No Day but Today by Featherduster Westlake

Fe a t h e rd u s te r

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no day but today

the

Westlake High School

Volume 41

Issue 4

May 21, 2010

4100 Westbank Drive Austin, Texas 78746

May2010 {contents}

brains + brawn

13 people + places 29 trends + traditions 43 rants + raves 62

A soleful experience TOMS shoes seeks student designs Time after time Band After Math performs abroad Blast off Juniors plan for space camp

Seniors Kelli Bagwell and Katherine Wren play for Team Flashback at the Dodgeball Tournament April 20.

Editors-in-Chief

Art Director

Managing Editor

Photo Editors

Lauren Nelson Zach Wasfi

Anisha Ganguly

Copy Editors

Michelle Ling Asst. Emily Mitchell Barrett Wilson Nathan Kallison

Danielle Brown Zelda Mayer Christina Shin

Business Manager

Brains + Brawn

Keren Rempe

Julie Dorland Jenny Messer Asst. Hailey Cunningham Hillary Hurst Cody Crutchfield Asst. Hirrah Barlas

People + Places Hannah Kunz Caroline Hunt Asst. Jono Krawczyk

Trends + Trads Sofie Seiden Lizzie Friedman Asst. Sofia Mitre

Rants + Raves Jake Bitting Matt Frank Asst. Becca Burt

Web Master Matthew Chang

Web Team Mekala Keshu Daisy Burgess

Danielle Brown

Social Coordinator Photographers Allie Carlisle Austin Hix Emily Cohen Indigo Colton Keren Rempe Laura Aldridge

Reporters

Abby Bost Abby Mosing Anna Macdonald Annie Valliant Alex Gieb Austin Filak Brett Mele Chandler McCollough Connor White Delaney Williams Elizabeth Petersen Emily Huang Emily Mitchell Eric Robinson Erin Armstrong Hetty Borinstein Jessee Haney

Jessica Stenglein Josh Willis Kaitlin Wood Laura Doolittle Laura Hatcher Luci Ortiz Madison Scott Mariah Stevens-Ross Monica Tan Natalia Renna Ryan Stankard Selah Maya Zighelboim Shreya Banerjee Taylor Kidd Zach Suarez

Adviser

Deanne Brown

SEN10RS

Leah Whitlock Helen Anderson Holly Heinrich Alex Bishop Jamie Mathis Katy Roden Katie Sorenson Mary-Margaret Parrish Jamie Lee Katherine Finn Adrienne Cooksley Indigo Colton Yasmin Alkusari Joshua Beltran Jimmy Coleman Jennifer Woo

Burning bridges The tragic tale of a lost friendship

The Featherduster, the newsmagazine of Westlake High School, attempts to inform and entertain in a broad, fair and accurate manner on subjects which concern the readers. The publication also seeks to provide a forum of ideas and opinions between the staff of the newsmagazine, the faculty and the local community about issues presented. All material produced and published by The Featherduster staff is copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without the writer’s consent or that of the editors. Content decisions rest in the hands of the staff, despite the Supreme Court’s ruling in the case of Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier. Opinions expressed in the columns

that appear in The Featherduster do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the entire staff, the school administration or the adviser. The staff encourages letters to the editor as an avenue for expressing the opinions of the readers. All letters must be signed to be considered for publication. Due to space limitations, not all letters will be published, and the editorial board reserves the right to edit them for purposes of placement. No material will be printed that is libelous, advocates an illegal activity or which the editorial board deems is in poor taste. The restriction includes letters to the staff, advertising and anything else the board feels presents an inappropriate message.

photo by Nathan Kallison cover photo illustration and manipulation by Michelle Ling, Katherine Finn, Nathan Kallison and Barrett Wilson

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brains + brawn

Living the

legacy Dance department, TEC step up for 40th Zenith

Yasmin Alkusari

fter three hundred and six hours of practice, 21 costumes, 24 dances and a year’s worth of rehearsals, the dance department and TEC lived the legacy for the 40th time. In line with tradition, Zenith included the daddy-daughter dance, Zenith Dance Clinic children’s number, and as a crowd pleaser, the infamous Gyline complete with their cut-off shirts, blue spandex and red shorts. With the theme of “Legacy,” the show was all about tradition, old and new. Hyline surprised the audience with a new group within the dance team introduced as the Encouragers. They are composed of Hyline members who are part of a Bible study group hosted every Wednesday morning. This year director Chelsee Capezzuti

and assistant director Lindsay Young choreographed a piece to the song “Your Hands” by JJ Heller for them. “Zenith is my favorite part of the year,” Capezzuti said. “Everyone works hard for the show including Hyline members, TEC, Star Steppers, dance classes and our Hyline parents. It truly is a team effort, and it is incredible to see the product of so many people’s labor.” Dance 1 “danced through the decades,” ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s style, while Dance 2 and Dance 3/4 performed contemporary pieces. “I love Zenith,” sophomore Jane Wells said. “It gets people to push their limits. Seeing shy girls front and center dancing their hearts out puts a smile on my face. To hear over 1,000 people

clap as you walk off the stage makes months of hard work more than worth it. It’s like summer, but instead of three months it’s three nights.” Along with all the performances, time was taken to dedicate a tribute to the past directors involved with Hyline over the last 40 years. “Zenith this year was a very special show to be a part of,” Young said. “Every past director attended, as well as [many] past assistant directors. The best part of Zenith this year was being able to see that we are all a part of something so much bigger than ourselves.” The whole dance department, TEC and everyone else involved contributed in many different ways to make this year’s performance stand out.

“Since it was our 40th anniversary, we made it extra special,” Capezzuti said. “We hosted an alumni luncheon on the Saturday morning of Zenith for all current and former Hyline members. It was neat to celebrate our team and what it means to so many different people. It is truly more than just a dance team. It is a legacy that is made up of love, hard work and sisterhood.” As tradition goes, Hyline ended the night with their rendition of “Last Dance,” complete with the original pink leotards, black tights and sparkly leg warmers. And as the curtain fell, Hyline ended the night with a series of cheers, only to continue the traditions of Zenith for the next 40 years to come. —Mekala Keshu and Daisy Burgess

Barrett Wilson

Freshman Shelley Smith enjoys Dance I’s “Dance Through the Decades.” Second lieutenant senior Amber Witt dances to “One Love.”

Barrett Wilson

Seniors Evan Breeland and Hudson Hoyle show off their skills in the annual Gyline performance.

Yasmin Alkusari

Hyline captain senior Ashley Charlton dances to the song “Hi” in one of the two officer dances. “Hyline has pretty much been my life for the past three years,” Ashley said. “I spend a majority of my time with Hyline and doing Hyline activities, but for me it is completely worth it.”

Stealing the

spotlight Serving as first lieutenant this year, three-year Hyline member senior Mallory Douthit performs her solo to “Love Story” on Saturday night. “The word Zenith itself means the highest point,” Mallory said. “It really is the highest point of the year. It was so exhilarating to get out there and dance with some of my closest friends, and the fact that is was my last Zenith made it that much more special. We frequently use this quote in Hyline, ‘From the outside looking in, you can’t understand it. From the inside looking out, you can’t explain it.’” Hannah Kunz

Barrett Wilson

Along with all 41 Hyline members, sophomore Alex Faglie entertains the audience during “Starstruck,” a hip-hop dance compilation of songs. In the annual daddy-daughter dance, Hyline dad Robert Douthit performs with his daughter, Mallory. The dance was choreographed by seniors Julia Judge and Lily Patterson.

Senior Rachel Bryson performs the opening dance, “Legacy.” “Zenith was amazing,” Rachel said. “It was so nice to see that everyone cares for each other and the team.” Barrett Wilson

Barrett Wilson

Senior Travis Favaron completes fourth year of TEC, leaves mark on organization

ith the lights illuminating all throughout the darkened Performing Arts Center and the music filling the room, senior Travis Favaron takes on his final Zenith. Having been the president of the Technical Entertainment Crew for two years, he has worked at many major Westlake productions. Even before high school, Travis had the opportunity to experience the TEC program. Because of a connection between his mother and Katie Poole, wife of Performing Arts Center managing director David Poole, he had an early introduction to life behind the scenes. “When I was in eighth grade, I got to tour the video crew,” Travis said. “I ran camera during halftime, and I haven’t looked back since. I ended up getting to go to the stadium during a football game and came back and then did the musical with them. By then I was hooked.” He became an officer for TEC, and at the end of his sophomore year, he was elected president of the organization. Travis has worked at 12 shows and can name a few favorites. “There are probably two shows that jump out when I look back,” Travis said. “I’d have to say Zenith my freshman year and then a close second has to be Beauty and the Beast this year.” David Poole, who works closely with Travis on a daily basis, is impressed with Travis’ level of skill and maturity. “Over the past four years, Travis has developed into a well-respected

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Keren Rempe

Senior Travis Favaron works at a show in the PAC. This year was Travis’ second term as TEC president. leader among his peers,” David Poole said. “This is evident by the fact that he was president of the organization for the past two years.” Travis is attending Texas Christian University next year and plans to major in business, with a possible minor in sports broadcasting. As he leaves Westlake, there are a few things that he hopes will never change in TEC. “The greatest thing that hasn’t changed—and I hope it never does— is the input that students get into everything, into every aspect of the program,” Travis said. Poole has high hopes for Travis after he leaves high school this year. “I know that Travis will do big things after graduating Westlake,” Poole said. “The team-building, problem solving and leadership skills he has developed over the past four years in the Westlake TEC will do him well.” —Ryan Stankard

brains + brawn

Pumped before their big matchup April 20, Ivy League team members juniors Connor Shults, Preston Koprivnik and Lane Scarborough and Big 12 team members juniors Jason Prideaux and Tyler Luxion trash talk each other. “Dodgeball is a sport that must be taken seriously,” Preston said. “My team and I went through several strategies to conquer the other team’s athletic abilities. When we played our rivals, the Big 12, the fans were extremely loud and my adrenaline was rushing through me.”

spring review 1

Nathan Kallison

During the State semi-final game April 8 against Dallas Jesuit, senior Bailey Hinners heads the ball. The varsity boys soccer team exceeded expectations this year by making a run deep into the playoffs and finishing the season with 19 wins. Senior Megan Heath and sophomore Grace Hanna participate in the UIL One Act Play competition April 1 in the Performing Arts Center. “It was a great experience because I was working with a great group of actors,” Grace said. “We all worked really well together.” Junior Jenny Wolfe tunes her guitar before her perfomance during the Live Music Lunch March 26. “I enjoyed getting to play my guitar and sing during the lunches,” Jenny said. “I thought it was a wonderful way to spend a Friday, and I hope it happens again so I can see what other talent is at Westlake.”

Barrett Wilson

Nathan Kallison

2 3

Lily Pipkin

Senior Katherine Finn and junior Jordan Ruiz perform at the Live Music Lunch coordinated by the sophomore Student Council members under the direction of class president Steven Wilbanks. “Planning the event was fun and insightful,” Steven said. “We had a band cancel, but we worked hard to fill them in. Overall, working with Foods and Nutrition, TEC and the administration was an easy and friendly process.” Junior Eric Wiggin is hoisted into the air to catch an inbound pass during the State Championship rugby game against Dallas Jesuit April 25. “We worked really hard to get to this point and were excited for a level playing field against some of the best teams in the nation,” Eric said. Hannah Kunz

Nathan Kallison

At Don’t Dessert the Arts April 27, sophomore Hannah Grisemer looks at the pottery on display. “It was really fun and inspiring to see everyone’s art and how all the pieces are different,” Hannah said.

8 During the third annual Dodgeball Tournament, junior Jackson Smith blocks an incoming dodgeball for the Ivy League team. “The Dodgeball Tournament was intense and a whole lot of testosterone was present in each game,” Jackson said. “My team really gave a good effort, but there is just so much short-shorts can accomplish before it comes down to after school practice and God-given skill.”

Hirrah Barlas

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Nathan Kallison

brains + brawn

Making memories

Senior Blake McTee does the rope swing as fellow squad members cheer him on. Senior Meredith Furst and junior Jonathan Hargis chant for squad Tribal at Pedernales Falls on April 15, the first day of Harambe.

Junior Alex Steele swings into the arms of teammates, seniors Rachel Bryson and Andrea Melde, who are there to catch her.

HARAMBE

In a race between squads, senior Rachel Bryson carries junior Monica Pickett and senior Shelby Jones. The goal of the activity was to get team members across with only one person touching the ground.

nlookers gazed in amazement as 100 plus students gathered outside the Ninth Grade Center April 15 cheering and chanting, dressed up in costumes that ranged from Gollum to Girl Scouts. Although it may have looked out of place, this annual event, Harambe, has been going on for 26 consecutive years. The Teen Teaching program puts on Harambe in order to prepare the high school leaders for the eighth grade Pedernales Expedition. They set up a series of team-building activities and challenges that each squad gets to participate in. But the squads are also competing to win Harambe by winning the competitions and cheering throughout the three days they are there. “Some of the activities we participate in are very frustrating,” senior Katie Darilek said. “They require focus and teamwork. You really have to learn to work with others and cooperate.” Harambe takes place in 7A Ranch in Wimberley and requires months of preparation. Leaders have to meet with their squads and plan out their cheers and skits. They also have to attend meetings to learn about how to handle the leadership role effectively. “We put a lot of time and effort into it,” junior Ross Barrett said. “We had to make sure everyone was prepared and ready to go.” After Harambe, the students are ready to head to Pedernales Falls May 20-22 where they will teach the eighth graders teamwork and cooperation and prepare them for high school. Harambe allows the students to hold positions of leadership and responsibility. “Harambe is a great way to prepare us for Pedernales,” junior Grace Gabel said. “It really allows us to bond with our squad and gives us an idea of what it is going to be like with the eighth graders. Overall, it is a great experience.” —Katie Sorenson

Lifted on the shoulders of teammates, senior squad leader James Timmins attempts to toss the inner tube onto a pole.

photos by Nathan Kallison

During a roll call, seniors Brooke Adair, Taylor Graham, Alicia Kappel, along with juniors Alex Beverly, Tyler Luxion and sophomore Leah Weidmann show spirit for squad Westlake. Roll calls are done throughout Harambe to show their squad’s enthusiasm.

Student-created Short Films, Tall Talent movies rally against drug, alcohol abuse

roll

Ready

Hannah Kunz

Third place winner senior Carly Berryhill, first place winner of $1000 junior David Joseph and second place winners seniors Evan Breeland and Chase Cunningham accept recognition for their Short Films, Tall Talent entries from Kent Redding (left), the president of Safe Homes, and Phillip Yancer (right), the treasurer of Safe Homes.

“

Joseph said. “I guess it was kind of fast, but it worthy to be shown to the student body. was enough time, if you work on it every day. “It’s not that difficult to make a film, but It took about seven or eight hours to shoot. to finish a film, to get all those little last bits My film class has laptops you can take out for and accepting it’s finished [is difficult],” editing, and I probably spent 25 or 30 hours Jamie said. doing that. For most people, that would be Finally, the movies were completed and a long time, but I’m a perfectionist, so I do turned in by their due date on March 24. A everything over and panel of judges over again.” chose the final Students in Film eight films from all Production classes of the applicants are required to to be shown to the submit at least one freshmen, sophoentry, and the Film mores and juniors Club members all during TAKS week, worked together April 26-30. Then, on one. Applicants students voted for could work individuthe first, second ally or in a group of and third place their peers. Preparchampions. ing for the contest “I’m pretty was exciting but it happy with my didn’t come without film,” David said. “I —film teacher Emily Burdett was nervous about its obstacles. During the filming week, how people would students struggled react to it and what to comply with the they’d think of it. schedules of their cast and crew in order to Since I made it, I can’t judge it.” make sure that everyone was available to David’s film this year, “The Revenant,” work. focused on a man haunted by a young girl “Our [short film] he had killed driving while intoxicated. The was set at sunset, so movie received a positive reaction from the getting our actors at audience, who giggled and shrieked when the one place at the exact girl made her sudden, disturbing entrances. same time was really “I think everyone was pretty impressed by hard to do, and dealthe standard of the movies,” he said. “We got ing with the lighting some pretty impressive videos this year and 1st: “The Revenant” by junior David Joseph, $1000 prize was difficult,” Jamie some good reactions. There were some funny 2nd: “Real Friends” by seniors Evan Breeland and Chase said. videos, and people laughed. For my film, I Cunningham, $500 prize Once the scenes thought some people might laugh, and they were filmed, students did. Everyone was pretty engaged.” 3rd: “Choices” by senior Carly Berryhill, $250 prize began the editing Even though most of the competitors were process. Sitting in in the Film Production classes, it was open to front of a computer all the students on campus. for hours at a time, “We believe its message [of anti-drug they cut, clipped and and alcohol abuse] is something all students perfected the sound should be involved with,” Film Production and music until they teacher Emily Burdett said. were confident it was —Selah Maya Zighleboim

Short Films, Tall Talent contest winners

We believe its message of [anti-drug and alcohol abuse] is something all students should be involved with.

