-AP English II class with Mrs. Amber Bush, where they go ahead and act out a scene from the play Antigone. After English, Kevin goes to Mrs. Cristina Galindo’s Spanish class, where they are learning about how to construct sentences in different kinds of tenses.

“My face hurt in English from laughing because everyone’s acting was so hilarious,” he said.

Sometimes, in between classes, Kevin will pull out his wallet and unfold a little piece of paper containing the schedule of all of his activities for the day.

“Having this small piece of paper just to tell me what I’m in for today is a big help, especially when I need to focus on much more important and bigger things,” he said.

In his AP class, World History, they take notes based off the videos they are watching.

“My AP and Pre-AP classes take a lot out of my time and mind, but it’s not really that bad since I usually get all my sleep I need,” Van Horn said.

“Unless it’s the end of the six-weeks, when everything is due and I have to finish up my projects.”

Kevin’s final block consists of learning about the quadratic equation in his Pre-AP Algebra 2 class, right before he ends his school day.

“I don’t know why I do it all,” Van Horn said. “I don’t like Pre-AP classes very much, but it’s me investing in my future.”

Kevin is in Chamber Orchestra,

Teacher pursues Hawaiian dream George Roberson/Editor-in-Chief Evie Clark/Staff Writer

While at work, Kevin Van Horn mixes and serves a summer berry tea beverage.Van Horn, who has worked at Amitea since it opened, works on the weekends. (photo by Taylor Brown)

which has practice for “A Christmas Carol” that starts right after school and lasts about six hours.

“Recently, we’ve been finishing practice around 10:00 pm, and when I get home I do homework and go to sleep,” Van Horn said.

Kevin also has a job at local tea shop Amitea, where he works parttime mixing drinks like coffee and tea.

“I’ve been working there for five months... since it opened... and it’s a lot of fun,” he said. “I also got to take part in the renovation of the store and even had to break some walls.”

On rare occasions, when Kevin does have free time to relax and let go, he gets on his computer and Skypes with his friend Steven Clark or plays “League of Legends,” an online computer strategy game.

“I do my job or the musical on the weekend,” Van Horn said. “Last week-

end, I didn’t have to go to the musical rehearsal, so I worked at Amitea, did some bell-ringing at Walgreen’s (for Key Club), worked on my MYP Personal Project, and I drew a Tea Man snow-skiing down a mountain at Amitea.”

Even though Kevin is always busy and has to work hard to keep up with his busy schedule, he still wouldn’t change a thing about his life and the lifestyle that he leads.

“My entire schedule is very tiring, but it’s a lot of fun instead of just staying at my house doing nothing else,” Van Horn said. “It’s like going with the flow. I do like having a busy schedule because it builds character.”

Heather Jennings will be boarding a plane on Christmas Day. And she will never return.

Well… at least not for awhile.

The English teacher and soccer coach, who grew up in Denton, graduated from Ryan High, and went to college in Dallas, is moving to Hawaii (Waikiki, Oahu, to be exact), and is flying out on Dec. 25.

“My family is supportive,” Jennings said.

“They will miss me, but they’re excited to have a place to stay in Hawaii.”

Jennings’ boyfriend lives there and she visited Hawaii over the summer.

“When I was there over the summer, I knew that’s where I wanted to be,” Jennings said. “I had to sell all my things to start a new life. This is my time.”

Jennings has been saving up for this move for awhile. She leased her home out and started living with family.

“I want to live a simpler life,” she said. “I want life to be more

about simpler pleasures instead of stress about material things.”

Jennings says she’ll miss both the students and staff she’ll leave behind.

“It will feel like losing a family,” Jennings said. “I won’t miss Texas weather, though.”

Once the dusts settles after her arrival, she plans to look into getting a job teaching, perhaps even becoming a permanent teacher again.

“The transition should be pretty easy,” Jennings said. “I know the area, I know the people there. You just have to go with the flow.”

Jennings has some advice for anyone with a dream, no matter how far-fetched achieving it may seem.

“If you have a dream, go for it,” Jennings said. “It can’t just be a dream; it takes hard work, a sacrifice. You only live once. Before you have things that tie you down, follow your dream.”

FEATURE

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DĊĈĊĒćĊė 2012

A face in a million, a face to remember Sarah Holderman Christiane Tristan Dareious Scott Contributing Writers Think about all the faces you brush by every day.

At school, at work, on the street, we pass by a million and more faces, and a million and more stories, a million and more ups, a million and more downs… without thinking.

Ed Alvarado is one face of many, and has one story that stands out from the crowd Alvarado grew up in the town of Laredo, Texas, where he attended elementary school and middle school.

“For middle school, I went to a Catholic school,” Alvarado said. “I’m still re-

covering from that one.”

By the age of 18, prior to graduating high school, he received a letter saying he was drafted into the military.

“I was so scared when I got the letter,” Alvarado said. “My first feeling was that of anxiety. I had never been away from home before. But, like the other men of my time, we responded to the call and went to service.”

