The Eagle Angle Issue 2

THE

eaglE angle

Allen High School 4G

12:13

Hung Up

a look at phone use pg 14

Volume 31 Issue 2

Editors-In-Chief Megan Lucas McKenzi Morris

Copy Chief Victoria Erb

Managing Editor Laura Hallas

Assitant Editors Zane Dean Maggie Rians

Photo Editor Saher Aqeel

Sports Editor Jarret Rogers

Opinions Editor Harrison Geosits

Online Editor

Rebecca Barney Asst. Callie Anderson

Online Sports Editor Collin Thompson

Business Manager Klayton Carpenter

Staffers

Ashley Acosta, Maleeha Ahsanullah, Erin Bird, Deatrik Bledsoe, Lucy Boys, Kaitlyn Brown, Madeline Chalkley, Naomi Fluckiger, Emily Haney, Fatima Huq, Morgan Kiser, Monica Martinez, Jackson Meeker, Katelyn Moody, Rachel Moretti, Danny Ortiz, Jacob Pena, Laura Pitts, Praneeka Muthu Raman, Madison Reynolds, Jordyn Ruiz, Audrey Stelmach, Nini Truong, Bailey Wood, Layal Zalkout

Adviser

Kelly Juntunen

Policy:

The Eagle Angle distributes 1000 copies of each issue on campus to faculty and students. Content may be viewed online at theeagleangle. com. Letters to the editor should be submitted to eagleanglestaff@ yahoo.com. Any errors found within the publication will be rescinded in the following issue. Businesses who wish to advertise should contact Kelly Juntunen, newspaper adviser, at 972727-0400 x 1610. The Eagle Angle reserves the right to deny publication of advertisements. Advertisements are not necessarily endorsed by the staff or administration. All editorials reflect the views of the authors, and do not necessarily represent the views of the staff, adviser or administration.

The Eagle Angle is a member of Quill and Scroll, the Interscholastic League Press Conference and JEA/NSPA.

From the Editor

the one about phones

So the cover story I wrote for this issue is a little ironic. Because I am - just ask my parents - on my phone a lot.

Around 83 times a day to be exact.

As I tracked my phone usage throughout an average school day, I realized that most of the time I wasn’t even texting. I won’t mention phone calls, because let’s face it, no one our age does that anymore. I checked Twitter 20 times, Instagram 5 times, my various other apps, including news, mail, Snapchat and Safari 28 times and my texts 10 times. The other 20 times I checked my phone, it was just to look at the time. And I wear a watch. For the 16 hours I was awake that day, it averaged out that I checked my phone about once every 15 minutes. Presuming I spent 4 minutes on my phone each time, that’s an entire hour of my day I spent with my nose in my phone. That’s time I could have spent with my friends, my family, or even - wait for it - doing my homework.

Most of the time I got on my phone, it was to procrastinate or because I was bored. Twitter is awesome for procrastinating, by the way (Go follow Miranda Sings, she’s hilarious.) But I also checked my phone whenever I picked it up – just tapping the home button to see if I had any texts or notifications, out of what I now realize to be as a force of habit.

And that’s what my phone has become – one of my habits. I wake up. Brush my teeth. Check my phone. Class done early? I tap my home button; see if I have any notifications. So I’m at this cross roads – I’ve recognized that I do this, but is it really a problem?

And that seems to be the question asked by many. We’ve all heard it a thousand times – “technology is ruining us, social media is stupid, we’re too reliant on our phones.” While I don’t have the means to determine how true these statements actually are, I do know that personally, I’m too caught up in my phone, and that probably needs to change. So I’m going to make an effort to, and we’ll see how it goes. Maybe I’ll tweet about it.

Sincerely,

Megan Lucas Co Editor-in-Chief

Visit us online at theeagleangle.com for up-to-date news, bonus reviews and sports coverage.

CONTENTS 22

NEWS 07 09 10 12

Around the World: global news A noteworhty passion: seniors share musical ambitions Tallenettes give back to community with annual service projects Allen remembers students

COVER photo submitted by Mary Gaudio

SPORTS Volleyball scores district title Swim Cross Country strides to regionals By the numbers: Football

OPINIONS

25 26 28 29

Flipside

Hung Up: a look at phone use

19 21 22 24

14 09

22

Reviews: Box Office Block Busters Sincerely Stylish: Chuck Rules Staff Editorial

theeagleangle.com

photo by Megan Lucas

3

Classical Devotion Recreating Jane Austen’s 19th century novel Pride and Prejudice, the theater department performed their rendition of the play on Nov. 9 and 10 in the PAC. Senior Taylor McTague as Lady Catharine de Borough delivers startling news to the Bennet family played junior Jasonica Moore and Seniors Sierra Owens and Christian Aderholt.

News

Health science teacher selected to participate in national Health Science convention story by Laura Pitts //staff writer

H

ealth Science teacher Nancy Lakvold recently won the Health Science Master teacher selection, an intensive hand on institute focused on classroom strategies for student engagement. The two and a half day institute, only offered to three people in the state of Texas, gives teachers the opportunity to share their knowledge about being a Health Science teacher.

“I don’t even look at it necessarily as an award,” Lakvold said. “I look at it more as a recognition of my experience, but to be able to go back to fellow teachers within the state of Texas, fellow health science teachers and to be able to share the information that I’ve learned from the institute and maybe be a resource for those people.”

Lakvold was given this award for being considered a leader among teachers in the Health Science program by the National Consortium for

6

In her Health Science Practicum class on Dec. 5, Health Science teacher Nancy Lakvold demonstrates for clinical seniors Brianna Basinger and Nidhi Patel how to take a patient’s blood pressure. photo by Saher Aqeel

Health Science Education.

“You know when you have a group of Health Science teachers together, she’s always that strong

but in other school districts as well,” director of CTE Becky Hunt said.

Lakvold has been working at Allen for about 10 years

“She’s always that strong leader in that group and she’s always helping other Health Science teachers.”

-- CTE Director Becky Hunt leader in that group and she’s always helping other Health Science teachers too, not [only in] this school district,

but has been a registered nurse for more than 20 years, working in several places like labor and delivery,

public health and quality improvement.

“That’s one of the advantages of nursing, you don’t get pigeon holed into just one area, and you can experience different things,” Lakvold said.

In addition to teaching the Health Science program, Lakvold sponsors the Health Occupations Students of America program that highlights career opportunities in the health care profession. “[Lakvold’s] classroom [is] very hands on.” senior Brianna Basinger said. “Mrs. Lakvold gives us a lot of experience. It’s just not like we are learning by the book because nothing is textbook in the medical field. You learn stuff by textbook, but it’s [learning those experiences] and those stories that really help you be prepared for the medical field.”

Lakvold won the award in October and will start her training in early November.

Around the World

News

This month’s top news stories

Threating 53 million people across 10 Midwestern states on Sunday November 17, a tornado ripped through seven counties primarily affecting the states of Illinois and Indiana. It killed six people and left hundreds without power. Gov. Pat Quinn of Illinois declared these seven counties as “disaster area” which is now in ruins.