“

n April 27 and 28, students packed the Performing Arts Center to watch the eight finalists’ videos of the second annual Short Films, Tall Talent competition. This event was an opportunity for students in the Film Production classes and students interested in film to show off their movie-making talent. The contest had two basic rules: the movies all had to be between two and five minutes, and each film had to cover topics relating to teenagers such as tobacco use, peer pressure and drug and alcohol abuse. “I looked forward to the competition,” Film Club president junior Jamie Kaplan said. “Just because it’s such a broad topic, you can do so much. It’s interesting to see what people do with it.” The short films have come a long way since the end of last semester, when students were told of the upcoming event. Starting from a basic outline on a piece of scratch paper, hours of filming and editing have allowed these ideas to blossom into fantastic movies. “Last semester, we got a week to start thinking of an idea and script it, and this semester, we had a week to shoot it and a week to edit it,” first place winner junior David

ADMIT ONE

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brains + brawn

Model of service 1997 graduate inspires seniors to continue to serve community

wo hundred and eighty-seven cerned for him at an early age. seniors gathered in the Performing They put Anthony and his two Arts Center on the morning of April sisters on the waiting lists for 15 to receive cords and certificates the program. 1997 graduate Ben De Leon speaks at the Chaps at the Chaps in Service ceremony. “He’d been on the waiting In Service ceremony in the PAC on April 15. Each of these seniors had amassed at least list for months before I became Laura Aldridge 70 community service hours over the course his match, and we immediately School in Pflugerville, had the opportunity to of their high school careers. One Westlake hit it off,” De Leon said. “We were introduce President Obama to an audience of graduate sat on the stage observing the crowd, fast friends. [Anthony] hasn’t seen his father about 150 people and the press. He walked in until the time came for him to tell his story. in at least two years. I told him recently that I with the First Lady, and was the only one who Class of ‘97 alumnus Ben De Leon had rewasn’t going anywhere.” got to talk to the Obamas personally before cently graduated from the University of Texas When De Leon first began meeting Anthe ceremony in a room adjacent to the East Law School when he became involved with thony at his elementary school, they spent Room of the White House. It was truly unforBig Brothers Big Sisters, a nation-wide mentime together during Anthony’s lunch hour gettable. He doesn’t really realize the impact toring program, through First Baptist Church playing games, reading books in the school now, but I think later on he will.” in downtown Austin. In 2009 he was named library and just talking. In the fall of 2012 Anthony will become a the National Big Brother of the Year. “When Anthony was finishing up his freshman at Connally High School, a transi“I have known Ben and his family for a second grade year at Oak Springs Elemention De Leon regards as an important crosslong time,” assistant principal Harvey Mayton tary, his grandmother wrote me a letter,” De road in Anthony’s life. said. “Ben grew up in the church I attend. Leon said. “I carry the letter in my briefcase “I tell a lot of people, Anthony can go down He clearly has a strong belief in the value of every day as a reminder of the standard that one of two paths,” De Leon said. “I’ve seen community service for everyone. I hold Ben in Anthony and his family hold me to. Two years it, because I worked in the Gardner-Betts very high regard for his character, values and later, Anthony wrote me a letter [and gave it Juvenile Justice Center as a student attorney commitment to to me] at my surhelping others.” prise 30th birthday in my third year of law school. Anthony can go down the path of affirmation, of love for De Leon’s jourparty, and I carry others and love for himself, or he can go down ney towards this that in my briefThe nice thing about honor is one that case, too. Those are the path marked by negativity, criminality and service is you never began four years constant reminders self-depreciation. In Big Brothers Big Sisters know what’s going to the cost of a match for one year is $1,000. To ago in an East of the road that we keep a juvenile incarcerated at Gardner Betts Austin elementary traveled and the happen when you get is close to $60,000.” school. distance that we involved in these things. have yet to go.” Anthony however, is focused on the more “I first met my Little Brother An- —1997 graduate Ben De Leon De Leon did not immediate future. “He wants to start working out with me,” thony in 2006,” De know the road he De Leon said. “He’ll begin playing football on Leon said. “He was wanted to travel the seventh grade team at Dessau this fall.” in second grade at when he graduated Since their match, De Leon and Anthony Oak Springs Elementary School and lived in from Westlake. have received combined honors such as 2009 the Booker T. Washington projects. I had no “I just knew that I always looked up to my National Big Brother of the Year, 2009 Judge idea what his family make-up was, what his dad, who is a lawyer,” De Leon said. Suzanne Covington Pro Bono Service Award demographic was, where he came from, but Having graduated from UT with a B.S. and being featured on KEYE News, KVUE my life was changed for the better. The nice degree in Corporate Communication, a B.A. news, the KVUE Cadillac Texas Spirit Award thing about service is you never know what’s in Spanish in 2001 and a J.D. from UT Law Commercial and Comcast News. going to happen when you get involved in School in 2004, De Leon is now an attorney However, De Leon insists the accolades are these things.” at De Leon & Washburn, P.C., founded by his not what make their relationship special. The application process for Big Brothers father, Hector De Leon. “Defining moments for me are just sitting Big Sisters is thorough – involving a written “When I’m on the phone with opposing in the car with Anthony doing multiplication application, interview and background check. counsel trying to convince them that I’m right tables or division problems and just talking “My situation was unique because I first and they’re wrong, I try to envision Anthony about his day,” De Leon said. “He rambles on met Anthony through my church’s mentorin the room with me, and what he would want so much, and I love it. He’s got sisters at home ing program at his elementary school,” De me to do, because he holds me to a higher so he bounces his things off me.” Leon said. “We already had a well established standard,” De Leon said. At the Chaps in Service ceremony, De Leon relationship. The application process can take On Jan. 20, De Leon and Anthony visited urged seniors to “keep the tenet of service at anywhere from one to three months, but we the White House for a ceremony celebrating the forefront” of whatever career they choose. were matched pretty quickly after my interNational Mentoring Month and launching the “What I try to do in my life is to be of view with the agency.” Obamas’ mentoring initiative. service to others,” De Leon said. “That’s easier With no consistent presence and affirma“It was surreal to say the least,” De Leon said than done. That is an entire way of life.” tion from his parents, Anthony’s grandparsaid. “[Anthony], who is not yet 12 years —Alex Bishop ents, his primary caretakers, became conold and is in sixth grade at Dessau Middle

“

RELAYing a message Relay for Life raises more than $135,000 to benefit American Cancer Society Bright lights, loud music and approximately 900 deliriously tired people filled Chaparral Stadium May 1-2, shouting, playing Frisbee, dancing, relaxing with their friends or walking around the track. A wild party? Not exactly. This is Relay for Life, an annual charity event that raises money for the American Cancer Society. Relay for Life holds events in 20 different countries, and about 3.5 million people participate every year. During the Relay for Life of Westlake event, participants walked or ran around the track for 12 hours, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m, symbolic of the fact that “cancer never sleeps.” Traditionally, at least one person from each team walks the track at all times. When not walking, participants can relax at their campsites on the field, listen to live music and compete in fun contests throughout the night. Co-chairs Theresa Wilbanks, Susan Cippele and Barbara Bearden worked with a planning committee for months. These 20 people coordinated every aspect of Relay for Life, from the bands that played during the celebration to the distribution of luminarias, the memorial candles that line the track during the event that serve as a reminder of all of the people who have suffered from cancer. “It’s so fulfilling to see so many kids getting involved,” Bearden said. “It’s amazing to see it all come together. It’s life-changing, and I feel like I’m making a big difference.” Youth Development Chair sophomore Steven Wilbanks is the only Westlake student on the committee. Steven’s position, which he has held for the past two years, includes getting students involved in Relay for Life and serving as a representative for the event. “In 2003, my mom had a team,” Steven said. “One of my mom’s friends had a son my age, and so we did Relay together. I was just a participant, but I still had a lot of fun. I’ve been a part of Relay ever since; I haven’t been able to stop.” This year, Steven assembled a group of Relay for Life student ambassadors to lighten the organizational load. The ambassadors answered students’ questions about Relay and supported the team captains at Westlake. To many participants, Relay is about remembering those dear to them who have battled with cancer. Senior Zack Wetzel started taking part in Relay after his father was diagnosed with cancer two years ago.

“Seeing him go through treatment was really hard,” Zack said. “One thing that made it easier were all of the people who helped and encouraged us. My favorite part of Relay is hearing how much money we all raised together and spending time with my friends at the actual event.” While many Westlake students are not new to Relay, several participated for the very first time this year. “I was really excited to get involved,” sophomore Emily Lee said. “It’s a really amazing way for each individual to raise money for those who have fought with cancer or a way to remember those who lost their battle with cancer. It was a perfect opportunity for me to honor my grandfather and aunt who had battled against cancer, and hopefully I’ll continue to be a part of this organization for years throughout.” Several activities were planned to keep tired participants awake and energized. Several teams held fundraisers at their campsites, including a cake walk and a jump rope contest. There were also competitions organized by the committee through the night, including a frozen t-shirt relay. Several bands, including Westlake’s Jazz Ensemble, High on Hotdogs, the Loose Wheels and Retro City Band played sets throughout the course of the event, helping to keep sleepy participants awake. By the closing ceremony at 6:30 a.m., $135,135 had been raised for the American Cancer Society. Some people asked friends and families for donations, some had bake sales, carwashes or garage sales. Since the start in 2003, eight Relay for Life of Westlake events have raised almost $1 million for the American Cancer Society. Even though the event is over, donations will still be accepted through August. “I’m very proud of our community and our students for such a successful event,” Wilbanks said. “I still hope that we will exceed $1 million raised with this year’s event before it’s over, but even if we don’t, I’m still very pleased with how everything went with Relay for Life of Westlake 2010.” —Emily Cohen

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Sophomore Emily Lee of ¡Team Queso! takes a break during the event which lasted from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. During the night each team was expected to have at least one member walking the track to show that cancer never sleeps. Various activities and entertainment kept the participants involved.

brains + brawn

Hannah Kunz

All in a

day’s work ISM students experience careers, learn life lessons

How is her make-up? Where is her outfit? This is insane! These are the thoughts that ran through senior Kelsey Kelcher’s mind as she scurried from model to model, adjusting outfits and tweaking hairstyles. Though this may sound like problems a professional backstage manager at a fashion show has to worry about, Kelsey, along with junior Codie Kyle, obtained the chance to put on a show of their own through Independent Study Mentorship. To meet the demand for more career-development courses, a new class was created three years ago. ISM is an area of study dedicated to placing students with mentors in the work world of their chosen industry. It is highly independent, hands-on and on-site. It is also at the Pre-AP level, which means that it has the 1.1 multiplier for the students’ GPA. In addition, classes only meet once a week in the Research Center. “The only day we meet as a class is on Wednesday,” Kelsey said. “[ISM teacher Vicky] Abney begins with something new she learned and wants to share with the class. We discuss upcoming assignments and share with everyone how placements are going. We also turn in all of our assignments such as log sheets and journal entries. It is a great time to chat with Mrs. Abney on anything you need help with. She gives great advice.” Abney prepares presentations which help the students become aware, successful and ahead in the work world. “I do mini-lessons,” Abney said. “For example, I showed my students an article about ‘fun’ careers. There were possibilities for thrill-seekers, humanitarians, social butterflies, problem-solvers, etc. I showed the students data about America’s most elite universities (what the average of the mid-career school’s graduates are receiving in pay). Also, [the data shows] the highest paid careers and the lowest paid careers in general. Of course, there are always exceptions.” Students receive expert and insider information from knowledgeable workers in their chosen field. “Students enter the adult world when they go out into the community for their placements for two hours a week,” Abney said. “They connect with passionate experts in fields of interest to them. The mentors help the students build content or information about a career, and, by having this knowledge, students can make better college decisions with

Mentor Nancy Wilson of KXAN shows senior Emily Herring what it’s like to be an investigative reporter. courtesy photo

Austin Hix

Junior Vikki Tse and senior Michelle Taylor discuss their mentorships with teacher Vicky Abney. majors or coursework. They also have enough knowledge to be more articulate in interviews by being exposed to observations in their placements. By working with an engineer, observing meetings and working on projects, an applicant can respond intelligently to questions that an engineer might pose.” Many times what draws future students to take ISM are the stunning projects current and past students have put together throughout the one-semester class. “I decided to take ISM this year because last year when I was a junior I attended a fashion show with some of my friends in it,” Kelsey said. “After the show, I found out that 2009 graduate Kendall Word put on the show through ISM. Fashion has always been a huge part of my life, and it was something that I was really interested in doing.” Students like Kelsey experience the basics of different industries of their choice. A handful of useful tips and tricks are learned through the rigorous class for the students to be successful in their field. “When you put yourself out into the real business world, you quickly learn how important it is to be responsible, enthusiastic, dependable and organized,” junior Devon Defoyd said. “Through my placement at [the women’s clothing boutique] Beehive, I’ve learned the workings of a small business. My chosen field of study this semester was fashion marketing, so I’ve gotten to see the way clothes attract buyers, how merchandise is chosen for stores, budget plans and the way a small business makes it in such a large community.” Another plus of applying for ISM is that it can be taken for two semesters. Working in the same industry is not required, and a handful of people have taken it twice and reaped the benefits of doing so. “ISM has helped me a ton for the industry I want to work in,” Kelsey said. “Last semester, I worked in the event planning and fashion side. It was so interesting to see how much work goes in for putting together a fashion show. I loved working with all the retailers and putting together outfits for the students to wear down the runway. This semester, I am working at Austin Ridge Bible Church and just seeing [that] all the events that they put on are so much work. It has been a great opportunity so far.” ISM is beneficial in many ways for the students involved. The experience of getting into the real world and working with adept employees can’t be matched by most other classes at Westlake. “ISM benefits me when I go out into the work world because I have an idea of what to expect when I get out there as a professional,” senior Sebastian Medina said. “If you talk to your mentor, you can acquire some great advice as to what to do and not to do when you get out to the work world.” —Sofia Mitre

fi the

shoe fits

Art students design TOMS for contest, participate in Project Graduation fundraiser at Tyler’s

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Music blasted from the Tyler’s storefront in the Westlake Village as a crowd gathered around a DJ and tables lined with artists, paint and shoes. The TOMS Style Your Sole event on May 1 invited artists to custom paint shoes to raise money for Project Graduation and encourage the purchase of TOMS shoes. Among the artists were four Westlake students who had won the opportunity to be a part of the event. The idea for including students in the event started when Tyler’s representative Jay Letemendia contacted art teacher Dale Baker, asking if his students would be interested in taking on a new project. Along with a few of Frances Grubbs’ art students, Baker’s Art 4 AP class was given 20 pairs of canvas shoes from TOMS to creatively decorate in any way they saw fit. Using acrylic paint and markers, the students each produced an individual design. “I went through a lot of designs,” said junior Katie Buck, one of the four participating artists. “TOMS are a weird surface to draw on. I wanted something simple and elegant — as elegant as a canvas shoe can be.” Once completed, the shoes were then displayed April 22-23 in the Chap Court. Voting was open to all students who were asked to select their favorite design. Winners of the contest were invited to be a part of the TOMS Style Your Sole party, where they would receive money for the shoes they painted. “Originally they [Project Graduation] said the top two would continue to the big event on May 1 at Tyler’s, but there were so many good choices that they allowed four to participate: [senior] Adrienne Arredondo, [senior] Kate MacDonald, Katie Buck and [junior] Sofie Seiden,” Baker said. The TOMS Style Your Sole party lasted from noon until past 5 p.m. on Saturday May 1. The artists, including the Westlake contest winners and professionals from TOMS, sat at tables filling out design orders with paint and markers they brought from home. Each artist had a card with a description of their artistic experience and an example of their work. Throughout the day, the artists took orders for all types of designs

that ranged from whimsical peace signs to detailed paint jobs. “At first a bunch of people wanted butterflies and peace signs, but after someone wanted me to paint a Koi fish, people came up and asked me [to do] tattoo designs, which were fun to paint,” Katie said. Customers who wanted a one-ofa-kind paint job purchased their TOMS in Tyler’s for the typical rate of $44, plus $15 for the customizaNathan Kallison tion. From the In the Chap Court on April 22, junior Kelsey Regan and sophomores Catherine additional $15, Anne Prideaux and Camille Jones vote on their favorite pair of TOMS shoes $10 went to the which were designed by students. artist and $5 went to Project Graduation. The money spent on the shoes benefited TOMS’ One for One program. “When you purchase a pair of TOMS they give a pair to a kid in [need] — it’s a pretty good deal,” Adrienne said. At the end of the event, the four Westlake artists were exhausted from the heat and filling out an average of eight customized shoe orders, which individually took about an hour to do. Though they found that time was an issue, the artists felt that the experience of painting shoes was overall enjoyable. “It was kind of exhausting,” said Sofie, who painted 15 pairs of shoes. “It was super hot, and we worked the entire day painting shoes, but I had fun. I would like to decorate TOMS again if they had this event again, [but] I’d rather do it on my own time, so I wouldn’t be so rushed and I would be able to perfect them.” With 106 pairs of painted TOMS customized and complete, the Style Your Sole event successfully concluded. “A lot of people came to the event, and a lot of shoes were bought,” Katie said. “It helped raise money for the TOMS cause, [and] it was good for Tyler’s business and for Project Graduation.” —Lauren Nelson

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brains + brawn

Racially charged Twenty years ago — October 1990: When LBJ High School arrived at Westlake for the Homecoming game, its band members were met with images more reminiscent of a KKK threat than of high school rivalry. directed at] might not be able to stand up for themselves.” The issue also arises with seemingly innocuous events like senior theme days. Unofficial WHS traditions like Thug Thursday, when seniors come to school dressed like African-American rappers, persist. “Thug Day is kind of upsetting,” Anna said. “A thug is someone who beats up people; that can be someone of any race. But people dress up as if they think a thug is a black person.” In a city largely segregated by socioeconomics and skin color, WHS students rarely cross IH-35, the dividing line, and often have limited experience with people of different races. “A few years ago, I had a student who said he’d never drive on the east side of town because he’d get shot there,” junior English teacher Valerie Taylor said. “There was a girl in the same class who raised her hand and said, ‘Well, you wouldn’t get shot in my neighborhood. That’s where I live.’ I don’t think he realized there was anyone in the room who lived east of Interstate 35.” So what’s the solution to changing stereotypes, when many WHS students are more familiar with other states and foreign countries than with the other half of Austin? A simple start would be recognition of the issue. “We have assemblies for Veterans Day and Student Council elections,” Pre-Calculus teacher Debbie Rodell said. “We take time out for pep rallies. It would be to our benefit to have an assembly on tolerance; a great day to do that would be Sept. 11.” The handling of the LBJ incident might also provide an answer. After the controversy in 1990, Westlake was put on UIL probation and required to come

up with a racial sensitivity plan. In response, WHS set up an exchange with other Austin-area schools. Every month, Westlake students shadowed their counterparts across Austin for a few days, and then those students spent time at WHS. The program eventually fell by the wayside. “I think we need to have exchanges, East Austin to West Austin,” Kate said. “It helps black kids to know that white people aren’t against them all the time, and it helps white kids to know that black people aren’t the way that they’re portrayed on TV.” —Holly Heinrich *Names have been changed

76%

of WHS students hear derogatory racial remarks

34%

In the hallways: 54% In classrooms: 79% At school events: 66%

[Students could choose multiple responses]

say they hear these remarks more than once per day

23%

of WHS students have been the recipient of a derogatory racial remark

85%

ing elle L

do not believe senior Thug Thursday is racially insensitive

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An effigy hung from a tree beside the Westlake driveway — a black football player with a noose around his neck, as if he had been lynched. A sign reading ‘Go Home, N******’ was found painted across the bleachers; LBJ students reported slurs scrawled on the bathroom walls and taunts yelled at their band. Last year — June 2009: the State baseball semi-final, when Westlake played against Socorro High, an El Paso school. As the game got heated, some Westlake fans pulled out a Confederate flag and raised it for the opposing school to see. Others pulled out money and IDs and waved them at the Socorro fans, chanting, “We speak English. We speak English. We speak English.” In day-to-day life at WHS, racism doesn’t manifest itself as effigies or the stars and bars. It’s subtle, indirect — cutting comments made to friends in the halls or remarks in class that teachers let slide. Sometimes, however, comments turn blatantly offensive. “One day, our government class was talking about the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery,” senior Kate Iverson*, an African-American student, said. “This kid looked straight at me and said, ‘That’s the dumbest amendment I’ve ever heard of.’ At first I thought he was joking. I asked, ‘Are you serious?’ He said, ‘Yeah, that’s a dumb amendment.’ I was like, ‘Okay, I respect your opinion. I don’t agree with it, obviously.’” Still, Kate says, it’s unfair to peg Westlake kids as uniformly racist. “The few ruin it for the whole,” Kate said. “It’s only 5 percent of the school that acts this way. I’ve been in other schools where racism is much worse. [But the difference is] that in other schools, they do something about [racism]. In Westlake, we sweep it under the rug and pretend it’s not there.” Even in classrooms, students hear derogatory comments not only about race, but also about religion and culture. “I feel like the teachers are aware, but I think there are instances when things happen in the classroom and teachers don’t say anything,” junior Anna Somerson*, an African-American student, said. “They stay behind their desks and they don’t speak up about it, and the person [the comment was

Sample size: 214 All margins of error are less than 6%

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brains + brawn

Right off the bat

Baseball wins District, advances to playoffs Ding, ding, ding. The bats clang Senior Miles Hanson pitches against the balls in a game against Connally. during pregame. Behind Miles’ strong pitching Clap, clap, clap. performance, the Chaps beat The gloves pop the Cougars 8-2. while the players Nathan Kallisonon get warmed up and ready to go. The varsity boys baseball team — which took second in State in 2009 — is on a roll with a record of 22-10-1 overall, 11-3 in 25-5A. The Chaps won their fifth straight District title, leading second-place Bowie by one game. The team has been giving its all during practices after an eye opener April 8 against Bowie’s ace pitcher, Robby Dickey, and suffered its first District loss. The Chaps managed only two hits off of him and made four errors. Fielding mistakes contributed to the 1-11 blow out. The other two losses came at the hands of the Anderson Trojans April 20 (1-5) and Akins April 30 (4-5). The Chaps faced Madison May 6-7 in the first round of playoffs, with results unavailable at press time. “We still have a lot of improvement to do — we can get better,” head coach Jim Darilek said. “Both the mental and physical preparation that are key to win a game comes days before the game.” Pitchers and position players are important keys to winning a game, but the catcher is known as the quarterback of the baseball team. The catcher can see the whole field and make the best decisions.