In the military, Alvarado dealt with hardships he will never forget. Not showering for weeks on end and not having water after 10 am.

Alvarado recalls a time at which he was so desperate for water that he drank out of a filthy lake nearby, resulting in him getting malaria.

“The military has made me a stronger person and a better man,” Alvarado said, “I appreciate things more, such as drinking out of a water fountain, because we didn’t have that in the war. It made me more disciplined and I still use a lot of what they taught me in everyday situations.”

He served in the military for 12 years, fighting in Vietnam and Germany.

Out of the military and due to a lack of jobs in the south, he moved to “the liberal north” in Michigan to work at General Motors with his brother.

“I actually walked into the plant that afternoon, and had a job that night,” Alvarado said, “That’s how easy it was to get a job in the auto industry back then.”

While still working in General Motors Alvarado started taking classes at Michigan State. He was one of 14 Latino’s on campus, and the first in his family to graduate with an education.

“Education was not a priority in my culture,” Alvarado said. “Parents were happy just to have their kids working on an assembly line. It was a great sense of accomplishment to be the first in my family to get a degree.”

Alvarado loved learning, and before he knew it he had taken enough credit hours to earn a degree in “Arts and Letters.”

With a degree, Ed moved back to Texas and began subbing, eventually getting certified to teach.

He worked in the district

for 20 years, and is now balancing retirement with subbing. He also helps out with special education students.

“I’ve been working in the Denton ISD for over 20 years,” Alvarado said.

“I have been a very blessed man and I love what I do.”

Lost in translation

Foreign language teachers share their adventures abroad The darkness is sudden and overwhelming, the space is confined.

Panic and fear are mixing together to form an ugly anxiety. A group of German students has found themselves locked on a strange train in a strange country, and no one is happy about it.

German teacher Sandra Dieckman is leading the group.

“I had a student who was hurt and I was trying to get a bandage put on

Amber Cowles Staff Writer

Tourism data According to the UN World Tourism Organization, there were about 983 million touristic visits to countries around the world last year.

France had more than any other country, with 79.5 million. The United States came in second with around 62 million.

Germany’s 28.4 million placed eighth.

him and take care of things while we were in the subway,” Dieckman said.

“I asked my students to watch for the train.”

What her students failed to realize, as a supposed result of their stress, was the sign above the car door written in German, and clearly stated that the train should not be boarded.

“The train pulled into the tunnel, then turned off all the lights and the conductor got out of the train,” Dieckman said. “We were trapped inside the little car, so we were pulling the emergency brakes and trying to set off the alarms.”

After what seemed like an eternity in the darkness, the conductor finally noticed the American tourists trapped in the abandoned train car.

“My students picked up a number of colorful words in the local dialect,” Dieckman said, who classified this was one of her funniest experiences traveling abroad.

Dieckman isn’t the only teacher who has had situations unfold while abroad, and she certainly isn’t the only teacher who has felt this kind of embarrassment.

“When I first moved to the town I lived in, I went to look for a hotel room,” French teacher Madame O’Hearn said. “There was a sign for a hotel, and I went in the door under the sign.

Once inside the building, O’Hearn saw desks, wooden and stone counters, signs hanging above sectioned lanes, and red queue ropes.

“I asked for a room and they told me I was in a bank,” O’Hearn said.

O’Hearn then saw the building for what it was, for the first time.

“I guess it should have been really obvious to me that I was in a bank, but because I was practicing how to say ‘do you have a room?’ in French so much that I wasn’t looking around at the context clues,” O’Hearn said.

What we missed in other coverage: 12/12/12 (The last triple-digit day until January 1, 2101... just over 89 years from now.)

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FEATURE

Coach Jackson’s rough road DĊĈĊĒćĊė 2012

The lively sound of tapping shoes echoes through the ears of adoring fans as the Saginaw, Michigan High Steppers dance across the stage. The combination of jazz and tap drives the audience mad. The adorable faces of children dancing and singing on stage are too cute to ignore.

Finally, the whole group comes together for the finale and the High Steppers begin to sing as if they were a choir.

Among these young singers is one of our very own. Today, he can be heard through the halls yelling at his kids, but back then, he was a child singing on stage.

This active youngster from the Steppers grew up to become the head boys basketball coach and history teacher, Coach Harold Jackson.

“Basically my whole family participated in a group called the high steppers, because of my grandmother,” Jackson said.

“I did that basically from preschool age all the way to middle school.”

Jackson was involved in Cub Scouts

and Boy Scouts, and also sang with his junior church choir.

“Along with playing sports as a child, I had a very busy childhood,” Jackson said. “That probably kept me away from focusing on things like [the fact that] I didn’t have money and stuff like that.”

Jackson still remembers bits and pieces of his routine. The twinkletoed coach even occasionally joins in on the Denton Fillies’ routine in Mrs. Kerri Burgess’ Dance class.

“I actually had the opportunity to perform in the Nutcracker for three years as an adult,” Jackson said.