French police on a man hunt for an unknown gunman who open fired on Monday November 18, in a local newspaper shop and is nonstop causing terror near the countries capital and promoting terror in the streets of Paris. Paris Prosecutor Francois Molins says the lone gunman has been spotted in 4 other attacks and will be caught.

http://www.lmp.ucla.edu/Default.aspx

In honor of former president John F. Kennedy, around 5,000 citizens gathered around Dealey Plaza in downtown Dallas on Saturday Nov. 23 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Kennedy’s death.

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings read the last words of the late president’s speech that was to be delivered the day before his assassination, which was followed by a moment of silence at 12:30 pm.

theeagleangle.com

Compiled by Fatima Huq //staff writer Super Typhoon Haiyan hits the eastern islands of the Philippines on Thursday November 7. Also know as Yolanda, the catastrophic typhoon surges through local towns in the Philippines at 235 mph stretching across a 370 mile radius. U.S officials and military base send aid to the 13 million people affected by this natural disaster.

7

News

District names new interim superintendent story by Maggie Rians // assistant editor Due to the superintendent Ken Helvey’s retirement, Beth Nicholas was named interim superintendent in the middle of July. Helvey’s last day as superintendent was on Friday Sept. 27.

Q: A:

When did you first find out that you were named the interim superintendent?

Interim superintendent Beth Nicholas took office on Friday Sept. 27.

Q: How did you feel about being named interim superintendent? How did you feel when you got the phone call?

A: I was a bit overwhelmed at first. I had to sit down. I was standing up. I felt very honored and blessed to be able to try and help the district at this time and to help moving it in the right direction.

Q: Can you tell me a little bit about your position and what you do?

A: Right now, I am doing two positions.

I’m the assistant superintendent for learner services, which takes care of the entire curriculum for the school district for kindergarten through twelfth grade. I am also serving as the interim superintendent, which oversees all of the departments of the district and involves working with the board of trustees very closely and helping with all the agenda items and making sure we get all the business of the district taken care of.

Q: When did you first get involved in the school district?

A: I have been with Allen for 17 years. I came here as a teacher and then moved to different positions, administrative positions. I was the principal of Ereckson Middle School. I’ve been in learner services through multiple positions. I‘ve

8

Dr. Helvey called me the day he was going to retire [to] ask me if I would accept the position of interim superintendent.

That was towards the end of July or the middle of July.

done about everything in the district.

Q: Why did you first get involved in Allen? Is there a specific reason?

A: My husband was transferred to Dallas, and when we came there, we were looking for different districts. We toured many of the schools in Allen for our kids because we thought it would give them an excellent education, and we just felt like it was home. I started working here the next year.

Q: What is your ultimate goal regarding your job with the school district?

A: My ultimate goal is to be in the position where I am most qualified for and where the district would do the most good and meet the needs of all the teachers and students of the district, so whatever that position is where I want to be.

Q: What has the job been like so far?

A: It’s been very busy doing two positions. I am certainly learning a lot with some areas that I have not dealt with much in the past and I am meeting some new people in different capacities in the community which is good. It’s certainly growing me.

Q: How long are you going you to stay in this position?

A: For the timeline of the new superintendent, March. That is all contingent on how the process goes, so it could be a littler longer, but it wouldn’t be any sooner.

Q: Where would you like to see the district moving in the future? Do you have like any goals?

A: We have to continue to manage any growth that comes and certainly align all of our programs to meet the kids, not only for now, but for five or 10 years later in the future which is a challenge because things are changing with all the technologies, but mostly we just want it to be the best school district in the state of Texas where parents want to bring their children and teachers want to come to work because we are big family.

Q: Have you liked working as the interim superintendent so far?

A: Yes, it has been a challenge, but I have enjoyed it.

Q: Do you have anything else to add?

A: I just wanted to say I appreciate the opportunity and the trust the board has given me to lead the district at this time, and, you know, I take it very seriously, and like I said before, it is an honor to do this, and I will try my best for the district.

News

a noteworthy passion story by Jacob Pena // staff writer

P

icking, strumming, plucking the thin strands of nylon and metal, they create

sounds that tell tales of love, bliss and sadness.

With dark purple blisters on his fingers, senior Michael Krueger has the evidence to prove that making music is the center of his world.

Though Michael is not alone in his devotion to musical composition, he shares this talent and intensity with seniors Cara Doil and Matthew Lucas.

The three seniors began their journey into music in elementary school, with minor breaks but recently have been playing music nonstop. For these students, they say music serves as a release, and that it is their creative outlet that allows them bring their thoughts into fruition.

Lucas has been playing guitar since fifth grade, but his musical talent does not stop there, he also sings and plays the French horn for the Allen Escadrille. He has been writing his own music and lyrics for the past three years.

“I feel like you can get always get better, even if you think you are at the peak of your profession,” Lucas said.

Lucas says he enjoys theeagleangle.com

listening to indie rock, but he prefers to play classic rock because of the “legit” guitar parts. He says that lately he has been bored with playing other artists music, so he started to write his own.

“Its kinda cool when you incorporate your own music,” Lucas said. “Its something that you have never heard before.”

When writing his music, Lucas tries not to sound like

a certain group. He says that what makes him different is that he doesn’t have a full band, its just him with his guitar and he will add the drums parts in later.

He says when he starts writing a song it starts from an inspiration moment but doesn’t always keep flowing.

“There’s a deliberate process that you have to figure out your details, and I think that deliberate process is very important,” said Lucas.

Like Lucas, Doil has been into playing music since elementary school, starting her career with a group performance of “Hey Now”

by Hilary Duff. Currently, Doil is in Encore, Show Choir, and Chorale at Allen. She has been playing guitar for seven years, and singing for even

them on Listen toSoundCloud Matthew Lucas

Cara Doil

Michael Krueger

longer.

“Music is just a really good creative outlet,” Doil said. “For when you have emotions and need to get things out.”

Writing music since eighth grade, Doil says she wishes to always write music.

“I want to go to college and be a musical composition major, I would like film scoring or writing songs for other people,” said Doil.

Doil says that she takes elements from all different kinds of music to incorporate into hers. She says that she doesn’t model herself off of one artist. Being in different musical classes at school and spending hours playing guitar at home, Cara says there isn’t a day that goes by where she doesn’t do something that involves music.

“I don’t know what I would do with my time if I wasn’t into music,” said Doil.

When Krueger makes music he says it is an indescribable feeling. He has been playing guitar since the fourth grade. He has been writing his own songs and lyrics since he was in eighth grade. Krueger says that he is still learning, and that he can’t stop.

“After you get over the technicalities of placing your fingers, it [playing guitar] gets deeper, it gets emotional, you can express how you feel on the guitar,” Krueger said.

Krueger says that he

9

News

Showing Support Tallenettes participate in fundraisers to give back to community story by Layal Zalkout // staff writer

C

oach Lisa Smentek brought up the idea of giving back and getting involved in service projects when she first became a part of the team around nine years ago.

Although service is now done on a regular basis, Smentek said things weren’t always that way.

“We were pretty egocentric as a group,” Smentek said. “I was really fortunate to get some girls in the program who didn’t want to remain that way.

Through just a little bit of encouragement and direction, I was able to start gearing those girls towards thinking about giving back.”

After it was established that the Tallenettes would get more involved in the community, a team chaplain role emerged. Senior Payton Martinez was the chaplain last year, and took on the role once again this year. She finds service opportunities for

10

Tallenettes pose with a Thanksgiving turkey on Nov. 22 at the Collin County Courthouse in McKinney. The girls performed for National Adoption Day. photo submitted by the Allen Eagle Tallenettes

the team to participate in.

