Issue 5 2014

the

eaglE angle

May 2014

“[Allen is] my school.

It’s my home.”

Dallas Thornley, 11

allen high school

volume 31 issue 5

A PROFILE ON THE FACES OF ALLEN HIGH SCHOOL, PAST AND PRESENT

“[Allen is] pride, victory, success and bright futures.

Allen is known for winning and being successful.”

Brunzil Waxter, 12

A Editors-In-Chief

Megan Lucas

McKenzi Morris

Copy Chief

Managing Editor

Victoria Erb

Laura Hallas

Photo Editor

Opinions Editor

Saher Aqeel

Harrison Geosits

Sports Editor Business Manager

Collin Thompson

Klayton Carpenter

Online Editors

AssiStant Editors

Rebecca Barney Asst. Callie Anderson

Zane Dean Maggie Rians

adviser

Kelly Juntunen

Staffers

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

photo credits

SA - Saher Aqeel, TB - Taylor Brill, MM McKenzi Morris, ML - Megan Lucas, AA - Ashley Acosta, MMt - Monica Martinez, HP - Hannah Paine, BC - Blake Cerney, RM - Remy Martins

POlicy

The Eagle Angle distributes 1000 copies of each issue on campus to faculty and students. Content may be viewed online at theeagleangle.com. Letters to the editor should be submitted to eagleanglestaff@yahoo.com.

Any errors found within the publication will be rescinded in the following issue. Businesses who wish to advertise should contact Kelly Juntunen, newspaper adviser, at 972-7270400 x 1610. The Eagle Angle reserves the right to deny publication of advertisements.

Advertisements are not necessarily endorsed by the staff or administration. All editorials reflect the views of the authors, and do not necessarily represent the views of the staff, adviser or administration. The Eagle Angle is a member of Quill and Scroll, the Interscholastic League Press Conference and JEA/NSPA.

LL

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LEN IS...

THE ALUMNI

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THE TEACHERS

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the students

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who we are

design by Laura Hallas

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veryone has an idea of what Allen is. It is the school with the big reputation and the bigger stadium. It is the home of state titles and the subject of national news articles.

However, all of the attention and scrutiny creates a faรงade, a front that can hide the true potential of our school. With this much press, it is easy for those of us who live and learn here to get lost in the hype. But we cannot forget that there is more to Allen than a bunch of stories about football. Our most striking feature is that we are one, undivided. Such an environment would not work for every school or every city. It is the people who make up the school who create this sense of community.

Our alumni, students and faculty are the past, present and future. They have made a name for our school as they enter the real world, continued its legacy and look to help elevate us even higher in the future. Allen students are showing that they can take control of their future as they leave. They exemplify the qualities that result in the awards, recognition and fame that have become synonymous with our school. Survivors, hard-workers, champions, the following pages hold but a small sampling of these standouts. It is with them and the hundreds of other students, alumni and teachers in whom Allen finds its identity. These are the faces of Allen. This is who we are.

photo submitted by Rangers Media

ShaWn Tolleson story by Collin Thompson // sports editor he game is deadlocked. The starting pitcher is winded and on the verge of giving up the go-ahead run.

Enter Shawn Tolleson.

Tolleson, who graduated from Allen in 2006, is a relief pitcher for the Texas Rangers.

After playing for Baylor University and being drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 30th round of the 2010 amateur MLB draft, Tolleson is back in Texas. The Rangers selected him off waivers on Nov. 20, 2013.

“I’ve been with the Dodgers the last couple of years, and that was fun and that was great, but there’s really nothing like coming home and playing for the team that you grew up rooting for,” Tolleson said. “To go play a big league game and go home and sleep in my own bed, it [has] been fun so far.”

After leading Allen to the regional quarterfinals as a sophomore and the regional semifinals as a junior, Tolleson required Tommy John surgery, an elbow ligament surgery, which normally takes about a year to recover from, causing him to miss most of his senior season.

“It was hard. I had a lot of ambitions and hopes and dreams for that season,” Tolleson said. “But at the same time, it actually taught me a lot. Last season, at the very beginning of the season, I had a back surgery done, so without even knowing it, that process my senior year of high school really prepared me for that because I was able to accept what happened. I just had to work hard and do my physical therapy and just move on and work for the future which is this, playing for the Rangers, and I’m really excited.”

Due to the success that Allen has had in its athletics programs, Tolleson said that going to Allen is now a talking point among his fellow baseball players.

“It’s pretty cool because I play with guys from all over the

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country and actually all over the world and for those guys to know what high school I went to, it’s pretty crazy,” Tolleson said. “It’s really neat for people to have heard of where I went to school and how good our sports have been lately.”

With the amount of accolades that Allen sports have achieved in the past decade, Tolleson said that he hopes the baseball program is the next Allen sport to reach the top.

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to go play a big league game and go home and sleep in my own bed, [playing for the rangers] has been fun so far.

“I want them to win a state championship,” Tolleson said.

“We’re still waiting on our first one there, so I think they’ve got the right coach to do it. It’s just gonna be a matter of them putting the work in and playing better than the other team.

That’s what I’d really like to see.”

Tolleson said he credits Allen High School for giving him the opportunities that he’s had.

“It brought a lot of college recruiters over to see me throw and professional scouts and just Allen being a big school, I had other talented guys playing with me so that helped a lot too,” Tolleson said.

Tolleson said his time at Allen helped him reach his goals and prepared him for life as both a professional baseball player and person.

“Whether it was through baseball, academics, the teachers, the principals, the coaches, all the staff at Allen, I’d just say that I’m extremely grateful for the experience I had there,” Tolleson said. “Those four years molded me into the man I am now, and I’m just very thankful for the city of Allen and Allen High School.”

submitted by Natasha Helmick

Natasha Helmick story by Laura Hallas // managing editor t was sophomore year, a club game, a routine free kick. Natasha Helmick found herself in the ball’s path, her head gear flying 10 feet behind her. She had just received a concussion. Helmick staggered like a boxer who had just received a final blow, her coaches already rushing onto the field to catch her. As she lay on the ground, her parents reach her side, touching her shoulders and repeating her name. Helmick pushes them off, annoyed. Looking between the player and her concerned parents, Helmick’s coach suddenly addresses her, pointing to her parents.

“Natasha, who are these people?”

“I don’t know.”

This is the testimony that would become the basis of the concussion awareness legislation entitled Bill 2038, later known as Natasha’s Law. “When the bill started going around, they started referring to that testimony like, ‘Oh, that soccer girl, that soccer girl, that is what the bill is about,’” Helmick said. “It wasn’t until the very last step that they decided to change the name [of the bill] to my name.”

Passed in 2012 the bill had three components: a potentially concussed player must come out of the game, they are not to return until cleared by a doctor or trainer and awareness for parents.

Natasha, who graduated from Allen in 2010, became involved with the bill shortly after losing her soccer scholarship at Texas State University when her history of concussions made it impossible to play. She worked with top neurologists and even the vice president of the NFL as she told her story to lawmakers.

“When I was telling my story, one of the neurologists was behind me, and you could see his facial expressions, he was listening and listening, and when I [said] how many

[concussions] I’ve had, like seven or eight, his face just turned and looked at me,” Helmick said. “You can see his mind turning like, ‘Oh my gosh, how can someone have that many?’ It was just nice to meet all of [the lobbyists] and know that they are in support of what we’re trying to do. It was just a very humbling and positive thing to do.”

As a result of her eight total concussions, Helmick has experienced ongoing symptoms that include both short and longterm memory loss, causing her to forget much of her childhood as well as her high school years. She said that if her law had been in existence during her career, this damage might have been avoided and perhaps even prolonged her career.

“I just wanted to help other people not go through what I went through. My intention was to help other, younger athletes,” Helmick said. “You wonder why all of these NFL players kill themselves, and I know why. [Concussions] really affect you badly.”

Helmick said that her experiences with the bill were positive,

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I just wanted to help other people not go through what i went through.

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and she hopes it will benefit future athletes.

“As an athlete you feel like you should be able to push through everything,” Helmick said. “I pushed through it, kept getting more concussions, just playing through it. I don’t remember any of those games anyways. So what is the point of me going out there and beasting through it when, down the line, I don’t remember anything anyways? All that sacrifice for what?”

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submitted by Amanda Dunbar

amanda dunbar story by Victoria Erb // copy chief

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obody, save for family and a few friends, knew that 15-yearold Amanda Dunbar painted. After realizing that she was serious about art, Dunbar’s parents decided to host a small showing of her pieces in their home.

Little did they know that a neighbor’s call to a local Dallas art gallery would end in Dunbar’s first professional solo exhibit, where she would go on to sell most of the almost 80 paintings that were on display.

Now Dunbar, who graduated from Allen in 2000, owns her own art studio in Dallas.

“Art is communication that transcends languages, that transcends gender, ethnicity, time,” Dunbar said. “It just crosses borders. You can look at a piece of art that was made thousands of years ago and still be touched by it. Even if you don’t necessarily understand its precise symbolic meaning as the artist intended it, it can speak to you on a level, and I think that’s a pretty amazing thing. Art to me is a way to be, hopefully, a mostly joyful voice in the world and humanity, and hopefully some of my paintings will outlast me.”

