Issue 6 by Eagle Angle

pg. 20 Interactive learning

Eagle Angle

The

Katie Borchert

Allen High School Allen, Texas, 75002 Volume 29, Issue 6, April 18, 2012

Bone marrow drive held to find donor match

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m ee ts rth No

Cory Fleck

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10 Students from New Jersey visit Texas March 29 - April 1.

pg. 4

Senior hopes to becomes Ron Paul delegate to show pg. 7 activism in politics.

Madyson Russell

Energy drinks could cause long term health risks.

Illustration by Kayla Graves and Nicole Welch

Tough luck Because he was a few ranks short of making the top nine percent rule senior Zach Riley was denied automatic admission into UT and accepted into the Coordination Admission Program. “I didn’t get in, and I realized it was because of affirmative action,” Riley said. “So since I’m a white, Christian male there’s nothing special about that and I’m sure they have plenty of those at UT already.”

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Af firmative action lawsuit could lead to policy changes

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Staff member reviews new ‘One Direction’ album.

pg. 12

Kaitlyn Trujillo

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Boys and girls soccer seasons end abruptly. Girls team loses to Hebron and boys team loses to pg. 16Keller.

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American, senior Conrad Kisunzu said that his race probably helped him get into Stanford but he believes that it was not the only determinant. “I’ve gotten comments like that,” Kisunzu said. “But I know I worked extremely hard and I didn’t have to take all the AP classes I did or do all the activities [I did]. I do things that I love and wrote good essays and I worked really hard on my application so I don’t want to negate that. I hope people will understand that too.” Senior Zach Riley was only a few ranks away from the top nine percent and was denied admission by UT, despite getting a 33 on the ACT and fulfilling the community service portion of the application. “I was a little bit discouraged but I thought I still had a pretty good chance because they accept 25 percent of their admission not [by]

could possibly lead to widespread policy changes across the nation, possibly even doing away with affirmative action altogether. “Does she have a right to challenge this? Absolutely,” Hill said. “Everybody has a right to challenge [something] anytime they don’t think they’ve been treated equally. But is it going to cause a policy change or not? I don’t know. It’ll depend on how far it goes in the court.” Depending on the specific college, ethnicity does have a degree of influence on admissions because of racial quotas, which Hill said were originally instituted to avoid discrimination. “They were brought about for really good reasons,” Hill said. “Some really awesome kids were being kept out of school.” But the Fisher lawsuit claims that these policies are outdated and no longer necessary. As an African

story by Conner Martin // staff writer ow on its way to the Supreme Court, the 2008 lawsuit of University of Texas (UT) applicant Abigail Fisher, a white student who claims she was denied admittance because of policies that prioritize ethnic diversity over academic qualifications, is once again taking the attention of the academic community. “Most of the time those universities know what they’re looking for as far as their students are concerned,” College and Career Director Pam Hill said. “Unfortunately, I see a lot of families assuming that it’s a right for everybody in the world to go to a four year university. I think that is what causes some of these problems.” If Fisher, who missed the cut of the top 10 percent rule (now top nine), wins the lawsuit, Hill said it

Maggie Rians

story by Emily Cantwell // staff writer n order to increase the size of the international bone marrow donor registry and find a match for Marion fifth grader Jack Armentrout, PALS and clinical rotation students volunteered at a bone marrow drive in the commons area of the PAC on April 13. Support counselor Jennifer Atencio organized the event. “For people that are interested in being on the registry, it gives them an opportunity to potentially save someone’s life,” Atencio said. Armentrout was diagnosed with Fanconi Anemia, a rare genetic bone marrow disorder, in November 2010. This chronic disease increases his risk of cancers such as leukemia and leads to bone marrow failure. Bone marrow failure requires a bone marrow transplant, which is why Armentrout is searching for a donor. “He has a very rare disease that can produce some very life threatening problems,” clinical rotation teacher Kim Lane said. “And, I mean, he’s 11 years old. He’s got the potential for a full life ahead of him, and how wonderful would it be if we were able to help him do that?” Atencio brought the program Be the Match, an international bone marrow donor registry, to the high school when she learned that Armentrout was still in need of a donor. Atencio has volunteered as a donor on the Be the Match registry for 10 years. “If I had something that could help to save someone’s life then I wanted to be able to provide that gift to someone,” Atencio said. Fanconi Anemia is a chronic disease that causes blood to produce inefficiently, as well as bruising and fatigue, and will likely lead to bone marrow failure. Armentrout and his family don’t know when or if he will go into bone marrow failure, but Jenny Armentrout, Armentrout’s mom, said it would be nice to have a donor lined up in case it happens. “The biggest thing that I hope

submitted

Allen High School // Issue 6 // April 18, 2012

news

Students question UT’s admission policies // continued from pg. 1 automatic,” Riley said. “But I didn’t get in, and I realized it was because of affirmative action. So since I’m a white, Christian male there’s nothing special about that and I’m sure they have plenty of those at UT already.” Still, Riley said he believes that the top 10 percent rule may be causing more of the problem than affirmative action itself. “The top 10 percent at Allen High School is way different than the top 10 percent in some small-town school in east Texas,” Riley said. “And they know that too. It’s not necessarily UT’s fault. They have a part in it, but it’s also the Texas legislature that needs to look at that.” Senior Ella Watkins said that she has had some difficulty finding scholarships that she qualifies for because of the ethnic qualifications. “Being a white middle class female has not helped me out with the scholarships,” Watkins said. “I was fortunate to find a couple [but] it would’ve been nice to have been able to find quite a few more because

college is expensive.” College and Career advisor Charlotte Samuel said that she believes it is fair for scholarships to use non-academic qualifications to a certain extent. “Not everybody can make those grades,” Samuel said. “That doesn’t necessarily mean that the student isn’t intelligent […] There has to be something for that student that is just a good student and needs financial assistance.” Hill pointed to academics as the best way to get into colleges. “[Colleges] will say that the first thing they look at is the types of courses that are taken,” Hill said. “Have you challenged yourself [or] have you just taken the easy way out?” Watkins said that she believes that affirmative action policies focus on the wrong aspects. “I don’t think that whether or not you get into college should be based on your race or religion or anything like that,” Watkins said. “It should be based on the work ethic and how hard you worked to get to that

A short history of Affirmative Action President Kennedy signs Executive Order 10925, requiring government contractors to “take affirmative action” when hiring and that employees should be “treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color or national origin.”

1961

President Johnson signs Executive Order 11246 which prohibits job discrimination for businesses and organizations receiving federal contracts.

1965

1978

Regents of the University of California vs. Bakke Supreme Court case impose limitations on affirmative action so it does not completely limit the majority.

2000 2003

Hopwood vs. Texas rules that the University of Texas Law School can not use race as a factor for admissions, even to diversify.

1996

Florida bans race as a determinate for college admissions.

Supreme Court upholds its decision considering race in college admissions. Illustration by Kayla Graves Information from emory.edu & jbhe.com

The Opinions Angle about aff irmative action I

n light of the UT lawsuit regarding Affirmative Action, competitive college applications have become a subject of conversation. PreAP Chemistry teacher Kathy Vondracek feels race should not be a factor in who is accepted to college and who is not. “I know students have been left out because of their skin color, no matter what their skin color was,” Vondracek said. “I don’t feel like anyone should be discriminated against.”

“You can’t control what race you are and so the fact that other races get an advantage, I don’t think that’s fair.”

story by Victoria Erb // staff writer

“There are a lot of people who don’t get the same opportunities as other people, so it’s good for the college to look at their population to make sure people are being represented equally and that people all have a chance to

“I think it’s rude because it’s almost like you’re favoring one population of people over another and that can be a bad thing.”

go to school.”

ne the an w gl s e

Fiona Murray parent

The Eagle Angle

certain point.” However, Kisunzu said he feels that the basis for affirmative action is justified. “It does compensate for some of the hardships generally experienced by minorities,” Kisunzu said. “But I think the emphasis or significance that people give to it is a little exaggerated so it kind of gives the perception that anyone who is a minority can get in anywhere and I don’t think that’s true.” Even if the Fisher lawsuit does not lead to any major changes anytime soon, it may be a sign that attitudes are changing. “Obviously it’s a touchy subject but logically when I think of a school trying to create a diverse student body, if there’s not enough high achieving African American students [then] high achieving African American students are gong to be more valuable for a school,” Kisunzu said. “It kind of makes sense and, I mean, it’s really tough but unfortunately that’s the type of education system we live in.”

Tyler Redlich senior

“I also think [GPA] does a disservice to some kids who have the right to be accepted to college, but sometimes aren’t given automatic acceptance because they fall right outside that top 10 percent.”

Kevwe Mowarin senior

“I know a lot of schools want a diverse population, and so obviously they’re trying to look at students all across the board. But also I’d like to think that schools are trying to accept students who are also qualified as well.”

Twenty-one BPA students will advance to the national competition in Chicago after software was demonstrated to judges. Seniors Cole Harrison (advancing as an individual), Matt Allen, Bram Powell, Sean Tubbs, Brandon Shirk, Andre Duvoisin, Seung Lee, Anthony Tran, Jon Du and juniors Alex Pabst, John Dindak, Kaden Morris, Colin Luedecke, PJ Chapates, Jared Bond, Mason Burks, Christopher Gentry, Josh Natzke, Laura Clark, Justin Viladiu and Marina Goodwin will compete at nationals.

46% White 23% Hispanic 20% Asian

Tasha Mills Biology teacher “Well, I’m Hispanic so it feels good. [And] I’m like number 30 in my class so it kind of benefits me.”

Courtney Collins Geometry teacher

March

UT Class of 2015

6% Black

2/3

of white applicants were admitted automatically

25%

UT saves of its admitted spots under the top 8 rule

Andrew Drury sophomore

Information from nytimes.com

Seniors Courtney Lenzer, Jesse Haislip and Lauryn Layman attended the Skills USA, a competitive skills competition at the state level. Layman placed 3rd in Commercial Baking, but did not qualify for nationals.

March 22-23

Students volunteer at bone marrow drive to f ind match for Marion f ifth grader // continued from pg. 1

Texas school districts prepare for new standardized test

STAAR program. “Personally, I think that anytime we are challenging kids and anytime that we are trying to improve curriculum, we are headed in the right direction,” Blank said. “We need to do anything we can to make sure students are ready for college and make sure that we can do what we can to try to challenge students in their learning and increasing the rigor of their curriculum.” STAAR EOC exams directly correlate with the student’s courses. For example, if a student is currently enrolled in geometry then that student will be required to take the geometry EOC exam. The score on each exam is required to count as 15 percent of a student’s final grade in that course. Pre-AP World History teacher Rebecca Farr said that because her EOC for her students will only cover World History she can focus more on her specific curriculum. “I don’t think it will make it easier because it’s just going to be different,” Farr said. “We have done a really great job at preparing for TAKS and so we know how to prepare for that. This will be new and we don’t

HOSA students attended the Texas State HOSA competition in San Antonio. Seniors Peter Norton and Omid Monjazeb will advance to nationals in Orlando, Florida this June after receiving f irst place in CPR/First Aid.