“Being able to set up the events is challenging, but I think that it’s stretched me as a leader in general and to be able to see the effects in my friends and other girls on the team is really powerful and moving,” Martinez said.

A common service project the Tallenettes participate in is Operation Shoebox.

Shoeboxes are stuffed with toys, books and colored pencils for kids in third world countries during the holiday season. Some shoeboxes also include written letters. She said she once received a nice surprise from the girl who received her shoebox and letter.

“One year, when I was in second grade, this little girl

actually wrote me back, which is very rare and I’d never heard of anyone doing that before,” Martinez said. “So I think that’s why I love [this project] so much, because I got to see the impact of it.”

The Tallenettes have volunteered at National Adoption Day, an event held at the Collin County courthouse. Kids who have been with foster parents are able to get adopted for free at this event. The girls get to dress up and take pictures with the kids, as well as give them stuffed animals to take home.

“Our girls get the opportunity to really be the biggest cheerleaders for these children who come in,” Smentek said. “These

children come in and families of all kinds of numbers come in front of the judge and [the child] actually gets confirmed as a family member. It’s just a rich experience.”

Senior Courtney Borserine, who was responsible for setting up the event, said being a part of such a life changing event for children is an interesting experience.

“It’s really cool because normally when people get adopted they have to wait… and it’s so expensive,” Borserine said. “The kids obviously didn’t come from a very good place so [the community] gets to do something nice for them and it’s just such a happy time.”

A weekly service project

News Football games. Pep rallies. School events. No matter where they are, the Tallenettes have the ability to pump up the crowd with their extravagant dances and big smiles. But, what most people don’t know is that these girls do much more than entertain everyone.

They do community service.

Left: Waiting for the football game to begin on Nov. 29, sophomore McKenzie Lane takes her stance in the victory line.

Bottom: Before the Nov. 29 playoff football game against The Woodlands, senior captian Shannon Rockwall salutes the flags for the “National Anthem.” photos by Saher Aqeel

the Tallenettes do is collect canned food for the local ACO Food Pantry. The girls have donated around 500 canned food items. The cans are collected on Fridays and are given to families in the Allen community through the food pantry.

“We tend to think that Collin County is solid and financially stable and not everyone is,” Smentek said.

“They just aren’t. [The girls] realized what the potential is at the Food Pantry as far as being able to serve families.”

Along with all of these projects, the Tallenettes also adopt a family with a need theeagleangle.com

every year. One year, they heard about a lady who had cancer. Because of her illness, she could not care for her two sons and was unable to work.

One of her sons was going to college and the other was a special needs boy named Tristan. The Tallenettes adopted the complete family for two years until the mother passed.

“It’s been a really neat opportunity to reconnect with Tristan even after two years,” Smentek said. “He remembers the girls. He came to practice one day and we would bring him as our guest.

We continue to keep that

little family as a part of our extended family.”

Martinez was a freshman when Tristan and his family were adopted. She said that although she wasn’t too involved in everything because she was new, the adoption really touched her.

“It was really sad [when their mom passed] and I found myself being choked up even though I had never met her,” Martinez said. “It just shows how powerful things like that can be.”

Smentek said the projects have made more and more people asking for help from the group, and people

appreciate what the girls do for them. Giving back to the community through different projects is something that the Tallenettes will continue to do. Borserine said the projects have not only impacted the community, but herself.

“Before [joining the] Tallenettes, I wasn’t really involved [in the community],” Borserine said.

“It’s nice to know that you have a big group of friends and you can go and do good things for the community and have fun while you’re doing it. It’s not just by yourself. It’s a bunch of people who make a difference together.”

11

We Remember

uring the month D of November, Allen High School

lost two of its own.

Students came together to grieve and also remember their classmates.

Senior Emily Stambaugh passed away Nov. 7 as the result of a car wreck

on Exchange Parkway in Allen.

Sophomore Travis Stryker died, along with his mother, Rebecca, and father, James, in a head-on collision Nov. 26.

The crash occurred in Arizona as the family was traveling to a hockey tournament.

Sophomore Austin Stryker was in the car with his family but survived.

Students, family and friends visited the site of Stambaugh’s crash and vigils were held for both victims. Memorial services were held for Stambaugh at

Turrentine Jackson Morrow Funeral Home on Nov. 10 in Allen. The Stryker family memorial took place Dec. 4 in Allen at the Suncreek United Methodist Church.

For more information visit theeagleangle.com

“I was very fortunate to get to know Travis personally over these past few months. He was a person who had an infectious smile, he could always make you laugh, and it was a privilege of mine to call him a friend and teammate. He’ll be extremely missed.”

Ibrahim Yaseen, junior “Travis was an amazing teammate, but an even better friend. [He] was that kind of guy that everyone loved to be around. He always had a smile on his face.”

Reid Stewart, senior “Roads iced over would have been his dream. A hockey player’s dream. Travis would have loved [the ice]. A good teammate and an even better friend, we’ll miss you forever.”

Huy Do, senior

photos submitted by Brenda Vega

“She was like a sister to me and would always be there for me whenever I needed her. She not only was like this to me but to everyone she loved and cared for... She was my best friend and now my guardian angel.”

Brenda Vega, senior “Emily’s memory will live on in the lives she has touched and the love she showed all of us. Emily was so young, but she taught us something that takes a lifetime for others to learn; love.”

Bradon Moring

photo submitted by Reid Stewart

12

photo submitted by Huy Do

“Emily was just one of those girls you see who was carefree and that made her even more beautiful. She had these huge blue eyes and you would just get lost in them. The things that she would say still have me laughing.”

Kathleen Sinor, senior

travis stryker

Aug. 25, 1997 - Nov. 26, 2013

Sept. 6, 1996 - Nov. 7, 2013

theeagleangle.com

Emily Stambaugh

13

Cover Story

4G

12:13

Hung Up

According to a recent poll conducted by Time magazine, 84 percent of the world said they cannot go a day without their cellphones.

But what about us?

story and graphics by Megan Lucas//Co-Editor-in-Chief

Text Message 14

Send

Cover Story

4G

12:13

She can’t see.

Staring, eyes blank, at her iPhone screen, freshman Lauren McFarland sighs, sets her phone down and rests her eyes for a couple of minutes until her vision returns.

And then picks the device right back up.

“[I’m on my phone] maybe eight hours a day,” McFarland, who got her first phone in sixth grade, said. “I guess there is kinda something wrong with it, but a lot of people use their phones a lot.”

According to a poll done by The Eagle Angle staff this November, 91 out of 100 students surveyed at the high school have a smart phone. 56 of the students said they checked their phone more than 30 times a day, and according to a recent paper by the Max Planck Institute for Informatics, this is due to the habitforming nature of smartphones – not addiction.

“Addiction basically means that the person is not able to complete a part of their life or it’s preventing them from becoming who they want to be,” psychiatric mental health doctor from the Psychiatric Medical Associates of Plano Gopan Pillai said. “Some habits can become addictions, but I think it’s not necessarily the same category.”