After that first solo exhibit, 16-year-old Dunbar was contacted

by Oprah Winfrey to appear on her show for an interview. “[I was] speechless [when I got the call], and generally I am not at a loss for words,” Dunbar said. “It was a really out-of-body experience because at the time Oprah was on every afternoon, and it was something that everything in our house stopped at 4 o’clock, and we watched Oprah. She was just this giant role model in my life, and I was just like, ‘I’m sorry. I must not, are you, what? What? I don’t know where I am.’”

Dunbar started oil painting at 13 in an after-school art class at Ford Middle School. It was there that she did her first real painting, “Mother’s Touch,” as a present to her mom on

Mother’s Day. Dunbar said that this is the painting of which she is most proud.

“I just went into it, dove in the deep end head first and just didn’t look back,” Dunbar said. “In hindsight that’s pretty gutsy, and it’s what I try to get other people to do. When I’m working on some new concepts or an idea or even a new medium, I’m just like, ‘OK, here’s the deal. This is either going to be an epic failure or total genius. I am just going to throw everything I have in this.’”

In 2006 Dunbar, 23 at the time, was inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame, located at Texas Woman’s University. She

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Art is communication that transcends languages, that transcends gender, ethnicity [and] time.

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was the youngest person to be inducted. “[I thought] that someone was just messing with me,” Dunbar said. “There’s only one other artist in Texas Women’s Hall of Fame. They’ve got people like Sally Ride in there, Barbara Bush. I’m like, ‘Who am I?’ It was very bizarre. It was very surreal.

It was very strange, but it was an incredible honor that I wasn’t sure I was worthy of, but they did. It was actually very humbling.”

Although she has been painting for almost 18 years, Dunbar said she will always consider herself a student of painting.

“In my wildest dreams I would have not ever thought that I would be doing what I am doing now,” Dunbar said. “I know it could end tomorrow, and I’m fine with that.”

submitted by Stephanie Peteuil

Stephanie peteuil story by Maggie Rians // assistant editor s soon as freshman Stephanie Peteuil spots Cinderella’s Castle in Walt Disney World, a waterfall of tears immediately stream down her face. All of her troubles escape like magic. The mind-consuming thoughts of her parent’s recent divorce and struggles disappear.

At this very moment she realizes she is meant to work at Disney.

“The famous quote that got me through my [hard times] was Walt Disney’s quote, ‘If you can dream it, then you can do it,’” Peteuil said. “It has literally been my dream to work for Disney, and I can honestly say that it has been a dream come true to be accepted into the program.”

Peteuil graduated in 2013 and is now preparing to pursue her dream of becoming a Disney princess through the Disney College Program. This program allows students to network with leaders, take part in personal and career development classes and gain skills such as teamwork, guest service and communication. The acceptance process includes an application, an online interview and a 20 minute phone interview with a Disney casting director.

In order to apply to the program, the completion of at least one semester of an accredited college or university is required.

“The heritage behind Disney is amazing and also what it does for people and what it has done in my life [is amazing],” Peteuil said. “It has helped me through such a difficult time.”

From May 19 to January 2015, Peteuil will participate in the Fall Advantage Program, which allows her to start

actually getting a hands-on experience at the Disney park in Florida. Due to her involvement with the theatre department during high school, she will work with attractions. This gives her the opportunity to work on a particular ride. Each student receives the chance to work in a specific area in the park in which they are qualified for.

“Theatre at Allen [has allowed me to be] able to do tech work,” Peteuil said. “I’ve done a lot of lighting design and looking at choreography for dances and stage managing. I would say Allen has had some input on my Disney program and getting there.”

After completing one semester of the program, Peteuil

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the heritage behind disney is amazing and also what it does for people and what it has done in my life [is amazing].

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will have the choice to extend the length of the program in order to receive more experience working in the parks. A job is not guaranteed, but she said that the program makes it that much easier to attain a career with Disney. Peteuil said that her ultimate dream is to work as the mermaid Ariel because she is her favorite princess.

“I really just love putting smiles on people’s faces and just making their day special and magical,” Peteuil said. “I’ll be able to do that in attractions, and I am really excited for that. But as a princess the little girls look up to you too, so I want to be that role model.”

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sara cooley story by Laura Pitts // staff writer

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eventeen years ago she stood in front of a classroom

“I think those were probably the main things,” Cooley said. “I just try to make students feel comfortable and get

full of eager students.

Ten years later she came to Allen High School.

And now, seven years later, she has a plaque to give

them doing and practicing math.”

Cooley said she always wanted to be a teacher but wanting to teach math did not come to her until her senior

her recognition.

Sara Cooley, who teaches Advanced Quantitative Reasoning, a statistic-based senior level math class was

year in high school.

“Our math teacher was gone, and we didn’t really have

awarded both Allen High School and Allen ISD Secondary

a substitute that knew math.” Cooley said. “I lived in a

Teacher of the Year for 2013-2014.

small town, and so I learned some of the math myself and

“They announced it in class, and my students burst

[taught] it to the class, and they always [said], ‘Oh, you

from their chairs and clapped and cheered, and I was just

should be a math teacher,’ and so when it came down to

shocked,” Cooley said.

it, I chose math because I think that’s what I was the best

Cooley said she always tries to make everything she teaches tangible to the students and gives them

at.”

Although many people influence d her to become

assignments that they can relate more to, like AQR Proms

a teacher, one still influences her today, according to

and zombie apocalypse.

Cooley.

“There have been many [people] along the way,” Cooley said. “I had a fifth grade teacher, and she was

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was Mrs. Clark. She always tried to make lessons to relate

i just like the relationships that you build [with the students] and just seeing the kids grow and mature from year to year.

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amazing. I try to model my teaching after her. Her name back to something in life and tangible.”

After seven years of teaching at Allen, Cooley said there are a few things she loves the most about teaching.

“I really like to see when a kid gets it,” Cooley said.

“When they understand it and when they get it, I mean I really like that. I also just like the relationships that you build and just seeing the kids grow and mature from year to year.”

submitted by Beau Wells

beau wells story by Fatima Huq // staff writer rom fighting cases to grading physics labs, teacher Beau Wells has drastically changed careers. He left his law practice and became a Pre-AP/IB Physics and AP Physics C teacher.

“When I first started teaching, part of what drove me was the fact that I’m extremely interested in the material,” Wells said. “l really love physics and I really like to teach other people what I find interesting.”

Wells says his love of physics comes from his love of math.

“If you really want to understand why we are here, how we got here, and why things are the way they are, then physics is the route to answering most of those questions,” Wells said.

Teaching was not his first career path. Wells graduated from Cornell University where he got his bachelor’s in physics and later went to the University of Michigan School of Law where he obtained a law degree. Working as a commercial litigation attorney, Wells defended large corporations involved in lawsuits with other large companies.

“When I started working in the practice of law, there were times I would be excited, and there would be times where I would be working on a case, there would be very interesting esoteric questioning I would have to analyze, and I would find that interesting,” Wells said.

Wells said he and many lawyers tended to have a lot of downtime on their hands after a case was closed. He said he would bring his physics textbook to his office and practice his math skills as a hobby.

“I would say, ‘Hey, I haven’t studied quantum mechanics for a while. Let me break out my textbook and see if I can remember how this works,’” Wells said. “This is what I would do to occupy my free time. I just really loved physics.”

He says teaching has played a key role in his life and he still loves his current job of being a teacher.

“The fact that I get to share the material and topic with other people is gratifying, but it’s also great to build those relationships with the students,” Wells said. “It played a big role in part of my happiness as a part of being a teacher.”

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the fact that i get to share the material and topic with other people is gratifying, but it’s also great to build those relationships with the students.

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Many times Wells has experienced students coming and attending his physics club, which is held on Fridays. Through word of mouth, students from other classes who are interested to go more in-depth of the subjects come to the club.

“It’s great to see students come in - who I frankly don’t even know sometimes - and question me about a theory and it’s also very humbling to see how excited the students get,” Wells said. “Not to mention the increasing amount of kids who come every week. It’s just great.”

Focusing on creating an exciting environment for his students, Wells said he is grateful to be teaching his students a subject he is passionate about and is happy he made this choice of becoming a teacher.

“Words cannot describe the immense gratitude I have for teaching and my wonderful students,” Wells said. “I plan to teach for as long as I can, and honestly you can say [changing careers] was the best decision I’ve ever made in terms of my happiness. It’s honestly a great feeling, and I love it.”

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caroline clemens story by Laura Hallas // managing editor

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aroline Clemens knows Allen. For 13 years she has worked here, grading essays, analyzing sentence structure and reading books just like any other English teacher. But there was a painful blip in Clemens’ timeline, a blip that once made doing what she loved, teaching, an impossibility due to her scleroderma.

“Everybody had been rooting for me, and [there were] lots of prayers because a lot of people in my situation wouldn’t have come back,” Clemens said, “either because they would’ve gone on disability or they wouldn’t have made it, but I did, and I got really lucky.”

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I think i would be a different person without all of this. I know i would, So it’s not all terrible.

Scleroderma is an autoimmune rheumatic disease, with symptoms that range from mild to life threatening.

First described to her as similar to arthritis, Clemens was diagnosed in 2005, with her condition quickly worsening from 2007 until her stroke in 2010. Clemens was the 2010 Love Week recipient. “[The Love Week nomination] was a godsend,” Clemens said. “I didn’t want to accept it because I thought that someone else would be more deserving, but I wound up being kind of pressured into accepting it. I was so sick that I couldn’t work, so I lived off of that money.”