“We have two returning catchers that I think are going to be really good leaders for next year’s team, which are Robert Baldwin and Robert Ochoa,” outfielder junior Sean Murphy said. “Robert Baldwin is a very smart catcher. He is a player coach. Robert Ochoa has a lot of intensity; he gets us going in the dugout and gets us pumped up.” Two players who have earned the respect of their teammates as well as their coaches are senior Chris Watkins and sophomore Lewis Guilbeau. “Chris Watkins is 9-0, he pitched well in big games, and he is a clutch pitcher,” Darilek said. “Lewis Guilbeau has had an awesome year hitting — his batting average is .470.” With almost 40 runs batted in Lewis is a big part of the Chaps’ offense. “In my opinion, the reason for my success this year is that I take the same approach to every game and every at-bat, which is to be calm and not try to do too much,” Lewis said. Baseball is one of the most superstitious sports. For example, in Major League Baseball if a pitch hits the dirt they get a new baseball. Westlake players have their own rituals to prepare for a game. “I go eat, put on my lucky socks, then I’m ready to go,” shortstop senior Jon Darilek said. Superstitions aside, the players know what it takes to win the game. “The key to get a W at the end of the day is solid defense and getting runners on base,” Jon said. “As we say, ‘we play for the woms.’” —Zach Suarez

Keeping the ball rolling It’s 7 p.m. on April 20 and the varsity softball team is preparing to play one of its biggest rivals, the Austin High Maroons. The majority of the team plays a warm-up game of hacky sack to relax. Senior Anne Lucado looks to the stands to see a few family members and no one else. She brushes off the fact that they are about to play their arch enemy and hardly anyone is there to see them do it. Softball is one of the sports that receives little attention. Many students only know about the team from the t-shirts in the hallways. “I definitely feel like softball is forgotten,” Anne said. “When I was a freshman, there would be people who came up to me when I was wearing a softball shirt and ask, ‘We have a softball team?’” However, the softball players are always backed up by their families. Although there is little attendance from classmates, players can count on their parents and siblings to be at their games. “I’ve never really seen other students or any teachers out there in the stands,” Anne said. “[But] we always get fantastic support from our families.” Each year, certain players step up as leaders. Team captains seniors Mackenzie Whyte

and Hannah Slovacek support the other players and promote a sense of teamwork. “Student leadership makes each player work harder,” Mackenzie said. “I know that as a captain of the team, I don’t want to let any of my teammates down, and I hope that they feel the same.” The closeness of the team, combined with perseverance, has given the Chaps a way to fight through tough games. With a 10-4 District record, the girls play by a motto that they stick to whether they’re ahead or behind. “This year’s motto is ‘We are AmeriCANs, not AmeriCAN’Ts!’” Mackenzie said. “It’s an inside joke because Hannah gave that speech before we played our first District game. It just stuck.” These five words stress the fact that together, the team can accomplish anything. “If you think about it, it really is a good motto,” Anne said. “It’s saying that we can do anything we put our minds to. If we keep fighting for [the win], we can get it. Head coach Haley Gaddis sees huge talent in this year’s team — and if the girls continue to keep up the good work, Gaddis says they can accomplish big things. “This year’s team is the best team that I’ve had here,” Gaddis said. “If they can compete

Softball enjoys family support, sets high goals consistently and play up to the level they can play at, they’ll go far.” In 2009, the team made it further than any softball team had gone before, making it to the Regional Semi-Finals. This spring, the girls took fourth in District and fell to last year’s State Champs Smithson Valley in the first round of playoffs April 30. The Chaps’ District record was 10-4. —Hirrah Barlas

Hirrah Barlas

Sophmore Rosie Maddox bats at the Westlake vs. Anderson game April 16. “Before every game, my nerves get going,” Rosie said. “But when that first out is made, my adrenaline kicks in and my nerves just fly away.”

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brains + brawn

Speed demons

Hannah Kun

Boys track sprints through District on to Regionals The boys track team has done well this year, finishing seventh at the District meet at Burger Center. Three boys qualified to Regionals this year, senior Andrew Stockton in the 1600 meters, junior Van Gramann in the 400 meters and junior Campbell McCrea in the High Hurdles. Regionals will be held in San Antonio May 3-4. “We didn’t qualify in any relays, but a couple of us made it on to Regionals in individual events,” Van said. “The District track meet was a little different this year because we got to run in the pouring rain. We all still enjoyed it and ran our hardest despite the weather.” The team spent a good amount of time preparing for District and Regionals, practicing after school to improve in their events and gain a better chance of qualifying for District. “To prepare for Regionals, Coach Ross has me run different types of workouts each day to help my endurance for the last 200 of the 400, which is the most difficult for me,” Van said. The players attribute this success to their coach, Mark Hurst, and his methods of training. “He has a lots of wisdom when it comes to track and he knows what I need to do and what an individual needs to do,” Campbell said. “He’s definitely helped me improve throughout the season.” The start of the season was a tough one for the team as injuries and bad weather conditions hindered them at several of the early meets. “We started out [inexperienced], and not as well as I had hoped to

Emily

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finish in District, but we are getting better by the week,” Hurst said. “The good weather has helped.” As the season went on, the players improved substantially, becoming more comfortable in the events that they ran. The team began to deliver results on the track as more and more runners gained a Keren Rempe feel of what was going on and Sophomore Brice Dolezal runs at the Chap relays Feb. 27. how to compete and win. “I am grateful for the opportunity to run on varsity and run “I always struggle with with some of the best kids in Texas,” Brice said. flexibility at the beginning of the year,” Campbell said. “I finally am starting to get where I can run the hurdles correctly.” Practice enables those who attend gain an upper hand on the competition and a better chance to do well at meets. “The practices are put on you, you have to make a decision on whether you want to work hard or not,” Campbell said. —Cody Crutchfield *For boys and girls track updates, go to www.westlakefeatherduster.com

In the

running

Girls track steps up, 7 qualify for Regionals

Keren Rempe

Junior Emma Yee performs the triple jump at the Chap Relays. Seven team members will be traveling to the Regional meet in San Antonio May 3-4.

Staying after school almost every day this semester paid off as juniors Hannah Hood and Sarah Koenig, sophomores Ashley Maton, Leslie Rice and Paige Caridi and freshmen Ali Franklin and Kamri Ball placed in the top three in their respective events and qualified for Regionals May 3-4. Overall, the varsity team took fourth place at the District track meet April 14-15 at Burger Center. Seven girls qualified in five events for Regionals: the 4 X 100 relay (Paige, Sarah, Kamri and Leslie), the 3200 (Ali), the 1600 and 800 (Ashley) and the 400 (Hannah). “I was very excited to make Regionals because I am one of the few freshman on varsity,” Ali said. “I think it is great that I am able to represent my team at the Regional meet.” Each team did their best and

placed highly; impressing new girls track coach Chris Carter. “Our freshmen girls finished second,” Carter said. “They tried to do new races and new events, and I think some girls may have found a new home. Our JV team finished second as well. On our varsity team, we were trying to replace a lot of points that we had from seniors last year. We finished fourth.” Many girls on the team tried new events this year, learning new skills and gaining new abilities. With the great coach and assistant coaches there to help them, much was accomplished in Carter’s eyes. “Pole vaulting is a lot more difficult than people think,” freshman Natasha Keshishian said. “You need lots of arm strength and there’s so much more you have to think about when you’re in the air. Overall, it’s really fun,

but challenging at the same time.” With a strong team for next year, Carter looks forward to his second year as head coach. “What surprises me is how open and willing they are to try new things, try new races and to try different styles of running,” Carter said. “It’s great that the team are so willing to give it a shot.” Although ultimately every athlete wants to win, Carter insists there’s more to sports than taking home a medal. “The challenging part is getting kids to realize that it’s more than just winning first place,” Carter said. “They put in a lot of hours on the track in the heat, cold, rain and even snow this year. So I am proud of them for that. The rewarding part is when an athlete runs their best race. That’s exciting.” —Laura Doolittle

Causing a racket at h an Kalli son

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The tennis ball is tossed into the sky. The racket comes down with a powerful swoosh, and the ball whips across the court, dazing the opponent. Game. Set. Match. This was typical at the 25-5A Regional Tournament April 19-21 in San Antonio. Senior Russell Bader came in first in boys singles, qualifying for State May 10-11. He is currently ranked third in the state. Junior Robin Chou and sophomore Ryan Meek came in third in boys doubles, junior Jay Henton and freshman Casey Sutton came in third in mixed doubles and freshman Meredith Hopson came in fourth place in girls singles. Russell, who is committed to playing for Penn State in the fall, is preparing for his third spring State Tournament. “I’m trying to go into this year without any expectations,” Russell said. “I put too much pressure on myself saying that I was going to win the title last year so this year I’m taking a different approach.” Westlake took its top 16 players to the District tournament April 7-8 and competed in boys singles, boys doubles, girls singles, girls doubles and mixed doubles. The Chaps dominated District, with eight of their players qualifying for Regionals. Russell won first in boys doubles and Meredith won first in girls singles. Robin and Ryan won first in boys doubles, freshman Raina Kishan and senior Taylor Schumacher won first in girls doubles and Jay and Casey won first in mixed doubles. “In order to qualify for Regionals, you have to either win or be the runner-up at District,” head coach Kim Riley said. “There are 16 people or teams in each event. You are playing against the other best players in the District.” Getting to Regionals and State can be quite a daunting task. It requires hours of practice and plenty of determination. “I practice about two hours each day,” said Russell. “I’m just going to keep practicing hard and try to play more matches and work on my conditioning more so I can outlast my opponents in the heat.” All of the early mornings, late nights and hard practices have helped the team bond. “I’ve really enjoyed spending time around the team,” Russell said. “[I’ve liked] getting to know people a lot better.” Riley has been a big part in helping the team become one. “Coach Riley is awesome,” Russell said. “We’ve known each other for four years now, and she has been everything I could have asked for in a high school coach.”

Senior Russell Bader practices for the State Tournament, held on May 10-11. N

Varsity tennis takes District; Bader wins first at Regionals

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Riley pushes the team hard in practice while earning respect from her students. “When coach says, ‘jump,’ we yell back ‘how high?’” freshman Sydney Young said. The team has shared many moments together from silly to sentimental. “My favorite memory from this season would have to be our overnight trip in Kemah,” Casey said. “We were there for two nights and one of the nights we got to go to the Kemah Boardwalk. I had a blast.” Other members of the team have different favorites that are more emotional. “One of my favorite memories is from [fall] Regionals,” Sydney said. “[Fall graduate] Alex Durham gave us this talk about how when we lose, like we did, we still win.” The team plans on keeping and treasuring its memories. The players will look back on their Westlake experience and remember their tennis team, in particular. “When I graduate from here and go to college, I will look back on my Westlake memories and chuckle a little for every memory I had with these amazing people,” Sydney said. —Hailey Cunningham For updates go to www.westlakefeatherduster.com

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brains + brawn

l r i g r e l l o R Senio

art b y So

fie S

eide

r joins local roller derby leag

Senior Susan Reifsteck blocks for her pack at a scrimmage. “Derby has allowed me to feel strong,” Susan said. “Taking hits in my first bout and staying focused is something I’m really proud of. Practice doesn’t touch the feeling of actually playing.” In the world of unique athletes, Susan Reifsteck takes the cake and rolls away with it, too. Soon after the start of her senior year, Susan joined the Texas Rollergirls Junior League, the Austin sector of the National Flat Track Derby Association. “I saw the movie Whip It when it came out in October,” Susan said. “It’s a good coming-of-age story about a nonconformist teenage girl who deals with life in her small Texas town by joining a roller derby league in Austin.” She Googled roller derby and found out Austin led the revival of the sport in 2001. After researching, Susan emailed the Texas Rollergirls team to find out about participating in the sport. Susan, as a 17-yearold, was too young for the women’s league, so she signed up for the junior league instead. “It’s a wide age range, 8-17, so I’m the oldest,” Susan said. “The other girls on my team are about 15 or 16. When I first started, it was the first time I had gone roller skating since I was really little. I didn’t remember how to stop. I was new and all these people have done it before, so I was kind of slow.” Because she has been attending practices every week since joining, Susan has improved her skating. “I have practice twice a week: derby practice and speed practice,” Susan said. “It is really physically demanding. It’s tough on your thighs because you’re always so low to the ground. You have to skate like you’re sitting down so your center of gravity is lower and you can keep from getting knocked over. The junior league has bouts (games) and practices at the Millennium Youth Center which is in East Austin. Our first bout was on April 1. The adult bouts are at Playland skate center [on] the last Sunday of every month, April through August.” Susan has also familiarized herself with the rules and strategies of the game. “It’s on a flat track,” Susan said. “There are a few leagues that use banked (slanted) tracks but most use flat tracks. There are five people on each team, or “pack.” It’s a bit like a race. A team consists of jammers, who score points, and blockers, who assist their team’s jammer by pushing opponents out of the way to make it more difficult for the opposing jammer to score.” A bout has two 30-minute periods consisting of multiple jams. At the start of each jam, the two teams line up with the jammers 30 feet behind the blockers. After the whistle blows, the jammers wait for the blockers to get 20 feet ahead. “A jam is a two-minute scoring round,” Susan said. “There’s a lot of strategy involved. Whichever jammer is in the front is the lead jammer and will score points each time they lap one of the opposing team’s blockers. The lead jammer has the ability to call off the jam before the two minutes are up by putting her hands on her hips. Jammers have to be the fastest to lap the other team’s blockers and gain points. A good jammer can do 15-20 laps in two minutes.”

Indigo Colton

Roller derby is renowned for being a more aggressive sport than more orthodox games. “There is a lot of physical contact in roller derby,” Susan said. “There are different national organizations; the Texas Rollergirls are part of the Flat Track Derby Association, which states that you can’t block your opponents with anything from your elbow to your hand, so you can’t do any sort of elbow smacking or hit people in the face. Physical contact is also more limited in the junior league.” Susan added that she likes the roughness of the sport during a bout. “I think that it is empowering,” Susan said. “There really isn’t anything else for women where you get to be physically aggressive and it’s really unfortunate.” Such a sport seems like it would draw very aggressive and intimidating women, but Susan finds all the girls on the team to be very friendly and helpful. “Everyone is really nice,” Susan said. “The older girls who did this last year are really supportive, and we all help each other out. I think everyone definitely has some character. I think you need a really intense personality to get into it. In roller derby, every team member has a derby name — mine is Sue Sin. My favorite name is from one of the younger girls, some of them are really into Disney Channel, so she’s Hannah Slamtana.” Although Susan enjoys actively participating in roller derby, she does not believe that it is a very well known sport. “I think a lot of people haven’t really heard of it,” Susan said. “When roller derby originated back in the ‘60s, it was more staged, so a lot of people still think it’s just girls fighting each other on skates and in costumes. Now it’s much more of a real sport. There are national championships and professional leagues all over the country.” There are some areas of the country where roller derby is more popular, and Susan has checked to see which of her college choices match up with these areas. “I’ve checked with the schools that I’ve applied to to see if there are teams there,” Susan said.“NYU in New York City has the Gotham City Roller Girls. Reed College, which is in Portland, has the Rose City Rollers, who are in the top bracket. The number one team is the Oly Rollers from Olympia, Washington. They recently took that title from the Texas Rollergirls in the championships this past summer.” Although Susan is very enthusiastic about roller derby, her parents are not as enthralled about her new hobby. “My mom is terrified,” Susan said. “I think she just likes to pretend it’s not what I’m doing. She’s never wanted me to do anything that’s in any way dangerous. When I was younger she wouldn’t let me do any martial arts. I think my dad is just glad to see me not sitting around the house.” —Sofie Seiden

To the tee

Barrett Wilson

Junior Brenden Redfern is among the six Westlake golfers to qualify for State out of a total of 12 spots.

Boys golf looks to repeat tradition as champions

As the No. 1 ranked team in Texas, the undefeated varsity boys golfers are favored to win State again. The team’s strength lies in the experience, ability and unity of the players who dominated both the District and the Regional tournaments. “After trailing by a single shot after day one, WHS came out and played like State Champions at Regionals, dominating the field with a course record 291 and won by 16 shots over the number two ranked team in the state, San Antonio Reagan,” coach Callan Nokes said. “Westlake II had a brilliant day as well. They shot a 304 and finished third in the Region, earning them a bronze medal.” Overall, Westlake had six players finish in the top 12 spots on the course and will advance as one team. The State Tournament will be held May 13-14 at the Jimmy Clay Golf Course in Austin. “Our whole team is very excited for State,” junior Brenden Redfern said. “We are all working very hard and really looking forward to it.” Besides just beating the competition at every tournament this year, the team has

set some course and invitational records as well. “Most of the varsity players have lots of experience and many of them have even played in the State Tournament before,” Nokes said. “Some of them have even played twice.” All of this is not achieved without effort. The team practices almost every day after school. They are all on a workout program which includes team workouts every Monday to stay physically in shape and are required to work out at least one other time on their own. “To prepare for State, we all work very hard on our shot games and putting because we know that that will be the difference-maker in the State Tournament,” Brenden said. Westlake stands out from other teams not only in their skill level but also in their team unity. “We support each other no matter what and are always there for each other when things aren’t going the way we hoped,” Brenden said. “We are also the hardest working team out of our competitors and we never give up.” —Chandler McCollough and Luci Ortiz

Master stroke

Girls golf dominates at Regionals, moves on to State tournament With an undefeated season and perfect tournament record under its belt, the girls golf team heads to the State Finals. After winning its 12th straight District title and ranking 1st in Regionals with total scores of 288 and 298, a full 51 strokes ahead of 2nd place MacArthur, the team, armed with a host of some of the best players in the state, will compete in the State Championship at the Jimmy Clay golf course in Austin May 13-14. “We got pretty lucky to have such great team chemistry,” captain senior Kaylin Terry said. “I really feel like this is our strongest varsity team ever.” On April 19-20, the team traveled to Harlingen to compete in the Regional golf tournament. On both days, the team collectively scored under 300, with junior Taylor Moreno winning the tournament with scores of 73 and 71. Senior Kaylin Terry and sophomore Mariana Sims ranked directly behind her with Kaylin taking second after a tie-breaking playoff. “We were surprised that we played so well,” Mariana said. “Everyone put in a lot of effort, and it paid off.” For the team, preparation began early in the fall. Varsity, led by head coach Chuck Nowland, began the school year by scheduling tee times two days a week at local courses and encouraging the girls to take lessons and practice on their own, which helped the tone for the rest of the season. “Golf is a mental exercise as much as it is a physical sport,” senior

Chuck Nowland

Junior Haley Haught, senior Kaylin Terry, sophomore Mariana Sims, junior Taylor Moreno and senior Carly Berryhill triumphed at Regionals in Harlingen April 19-20. Michelle Suh said. “Coach Nowland does an amazing job preparing all his players for both aspects of the game. His passion and dedication to the team inspires his players to work as hard as they can.” Nowland says he sees team experiences, tournaments and trips as a way of growing closer as a team. “The whole year is preparation,” he said. “We’ve improved by traveling together and developing team camaraderie.” This type of preparation has served the team well. Throughout the year, they won nine out of nine straight tournaments, even breaking the record at Lion’s Municipal Golf Course for the low girls team score with a 291, beating the previous by five strokes. “That’s a score to be proud of,” Nowland said. —Connor White

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brains + brawn

Filmography

Three seniors find passion for making movies Everyone has a story to tell. For these students, videos are the best way to tell that story. Since its creation last year, the Westlake film program has led to the creation of award-winning short films. Using professional programs such as Final Cut Pro, these students have used their creativity to make especially noteworthy work.