The study, which tracked 136 subjects over six weeks, reveals that large amounts of smart phone use come from “checking behaviors,” or brief periods of repeated usage, like quickly checking Twitter or emails. Senior Carly Osterman, who got her first phone in fourth grade, said that each day she checks her Twitter feed “too many times to count.”

“Every time I open my phone, it’s just like straight to Twitter. It’s like a reflex I guess,” Osterman said. “I just open up my home screen, and I’m just like ‘Ah,

Text Message theeagleangle.com

Twitter,’ and I go on, unless I have a text.”

Osterman’s behavior is also an example of a “triggering complex” observed in the study – sometimes just rituals, like being alone or boredom, induce phone use.

“It’s just like, if you’re in an awkward situation, you can pick it up and [be] like, ‘I have something important to do,’” Osterman said. “It’s kinda like a security blanket in a way [because] if I don’t have my phone, I feel naked or like I forgot something.”

Overall, the test subjects in the institute’s study did not find their smart-phone -related habits problematic. Pillai said, however, that these habits do have the potential to become an addiction.

“Some people won’t study because they’re addicted to their phone,” Pillai said. “So a high school student, for example, if you’re so invested in your phone and doing what’s on your phone, whether it be games or Facebook or Twitter or text messaging, that you’re not able to complete your homework or you’re not taking care of yourself, then yeah, it is an addiction.”

Osterman and McFarland said they saw problems with the formation of habits on a smart phone as well.

“Sometimes I’m on it, and I’m just like, ‘Why did I even go on here?’ There’s no reason to,’” Osterman said. “It’s like, ‘Why am I even doing this?’”

McFarland said she realizes how lost she feels

Send 15

Cover Story

4G

12:13

What’s your favorite social media?

Twitter- 28% Instagram 16%

Facebook 24%

None 9%

Vine - 3%

Messaging 18% Snapchat- 2%

without her phone in her hand.

“I think it’s like a habit because I usually don’t go anywhere without [my phone],” McFarland said. “And l if I can’t find it, I’ll stop what I’m doing and look for it until I find it.”

Pillai said this is one of the huge attractions of social media and texting; besides the quick communication it provides, it gives users the chance to say what they want to say when and how they want to say it.

“When you’re texting somebody on your phone, you kind of have a chance to revise what you’re saying. You can go back and delete where you want to say [something] and what you want to say and exactly how you want to say it,” Pillai said. “But when you’re talking to somebody face-to-face and socializing face-to-face, what you say is what you say, and you don’t have a chance to go back and delete what you said.”

But the initial attraction of these devices and all of their features stem from a deeper desire to reach out and be heard by a large group of people, Pillai said.

“When you [use] Instagram and Twitter, you’re actually reaching out to a lot more people than you would if you were talking face-to-face,” Pillai said.

McFarland said that the unrestrained commentary by her

16

Out of 99 of my friends and I, we seem to like Twitter the best!

classmates is her biggest attraction to Twitter.

“Some people aren’t afraid to say anything, like [on] the confessions page,” McFarland said. “Like those people just say whatever because everyone is saying what they want to.”

The checking habits formed by social media can lead to distraction during other tasks, according to the study. David Spann, Executive Director of Technology for Allen ISD, said the school Wi-Fi, Eagle Net, blocks social media sites to ensure students are using time wisely at school.

“We really want to encourage kids to learn the right way of using the Internet,” Spann said. “Our goal is to make [the Wi-Fi] the very best that we can, to make it the greatest experience that we can, but the focus for providing it is education, so everything we’re doing with that is geared toward education.”

While connected to the school Wi-Fi, sites like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube are blocked for this reason.

The school uses a system that categorizes websites, and certain categories, like social media, are then blocked. Spann said one of the main reasons this system is in place is to comply with the federal Children’s Internet Protection Act that requires the district to filter Internet for students.

“Within that law we have to try to help protect kids from

Cover Story

12:13

4G

Each day, I check my phone...

What’s up with Eagle Net In order to comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, the school Wi-Fi filters websites into 6 categories - Security Risks, Potentially Liable, Adult/Mature Content, Bandwidth Consuming, Business, Finance and Banking and General Interest - Personal. Blocked catergories are in red.

60

45

# people

30

Security Risk

15

< 10

11-19

20-19

30 +

# times phone is checked sexual predators, and so it kinda drives us on these social media sites for those reasons,” Spann said. “We blocked things that could cause harm to our network, like hacking tools and so forth, but we try to keep it open as much as possible while providing the best experience that we can.”

Spann said all it takes to unblock a website is a call to the school’s principal and a quick review of the website’s content.

“We do get requests to open up sites, and you know when that comes in we take a look at the site. If it looks good, we just unblock it,” Spann said. “If it’s questionable, then I usually reach out to the principal of the school with that request, and they kinda advise me on how they want to move forward.”

Osterman said the blocked websites on Eagle Net are sometimes annoying, but she understands the reasoning behind it.

“I mean a lot of stuff’s blocked, but I guess it’s a good thing because I would get so distracted if it wasn’t,” Osterman said. “If everything was unblocked, I would just be distracted the whole day.”

Osterman said she still sees phone use as a real addiction among students.

“I honestly think it’s an addiction. I know a lot of people who would die without their phones, like they’ll go mentally insane. It’s bad, but it’s true,” Osterman said. “It’s just a mental thing. Like you don’t really need it. It’s not one of those things you need, but you mentally think you need it.” theeagleangle.com

•Malicious Websites •Phishing •Spam URLs

Potentially Liable •Drug Abuse •Hacking •Illegal or Unethical •Discrimination •Explicit Violence •Extremist Groups •Proxy Avoidance •Plagiarism •Child Abuse

Adult/Mature Content •Alternative Beliefs •Abortion •Other Adult Materials •Advocacy Organizations •Gambling •Nudity and Risque •Pornography •Dating •Weapons (Sales) •Marijuana •Sex Education •Alcohol •Tobacco •Lingerie and Swimsuit •Sports Hunting and War Games

Bandwidth Consuming •Freeware and Software Downloads •File Sharing and Storage •Streaming Media and Download •Peer-to-peer File Sharing •Internet Radio and TV •Internet Telephony

Business, Finance and Banking

•Search Engines and Portals •General Organizations •Business •Information and Computer Security •Government and Legal Organizations •Information Technology •Armed Forces •Web Hosting •Secure Websites •Web-based Applications

General Interest Personal •Advertising •Brokerage and Trading •Games •Web-based Email •Entertainment •Arts and Culture •Education •Health and Wellness •Job Search •Medicine •News and Media •Social Networking •Political Organizations •Reference •Global Religion •Shopping and Auction •Society and Lifestyles •Sports •Travel •Personal Vehicles •Dynamic Content •Meaningless Content •Folklore •Web Chat •Instant Messaging •Newsgroups and Message Boards •Digital Postcards •Child Education •Real Estate •Restaurant and Dining •Personal Websites and Blogs •Content Servers •Domain Parking •Personal Privacy

17

Take the Herbâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s No Texting Pledge

Visit us at any of our 7 convenient locations #

1 LAKE HIGHLANDS (LBJ at Garland Rd.) ................ 214.328.4381

2 DALLAS (Stemmons at Royal Ln.) ........................ 972.243.5041

#

3 RICHARDSON (Central at Arapaho) ....................... 972.783.7376

#

4 PLANO (Coit N. of Plano Pkwy.) ............................ 972.758.0080

#

5 FRISCO (NE of Tollway & Main St.) ....................... 214.387.4372

#

6 PARK CITIES (Mockingbird W. of Lemmon Ave.) ... 214.366.2155

#

7

#

ALLEN (Prestige at Greenville) .......................... 469.342.8560

www.herbspaintandbody.com

sports Left: After their 3-1 Regional Quarter Final victory on Nov. 11 against McKinney, the volleyball team poses with their new trophy. photo by Zane Dean

Volleyball Scores district title story by Callie Anderson // assistant online editor

A

fter earning the district championship title and becoming regional quarterfinalists, the volleyball team finished their season with a record of 29-16. The girls beat Plano Senior High in just three sets to achieve the district title.