Clemens said that she could cry just at the thought of how generous people were while she was ill, with one card

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from a cafeteria worker sticking in her mind.

“He said, ‘I saw your struggle in the news or in the newspaper, and I just wanted to let you know that we’re thinking of you and praying for you,’” Clemens said. “This is a guy I had never seen before in my life. And that’s what you need to hear when you’re so, so low.”

While Clemens was ill a co-teacher was hired to work with her at a time she would often have to leave school by 11 in the morning because she felt so weak and lethargic.

“I think I would be a different person without all of this,” Clemens said. “I know I would, so it’s not all terrible. A lot of it was terrible. I have battled a lot of pain, but the way I treat people and the way that people treat me, [it] just changes your outlook on life.”

She has shared her story with others in news articles and as a guest speaker at conferences. In addition to scleroderma Clemens developed pulmonary hypertension and will be speaking at an international conference about how to navigate work while suffering from the disease.

“Nothing has ever really stopped me,” Clemens said.

“I’m going to spread the word [that] you can do it, you don’t have to sit at home, you can [work], it’s better for you.”

Clemens continues to teach and travel in addition to attending physical therapy to build up her strength.

She said that the school’s community and support of her coworkers and students helped her pull through.

“My students, they are a big, big reason, they are really the only reason I fought so hard to come back,” Clemens said. “I could be on disability right now, [but] I need to have purpose, and this school gives me that purpose.”

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jerry best story by Bailey Wood // staff writer

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ix time dual wrestling state champs.

“It’s great that you have a big influence on kids

Five time UIL wrestling state champs.

and [can] mold them into young adults and hopefully

Four time youth wrestling state champs.

set a good example by leadership and put some of

The common factor in all of these wins?

those qualities into their life [to help them] become

Twelve year Allen wrestling coach Jerry Best.

successful in whatever they do,” Best said.

“[I want to] help kids go out and whether they win

It’s hard work and dedication that pays off, whether

or lose, give 100 percent,” Best said. “It’s about their

in the high school or the little leagues, Best said. Aside

ability, [and] whether they win or lose, they’re still

from Allen’s team, Best has coached a three time

competing and that gives [me] a great feeling.”

NCAA II National Champion and Hall of Fame Member,

In junior high, Best said he decided he wanted to pursue coaching because his wrestling coach made an impact on his life.

National Freestyle runner-up.

“We execute everything exactly the way it’s supposed to be,” Best said. “We’re usually the first

we execute everything exactly the way it’s supposed to be. we’re usually the first ones at the school and the last ones to leave.

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a Espior National Freestyle Champion, and a Cadet

ones at the school and the last ones to leave.”

Best said that seeing the students do the right thing and act the right way both on and off the mat is important.

“The best feeling is when a kid wrestles up to his potential,” Best said. “We have kids that win a lot of matches, but they don’t wrestle as [well] as they could have, but when you see a kid that wrestles the best he [has] ever wrestled, that’s when you feel good. You feel like you’ve actually done something. You’ve helped a kid reach their maximum potential.”

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jrotc instructors msgt david robinson, sgt.maj. Bruce cole, Maj. tom connor

story by Jacob Pena // staff writer

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his school year is the introductory year for the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program (Marine Corps JROTC). The new program has over 350 cadets, including freshmen. Instructing the six Marine Corps JROTC programs are Maj. Tom Connor, SgtMaj. Bruce Cole, and MSgt. David Robinson. These instructors collectively have more than 70 years of experience in active duty serving the Marine Corps.

After his time serving the Marine Corps, Connor worked as the head of the truancy program. Connor said it was at this program when he realized he missed the Marine Corps and wanted to serve again.

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What better place is there to end over 30 years in the Marines than at a high school whose colors are red, white and blue, and their mascot is an eagle?

“I really enjoy being an instructor here at Allen,” Connor said. “There have been some really, really good cadets, [and] the support from the Allen staff, whether it be [from] administrators [or] teachers, has been over the top and extremely positive.”

Robinson said he was deployed to many places such as Crete, Australia, Africa and Japan during his time serving the Marine Corps. He said his favorite thing about being an instructor is seeing the students mature and develop through the program.

“We started out this year with 320 cadets, and I only see it getting bigger and bigger as the years go on. I see us being as dominant as the football team with our competitions,”

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Robinson said. “I perceive the drill team getting as good as [them] and being number one and keeping up the Allen traditions.”

This year the Marine Corps JROTC program has participated in two competitions. Events in these competitions are Drill or Physical Training (PT). Recently, the program took first place in the overall competition, beating all other teams by more than 600 points.

“We would like to develop our competitive teams more and eventually would like to get our own facility,” Connor said. “This way we have more flexibility and provide for a better training environment for the cadets. We just really want to make it a sought after program, one that provides a good venue for those cadets who aspire to be Marines.”

Cole said he has spent time in Japan, where he was in command of 10,000 Marines that spanned from the Californian coast of the Pacific Ocean to Australia. After 31 years serving the Marine Corps, he said instructing at Allen might be the means to an end of his career.

“What better place is there to end over 30 years in the Marines than at a high school whose colors are red, white and blue, in the best state of the U.S., and their mascot is an eagle?”

Cole said.

Robinson said he is very thankful for the support coming from all areas of Allen. He said it has been an opening and welcoming experience for all the instructors.

“I became an instructor of Marine Corps JROTC to give back to the program that gave me so much,” Robinson said. “I am a product of the Marine Corps JROTC program from when I was in high school. I enjoyed it, and it lead me to join the Marine Corps and go on to do great things.”

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the juntunens kelly & kyle

story by Rachel Moretti // staff writer ehind the scenes of the journalism department are two teachers many people may know as individuals, Kyle and Kelly Juntunen, but not all students know that they are married. The Juntunens said they strive to be positive role models for the students while maintaining a strong family life.

“I am hoping the students see us as examples of healthy relationships and good teachers that care about each other and about their family,” Mr. Juntunen said. “They’ve gone on trips with us, and I think it helps build some humanity and respect for your teachers when you see their family around them so much.”

The Juntunens both attended La Vega High School in Waco, Texas. After high school they went to different colleges and didn’t think anything would happen between them - until after college when they reconnected over Facebook in 2007 and began dating.

“Our school was much smaller than Allen,” Mrs. Juntunen said. “Everybody in the whole school knew each other, and [Kyle and I] knew each other even though we weren’t in the same grade.”

Following a move to North Texas, Mrs. Juntunen took a job as a public relations specialist for the district in Tim Carroll’s office while Mr. Juntunen completed college at the University of North Texas. In 2010 the Juntunens got married. Mrs. Juntunen later became the journalism teacher at Allen while Mr. Juntunen was seeking a career change from security at Target to pursue teaching as well.

“She called me one day and said there’s an Audio/Video Production teacher job coming up, and then I applied,” Mr. Juntunen said. “It wasn’t the goal to work at the same place,

but it worked out.”

Currently, Mrs. Juntunen teaches a Journalism I class and is the adviser of the school newspaper and yearbook.

Mr. Juntunen oversees the broadcast program and teaches Audio/Video Production classes throughout the day.

“Because we work in the same department and we are actually in the same hallway, you would think that we see

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I think it [has] just given us the opportunity to be closer and have the relationship as a family that we want as opposed to the one that we work out around our work schedules.

each other constantly, but most of the time we see each other at lunch for 20 minutes,” Mrs. Juntunen said. “And then every now and then one of us will pop into the other person’s classroom in the afternoon to just ask a quick question, but it’s usually work related.”

The Juntunens now have a 2-year-old son named Logan.

The Juntunens said that working together has enabled them to center their lives around family and teaching in a positive way.

“I think it [has] just given us the opportunity to be closer and have the relationship as a family that we want as opposed to the one that we work out around our work schedules,” Mr. Juntunen said. “For me it [has] been huge as far as just giving me all these awesome opportunities to work with great people and get the chance to learn and grow.”

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photo submitted

by Angela Olinger

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angela olinger &vincent phan 2014 valedictorian & salutatorian

story by Praneeka Muthu Raman // staff writer he is a dancer and a leader. He is a swimmer and an artist. Seniors Angela Olinger and Vincent Phan not only participate in these various activities, but also earned the grades to claim the spots as valedictorian and salutatorian of the graduating class of 2013-2014.

“I worked for this for the past four years. It’s more of a relief now since all that work has finally paid off,” Olinger said.

On the other hand, Phan has a different viewpoint in being ranked second in his senior class.

“It feels more anxious than relaxing to be ranked this high in our school,” Phan said. “I knew I would be ranked pretty well because of all the work I’d put in, but the position of being the second of our class itself is a bit uneasy.”

Olinger and Phan said that being the top two students was not much of a surprise to others, but more of an expectation.

“My parents, for example, are of course proud of what I’ve become, but they had already expected me to be the top of my class because of all the work I had put in to get here,” Olinger said.

During her high school years, Olinger had grown an interest in sciences, especially the area of physics. She said she’s considering taking it to the next level and pursue a career in it.

“My favorite class is Physics C. Mr. Wells’ enthusiasm and fun-loving personality really made that class fun,” Olinger said. “If it weren’t for him, I don’t think I would have such a huge interest in physics.”

Meanwhile, Phan said he liked more hands-on classes, such as art.

“Art is my favorite class, hands down,” Phan said. “It’s so stress-free, and it’s the only class where I don’t have to think

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about school.”