“I performed with the Southwest Oklahoma Dance Alliance and with some of the girls that I used to coach, so that was a real treat.”

But Jackson was not only molded by dance and song; he had a struggle with life as a child that some of us couldn’t even imagine.

He lost his mother at age seven and lived under financially challenging conditions throughout his childhood in Saginaw, Michigan.

“It was difficult as a child, watching other kids do things with their mothers,” he said. “Since we were a heavily religious family, going to church on Mother’s Day, kids used to always wear roses in their lapel to represent their mother, and my rose used to always be white.

So I had difficulty wearing Just after rehearsal, a young Coach Jackson (right) a white rose at such an early poses in costume for the Nutcracker’s Arabian Nights age, because red represented scene. (photo courtesy of Randy Stotler)

that your mother was still living and white meant your mother was deceased.”

Jackson described his childhood financial situation as beyond poor.

“You want me to describe how poor we were? We were so poor that I didn’t have any Christmases,” Jackson said. “I only had 3 pairs of pants in high school. I wore the same pair on Thursday that I wore on Monday and the same pair on Friday that I wore on Tuesday and I wore the same pair of pants every Wednesday. My house got condemned my senior year, so I lived in a condemned house for half of my senior year.”

Growing up in Michigan wasn’t a walk in the proverbial park either. His Saginaw school district was divided along racial lines.

“My elementary school and middle school were basically segregated,” Jackson

said. “We had neighborhood schools and everybody in my neighborhood was either African-American or Hispanic descent.

I can tell you we had two non-AfricanAmerican or Hispanic kids at my school, but they weren’t picked on and nobody harassed them. They kind of just fell in and were part of the crew, you know.”

Jackson wasn’t faced with dead on racism as a child, but he believes he would have been more comfortable with those that wanted him around.

“I think I’d have been better served going over to the predominantly black high school than the more diverse one that I went to,” he said. “I think that I should have gone more to where I was wanted, because I was always asked and encouraged to come over and play baseball with the guys that I grew up playing ball with.”

But Jackson recognizes that his strug-

FEATURE

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DĊĈĊĒćĊė 2012

gles in early life toughened him up.

“I think that by not having anybody to buy things for me, I turned out the way I did,” he said.

Jackson was a good athlete in high school, but faced another challenge when he did not graduate with his class because he was one elective credit short.

“I made a promise to myself to never miss another graduation opportunity again,” he said. “I did not go directly to college after high school. I actually ended up signing up for the army.”

The coach said it was an accident, because he believed to be signing up for the

[

that helped mold him into the man he is today.

“There were three older men [and one woman],” he said. “All three of the men are ministers.”

Coach met Bishop Willie Truitt first, and the Bishop took him in as his own son. Truitt would always make sure that Jackson had things like gas and money.

“He was more nurturing than the others,” Jackson said. “He was kind of a father-figure to me.”

Coach met his second inspiration after recruiting a girl for a select softball team.

He met her father, Robert Peterson, who

“Potential is like faith: without work, it’s dead,” Jackson said.

selective service, not the army. But according to the results, it was not so.

“It was probably the best-worst decision I made in my life,” Jackson said. “But the best thing about the army was that it gave me an opportunity to grow up and mature, and it allowed me to get some direction in my life.”

But Jackson ultimately realized the military life was not for him and he decided to go back to school.

“Since the military at that time paid 75% of your tuition while you were on active duty, I started going to college in the evenings while I worked in the army during the day time,” he said.

Jackson had many influences other than the army. Specifically, four people

]

soon became his best friend.

“Pete (Peterson) used to invite me over for holiday meals and we used to watch the Super Bowl together and stuff like that,” Jackson said. “Robert lives out in Oklahoma now, so I don’t get to see him much anymore.”

The third minister in Jackson’s life is Elder Johnny Banks, and Jackson does not make a single life-changing decision without consulting him first. They still talk once or twice a month, and they still treat each other like family.

“I respect the man that he is and the man that he has become, and the example that he’s been for me,” Jackson said. “I’ve watched him turn things out of nothing into something.”

Now a daily ritual, Coach Harold Jackson (center) stands in the history hall with Mr. Todd Simpson (right). Mr. Michael Thomas (left) joins in on this day. (photo by Floribel Núñez)

The final person that molded Jackson is a woman by the name of Patricia Reed.

“She has basically assumed the mother role for me,” he said. “There was a point that it actually got really bad for me when I was basically homeless, she took me in and allowed me to sleep on her couch while I went to school and work until I was able to move out.”

From 1991 until now, she has been the mother-figure in Jackson’s life and has helped fill In what he calls his normal coaching stance, Jackson stands on the void left by his mother’s passing as the sideline of a game. (courtesy photo) a child. that was my first paid coaching job,” Jack“Without those four people mentoring me, I probably son said. “Coaching under Ted Younts, I would have never been the man I am to- learned a lot about basketball, a lot of the same drills and rules, and my philosophies day,” Jackson said.

All the while, Coach Jackson struggled. are based upon his.”