Carly Berryhill She started in middle school using her dad’s old video camera. Initially a casual hobby, filmmaking has grown into a serious passion for senior Carly Berryhill. “I would convince my neighbors and my sisters to be my actors,” Carly said. “We made a variety of movies, ranging from music videos to pretend news reports.” As a middle school student, Carly was able to use her talent to film people around the community. “I quickly began getting small jobs like filming for Little League teams and helping kids edit their school projects,” Carly said. Emily Huang In addition to all of the time Carly spends outside of school on her films, she has also taken many classes which have taught her more about the field. “From freshman year until now I [have taken] classes like Tech Theatre I, Digital Graphics and Animation, Creative Writing and Film I and II,” Carly said. After seeing many countries around the world, Carly began to envision possible ideas for jobs involving her filmmaking. “My dream job would be something like working for National Geographic or IMAX, where I could make films like Planet Earth,” Carly said. “These jobs would be perfect for me because not only am I working with these great cameras, but I’m traveling the world, seeing animals and helping to spread the word about [saving] the environ-

ment.” Aside from her love for the environment, Carly is also interested in producing short films and public service announcements. “I enjoy making music videos and comedic short films,” she said. “But I also make a lot of PSAs for school, which I find just as entertaining. It doesn’t matter what kind of movie I’m making. As long as I’m working on something, I’m happy.” Her filmmaking has won her many awards in various competitions, mainly because of the advanced techniques she uses. “Carly has a mature vision with framing and composition, a lot of creativity and artistic value,” film teacher Emily Burdett said. “She is one of the three best students I’ve had in my classes.” Carly’s films tend to draw in a younger crowd, because the scenes move quickly, intended to keep a teenage audience engaged. “My audience leans more towards teenagers because I like to go down the fast and exciting route,” she said. “To me, it’s important to capture the audience and keep their interest throughout the film, otherwise it has little value. I even get jobs from adults who ask me to edit their footage because they want that ‘young, fun feeling’ in their videos.” Carly is beginning to see the wide range of opportunities she has if she pursues a film career. “The film business is enormous,” Carly said. “There are so many different jobs out there for me to learn about. That always gets me excited.” When Carly was sorting through the various colleges, she stressed the importance of a school with a respectable film program. She decided on Chapman, a liberal arts school in southern California. “I think I’m very lucky to already know what career I want to have in my future,” Carly said. “Picking the right film school is the first and possibly the most important step to getting there.” —Annie Valliant art by Michelle Ling

Senior Carly Berryhill flaunts her makeshift Oscar in the film room. “After all the hard work and being focused for so long, the final product is a huge relief and definitely pays off when you get to show your friends,” Carly said.

photos by Keren Rempe

To view student films (including the ones mentioned here), visit www.westlakefilm.com.

James Lambrecht From the time he was young, senior James Lambrecht has been involved in film. His father is a commercial writer for the Austin-based advertising company GSD&M, so James often travels and works on sets with him. The relaxed and creative field inspired James to become a filmmaker himself. He had been saving up to buy a video camera, but when James saw that Westlake would be offering a film class, he signed up for that instead. Ever since, he has excelled at the art. He entered his short film “Love Story” into the state-wide Scholastic contest. It was selected as a Gold Key, which enabled it to qualify for nationals, and there it placed in the top one percent. He was also invited to an award ceremony at Carnegie Hall. In addition, it helped him earn a $55,000 scholarship to the School of the Art Institute in Chicago, where he will attend this fall. “It was kind of ironic,” James said. “I was thinking about not going there, because I hadn’t heard much [about it] and I wanted to keep my band going. But with an offer like that, no matter where it is, I’m really proud of it.” As well as film, music is a huge part of James’ life. He plays guitar in the bands Gladius the Fertile, Stasis and Mr. Medusa. However, he has found that it’s not as universally accessible as film. “I will always play music,” James said. “But the sad thing about it is that [the genres] are very specific. The cool thing about film is that nobody likes only one genre. It’s all based on what we feel, and we all feel very similar things.” James has always been interested in reaching out to people, and he has found that film is a very good way to relate to their emotions and showcase them

in a constructive way. “I love helping people,” James said. “I don’t know why, but ever since I was younger, kids always felt comfortable talking to me. They would just sit down and tell me their deepest, most intimate secrets, and I would talk to them as if I was a doctor prescribing something. Over these past two years, I’ve noticed that film is the most intense thing that a massive amount of people [identify] with.” Although he wants his films to be successful, it’s not the most driving factor behind James’ work. “I don’t necessarily desire to make massive Hollywood films,” James said. “I just want to make something that’s available to people if they want it.” What provides the most motivation for James is the fulfillment of a great project. “[It’s that] feeling that you know you’re born to do something,” he said. “And when you find it, it’s the coolest thing ever. When you make something and the music’s perfect and the way it looks is perfect, you get goosebumps. When you get the chance to put that out and let it sit into other people — that’s the best.” To James, film goes beyond just a good movie. It’s not just a film, it’s the best way to communicate a concept. “I love successfully manifesting an idea in your head,” James said. “I also love [using] psychology and thinking about characters. You’re basically trying to recreate or make something seem believable from a different reality, and it becomes reality. I think that film is the closest thing to what goes on inside our heads.” —Mariah Stevens-Ross

Preparing to edit a film, senior James Lambrecht looks through footage on his video camera in the green screen room.” Editing is always such an exciting moment,” James said. “You finally get to compile these series of clips into an order that, hopefully, fulfills the vision in your head.”

John Turman

Senior John Turman writes a script on his computer after school. “When you write, there are two sides of your brain working against each other — the creative side and the editing side,” John said. “In order to maximize productivity, you have to tell the editing side to be quiet.”

Ars Gratius Opus is Latin for “Art for the Sake of Work,” and is the title of senior John Turman’s award-winning documentary. Along with being a drum major and first-chair French horn, he has also found a passion for film production. John has been in film for the past two years and entered many contests, the most notable being C-Span StudentCam, a nationwide competition in which he placed third. The contest gave students the choice of two topics: one of our country’s strengths or one of our weaknesses. John’s documentary focused on a strength of our country — art. “I chose strengths because it’d be depressing to write about a challenge,” John said. “I chose the American art market because I had read about how [it] is better than any other country’s in the world.” It focuses on how the economic crisis has both helped and

hurt those who work in creative fields and emphasized the importance of self-expression. The documentary features pianist Felicity Coleman, glassblower Nick Dertein and St. Edward’s professor Susan Loughran. With the help of cameraman Connally High School senior Max Peterson, John directed and edited the 8-minute film. A ceremony for John’s award took place in the Performing Arts Center lecture hall April 6. Both his film and the interview he had with C-Span were shown. “The interview was really weird,” John said. “I got on the line with the reporter and she said, ‘Okay, John, I’ll give you a couple of questions, and you’re gonna hear me count down a few seconds before it’s your turn to speak. Just say whatever comes to mind.’ After everything she [asked], she said ‘3-2-1.’ I have talked to people on the phone interview-style, but never for TV,

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so that was really weird but fun.” John knows that the key to successful filmmaking lies in understanding others’ viewpoints. “Film is all about perspective,” John said. “For contests, you need to know the perspective of the judges in order to succeed. For film class, you need to know your audience’s perspective, and you need to keep that in mind as well as your own perspective in order to make a project you like.” As much as John enjoys creating films, he knows that it has its challenges. “It’s deceptively timeconsuming,” John said. “The time commitment is a bit of a challenge for some people. You think, ‘Oh yeah, I’ll just shoot it and put it on a DVD,’ but it’s not that simple. You have to edit, add titles and all kinds of crazy things and little minute details that are required to make a truly excellent piece of work.” —Mariah Stevens Ross

people + places

Through

At her ranch in the Patagonia region of Argentina, junior Sofia Proffitt enjoys one of her happier moments. During her five years there, she experienced harassment at the hands of her classmates.

the

looking glass courtesy photo

Junior encounters cultural barriers, endures harsh treatment Imagine moving to a country where you don’t speak the language, you don’t know anyone and almost everything you do is a new experience. At school, your classmates despise you, but you don’t know why. When junior Sofia Proffitt moved to Argentina at the age of 10, she endured the most trying days of her life. Sofia originally moved to Argentina for her father Mike Proffitt’s semi-retirement. Her father invented a machine that, when attached to a NASA U2 plane and flown over the hole in the ozone layer, can measure the size of the ozone depletion. Because Proffitt is the only one who has knowledge of how to build an atmospheric recording station, he was able to work for the World Meteorological Organization, United Nations and NASA as the head representative for atmospheric changes. On the downside, Proffitt’s job required him to travel frequently, leaving this tight-knit family behind. “It was not easy [being separated], but we managed,” Sofia said. “We know that what he is doing for humanity is very important.” Even though she did not know any Spanish when she first arrived in Argentina, Sofia attended a school taught entirely in the language, as she had no other options. Sofia’s school was the only one that permitted her enrollment due to the scarce linguistic knowledge on her part. To help Sofia, the school gave her a private tutor so she could learn basic Spanish. “I took classes as if I were a native speaker,” Sofia said. “Then I would go to tutoring and learn to say hello.” As expected, Sofia soon fell behind in her 16 different subjects. Her mother, a native of Buenos Aires, in an effort to help her daughter progress in her studies, would translate Sofia’s homework for her. Then Sofia would memorize what she learned in simple Spanish, but it didn’t always have the intended effect. “When it was time for a test, I couldn’t understand what the questions were asking,” Sofia said. “So I would just write down all I could remember.” Sofia’s lack of fluency didn’t endear her to her fellow students. Neither did the fact that she had a different appearance than everyone else. Simply because she was a foreigner Sofia stood out, but by being blonde, blue-eyed, slender and taller than even most of the males at her school, Sofia was left to make friends with herself. “I used to eat my lunch in the bathroom because no one wanted to sit with me,” she said. “I remember when one day a girl came into the bathroom with scissors. She just started shredding my uniform [with the scissors] while she screamed obscenities at me because of the way I looked.”

During the five years that she endured the ever-present enmity from fellow classmates, Sofia would often disappear to her sanctuary. The school basement was inhabited by rats, so there was little chance for her to run into anyone. “It was the one place in school where I could just be by myself,” Sofia said. “It was a place that made me feel secure.” Even though being in Argentina was hard for Sofia, her life wasn’t always that way. When Sofia was 5 years old she moved from Colorado to the rural village of Coppet, Switzerland. There, the roads, which were entirely paved in hand-laid brick, sometimes closed in order for cows to come down from grazing in the mountains. “Coppet was so beautiful,” Sofia said. “I felt as if I were back in time.” From the mountainous terrain to the sunflower farms Sofia passed on her way to school, Switzerland was in many ways opposite of Argentina. With good fortune, Sofia was more accepted by her peers in Coppet. “I was one of three Americans at my school,” Sofia said. “It was like a cultural melting pot, because Switzerland is in the middle of Europe.” Moving from America to another country changed Sofia’s perspective on life. “When I was living in Colorado it was like being in a bubble, not knowing the world beyond my small existence,” she said. “[By living in another country] your view of the world is so much broader, and you get to understand what makes a country strong, what makes it work and what doesn’t. Americans take for granted how easy everything is here.” When the family decided to leave Argenina two years ago, they did so for a variety of reasons. One was so that Sofia’s chances of being accepted to a college of her choice in the United States would not be jeopardized like her sister’s was. The family decided Austin would be ideal, given that Sofia’s father grew up in the city and loved it. “The day we left Argentina was the happiest of my life,” Sofia said. “You never realize how much not having friends impacts you until you don’t have any.” By using her experiences as a means for growing, Sofia has gained an enlightened outlook on life. “I have always viewed myself as four different people,” Sofia said. “There’s the innocent 5-year-old from Colorado. Then from Switzerland comes the shy American alien. In Argentina I was the uninvited. Here in Austin I’ve been freed from my cage — I can truly be myself.” —Jessee Haney

Hitting a road block Junior Chris Van Datta is in the process of rehabilitation. His estimated recovery time is ranged from one to six months.

Junior Chris Van Datta suffers serious injury in rugby game, plans to return to sport next year

Keren Rempe

He was feeling nervous, if only just a little. He was prepared, warmed-up and ready to get out onto the rugby field where Westlake was facing off against the Woodlands Jan. 30 in a game where victory was thought to come easy as the second half of the game wound down. However, there was something coming, something junior Chris Van Datta was not expecting. As he took his place on the field as a tight-head prop, the ball went out of play and a scrum, where the two teams fight for possession of the ball, occurred. Chris, claiming his spot as the anchorman of the scrum due to his tight-head prop position, was the lead attacker against the opposition. And then it happened. “I was only in for about a minute before the scrum collapsed,” Chris said. “Immediately after, when I was on the ground, I knew that something was definitely wrong.” As Chris lay piled beneath other players, the injury he had sustained became clear to himself and others. Something devastating had occurred. Chris was rushed to the hospital, unable to move, and unaware of what exactly was going on. “I wasn’t thinking,” Chris said. “I was in shock.” Upon Chris’ arrival at the hospital, doctors began several blood tests and then hurried to get him a MRI, which would help them figure out what course of action they would take to correct and heal the injury. “I remember the doctors telling me not to move and everything seemed to be rushed,” Chris said. “They needed to stabilize me because they had no idea what happened to me.” The MRI revealed Chris had injured a disc between his fifth and sixth vertebrae, which are located in the back and neck. It had been ruptured, which means there was a slippage in the spinal cord, and part of the spinal disc had been forced through a weakened part of the vertebrae. Surgery became inevitable and was scheduled for Feb. 2. The injury had caused Chris’ movement to be hindered in his left side and he was partially paralyzed, mainly in his arm. “The surgery was the removal of my fifth and sixth discs,” Chris said. “To help regain my movement, they needed to replace them with cadaver bones which they then fused together. There is also a metal plate between them, which is permanent.” Chris was in the hospital for five days, recovering from his procedure. His stay in the hospital was not a lonely one though, as many of his friends and teammates came to check in. “A lot of my friends came to visit me while I was in the hospital,” Chris said.

“It made me feel better and made me realize that things could have been a lot worse.” Although Chris was able to physically get up and walk by himself the day of his surgery, when he returned home, he soon realized the obstacles he would face in the approaching months of his recovery and physical therapy. “Everyday things became a challenge,” Chris said. “I’m an independent person; I like doing things myself and helping other people. It was hard for me to rely on others. I couldn’t cook my own food, I couldn’t lift things up. It was difficult for everyone.” Chris dealt with these challenges in a neck brace for two weeks. Surprisingly, he did not spend a single day in a wheelchair or on any kind of supportive crutch. Most of this period of time was spent at school. “People were shocked and worried about me,” Chris said. “I was surprised because even my teachers knew what happened. There were a lot of questions, but it never bothered me to answer them.” Chris’ complete recovery time is expected to be about six months, but it is ranged, meaning he could regain his strength back at any time. He’ll spend parts of it in physical rehabilitation, which will help him overcome his left side’s weakness. However, even with his rehabilitation and moments of discomfort, Chris has made room for the very sport that hurt him — rugby. “I think I’ve only missed [watching] one home game since my injury,” Chris said. “I plan to keep on attending games, and I’m hoping I can go watch the State game. The team has been supportive and I want to return that support.” Although Chris’ injury has impacted his life, he plans on returning to the field as soon as he can. However, he must take some serious precautions. “The doctor said I was more stable than some of the guys out on the field now [because of the surgery],” Chris said. “But I still have the same susceptibility to injury, and if [the injury] happens again it could be much more severe.” Although the injury was serious, it hasn’t stopped him from keeping his future in check. He plans on going to college, such as Cordon Bleu, to pursue his dream of cooking. He is even pursuing an internship over the summer as an assistant chef. “I’ve had a lot of close encounters — this is just one of them,” Chris said. “It has been a major road-block in my life and has caused me to move aside things, but I’m ready to go on with my life.” —Jamie Mathis art by Emily Mitchell

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people + places

Jumping

Katherine Finn

to new heights Since the age of 6, she lay in bed each night praying for a horse. On her 8th birthday her mom surprised her with the opportunity to take her first riding lessons and now, almost 10 years later, senior Sarah Southworth has received a scholarship to Texas Christian University to ride for the Horned Frog Equestrian team. “I grew up around horses,” Sarah said. “My mom rode horses locally and barrel raced before I was born, so riding is sort of in my blood.” After falling in love with the sport during her first lesson, she had to decide whether to pursue Western riding or English riding. Although it was a difficult decision, she realized she wanted to jump with horses and because of this, she chose English riding. At the age of 9, Sarah began competing locally to gain experience in horse shows, but at age 12 she started to take the sport seriously, branching out to state-wide and even national competitions. “When I won my first classic, I was 12,” Sarah said. “It is still one of my happiest moments of riding. The announcer called my horse and me into the ring and we cantered around in a circle with a blue ribbon around my horse’s neck. I looked into the stands courtesy photo and saw my mom crying.” Sarah and her horse, Amorenna, jump in their first show together Sarah continued to at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas. “I heard rake in awards after my name called in first place and I knew it was going to be a great season for us,” Sarah said. “I was incredibly proud and lucky to have the success of her first classic. At the age of found a great horse like Amorenna.” 13, Sarah placed second overall in the Texas Hunter and Jumper Association Children’s Hunter Division and was awarded with the title of Reserve Champion. Although Sarah won awards and recognition for her horseback riding throughout middle school, she began qualifying for national competitions in high school. “In 2009 I was a qualifier for the THJA Junior Equitation Finals,” Sarah said. “The same year I also qualified for the United States Equestrian Federation 3’6’’ Equitation Championship and THJA Small Junior Hunter Finals.” Unfortunately, her horse was injured and the disability prevented her from competing in the championships. Rather than let the dilemma hinder her chances of competing in the future, Sarah used the opportunity to focus on the possibility of riding in college. “Right before school started [this fall] I got a new horse,” Sarah said. “Her name is Amorenna; she’s a Hanoverian Warmblood. I have been riding at my house for about seven years now and my trainer,