Olinger and Phan also participate in other extracurricular activities to be relieved of the stress of school.

“I’ve been dancing with the Allen Civic Ballet for 11

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Time management is really important. If you can’t do it here, then it’s gonna be even harder in college.

years,” Olinger said. “It’s nice to have this side of my life because when I dance, it’s the only time I have to take my mind off of things.”

Both students agree that time management was a necessity for their success.

“Time management is really important,” Phan said.

“If you can’t do it here, then it’s gonna be even harder in college.”

For future plans, Olinger wants to become a professor in some sort of field of science, while Phan wants to become a surgeon.

“My dream is to become an ER surgeon,” Phan said. “I don’t know it it’s going to happen, and it’s a tough goal, but I at least want to try. If that doesn’t happen, then I’ll be a doctor for sure.”

Olinger will be attending Texas A&M University, while Phan will be going to University of Texas at Austin.

“High school has been a tough ride, but I’m happy with

what I have and what I’ve gone through,” Phan said. “I don’t know what I will become or where I will be in the future, but I know I’ll be happy no matter how things will turn out.”

photo submitted by Justin Mutawassim

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justin mutawassim story by Zane Dean // assistant editor

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enior Justin Mutawassim suddenly hears the words, “‘It’s your plane,’” from the instructor. With the city of Richardson 1,000 feet below him, he is free to explore the open sky.

“The first time I flew a plane, with an instructor, it was just a sensation,” Mutawassim said. “It was just this feeling that you’re controlling this aircraft and it’s just you and it’s really cool.”

Aviation has interested Mutawassim since he was 5 years old, when he took his first flight to Disney World. Mutawassim plans on getting his pilot license so that he can fly as a hobby. He currently practices at home with his flying simulator.

“Last year during second semester I went flying for the first time on my own, actually flying an airplane, and it was just like an incredible experience,” Mutawassim said. “Ever since then I’ve been working my way up toward getting enough money to start taking actual lessons and get a license.”

Mutawassim also works a job at the Allen Event Center that he got through his freshman year audio/video teacher. He started his work there as a cameraman, but now works the instant replay system. He also does audio/video at other various sporting events, such as the Lone Star Conference Championship.

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It was just this feeling that you’re controlling this aircraft and it’s just you, and it’s really cool.

“I love [the] sports [I work for], so it’s nice to watch it [and] get paid for it but then also get to learn a little bit more about the audio/video side and how they present it off to people on TV,” Mutawassim said.

Mutawassim said he plans on going into a career in broadcast. He said that his opportunity to work with professionals

in the field and the experience he has gained working these jobs will help him in the future. “[Working at Allen Event Center] a pretty big deal for someone my age,” Mutawassim said. “I feel like I could definitely use that on a resume.

I’ve already seen other job positions around the area and up in Oklahoma that need exact requirements that I’ve already met before I’m even 18. I think it [has] really helped me out so far.”

Mutawassim also works at Top Golf, works on the morning announcements, participates in road cycling and travels with the varsity baseball team.

“Sometimes I’ll work two jobs a day, and so it’s all about managing the exact times I can get off and how long [it takes] me to drive somewhere, and it gets hectic,” Mutawassim said. “On top of that I have to do homework too, so it drains me sometimes.”

Mutawassim said he recently hit his 600-mile mark cycling.

“I [look] for that to be a hobby of mine when I get older, definitely doing some racing, maybe not Tour de France, but [it has] always been a goal of mine to just keep on racing,” Mutawassim said.

“That’s another fun thing. I just like to get out and explore, same thing with flying, I just love to get out to go places.”

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Tracey Brannon story by Monica Martinez // staff writer

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nd we’re live in three… two… one… No stranger to being in front of the camera, senior Tracey Brannon has been part of the broadcasting program for the past four years.

“I started when I was a freshman in the Intro to A/V Production [class], and I was super involved back then,” Brannon said. “I’m still really involved now. It’s awesome. I really love it.”

Brannon said she knew she wanted to do something in front of the camera, but it wasn’t until seeing [Fox Sports broadcaster] Erin Andrews while watching a Florida State game that she knew broadcasting was for her.

“It was like a revelation,” Brannon said. “I was like, ‘I have to be her.’ I was so inspired by her. I watched the game all the way through, and after the game I went and studied up on her.”

Inspired by Andrews, Brannon now has her own sports segment on KGLE-3 called Sports Round-Up. “I honestly don’t know what my life would be without [broadcast]. I spend almost every day doing something with broadcast. I’m here until 4 [p.m.] every day where most seniors are out at 12:30,” Brannon said. “I’m so heavily involved in it that when I think about not having broadcasting in my life, it scares me.”

Brannon said I just hope to be a broadcasting is good role model to everything she people. wants to do in life and hopes to be a broadcaster after high school.

“I think that I will have a good job in the future with broadcast,” Brannon said. “I don’t know if I would be famous or anything like that, but I definitely think it would give me a great opportunity to provide for my family when I’m older and to provide for myself.”

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Broadcasting has already begun to affect Brannon’s future. Thanks to a segment on the Christia(e) nsen’s Corner, Brannon became Miss Collin County 2014 and was accepted into the 2014 Miss Texas USA pageant. Although this will be Brannon’s first pageant, she is no stranger to being in the limelight.

Brannon was elected this year’s Homecoming Queen.

“It means a lot more to me than a crown,” Brannon said.

“I think it means a lot to me that it shows that I really did affect people’s lives. I just hope to be a good role model to people.”

Brannon said she is thankful for the opportunities given to her through broadcasting and for being an anchor for the past three years.

“I love anchoring, but the other favorite part I have is building relationships with people: the coaches I meet, the players that I interview,” Brannon said. “I really think that my favorite part would be just that and being on camera.”

photo submitted by Alex Hintze

alex hintze story by Callie Anderson // assistant online editor

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n April 17 junior Alex Hintze

over a horizontal bar. He runs with the pole, and then sticks it

ended his pole vaulting

in the ground to catapult himself over the bar.

season with a first place district title and finished the regional meet in fifth place.

“I felt amazing,” Hintze said.

“I felt really great and OK because

“[My favorite part is] falling from the sky about 15 feet in the air,” Hintze said.

Hintze said he hopes to continue competing in pole vault in college.

“I think it would be really great for me to jump in

I knew I was going to win district.

college,” Hintze said. “I want to see if I have the potential to

I wasn’t really scared.”

do it after college.”

Hintze said regionals was an OK meet but he went out the way he wanted to. He said the influence from his coaches has helped him through the season. “[My coaches] make me realize that I can do pretty much

He said the hardest part is the training sessions.

“It is intense strength and core exercises,” Hintze said.

“Like pulling sleds and lifting tires.”

Hintze trains seven to eight times a week and the competitions are usually on Saturdays.

“Not a lot of people do it,” Hintze said. “It is one of a kind.”

whatever if I set my mind to it,” Hintze said.

When Hintze first started in the 7th grade, he did not have a real coach. He said he was what he was doing.

“I was really good at it,” Hintze said. “I picked it up really quickly and it was a lot of fun.”

The pole vaulting event involves using a pole to launch

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[My favorite part is] falling from the sky about 15 feet in the air.”

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terrified because he had no idea

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submitted by Jennifer Cho

Jennifer Cho

by Naomi Fluckiger // staff writer

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She placed first chair two years in a row in the regional orchestra. Cho is the first student from Allen to place that high, and she said she is continually learning from her mistakes as well as her successes. “[The hardest part of being considered a top ranked violinist at a high school age is] not becoming lazy by relying on past ranks to keep me up because laziness can destroy everything,” Cho said.

Cho said having the structure of her learning environment teaches her patience, perseverance and determination, traits she believes everyone should learn.

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he stage. The lights. The applause. While often associated with theater arts, stage performances are just as prominent in the musical world. Junior Jennifer Cho follows her passion - playing violin competitively in the school orchestra and various music organizations.

Cho said she began playing violin when she was 6 years old and her parents put her in lessons to teach her a skill they valued. It was there she fell in love with music.

“Now, since I’ve been doing it for so long, it’s like air to me,” Cho said.

Over the years Cho has had many opportunities to play in school orchestras, as well as other organizations such as the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra (GDYO) and Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA). “[When I perform] I’m not thinking about the music. I’m not thinking about anything [at all].” Cho said. “My fingers just kind of do what they do and if I’m prepared, then I’ll be successful.”

Cho has played at various events including recitals, nursing homes, accompanying the Allen Philharmonic Orchestra after winning the gold medal in their competition and twice at the retired Allen teachers annual meeting.

[when i perform] i’m not thinking about the music. i’m not thinking about anything [at all].

“[Playing violin] has made me more disciplined because it does take a lot of hard work and patience,” Cho said. “[And] I think the discipline and patience will carry through.”

Cho says her favorite part of being involved in the music world is meeting people interested in the same thing as her and being motivated by their success.

“Despite the nerves and the difficulty, I love what I do,” Cho said. “And success is its own reward.”

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Bo Nickal

by Jackson Meeker // staff writer

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restling captain senior Bo Nickal began his wrestling journey early on in his life.

Having participated in hundreds of wrestling matches throughout his career, Nickal said that there is one match that comes to mind when he thinks of the wrestling match that he will remember for the rest of his life.