“We all had our minds set to [district],” junior Sheridan Ralston said. “We didn’t have a lot of drama on the side because we were all focused and worked together and just all set our minds to state.”

Head volleyball coach Kelly Gregoriew said she was impress with how the girls played in the district game.

“They played awesome, they played clean,” Gregoriew said. “They basically put [Plano Senior] to shame.”

For the past four years, the team has earned the bidistrict title but has not had a district title since 2003.

“We decided that winning was something that we wanted to do,” senior Hannah Walsh said. “I think that once everybody was on the same page we really went after it and did great.”

Hannah Walsh said that their change in training methods this year helped a lot in their season.

“At first it was hard, and I didn’t like it, but after a couple of weeks, everybody could see the difference in our strength and our theeagleangle.com

endurance,” Walsh said.

Instead of having a study hall during the class period on game days, the girls trained. They also had more Saturday practices and started watching game film after school.

“We communicated a lot better, had a lot more effort towards every single ball and focused on being a good team instead of just working individually,” Ralston said.

There are four seniors graduating, while the rest of the team will return in 2014.

Gregoriew said the younger girls are capable of filling the seniors’ shoes.

“We [have] been working in training to fill some of those holes,” Gregoriew said.

“We [have] got great size, great kids ready to step in. I expect good things.”

Gregoriew said she told the girls all through district that it was going to come down to fewer errors. That situation came about when the Woodlands defeated them in the regional quarterfinals. She also said there is no reason they should not be on the same path next year after another district title.

“I want to watch [the underclassmen] play on the state floor next year,” senior Katie Ingle said. “That would be so awesome to be able to come back and watch them win state.”

Right: Before the Nov. 11 Regional Quarterfinal game against McKinney, the volleyball team huddles together to pray. They won 3-1 and advanced to the Regional Semi-Finals photo by Zane Dean

a look at the lineup November 5 Bi - District Playoff vs.

Berkner 3 - 0 Win

November 7 Area Playoff vs.

Rowlett 3 - 2 Win

November 11 Regional Quarter Final vs.

McKinney 3 - 1 Win

November 15 Regional Semi-Final vs. The Woodlands 0 - 3 Loss graphic by Megan Lucas

19

Interested in an exciting major with paid internships, scholarships, high employment upon graduation?

Consider a Construction Science degree from the Haskell and Irene Lemon Construction Science Division.

Visit our website for more information

www.cns.ou.edu

The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution. www.ou.edu/eoo

Swim Team tries to improve with youth story by Jarret Rogers // sports editor

A

new season means a fresh start, the chance to right last years wrongs and in the case of the 2013-14 swim team it means new, younger swimmers who need to be led.

“They’re stepping up this year, which has helped a lot and has helped us in developing our kids,” swim coach Brent Mitchell said.

“We lost a lot, last year but the kids that are here this year are starting to develop into what we need, and hopefully it’ll help us.”

With 16 slots to fill due to lost seniors, Mitchell said he has a team of tough swimmers that has grown close and supports each other.

“They’re a resilient group,” Mitchell said.

“They’re a good team and a good family. This is a good group that will help each other, and I’m very proud of them.”

The girls team is coming off of a regional title and an appearance at the state championships. This year with 12 freshmen on the team senior Kathleen Sinor says the usual regression when adding younger swimmers has not been noticeable this year.

“I think the freshmen have really shown up this year,” Sinor said. “Normally there’s a few that come in and know how to do stuff [on varsity], but this year we’ve had nearly all the freshmen [on] varsity. Even [if they aren’t], they’re still with it and still understand what’s going on.”

Although last years team was one of the most successful in recent memory Sinor says that she believes this team can be even better because of the strong connection that they share. theeagleangle.com

sports

contribuition by Collin Thompson

“I think we’ve really bonded, more than we did last year,” Sinor said. “Just because of the way things happen and how we interact with each other. The girls team is awesome this year.”

For the guys this season presents the challenge of replacing captains Nathan Pantalion and Ethan Ho, along with ten other seniors, and is something junior Doug Schmidt says will be a collective effort.

“The guys team just has

they’re the team leaders.”

With the teams going in different direction last season Gaona said that the success of the girls team adds pressure to the boys team but they are always happy to see the girls do well.

“There is definitely some pressure because we all want to be successful, but we are all very proud of the girls team and all the success they’ve had this year and last,” Gaona said. “[We] look forward to how well they will

do at districts, regionals and state.”

Despite the differences in the teams Gaona said that both teams are confident heading into the season and expect success.

“On the girls and guys side and we all just feel very confident that we’re going to do very good at the districts and regionals meet,” Gaona said. “The girls are going to dominate districts and regionals and us guys just have to fight really hard.”

At swim practice on Nov. 21, junior Doug Schmidt practices his butterfly stroke. photo by Ashley Acosta a lot of holes that we have to fill,” Schmidt said. “We had a lot of really good guys that left last year. [The] guys team needs to step up.”

Similar to the girls team, the boys team will have a plethora of young swimmers that will be responsible for filling big holes. Junior Gerardo Gaona said it’s the upperclassmen’s job to set the tone for the new swimmers.

“If we’re the team leaders and they’re looking up to us and we’re not working hard we’re just slacking off then that’s what they’re gonna do,” Gaona said. “We want them to look up to us and see us working hard so that they do that in the future when

New records for swimmers At the North TISCA swim meet in The Colony on Nov. 22-23, four new Allen swim records were established and one was broken.

Sarah Vinezeano, senior Sara McDonald, sophomore Sophie Underdahl, sophomore Emma Wagner, freshman Thomas Kim, junior

21

Sports

Cross Country team supports qualifiers for the Regional Meet on Nov. 2

photo submitted by Mary Gaudio

Cross country strides to regionals story by Jackson Meeker // staff writer

T

he boys’ cross-country team has not made an appearance at the regional meet in over a decade. This 2013 team put an end to the drought of post-season defeat. For Coach Kirk Trent, making it to regionals was all about a change in mentality and hard work.

“We really started focusing on the pack running mentality,” Trent said.

“When we started doing that, we started beating teams we haven’t beaten since I’ve been here. Allen came from being [fifth in district] to second in the district. No one was expecting that.”

Junior Jake Hughes said he has his own theory on why this is the first time the team has appeared at regionals in over a decade.

“Before this [season] there wasn’t a lot of hard work on the team,” Hughes said. “It was more of a fun sport, and people kind of

22

came to practice and messed around. With the seniors now, they really instilled a hard-working desire [to win] within the team, which really helped us take off.”