After two years, they were highly sucOne of his greatest trials was finding a real job. He worked at Wendy’s and as a cessful and went to the state tournament teacher aide at an elementary school for a both years.

“We were preseason number one in the while, and did a lot of volunteer coaching state, and that was exciting,” Jackson said. young teams.

“I volunteered off and on as coach for “We lost in the state semifinals, and then six years before I got a real job,” he said. the next year, we went back to state and “Most of the programs were in need of lost in the first round of the state tournaan extra coach, but they didn’t have the ment.”

When Coach Younts retired, Jackson funds to finance a new coach, so they created new ways to compensate me, but it received a call from Denton High asking him if he would be interested in coming was fun volunteering.”

Jackson had the opportunity to work down, being an assistant, and rebuilding with some young men that went on to do the basketball program.

“I started off coaching the freshman, great things, but his big break came when he coached a 12-and-under girls softball moved up to the JV, and was the Varsity assistant for two years,” Jackson said. team.

After four years at DHS, Jackson got “I had 18 girls, of which only one had played before, and we ended up going the head coaching gig, and has been at the 10-3,” Jackson said. “Then the next year, helm ever since.

Jackson said that in four years he I coached a select team, and we won the state qualifier tournament and then went spent at DHS as an assistant coach, Henry Thomas mentored him and taught him on to finish fourth in state.”

Jackson’s career as a coach kicked from that basketball is much more than winthere, when a coach at Tomlinson Junior ning. He still seeks the advice of Thomas High asked him to volunteer as their sev- weekly.

“Basketball is about building and mainenth grade coach. Then, he landed a job as a student assistant counselor at Lawton taining relationships,” Jackson said. “I am Arthur High, and once again was offered very grateful for Thomas.” to volunteer to coach their team.

“After that summer, I was hired at Ardmore High as the assistant coach and

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continued on page 8

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FEATURE DĊĈĊĒćĊė 2012

Returning the favor and giving back There is one special day Marvin Cardona has looked forward to during each of his four years at DHS: the Ann Windle Adopta-Child Day. The holiday season is not only a time for celebrating, but also a time for giving back, and that’s just what this senior does.

Having grown up in California, Cardona didn’t live ‘the good life.’

His family had money troubles, and Cardona grew up quickly, taking on adult responsibilities in elementary school.

Evie Clark Staff Writer

[

Jackson continued from page 7

“I learned how to coupon at a young age,” Cardona said. “It was just one of many things I learned to do while I was young.”

He had to wonder what each holiday season would be like.

“Most of our money we spent for the house, car, and utilities,” Cardona said. “If we did get a gift, it would be one we could all share.

Anything my mom thought was nice, she thought she could get for all five of us. Firemen would come down the street and bring presents. [They brought] whatever my mom couldn’t get me, which I thought was cool.”

]

2004-05 season. It was his first group he coached all the way through the program.

“So, I moved up as they moved up,” he said. “And my first season, we went 20-10.

The next year, we started out 11-4 and were ranked in the Dallas Morning News for the first time in a long time.”

Since Jackson has arrived, the boys basketball team has been highly competitive year in and year out.

“I think we have a real opportunity to be

It was that generosity that rubbed off on Cardona and that he tries to pass on today.

“Now, I get to do the same thing in high school for other little kids that people did for me,” he said. “Whenever I help, for one thing, I pretty much know how they feel about not having Christmas presents because, when I was growing up, I was in that same situation.”

Growing up, his parents barely made enough money to survive and provide for the family, and extras weren’t something that came around often.

pretty special this year,” he said. “Potential is like faith: without work, it’s dead. So if we work really hard, I think we can have a really good and solid season this year.”

He’s been supporting his kids not only on the court but also in the classroom.

He teaches Psychology at both DHS and North Central Texas College. His first semester, he only taught World History, but a counselor retired halfway through the year, and Jackson stepped in to help.

“On A-days, I was in the counseling office all day and then B-days I was teaching psychology classes,” he said. “I’ve had the opportunity to serve in the role of a counselor twice in my 12 years here be-

“My mom and dad were immigrants, so they couldn’t really get high paying jobs,” Cardona said.

“My mom worked at a gas station and my dad worked at a restaurant. My mom got $4.40 a hour and my dad got $10.50.”

Each time life started looking up, something happened to keep the family from living better.

“When my dad found a better paying job, we had more mouths to feed since I had one sister and one brother,” Cardona said. “I moved in with my cousin in a bigger house and had to live in the same room as my brother, then

cause, before I became a teacher, I became a counselor in private and community organizations. My ultimate goal was to be a school psychologist; I never envisioned being neither a teacher nor a coach.”

Coach Jackson has had an influence in both his psychology courses and with his basketball team, all with his wise words of wisdom.

“There’s a big old world out there, and there are a lot of opportunities out there,” he said. “You just have to make sure you work as hard as you can to put yourself in those opportunities. You know, you may not always get the prize, but just make sure that you give yourself an opportuni-

my mom had two more kids. At that time, she wanted to be a stay-at-home mom while my dad provided. Less money came in, no matter what job my dad got.”