“Last year when I made the world team, I wrestled a kid in the final match of trials, and he was kind of my rival,” Nickal said. “We were the

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i like all the pressure on me. When you win and are successful, it’s like you did that and you can take all the glory.

number one and two kids in the country, and I beat him. That was kind of a crazy match.”

Nickal said that his father, wrestling coach Jason Nickal, is responsible for introducing him to the sport that he excels at today.

“You know, my dad got me into it when I was real young,” Nickal said. “He’s a coach and stuff, so I just started young and kept with it.”

Nickal said that he associates wrestling with teaching him many important life lessons. Even though Nickal was not always ranked as high as he his currently, he said that his hard work and determination has paid off.

“You know it’s taught me a lot of just like, I feel like wrestling translates well over into life,” Nickal said. “It teaches you time management skills, self-discipline, hard work, and teaches

you that things don’t come free. For me, it wasn’t always really easy, I wasn’t always like really good, but i just kept at it and got a lot better.”

Having competed at a high level in wrestling for so long, Nickal said that he has a lot of awards and medals to show for it. Some of these accomplishments include: threetime state champion, five-time U.S. national champion, 2013 world team member, and the 2014 Texas state championship outstanding wrestler. However, there is one accolade he one day hopes to obtain. Nickal wants to be only the fourth American gold medalist in wresting since 1960.

“My goal is to be an Olympic gold medalist,” Nickal said. “That’s pretty much the highest level you can get in wrestling.”

Even though success in a teamwrestling tournament requires a good performance from all of the athletes competing, Nickal said that he thinks of it as a solo act when on the mat with his opponents.

“I just love the fact that it’s an individual sport, and it’s just me out there,” Nickal said. “I just like all the pressure on me. When you win and are successful it’s like, you did that, and you can take all the glory.”

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WINTER ROSE story by Audrey Stelmach // staff writer

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lready enrolled in the military, senior Winter

“Before I made a commitment to the military, I

Rose knows how she wishes to spend her future.

wanted to experience it firsthand,” Rose said. “That

She spent her junior year at the New Mexico Military

kind of career path shouldn’t be taken lightly by any

Institute (NMMI) in order to prepare herself for her

means.”

future career. At NMMI students undergo “RAT week,” which is a three week period of constant physical

After spending a year at NMMI, Rose went back to public school and later began Allen’s JROTC program.

“Military school differs from the JROTC program in

training and drill.

“The days were absolutely miserable at the time,”

the sense that you are surrounded by your fellow cadets

Rose said. “But looking back on it now, those three

24/7,” Rose said. “You do everything together: eat,

weeks had such an amazing influence in my life in the

sleep, drill, PT, study. You quickly become passionate

sense that they forced me to mature in order for me to

about it as you go through each hard day surrounded by

be able to comprehend the concepts of duty, honor and

people that know you better than you know yourself.”

While at NMMI students follow a rigorous schedule:

achievement.”

at 6:15, attend school until 2:30, go to corps physical

Before I made a commitment to the military, I wanted to experience it firsthand.

That kind of career path shouldn’t be taken lightly by any means.

training, dinner, have mandatory study hall and then have only 30 minutes until lights out.

“Breakfast formation and uniform inspection was

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wake up for breakfast formation and uniform inspection

Almost like a miniature boot camp, RAT week gave Rose the opportunity to experience her possible future.

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one of my favorite things to do,” Rose said, “because though it was long and uniform inspection was tedious, we got to watch the sun rise.”

Rose enlisted with the Army Reserves last year.

This August she will leave for five months of AIT, or Advanced Individual Training, as a chemical biological radiological weapons specialist.

“I’m excited,” Rose said. “It’s what I’ve always wanted to do with my life.”

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akshata sastry story by Jordyn Ruiz // staff writer o longer does she shy away from people or keep to herself.

Senior Student Council President Akshata Sastry is now an outgoing and confident person, and she thanks Student Council for it all.

“I [used to] not speak in front of crowds,” Sastry said.

“Now I feel that I’m more comfortable with speaking and being in front of large crowds of people.”

Sastry said she decided to take a leadership class her sophomore year but was unaware that it was actually a Student Council class.

“I thought it was just a normal leadership class, and I figured that I was shy and I needed leadership classes to be more outgoing,” Sastry said.

Sastry said she soon realized Student Council was fun and a great experience, so she decided to be an officer and later became treasurer her junior year and president her senior year.

This year Student Council has been involved in the blood drive, planning homecoming and prom and also promoting the seatbelt and technology campaigns.

“We do a lot of things that people don’t really know about,” Sastry said. “[The things we do are] a lot of small projects that people don’t really notice. It does get a little frustrating but in the end we don’t do the things we do for recognition.

We do it to [Not getting noticed] does get a make people little frustrating but in the end we happy and don’t do the things we do make going for recognition. to school a little more bearable.”

Through her experience as Student Council president, Sastry said she has learned how to communicate more openly with many different people, be a leader in a large group and be a mentor for her peers.

“I know during projects or ideas there are always roadblocks. There [is] always someone saying no, and you need to be persistent. You shouldn’t get discouraged with other people,” Sastry said. “You should take it from a different angle, be determined.”

Being Student Council president has been a very rewarding experience said Sastry, who has not only been a leader to her peers but also a role model for future Student Council presidents.

“I’ve made a lot of friends in Student Council,” Sastry said. “I’m more confident in myself, and I feel that I can see the world differently now that I’m not so shy anymore.”

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photos submitted by Allison Ponthier

Allison Ponthier story by Madeline Chalkley // staff writer

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ix months ago senior Allison Ponthier began her modeling career when she was hired to model at a small boutique. There, she was greeted by a model named Lauren who helped open up Ponthier’s modeling connections.

“She was like, ‘Hey, I think you should meet with my agent, I think she would really like you,’” Ponthier said. “She snapped a picture of me and sent it off to her agent, and her agent wanted me.”

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all [modeling] is, is how blank of a canvas are you?

How good of a canvas are you?

Since then modeling has played a prominent part in Ponthier’s life. She did promo work for one of Dallas’ biggest runway events of the year called DIFFA, which is a charity event that provides grants to those affected by HIV/AIDS. You can also see Ponthier’s face printed on Earthbound Trading Company’s storefront banner across the nation and in Seventeen Magazine where she advertised Do It Yourself prom jewelry ideas created by Michael’s.

“I had no idea it was for Seventeen [Magazine] at the time,” Ponthier said. “My agent sent me an email, and she was like ‘Hey, Michaels is casting’,’ and I was like, ‘Cool, I’m going to be on a knitting pattern or something’, and then I got there, and they told me it was for Seventeen Magazine. I had no idea, and I was super psyched. It was an incredible experience.”

At that point Ponthier had only been modeling

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for two months, however she said modeling had already taught her how to present herself as a business and a product, and because of this she has learned how to carry herself and make connections with the people around her. “[Modeling] is a business, you are a business, you are a product, and I can see where it’s superficial because it is based on how you look but really all [modeling] is, is how blank of a canvas are you? How good of a canvas are you? How well can you transform?” Ponthier said.

Behind the camera lens Ponthier spends her photo-shoots either modeling summer clothes in 40 degree weather, letting people slather Vaseline on her legs to make them appear shiny or occasionally even having to change ensembles on the side of the road.

“I have done a lot of weird shoots. There is never a shoot that’s normal,” Ponthier said. “There is always something you have to do that’s strange.”

According to Ponthier modeling is glamorous in the pictures, but it is the least glamorous thing outside of the runway. Behind the scenes it is just a lot of rushing, trying to get things done, eating and being cold and tired. Despite this, Ponthier has learned how to market herself and achieve success.

“Modeling has increased my confidence, and a lot of it is just changing and being a different person every time I model,” Ponthier said. “It helped me really find myself as a person.”

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ARI BURNS story by Madison Reynolds // staff writer orn into a family line of jazz musicians, senior Ari Burns followed in the footsteps of not only his father but his grandparents and even greatgrandparents. Picking up the trumpet in the sixth grade, Burns said it came naturally and he soon found himself developing and improving musically, learning to love an instrument that would stay with him all the way into college. “[My dad] played the trombone, and he gave me a trumpet when I was in the sixth grade,” Burns said. “And that’s what I started with.”

Currently Burns is involved in Escadrille and jazz band but continues to take his musical ability outside of the school, being invited to perform at events such as anniversaries, parties and churches. Burns’ music ability doesn’t stop at the trumpet. He also plays all the brass instruments, some woodwind instruments such as clarinet and saxophone and even dabbles with the piano and drums. Earlier this year, Burns was accepted into the University of Texas Trumpet Studio, a program that only takes four students yearly.

“I’ve wanted to go to UT since before I started playing trumpet,” Burns said. “I was on top of the world [when I found out I was accepted]. I was at a Whataburger in the middle of no where on my way to my audition at Texas Tech, and Dr. Sasaki [UT’s Professor of Trumpet Studies] called me himself, and I jumped around, jumped around and

screamed.”

Burns credits his admission to being in contact with professors, being proactive, putting himself out there and showing them firsthand what he can do and how well he can learn.

“I did some research when I realized what I wanted to do sophomore year, and I contacted the Professor of Trumpet and Music Studies, Dr. Ray Sasaki, and I set up a meeting with him and spent several days as a music major down at UT,” Burns said. “I took lessons from him and basically just prepared myself, stayed in contact with him and made sure I was at the top of their list.”

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I get to express myself in a way i feel that’s unique. i like communicating in a way that i don’t have to use words.