Twelve students will advance from the UIL Academics District 8-5A meet to regionals on April 20-21 at Texas Tech. The journalism team received 1st place team with senior Conner Martin advancing in editorial, headline and news writing, and sophomore Megan Lucas advancing in news writing. Freshmen Hunter Stevens and Paul Russell advanced in prose, freshman Michael Bih in calculator applications, freshman Jonathan Abrams in number sense and sophomore Charles Tian in computer applications. The number sense and accounting teams also advanced.

March 27-30

hour time limit, unlike TAKS’ unlimited testing time. After the actual STAAR results are in, the TEA will decide if the four hour time limit is an appropriate amount of time or if they should expand or eliminate the time aspect. “In the past when we had the TAKS testing, people really took the instructions that said students have as much time as needed to complete the test to a level that wasn’t intended,” Blank said. “I don’t think that was really the intent of the test makers to create tests that would require students to test beyond the school day requiring that they eat dinner at the school.” Freshmen will take math, science and social study STAAR exams in May. “Before the TAKS test it was a different test that was not as hard as the TAKS test,” Srinivasan said. “People were thinking that the TAKS test was going to be hard so they prepared for that and the way that the questions were worded and now if we keep preparing for the STAAR test it won’t be that hard.” To see a complete list of EOC exams visit theeagleangle.com.

April 28

Prom will occur at the Allen Event Center from 8 p.m. to midnight. Students can order up to two tickets per person through April 21. Tickets are $40 each. Seniors can pick up their tickets April 24-26 at the senior activity days. After Prom is at the high school from midnight to 5 a.m.

Differences between STAAR and TAKS The STAAR test will have a time limit of four hours, unlike the TAKS’ unlimited testing time. STAAR tests will include more questions that will measure a higher level of thinking in relation to the test. Students will now have to provide short answer responses rather than all multiple choice. The STAAR exam will focus on the current year’s content rather than the TAKS, which tested over several years of knowledge. Unlike the TAKS test, the STAAR exam will measure a student’s readiness for college and career success. Information from Allen ISD Parent Guide to STAAR

The Eagle Angle

March 24

really know what they’re going to ask.” According to the TEA, to graduate under the STAAR program, students will need to meet the cumulative score requirement in each of the four core content areas, including math, science, history and English. “Once we get more familiar with the test, I think schools in Texas will see where they need to make their changes in curriculum and what points they need to emphasize,” Blank said. “They can then instruct their students so they can meet those testing requirements and can cover the curriculum that the test is focusing on in a little bit more detail.” In contrast to the TAKS’ minimum standard criteria the STAAR test contains higher level thinking multiple-choice questions. Freshman Sahana Srinivasan said that STAAR was a lot harder. “There were a bunch of questions that we didn’t really learn yet,” Srinivasan said. “I think that the way they worded the questions really kind of bumped [the difficulty] up a step higher.” Each STAAR exam has a four-

Fo com ra p d ile th diti d b ee on y ag al Za le co ch an ve A gl ra ve e. g lla co e n m go et to

story by Maggie Rians // staff writer reshmen took the English End of Course State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (EOC STAAR) exam March 26 - 27. This spring, the state replaced the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) standardized tests with the STAAR exams in order to ensure that graduating high school students are ready for college and able to compete with other students nationally and internationally, according to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) website. “I think the transition [from] the TAKS program to the STAAR program is a positive move for education in Texas,” testing coordinator Melissa Blank said, “because the whole reason for the change is to increase the rigor in the curriculum that students in Texas are learning.” Students currently enrolled in 9th grade and under are required to take the STAAR EOC assessments, but current sophomores, juniors and seniors will still graduate under the TAKS program. Blank said she agrees with the original philosophy behind the

Allen High School // Issue 6 // April 18, 2012

to organ donation to volunteer nurse Dee Armstrong. Guest’s daughter, a 2009 graduate, died in March 2011 and donated eight of her organs. “It’s a way to take a tragedy to turn it into something positive,” Guest said.

misconceptions of bone marrow donation.” Boon guidance counselor Susan Guest attended the bone marrow drive to promote organ donation. Guest’s daughter, Angela Guest, died last spring, but donated eight of her organs, which saved seven lives. “One statement that has been very powerful has been from one of the nurses [who] said, ‘You are in this hospital and having the worst day of your life,’” Guest said. “‘Angela just died, but in seven other hospitals there are people that are so excited because you’re giving them a second chance.’” Mrs. Armentrout said she thinks her son’s future looks good if he gets a transplant and that it would solve a lot of problems for Armentrout. She described her son as a typical boy. “He would prefer to play outside,” Mrs. Armentrout said. “He’s the one who likes to be jumping on the trampoline, going and playing in the pool, climbing trees. He’s very athletic even though he’s smaller than a lot of kids.” If Armentrout receives a successful transplant he would remain at a risk for certain cancers but he would no longer risk bone marrow failure. “I feel blessed,” Mrs. Armentrout said. “I feel blessed to live in a place where there’s other people that are interested and willing and want to help out other people. It’s really nice that people actually put other people in front of themselves.”

news

Kayla Graves

Saving lives Boon guidance counselor Susan Guest explains her personal connection

comes out of it is awareness,” Mrs. Armentrout said. “People realize that outside of themselves that there is something that they can do, not only with bone marrow but blood donation, organ donation, all of those things are taken into consideration.” The drive was open to everyone in the community from ages 18-60 to become part of the registry. Once in the registry, if someone is a match then they will be asked to give a blood sample for further testing. If they are the best possible match for the patient then over a four to six week period, they will spend around 30 to 40 hours traveling, attending appointments and donating their bone marrow. At the event, potential donors were shown the criteria they had to meet in order to donate, completed consent forms and had their cheeks swabbed to collect DNA. “This is a really big commitment and it’s not something an individual should take lightly,” Atencio said. “If you register at 18 to be on the registry, you’re on the registry until you’re 61 years old so you’re looking at a 40 year commitment. If you decide this is something you want to do, you really have to commit and be willing to assist anybody who may need a transplant.” Those who are unable to donate marrow can support Be the Match by donating money to the Be the Match Foundation. It costs $100 to put one person on the registry, but

people who register are not required to pay and are reimbursed for travel expenses. Those who donate money to the Be the Match Foundation cover the costs of registration. The Be the Match Registry includes over 9.5 million donors and the organization has facilitated more than 50,000 transplants since 1987. “I think this is a great cause,” Lane said. “It will be a great experience for our students to be a part of this and it also promotes awareness among our student body which I feel is very important as well.” Donors can donate two ways, and the physician decides which is best. The most common way is through a non-surgical procedure called peripheral blood stem cell donation (PBSC). After five days of receiving injections of Filgrastim, which increases the number of blood-forming cells, the donor will have some blood removed through a needle in their arm. Blood-forming cells are separated out of the blood and the rest is filtered back through the other arm. Marrow donation is another method of donating and is a surgical procedure. The donor is anesthetized while a doctor inserts a needle into the pelvic bone and extracts liquid bone marrow. The procedure is not painful, but the donor might feel soreness in the back for one to two weeks afterward. “I think it’s a great cause,” clinical rotation junior Leah Tanner said. “I think people have major

4 Long-distance friendships

Allen High School // Issue 6 // April 18, 2012

feature

New Jersey students visit to meet PALs

story by Saher Aqeel & Rebecca Barney // staff writers owboys, horse back riding and rodeos. The life of an average Texan, according to the New Jersey students of Linden High School. At least, until they visited Texas. Ten students from Linden High School in New Jersey visited the high school from March 29 through April 1 as part of The Tale of Two Cities project, where every two years one school visits the other. Both schools have held video conferences with each other for the past 10 years because of 9/11. This was the third time Linden students visited Texas. “It’s amazing because we have been texting for such a long time now,” Linden junior Hannah Solon said. “It’s been two years since the PALs came to New Jersey, so it [was] really nice to see them finally.” Each of the students from Linden was paired with a primary and secondary PAL from the high school based on their interests and the activities they are involved in. Primary PALs stayed with their partner during the entire time they were visiting, while it was optional for secondary PALs.

“A lot of good has come out of so much tragedy,” Walker said. “But that’s what this is about, this good coming out of evil.” The video conferences are about an hour, and occur every three or four weeks. Senior Haley Riley said that in the video conferences the students hold in-depth discussions. “We get into really good discussions about politics and holidays,” Riley said. “That’s just fun trying to see how everyone does things differently.” Linden junior Kristina Taylor, senior Anthony Wohlrab and Solon said that they have enjoyed the experience in Texas. “I expanded my friendship out of New Jersey with the kids from Texas,” Wohlrab said. “I talk to them all the time. I feel like it’s family down here, and that I can always rely on them when I need them even though they are so far away. If I need someone to talk to, they will all be here for me.” Whitaker said that meeting the New Jersey students has impacted her life by the way she views others. “Both sides were able to see the different life styles,” Whitaker said. “That the stereotypes aren’t there, that we are exactly the same person,

Madyson Russell

Welcome home A breakfast held in honor of the Linden High School visit is shared by the New Jersey and PALs. The breakfast was provided by culinary students of Blú for the 10th anniversary of the Linden-Allen PALs partnership. “I feel like it’s family down here,” Linden senior Anthony Wohlrab said, “and that I can always rely on them when I need them even though they are so far away.”

we just live hundreds and hundreds of miles away.” Riley said that the entire experience has made her rethink the things she takes for granted. “It makes me grateful for what we have here,” Riley said. “It’s just interesting to see how the other side of the country lives, just how everything’s different but we’re still

so alike.” Mitchell said she considers the New Jersey students family now, and plans to visit them in the future with the other PALs. “They will forever be my brothers and sisters,” Mitchell said. “I don’t even think of them as Jersey kids anymore. I’m glad the PALS group got to get closer too.”