A typical practice for the boy’s cross-country team begins before school for a team leader like Hughes.

“The team leaders get there at 6 a.m., and then everybody else gets there at 6:15 a.m. and signs in,” Hughes said. “About 6:30 a.m. we have our warmup, and we do dynamic stretching. Then we have a couple of minutes to just stretch out whatever feels tight, and then we start out workout: either an easy run or speed work usually.”

Another leader of the team, senior Chris Edwards, stated the reasons why he enjoys being a part of this record-setting team.

“I really enjoy the aspect that not only is it an

individual sport, but it’s also a team sport,” Edwards said.

“So you can see yourself improve and be proud of yourself, but you also know that you worked really hard with your team, and you can be just as proud of your team and your teammates when you accomplish your goals.”

The 2013 cross-country season moved the boys’ team to second best team in their district. The girls’ team has made it to regionals six of the last eight years. Instead of reminiscing on their recent accomplishments, Trent said that he intends to start making plans now in preparation for the 2014 season.

“We’re losing three seasons from the varsity, so there are three spots opening up,” Trent said. “I’ve already talked to the juniors and told them, ‘Hey, you only have forty-nine weeks of crosscountry left, so you’re now

the cross-country seniors.

It’s time to start getting ready right now.”

When asked how he feels about his recent achievements and next years season, Hughes said that he is proud of what he’s done and is optimistic about his senior year.

“It’s pretty cool. We’re the first team [in over a decade] to go to regionals, so that’s really fun,” Hughes said. “I think [next season] will be a lot of fun and I would definitely love to compete at the state meet.”

Edwards said he is grateful to have ended his final season on a good note.

“It is honestly one of the best feelings I’ve ever had,” Edwards said. “I’ve been on this team for four years, and the past three years we’ve gotten so close, and it’s great to know that I went out with a bang and left nothing out there.”

sports

hockey remebers late teammate story by Jarret Rogers // sports editor

F

ollowing the tragic loss of Travis Stryker to a car crash while on his way to a hockey tournament with his select team, the Dallas Penguins, the Eagles hockey team is now doing all they can to honor and remember their fallen teammate.

“We were all at his funeral with our jerseys on over our ties and then we all had a team dinner afterwards,” said senior Reid Stewart. “It was really comforting to be with the

team that day.”

The team is now faced with the challenge of playing an actual game for the first time without Stryker. All players will wear stickers with Travis’s initials and his number 18 on their helmets to go along with a banner that will be on the boards of the rink while the team plays. Once the season has concluded the team will retire the number 18 as well.

“Doing this kind of stuff definitely comforts

me, but it doesn’t make up for it,” Stewart said. “It’s something that Travis would have really liked and we need to do it for him.”

Despite all the that team has done and will be doing to honor Travis, Stewart said that there is one thing that would stand above the rest.

“If we won state that would definitely bring it home. That would be the last thing on the list,” Stewart said. “The team has been talking a lot and we realize

we are playing for more than just a record now.”

Nothing will be easy for the team in the upcoming weeks and months.

Remembering what Stryker was about will keep them going throughout the season.

“His great attitude and passion towards hockey was something I will never forget,” Stewart said. “It was infectious and that is something we have to hold on to.”

The

Eagle angle For more pictures, stories and reviews, visit us online at theeagleangle.com @theeagleangle Follow us on Twitter theeagleangle.com

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Instagram 23

Moving not worth it

Sports

Story by Katelyn Moody // Staff Writer

E

veryone wants to play the sport they want. Everyone wants to be the team star. Some athletes try to accomplish this in what that they think is easiest way.

A lot of students transfer for many reasons, but one common reason is sports.

It may be because of a better sports program at one school. Whatever the reason may be, many students try to use this opportunity to their

full advantage.

It seems like this approach is the easy way out to try to gain more playing time somewhere else. This new strategy acts as a way for some students to outshine their peers at their old school. A lot of schools may have better programs than others to offer athletes. Of course some athletes may think ‘I want to play for a winning school,’ so they transfer to a school known for being exceptional in athletics.

When switching school districts to play for their teams, students may or may not become the star they wanted to be at their original school. They may or

may not outshine their old teammates. Either way, when switching and being new to a program, it’s more difficult to create a long lasting legacy.

After transferring to Plano West, junior Tyler Davis was denied eligibility to play basketball by the 10-5A District Executive Committee. Davis’ relationship with new and existing players at Plano West was the topic of the meeting held by the committee. Many seem to expect transferring for sports to be easy, but don’t realize UIL have rules enforced to make it fair for everyone. If a new student athlete comes in expecting a top spot on

By the numbers

A look into how the 2013 Eagle football team made it to the number one

national ranking

50 40 30

24

graphic by Jarret Rogers

3,085

The total number of yards that Eagles quarter back Kyler The 2013 team is the first to Murray gained in the 2012 regular season.

49.3

20 10 0

10-0

the team, reality could be disappointing. Students that have been in that district for a while should be first priority to be on the team while new students work their way up to that top spot they want.

It seems best that students should have to prove themselves in the classroom at their new school before they get the opportunity to try out to be on a team.

This idea may not be favored by some, but switching districts was a choice made by the student. If an athlete makes the decision to switch for sports they should be prepared for the consequences and policies that may go along with it.

16.4

go undefeated since the 2011 sesason. That team fell in the 2nd round of the playoffs.

The football team averaged 49.3 points per game in the regular season while allowing only 16.4 points per game.The team ranked 4th in offense and 13th in defense amongst 5A teams in the DallasFt. Worth area. Their largest margin of victory was 49.

92

Points that kicker Carlos Arochi accounted for in 2012. Arochi led the team in this category.

17.0

The average of points scored by the Allen defense in the regular season. This was good for 8th in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Area during the 2013 season.

FlipSide Overrated Athlete Life by

Opinions

Get your head in the game and off the couch T

he pre-game warm up, the excitement of the crowd, the feeling of accomplishment: these are all experiences that make playing a sport worth your time.

Would you rather watch someone eat your favorite flavor of cake or would you rather eat it yourself? Sure, it’s fun to sit on your couch with friends and watch someone else participate in your choice sport, but the thrill of being seen by others is extraordinary. By just watching a game, you have no control over what is going on, what an athlete does or who wins (unless you count yelling profanities at the screen as if they can hear you). By competing in a sport yourself, you gain countless experiences that teach life lessons and memories that will last a lifetime. For example, you learn how to cooperate with others, how to accept both wins and losses, self-discipline and perseverance.

If you want to watch the game instead, that’s understandable. Because sitting on your butt all day every Sunday is definitely very productive and a great idea. I mean, why would you want to play a sport if you could stay on that comfy La-Z-Boy recliner and relax?

Regular exercise is much more beneficial to your overall health than watching sports on TV. It prevents type two diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and obesity. Not only this, but exercising in a sport can improve your mood and boost self esteem. But if you’d rather sit around and watch others achieve the benefits of playing their sport while you snack and be completely unproductive, that’s understandable as well.

So if participating in sports is fun, memorable, enlightening and healthy, why wouldn’t you want to join in? Eventually you’re going to grow old, possibly break a hip or hurt a back, and regret never joining in a sport because at that point it’ll be too late. Then you’ll have all the time in the world to watch sports on TV.

story by Audrey Stelmach // staff writer theeagleangle.com

Sports: To watch or to play

many

L

et’s face it, the athlete life is just not all it is said to be.