His passion has also provided him the opportunity to speak, and even perform, with some of his musical influences, like Doc Severinsen, American pop and jazz trumpeter, best known for leading the NBC Orchestra on The Tonight Show.

“It was incredible, it was one of my happiest memories,” Burns said. “He’s my idol.”

Burns said he after college he wants to travel, play on cruise ships and try teaching. He said he loves the expressive nature of brass.

“I get to express myself in a way I feel that’s unique,” Burns said. “I like communicating in a way that I don’t have to use words.”

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photos submitted

by Nadia Pinter

NADIA PINTER story by Erin Bird // staff writer

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t it 2,104 kilometers, 1,307.36 miles, from the city of Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, to Allen, Texas. That’s how far senior Nadia Pinter traveled in the summer of 2012, when she and her mother moved down to Texas.

“My stepdad is originally American,” Pinter said. “When my mom met him, he lived in Texas.

We moved to Allen because they heard it was an exemplary school. I miss Canada a lot, but there have been people here that have helped me through it, like my English teacher from last year.”

Being from another country is just one fact about Pinter. Besides English, she also speaks semi-fluent French, is learning Spanish in school and is picking up other languages in the meantime.

“In Canada, French starts at grade three,” Pinter said. “I guess I’ve always had a knack for [languages] because my dad [has] spoken Hungarian to me all his life. I’m not very good at it, but I can get by. My entire family is immigrants, so they all speak different

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I’ve always been interested in my genetic background and learning new languages.... [it] helps me feel closer and more connected to my roots.

languages.”

Pinter’s grandparents are British, her mom was born in Canada, and her father is Yugoslavian.

“My dad was born in Yugoslavia,” Pinter said.

“Then he lived in Germany for 10 years, going to Hungary every summer to visit family, and then he

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moved to Canada, and that’s where [my parents] met.”

Pinter has an extensive list of places she has been, such as Austria, Hungary and Germany, be it to visit family, to go back home to Canada or just to travel.

“I’ve been to Germany, mainly to visit where my dad used to live, and to Romania,” Pinter said. “I was supposed to go to France this summer with my mom, but I don’t think I’ll have time.”

After the school year Pinter said she is planning to be a nanny out of the country, visit her aunt and hopefully pick up some more languages.

“This summer I’m going to Belgium to be an au pair, which is the French word for nanny,” Pinter said. “I’m going to stay in the French part and nanny for a little boy. Then I’m going to live with my aunt and help her out, and hopefully learn a little bit of Dutch and Flemish.”

Pinter said Canada will always be her home, despite the cultural barriers between Texas and Canada.

“I love being from Canada,” Pinter said, “but it’s a lot different from here. I’ve always been interested in my genetic background and learning new languages that my parents speak, it helps me feel closer and more connected to my roots, which I think is important.”

photos submitted by Francesca D’Annunzio

francesca D’ANNUNZIO story by Maleeha Ahsanullah // staff writer

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new country.

A different language.

A brand new culture.

“My teachers were really kind to me. They’ll give me extra time to study or explain stuff to me during the test.

Sometimes they even let me take the test another day, which is really nice,” D’Annunzio said.

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D’Annunzio said that being a part of the foreign

“It wasn’t enough for me to stay home and do four years of high school, like the normal high school experience. I wanted to put myself in an uncomfortable situation and see how I do,” D’Annunzio said.

Originally, her interest was sparked by an exchange student from Norway who stayed with D’Annunzio while living in America.

“We really bonded, and she felt like my real sister, and after that I was always interested in the foreign exchange program,” D’Annunzio said.

She applied for the foreign exchange program through AFS Intercultural Programs and studied Italian all summer to prepare for her year abroad.

“I used to sit by the pool with my little Italian books and practiced as much as I could, but none of it was really helpful until I finally got here,” D’Annunzio said. “It was scary getting thrown into life here, and I had no idea what I was supposed to say even though I practiced a ton.”

Being in Italy, D’Annunzio is taking the same classes she would have taken being back in America, but she is not sure if all her credits will transfer. She said understanding the classes is a lot harder since they are taught in a different language, but her teachers give her extra time for assignments and studying.

i can’t imagine my future the way i see it now because of coming here and i couldn’t be more blessed to have gotten this opportunity.

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All of these were challenges sophomore Francesca D’Annunzio experienced when she traveled to Italy as the first foreign exchange student from Allen.

exchange program has been a life changing experience, and it improved her self confidence.

“I was kind of outgoing before, but now I’m outgoing in a different way. I also used to worry what people thought about me,” said D’Annunzio, “but now I don’t think about that as much because I mess up a lot anyway.

Especially in a country where you don’t know the language or the customs, people just need to understand you have the best of intentions.”

With the program ending soon, D’Annunzio said that she’s sad that she has to go home, but this has been an unforgettable experience for her. She plans on meeting her parents in Paris and touring Europe for the remainder of the summer until she comes home.

“This has honestly been one of the best years of my life,” D’Annunzio said. “I can’t imagine my future the way I see it now because of coming here, and I couldn’t be more blessed to have gotten this opportunity.”

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photos submitted by Ashlee Gilchrist

Ashlee Gilchrist story by Emily Haney // staff writer

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yes forward, back straight, smiles on. The contestants adjust their dresses and walk into the bright lights to await the results of the Miss Allen Outstanding Teen pageant.

There are a variety of ways students can get involved in the community to make an impact, but it isn’t often that you hear of someone making a positive difference in heels and a tiara.

Junior Ashlee Gilchrist is the current titleholder of Miss Allen Outstanding Teen,

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a lot of titleholders don’t live in the city that they represent, so i feel really blessed to be a part of the town i’m representing.

a pageant program for girls 13 to 17. This program, according to Gilchrist, has helped her in her desire to make a positive impact in our community and others.

“I really didn’t expect to win, especially because some of the other contestants had a lot more experience than I did,” Gilchrist

32

said. “I was really flattered.”

The Miss America organization is the largest scholarship opportunity program for women in the country, opening Gilchrist up to future college options.

“We do openings for local businesses in the area, we go to children’s hospitals, we do Special Olympics, and I also read to kids at TCU sometimes,” Gilchrist said.

The Miss Allen Outstanding Teen program encourages titleholders and rewards talent, communication skills, community service and academic achievement.

Gilchrist said she hopes that the organization continues to grow after her and that future Miss Allen Teens will make a positive impact.

“My favorite thing about living in Allen is that the whole community is behind the school,” Gilchrist said. “A lot of titleholders don’t live in the city that they represent, so I feel really blessed to be a part of the town I’m representing.”

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pokémon masters Patrick Morehead, Luke Nelson, Ryan Smith

story by Nini Truong // staff writer

T

he contest is no ordinary contest. It’s a battle of wit, stealth and luck. Master versus master. May the best one win.

Senior Ryan Smith and a few of his friends battled others in the Pokémon League Championships, a series of tournaments involving the popular Pokémon card games.

Before making it to the statewide competition, where he made it into the leading 100 out of 200, Smith and his friends, juniors Patrick Morehead and Luke Nelson, went to Houston for a regional event on March 15.

“

“

it’s just really nice to be able to sit across from someone, and there’s a weird amount of respect that you guys share for that round.

“There was a regional [competition] in Houston a few months ago,” Smith said. “[My score] was about the same, about the halfway point. That [tournament] was super crowded, and we literally did not get back to the hotel until 1 in the morning.”

To prepare Smith said he would practice the card games by having mini-tournaments with his friends. Outside of their scrimmage they would also go to miniature leagues in Plano and McKinney. “[The league is] just literally people within our city area,” Smith said. “We come together, have a little tournament and trade and stuff.”

While at these meets, they meet people to discuss, battle and trade with.

“There are definitely some cool people that you will meet,” Morehead said. “Not just card-wise but people-wise. It’s just really nice to be able to sit across from someone, and there’s a weird amount of respect that you guys share for that round.”

Not only do the friends get to battle with new people, they also receive advice on how to improve their card decks and make better moves in the game, according to Nelson.

“I learned a lot about what my mistakes were in the game,” Nelson said. “In one of my first games, I made a really, really big mistake. The guy I was playing told me I put something on wrong, and if I did it the other way, I could’ve easily knocked out his Pokémon. I did it the next turn, and I knocked [him] out.”

However, Nelson said that his experience at his match in Houston was without victory. “[The match in Houston] was my first competition,” Nelson said. “I did not do that well. I won two games. I lost seven and tied once.”

Despite not making it to the national rounds, Morehead said he still feels good about being able to go to the competition.

“It’s always a lot of fun when you win at a tournament because you get this sort of exciting rush when you’re playing,” Morehead said. “You’re like, ‘This goes with this, and this goes with this,’ and [when] everything goes well, you feel so happy and like you nailed it.”

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photos submitted by Ariel McCowan

Ariel Mccowan story by Morgan Kiser // staff writer

E

ven though there are set steps and choreography, junior Ariel McCowan can still make the dance her own and is inspired to dance with her team to victory.

As a student of the Texas Ballet Theatre, McCowan attended the Youth Grand Prix dance competition Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 with her dance ensemble where they won best overall. They made it to the finals in New York, where they competed for the best overall ensembles but did not win the title.

“

“

I try to imagine myself not dancing, and i don’t know what i would do without it.