Masters of music

Three students demonstrate different ways to perform

The Eagle Angle

“I don’t think it really was a difference between primary and secondary,” senior Marissa Whitaker said. “We all just came together and we just had more people.” During their stay, the Linden students shadowed their partners for half a day at school, visited the stockyards in Fort Worth where they watched a rodeo, attended a Wranglers game and toured Cowboys stadium and Dallas. “The football stadium, they were amazed by that,” Whitaker said. “Up there [football] isn’t that big.” The students stayed at the PALs’ homes along with other PALs, with at least two students at each house. “If they were staying at a hotel it would’ve felt more disconnected versus living in [a PALs’] house, where we slept under the same roof,” senior Ryan McNutt said. “We spent the whole night together.” Prior PALs sponsor, Luan Green, began video conferencing with the students from Linden shortly after 9/11 because Green knew a technology director from Linden, who came up with the idea. JD Walker, the current PALs sponsor, said it was so the students could express their feelings and concerns.

story by Rebecca Moss // staff writer

ophomore Cameron King creates instrumental videos for rap and hip hop artists and has created two dubstep songs. King has produced 21 videos on his channel, Nobility Productions, with 125,000 views on his most popular video. YouTube and Google advertise on his videos that contain all original material, and King receives seven cents for every person that clicks on an advertisement. How long does it usually take you to make a video or write a song? To make a song, it usually takes anywhere from three hours to three days, and that really depends on how I am feeling about the song, or what I am trying to with it. Why do you make videos? I do them to just express myself. And then I started uploading them on YouTube because I just wanted to get them out there and possibly get a little money. How do you feel when you make videos? I am excited to see what people think about the songs that I made. Has promoting ads changed the popularity of your videos? When I first started doing it, it was because I had a huge spike in the views for my videos. When I started advertising, I really noticed that my videos were attracting more attention, and my total subscribers jumped up, and my total views jumped up. So yeah, I guess it did change the popularity of my videos. photos by Saher Aqeel, Madyson Russell and Nicole Welch

story by Victoria Erb & Jennifer Wagoner // staff writers

s a Christian singer and song writer, senior Chelsea Pilgrim has played guitar, written songs and sang for five years. She also plays the ukulele, piano, acoustic guitar and bass guitar. Pilgrim performs covers, as well as her own songs, at Yogurtville and performed her newest single, “All Things New,” at the Puttin’ on the Hits talent show. How did you get involved in music? My dad’s a professional musician, so I’ve just kind of grown up around it. It kind of sparked my interest because I’ve always been singing since I was little, so as I got older I wanted to write. Have any particular artists influenced you? Not really. I just kind of grew up listening to a lot of Christian music, which is why I want to be a worship leader, and all that kind of stuff. I get influenced by a lot of people, like a lot of artists and stuff. I’ll listen to something and I’ll want to try something like that, so it’s not anything in particular. Why do you think music is important? Music is important because anyone can relate to it no matter where you come from. It’s very diverse and there’s a style or genre for everyone, so I think that’s why it’s really important to have music. What influenced you to write your song “Heal My Soul?” I think it was one day when I was feeling down in the dumps and so I was just praying and kind of needing a new song because I hadn’t written one in a long time. And so I was like, ‘okay, whatever is broken, it needs to be fixed.’

story by Neha Singh // staff writer

n preparation for a possible major in music education, junior Joseph Vasinda offers private lessons to a freshman, composes music and plays the clarinet, the bass clarinet, the piano and the french horn. Vasinda has participated as a member of the high school band since sixth grade and has performed with the Lone Star Wind Orchestra and the Richardson Symphony Orchestra. Out of teaching, composing and performing, which do you enjoy the most? Well, it’s a tie between performing and composing, because when I compose, and it’s a really good piece of music, I get this amazing feeling out of doing it. And when I play, and the sound just plays out beautifully, I mean, there’s no other feeling like it. Why do you do extra performances outside of band? Mostly because playing music calms me down a lot. I have a very obsessive personality, and playing music helps me calm down, and I don’t have to think about stressful things while playing. Why do you want a career in music? I want to pursue music mainly because that’s what would make me feel best about myself, and I just can’t imagine doing anything else, or feeling the same way while doing anything else. How do you feel about music in general? Music is like my religion, because it helps me with so much, just in my daily life. It helps me calm down, and it’s with me all the time. I don’t know where I’d be without it.

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Party like a politician

Senior attempts to become Ron Paul delegate

average student at AHS I think cares zero about politics, and I would say I care a lot.” In the 2008 election, 18-29 year olds made up only 17 percent of the voters, despite the fact that they made up 21 percent of the eligible voter population according to projectvote. org. Lostoski said he believes more students should be politically active. “Young people in this country say politicians aren’t doing anything to help them, that’s because young people don’t vote,” Lotosksi said. “And I think if you’re politically active then they’re forced to answer to you.” Also according to projectvote. org, if citizens younger than 30 had voted at the same rate as those 30 and over, 7 million more ballots could have been cast in the 2008 election. Lostoski’s mother, Cindi, said she believes her son as a youth could make a difference in politics. “I think young people have that fresher outlook and are more get up and go,” Mrs. Lostoski said. “And I think we need that.” Although Lostoski said he does not plan to run for president, he wants to remain involved with politics through his dream job, writing for Steven Colbert as a political satirist. “I like people who can keep politicians in check by just mocking them,” Lostoski said. “And [if] I practiced doing that [when] I started to pretend to run for president [then] it’s been a success.” Although Mrs. Lostoski said she has always voted in the national and local election, her sons have helped her become more interested in politics. “They have got me listening more,” Mrs. Lostoski said. “I mean I always try to read and see what the candidates stand for, but they have got me even more so [in] watching

Cory Fleck

For the cause Senior Jacob Lostoski attended Ron Paul’s town hall meeting at Will Roger’s Memorial Center in Fort Worth. On April 11, over 3,000 people came for Ron Paul’s speech.

videos. Its been good for me also to get more involved.” Lostoski said Paul is his role model and that he supports the values Paul represents, such as ending the Federal Reserve, opposing undeclared wars, supporting Austrian economics that do not restrict the free market and restoring the civil liberties granted by the Constitution. “He’s an honest guy, he has good moral values. He stands for the truth,” Lostoski said. “I think that’s admirable.” Lostoski said he thinks that people do not want to be politically active because they worry their friends might think they are lame or boring. “I don’t think that’s true, I think

Foxy Nails

people that [make fun of people who like politics] are the people that aren’t helping this country in any way,” Lostoski said. “People who want to be interested but they care what people think, they should just stop caring what people think. They might make fun of you a little bit but ultimately they’re going to respect you for what you do. If people are really your friends, they’re not going to care if you’re interested in politics or not. I think it’s a good thing to be interested in and I think if everyone was interested in it we would have a better political system in this country.” contiributions from Dylan French & Folake Olayinka

210 Central Expwy. Suite #84 Allen, TX 75013 (next to Target, Chuck E Cheese)

Allen High School // Issue 6 // April 18, 2012

Tampa, Florida. “That’s not the end all be all, to become a delegate,” Lostoski said. “It’s just to help others and to support the same candidate as me, and really I want to be a team player. I want to do my part in this process, and I want to do everything I can.” Lostoski said he did not support anyone in the Republican Party until seeing Paul’s speech in the Iowa caucus, although he first became interested in politics from his twin brother, Lucas, and their friends. “I think it’s fascinating, and it’s not as boring as people think,” Lostoski said. “At first glance, you might think so, but it’s not really that bad.” After seeing a Rick Perry campaign ad stating his opposition to gays serving in the military, Lostoski and his brother decided to make satirical YouTube videos campaigning Lostoski as a presidential candidate, as well as a video called “Do the Ron Paul,” a remix of “Do the John Wall.” He also created a Facebook and Twitter page for his campaign. “I think anytime you can make politics more fun for the average student, that’s important because you’re giving them away to enjoy it and not just forcing it down their throat,” Lostoski said. According to Anthony Corrado, a government professor at Maine’s Colby College, delegates are often party activists, local political leaders or early supporters of a given candidate. In the 2008 elections, the average age for the Republican delegates was 56. Lostoski is not yet 18 but has already registered to vote because a Texas citizen can register at 17 years and 10 months. “I think if more people voted, our leaders will be more accountable,” Lostoski said. “But the

feature

story by Lydia Gardner // managing editor he crowd chants for “President Paul” in unison. The diverse crowd ranges in age, gender and race. The man standing in front of senior Jacob Lostoski and his friends has hair down to his lower back. The man standing next to him wears a suit, and another is covered with tattooes up his arms and neck. But Lostoski and his friends are the ones who will be featured in photos and stories in The Dallas Morning News, The Fort Worth Star Telegram, The Miami Herald and other news publications across the nation. The bright red “R” across his bare chest draws everyone’s attention. Standing next to his friends, they spell out “RON!” “When people see their friends or someone they know enthusiastic about a cause, it makes them think about it,” Lostoski said. On March 27, Lostoski received a phone call from a representative from Ron Paul’s campaign in Dallas, asking him to train to become a delegate for Ron Paul. A delegate is a supporter chosen to represent Texas at party conventions before the presidential elections. “I think it’s important to have political activism,” Lostoski said. “If you really like a candidate you should go about helping them in any way you can and for me I like Ron Paul, and I really want to help him in any way I can and if that means becoming a delegate, that is what I’ll do.” Lostoski will attend the Collin County Delegate Convention on April 21, where registered voters choose which candidates will attend the state convention. From there, the chosen delegates vote amongst themselves for who will represent Texas at the national convention in

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Danger in a c

Extreme energy drink c

story by Dymielle Desquitado & Shaylon Miller // staff writers

ong term effects of excess caffeine can lead to insomnia, high blood pressure,

heart disease, headaches and overdose which could result in death. This ulcers,

year more than 500 types of energy drinks were manufactured and shipped around the world, according to the Health Center at the University of New Hampshire. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey reports that teenagers, usually between

ages 12 to 19, consume more of these sugary drinks than any other age group. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the energy drink industry attracts

30 to 50 percent of teenage audiences by advertising an increase in energy, weight loss, health benefits and an enhancement in mental performances. In reality, energy drinks can cause an

addictive sensation

to its consumers. Recoveryconnection.org said that

50 percent

of adolescents

consuming these drinks develop an energy

drink addiction.

Why do you drink energy

drinks or why do you

“I sometimes will drink

“I drink them because

a Monster because it

the taste is like a

tastes good, but I don’t

stronger version of

drink them for the

coke and I like the fizzy

energy.”

feeling I get when I drink them.”