Senior pursues horseback riding dream, receives scholarship Mark Boigs, comes over a few times a week to work with us.” Boigs and Sarah’s mother have played a large role in helping Sarah earn her scholarship. “During the summer I put together a bunch of video clips of me riding multiple horses,” Sarah said. “I burned them to DVDs and sent them to all the colleges that have NCAA equestrian teams.” Almost a month later, schools began taking an interest in Sarah and responding to her videos. “I heard back pretty quickly from about half of the schools I contacted,” Sarah said. “I was really excited to know they’d even consider me.” Surprisingly, TCU was one of the schools that hadn’t contacted her. Being her first choice of programs to ride for, Sarah was discouraged. Not long after the letters from various colleges arrived, Sarah met with coaches from both Southern Methodist University and Baylor but felt that they weren’t the right fit. Sarah had just attended an official visit with University of California Fresno when she got the news she was waiting for. “I received an e-mail from the new TCU coach saying that she’d like to meet with me,” Sarah said. “A couple of days later, my mom and I drove up and met with Coach Kindel Huffman to tour the campus. I loved their program and the fact that it was so close to home since I’m so close to my family.” Huffman told Sarah that she would keep in touch and let her know if there was a spot for her on the team. About a week later, Sarah was offered a partial scholarship to ride for the TCU Equestrian team. “My mom forwarded me the e-mail while I was at school,” Sarah said. “I couldn’t stop smiling. I was so excited because for the longest time I hadn’t even thought they were interested.” Sarah will begin training with the team this summer and will officially join the team in the fall of 2010. “I’m really excited for what the future holds,” Sarah said. “TCU has a great equestrian program, and I just can’t believe I’m fortunate enough to be a part of it.” —Mary-Margaret Parrish

The unbridled facts Western: A style of riding that includes many events such as trail, Western Pleasure, horsemanship, Western Riding, reining, cutting, roping and many more. It is characterized by the larger saddle which includes a pommel and saddle horn. Equestrian: A style of riding that includes many sports such as dressage racing, jumping, combined training, hunter under saddle, hunt seat equitation and more. It is characterized by a saddle that is smaller and plainer than a Western saddle with no large pommel or horn. Equitation: English (Hunt Seat Equitation) classes in which the rider, not the horse, is judged. The rider must demonstrate good seat and hands and sufficient management of the horse to perform the required pattern. www.rodeohouston.com

STOP

Drivingforce Bus driver takes pride in career, recovers from struggle with cancer

STOP

s John Hunt arrives to pick up the elementary students from their neighborhoods, he sits with a few minutes to spare. Meanwhile, in a house a couple of blocks away, a busy mom prepares an extra serving of breakfast — a gift she offers each day to her child’s bus driver. She sends her son running out the door with the food in hand to catch the bus. As the doors open, Hunt greets each student by name, giving them a warm welcome. With an ear-splitting squeal, the bus rolls away. Hunt’s former position as co-owner of Cornerstone, a small hardware store which opened in 1995, left him with extra time during the day. So in 1997, when Hunt saw there was a bus driver opening, he quickly applied for

Katherine Finn

the job. Additionally, the perks of medical benefits and a retirement plan appealed to him. “The department put up flyers saying they needed more help and more bus drivers,” Hunt said. “When I was working at Cornerstone, I had spare time so I applied. Plus, I like the kids.” After 12 years on the job, the elementary students remain Hunt’s favorite group to drive. He also enjoys the middle school children, but they can sometimes be “the rowdiest.” “Elementary kids are the best because they are so funny and innocent,” Hunt said. “The funniest thing an elementary student has ever told me was, ‘Oh, Mr. Hunt, the teachers made me think so hard today, my brain cells popped.’” Hunt’s bus driving career

Bus driver John Hunt arrives at the EISD bus barn after his afternoon route. Hunt has been working for EISD for 12 years.

Hirrah Barlas

was temporarily interrupted in its 10th year by the discovery of lymph node cancer. When he went in for a routine check-up, his doctor found that his lymph nodes were swollen. The cancer was already in stage four, having spread all the way from his neck down to his hips. Even with the devastating news of the spread of the cancerous cells, Hunt’s family kept him in high spirits. “I have always been optimistic, and the support of my family was great,” he said. “My wife was there every day taking care of me when I was sick, and my girls were very helpful.” Although Hunt’s family had to adjust to his illness, they tried to remain as strong as possible for him. “There isn’t much you can do except pray that everything turns out okay,” his daughter junior Tessa Hunt said. “I knew he would be fine because he is stronger than anyone I’ve ever met. Seeing him in the hospital, when he looked like he was in so much pain, was the hardest part, but he has always been so positive about every aspect in life. He always had hope in his eyes, even when he was so sick.” The chemotherapy weakened Hunt’s immune system, causing him to be more susceptible to viruses. He developed bouts of neuropathy, a condition which made his foot feel numb. “When I was going to treatment I worked very little, maybe one week out of the month,” Hunt

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said. “I would feel okay, but then the chemotherapy would make me feel bad for two weeks and I couldn’t go out in public because my immune system was suppressed.” Because of the struggles Hunt and his daughter faced together, their relationship strengthened immensely. “My dad knows me better than anyone else,” Tessa said. “I feel like I am much closer to him now because I was on the verge of losing him. Not a day has passed when I haven’t prayed that he never gets cancer again. Sometimes I think, ‘How could God do this?’ but I’ve accepted that everything happens for a reason. Experiencing that feeling of complete terror has made my whole family stronger. I am so thankful he is healthy now.” Since the completion of his chemotherapy, Hunt has continued regular checkups with his doctor. For the past two years, the tests have shown up negative each time he went. In three more years, if each test is confirmed to be negative, he will officially be declared cancer free. Hunt was thrilled to return to bus driving, the job he loves. “It takes a pretty big load off my mind,” Hunt said. “Enjoying the kids [is the best part of going back to work]. I have excellent and fun people that I work with. That makes me focus on them and not my health.” —Jenny Messer and Annie Valliant

people + places

Excellence Takes A Community. It takes a group of people who believe in the idea that excellence is important, and achievable. You are part of a community that plays a vital role in maintaining and enhancing the quality of academic opportunities for all students in our district. We hope to count your family among the many whose deep interest and generous support of the Eanes Education Foundation help all of our teachers and students achieve excellence.

www.eaneseducationfoundation.org

fter

ath

Teen band wins, performs in Germany Dubbed the “Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin is the birthplace of numerous musical geniuses. So it’s no surprise that up-and-coming band After Math originates from the heart of it all. What is surprising, however, is that After Math’s oldest member is barely old enough to drive a car. The band began more than five years ago as any normal garage band, but has progressed into the determined hard-working performers they are today. Band members include Westlake freshman Livvy Bennett who plays bass, McNeil sophomore Rachel Thompson who sings lead vocals, Westwood junior Dustin Belanger who plays lead guitar and Round Rock sophomore Justin Beamon who plays drums. The melodic rock sounds produced by this young band are nothing short of extraordinary. According to the Austin AmericanStatesman, their musical styling sounds like a brilliant combination of Led Zeppelin and The Beatles. Livvy remembers the first time she ever picked up the bass. “It felt natural to me,” Livvy said. “I caught on pretty fast. I knew how to play guitar so I kind of just eased into it, but it was definitely like, ‘this works for me.’ It’s a part of me now.” In January of this year, After Math traveled to Anaheim, California with nine other top teen bands in the nation to compete in the first annual SchoolJam USA competition presented by the National Association of Music Merchants. “SchoolJam is a program started by MusikMedia in Germany that we brought over to the states a few years ago,” said Jennifer Paisley, market development project manager of NAMM. “Our main goal is to promote teen musicians of all genres, provide them a national stage to showcase their talents and at the same time promote the importance of having a quality music education program in every school.” The grand prize winner of SchoolJam would win a trophy in the shape of a platinum album, $5,000 for their school music programs and a trip to Europe to perform at the international 2010 SchoolJam finals in Frankfurt, Germany over spring break — a chance of a lifetime. Their love for music was apparent as soon as they stepped onto the stage in Anaheim. Rachel’s Janis-Joplin-sounding

voice captured the audience from the start as the rest of the band members came together to put on one of the best performances seen by SchoolJam. “If I play a huge show I sometimes may get a little nervous, but it’s more of an adrenaline rush,” Livvy said. “I’ll get more nervous doing an oral presentation in school than I will at a show.” On Jan. 19, in front of a large crowd, After Math was named the grand prize winner, jumpstarting their career abroad. When Livvy heard their band’s name called, she could barely contain herself. “I thought all the other bands were really amazing, and I was really surprised that we had won,” Livvy said. “I mean, I love our band but I was like ‘What?’ I couldn’t believe it.” From the classroom one day to the spotlight the next, After Math had evolved into international performers. In addition to playing gigs and shows around Austin, After Math was now performing abroad. “We had two shows [in Germany],” Livvy said. “There was just this energy in the air that was different than what I’ve ever experienced before, partly because I was just so excited about being there and because it was such a big deal for me. Just being in Germany in general was a great experience, like nothing I’d ever done before. It was an adventure that my band and I set out on together.” This stood as a monumental step in the careers of all four band members if they wish to continue on in the music industry. “I think the music business takes a lot of hard work and dedication, not to mention talent,” Paisley said. “If After Math wants to pursue this as a career path, I think they are well on their way and have a lot of potential to be successful.” The overall feeling is that the members of this band want to continue playing for as long as they can, not for the fame or money so much, but just for their love of music. “We all love music and each other so much that I think we’ll continue playing music for sure,” Livvy said. “Music makes my heart beat, it’s basically all I do. Nothing else makes me happier than music.” —Emily Mitchell

courtesy photo

After Math band members Westwood junior Dustin Belanger, Westlake freshman Livvy Bennett, McNeil sophomore Rachel Thompson, and Round Rock sophomore Justin Beamon stand in front of the Church of St. Bartholomeus in Frankfurt, Germany while they traveled there this spring break.

After Math played at this year’s Battle of the Bands and won three awards including Livvy being named Best Bassist. Livvy was named the best teen bassist in the U.S. by the judges at SchoolJam. After Math recently performed at Jam Fest.

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people + places

James Mays, creator of The Kids are Alright Festival, sits at his drumset in his studio.

Ursula Barker

Austin area college and high school students meet with Mays to plan events for The Kids are Alright Festival.

ich

ell

ing

Summer festival to celebrate music, gaming, skating

or the past few years, local music producer James Mays has brightened the lives of people all over Austin who crave that soul-searching, life-defining, body-rocking live music this city is known for. In the Westlake area he may be known as the man who worked with Teen Teachers last year to make Jam Fest happen with Nelo, but even more impressive, he is also the man responsible for making South by Southwest happen every year for the countless music lovers that inhabit this city. “My official title is assistant production manager,” Mays said about his involvement with SXSW. “But really I’m just the guy that keeps artists, club owners and sponsors happy so they stick around.” Don’t let his modesty fool you. Mays worked on more than 300 showcases for SXSW this year and had a staff of 50-70 workers and volunteers assisting him at all times. With plenty of credentials to his name, no one can deny that Mays is a guy who gets things done and his new project, The Kids are Alright Fest, is sure to join SXSW on Austin’s repertoire of great festivals. “The original idea for the Fest started five years ago,” Mays said. “It was hard for teen bands to play many shows outside of summer rock camps or school contests like Battle of the Bands because they were underage, so I wanted to create a venue for young bands to play in that was community oriented and not competition driven.” The Kids Are Alright Fest expanded into a festival that not only promotes young talent in the music industry, but will also give gamers and skateboarders a chance to show off their skills. Tents will be set up for gaming that will include a plethora of video game technology ranging from easy group games like Wii Sports and Rock Band to the chunky old-school gaming systems that parents used to play at corner stores for only 25 cents a shot. For kids who are more serious about breaking into the skating and music industries, there will be educational panel sessions June 4 (the first day of the festival) about how to succeed in the industries. Gaming and skating contests will also be available for those interested in more than just play. “We’re holding some low key contests for the kids who want to give it a try,” Mays said. “Some of the sponsors will be giving out prizes to those who win, but really anyone can skate and game non-competitively — it’s all just there for fun.” Much of the work and thought involved in making the festival possible can be attributed to a committee of teen volunteers that collaborate with Mays. The festival is geared towards

• • • • •

Entrance fee: $5-6 Location: Across the street from Bob Bullock Texas History museum June 4: Panel sessions June 5: Music stages, skating and gaming expo Bands and skaters interested contact: booking@thekidsarealrightfest.com

Ursula Barker

the 21-and-under crowd because Mays is a strong promoter of youth culture and a hands-on approach for all adolescents interested in the business. He believes that the teens involved should play the largest role in what goes down at the fest. “I don’t think it’ll work out if I do everything,” Mays said. “I don’t want people to think ‘Old guy James is throwing a party for kids.’ It really should be their ideas, their input. I just have the resources to make it happen.” The Kids Are Alright Fest is shaping up to be the first major local event of the summer, filling June 4-5 with hours and hours of pure uninhibited appreciation of music, gaming, skateboarding and just being young. When asked what the main goal of this festival was, Mays joked that it was supposed to be the biggest graduation party in Central Texas, and there is a certain truth to that statement. However, Mays also explained a larger more goal-oriented reason. “I’m basically trying to educate [teens] about all the stuff they don’t teach you at school,” Mays said. “I’m creating an opportunity for teens to experience what it’s like to be involved in the process of putting together these kinds of events. The staff can learn what it’s like to be a part of the industry and see if it’s a serious interest they want to consider later on.” Regardless of a moral message or over-arching meaning to the Fest, at the very least Mays hopes for a good turnout and positive reviews. “If the festival does well in Austin, the five-year plan is to take it on the road,” Mays said. “We would expand it and try to hit all the major cities like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.” With so many activities and people involved, it’s easy to miss the whole point of what Mays is trying to do with this project. But when you boil it down, the main idea of The Kids Are Alright Fest can be taken from the name itself. “I named the fest after the rock documentary about The Who that was titled after their song of the same name. They were such a pivotal band in rock history and it’s important that this generation of musicians know who they were,” Mays said. “The Who helped launch the youth movement of their generation and it’s a piece of history that I’m trying to continue on with this festival.” —Michelle Ling

Juggling

Sophomore Brad Dunn brings the heat with unique talent, performs for others Eyes locked on the audience, sophomore Brad Dunn juggled clubs, more commonly referred to as pins, in the “Carnival Pathetique” halftime show for the marching band. Lights shined brightly as Brad stood in the center of the ring formation, the crowd cheering for his outstanding performance. Brad never thought that a simple Christmas present would bring him such a great opportunity. When Brad received a book from his parents about juggling, his interest in juggling grew from an initial spark in the subject to regular practice. “To start off, I learned to juggle three balls,” Brad said. “I settled there for a while, but then I was asked to learn to juggle clubs for the Westlake marching show. After clubs came rings, then knives, then torches, then spinning plates, then the whip, and I’m halfway decent with cigar boxes. I continued buying new things because learning clubs opened up [opportunities].” Brad mimics many professional jugglers, his favorite being a group called Flaming Idiots, a troupe of three comedic jugglers. The Flaming Idiots keep incredible focus, one of the traits Brad most admires. They also interact with the crowd and perform amazing passing tricks. Their public acts inspired Brad to perform. He began displaying his juggling skills to the world even though the world wasn’t as ecstatic about juggling as he was. “Everyone I expose my skills to is never satisfied,” Brad said. “I juggle balls, they tell me to juggle knives. I juggle knives, they ask if they’re sharp. I say, ‘No, but they’re profes-

fire

sional level. No one really juggles sharp knives; they’re just made to look sharp.’ People are always disappointed. Then they tell me to juggle fire; I do, then they tell me to juggle flaming chain saws. There’s no impressing people anymore.” Juggling fire isn’t a simple task; it’s a dangerous feat. Each flame wisps by Brad’s face close enough to fray the tips of his eyelashes. There is also the possibility that he will throw a torch a little too far and ignite his hair. Brad has been lucky enough to avoid such incidents, but he did have his own accident waiting to happen. “I got burned the worst the first time I lit the torches with kerosene,” Brad said. “The time I really could’ve been in trouble was when I spilled kerosene all over my shoe and decided to try to keep juggling regardless. If I had dropped a torch on my foot, I would’ve been set on fire almost instantly. To top it off, I had no backup plan [in case of a fire], and I was in jeans.” Brad continues to be devoted to juggling regardless of the risks. “I only love juggling because it draws attention to me,” Brad said. “I’m the star all the time. It’s a dream of mine to join the stars and juggle on the moon with Neil Armstrong.” Whether Brad is in the bright lights of a ring formation, in space or just casually performing for friends, he continues to excite his audience. His talent for juggling will continue to expand as he learns to juggle new things and finds new crowds to please. —Keren Rempe

Basic Info

Keren Rempe

{ westlakefeatherduster.com }

people + places

24 31

Early College Start College classes for high school students and they’re free *

High school juniors and seniors can earn up to a year’s worth of college credit before graduation

austincc.edu/ecs (512) 223.7355 *Tuition is waived for in-district residents. Other fees may apply.

Westlake HS_ECS ad_3.917 x 4.921.indd 1

11/23/09 10:09:59 AM

T here’s no day but

today.

In life, the possibilites are endless. You have the power to turn your aspirations into realities. Now is not the time to hold back. No matter your dream or passion, give it everything you’ve got. Make the most of opportunities you’re given and unlock every closed door. The time is now. There’s no day but today.