Despite all of the obstacles of his childhood, Cardona loves the feeling of volunteering and seeing other people happy.

“It just feels good to volunteer, having someone look up to you and just realizing that they have someone watching over them and making sure they’re okay,” Cardona said. “It’s a good feeling.

I think it just feels amazing to give for charity.”

ty, because without the opportunity, you definitely don’t have the prize.”

His final piece of advice for students is a phrase that he learned from one of his mentors, Elder Banks. “‘It’ll be greater later’ is one of the sayings that Elder Banks taught me,” Jackson said. “If you’re struggling in life or school; I think kids need to understand that all circumstances are just temporary. And you just have to make your mind up about what you want to be in life and don’t let anybody deter you from that. The road won’t always be easy, but every time you get knocked down just get back up, dust yourself off and keep on walking.”

FEATURE

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DĊĈĊĒćĊė 2012

Junior runs his own mowing business Tanneth Oxford Amber Cowles Staff Writers He jumps out of bed bright and early. He needs to beat the sweltering heat before the sun rises.

Young entrepreneur Caleb Shafer does this for a living.

Shafer, a 17-year-old junior, started his own lawn mowing business called ‘Shafer and Bros’ despite having two years of school ahead of him.

Not only does Shafer have the stress of his job, but also the everyday pressures of school, extracurricular activities, and a social life on top of that.

“I started my own business in March of last year,” Shafer said. “I would like to say I’ve done pretty well, but I think I could always do better. “ Shafer didn’t have to

Sitting on his green lawnmower before going out to do a job is young businessowner Caleb Shafer. Shafer added a riding lawnmower this year.

start with everything from scratch, as his grandfather gave him his lawn equipment.

“Everything I started

with came from my grandpa’s existing supply,” Shafer said. “He had a shed full of equipment so I didn’t have to buy anything new.

But since, I’ve gotten a riding mower as well as a trailer. I’ve also bought little things like edgers and I’m making progress, which is all part of the business.”

Shafer received more help than just his grandfather’s as he was faced with the arduous task of opening his own business with so little experience.

“I was still relatively new, I was probably three months in when I went to Frenchy’s website to get ideas for my own website,” Shafer said. “I emailed them and the next day he called me and offered to take me around town to check on his jobs in one of the Frenchy vehicles.

He taught me the ins-andouts of running a lawn business.”

One obstacle Shafer has to deal with is a passion deeper than his family can understand.

“They don’t really see it as something as serious as I do,” Shafer said. “They think, ‘oh yeah he does lawns in his spare time,’ but I have taken it pretty seriously and I’m trying to develop it. Yet, they kind of see it as a small thing still.”

Shafer is meeting his goal of developing his company more and more as time goes on by being organized.

“I can go and set up an appointment for a job after I get a call from the client,” Shafer said. “I go in and set it from my phone and send it to all my workers saying where they can then take this job accept the invite which contains all the necessary information like the clients name, address, phone number, estimated time to complete, time to arrive, what they need to do, the tools needed for

the job and how much they will be paid.”

Shafer has even organized his inventory to make it easier to access for everyone involved in the business.

“All the equipment is at the house and now I keep most of the necessary equipment in the trailer,” Shafer said. “I just tell Manny [Cardenas] where the key is and then whenever he needs to do the job he comes by, takes what he needs, puts it in his truck, and goes to the job site.”

Shafer and his employees continue to work together to try and make their lawn business nationally known.

“I want to run the business into the nation’s eye and franchise to become the nationally known name in America when it comes to property management,” Shafer said.

Color guard performs at Cowboys game

Thumps exude from their chests as they step out onto the turf.

The screams of over 90,000 roar as Kenny Chesney joins them on the field. It’s Thanksgiving Day and while the majority of Americans are at home enjoying turkey, DHS’ Color Guard is performing with a country star. In this moment, all of the countless hours spent practicing turn into mere memories as the adrenaline begins to flow. It’s show time.

Many share the dream of being able to showcase their talents to thousands upon millions of people, and on Thanksgiving Day at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, the DHS Color Guard got to live that dream.

The squad was invited to perform at the Cowboy’s halftime show thanks to the UT Arlington’s Color Guard Director, who knew their Director, Justin Good.

“Well I was contacted by UTA’s Color Guard Director, and was so excited when he asked us to perform at the Cowboys’ game,” Good said. “He knew the Cowboys’ Halftime Coordinator and knew that they

Taylor Brown Staff Writer

were looking for local groups to perform.”

Good was also equally as excited due to the fact that he would be able to perform alongside his troop as he is a part of the Black/White Gold Color Guard, an independent color guard organization.

“It was really exciting to perform during the halftime show, since I got to perform alongside them,” Good said. “It was great to share the experience with them.”

However, Good wasn’t the only one that enjoyed the experience. Junior Shelby DuPree joined color guard this year, and she feels every second up to this point has paid off.