Kira Gomez junior

Benny Ma sophomore

Tiffany Jean senior

can

consumption affects students Junior Lindsey Colvin consumes two to three energy drinks per week. She said she drinks them to have energy during varsity color guard practices, her job at Aeropostale and babysitting her baby brother. “Monsters and Rockstars keep me going,” Colvin said. “They keep me awake but not for a very long time. Just [enough] to keep me awake in class, and I like the taste. It’s probably not good for me, but they’re good.” The effects of caffeine in one energy drink can last approximately 36 hours. Caffeine from energy drinks can potentially cause harmful side effects such as heart palpitations, increased blood pressure, dehydration, sleeplessness, irritability, increased bone loss, upset stomach, increased urination and anxiety according to the Family and Community Health Sciences of The State University of New Jersey. Senior Rachel Hayes’ older sister was hospitalized two years ago from a caffeine overdose after drinking too many Red Bulls caused her to have a minimal heart attack. Hayes said her sister drank two to four Red Bulls per day. “Drink energy drinks in moderation,” Hayes said. “Don’t have them every day. If anything, I would say to drink them only when you have to. You may think that you need it, but in reality, it may just be something that you can live without, and you’re just being stubborn in your brain.” According to a CBS news story on 5 Hour Energy drinks in 2011, one shot has 207 milligrams of caffeine, 15 percent more than the 180 milligrams found in an 8 ounce cup of Starbucks Bold. Senior Kyle Patterson consumes 5 Hour Energy drinks approximately once a month before major tests such as the ACT and SAT tests, and Academic Decathlon in order to keep him awake. 5 Hour Energy claims to have five hour alert effectiveness, but its ingredients are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration according to the studies from

Vanderbilt University. “[For] the commercials that say it’s good to do it every day, I think that’s just dumb,” Patterson said. “Eventually you would just get used to it and [it] wouldn’t do any good anymore.” Junior/senior nurse Vicky Bayer said that the caffeine in energy drinks has neurological and cardiovascular effects from untested ingredients and there is no evidence of user benefits. “I basically drink water, tea [and] some diet coke,” Bayer said. “I don’t like things that mess with your heart and knowing that there [are] things in there that [have] not been proven to be safe.” The amount of sugar and sodium is also irregularly high in energy drinks. In comparison to 16 fluid ounces of Pepsi, with 47 milligrams of sodium and 55 grams of sugar in one can, Monster Energy holds 360 milligrams of sodium and 54 grams of sugar in their 16 fluid ounce cans. These high amounts of sodium and sugar induce heart palpitations and increase insulin levels. “It’s an over caffeinated rush of caffeine just suddenly [hitting] your system,” Hayes said. “It just makes you go ‘Yay! I’m happy and excited.’ Then 2 minutes later, crash.” As a result of drinking energy drinks for breakfast, Bayer said she has had students come into her office with rapid heart rates, dizziness, vomiting and faintness. “I think that [students] do want to get that little effect where you have that heightened awareness you’re feeling good,” Bayer said. “I also think that it’s popular. I think marketing has helped develop that, and I think that education has not counteracted that by telling people the problems that you can have with it.” Ginseng, a common ingredient in energy drinks, is harmless if ingested in moderation according to research done by Vanderbilt University. But drinking more than three a day which Monster warns against on the can, can severely lower blood sugar levels along with causing cramps, headaches

and diarrhea. The sugar, sodium and ginseng of more than three cans can prove deadly for anyone with diabetes or heart conditions by decreasing blood sugar and increasing insulin levels along with irregular heartbeats. Despite the negative effects, energy drinks contain vitamins and herbs, including Vitamins B, C and B12, which help increase cell growth, produce red blood cells and enhance immunity. Sophomore Dakota Stark, who drinks one energy drink each morning, said that he personally has not felt the negative effects. “It doesn’t affect my extracurricular sports outside of school [like] mixed martial arts, power lifting and football,” Stark said. “If anything, I honestly think it’s kept me more alert. It kind of [keeps] me on my toes.” Stark said that he mostly drinks the new Monster Absolutely 0 energy drink, which has no calories or sugar in it, so he supports the idea for students to drink energy drinks as frequently as he does. In fact, Monster Absolutely 0 contains 8.4 milligrams per fluid ounce of caffeine compared to the Monster Hitman Sniper and the Rockstar Energy shot at 80 milligrams per fluid ounce. “Caffeine has different effects on different people, and they should use that accordingly,” Stark said. “But the people kind of like me, caffeine doesn’t affect them in super extensive way, like I’m not jumping off the walls, but I feel mentally more able to stay awake and pay attention.” For Hayes, her sister’s heart attack was enough to keep her from drinking energy drinks but not caffeine. “I drink a lot of coffee, don’t get me wrong, but that’s a less concentration of caffeine than one whole thing of [energy drinks],” Hayes said. “I’m like one of Starbuck’s best customers, I think, by now.”

Which is healthier? Energy drinks or a 12 f luid ounce coffee?

Caffeine

The recommended daily dose of caffeine is 300

milligrams.

250-294 mg of caffeine 132-240 mg of caffeine One serving size of an energy drink is 8 f luid ounces but a typical energy drink can have 2-3 serving sizes which increases caffeine content.

Caffeine content in coffees varies between types and size.

Sugar

The recommended daily dose of sugar is 20-36 on gender and age.

0-30 g of sugar

grams depending

0 g of sugar

Energy drinks use sweeteners to give them taste. Depending on the brand and type, there are several options that are either sugar free or reduced sugar.

Coffee does not contain sugar. However, add-ins such as milk, table sugar or creamer can add to its overall sugar content.

Sodium

The recommended daily dose of sodium is 2,300

milligrams.

20-200 mg of sodium 0-7.8 mg of sodium Electrolytes, such as sodium, are typically found in energy and sports drinks. High doses of electrolytes can have adverse side effects, though.

This amount of sodium that is found in coffee is not harmful, but other caffeinated drinks at coffee shops such as lattes and iced coffee often have much higher concentrations of sodium. Information from pediatrics.aappublications.org globalassets.starbucks.com mayoclinc.com

not drink energy drinks? “I don’t drink energy

“I don’t drink energy

“I don’t think that

drinks because I think

drinks all the time

energy drinks are bad

they’re unhealthy and

because they aren’t

for you, I just choose not

at the end of the day it

good for you but when

to drink them.”

just makes me feel more

I’m up with friends or

tired.”

I want to stay up late I Diego Rotea junior

always buy a couple.”

Blanche Mina junior

Reviewing with an angle

Allen High School // Issue 6 // April 18, 2012

opinions

Hungry for some games

Staying ‘Up All Night’ to listen to debut album story by Victoria Erb // staff writer

had anticipated the day One Direction debuted their first album in the United States for months. I had listened to all the songs endlessly on YouTube, but I knew holding the smooth, shiny, plastic case in my hands would make the music 10 times better. Downloading the whole CD onto my iPod instead of logging into YouTube would make things so much easier. I could finally listen to my favorite songs wherever or whenever I wanted. One Direction, comprised of Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson, placed third on the reality TV show “The X Factor U.K.” in 2010. Their first album, “Up All Night,” was released on March 13 and debuted at No. 1, selling 176,000 copies in the first week. Their first single, “What Makes You Beautiful,” is an upbeat song that makes everybody want to get up and dance. When I listen to the lyrics, I sometimes feel as if the song was written for me when watching the music video because of the way the boys sing to the camera. I am so obsessed with this song that, according to my iTunes, I listened to it 848 times in about two weeks. Another great pop tune is “One Thing.” I instantly fell in love with this song because of the perfect harmonies. Their voices blend together so well it is almost

Maggie Rains

Get outta control Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson of One Direction perform at the Dr. Pepper Ballpark on March 24 in front of a crowd of screaming fans.

impossible to tell that there is more than one vocalist. Many groups, such as The Black Eyed Peas, try to sound like that and fail, but One Direction hit the nail on the head. I haven’t ever heard a group whose voices blend so well. My favorite song on the album is “I Wish.” I first fell in love with it because the boys’ voices are crystal clear. It is one of the slower songs, but I think many people will like it because it is so relatable as the boys sing about seeing a girl they like with someone else. Whether jealous over

the latest gadget or a newer car, the feeling is universal. The most emotional song, “Moments,” is only available on the special edition version of the album, which has two more songs than the regular version. The song brought tears to my eyes after listening to the lyrics for the first time. Many slow songs are hard to listen to patiently because they are so drawn out, but this one leaves more to be desired. When the song ends, I don’t know if I should cry because of the emotions of the song or because it is over.

I always keep this album close to me because it has a song for everybody. I find myself singing along at the top of my lungs whether I am alone in my car or with a group of friends. Whether a fan of upbeat pop songs or ballads, the harmonies and solos featured on “Up All Night” will make everyone melt and instantly fall in love with these boys from across the pond. For additional coverage check out Maggie and Victoria’s review about the One Direction event on theeagleangle.com.

‘C is for cookie, that’s good enough for me’ A

nxious faces stand outside of grocery stories and malls, eyes pleading and arms stacked with colored cardboard boxes.Yes, it’s Girl Scout cookie season again, and to determine the AHS favorite, The Eagle Angle polled 246 students to see which cookie has the most fans.

story & graphic by Aafiya Jamal // staff writer

Savannah Smiles 4.89% Samoas 34.28%

Tagalongs 17.95%

Thin Mints 36.36%

Do-Si-Dos 2.04% The Eagle Angle

story by Jessica Alaniz // staff writer ongratulations, Hollywood, you didn’t mess this one up. “Hunger Games,” the highly anticipated movie based on Suzanne Collins’ best-seller about future America, chronicles 24 teenagers fight to the death. The movie, which grossed $214.3 million opening weekend, is the third highest selling movie to date on opening weekend, beating all of the Twilight movies. The heroine, Katniss Everdeen, played by Jennifer Lawrence, lives with her mother and sister in District 12, formerly known as Appalachia. Her best friend, Gale, played by Liam Hemsworth, illegally hunts outside of the district fence with her in order to survive. Director Gary Ross couldn’t have chosen a better cast. Every actor was spot on and the movie stayed true to the book. Woody Harrelson perfectly captures the character of Haymitch Abernathy, the washed up mentor of Katniss and Peeta, played by Josh Hutcherson, in just the right way. Although in the book Haymitch can barely stand because he is drunk all the time, in the movie he gives off a caring and humorous vibe when talking to Effie, the District 12 escort. Ross couldn’t have chosen a better Haymitch. In the book Madge, the mayor’s daughter, gives Katniss the mockingjay pin, but in the movie her sister, Prim, gives her the pin. I have to admit that I was kind of annoyed at this at first but then I realized it made the sisters seem closer. In the book Katniss explains just how close they are, but I think Ross made a good choice in making Prim give the pin. I was disappointed when the heated scene that Collins’ created in the cave between Katniss and Peeta never rose above normal temperature. In fact the movie didn’t revolve around the love triangle between Gale, Katniss and Peeta. There is a scene where Gale looks jealous, but that’s as close as it comes to a love triangle. Most who have read the book probably have picked a side, team Gale or team Peeta, but those who watch the movie will not know the love triangle exists like in the books. Maybe it’s a good thing. There are so many romance movies and love triangles that maybe the movie scene needs a female heroine. Over all Hunger Games is the movie to see and could win plenty of awards in the future. It has drama, romance and comedy. In the beginning you might cry when Prim is called, but by the end you’ll be cheering for the “girl on fire” when she makes a statement that could change her life forever -“May the odds be ever in your favor.”

Trefoils 4.48%

polling by Kate Conroy & Kacey Wilson Visit theeagleangle.com to read Aafiya’s review of Girl Scout cookies.

Gimmicky generation W

Army (LRA) are still alive, the LRA’s numbers are not in the hundreds of thousands, nor do they include child soldiers at this point. A December 2011 report from the Social Science Research Council shows that the LRA’s numbers are around 250, but at the height of their reign these numbers were well over the thousands, raising the question of how much of a priority this should become for the American people. Uganda had a humanitarian crisis that needed foreign help almost seven years ago.Where was the public interest then? Social media and networking sites have made it easier to get behind causes but most people do not delve deeper into the protests, campaigns or fundraisers they are supporting.