Sure there is the fame and fortune, but at what cost?

Let’s take a look into the life of Johnny Manziel over the past year and a half. Going into last season Manziel was a nobody. He could do what he want and no one would take a second glance. If he wanted to party then he could party. If he wanted to sit courtside at NBA games he would just be another guy with awesome tickets.

Now Manziel is one of the most popular and scrutinized athletes in the world. If a picture of him sneezing the wrong way showed up on the internet ESPN would lead with it on Sportscenter and the picture would be on the front page of Sunday’s USA Today.

And all of this would be caused by one thing: playing a sport better than everybody else.

I don’t know about you but that sounds like an awful lifestyle no matter how much fame it may come with.

For me, I am going to take the life of being a fan watching sports and being passionate about my teams.

Being a fan brings just about everything but the fame and fortune of the athlete life. You experience the emotion, suspense and nerves, just like athletes who are taking the field, in your home.

There is no one pestering you for autographs or photos while going out. Life is not filled with interviews that tend to focus on the negatives and sportswriters slamming you in their columns.

So if you love fans that love you when you’re great and hate you when you aren’t, sportswriters always coming after you and your every move being watched, then strap up and take the field.

For me, I will take the quiet, fun and emotional rollercoaster that is being a fan.

story by Jarret Roger // sports editor

25

story by Victoria Erb // Copy Chief

asDFlkj

26

Based on the 1985 book, “Ender’s Game” follows a group of kids training to save the earth from an alien race known as the Formics.

Asa Butterfield, starring as Andrew “Ender” Wiggin, delivers his lines well but lacks emotion. The special effects were impressive with flashy and realistic lasers, and space ships that looked dynamic and detailed in the space scenes. story by Madison Reynolds // staff writer

After waiting 610 days, the second movie in “The Hunger Games” trilogy hit theaters the week before thanksgiving break. “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” is an even better adaptation then the first movie. Joining the already flawless cast for this movie, Jena Malone and Sam Claflin play the roles of tributes Johanna Mason and Finnick Odair.

New director Francis Lawrence brings new color schemes, filming technique, character development and an even more vibrant look at all of Panem including the arena for the 75th annual Hunger Games making the dystopian society even more real.

Box office Blockbusters

I have never been a fan of Jane Austen’s novel “Pride and Prejudice.” I hate to admit this, but when I was forced to read it in English, I read the first three chapters and Sparknoted the rest. When I learned the theatre department was going to perform a story I loathe, I had no idea what to expect, but I was thoroughly impressed by everything. I thoroughly enjoyed this rendition of “Pride and Prejudice.” The cast worked together beautifully, and their hard work definitely paid off.

story by Naomi Fluckinger // staff writer

story by Zane Dean // Assistant Editor

Opinions

For extended reviews and more, visit theeagleangle.com’s opinion section.

Kids these days T

he G.I. Generation was a generation of young soldiers hardened by the global conflicts of two world wars and a great depression.

Shortly after came the Silent Generation, whose women were torn between a family and a career and whose men were stationed in Korea.

But what about us? Critics have called our generation the Global Generation, the iGeneration and, more critically, the Generation of Narcissists.

And these labels are completely justified.

We, as teenagers, are numb to everything. The constant influx of selfies and

story by Harrison Geosits // opinions editor

duck faces and the universal fraternity of idiots have left us blind and deaf to the world outside our sleepy town. We are politically illiterate and, for the most part, completely illiterate concerning anything over 140 characters. Our idea of intimacy has become the heart eyed emoji. We feel the immense need to capture, filter and post every bowl of cereal we eat on Instagram (#nofilter) simply because the resources, technology and apps are there.

I’m not saying I’m above it all. In fact, I spend 90 percent of my time scrolling through square pictures, timelines and newsfeeds.

Yes, Snapchat, Instagram and Twitter have made us braver, bolder and a bit conceited. But we shouldn’t just do things “for the Vine.”

We should be using the indefinite well of knowledge

we let sit inside out pockets to become smart, opinionated and impressive young adults.

The generations before us had only limited access to information and were forced to forego their youth and instead become pioneers for the controversial issues of their time. Instead of gushing over British-Irish boy bands and the male leads of “Catching Fire,” teen girls burned their bra’s and fought for their rights and chose between a life in the workforce (where they were considered weak and incapable) or the life of a housewife. Boys, probably still struggling with puberty, were fighting foreigners oceans away from the life they knew. Regardless of who the president is or what singer is bleaching his/ her eyebrows, things have changed significantly since

You didn’t hear it from me T

he fact of the matter is teenagers can be immature, impulsive and cruel. We hide it well most of the time. I have yet to meet anyone at this school who isn’t a decent human being in my opinion. But whenever we retreat from real life into our caves made of Facebook walls and Twitter timelines, all of these nice tendencies fly out the window. You don’t need to look far to find someone spreading a rumor, posting from an unnamed account or even theeagleangle.com

just referencing someone without their knowledge.

Pages like the infamous AHS Confessions account show how few boundaries we acknowledge when we have the ability to comment on others and spread rumors sans identification.

Just as revealing (though occasionally entertaining) are the so-called subtweets which range from general commentary to specifically targeting another person.

Most of the time these are harmless, but occasionally someone releases a really #heated subtweet which just broadcasts drama. Not exactly the best way to solve a dispute.

Some of the things written and posted by

Opinions those days and its our job to leave a mark other than that sexist song by Robin Thicke.

These generations burned their mark on the world without the use of Apple tech and tablets.

Arguably, every generation is one of change but ours is in constant change. One fad after the next. Myspace, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest.

One after the other like a succession of auto-tuned screams from a certain Cyrus’ latest track. And maybe that’s our advantage. Change is our second nature, so why can’t we change the world, impact it in a way bigger and better than ever? Why can’t we change something that matters? And it may not change tomorrow or next month or next year but it’s our choice. Our time. It’s the Generation of Us.

story by Laura Hallas // managing editor

“anonymous” are so intensely personal, that I would probably never even talk about such things to my closest friends. Nao one has the right to dish out that kind of dirt on a classmate, no mater how true or how much someone “deserves” it. Even worse, the person who posted in the first place gets to remain unnamed and avoid any potential consequences to what they say while the subject of their speculation is totally exposed. In court even the most despicable people retain the right to face their accuser, but online it is somehow acceptable to keep embarrassment a one way street. How could anyone argue that this isn’t cowardly

or wrong?

Of course, not everything that we say about one another is malicious. Many posts concerning other people are glowing, or at least friendly. No matter what the situation, having something nice said about you is a great feeling.

However, this is by no means the norm. Shouldn’t we strive for a better reputation as a school? We talk about being a “family”, but to do so, we need to use some discretion when talking about other members. Stand behind your words. We are lucky enough to have the ability to say whatever we feel, and this freedom means the responsibility to take credit for your words.

27

Opinions

Sincereley, Stylish CHUCK RULES

story by Emily Haney // staff writer

I

thought 6th grade was the end of Chuck Taylor Converse, affectionately known as “Chucks.” We all had them: the classic red or baby pink, ankle-covered, rubber-soled, lace-up tennis shoes. They ruled then, and they definitely rule now.