{ westlakefeatherduster.com } trends + traditions 33

A novel idea

Senior hits the books, survives month-long writing challenge Usually, it feels like lying, which is why I often avoid the subject. Sometimes, though, the conversation is inevitable. “Wait — you’ve written a novel?” I’m never quite sure how to answer this question. “Yeah, I mean, sort of…well, actually, I’ve kind of written three.” “Three novels?” questions the other party, flabbergasted. “But how did you possibly find the time?” At this point, I have two choices. I can shrug and give an enigmatic smile that seems to indicate, the world has many mysteries. Or I can launch into a detailed description of NaNoWriMo. Let me explain. NaNoWriMo is short for National Novel Writing Month. This isn’t something I made up — in fact, more than 100,000 people participate each year. The goal is to write a 50,000-word novel in the month of November. It’s not a contest, exactly. No one judges all the novels and picks the best one. No one has to read your novel at all, unless you hand it to them with an author’s note clipped to the front explaining how you were only partially conscious when you wrote it and that you apologize if you accidentally revealed that you hated them or if they are unable to understand your incoherent blather. If you manage to knock out 50,000 words before 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 30, you win. It’s as simple as that. This has the pleasant consequence of bringing together writers across the globe and motivating them to start those books that they had always wanted to write. It does not, however, make any promises about quality. In fact, one of the most beautiful things about NaNoWriMo is that it gives you permission to suck. It even rewards you for it. I can safely say that it is impossible to write a good novel in a month. (The occasional NaNoWriMo participant will spruce up her novel a bit, get it published and become ridiculously successful. But as far as I can tell, this has only happened to one person ever: Sara Gruen, who wrote Water for Elephants). But really, it’s impossible to write a good first draft at all, whether it takes two weeks or 12 years. So why not write that draft in a frenzied, adrenaline-and-caffeine-fueled sprint? So your novel will, without a doubt, bring shame to the name of the English language. This may sound discouraging, but it’s actually the exact opposite. At times, this thought was probably the only thing that kept me from giving up, printing out my manuscript and ceremonially burning it before deleting it from my computer and then hibernating for the rest of the month. “Okay,” I had to say to myself, taking a deep breath. “My novel will be horrible.” Acknowledging this fact is liberating. It’s what makes NaNoWriMo hours of fun instead of hours of work — time I could have spent getting some much-needed sleep. You’ve never written like this before. I had never written like this before. This is no-rules, no-holds-barred, breakneck-speed writing. This is making your plot do a 180 on a whim, or writing down the craziest ideas from the depths of your subconscious at the instant they occur to you. Sometimes this means using desperate, ethically-questionable strategies to increase your word count so you can make it to the finish line on time, like inserting lengthy dream sequences, making a character deaf so the others have to repeat themselves all the time or splitting compound words (“pan cake” is one more word than “pancake,” and “five thousand, four hundred sixty-two” is like hitting the jackpot when compared to “5,462”). At times like these, you’re fairly certain you will never be sane again. But you’re loving your insanity. This is why I am still reluctant to call those mishmashes of words that

I created novels. They have undergone only minimal editing, so the plots (when they exist at all) are as holey as Swiss cheese, the characters all seem to be afflicted with multiple-personality disorder, the action plays out like a soap opera and the imagery consists of such gems as “it appeared less like a bicycle now and more like a troll had had a mishap in a welding factory.” To top it off, my novels are frequently punctuated with multi-page, rambling, I’ve-hit-writer’s-block-and-have-nothing-to-talkabout, dear-diary-esque “notes from the author.” It isn’t all fun and games. Without the hard and fast deadline, it would be ever so easy to call it quits once the honeymoon period is over and the going gets rough. Around week two, you typically start to wonder why in the world you thought this was a good idea in the first place. Your plot is rapidly going stale, your grades are plummeting and your social life has become dormant. Let’s get this straight: NaNoWriMo isn’t exactly a walk in the park in terms of time commitment. If you do the calculations, you need to write at least 1,667 words per day to stay on schedule. I can usually keep up with this for about two days before my inner procrastinator wakes up and says, “Hold on there — what do you think you’re doing?” Weeknights I’ll pass out on my bed with the lights still on and my physics notes spread out across my stomach and wake up confused, wearing the clothes I had on the previous day. Sometimes I’ll go days without writing anything at all, which gives me the weekends to catch up. Ten thousand words in a weekend became a commonplace mountain I was forced to climb. Times like these, you turn to food rewards to keep you going, promising yourself an M&M for every hundred words you write. And just when you think you can’t be further behind and there is no possible way you will finish in time…it’s Thanksgiving. Five days that you will spend trying to salvage the dregs of your plot from wherever it last got stuck while simultaneously fielding your relatives’ questions: “Why are you doing this, again?” You will finish though — maybe, as one of my friends did this year, 15 days ahead of schedule, or more likely, about an hour before December begins. A simple deadline — a deadline that won’t budge even if you beg and plead — has the power to turn “maybe one day I’ll be an author” into ink on paper. And once you pen the words “The End,” you can cross “write a novel” off of your bucket list and start thinking about what to write next year. As for editing — well, that’s up to you. In December, you will likely find yourself with a whole lot of free time that you don’t know what to do with, a compulsion to check your word count when composing emails and a tendency to start typing copious amounts of random nonsense when you see a keyboard in front of you. But you will also have a novel. And as terrible as you might know it is, you will secretly be proud of your hefty manuscript for the rest of your life. Every once in a while, you will read through it again, if only to get a good laugh. One day, these experiences will probably have some valuable lifelesson power. As in: “Kids, when I was your age, my friends and I didn’t go to parties or watch TV. We didn’t even need books. We wrote our own novels and traded them when we wanted reading material. Why aren’t kids industrious anymore?” For now though, my novels have just provided a talking point for awkward conversations with strangers and a quality college essay topic. So if you have ever thought, even for a split second, “I could write a novel one day,” just remember — November isn’t too far off. —Helen Anderson

Q&A with the author What are your novels called? Do I really have to tell you? Fine. The first one, which I wrote sophomore year, is titled Echo. The other two are The Insomniac’s Guide to Stop Signs and Brainstorms and The Porridge Portraits.

Senior Helen Anderson poses with her first nolvel, Echo. Emily Cohen

What are they about? People somehow think that there is a simple answer to this question. They are wrong, because my novels are largely about either nothing at all, or thinly-veiled autobiographical accounts. But if you aren’t satisfied with that: Echo is essentially a children’s fantasy novel. The Insomniac’s Guide is realistic (at least to an extent) fiction about seven very different people whose lives intertwine through a series of coincidental events. And The Porridge Portraits is a study on the meaning of family. I heard from your mom/friend/teacher/cat that you were a published author! Can I buy your book at Barnes & Noble? Can I have your autograph? Let me clear this up a bit. I formatted my first novel, submitted it to a website called CreateSpace and ordered 10 copies of it. You can’t buy it anywhere. Does this count as being published? I’ll let you decide.

So you want to write a novel in a month?

Go for it. Even if you don’t consider yourself a writer at all. I have a few friends who would normally profess to hate writing, and they keep doing NaNoWriMo year after year. The “quantity over quality” doctrine that governs the event means that anyone can be successful. Don’t choose a story idea that you are emotionally invested in. Your novel isn’t going to end up how you anticipated, and if you are too serious about your original idea, you will only end up stressing out about its lack of quality and be more likely to abandon it.

Suppress your inner editor. The delete key is off-limits. Keep everything you write, even if you hate it and even if you later have to selectively erase your characters’ memories to make your plot work. Throw caution to the wind. You might not have a cohesive idea, but take the residue of your most random thoughts and run with it. This is how the most entertaining NaNoWriMo novels are born.

For more information, visit www.nanowrimo.org.

Okay, well, can I at least read it? No. { westlakefeatherduster.com } trends + traditions 35

Taking the heat In kindergarten, most boys would say they want to grow up to be a firefighter or a policeman. The heroic persona that accompanies professions like these make them quite appealing to the impressionable 5-year-old. Although senior Mara Weidmann is nothing close to a little boy, her dreams of sliding down the fire pole are no different from that of those kindergartners. “It really all started as a joke,” Mara said. “After a while, I started taking it seriously. I began looking into the field [of firefighting] and made some contacts [and] talked to women on the job. After reading Lessons From the Line and doing my research, I thought, ‘I would totally do this.’” Mara’s talents and strengths are exactly what attract her to pursue a career in firefighting. A member of the Westlake swim team, she loves the emphasis the field places on staying fit. “Firefighters possess a strong, solid team,” she said. “I want to be [in this field] because I see it as a direct way to help my community and I love the team aspect of doing a physically difficult and dangerous job with people you have worked with and trust. To me, this line of work allows you to get paid for helping people. You know when your team achieves something so much bigger than [what it is] and everyone feels like they have accomplished something? It’s after a team scores a goal or wins a race and everyone is going crazy because they are so excited. Everyone loves that rush. Well, think about putting out a fire, that’s the team I want to be a part of. So it really does boil down to the desire to be a part of something greater than yourself.” Although growing up in the Westlake community has played a small role in shaping her dream, Mara has mainly gained the support and encouragement she needs from her family. “I think it’s an admirable combination of what [Mara] likes to do,” Mara’s father, Dr. Eric Weidmann said. “It includes two of her passions — being physically challenged and serving her community.” Mara’s dad has provided her with a sense of pride, but her family didn’t always take her career choice as seriously. “For a while, they laughed at the whole idea,” Mara said. “[Some of my family] isn’t too keen on it and think firefighting is dangerous, but my parents are supportive of whatever I do, as long as it’s constructive.” Not only has Mara’s family aided in instilling a sincere attitude about firefighting, but she also looks up to outside influences. “Rhoda Mae Kerr, Austin Fire Chief, is someone I really admire,” she said. “My friend, [senior] Mary Dawn Kidd, has also been a big help. Her dad is a fireman, and he and I have talked a lot about the career.”

Senior works towards career in firefighting

Because firefighting is a job with an unusual schedule, Mara has considered how it will affect her family in the future. “Everyone I have talked to actually loves the schedule,” she said. “Typically the hours consist of three days on, three days off. While you are at the firehouse, everyone cooks together, and you also are required to work out a certain amount of time.” Working in a male-dominated career, she must also consider what being a female in the firehouse will entail. “All the women I have talked to love what they do, and that is really encouraging,” Mara said. “They are trying to increase the diversity in both gender and race. I work with guys all the time on swim team, and despite inevitable discrimination in [the] field [of firefighting], I see the women, and I don’t think it’s problematic.” Becoming a firefighter is Senior Mara Weidmann enjoys an afternoon no easy task, and Mara must at the CE-BAR Fire Department. She hopes continue to experience and to get involved with the local firehouse at train more to make her dream her future college, Southwestern University. a reality. “I probably haven’t done as much as I should have as far as training goes,” she said. “I am going to Southwestern University. They don’t have any training programs, but there are volunteer firefighting opportunities in Georgetown, so I hope to be involved in that. I would like to be able to work at a firehouse during my four years while I swim at school. It might be a dream to fulfill after college, though.” Like with any goal, it is easy for your aspirations to consume Yasmin Alkusari your every thought, but Mara has remained focused on her daily life and kept firefighting in the back of her mind. “It’s not something I am always thinking about, but of course I do often,” she said. “I try to keep myself well-rounded. [Becoming a firefighter] is something I really want to make happen. It might be something gradual and that I have to work towards, and I am okay with that.” Mara has kept her ambitions quiet, and not many people know this side of her. “For a while I wasn’t sure about any of it,” she said. “Now I know I want to be a part of it. People don’t know that I want to be a firefighter because I have figured it out in the past few years. ‘What do you want to do with your life?’ is not the first question you ask someone, so not many people ask. It’s not a deep dark secret or anything.” With any goal, Mara believes it is crucial to do whatever it takes to achieve the objective. “Don’t be afraid to do something society doesn’t believe in,” she said. “Westlake is a community that pushes to work in higher echelon careers, but I am not afraid to reach out of my comfort zone and try new things.” —Lizzie Friedman

Final say

Who would your fantasy dinner be with and why? “My grandfather would be who I “I would eat dinner with Hannah want to eat dinner with because he Montana to ask how she feels about was someone to look up to, and I living a double life.” miss him very much.” –freshman Cole Hildebrand –sophomore Emilie Gardner “Megan Fox. Have you seen her body?” –junior Rocco Mangione

What are your biggest fears? “In eighth grade I went to the Jonas Brothers concert. There were 50,000 people there, and I couldn’t move. I started to hyperventilate and the security guard carried me to the front and “I’m afraid of germs and lice. There gave me a drink of water. I am so afraid of is no way to really overcome germs, crowded places.” but I do use Purell excessively.” —sophomore Jana Lane —junior Katie Bandera

What would you like to do before you graduate? “I most definitely want to streak “Before I graduate, I really just across the Commons during want to give in to senioritis and do passing period before I graduate, no homework for the rest of the but I don’t have the guts to.” school year.” —senior Brennan Wong —senior James Timmins “I really want to learn to drive a stick shift.” —senior Michelle Taylor —Lizzie Friedman, Laura Hatcher, Emily Huang, Hannah Kunz and Monica Tan

{ westlakefeatherduster.com } trends + traditions 37

pushes Braking Sophomore aside alter-ego,

the

cycle

have this, um, friend. Let’s call her Belda. She’s a typical Westlake sophomore, level-headed and confident. You all probably know her from her active position as Student Council president and starring role in the musical. Still, despite all her outstanding attributes, she has some flaws. She’s always procrastinating and making excuses, but enough is enough. She won’t tell you, but I will: Belda never learned how to ride a bicycle. Oh, sure, she told me that it’s no big deal; nobody in Austin bikes, anyway. Besides, she rationalized, she never had a chance to learn because of the busy streets. Well, she can try to justify her procrastination all she wants, but I know that deep down inside, she felt insecure about her secret. I mean, what would people think? All her friends are starting to drive, and she hasn’t even mastered a form of transportation so simple to maneuver that some come with a pink, Barbie-themed basket. At this rate, she’ll be 30 before she learns how to drive, and quite frankly, I was getting quite concerned for her. Well, actually, I was concerned for myself, because as you’ve probably guessed, there is no Belda, just me. And while I may be going to drawing classes instead of dress rehearsals, this tale of woe and incompetence remains. My name is Zelda Mayer, and until March 9, I couldn’t ride a bike. For 15 years I avoided the challenge. At first it might have been a fear of falling or a chronic case of laziness, but more and more it became a matter of self-consciousness. I didn’t want to make a fool of myself. But that doesn’t really make sense, because I feel like a fool for having not learned for so long. I woke up a teenager one day and realized I’m not getting any younger. I couldn’t wait any longer. Embarrassed but determined, I decided it was finally time to tangle with that spinning contraption. Because this was not an undertaking that could be done alone, I enlisted the help of my friends. They had been talking about teaching me for a while, but Belda had always gotten in the way with her pressing need to brush her cat and wash her hair. Despite Belda’s protests, we set a time and place, which, for the first time, wasn’t vague and noncommittal. We would go to my friend’s house, which has a big yard away from the public eye. I felt encouraged; maybe I wasn’t a lost cause after all. But as the day of reckoning grew nearer, Belda became more resistant, and her persuasive thoughts almost lured me back into my comfortable stupor. I felt like a little kid scheduled to get a flu shot, but at my age, receiving a sticker at the end is not enough incentive. The only thing that could get me on that thin, unstable tube of metal was sacrificing my dignity. I’d like to say that after all my internal struggles, I instantly mastered this balancing act. But once I was on the bike, it took me half the day to take both feet off the ground. Apparently, accepting the challenge was only the beginning. Throughout the day, my escorts were run ragged as I struggled to keep gravity at bay. Time after time, they attempted to be patient with my hesitation and poor balance. As exhausted as they were, however, they still had enough energy to laugh at my distressed expressions. My feelings of panic proved to be valid, especially when it came time to brake. After several hours of humilia-

raises kick-stand

tion and bruises, I was able to go small distances without any assistance. Not surprisingly, the first time I went a substantial distance was not entirely my own doing. For the millionth time, I got on my bike and started to pedal. Amazingly, I didn’t wobble, and when I started to lean too much, I was able to right myself. It was going well. As I gained speed, I thought that maybe I was getting the hang of it. These thoughts immediately drained from my mind as I collided with a low pile of rocks. Alarmed, I instinctually put my feet on the ground. This didn’t go over well. As I stopped, my bike…didn’t. It kept rolling over the pile of rocks. But as it jumped, my feet were still planted. The handle bars jerked up, knocking me in the stomach. I remember the bike falling, me keeling over, and, yes, more laughter at my expense. My entire day was filled with such joyous moments. I teetered, tottered, swerved about and nearly ran into a tree (again). I almost shrieked in frustration when a little boy, no older than 8, I’m sure, zoomed past on his own two-wheeler. I stiffened, but of course the carefree boy didn’t give me any notice. And much to my surprise, I wasn’t paralyzed with embarrassment. Instead, I was struck by how difficult I was making this for myself. As much trouble as it was to learn, the real challenge was overcoming Belda. She is the voice that discourages me from anything that could be demanding. She’s the reason I wait to start my homework or speak my mind or learn how to ride a bike. But I can’t afford to live my life according to Belda. Because of my eventual disregard for Belda’s bad advice, I can now officially say that I know how to ride a bicycle. It was my struggle and my Belda that prevented me from accomplishing my goals for so long. Everyone has something that they need to do, and it’s time to stop hiding behind Beldas. So stop spinning your wheels. You’ll see; it’s just like riding a bike. —Zelda Mayer

Nathan Kallison

Full of pride, sophomore Zelda Mayer prepares for an afternoon ride. Zelda got past her embarassment this spring in order to tackle the skill most of her friends already mastered long ago. She spent more than eight hours learning how to successfully balance on the bike.

Reads & Reels

Quirky cultural classics you can’t miss

This is all that remains of a once great list. Compiled by mountain monks, trained in the ways of literary and cinematic greatness, the list was destined to be the definitive dictionary of true human accomplishment. These monks slaved for years, watching cult classics one after another, reading the brainchildren of many a brilliant author before deciding, unanimously, that they no longer cared. Taking these seven titles from dilapidated scrolls and parchments, I have tried to uncover the true greatness behind each of these inarguably brilliant works. —Hetty Borinstein

M o v i The original three Star Wars — If there are any of you out there who haven’t yet experienced the force of these masterpieces, I pity you. Although the more recent movies with their excessive back-story and superior special effects are nice, it’s the initial three that are truly responsible for the onset of geek chic. Their power is not to be underestimated. You may find yourself standing outside automatic doors and commanding them to open. Your physics teacher may tire of your desperate need for her to validate the “force.” Such small sacrifices are meaningless. Your reward will come in the form of an army of tiny guerrilla teddy bears, incestuous Luke/Lea implications and oh-so-sassy robot smack-talk.

e s

The Breakfast Club — As a human being, as a mature individual, to even be a healthy part of society, you must learn to hate your parents. No matter what sort of relationship you currently have with the people who wantonly brought you into this world, after this movie, you will hate them. Through witty dialogue and one trippy dance scene, you will be led to the dark and hidden truth: that all children are merely the victims of twisted parental manipulations. Within this darkness, there is the light of teenage solidarity, of hope, of beauty, as five teenagers with nothing in common find their truest selves in the course of a single morning in detention. There is, however, no actual breakfast.

The Lion King — Elton John and his magically musical circle of existence will change you forever. I mean you’ve got a prophetic, nonsensical baboon; you’ve got a dysfunctional family dynamic, complete with homicidal sibling-rivalry issues, and, to top it all off, you get to watch two lions fall in love. Believe me; you haven’t understood love until you’ve seen anthropomorphized lions cuddling.