At the height of Occupy Wall Street, eight percent of protesters were “unsure of what they would like to see the movement accomplish,” according to data from Kiplinger, Wall Street Journal and Fast Company. I do not understand how someone can call him or herself a protester but not even know what they are protesting. This generation looks at Woodstock and the protests of the late 60s and early 70s and believes that they can make a change just like that generation did. And while I commend the people who want to make a difference, it is not great if you do not know what you are standing for. “Kony 2012” effectively stirred public interest. However, while it is admirable for people to care about

an issue, it’s a disheartening to see people care about an issue that happened seven years ago. It is foolish to donate money to a cause and social problem that no longer exists as violently as the video makes it appear. It was solved without Western help and viral videos. Uganda is not the most stable country in the world but it is definitely not the war-torn jungle the video makes it look like. The difference between the information generation and baby boomers is that they knew what they believed. They did not need flashy, gimmicky videos to get their point across and have people join their cause. The sooner we realize this the faster we can get things accomplished and stop things as they are occurring, not after the fact.

opinions

story by Kayla Graves // co-editor-in-chief hen the video “Kony 2012” was released I was eager to watch it because of my previous involvement with the Invisible Children organization. I was actively involved with setting up fundraisers, tours and awareness campaigns for the last five years and loved the fact that people were finally noticing something that desperately needed attention. However, after watching it a second time, I realized something:

this video is completely disrespectful to the people suffering in Northern Africa. I understand that the point of the video was to gain western support and awareness, but if that means exploiting problems such as mutilation and death then putting it into a catchy, well produced video, count me out. If the way to gain public interest about an issue that happened almost a decade ago is through inaccurate videos and testimonies then I do not feel confident about this generation’s ability to problem solve and use proper judgment. “Kony 2012” depicts several scenes that lead viewers to believe violence in Uganda still happens. But these shots were taken almost six or seven years ago. And while Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance

In support of the revolution M

but they’ve never really talked about politics. However, my brother, Jacob, and I have become politically active this election because we do care about the future of our country. And we feel Ron Paul will lead us in the right direction. It is usually against The Eagle Angle’s policy to publish a story about a staff writer’s family member, but this is an exception. The staff chose to write a story about my twin brother because of his desire to inform himself and others about our political process, which is unfortunately unique amongst students at the high school. My brother and I have gone above and beyond even the average adult voter by figuring out how to train to become delegates for Ron

Paul - a complicated process that entails filling out an application, going before a committee, attending training sessions and then attending the county convention. We even have convinced our mom, who has never voted for a Republican in her life, to vote for Ron Paul. We bought a bumper sticker and placed it proudly on our Chevy Malibu. We created a rap and a dance, and posted it on YouTube and made a Facebook about how cool Ron Paul is. We also made satirical presidential campaign videos on YouTube to hopefully raise some interest in politics, while also providing a few laughs at the expense of our “awesome” governor Rick “Oops” Perry. We also painted “RON!” on

our chests at a recent Ron Paul rally. Political activism amongst teenagers may be stunted. But it is not dead. My brother and I are proof. By getting our friends, as well as ourselves, out to vote we are making a statement that we refuse the status quo. Everyone should become active in the political process because voting is the very lifeblood of democracy. Without voting, we accept the idea that we have the power to change nothing. And I choose to vote for the very ideal that my hero, Ron Paul, campaigns for. I vote “for liberty.”

Go to Page 7 to read about Lucas’s brother, Jacob Lostoski.

Win in College

Allen High School // Issue 6 // April 18, 2012

story by Lucas Lostoski // sports editor r. Sullivan’s government class taught me a chilling statistic: nine percent of people 1824 years old vote. Nine percent of people my age care about democracy and having a say in who runs our country. I couldn’t help but feel outraged, especially when a kid in my class said, “none of us vote because we don’t care.” We care about cars. We care about shoes. And help us if we miss

the latest episode of “Jersey Shore.” But we don’t care about our country. We don’t care about freedom. We don’t care about politics. What has happened to our priorities in this country? In not voting the government is never held accountable. They will continue to do what they want and take away more and more of our civil liberties. The NDAA. The Patriot Act. President Obama’s new law restricting peaceful protest. You probably don’t know what they are, because you don’t care. But I care. I care even though I don’t come from an overly political family. My mom and dad are both fairly liberal (by Texas standards),

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The Eagle Angle

opinions

14 How to survive an interview story by Kathleen Sinor // staff writer

have always gone to my mother whenever I wanted something. I talk about my grades, achievements and devotion to swimming. Anything to make me look like a superstar who deserves lots of cash. But, I have now come to the point where I want to earn my own money to buy my own things. My mother nags me as she digs in her purse for cash for a movie or trip to the mall so I took matters into my own hands and joined the

job hunt. Along the way I compiled successful ways to get interviewed and luckily, I’m willing to pass them along. I start off an interview day by not getting sleep the night before to ensure that I am on edge and able to answer questions quickly. A breakfast of candy and energy drinks will surely help me stay awake, but just in case I don’t, I bring a pillow with me. When I show up I make sure I look and smell my absolute best. By not showering, my hair will get greasy, giving it lustrous shine and the ability to hold back any stray hairs. Wearing another company’s uniform shows experience, professionalism and that I’m overqualified. If I spray a ton of perfume on me like a teenage boy does

with a can of Axe, my interviewer will know I am coming before I even leave my house. Remember, the more you smell, the better they will remember you. When I am ready to leave my house I always pack myself a smelly lunch to share with the boss. Sharing is an important part of any job, especially feelings, which brings me to making a connection with the person interviewing you. I generally like to envision him or her as my therapist. I always bring Kleenex with me in case I get emotional, since I usually do. If you can not think of a reason to cry or anything emotional to talk about, just make up a subject. Lying is okay because the interviewer will never know.

After a long, stressed out, emotional breakdown, yoga always relaxes me. I bring a mat, some tranquil music, a boom box and a windpipe to jam along to my tunes as I stretch out my emotional insecurities. I am now ready to answer interview questions. Slurring is typically appreciated because it saves time. I always ask the first three questions. Where am I? What am I getting interviewed for? Why am I getting interviewed? There is nothing is more embarrassing then showing up to the wrong interview. Unfortunately, I am unable to predict the questions they will ask, but I guarantee no matter what your answer is, you will most likely get hired if you have followed all the

preparation steps. After the interview has ended I always give the interviewer, other employees and customers hugs. Handshakes are seen as hostile and too serious while hugs display compassion and spunk. I want my employer to know that I am a fun, loving person, considering I am just there to party. These professional tricks can easily help anyone land a fabulously high paying job in the real world, and no one can complain about extra spending money. Happy hunting.

Lack of costumes hurts Simulation experience

story by David Barr // opinions editor

Allen High School // Issue 6 // April 18, 2012

t’s Halloween. You’ve waited for this day all year. You’ve already got your costume all planned out and prepared. You even coordinated with your friends to dress up like you. You rush home to put on that costume, but your parents stop you before you can get to your

room. They tell you that you are still allowed to go trick or treating, but you can’t wear your costume. They say, “It’s still the same, right? You’re just not dressed up.” But it’s the not the same. Not to the freshmen and sophomore class of Phoenix students who were told they were not allowed to dress up this year for the annual Phoenix Simulation. There are certainly understandable concerns that should and need to be addressed, such as dress code and some students getting too “creative,” but this Phoenix student feels as if disallowing underclassmen costumes altogether is detrimental

Factor of race editorial by The Eagle Angle staff n a case over viewing possible racism in college acceptance, Abigail Fisher sued the University of Texas in a dispute that will reach the U.S. Supreme Court in the near future. Racism is a sensitive subject in any situation and the learning environment is no exception. College board members are biased if an applicant has a higher chance of admission only because of their skin color. Although affirmative action is a praiseworthy attempt to create equilibrium between the minority and mainstream, acceptance should relate to a student’s achievements. Many students take advanced courses, study rigorously and take tests with hopes of achieving a satisfying grade. Students who put forth effort deserve an equal opportunity to attend the college of their choice. To get through high school with decent grades is a

difficult prospect for many teenagers. No one deserves a free pass into college because they are a particular race simply to fill a certain quota. In a country where equal opportunities are promoted, students of all backgrounds should face the same standards. If college boards grant a certain group of people entrance over another group with similar scores, this is a blatant disregard to fairness. There should be a solid reason for rejecting somebody’s application into college. This is an important life decision that will possibly affect the applicant for years to come since a graduate will always be branded with the name of their university. Favoring one person over another just because it will make a school more diverse is not an equal opportunity for all. Incidentally, if the roles were reversed with colleges favoring the majority race over their minority counterparts, the word “racist” would

the eagle angle

Allen High School

•

to the intended experience of the Simulation for these students. The atmosphere necessary for a successful Simulation is vital to the Phoenix experience and curriculum, and that atmosphere was not achieved this year. As a senior, I have been through four Simulations, and when students first enter the competition gym for the opening ceremonies, they are always excited to see their friends and compare costumes. This year, however, the kids entered the gym and sat down quietly and waited for instructions. The sophomores were dressed in identical t-shirts they had

designed. During the Simulation, the students participated at a high academic level and should be commended for their efforts with all things considered. However, the energy level at the first two rotations was not very high and it took the students those first two rotations to become engaged. This Simulation was different from my previous experiences and disheartening to see, coming from the perspective of someone who had worked hard to help ensure a successful day. There are plenty of ways to

fly out of peoples’ mouth before a flash of a camera. The intent of the colleges may sound pure, but ultimately the idea of even considering race as a factor to determine acceptance into a university is biased. However, many of the students falling under the term minority feel uncomfortable at a school that is predominately white or filled with the “privileged.” Theoretically, if colleges were judging every student on an even playing field, the race of the admitted should not matter. If those admitted were fairly chosen, the ethnicities should create an even mix depending on the people who applied. To maintain the idea of equal opportunities, colleges should remove the question of ethnicity and stop the practice of taking this information into consideration. Favoritism is a flavor of prejudice. Illustration by Kayla Graves

30 Rivercrest Blvd. Allen, Texas 75002

•

972-727-0400

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EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Kayla Graves Nicole Welch

MANAGING EDITOR The Eagle Angle

Lydia Gardner

BUSINESS MANAGER Esther Yang

ONLINE EDITOR Kailey Warren

OPINIONS EDITOR David Barr

PHOTO EDITOR Katie Borchert

SPORTS EDITOR Lucas Lostoski

STAFF WRITERS

Aafiya Jamal Akshay Mirchandani Breanne McCallop Bryant Arias Carly Osterman Conner Martin Cory Fleck Dymielle Desquitado Elaine Kirby Emily Cantwell

ensure that objectionable costumes are not allowed, and that school dress code is followed. Students could present their costumes to teachers prior to Simulation day for approval, and have teachers posted by the gym to make sure no one sneaks in wearing an inappropriate costume. Wearing a costume was not only just a fun thing to do, it was a creative outlet for me as a Phoenix student. Some students took an immense amount of pride in their costume, and spent hours preparing it. Eliminating costumes stifles those outlets for underclassmen, and the Simulation experience as a whole.