“When I first heard that we might be able to perform at the Cowboys halftime show with Chesney, I literally started jumping up and down,” DuPree said. “Being a first year member, it really motivated me even more to come back another year.”

The group dedicated their entire Thanksgiving break to practicing for the show, and it was all worthwhile to DuPree.

“We practiced about six hours a day for most of Thanksgiving break,” DuPree said.

“But it was definitely worth giving up the break for, it was a once in a lifetime event.”

Captain of the DHS Color Guard Carmen Bautista had the opportunity to lead the troop amongst other groups during the show. The senior regarded it as a learning experience, and something she will cherish for the rest of her life.

“Performing during the halftime show for the Dallas Cowboys meant the opportunity to better myself with a group of pros,” Bautista said. “It was an amazing experience that I will never forget.”

Bautista hopes that the experience will motivate the younger members to stay in color guard, and to show them that it’s more than just twirling flags.

“Well, as a group we weren’t officially recognized at the game itself,” Bautista said. “But it showed the younger members in the group that there are bigger things to strive for in color guard,” Bautista said.

And Bautista credits the entire performance to Director Good.

“I can’t be more grateful to have such an amazing director like Justin,” Bautista

said. “He’s given us such amazing opportunities and experiences; I couldn’t imagine being directed by anyone else.”

The Color Guard looks forward to competing in the North Texas Color Guard Association Circuit competition, where they found success in the event just two years ago when they took home the silver medal in their competing class. However, regardless of how they do, Good just wants them to enjoy color guard as they go along.

“I want more than anything for them to have a memorable experience in color guard,” Good said. “I want them to look back it and remember color guard for the rest of their lives.”

Even though Bautista attributes Good to their success, Good has a completely different outlook, as he says it’s all them.

“We’re an up-and-coming group, and they deserve more recognition for their hard work and dedication,” Good said.

“They’re an extremely talented and unique group that is doing something aside from the norm, and I love that I get to direct them every day.”

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FEATURE DĊĈĊĒćĊė 2012

Different GPA methods frustrating to all Taylor Brown Assistant Editor Grade Point Average; three words that can make you or break you during your high school career.

Most students enter high school not having a clue of what GPA is and how it works. One of the more confusing parts of GPA is the fact that each school district in Texas calculates it differently.

And it’s equally as confusing when it comes down to colleges and the way they calculate it.

Colleges may calculate the GPAs of students from some school districts differently than those from other districts. At Denton High School, recalculation may not be necessary because our GPA is formatted to include core classes as well as foreign languages, which according to Lead Counselor Dr. Doretha Hudspeth, is what most colleges want.

“Our system is structurally formatted to make sure that your GPA can portray you in the most accurate way to the colleges you apply at,” Dr. Hudspeth said.

“I think it’s fair and beneficial to the students.”

Hudspeth elaborated that if DHS were to include electives in the GPA, it would just be too risky.

“If we did include electives, you’d have some students that would take advantage of that to make their GPA higher,” Hudspeth said. “Then you’d have everyone taking elective courses to get an easy ‘100’ instead of actually being interested in the elective.”

However, Art teacher Etienne Illy doesn’t particularly agree with the current grading system. He expressed distaste for the system when he found out that his kids wouldn’t be getting any kind of reward on their transcript for his class.

“I find it disheartening to find out that my kids will have nothing to show for on their GPA when they apply at colleges,” Illy said.

“I consider art my passion in life, and I know a lot of my kids do too, and to have nothing to show for it just isn’t right.”

Illy believes that just because his class is an elective doesn’t mean it should

hold any less value.

“The kids in IB Art and the upper level art classes work just as hard in that class as they do in any of their core classes, if not harder,” Illy said. “I can see why some electives don’t count in the GPA, but that doesn’t mean they all don’t have to count.”

Though Illy is upset with the system, according to

[

with the assurance.

“It would be nice to have electives counted in the GPA,” Woods said. “Elective classes are just as important as regular classes.”

As an AP student, and future IB student, Woods would like to see a change in the way GPA is calculated at DHS, so that she can attain credit for the difficulty of the class.

“I consider art my passion in life, and I know a lot of my kids do too, and to have nothing to show for it just isn’t right. The kids in IB Art and the upper level art classes work just as hard in that class as they do in any of their core classes, if not harder,” Etienne Illy said.

Dr. Hudspeth, it doesn’t look like it’s changing anytime soon.

“The GPA has been calculated this way for as long as I’ve worked here and prior to that,” Hudspeth said. “I just don’t see it in DHS’ future; we are more forward thinking.”

And even though Dr. Hudspeth assures that our system is the best for students, AP sophomore Morgan Woods doesn’t agree

counts nearly everything in their GPA except P.E., Athletics, and correspondence courses, according to upperclassmen counselor Donna Jansen.

“I believe our grading system is adequate,” Jansen said. “The leveling system helps ensure students that they are being credited for most every course they take.”

But Jansen believes that students shouldn’t only think about their GPA as they go through high school.