Books Books Catch-22 — This book is so deeply ingrained in the everglorious American vocabulary, that it has become an accepted phrase — a tool in the collective arsenal of expressive ability, if you will. Which means that you should read it. In fact, the only way to truly be American is to read this book, but if you were a true American, you would have already read it. Which obviously makes you a dirty Communist. There’s no grey area here, only commie red or red, white and blue. Why? Why? Because that is the American way, dammit. Peter Pan — There’s something charming about a kid who has no parents, can fly and fights a hook-handed pirate. Clearly delusional, Peter could easily be mistaken for Robin Hood’s bratty little brother. This book will reconnect you with the joy and imagination that school has torn from the innocent hands of your childhood. Even better, the author was a proper English gentleman, which makes reading it out loud in an arrogant British accent absolutely acceptable.

A Tale of Two Cities — There comes a time in life when you will be surrounded by people who are smarter than you. In these moments, when all seems dark and the conversation turns to astrophysics, you must be prepared. The only solution is to create a twisted metaphor and cunningly lead the conversation down a winding path toward your superiority. “I see, Mr. Einstein. You’ve aided in the understanding of the universe, much like Madam Defarge brought to light the true identity of Dr. Manette. Do you worry that your revelation will also end in the gaping maw of the guillotine?” See, if you’d read A Tale of Two Cities, you would understand, too. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy — When the world ends in 2012, you need to have this book to ensure your own survival. You will also need a towel, but you need to read it to understand why. Written by possibly the funniest man who is no longer alive, Hitchhiker’s Guide will bestow upon you the great truth; the answer to life, the universe and everything.

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For the record Athletes set new bar, go down in history

Everyone wants to be remembered for doing something special. Something great. Something no one has ever done before. After sacrificing many aspects of an ordinary teenage life, such as free weekends, study time and sufficient sleep, these athletes have made their mark in the record books. —Katy Roden

Senior Gus Leeper

set the modern record for blocks in one season with 188 “I probably wouldn’t have gotten that many blocks if my teammates weren’t funneling them right to me, but it’s cool to leave a mark on the program.”

Senior Cody Doolin

all-time leading scorer with more than 2,000 career points, set modern record with 646 career assists “Each game I just focused on winning, not breaking any records. There have been a lot of great players here, one in the NBA, and it feels good to be in the same company as them.”

Sophomore Matt Ellis

set the new school record for the 100-free (45.79) Junior Reed Snyder set a new school record in 500-free in 4:28.20 “Breaking the record had been a goal of mine from the onset of the season, but I was really hoping to go much faster than the previous record, 4:33. Coach [Grombacher] told me that record was set in the ‘90s and asked me to beat it for him. I didn’t want to let him down.”

Matt, Reed, senior Adam Shedlosky and junior Eric Dirvin set school record for the 400 freestyle relay in 3:05.92

Senior Tanner Price

most total offense in one season (3,757 yards), most career total yards (6,364)

“It was very surprising. I think a lot of it had to do with timing and having the opportunity to play under two different coaching staffs and offensive schemes.”

Senior Chase Betzer

Westlake’s first four-time State qualifier

Senior Cody Rademacher

most field goals in one season (15)

“I didn’t even know I broke the record until my dad told me, but it means a lot because I didn’t get to try any field goals last year and it made me feel like I helped the team this year.”

Senior Sara Shaw

“This was the first goal I set when I got to high school, and it was my favorite moment of my career when I qualified freshman year.”

Senior Dillon Short

broke the single season record with 26 goals

“Breaking the scoring record was never on my mind during the season, but having accomplished it is a pretty cool feeling.”

leads Westlake in career kills (1,505)

“My record shows the great success the volleyball program has had in the past few years. Going to State three years in a row also shows it. But I couldn’t have broken any record without my teammates.”

Girls varsity golf team

broke the course record at Lions Municipal Golf Course April 7

Boys varsity golf team

has broken six course records in the past two years, including the one-day and two-day total in the 5A State Tournament on Jimmy Clay Golf Course

Senior Alex Ellis

set a course record at the Palm View Golf Course with a score of 66 on March 26 broke the national high school records in 200-free, in 1:44.64, and 100-free, in 48.53.

Senior Samantha Tucker

“I broke these records my junior year at the State meet. I was actually in shock for about a month because it hadn’t really sunk in that I had actually broken the records I’d been aiming for since freshman year. It was the highlight of my high school swimming career, and I’m really glad I could win for Westlake.”

photos by Barrett Wilson, Nathan Kallison, Leila Farhood, Steven Wilbanks and Keren Rempe

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Reaching for the stars

Ka by

therine

Fin n

Three juniors named NASA High School Aerospace Scholars; receive opportunity to spend a week at Johnson Space Center Joseph Lubars hopes to pursue his long-term interest in engineering this summer at NASA.

a Yasmin Alkusari

Priya Patel looks forward to the scientific opportunities at the NASA program.

Keren Rempe

Mark Stone’s passion for physics and engineering inspired him to sign up for the program. Yasmin Alkusari

During the summer, some students go on vacation to exotic destinations, participate in outdoor camps or work at temporary jobs. For three juniors, however, summer means the opportunity of a lifetime: spending a week interning at NASA as a part of the NASA High School Aerospace Scholar program. Last semester, these three students, Joseph Lubars, Priya Patel and Mark Stone, applied to receive the honor of becoming an Aerospace Scholar. “I wanted to sign up for the NASA Program because for as long as I can remember, space, the stars, the planets, their distance, the depth and mysteriousness have gotten the better of my curiosity,” Priya said. “I always wanted to be an astronomer or an aerospace engineer, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to find out more about them and their work.” In order to qualify for the application process, students were required to receive a letter of approval by a legislator to send to NASA along with their academic credentials. “The application process required some effort, but it wasn’t too bad,” Joseph said. “We had to provide a letter of recommendation from a teacher and write a letter to a congressman requesting a nomination for the NASA program.” After receiving their acceptance, the next step in the process involved taking 10 online classes as part of the Aerospace Scholar program. “Throughout the school year we’ve been filling out assignments created and graded by high school teachers,” Mark said. “At the end, roughly the top half of students were invited to the summer program.” As these students were among that group of applicants, they will participate in a week’s worth of activities at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. During their stay, they will meet with NASA astronauts, tour the facilities and participate in several engineering workshops. “It’s only a seven-day program, so I don’t exactly expect to walk out as an expert in spacecraft design,” Mark said. “Rather, it’ll be an indication of the sort of work I may perform if I do end up at NASA. Of course, I hope to learn a good deal of actual science there, and it should be a blast as well.” This significant achievement provides a stepping stone in these students’ path towards a career in science. The program presents Aerospace Scholars with rare opportunities to experience different scientific fields and determine what they should pursue in college. “I am most interested in mathematics, but I also enjoy physics and chemistry,” Joseph said. “I hope my participation in this program will help me to decide what the path of my education should be like and which major to choose.” Past college, however, the future careers of these students seem more up in the air. “I personally don’t feel that it’s wise to decide on a profession at so early a stage,” Mark said. “There are so many interesting fields out there, and in high school, we really haven’t been exposed to any of them. I’ll figure it out sometime.” —Anisha Ganguly

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Following her

Senior applies life-long passion to potential career in art therapy With a stroke of her colored pencil, senior Lily Patterson is suddenly in her own world, where her only thoughts are about her art. Since she was young, Lily’s outlet has been drawing. Any free time she had was devoted to coloring a picture. Lily has been drawing for so long that she can’t remember how her love of art came to be. “When I was in preschool, drawing consumed the majority of my time,” Lily said. “Throughout my years in elementary school the first thing I would do when I got home was go straight to my drawing table and stay there for hours. My love of art has followed me through middle school and will always be an important aspect in my life.” Even the smallest idea gives Lily the inspiration to draw. Some of her favorite artists have also been motivational. Andy Warhol is one of her all-time favorite artists because of the modern feel of his work and the wide range of colors he used. Banksy, an infamous graffiti artist who makes strong statements by displaying his work, sometimes illegally, in public, is another artist she loves. “Whether I go to an exhibit of an artist’s work I’ve never seen before or simply see an intricate graffiti display downtown, my interest and passion for art becomes even stronger,” she said. “Sometimes moods and thoughts of mine have been the source of my inspiration, as well as other students’ work in my art classes.” Lily still finds herself exploring and trying new fields that she’s never considered before. Some of her requirements that she had to meet for this year and in college obligated her to use different types of art that she was inexperienced with, which made her expand her knowledge and learn to enjoy those mediums of art as well. “I’ve done some painting throughout the years, and experimented with printmaking and other media sometimes combining techniques,” Lily said. “My favorite is drawing with colored pencils. I like how precise they are because it enables me to create a realistic image. I learned a lot from my experience in other areas and that will carry over into my regular 2D colored pencil work.” All of Lily’s teachers have taught her something that she has taken with her throughout her art career. “Through elementary and middle school, my teachers taught me the basics of art and allowed me to experiment with all kinds of

Indigo Colton

Senior Lily Patterson works on a colored pencil piece in Dale Baker’s second period Art 4 AP class. “Art provides an escape for me, a way to relax and express myself at the same time,” Lily said. media,” she said. “At Westlake, my art teachers, [Frances] Grubbs and [Dale] Baker, have helped me grow in the areas I’ve chosen to focus in and have helped me get closer to perfecting certain skills. [Dawn] Delgado also helped me in fulfilling my 3D art requirement for my art school application to the University of Texas. I had very little experience with clay, and she took me under her wing, teaching me the basics of the medium.” Lily has not only caught the attention of her family and friends, but her teachers have also noticed and praised her exceptional talent and technique. “Lily works very hard at her artwork,” Baker said. “Her technical skills with colored pencils [is what sets her apart]. She always does a really good job blending with her colored pencils.” Lily will be attending UT this fall. She chose to apply for a variety of reasons. “I chose UT because I love Austin and can’t imagine a better city to attend college in,” Lilly said. “The environment I’ll be in next year will definitely be a source of creative inspiration, because Austin has a lot to offer in terms of art.” In college, Lily wants to major in art and psychology. She was looking for a way

to interweave the two together for a career. When she saw drawings that a convict created as a way to deal with his issues during career day, she knew that helping people in therapy through her love of art was her dream job. “My current dream for a future career is art therapy,” Lily said. “This therapeutic approach involves creating art to unleash new self-awareness and relieve stress in people seeking psychological help. The drawings from the convict were some of the creepiest, most interesting and impressive drawings I had ever seen. Peering into the mind of a criminal through art was a unique experience that ignited my interest in the field of art therapy. It would be such a rewarding feeling to be able to use my passion for art to help others.” Art has always served as a therapeutic role in Lily’s life. One of her main goals is to show others how art can influence their lives. “Art therapy helps a person to learn more about themselves while uncovering any problems or anxiety that may be haunting their subconscious,” she said. “I feel that art therapy is an important area of psychology and hope that after college I can contribute to its growing popularity.” In addition to art, Lily’s passion is dancing. Art and dance are very interconnected for her because they both allow her to express herself creatively with others. “Another hobby of mine that takes up pretty much the remainder of my time is Hyline,” she said. “This is my third year on Hyline, and I have been a part of the Westlake dance department since freshman year.” With everything a senior is expected to accomplish, school can get stressful very easily. For Lily, her passion for drawing and dancing will always keep her determined to stay focused. “It has certainly been a challenge for me to balance Hyline and art throughout the past few years,” Lily said. “The combination of art project deadlines and events such as Zenith and Hyline’s contest season definitely present a lot of stress. This fall semester was especially demanding with the addition of college applications and compiling an art portfolio for the schools I’m applying to on top of my usual football season activities with Hyline and a full schedule at school. As long as I can do what I enjoy, my demanding schedule is worth the hard work and long hours.” —Jenny Messer

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An AP Computer Sci010101001010101010101010101010101000101010110011101101010101011001010100101100 110000110011001001101010110011010101010101011101111101010101010101010111110011 ence III student, member of the Computer Science UIL team, Tech01010101001010101010101010101010101000101010110011101101010101011001010100101 nology and Internal Communications chair for Student Council and 010110000110011001001101010110011010101010101011101111101010101010101010111110 creator of The Featherduster Online, Matthew’s programming experi01001010101001010101010101010101010101000101010110011101101010101011001010100 001010110000110011001001101010110011010101010101011101111101010101010101010111 ence exceeds that of many college-level computer science students. 10101001010101001010101010101010101010101000101010110011101101010101011001010 However, this year Matthew took his computer science skills to a 1111001010110000110011001001101010110011010101010101011101111101010101010101010 101101010101010100101010100101010101010101010101010100010101011001110110101010 new level in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, the 1100011100111100101011000011001100100110101011001101010101010101110111110101010 world’s largest high school science fair. 01101101010101010100101010100101010101010101010101010100010101011001110110101 Matthew first began his computer science career at home while still 0101100011100111100101011000011001100100110101011001101010101010101110111110101 11001101101010101010100101010100101010101010101010101010100010101011001110110 in the fifth grade. 100101100011100111100101011000011001100100110101011001101010101010101110111110 “My dad said I had to take up a hobby,” Matthew said. “I got to 11111001101101010101010100101010100101010101010101010101010100010101011001110 choose between [building amateur] radios and programming. I went 010100101100011100111100101011000011001100100110101011001101010101010101110111 01011111001101101010101010100101010100101010101010101010101010100010101011001 with programming.” 00101010010110001110011110010101100001100110010011010101100110101010101010111 By the time his sophomore year came around, Matthew felt pre010101011101010111110011011010101010101001010101001010101010101010101010101000 pared to put his programming skills to the test with an actual science 01010101011001010100101100011100111100101011000011001100100110101011001101010 101010101010101010111110011011010101010101001010101001010101010101010101010101 project. 01101010101011001010100101100011100111100101011000011001100100110101011001101 “My sister first told me about 111101010101010101010111110011011010101010101001010101001010101010101010101010 ISEF and said it would be a really 011101101010101011001010100101100011100111100101011000011001100100110101011001 101111101010101010101010111110011011010101010101001010101001010101010101010101 good thing for me to enter,” MatMatthew Chang programs for The Featherduster 110011101101010101011001010100101100011100111100101011000011001100100110101011 thew said. “We then registered and Online in the newspaper room after school. 011101111101010101010101010111110011011010101010101001010101001010101010101010 filled out tons and tons of paper010110011101101010101011001010100101100011100111100101011000011001100100110101 101011101111101010101010101010111101010100101010100101010101010101010101010100 work.” 10101010101100101010010110001110011110010101100001100110010011010101100110101 For his ISEF entry last year, 110101010101010101011101010111110011011010101010101001010101001010101010101010 Matthew wrote an algorithm that 010110011101101010101011001010100101100011100111100101011000011001100100110101 101011101111101010101010101010111110011011010101010101001010101001010101010101 analyzed the evolution of cam101010110011101101010101011001010100101100011100111100101011000011001100100110 ouflage patterns within a genetic 010101011101111101010101010101010111110011011010101010101001010101001010101010 00101010110011101101010101011001010100101100011100111100101011000011001100100 population. Though his project 101010101011101111101010101010101010111110011011010101010101001010101001010101 placed first in category and won 01000101010110011101101010101011001010100101100011100111100101011000011001100 the award of Best Use of Statistics 010101010101011101111101010101010101010111110011011010101010101001010101001010 10101000101010110011101101010101011001010100101100011100111100101011000011001 at the state competition, he didn’t 011010101010101011101111101010101010101010111101010100101010100101010101010101 advance to the global contest. 101011001110110101010101100101010010110001110011110010101100001100110010011010 “It was my first time entering, 010101110111110101010101010101011101010111110011011010101010101001010101001010 10101000101010110011101101010101011001010100101100011100111100101011000011001 so I was really happy with how I 011010101010101011101111101010101010101010111110011011010101010101001010101001 did,” Matthew said. “But I knew I 01010101000101010110011101101010101011001010100101100011100111100101011000011 could do better the next year.” 0110011010101010101011101111101010101010101010111110011011010101010101001010101 010101010101000101010110011101101010101011001010100101100011100111100101011000 This year, Matthew upped his game with the hopes of surpassing 1010110011010101010101011101111101010101010101010111110011011010101010101001010 his results from last year. He started preparing before the school year 101010101010101000101010110011101101010101011001010100101100011100111100101011 to create an exemplary project for the 2010 science fair. 1101010110011010101010101011101111101010101010101010111110011011010101010101001 010101010101010101000101010110011101101010101011001010100101100011100111100101 “I developed an algorithm that would detect handwritten charac1001101010110011010101010101011101111101010101010101010111101010100101010100101 ters from static images,” he said. “It took me about eight months. I 01010100010101011001110110101010101100101010010110001110011110010101100001100 started out by reading as many papers on the topic I could find and 0011010101010101011101111101010101010101010111010101111100110110101010101010010 101010101010101010001010101100111011010101010110010101001011000111001111001010 trying to get an understanding of the formulas underlying a lot of the 0011010101100110101010101010111011111010101010101010101111100110110101010101010 commonly used algorithms. From there I implemented a version of the 010101010101010101010001010101100111011010101010110010101001011000111001111001 algorithm used by the Princeton and Cornell projects as a benchmark 0010011010101100110101010101010111011111010101010101010101111100110110101010101 101010101010101010101010001010101100111011010101010110010101001011000111001111 for improvement. Then it was just trial and error. I would randomly 0110010011010101100110101010101010111011111010101010101010101111100110110101010 come up with a new idea, go home and try it and it wouldn’t work, so I 010101010101010101010101010001010101100111011010101010110010101001011000111001 1100110010011010101100110101010101010111011111010101010101010101111100110110101 would keep trying something else. Eventually I was able to work out an 010010101010101010101010101010001010101100111011010101010110010101001011000111 algorithm that would do what I wanted it to.” 001100110010011010101100110101010101010111011111010101010101010101111010101001 His hard work resulted in an algorithm more accurate than the 010101010101010101000101010110011101101010101011001010100101100011100111100101 1001101010110011010101010101011101111101010101010101010111010101111100110110101 versions created by Princeton and Cornell. This meant that his project 010010101010101010101010101010001010101100111011010101010110010101001011000111 could be applicable in the real world. 001100110010011010101100110101010101010111011111010101010101010101111100110110 “I’d like to see the algorithm applied somewhere in handwriting 01010010101010101010101010101010001010101100111011010101010110010101001011000 1000011001100100110101011001101010101010101110111110101010101010101011111001101 recognition,” Matthew said. “I think it could be really useful in bureau101010100101010101010101010101010100010101011001110110101010101100101010010110 cratic work for government documents.” 011000011001100100110101011001101010101010101110111110101010101010101011111001 00101010100101010101010101010101010100010101011001110110101010101100101010010 101011000011001100100110101011001101010101010101110111110101010101010101011111 10100101010100101010101010101010101010100010101011001110110101010101100101010 100101011000011001100100110101011001101010101010101110111110101010101010101011 101010101010101111010101001010101001010101010101010101010101000101010110011101 101001011000111001111001010110000110011001001101010110011010101010101011101111 10111010101111100110110101010101010010101010010101010101010101010101010001010 01010110010101001011000111001111001010110000110011001001101010110011010101010 101010101010101111100110110101010101010010101010010101010101010101010101010001