Folake Olayinka Grace Lee Haly Nguyen Jennifer Wagoner Jessica Alaniz Jessica Nason Jessie Hamze Kacey Wilson Kate Conroy Kathleen Sinor Madyson Russell

Maggie Rians Mckenzi Morris Molli Boyd Neha Singh Nilanjana Pati Rebecca Barney Rebecca Moss Saher Aqeel Shaylon Miller Victoria Erb Zachariah Avellanet

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Policy: 900 copies of each issue are distributed on campus to faculty and students. Content may be viewed online at www.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 Callie Wiesner, newspaper adviser, at 972-727-0400 x 1609. 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 Confer-

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ence and JEA/NSPA.

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Buy story by Akshay Mirchandani // staff writer

story by Cory Fleck // staff writer

trash and flat out degrading the opposition. Celebrating is enjoying the sweet feeling of victory with your teammates. Pointing your finger to the sky would in no way fall under taunting. In fact, celebrating is part of the charm of sports. I attended one of our boys high school basketball games this year against the McKinney Boyd Broncos. It was a double overtime thriller where the Eagles hit a shot at the end of regulation that ended up sending the game into overtime. They celebrated. It wasn’t a “boastful celebration,” nor was it taunting. No harm done. But think about what might have happened if the referees slapped the Eagles with a technical for it. Fans would have screamed about how idiotic that was, and that’s probably how the people in that Boston high school felt. There is a very easy way to fix the issue. Student athletes shouldn’t taunt their opposition because it’s classless, foolish and unsportsmanlike. But they should be allowed to have some fun by celebrating once in a while, and excessive celebration should result in a technical foul or penalty as usual. In my eyes, excessive celebration is plain stupidity and a sign of disrespect. The best thing to do after an athlete makes a big time play is to high five his teammates, or even throw up a fist pump, not put on a Broadway show. Enjoying yourself and your sport is one thing, but acting like a fool is a completely different thing. High school leagues shouldn’t make a big deal out of a small issue.

ports, particularly at the high school level, have always possessed a unifying quality. The thrill of “the big game” unites players together, and rallies groups of people together behind a common goal. However, a recent trend has emerged where an increasing number of student athletes are no longer respecting this tradition of the game. Excessive celebration and an overall sense of arrogance have become far too common in high school athletics. Yes, sports are exciting, and yes when you score you should want to celebrate, but the level of taunting has risen to a ridiculous point. I personally blame the increasing spread of professional culture into high school sports. Most high school athletes have dreams of going pro, so when they see athletes gloat they assume that in order to seem professional they must do the same thing. The problem with that idea is that there is a different mentality in professional sports and high school sports. The biggest difference is that professional athletes are paid. If the pros don’t want a player to celebrate then it is their job to stop them. In high school, everyone on the field is playing for the love of the game and a majority of them will never go pro. So when you pump your fist as you run into the end zone or go to your knees after scoring a big goal, you are insulting the other team, whether you mean to or not. It’s getting worse, too. While watching the Little League World Series I was appalled to see just how far the deterioration of sportsmanship

has gone.These 12-year-old kids were pumping their fists after strikeouts and were generally lacking hustle. When this happens you no longer view the athletes as kids who are still learning how to play the game. It creates a sense of arrogance in the children so that they no longer believe that they have to work. This mentality threatens the whole foundation of amateur sports. When people tolerate or encourage excessive celebration, students begin to take the game far too seriously, resulting in more than just hurt feelings and a lack of sportsmanship. The state championship hockey game last year was the perfect example of what can happen when people take sports too seriously.Towards the end of the game a massive brawl ensued, resulting in several injuries. I firmly believe that this only occurred because fighting has become so ingrained in the culture of professional hockey that student athletes no longer view it as a big deal. I know that this is an extreme scenario, but it’s a good example of what happens when you bring a pro mentality to a high school game. It ends badly and it breaks down the unifying quality that makes high school sports so magical. I’m not saying that players shouldn’t get excited, but when showing this excitement, don’t become cocky. You can cherish the victory without making the other team feel terrible about losing. Share this moment with your team and with your fans outside of the stadium. But on the field or court, let your playing do the talking.

Allen High School // Issue 6 // April 18, 2012

ictor Cruz dances the salsa in the end zone when he catches a touchdown pass. Jason Terry spreads his arms out like wings after he hits a big shot to prove that “the ‘Jet’ is on the runway.” Aaron Rodgers pretends to wear an invisible championship belt every time he rushes in for a touchdown. Whatever the case is, showboating has become a part of the world of sports. However, for the most part it’s not allowed in high school sports. The UIL student athletes code of conduct states student athletes are not allowed to engage in any “boastful celebrations,” and frankly I don’t understand why. Showboating during games is a part of sports and there is no stopping it. I’m not saying that student athletes should showboat every time they score or make a big play, but there is nothing wrong with celebrating once in a while. Here’s how ridiculous this rule has become: a Boston high school football team lost in the state championship because the winning touchdown was negated. When the quarterback was rushing the ball in for the touchdown that would have sealed the deal, he raised his arm and pointed his index finger up to the sky. The referees eliminated the touchdown because they felt the quarterback was taunting his opponent.The school ended up losing the game and the state championship. First of all, the quarterback was not taunting, but exhibiting the pure joy of winning. There is a huge difference. Taunting involves talking

sports

Should high schools allow student athletes to celebrate?

The road to the Final Four story by Cory Fleck // staff writer

the country. As we walked down the street we could hear the cheers from all the different visiting groups. There were stores lining the streets and restaurants selling more items with alligator than I had ever seen in my life. Every inch of Bourbon Street was filled with disgusting people and a foul smell seemed to follow us wherever we went, but it would be a difficult task to find a more interesting street in the country. After our walk we went back to the stadium to prepare for the game. The Superdome was built in 1975 and I guess people were a lot smaller back then, because the seats did not seem like they were big enough to support human beings. We were also sitting in section 600 which, if you know anything about the way that stadiums design their structures, is about as far away from the court as you can possibly be. But wait, it gets worse. I would estimate that the man sitting next to me was around 400 pounds. The seats were barely equipped to

handle sixth graders so this man took up his whole seat plus 70 percent of mine. So there I was, hanging off of the edge of my seat, 300 feet above the court. But none of it mattered, because I was at the Final Four. The first game tipped off: Louisville vs. Kentucky. At first I couldn’t decide which team I wanted to lose more, but the Kentucky fans made this a very easy decision. Every stereotype that has been said about someone from Kentucky seemed to be embodied in this fan base. When Kentucky fans weren’t cheering nonsense like “put that in a barge and send it down to the river city” after a dunk they were making incoherent drunken whoops and hollers that echoed around the entire stadium. It felt like I was trapped between three real lifeYosemite Sams. I swear, Kentucky is more Texan than Texas. The most disappointing aspect of the night was that Kentucky won so they got to keep their self-satisfied smiles.

Thankfully after the Kentucky game, my neighbor left making sure to part with “Kansas is gonna whoop Ohio State,” knowing fully that I was a fan of them. He truly symbolized the class that is ingrained in all Kentucky fans. Now that I had the seat to myself I could fully watch the game, one of the greatest games that I have been able to see live. Unfortunately both of the teams that I had rooted for lost, but it still didn’t matter. I had watched two Final Four games, something that many people never experience their entire lives. Despite all of the minor annoyances, the losses, the 400 pound man and the evil Kentucky fans, it still is the greatest sporting event I have attended. I will remember it for the rest of my life, and I hope that one day I can go to another one. But hopefully, Kentucky won’t be there. I really don’t like Kentucky.

The Eagle Angle

he majority of my bucket list includes sporting events: the Super Bowl, a World Series clincher, but the item at the very top of my list was to see Final Four games. For any of this to make sense, I need to first emphasize how much I love college basketball. It’s a lot. March Madness is absolutely the most exciting event in sports. Seeing the underdogs like Lehigh beat the overly cocky teams like Duke is a thrill unmatched in any other sport. I love the raw passion of both the fans and players of college basketball. During spring break I worked close to 60 total hours, including a 20-hour shift, and lost a small portion of my soul that I may never recover. I

decided to use the money made from that week to do something I’ve always wanted to do. Along with two friends, I bought tickets to the two Final Four games in New Orleans. As it turns out, New Orleans is pretty far away. We all piled into my 1998 Toyota Camry at 4 a.m. and started the nine hour drive to the Big Easy. The metaphorical road to the Final Four is extremely exciting, filled with competitive games and buzzer beaters. The literal road to the Final Four might be one of the most boring things in existence. Due to my fundamental misunderstanding of time zones (it turns out that New Orleans isn’t in the Eastern Standard Time zone) and heavy speeding, we managed to arrive five hours before the game, so we decided to walk down Bourbon Street. From what I have heard, the French Quarter is pretty crazy no matter when you visit it, and we just happened to be there with thousands of college kids and fans from around

Stuck on the sidelines

sports

Soccer player sits out senior year with jaw injury

Saher Aqeel

Sideline player Even after shattering his jawbone during his sophomore year, senior Joe Randolph still attended practices and games. During practice he helped coach his fellow goalies.

story by Lucas Lostoski // sports editor he bright stadium lights beam down on the soccer field on senior night. It is an unusually cold, windy night for spring. But then again tonight is an unusual night. Each senior’s name is read, one by one, by a woman in the press box. The speakers cackle so badly that it makes her voice sound as if she were taking orders at a drive thru window instead of announcing a soccer game. With each name the crowd cheers politely. Until she comes to one name. Joe Randolph. He receives the loudest ovation of all. And why do they cheer? Why do they cheer so loudly for an admitted glorified team manager? Why do they cheer for a player who has never even donned a jersey for a varsity high school game until tonight? Certainly, there are other players who have accomplished more, who have been more important to the success of the soccer team. In fact, a person not familiar with Joe’s story might take one look at the short

Allen High School // Issue 6 // April 18, 2012

blonde goalkeeper, and cast him off as unimportant. But this night is important to Joe, because just getting here has been a journey. A journey that started on a bitter cold December afternoon two years ago. It is said that all journeys of great length begin with a single step. However, in Joe’s case it may be more accurate to say a single kick. He can’t remember how he ended up lying face down on the practice field writhing in pain. Later at the hospital he will find out that he was kicked in the face by a teammate while they were both running after the ball. He can’t remember getting kicked in the jaw, or who it was that delivered the blow that shattered his jawbone through his gum. In fact, Joe can recall only one thing from that fateful day. He made the save. He held onto the ball until he blacked out. The pregame festivities are over now. The senior night game is about to begin. Joe walks to the bench wearing a borrowed jersey since he doesn’t have his own. It was a late decision by Coach Hantak to allow

Boys soccer season ends after loss to Keller story by Lucas Lostoski // sports editor he boy’s soccer team’s season came to a close with a 2-0 loss to Keller in their opening round playoff game. The team went 13-5-5 this season and placed 2nd in their district. The team opened the year with three wins in the Coppell Classic Tournament, but then suffered an embarrassing 5-0 loss to Coppell. The Eagles upped their game by playing better defense and only allowing 17 goals in their last 19 games. The Eagles entered district play with a 6-2 record. In district they managed a 7-2-5 record. The Eagles lacked consistent offensive production throughout the season scoring only 20 goals in 14 district games, or only about 1.4 goals per game. In his first year of significant playing time senior captain Caleb