“It is a really big competition, so people around the world come to dance,” McCowan said. “[People from] China, Japan, Brazil, basically anywhere come and compete, so we never expected to win, but it is such an honor just to get to go compete and meet these people.”

Starting at a young age, McCowan has trained almost her whole life to be a dancer.

“When I was 3 my mom put me in a dance class because I had too much energy, and she didn’t know what to do with me,” McCowan said. “I really liked it, so I just stuck with it.”

McCowan said she dances at least three hours on weekdays and about seven hours on Saturdays.

“Sometimes it gets frustrating because my

34

friends will want to hang out, and my excuse is always dance, and now they even know, ‘Oh, you have dance,’” McCowan said. “But at the same time, when I get [to the studio] and I start dancing, it’s like I forget about everything. For me all the hours are worth it.”

With all the hours of dance and school and trying to maintain other aspects of her life, McCowan said she barely manages to keep up with her three AP classes and other extracurricular activities.

“All my teachers are really understanding about it, and they know my situation,” McCowan said. “It hasn’t been as difficult as it could have been.”

McCowan said she wants to continue dancing until she is part of a professional ballet company.

“Right now I’m looking into joining a professional ballet company,” McCowan said. “Of course I will be auditioning for the big ones like the American Ballet Theatre and San Francisco, but I think [it] would be really fun after I establish my career to go for dancing on Broadway.”

McCowan has done dance for almost her whole life but said she still has doubts sometimes about dancing.

“Sometimes, especially because of schoolwork, I get really overwhelmed, and I think about quitting,” McCowan said. “Then I try to imagine myself not dancing, and I don’t know what I would do without it. It would just be really weird.”

BC

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Chris Edwards story by Deatrik Bledsoe // staff writer

B

alancing six AP classes, track and cross

helped him in his self confidence and the

country, senior Chris Edwards adds

meetings have helped him a lot as well.

another activity to his ever-growing list:

“It has really helped me with my public

president of the National Honor Society, a

speaking skills,” Edwards said. “I have to

position he has held since his sophomore

talk to a group of people all the time and it

year. Edwards plans with his group to encourage students to help their community.

“I feel like doing this helps my school a lot as well as my community become better every year,” Edwards said.

Edwards said he has made sure that NHS has been running

[has] made me more organized as well.”

But being president of the NHS is much different than anything else he has been in.

Edwards has to talk to a very specific group of people.

“I think that this is different in that I have to always talk to the teachers and officers about what we can improve in our school.”

smoothly for two years and hopes that NHS continues to run the way that it is.

“We have a Facebook page that I have to check on as well as our Twitter page, and I also provide ideas Edwards said.

And with all the work that’s put into NHS Edwards says he still has time to be with friends and socialize.

“It really doesn’t affect my schedule at all, except when I have meetings because I have to get up at such an early time to do these things,” Edwards said He said being NHS president also has

“

I feel like doing this helps my school a lot as well as my community become better every year

“

to our officers in our officer meeting,”

35

SA

Drum Majors Alyssa Harrott, Evan Simmons Alden Zuck, Kate Henderson

story by Layal Zalkout // staff writer ore than 800 members. Four drum majors taking the lead.

This school year, seniors Alyssa Harrott, Evan Simmons and Alden Zuck and junior Kate Henderson stepped up on the podium and took their positions as the 2013-2014 drum majors.

“I’ve always wanted to be a drum major since I was in elementary school,” Harrott said. “Once I got in the [band] program, I really looked up to the drum majors [during] my freshman and sophomore years. They all inspired me to [try out] myself.”

The drum majors take on many tasks, from conducting on the field to helping the members learn the drills. Zuck said that even though being in this position is a hard job, it is still rewarding.

“You’re always the one who’s going to be here super early and stay here super late and spend so much time on everything,” Zuck said. “It’s really tiring, and it kind of wears you down after a while, but it’s worth it.”

The drum majors lead the band while the section leaders work with only their group of the same instrument players. Henderson said her section leaders inspired her to try and aim for the drum major position. “[My section leaders] said how fun

36

it was to help other kids,” Henderson said, “but I realized that I wanted to help more than just the kids in my section. I wanted to be able to reach out and go help a trumpet player across the field.”

After being around and conducting hundreds of band members, Simmons said being a drum major has helped shape his character.

“I’ve learned a lot about leadership and confidence,” Simmons said. “I was a shy person to begin with, but [being a] drum major really helped me become a more public leader.”

Henderson said she still remembers her first time conducting during football season.

“The wall of sound that just hits you in the face is

amazing and exhilarating,” Henderson said. “It felt like I was a freshman again during my first game. I was so nervous because you don’t want to mess up and people are watching you.”

“

“

M

we aren’t only representing the band, we are representing allen.

Harrott said leading such a big group leads to more pressure.

“In a way some people put us on a platform,” Harrott said. “I feel like we are very aware of our actions and our choices and how we treat other people and interact with teachers. We aren’t only representing the band, we are representing Allen.”

TB

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RM

YEARBOOK EDITORS KRISTEN NEMETH & KYLIE BOWMAN

story by Lucy Boys // staff writer

T

ake the tasks of a yearbook student, such as transcribing interviews or keeping up with sources and copyedits. Now multiply that by 36 students.

Amazingly brilliant or amazingly insane, overseeing the yearbook staff and their work falls upon senior Co-Editors-in-Chief Kristen Nemeth and Kylie Bowman. Their last year on yearbook, they helped lead the staff to the creation on a 432 page yearbook and 32 page supplement.

“I think the best part [of yearbook] is on distribution day,” Nemeth said. “I get to hand the

“

“

I get to hand the book to somebody and it excites me when they go ‘oh my god, that’s my picture.’

book to somebody, and it excites me when they go ‘oh my god, that’s my picture.’”

Nemeth started yearbook in seventh grade, when she obtained a leadership role after her editorsin-chief quit mid-year. Bowman

started journalism freshman year. Now as seniors, Nemeth and Bowman are the leaders. “[Yearbook is] really good to meet friends,” Bowman said, “and just to be a part of the school since you’re covering all school activities, and you end up knowing a little bit of everything.”

Nemeth said day-to-day experiences in yearbook have taught her to compromise with others to reach a positive outcome. “[Yearbook is a] big learning experience,” Nemeth said. “It forces you to push yourself past you comfort zone of interviewing people [because] you have to do it.

They have to be in the book.”

Nemeth and Bowman both said they credit journalism teacher and adviser Kelly Juntunen for inspiring them everyday.

“I think her passion for journalism has been encouraging,” Nemeth said. “It shows me that she loves what she does and it encourages me [to] love what I do.”

37

SA

zahra Ahmed story by Kaitlyn Brown // staff writer enior Zahra Ahmed, winner of the Allen Art Show for her portrait of an old woman, “True Distortion,” shares her love for art and her passion for life.

“When I moved here the band was such a huge program that I wanted something a little more intimate, so I got into art,” Ahmed said. “I think [art] is a really cool way to spread a message.”

Ahmed said that although she has loved art since the first grade, it wasn’t until her sophomore year that she truly became obsessed with it, discovering the many ways it is conveyed in the world today.

“There are some paintings that I have that have some science in them, so you can really portray [or] take any concept or idea and manipulate it to your own style or how you want to portray it or what you think of something,” Ahmed said. “When you are an artist, you are really openminded because you know that there are so many interpretations for everything that there is no absolute answer.”

From the vibrant colors of her African art to her meticulous technical paintings conveying human interaction, Ahmed said her art relates who she in different ways.

“I use my artwork to explore my curiosity,” Ahmed said. “Everything I create is influenced by stuff that I see. That is kind of the general rule for everything. I am

38

really interested in human interaction, human perception, so a lot of my artwork has that kind of social commentary going on.”

Alongside exploring her curiosity, Ahmed said she pulls inspiration anywhere from the Internet and books to her own experiences to further widen her horizons and convey in her pieces what she feels anyone can pull from in her love for art.

“I think [art is] a really powerful way to convey a message because even though you have a meaning that you are putting into something, that is not necessarily what someone else is going to get from it,” Ahmed said.

“

Everything I create is influenced by stuff that i see. that is kind of the general rule for everything.

“

S

Ahmed said that at the core of her artwork, she feels she is expressing herself, sharing a part of who she is and in doing so finds the message behind her artwork becomes clearer as she figures herself out.

“I just really like looking at the little things and how they combine to make something bigger, and I think that is parallel to my artwork,” Ahmed said. “I think that has probably shaped my artwork a lot because I think in my artwork I am attempting to answer really abstract questions. That is probably one of the major ways my life has influenced my artwork.”

AA

Maddie Szeryk story by Katelyn Moody // staff writer enior Maddie Szeryk is finishing up her time on the Allen golf team while her future playing for Texas A&M awaits her.

After placing third individually in the 2014 state championship, Szeryk said she will take away all the things she has learned during golf over the years.

“I do golf because I love it, and I’ve been playing for 10 years, and it’s just a lot of fun,” Szeryk said.

Szeryk said she loves the competitive challenge that comes from golfing.

“You have to be patient, but you also have to be competitive, and you also have to practice for hours and hours every day,” Szeryk said. “I love the competitiveness and just being able to go out and play.”

Szeryk said representing the school is a good way for studentathletes to show how much all of the sports are capable of. In 2012 Szeryk was part of the Lady Eagles gold team that became the Texas 5A Girls State Champions.