“GPA isn’t nearly as important as what you take away from the actual class,” Jansen said. “GPA may get you into college, but it doesn’t get you through college.”

Another school that still includes electives in their GPA, at least for seniors, is Argyle High School, according to counselor Connie Correll.

“Every class counts for the seniors, however we changed it to where only core classes count for underclassmen,” Correll said.

“The state kept changing what they counted in GPA and so we decided to

]

“Next year I want to take IB Art and Fashion Design, two fields I would like to look into as a career,” Woods said. “And it would be nice for them to count the classes because art and fashion are both things that are important to me.”

Yet schools like Sanger High School have a ‘leveling system’ in which certain classes count more or less than the other. Sanger

Shiny, sparkly obsessions She loves glitter. She really loves glitter.

Junior KJ Cox claims that she has had an affinity for glitter since birth.

“I love how sparkly and colorful it is,” Cox said. “The shininess of glitter makes me happy on the inside.”

Cox is known for “glittering” her fellow classmates. She uses this as her defense mechanism when she feels threatened. In the past, though, she has injured herself in the process of

Jordan Gill Standards Editor

throwing glitter.

“I ended up hurting myself by ingesting glitter before,” Cox said.

KJ has been involved in many “glittering” incidents, a few including her best friend, Trinity Garner.

“Freshman year, KJ and another girl had a glitter fight where all they did was dump and throw glitter at each other,” Garner said. “Then, after they were done, they decided it would be funny to go around and hug as many people as possible. I was one of the victims of that and many of the glittersplosions

[which] followed.”

Trinity has known KJ for years, and he has learned to accept that being with KJ means being with the glitter.

“She excretes glitter,” Garner said.

“You’ll hug her and she won’t realize that she has glitter on, and then you look down and you’re like, ‘I’m sparkly.’”

She hopes her classmates enjoy the glitter outbursts as much as she does.

“Teachers have gotten onto me before, but I do it to make the world a happier place,” Cox said.

change it so we’d stay consistent with the state.”

And when asked if Correll preferred one system over another, she couldn’t decide between the system they use for seniors, or they system they instilled for underclassmen that is similar to ours. She says she cares more about what the students get out of the class rather than what they get in the class.

“I wouldn’t say I’m in favor of the core system or an all-class system,” Correll said. “Sometimes, the GPA game can be detrimental.

It’s about taking the classes that you need for the future, not the ones that will get you an easy 100 for your GPA.” Though GPA calculation varies depending on what school you attend, it seems like most agree on the idea that it’s not GPA that matters; it’s what you take from the class, including DHS counselor Jari Peltier.

“I personally think that the GPA should only include core classes,” Peltier said. “That doesn’t mean that electives aren’t important by any means, electives can change lives; they can outline your future career.”

Seeking: High School Student to assist 5th grade boy with organizational skills.

Hours: 3:15 - 5:15, Monday - Thursday $50 per week Call: 214-566-0772

11 SPORTS Swim team looking for a three-peat DĊĈĊĒćĊė 2012

When D.J. Lang entered the swimming program as a freshman he looked around and wondered where everyone was. All that stood before this freshman was 10 boys, which comprised the whole program that had struggled over the past few years.

Now, three years later, Lang along with seniors Anthony Milbitz and Cody Knapp have resurrected a struggling program.

That resurrection started when the three made a pact to accomplish something no one on the boy’s side had accomplished since 2002. That goal was a berth at the state swim meet in Austin, Texas.

That dream quickly became a reality as the three along with then senior Austin Bailey qualified.

Not satisfied with their performance in the 200 yard medley relay, the boys made it a goal to get back again and make a better showing. They not only got back in the 200 medley, but also qualified in the 200 freestyle relay.

Chandler Elsbecker Sports Editor

During practice, junior DJ Lang gives it his all. Lang along with seniors Anthony Milbitz and Cody Knapp hope to make the state meet for the third straight year.

“The swimming program at DHS has grown over the past two years since we have qualified for state and more students want to be a part of something successful,” coach Robin Hay Ho said. “The additional swimmers on the team are helping us get closer to winning team championships at the District and Regional levels.”

Now as Milbitz and Knapp enter their

Achievements hanging on their necks, seniors Anthony Milbitz (left), Cody Knapp (right), and junior DJ Lang (center) stop for a break during the middle of practice on Monday morning.

senior season, anything less then a return trip to the state meet for the third straight year would be a disappointment to all three of them.

“We’ve been two years in a row, so if we didn’t make it back again it would be a big letdown since it is our senior year,” Milbitz said. “We’ve made a commitment and we all work hard, because we don’t want to let each other down at this point.”

That hard work of trying to reach an unprecedented third trip to the state meet requires a lot of work by each member.

“I get up early to be at all the high school practices early every morning, from 7 a.m to 9 a.m.,” Lang said. “Then, every afternoon I do two-and-a-half hours with club. It’s really tiring, but I’ve progressed so much over the past three years putting in the time and effort each day.”

Even with all the time and effort they put in, the swimmers realize that they can’t break records every time out, but instead try to make some improvements.