These babies have made their debut in every era since the greaser years.

Chicks are wearing them with skirts and dresses, and the dudes have turned into the T-Birds, rockin ‘em like Danny Zuko with rolled jeans. Although I’m a big fan of these high-topped beauts, I still think Chucks have guidelines that should be followed. With great shoes come great responsibility, and because Chucks rule we should have Chuck rules.

1. To all the boys and girls out there wearing jeans while wearing Chucks: add two rolls on the bottom of your jeans, à la “Greased Lightning.” We want people to see as much of the shoes as possible.

2. Leg warmers are not cute. Knee-high socks, however, are. Anything beyond should not be an option. This isn’t an ‘80s dance party. But in the rare

28

case that it is, feel free to add some warmth to your shins.

3. The dressier the better.

Ladies, don’t be afraid to wear them with skirts or dresses.

4. Lacing these up seem to be the number one problem trending among my fellow Chuck supporters.

Tuck your laces into your shoes or tie them in a bow.

They shouldn’t be wrapped around your high top. Ever.

5. While Converse are brilliant, not all Chucks are created equal. I don’t want to see your ankles when you’re wearing Converse. That being said, ladies and gentlemen, you should represent that star with pride and avoid low-tops.

Converse are a beautiful thing, and as long as the rules are followed, Chucks will never go out of style.

graphic by Laura Hallas

story by Deatrik Bledsoe // staff writer

T

here’s a point in our day when we start to get really angry with someone. Our blood pressure rises; our fists ball up, and we just want to start a fight. is fighting really worth it? Can we cope with the consequences that come with fighting?

Fighting is the worst way to solve a problem. It’s a sign of how immature you are, if you’re fighting for reasons that can be solved without throwing a punch, then it shows that you’re not growing up. People don’t understand the impact fighting has on others.

Fighting has been our nature for a long time.

It is the first response to everything, but what people don’t realize is the amount of trouble they can get into.

You can be fined or even go to jail over something that could’ve been prevented, and lets not forget about the parents grounding you. It’s not worth getting suspended from school, sitting at home on the weekends because you’re grounded for the whole month.

I solve most of my problems by talking my way out of the situation, because I think fighting is worthless.

Why waste energy fighting someone when I know I’m going to get in trouble by the authorities? People need to think logically about what they are doing, and not react

No reason to rumble based purely on anger.

People don’t understand the amount of trouble you can get into. I’ve seen people get tickets and go to jail for days because somebody had talk negative about them or someone talked to their girlfriends. There’s no reason to put your hands on someone, it’s not a right thing to do.

Preventing fights is simple. Don’t do anything that would cause that person to be upset with you because if you have done nothing to that person, what are they really fighting you about?

Can’t we all just respect one another and keep our hands to ourselves?

“There’s no reason to put your hands on someone, it’s not a right thing to do.”

Deatrik Bledsoe

Opinions

The Eagle Angle 2013 Gift Guide

5Tickets

Concerts, sports, horse shows, dog shows... you get the idea.

Money 1 The gift of green is always good for that one person who a) has everything or b) needs a new outfit.

3

Simplicity and relaxtion tied to a tree.Best when snuggling with a book or a dog or another human.

2

You can’t argue with the brand currently dominating every market possible.

Shouldn’t live tweet

I won’t even mention AHS Confessions.

Eno Hammock

Macbook Air

The Top ten Things You

4IHOP Gift Card

Teens love nothing

more than the American breakfast at any and all times of the day.

1. A first date 2. Any tv show with a following 3. a trip to the bathroom 4. the sat 5. Day to day activites 6. a school dance 7. while driving 8. While getting arrested 9. A fire drill 10. a breakup list by Harrison Geosits // opinions editor

gift guide by Taylor Brill // contributing writer

you have one new notification editorial by the Eagle Angle Staff

I

nstagram. Twitter.

Facebook. Snapchat. Add these with various other social media websites and what do you get? The bane of all high school students’ grades in this day and age.

We as a generation are constantly using our phones, whether it’s tweeting, sending a Snapchat, sliding into “DMs” or posting a picture “#nofilter.” But if you think about it, is that all necessary to do while at theeagleangle.com

school? The answer is no.

Regardless of the difficulty or the simplicity of your course load you can still learn something everyday that may help you later on if you pay attention to the teacher, not your phone.

We are fortunate enough to attend a privileged school with plentiful resources and endless opportunities. So taking advantage of these opportunities while they are in front of you could benefit

you more than you think.

Most students are at school for seven hours or less everyday, during those seven hours it isn’t that hard to sit attentively and learn something new. So don’t get frantic when you attempt to post a “selfie” on Instagram and get a “couldn’t refresh feed” flash on the screen.

And yes, we know sometimes that your Twitter feed is more interesting than learning about why

centrifugal force isn’t technically a real force, but it is in your best interest to pay attention to the task at hand.

We are at school to learn, to be productive and to find ourselves and what we plan to do with the rest of our lives. So, from the Eagle Angle to you: next time instead of switching from Wi-fi to 4G when your site is blocked, put down the phone, take up your pen, and learn something new.

29

ROAD TO STATE After finishing the regular season at a perfect 10-0 and capturing another District Championship, the Eaglesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; football team began their playoff run. They beat Lake Highlands in the Bi-District round 63-6, Mesquite Horn 42-14 in the area round, The Woodlands 56-21 for a regional title and Westfield 48-13 in the quarter finals. They are continuing their state title journey as the number one ranked team in the state and the second in the nation behind Washington High School in Miama, FL. *All information up-todate as the Eagle Angle went to press.

clockwise from above

The special teams units receives instruction from head coach Tom Westerberg at the Cotton Bowl on Nov. 22. | Senior Jay Barlow successfully avoids a Woodlands defender and makes his way toward a touchdown at Floyd Casey Stadium on Nov. 30. | Senior backup quarterback Ryan Hoogerwerf takes off downfield against Lake Highlands on Nov. 15. photos by Saher Aqeel

30

clockwise from left

Junior quarterback Kyler Murray hands the ball off to senior Jay Barlow at the Woodlands game at the Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, TX. on Nov. 30. | After scoring a touchdown against Lake Highlands on Nov. 15 in the Bidistrict round of playoffs, seniors Grant Finney and Cole Carter celebrate. | The touchdown is good as senior Jay Barlow barely crosses the goal line and scores against the Woodlands on Nov. 30 in Floyd Casey Stadium. | After beating Lake Highland 63-6, head football coach Tom Westerberg is given the Bidistrict trophy on Nov. 15. photos by Saher Aqeel theeagleangle.com

31

Eco-Staff is a recognized leader throughout Texas in the staffing industry and we provide professional staffing and payroll services to meet our clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs.

We are focused on providing high-quality service and customer satisfaction to our clients and employees and will do EVERYTHING we can to successfully deliver. Eco-Staff is HUB Certified and Veteran Owned.

What can we do for you? s /IL 'AS s %NGINEERING s #ONSTRUCTION s 3KILLED #RAFTSMEN s ,OW 6OLTAGE s ,IGHT )NDUSTRIAL s !DMINISTRATIVE #LERICAL s 0ERMANENT 0LACEMENT s 0AYROLL 3ERVICES