The Eagle Angle

Walters stepped up to lead the team with 10 goals during district play. The team also saw major contributions from senior captain Sam Glawe, who entered the year as an All-District player. Glawe made two game winning penalty kicks during district play, one coming in an important game against Hebron that clinched the Eagles a playoff spot. The Eagles entered the playoffs with high hopes in an opening round home game against Keller. However, the weather was bad, and for the most part so was the team’s play, as they were outplayed for most of the game and eventually lost 2-0. It was the second year in a row Keller knocked Allen out in the first round. Despite the loss, the season was a continuation of Allen’s recent soccer success having appeared in the playoffs for the last five consecutive seasons.

him to dress for the first time. Joe has no expectations for this night. He’s not expecting to play, and he fully understands the odds working against him. This is a must win game to make the playoffs, his coach has told him that he will only play in the case of a blowout. Yet he still hopes, still desires, for one chance to play in a varsity high school game. To say Joe has worked hard to get to this point is an understatement. He attended practices when he had no hope of participating, and came to games when he didn’t have a chance of playing, just to say he was part of the team. His attitude has been unflappable, always choosing to see the positives, even when the negatives seem to keep piling on, even when he had to eat through a straw for the first eight weeks after the injury. After his initial injury, Joe had to wait three months to get back on the soccer field. The doctor strongly advised him to consider never playing again, but for Joe it wasn’t even a question. He had to play again. Two weeks after he was cleared

to play, Joe found himself in practice, guarding the same goal on the same field where four months prior his jaw was shattered. During practice one of the shots hits him in his jaw. So the journey continues. This time the news from the doctor is worse. He explains to Joe that it will take his jaw 18 months to heal and if it gets hit, he will set the healing process back to the beginning. Again, he questions if he will ever be part of the team. Joe debates. Debates whether it’s worth it to keep doing this to himself. Debates if he even wants to come back. But the team draws him back. The guys he has played alongside since freshman year, the guys who jokingly call him “Great Jaw-b Joe,” convince him that even though he won’t be able to play his senior season, it would still be worth his time to be a manager. So that’s exactly what he does for his senior season. Keeps stats during the games with other injured teammates.And he’s the “goalie coach” during practices. He doesn’t do much coaching, just yells instructions, and

pretends to get outraged when his goalies mess something up. Even though he hasn’t played in over two years, he is still part of the team. Because he was there for every practice and for every game, he was there when he was healthy and when he was injured. He was there. The game clock is down to 30 seconds now, the Eagles leading 3-2. 29, 28, 27 seconds. Joe stands where he always is, on the sidelines, as the clock winds down for his final home game. 10 seconds now. And it’s not going to happen, the circumstances just didn’t align themselves. 3, 2, 1. And with the sound of the buzzer it’s over. He didn’t get to play, but so what? The fact that he was even there on the field, dressed with his teammates was the true accomplishment. Not quitting when it would have been easy to is the accomplishment. This story didn’t need a Hollywood ending, for Joe simply being there was enough. “It was cool,” Joe said. “I felt like part of the team. It was just cool to be a part of it.”

Varsity girls soccer goals end after Hebron loss story by Grace Lee // staff writer

he girls varsity soccer team ended their season with a 6-7-1 record in district. To make the playoffs the team had to place in the top four teams out of eight. However, they finished in fifth place after losing 0-4 to Hebron and 1-4 to Flower Mound in their last two games. “We felt like everything we worked for didn’t happen,” captain and goalkeeper Shannon Moroney said. “It was devastating.” Center defense Madison Ledet said that the team’s primary goal was to make it to the playoffs and possibly to win the state championship title. Last year, they also finished in fifth place and did not make the playoffs. “I think we let our nerves get to us,” Moroney said. “We didn’t play calmly how we should. We let the other team control our game and we didn’t play our own game.”

Head coach Kevin Albury said that four teams of the eight in District 8-5A are ranked in the top 10 in the state. “This year, we have a team where we can go 3 or 4 rounds in the playoffs in any other district,” Albury said. “Unfortunately, our district is very hard.” This year was Albury’s second year to coach the soccer team, after coaching at Flower Mound Marcus for 16 years. “[He] pushes us a lot harder than our last coach did,” Ledet said. “He’s definitely pushing us to where we want to be, [but] it’s a lot of work.” On Feb. 1, National Signing Day, eight varsity girls signed and committed to play soccer at their respective colleges. Moroney said that she committed to Southern Methodist University the beginning of her sophomore year but made it official Feb. 1.

“I think the level that [college soccer] plays is a lot higher [than high school soccer],” Moroney said. “I think there’s a lot more pressure because you’re fighting for your position in every practice so it’s more competitive.” Albury said that the seniors this year deserve the credit for building team unity and team chemistry, because at every game everyone is fully energetic and supports the team. “They play as a team and they’re excited, they’re smiling, they’re happy,” Albury said. “The girls, they get it. They get what a team is and what’s important. It’s not about me. It’s about we. And I think that shows every time.”

Track prepares for regional meet story by Cory Fleck // staff writer

Kaitlyn Trujillo

Flying high During the March 23 track meet at the high school stadium, sophomore Ericka May performs the high jump.

“We probably had our best times and distances overall at our Eagle Meet,” Garza said. “We always pride ourselves in defending our home track.” In order to prepare for meets the team practices for one hour every

morning and between an hour to an hour and a half after school every day. The runners also train over the summer. “I’ve worked my butt off,” senior runner Chris Corbett said. “We do 500 miles in the summer over 13

weeks, so I’ve put in at least 1500, probably around 2000 miles of work over my three years now. It’s a lot of shoes, I’ll tell you that.” Garza said that it can be somewhat of a challenge organizing the practices with many different

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On a scale of 1-10 how well do your team’s practices prepare you for your games?

Allen High School // Issue 6 // April 18, 2012

he track teams finished their district meets with the boys team in second, under six points behind the winner, Hebron. The boys will send six individuals and all three of their relay teams to the regional meet in Lubbock from April 27 - 28. The girls team came in fifth and will send four competitors to regionals. “I think our kids competed well,” boys head track coach Dean Garza said. “I’m very very proud of what they’ve done. I told them that in 23 years of coaching this is probably the proudest I’ve ever been of any particular group; their courage that they showed, their unity and team spirit was very evident for the entire meet.” The boys team has not sent anyone to state championships since 2009. The state meet is May 11 - 12 in Austin this year and Garza said that he believes that they have a chance to return this year. “It’s really tough to get there. [But] we think that we have a good shot to get our 4x200 relay down to state,” Garza said. “We really feel pretty good about it. That would be great” District 8-5A is one of the toughest in the state, and Plano East and Hebron hold the majority of the district’s top times. But the Eagles have had some good successes this year, including winning the Eagle Relays, the event held in the home stadium.

events to monitor, but the team’s large number of resources help. “Here at Allen we’re fortunate to have a lot of assistants,” Garza said. “I have five for the boys side and [girls track] Coach Halliburton has five coaches under him. So that’s 12 coaches basically. Having those numbers helps because we can coach specific events at practice, not just at the meets.” The meets typically last all day, with the first events starting around 8 a.m. and then the last events finishing at night. Sophomore runner Chris Edwards said that this gives the team a lot of time to bond. “[My favorite memories are] spending the whole day with my best friends on track, dancing in the middle of the field,” Edwards said. “And winning of course is always a good memory.” Edwards said that the bonds formed in track go beyond just the competition. “The seniors on the team are my best friends,” Edwards said. “They encourage me so much and they are one of the reasons I got really good.” Garza has worked as the coach at the high school for 11 years and said that he enjoys his job. “I appreciate the athlete’s efforts and their time commitment. I appreciate the support from their parents and our administrators here,” Garza said. “You can’t beat working in Allen, coaching in Allen and competing in Allen.”

sports

Cory Scheibner Baseball

10 Rony Garza Track & Field

“I’ve been throwing farther lately and doing better in meets and that is due to our practices.”

Keller Thomas Soccer

6 “We don’t always balance our practices well.”

The Eagle Angle

Courtney Parchman Softball

“We don’t necessarily learn everything in our practices since most of us are on club teams, so the practices aren’t really preparing us as much as our club games.”

“Everything is a game situation. It just makes it that much easier during games because we’ve done it so many times in practice.”

Reid Stewart Hockey

“I mean being a club team we don’t practice as much as other teams.”

Illustration by Lucas Lostoski

The Eagle Angle

Allen High School // Issue 6 // April 18, 2012

sports

18Varsity baseball improves from last two seasons story by Akshay Mirchandani // staff writer he last time that the boys baseball team made the playoffs or held a winning record was three years ago, when they compiled a 19-9 record and won two playoff games. In the next two seasons the Eagles combined for only 23 wins and 33 losses. This year, they already have 14 wins with four games to go. As The Eagle Angle goes to press, the Eagles are fifth in district. At 14-9-1 (65) the Eagles hold the same district record as Flower Mound Marcus, but Marcus beat Allen 1 - 0 on March 24 to currently hold the tiebreaker. “It’s been a good change,” head coach Paul Coe said. “Change for the positive. Attitude wise the camaraderie between the guys is big in the change of what we’ve done so far.” The Eagles have already compiled more district wins than they had total last season. The pitching of the team is solid so far. According to The Dallas Morning News SportsdayHS, pitcher Troy Chezem is statistically ranked in the top 10 pitchers in area. Chezem is ranked No. 6 with a 4-1 record, a .677 ERA and 40 strikeouts. Jacob Martinez and Cory Scheibner have also been great as well. Martinez has a .737 ERA and is 1-2 while Scheibner is 3-3, with two saves and also a 2.39 ERA. Martinez said that he goes out to compete and do the best he can when he’s on the mound. “You go out there, you try to do

Madyson Russell

Take me out to the ballgame Senior Cristian Pena (#3) steps up to the plate against Flower Mound High School on March 30. The Eagles won the game 2-1. “Batting the first time is nerve racking but after that it becomes more comfortable,” Pena said. “I have been playing it my whole life so it is tradition to me.”

the best you can to throw strikes and help your team out,” Martinez said. “If you help them out on defense, they’ll help you out on offense.” Coe also said the pitchers have been great in helping the team get to their current record. “Pitchers have been a pleasant surprise,” Coe said. “You know, us being able to throw three pitches for a strike and not give up the free bases have really been a benefit to our staff. Our pitchers being able to command the zone with three pitches makes the biggest difference in the world.”

Martinez said team chemistry has also been a major factor behind the scenes. “Let’s say you and your best friend are playing shortstop and second base,” Martinez said. “Team chemistry comes in when you have to roll that double play and you know you trust your teammate is going to be there, and you trust that he’s going to help you make the play.” Chemistry has been built among the team by spending so much time together in practices and by having known each other for so long.