“Not every meet is everybody going to put in their best time,” Milbitz said. “So really, we just try to make sure our individual splits are improving. Then, when it comes time to race at district and regionals, we all have to put in our best times.”

Lang has continued to improve from year to year due to a change in his technique which has helped him to keep progressing.

“I think between freshman and sophomore year I have changed a lot in my stroke technique, and even more so last year,” Lang said. “This year I’ve changed a lot on flips and getting a better catch for freestyle. For fly, my rhythm and tempo have gotten a lot better.”

One of the amazing things about the teams success is that each year for the past

three, there has been a newcomer, but that hasn’t stopped the team from reaching their goals.

“The bar has been raised the past few years and it has gotten very competitive for that last spot,” Milbitz said. “Our entire team is really talented, so whenever someone graduates there is someone good waiting to replace them.”

With that one spot up for grabs that everyone wants, Hay echoes that statement.

“We have quite a few boys who want a spot on that relay team,” Hay said. “They know that with hard work and dedication it could belong to them.”

Milbitz knows that the team is better because everyone has put in the effort, but he says that something more simple has contributed to its success.

“It’s not always about who works the hardest – although that is a big part of it,” Milbitz said. “It’s who sticks with it.

Because I’ve been swimming seven years, and I’ve seen people much more talented than me quit swimming. So sticking with it helps.”

Knapp also has big expectations for the team this year, but doesn’t feel like he’s been putting in enough effort to make those expectations become reality just yet.

“I need to start working harder,” Knapp said. “It’s my senior year, and I’ve gone both times the past two years, so anything less than that would – it just wouldn’t be right.”

All the coaches ask for is 110 percent each day and whatever is meant to be will happen.

“The athletes will be disappointed if they do not qualify for state this year,” Hay said. “But as their coach, I will be proud as long as they’re doing their best every day in practice and continually improving.”

12 Top 5s of 2012 Dylan Curtis Entertainment Editor

2012 was a great year for the entertainment industry. So as the year draws to a close, we take a look at some of the best films and television shows that came out of 2012.

ENTERTAINMENT DĊĈĊĒćĊė 2012

For more end-of-the-year content including our list of the best albums of 2012, visit dhshorseshoe.com.

Top Five Films

Top Five Television Shows

1. Argo

1. Breaking Bad “Argo” is Ben Affleck’s third directorial pursuit, and simply put, it’s astounding. The film takes place in the late 1970s, during the infamous “Canadian Caper” rescue mission that was undertaken by the CIA. It’s refreshing to have a film that’s so action packed, but still sticks to the facts, and that’s why I believe “Argo” is one of the best films of 2012.

2. Looper

Even though it’s been on the air since 2008, “Breaking Bad” has skyrocketed in popularity within its last two seasons.

The show follows a high school chemistry teacher who resorts to selling drugs to keep his family financially afloat once he discovers he has cancer. The show is excellently written and has stayed consistent throughout the seasons.

2. Game of Thrones “Looper” is simply fantastic. Featuring A-list actors such as Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and a time travel plot worthy of an Oscar nomination, Looper is easily one of the best films to come out of 2012.

3. The Dark Knight Rises The third and final film in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy, “The Dark Knight Rises” makes sure that the critically acclaimed franchise goes out with a bang. Whether it be its rich narrative or bold cast of characters, “The Dark Knight Rises” is a must-see for comic book nerds and action lovers alike.

4. Skyfall

Based on the best selling book series, “Game of Thrones” has one of the most intricate and complex plots on television. The show is filled of plot twists and betrayal, and will constantly leave you on the edge of your seat.

3. The Walking Dead Finally, a zombie story that actually has a plot. “The Walking Dead” is based off of a graphic novel of the same name. Fair warning: this show will take your emotions and tear them apart, due to its detail in characters and gripping plot. It’s the perfect mix of plot and action that make this show so great. “The Walking Dead” is definitely a must watch.

4. American Horror Story The latest Bond film follows the escapades of Britain’s top spy, as he deals with double agents, assassins, and komodo dragons. That’s right, komodo dragons. The film is incredibly well directed, and will definitely be up for an Oscar nomination in the following months.

5. Safety Not Guaranteed “Safety Not Guaranteed” is, of all things... odd. However, it’s the kind of odd that makes you want to sit down and continue to watch it. The film follows a group of amateur journalists as they follow a man who tries to travel back in time. It’s a tad bizarre, but it’s brilliantly written and executed. While “Safety Not Guaranteed” may not be nominated for an Oscar, it’s still a great film that should be given a chance.

“American Horror Story” isn’t your average horror story.

In fact, it may have one of the most bizarre plots that I’ve ever seen, and that’s a good thing.

5. Parks and Recreation From the creators of “The Office,” “Parks and Recreation” is possibly the best comedy on the air today. It’s the perfect combination of wit, dry humor, and good acting that makes “Parks and Recreation” so great. If you’re in the mood for a good laugh and a great story, then “Parks and Recreation” is the show to watch.