“It means a lot,” Szeryk said. “It’s cool that we can go out there and show Allen that it’s not just football and that other sports are good too, so it’s fun.”

Compared to golf at other schools, Szeryk said she feels the team pulls together to be better and make each other more motivated.

“We mostly get along, and we’re all really competitive, and we all want to win, so I think

that drives us to get better,” Szeryk said. “We push each other to get better.”

Although she is leaving Allen golf next year, Szeryk said she won’t forget the memories she has made over the years with the girls on her team.

“I think I’ll take away all the memories we’ve bonded over because we travel, and we’re together for two or three days, and just the team atmosphere is so much fun,” Szeryk said.

Szeryk said she is preparing herself for the

“

“

S

i do golf because i love it, and i’ve been playing for 10 years. it is just a lot of fun.

different atmosphere of college golf compared to high school golf.

“I’m going to play golf at A&M, so I’ll still have [that] team atmosphere, but it’ll be completely different,” Szeryk said. “Like high school it’s intense, but it’s a little more relaxed.

Some teams don’t care, but [my teammates and I] definitely do, and so it makes it more interesting.”

Szeryk said she will take away all the things she has learned after being part of the golf team in Allen.

“I think I’ve matured,” Szeryk said. “It [has] taught me how to be a good teammate. I’m going on to A&M next year, so [the experience] is going to show me, ‘Hey, this is what it takes to be a good teammate.’”

39

SENIOR EXAM SCHEDULE 2014 Friday 5-30 A-Day

Monday 6-2 b-Day

tuesday wednesday thursday 6-3 6-4 6-5 A-day b-Day

Text book check- Text book check- Text book check- Text book checkin before and in before and in before and in before and after school after school after school after school

8:15-9:15

8:15-9:15

8:15-10:15

8:15-10:15

1st Period Exam

1st Period Exam

4TH PERIOD EXAM

7TH PERIOD EXAM

9:20-10:55

9:20-10:55

10:25-12:25

10:25-12:25

2ND PERIOD EXAM

5TH PERIOD EXAM

11:00-1:00

11:00-1:00

3RD PERIOD CLASS

1:05-2:30

AHS GYM

6TH PERIOD EXAM

7:30 PM GRADUATION AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER

6TH PERIOD CLASS

1:05-2:30

4TH PERIOD CLASS

7TH PERIOD CLASS

2:35-3:35

2:35-3:35

8TH PERIOD EXAM

3RD PERIOD EXAM

9:00 AM GRADUATION PRACTICE

friday 6-6

8TH PERIOD EXAM

UNDERCLASSMAN EXAM SCHEDULE 2014 Monday 6-2 b-Day

NORMAL CLASS SCHEDULE

TUESDAY 6-3 A-DAY

WEDNESDAY 6-4 B-DAY

THURSDAY 6-5 A-DAY

FRIDAY 6-6 b-Day

Text book checkin before and after school

Text book checkin before and after school

Text book checkin before and after school

Text book checkin before and after school

8:15-10:15 4TH PERIOD EXAM

8:15-10:15 7TH PERIOD EXAM

8:15-10:15 2ND PERIOD EXAM

8:15-10:15 1ST PERIOD EXAM

10:25-12:25 3RD PERIOD EXAM

10:25-12:25 6TH PERIOD EXAM

10:25-12:25 5TH PERIOD EXAM

10:25-12:25 8TH PERIOD EXAM

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO THE

Class of 2014 Commencement Ceremonies Friday, June 6th 7:30 p.m.

The American Airlines Center 2500 Victory Ave, Dallas, TX 75219

Ever have that feeling like you forgot something important? Like maybe...

you didn't buy a yearbook?

Mistakes happen, we know.

But you have to hurry if you want to buy one of our limited extras.

They’re $100. Bring cash or check (made out to AHS yearbook) to room K113 before the end of the year.

the top 10

Things heard at graduation page and graphics by Megan Lucas

“CON(GR

AD)ULAT

IONS!”

T ARE “WHA NS?” A L P R YOU

“i can’t believe it’s over.”

y

“it’s finall over!”

“it all just flew by so fast!”

“we’ll

“freedom

stay in touch !”

!”

“oh

the u’ll places go !”

yo

mmer “su 4!!”

2k1

y even “do the ?” go here

Ashley Acosta

Klayton Carpenter

Praneeka Muthu Raman

Saher Aqeel

Monica Martinez

Collin Thompson

Danny Ortiz

Erin Bird

Harrison Geosits

Is this really it?

The last 2013-2014 issue. My last issue. The last time I’ll carefully position “The Eagle Angle” onto an InDesign document, or format a story in Merriweather Light, size 8.5, with a 1.48 indent on each paragraph. The last time to glance away from the screen of my Mac and see the other editors intently designing a spread, or laughing at each other’s quirks, or marking up the board with assorted story ideas.

I just wish I had more time, just one more year to do everything with this paper that I know we can. But when I leave this staff, I am confident in the capable and creative hands I leave it, who have proven themselves this year to be some of the most faithful and hardworking friends I have ever known. I am eternally grateful to them – they are the backbone of this paper. They never give up; they work with cheer and insight. They’ve taught me more about being a leader and working with peers than any leadership class or activity I’ve ever done. Newspaper has shaped my work ethic, my personality, my social life, and there is no way to express to you the lasting impact it will have on my life.

At the Eagle Angle, our goal is to reflect the 5,000 students we represent. At times, this responsibility seems insurmountable - how do you do so many stories justice? Allen’s unique diversity is evident with every new face you meet – just glance around during a passing period and you’ll see a JROTC student, a cheerleader and photographer walking side by side. Above and around this letter are the faces of the Eagle Angle – some are cross country runners, or Tallenettes, or artists. But we are all the Eagle Angle. It is what connects us, and it is how I have met some of my best friends. I am so glad you get to finally see the faces of the people who have brought you such amazing content this year. Telling your stories has been an honor, Allen High School. Thank you for opening up your lives to us; to our questions, to our photographers and to our writers. Thank you for picking up the issues from those ambiguous red bins, and supporting this staff and high school journalism.

Allen is_____. Allen is what you make it. For me, Allen is opportunity. And the opportunity I’ve had to lead the Eagle Angle has left me immeasurably blessed.

Sincerely,

Madeline Chalkley

Editor-in-Chief

Madison Reynolds

Laura Hallas

Fatima Huq

Rebecca Barney

Bailey Wood

Deatrik Bledsoe

Emily Haney

Jackson Meeker

Jordyn Ruiz

Kaitlyn Brown

Laura Pitts

Layal Zalkout

Lucy Boys

It is impossible to put into one short letter exactly what this paper has meant to me these past three years. I need a short novel, maybe more. But when I try to figure out exactly what to say as my time with The Eagle Angle comes to an end, all that comes to mind is thank you. Not just to my staff and my adviser, but to this city as a whole. Being a part of a high school paper anywhere else would not have blessed me with the opportunities that Allen has. I mean, who else can say that they got to lead the newspaper staff in the largest high school in Texas?

Being a member of this staff has changed my entire life, no question. My staff if my family. As cliché as that sounds, if you were ever around us you wouldn’t hesitate to agree. We bicker and sass each other to no end, but we also love each other unconditionally – we’re basically the Brady Bunch only 10 times crazier. We’ve grown closer than most because we are constantly together and if we didn’t get along, the world would be utter chaos – okay it basically is chaos but it’s controlled at least. And even though at times it gets hard and all we can think about is giving up, at the end of the day we all have this weird bond that pulls us back in.

I could go on forever about exactly what these people and this paper mean to me, but I don’t think words are good enough. You can’t put into words that feeling of opening a box and seeing something you’ve designed straight from scratch with people who have become your best friends. It’s something I wish everyone could experience because not a thing in the world compares to it. I love my kids, my editors, my paper. And as much as I never thought it would, I’m really going to miss coming in to K113 every day and working with these crazy people. I’m blessed to say I was the Co-Editor-in-Chief of The Eagle Angle and got to share this journey with Megan. She deserves a thank you of her own for putting up with me all year because let’s face it, I’m a handful.

Allen is a crazy place full of astounding wonders and bright ambitions. Take one look inside Allen High School, and you’ll understand. The people roaming the halls, the stories waiting to be told, the talent dying to be discovered. There is so much Allen has to offer the world. Being a part of this staff gave me the most amazing experience I could ever ask for because I got to be the one discovering those talents and sharing those stories. I got to meet people and make memories that I will carry with me the rest of my life. For that, all there is to say is thank you.

So thank you Allen, and thank you Eagle Angle, for everything – it’s been a good ride.

Sincerely,

Editor-in-Chief

Katelyn Moody

Maggie Rians

Nini Truong

Rachel Moretti

Callie Anderson

Maleeha Ahsanullah

Jarret Rogers

Morgan Kiser

Naomi Fluckiger

Zane Dean

Audrey Stelmach

Victoria Erb

Jacob Pena

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“[Allen] is a place where I can comfortably live. It’s a personal [place] that I love.”

Sharheen Mallik, 10 “[Allen is a good place where] we get crazy about football and it makes us all come together and unite.”

Justin Norris, 12

“When I think about Allen, I think about the marching band and how popular we are.”

Shannon Valenta, 12 “[Allen is] really big and when I think of Allen I think of football.”

Sydney Long, 12

“[To me Allen is] home. I grew up here, lived here my entire life. Allen is champions.”

Asher Khan, 12