“Being together, I don’t know like six hours a day, it really helps,” Martinez said. “You go to battle with that guy next to you and it just creates that chemistry.” Right fielder Andrew Baldwin said the change from last year to this year is huge and also emphasized how close the team is this year. “We have so much more team chemistry this year, and we’re just like a band of brothers compared to last year,” Baldwin said. “So drastic change.” Martinez and the rest of the

team leaders have tried to get the team together every once in a while to build up the friendship and unity of the team even more. “What we’ve tried to do is we’ve actually organized a lot of like team gatherings,” Martinez said. “Like every weekend, like Saturday or Friday, we like go hang out and just all have a good time. They always build friendship and chemistry.” Baldwin also added that the game day atmosphere is another thing that’s been different. He said the team is more relaxed before a game because they don’t feel afraid of not winning. “It’s really relaxed, as opposed to last year we were all pressured to win,” Baldwin said. Baldwin is another team leader and wants to try and mentor the younger players in the outfield. “[I want to] bring leadership to the outfield, because we have a young outfield,” Baldwin said, “and just make sure they’re doing what they’re supposed to do so they can be good when they’re seniors too.” The team still has one goal that they want to accomplish and that is to make the playoffs. “Our goal is to make the playoffs,” Coe said. “We want one of the four spots. If it’s one, if’s two, if it’s three, if it’s four it doesn’t matter, we want one of the four.” As long as the Eagles’ chemistry is as good as it is now, then that goal as a very realistic one. “We’re a team,” Martinez said. “Our team chemistry is there. We play as a team, one unit.”

Softball close to missing playoffs ‘Dread the red’

story by Akshay Mirchandani // staff writer

t 14-14 (3-8) the softball team is on the verge of missing the playoffs after starting the season off 11-6 before district play. “Obviously we’re a little disappointed,” head coach Debbie Evans said. “We’d like to have more wins in district. We did play some tough teams in the preseason and had some good success there.” Outfielder Ashley Culp said she believes that District 8-5A is one of the toughest districts, softball wise, in the area. “We are definitely in the toughest district,” Culp said. “Plano is good, [Plano] East is great, [Plano] West is just as well.” Currently, Plano East sits atop the district at 26-2 and Plano is right behind them at 23-3. If the team wins most, if not all, of their last few games then the they have a chance of making the playoffs, but Evans said the odds of that are very low. “There’s the potential if we were to win out that we would put ourselves in some contention,” Evans said. “It’s pretty unlikely because some of those other teams are going to win some games along the way that would mess that up. So we’re definitely at the liberty of other people beating a lot of people.” Despite the disappointment of probably not making the playoffs, Culp said there have been some good times during the season. “High points are just the fun we’ve had,” Culp said. “We’re not very good, but you know we can at

story by Elaine Kirby // staff writer he guitar riffs of Guns N’ Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle” echo through the Allen Event Center as lights flash red and white. The crowd roars as the players’ skates hit the ice and they make their way onto the rink. Cowbells ring and their names are bellowed. The players limbered up minutes before, but hearing the fans makes everything more real. People are here for them and them alone. Five red jerseys line up against the Texas Brahmas, the puck drops and the game begins. The Allen Americans were eliminated from the Berry Conference playoffs, after they lost their opening round playoff series 4 - 2 against the Texas Brahmas. On March 10, Allen clinched the second playoff seed with a 4-3 win over first-time Turner Conference opponents the Missouri Mavericks. “It’s a good feeling knowing that you’re in the playoffs,” defense man Erik Adams said. “Coming into the season, your goals are to make it to the playoffs and get home ice advantage. You need to accomplish those two goals. It feels pretty good at the same time to accomplish those goals at the end of the year.” Sophomore Brooke Nelson said she was happy, but worried when she heard the team had made it into the playoffs. “You get scared a little bit, because you think ‘Oh, maybe they’re not going to win,’” she said. “That kinda went through my head, ‘cause they weren’t doing so good. A lot of things go through your head. Are they going to win? How’re they going to

Kaitlyn Trujillo

Diamond girl During the varsity softball game on March 9, junior McKensey Heins (#10) pitches against Lewisville. The team lost 2-4.

least have fun out of it, and we have great times all together.” Evans said that the team will have to refocus and work hard to get ready for next year to make the playoffs. “We do have a lot of kids that will be returning,” Evans said. “Our JV program has been really successful. So looking towards next year hopefully those JV kids that are wanting to be on varsity level are looking to really work hard this summer, because that’s where we want to be, and kind of change because we have a pattern

of not making the playoffs here for the last several of years.” Despite an overall disappointing season, Culp said she believes the team is still a “good set of girls” and Evans said she believes that the team still deserves some praise. “I just think we have a great group of kids that work really hard, that do deserve some recognition in spite of win/loss,” Evans said. “[The team is] just a very enjoyable group.”

do next game? I was excited to see that they were going into the playoffs.” Junior Carmen Pastula has been a fan since the team was started in 2009. She said that while she was nervous in the beginning of the season, she is proud of how the team has done. “We had a bunch of new guys, and we weren’t doing so well,” she said. “But as the year got on, we were getting better and better. I’m surprised that we made it and I was jazzed.” Head Coach Dwight Mullins said he has been fortunate to stay with Allen for so long. “I’ve been lucky to be part of the organization from its inception and the day we found where this building was,” he said. “And putting it all together, and so it becomes your child.” Nelson said her love for the team started the first year they were in the Berry Conference. “I’ve gone to hockey games with my dad, and that’s kinda what got it started,” she said. “I just fell in love with hockey. The team is so fun to watch. To see them win, and to see them beat most of the teams, and how nice they are to their fans. It’s great. It’s just nice to be there with them.” Pastula said she has stuck with the Americans because of their treatment of their fans. “They’re down to Earth,” Pastula said. “You can talk to them and they’ll sit down and have a conversation with you all night long. They won’t try to push you away. They’re just really good guys and I love everything about them.”

The Round Table with David Barr19 sports

David Barr opinions editor he Eagle tennis team is nearing the end of their spring season after a close 3rd place finish in their fall season. Seniors Jayce Miller and Megan Ziots advanced to regionals in doubles. I had the great privilege of talking to three seniors; Reid Childress (R), Lauren Pineda (L) and Miller (J). Miller said he is looking forward to playing his best in the regional tournament and hopefully advancing to the state tournament.

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we came just short of getting to regionals. We’ve really come together as friends and stuff and that’s what really matters. As a team we keep each other focused. We definitely have more team chemistry than any other team. L: We’ve done really well. Both the girls and the guys, even though we’re playing individually, have played really well as a team. At our tournaments, they total all the points from the individuals and we’ve been ranked pretty highly. J: Coach Quest is a really big motivator and demands your best effort and to put your best foot forward. He gives us motivational quotes to think about and little pep talks because he’s really competitive. There’s a pretty good balance with the other coaches with being competitive and laid back. How hard have the coaches pushed you? R: Our coaches have pushed us very hard. It’s very beneficial to the athletes

and I think it really helps everyone and makes you want to earn their respect. And on an athlete to athlete basis, one player pushing makes the whole team want to get better which really makes us a better team. What personal goals did you have for yourself this year? J: I wanted to go to regionals in the spring season and I accomplished that. Megan Ziots and I advanced to regionals in doubles. That was really my pinnacle. I’m still going to push it though, and try to get to state. R: I really wanted our team to make regionals in the fall, but we didn’t accomplish that, but I felt we played really well as a team. The two teams that made it in front of us went on to do very well in the tournament. In the spring, my goal was really just to win and do the best that I can.

Reid Childress senior

Allen High School // Issue 6 // April 18, 2012

Jayce Miller

How do you feel you have done this season? J: In the fall we do dual matches. In the spring season it’s individual. Like we’re divided up and we do our own thing in the tournament. I think I’ve done pretty well this season, it’s definitely my best one yet. I’ve just got to keep getting better and better. I’m very happy with how I’ve done. R: As a senior a lot more has been expected of me to help lead the juniors and sophomores this season. They’ve really picked up on how matches and practices are supposed to run and I would consider that a successful season. L: I think I’ve done really well individually considering I won Districts. Now I’m trying to do really well at regionals, that’s kind of my main goal. Everything has been leading up to this tournament. How do you feel the team as a whole has done? J: In the fall we did really well,

Lauren Pineda

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The boys lacrosse team suffered another loss to Saint Mark’s on Monday by a score of 104. This is the latest in a number of disappointing losses for the Eagles this season, and is their 10th consecutive loss. The team is looking to bounce back against Highland Park on Thursday. The Lady Eagles lacrosse team has had

a little more success than the boys as they go into their last game of the season at Ursuline Academy on Saturday with a 4-5 record. The Lady Eagles are hoping to get revenge as their most recent loss came at the hands of Ursuline by a score of 15-5. The wrestling team sent three wrestlers to compete in the USA Folkstyle Nationals

in Cedar Falls, IA on March 30-31. Junior Matt Meyer went 4-2 in the tournament, but was one match short of winning All-American Honors, while sophomore Bo Nickal went 5-0 in the tournament captured his second straight USA Folkstyle National Title. Junior Oliver Pierce also won a National Title, going 6-0 in the tournament including a 16-4 win in the finals.

Allen varsity golf won District 8-5A’s Championship, defeating Plano West by nine strokes. The team now heads to regionals in Lubbock on April 16-19. Individually the Eagles had strong performances from seniors Justin Newby and Jake Clark who were both district runnersup, shooting two round totals of 143. -compiled by the sports staff

The Eagle Angle

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Ancient Experience W

ith a theme of “The Ancient Empire Strikes Back,” Phoenix Simulation was held on March 30. The goal of simulation was for juniors and seniors to help teach underclassmen how the Roman, Greek and Egyptian cultures influenced modern culture. In each of the junior and senior Phoenix classes, students came up with stations that reflected ancient empires. “One of the important things [about Simulation] is to create something and to work as a group because later on in life we are going to be forced into situations when we have to work together and this is a way to teach us that,” senior McKenna Boyd said. “I love the dynamic of a class of random seniors becoming united.” story by Jillian Wade // staff writer

Katie Borchert

State of limbo (top) At the station representing the Egyptian underworld, senior Drew Kotlarczyk leads freshmen and sophomores through limbo. Bread and circuses (right) At the station about the art of war, freshmen Dennis Vu and Joey Driver arm wrestle to display their strength. Mummy dearest (below) Pretending

to dissect a mummy played by senior Patrick Kerns, senior Bradley Whittington participates in the station resembling the labyrinth. Katie Borchert

Kaitlyn Trujillo

Gladiator (below left) At the opening ceremony, senior Julian Gargiulo tells sophomores and freshmen about how Simulation runs. Gargiulo was a group leader. Senatus populusque romanus (below right) Counting

coins, senior Taylor Mann helps sophomore Brittney Phifer and freshmen Beth Churchill at a station about the Roman senate.

For more pictures go to theeagleangle.com Kayla Graves

Katie Borchert