Engineering a future

Junior wins regional science fair, advances to global level His long project finally culminated Feb. 25 at the regional science fair. With more than 400 participants, competition was fierce. “Participating in the fair is always scary,” Matthew said. “Even though it was my second time, seeing the judges come around like a pack of wolves still got my heart racing.” After displaying his project and results in a general exhibition, he gave a short summary of his entry to the judges who would evaluate him. “A lot of people are probably familiar with PDAs or some other device which detects writing, but those use what are called on-line recognition algorithms, which means they use data on the stroke used to draw the character to identify the character,” he said. “What I tried to do was create an off-line algorithm, which just used data on the final image for recognition.” After the judges’ consideration of all the participants, Matthew’s project was named Best in Show for an entry by an individual. This award qualified him for the international level of ISEF, allowing him to bypass the state competition. “When I found out I was going to internationals, I was really excited, but also scared, because the competition is really intense,” Matthew said. “I just hope my project’s good enough.” The international level of ISEF will be held May 9-14 in San Jose, California, with 1,500 high school students from more than 50 countries. More than $3 million in awards are distributed to the finalists at the convention by 1,200 judges. “Other than being a good experience in general, I hope going Nathan Kallison to internationals will help me get into a good college when the time comes,” Matthew said. “I don’t expect to win anything; I’m just happy to have made it this far.” Whether Matthew wins or not at internationals, his sweep of the first round of ISEF brings him closer to his favored career choices in the scientific field. “Of course I want to go to a good computer science university and get a Ph.D. in computer science, but beyond that I’ll try to work on whatever interests me most,” he said. “As for other sciences, I’m really fascinated by physics.” For now, Matthew continues to enjoy the nuances of computer science, which he considers almost an art. “I think the biggest misconception about computer science is that computer science and programming are the same thing,” Matthew said. “Programming is like knowing English grammar, but computer science is like being able to write a beautiful poem.” —Anisha Ganguly

The diary of a freshman Underclassman wishes, enumerates goals to achieve during high school experience Ever since entering high school, I have always thought about how to make the most out of my four years. These years are supposed be some of the best years of my life, so why not live them to the fullest? To make sure that I have the best high school experience, I came up with a list of things to do before I graduate. Some tasks will be easy to accomplish and some, very difficult and challenging. Some may even border on illegal, but that won’t stop me in my quest of to accomplish these goals before I graduate. •Get in a car with a couple friends, $50, a disposable camera and a map, and just start driving with no particular destination and see where the day takes me. This is the ultimate way to find some of the best food and see some of the most spectacular sights I would have never known about. •Eat at Magnolia’s past midnight. •Buy a $10 kite and go to the Zilker Kite Festival. •Visit Halcyon one night in the winter and get their make-your-own-s’mores kit. •Go see a play, musical or comedian at the Paramount Theater. The Paramount hosts many different acts on a regular basis, from David Sedaris to Stomp. •Go to Chipotle more than once in one day. This is the ultimate fast food indulgence. •Drink some Red Bull and spend the day at Six Flags. Nothing makes rollercoasters better than being really, really, really, really excited before you ride on them. •Wake up at 5 a.m., drive down to the coast for the day, and then drive back before midnight. Another great way to see some of Texas that I wouldn’t have otherwise. •Go to one of SXSW’s free concerts. •Paint my chest for a Westlake With a variety of meats, football game. Team spirit is huge, and vegetables and condiments, I can’t show spirit better by covering Chipotle burritos are known myself in red and blue body paint. for being very filling. •Pay the admission to go see an early movie, then spend the rest of the day movie-hopping. This may fall under the category of illegal, but a lot of fun can result from this. •Learn how to drive a stick shift. •When I turn 18, buy a lottery ticket. I just may win. •Float down the creek in Barton Creek West all day with no particular agenda. •Have a spontaneous water balloon Nathan Kallison

An Austin icon, Magnolia Cafe is open all night to satisfy your late night cravings.

Nathan Kallison

Barton Creek can provide a refreshing and relaxing break from daily life. Jono Krawczyk

fight. This can cause a mass of mayhem if executed correctly. Hopefully, others will join. •Visit Hippie Hollow. Only once. •Go to Chaparral Stadium and stargaze from the very center of the field. •Try and find the best view in Austin, and when I do, take a picture. •Go to Jason’s Deli, have only the free ice cream and leave the restaurant before they figure out I’m not going to buy any food. •Pull an all-nighter. This isn’t just finally getting to bed around the time the sun is rising. This means not sleeping for roughly 40 hours straight. •Eat nothing but free food for a day. A challenge that requires me to be creative if not cunning in the way I pull this off. •Finally, just don’t get arrested. —Jono Krawczyk

{ westlakefeatherduster.com } trends + traditions 47

Let’s be

Frank

with Dr. Matt Frank, Ph.D.

Serious questions serious answers

round the halls of Westlake, I always creepily overhear people talking about their various problems. Some of these are simple academic troubles; others sink further into dark depths of emotional despair. So, I decided to be the one who would take on these troubles and set up my own shrine of solutions. Here, I take the big and small problems and offer up my advice. Mostly, I take on the big problems though, because you have to go big or go home, after all. Now, I know some of you must be nervous about sending me your problems and being out in the open, but do it. Take a risk; everyone knows you have to risk it to get a biscuit. Trust me; it’s a really good biscuit.

The Problem:

So, I really like this boy, but he never pays any attention to me. We have every class together and he’s even my chemistry lab partner. Every time I see him he says things like “Whoa, didn’t see you there, are you the new kid?” Or, “Who are you? Get out of my house!” I just don’t know what to do. Help me Dr. Frank! —Am I Invisible?

The Solution:

Dear AII, Well, I have a couple pieces of advice for you. First off, try playing hard to get. Perhaps he thinks you are making yourself too available, when in reality all you are doing is stalking him and there’s nothing wrong with a little of that. I think you should be a bit more clandestine in your stalking, but don’t be a creeper; nobody likes a creep. Now, I know that’s like trying to breathe without using your lungs, but I have faith in you. My second bit of advice is to get a better disguise if you are going to be inside his home. Might I recommend acting like a rug or decorative lampshade? Just be sneaky and stay classy.

PROBLEM SOLVED!

The Problem:

This girl says hi to me everywhere I go. She shows up in every one of my classes, but she’s not even in them. I try to say hello, but she won’t tell me her name. I used to think she was cute, but now she’s just stalking me. She even showed up at my house wearing a disguise and cried when I told her to leave. What am I supposed to do Dr. Frank? —Stop Following Me

Barrett Wilson

The Solution:

PROBLEM SOLVED!

The Problem:

Dear SFM, Well, this is an easy one. I see it all the time as an advice columnist and I always say the same thing. It’s really a simple matter of luring her into a trap. Depending on the severity of your situation, traps can vary from simply getting her inside a box and pulling a string to trap her or something as complex as the game Mouse Trap (you will need a bigger board). Just think about it like having a raccoon stuck in your attic; a trap is the only solution. Unfortunately, the pest control man won’t help you here. While placing these traps, ask yourself, if you were stalking yourself, where would you hide? On an unrelated note, I have a notion that she may be at your house disguised as a rug or decorative lampshade, so watch out for those. Good hunting!

My father is an alpaca. I was always raised to be proud of my heritage, but I cannot withstand much more bullying. People make fun of my fuzzy ears, long neck and hooves. They do not understand that I cannot help this. One kid even shaved me to make a sweater of my luscious fur. How do I make the other kids respect me, Doctor? —Llama Lad

The Solution:

PROBLEM SOLVED!

Dear LL, I’m going to be honest with you, Llama Boy; I have absolutely no idea what to tell you. Do you even go to this school? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you and I imagine you’re pretty noticeable since you have four hooves. Although I did notice one of the kids in my English class has a really nice new sweater. Anyway, the only thing I can think to tell you is to demonstrate how awesome being part alpaca is. The best way to do this, in my opinion, is to get entrepreneurial. Start an alpaca fur business. I hear it’s quite lucrative these days.

—Matt Frank

*Dr. Matt Frank received his degree from the University of Health art by Katherine Finn located in Nova Scotia, Canada

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rants + raves

Global schwarming Why climate

change isn’t such a bad thing

other Nature’s at it again. First, she reprimanded me for lining my seal skin parka with Spotted Owl feathers, then chastised my purchase of a coal-powered locomotive for transportation — even frowning upon the leaden interior. Soon, her earthly presence will enter residences around the globe, denying even naughty children their deserved coal in their stockings. These are but petty grievances in comparison with her latest ploy to make the world feel guilty about the environment: the “global warming” scheme. As she strategically gathers legions of supporters, my dream of using aerosol canisters to make the world smell like freedom seems increasingly futile. However, there remains one plausible way of undermining the global warming plot. If my fellow nonbelievers band together in the H.M.S. Truth, perhaps we can ram through the iceberg of sound reasoning and knowledge. In order to light the coal-powered boilers of truth, I have decided to confront Mother Nature head on and expose her for the sham she is. According to a recent study performed by MIT (basically the ACC of Massachusetts), the average world temperature has increased by .6 degrees Celsius over the past 100 years. This may seem like a small increment, and it is — scientists are merely making up for their small size by boasting how big their problem is. Supposedly, if the world’s temperature grows by even 2 degrees Celsius, ocean levels could rise 12 to 40 feet, threatening the lives of countless species (an upwards of 15-37 percent could become extinct). Even if the theory’s portents are realized, I don’t think that the effects will be detrimental. I’ve always complained about the long and dreary drive to the coast, and often wished for a beach at my doorstep. With global warming, that wish might come true. Think how much money Central Texas would make catering to the influx of beach-goers and surfers displaced from the then-submersed California coast. Even the leftist environuts would have to see the bountiful benefits. After all, gas emissions in Austin would plummet, as the only way to get around would be by canoe. As I stated above, there is a chance global warming might wipe 1537 percent of the earth’s species out of existence. This statistic might have worried me if it wasn’t for the comforting reminder that all of the creatures living in the threatened regions are useless. Take the Adélie Penguin, for example. Over the past 30 years, the number of breeding pairs in Antarctica has dropped from 32,000 to 11,000. I’ve seen the film Happy Feet multiple times, and if those musically-inclined birds can’t dance their way out of their current predicament, they deserve the sweet embrace of extinction. However, tap dancing penguins aren’t nearly as aggravating as the poster child of the climate change theory — the polar bear. Wildlife research scientist Martyn Obbard discovered a disturbing trend among the bears: since the 1980s, they have become noticeably skinnier. How could this possibly be humanity’s fault? Obviously, a bear stumbled upon a discarded mirror and

became self-conscious about his weight. After a while, the fad spread, and eventually all of the hip bears were competing with their friends to be the slimmest. But one animal that could really stand to lose a couple of pounds (or tons for that matter) is the manatee. The original name proposed for the lovable sea cow was “American,” but the manatees took offense. They retorted, “We are neither grossly overweight nor devastatingly stupid.” Since these lumbering beasts are herbivores, a rising sea temperature would probably diminish their primary food source, seagrass. However, the main threat comes from boats and other recreational craft. In 2009, 12.5 percent of Kat he the Florida manatees were killed (419 in total) rin e F by boats. My first recommendation for the inn manatees is simple: when you hear a motor growing progressively louder or see sharp blades twirling in front of your face, SWIM THE OTHER WAY. Actually, it turns out that manatees have horrible hearing when it comes to detecting the low frequency sound of boat motors. Thus, to make sure that these deaf aquatic cows have enough time to leave the proximity of an approaching boat, Florida should require boats to attach electrically charged poles to the side of their vessel. Even if manatees cannot hear a roaring boat motor, they can sure feel a 10,000 volt-jolt. If it kept a T. Rex contained in Jurassic Park, it should be able to keep a manatee away from a passing ship. One of the foundations of the global warming conspiracy theory is the melting polar icecaps. Supposedly, 400,000 square miles of the Arctic Ocean has melted, roughly the size of Texas. Some might claim that such a dramatic loss of ice will threaten the livelihood of the already endangered polar bear, but I must disagree. If the statistics are indeed correct and the icepacks are decreasing at an unprecedented rate, I’m sure those cuddly white creatures will tough it out. In all likelihood, Coca-Cola will pick them up (literally, since they won’t have any place to stand) for a few more ads. From my perspective, they were having a jolly good time sliding around on the ice and downing the refreshing drink. However, there is something a bit more troubling to scientists on the home front. The U.S. Geological survey predicts that by 2030, Glacier National Park will have no glaciers left. Again, this doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing. As the saying goes, when life gives you a crapload of melted ice, dump it somewhere else. Preferably somewhere that is experiencing prolonged droughts and is home to the world’s most delicious tea. Hey, how about Arizona? In wake of the recently passed immigration law, it has become apparent that the state is willing to go to extreme measures in order to keep illegals out. Therefore, I suggest using the water to create an enormous moat along the border. Based on the impenetrable barrier that is the Rio Grande in Texas, I’m surprised other states haven’t thought of this idea yet. —Jake Bitting

Westlake’s Favorite Oral Surgeon

[staff editorial]

Inexcusable Administration should modify exemption policy regarding P.E. waiver-related absences

Most students place tremendous importance on the opportunity to exempt their final exams. Some go to such extremes as attending school sick in order to avoid exceeding the maximum absences allowed by the policy. But athletes receiving P.E. credit through a waiver are sometimes forced to utilize their personal discretion days for their non-UIL sport, resulting in unexcused absences. How is it fair that a student involved in a schoolsponsored sport such as golf or baseball is excused from school to participate in competitions, while equally hardworking athletes on waivers are unexcused if they miss school for an event? Individual school districts are allowed to create and implement their own exam exemption guidelines. We are calling for a reasonable change in Westlake’s current guidelines in order to allow athletes on a P.E. waiver to receive a limited number of excused absences for missing school due to competition. There are two types of waivers: category one and category two. For category one, a student must be in a program that is on

the path to Olympic gold and practice at least 15 hours per week in vigorous training sessions overlooked by professional supervisors. This means the student is excused from one period per day for practice and additionally must attend state, national or international-level competitions. As for

the type two waiver. If the student is representing the state of Texas or the U.S. under the type one waiver, the absence will be excused on a caseby-case basis. The coding for type one waivers is EAA which is the same as school-related absences where the student has full make up privileges and the absence does not count against exemptions. For everyone

Michelle

category two waivers, the student must put in five or more hours of practice each week; however, they are not allowed to leave campus during the school day. As long as the activity is supervised, the student has the freedom to choose from a variety of sports and activities. There are approximately 70-80 students who take part in P.E. waivers at Westlake, and that number leans more on

Ling

under the type two waivers, any absence related to a sport is counted as a “personal business” to be missing school and is unexcused, therefore affecting exemptions. To help those on type two waivers, the school recently enacted a new policy for juniors and seniors which states that if the specific competition has college scouts, and the student meets with a coach of a college of

interest, the missed day of school can be counted as a college visit. Using the same grade-point average and absence criteria as the current exemption policy, the district should consider allowing students with category two waivers to receive their deserved excused absence without affecting their ability to exempt finals. To not cheat the system, there should be an application filled out by the student, then signed by a coach or supervisor to be considered for an excused absence. If the application is accepted, then the student will be able to have the absence not count against finals exemptions. Also, a student should be limited to a maximum of two days per semester to count as a P.E. waiver-related absence. Being able to have that excused absence for a waiver would allow rowers, horseback riders, rugby players and others the opportunity to travel to important competitions they previously have had to forego. The school district should give excused absences in order to be fair to students who are just as driven and involved in their sport. Having P.E. waivers allows students to have more freedom in how they spend their time outside of school and allowing them some absence flexibility is a fair way to handle the final exemptions.

More than meets the eye

How my visually impaired grandmother shaped my perspective on life

he Christmas tree glistens as the morning rays of sunlight stream though the living room. Blueberry candy canes dangle from the limbs of the evergreen. The old-fashioned rainbow-bulb lights sparkle and illuminate each individual ornament. Together my Granny and I sit on our old, worn leather couch, with me in her fragile lap. I press my face into her neck and I close my eyes, feeling the warm sensation of her pulse on my cheek. With her worn hands, she strokes my back and plays with my delicate 5-year-old hair. “Granny,” I whisper. “What do you think I look like?” As the great Mark Twain once said, “Kindness is the language the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” I live by that quote every day when I think of the impact my Granny has had on my life. My grandmother, or Granny as everyone calls her, is legally blind due to Retinitis Pigmentosa, a genetic disease, and has been visually impaired for the majority of her life. In my entire 16 years of existence, she has never seen my physical attributes. She never was able to see the look on her son’s face as he stood on his wedding day, watching my mom walk down the aisle. She never had the incredible experience of seeing the faces of her grandchildren on the day they came home from the hospital. But that has never seemed to bother her. Granny is that type of woman who takes what life offers and makes the best of it and doesn’t let old age or her blindness define who she is. To this day, her spunk shines brighter than her smile, as she is sure to correct anyone who claims her hair is gray. “Gray?!” she says. “Nah! I have always been a platinum blonde.” People have been known to call her the jack-of-all-trades. Never will she be that stereotypical grandmother who bakes cookies all day long, pinches your cheeks and smells like a mixture of mothballs and a large dosage of old-lady perfume. She has traveled alone all over the world to South Korea and European countries to visit family. She always has Altoids in her purse. She knows the lyrics to every song ever written, especially by Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash. She has memorized numerous nursery rhymes and she always greets me with, “Hello, my love.” Looking back, it never crossed my mind that my Granny was different from other people just because she was blind. Yes, it was annoying to have to lead her everywhere in huge crowds and to be her own personal commentary while seeing movies. There is always that upsetting reminder that she will never see what I look like. However, I feel rather proud that my Granny is blind. She is truly fearless and never judges a person by what clothes they are wearing or how fabulous their hair looks, but rather by their sincerity. She has the ability to see people for who they are, which many people have difficulties doing. That is what makes her such a popular person. Everyone has al-

courtesy photo

After a family outing at their favorite restaurant, Bistro 88, sophomore Caroline Hunt and her grandmother, Patricia Schively, share a moment before saying goodbye for the evening.

ways fought to be with Granny because she has this impeccable way of making you feel important. The world would stop if she weren’t present in my life. It never occurred to me that I could lose her. It was simply unthinkable. However, this previous summer marked a moment that altered my life as her health began to decline unexpectedly. Her heart was not keeping up to speed with her youthful spirit. In the end, she survived a total of three surgical procedures, including stent installations, a very tedious triple bypass operation and a surgery to replace a valve in her heart with a cow’s heart valve. She spent a total of three months in various hospitals, hooked up to machines in the Intensive Care Unit, which enabled her to stay alive. I died a little inside each time I saw her lying there, hopeless, just waiting for a miracle. The waiting and the mystery of what the next day would bring is what made the process exceedingly difficult. While sitting in her hospital room it began to hit me that I owe so much to her. Everyone has that one person which they admire and strive to be like, and because I have been guided by her love, I have been made a better person. I can certainly say that her strong recovery was unbelievable. She is back to dancing and singing and sharing all the love that her heart can offer. She is still a mother, a grandmother and a great grandmother who is thankful for the care that she has been given. My granny is blind, but that isn’t what defines her. What defines her is the immense love that surrounds her. Every day I remind myself that life isn’t about having that Mercedes car or being in the top 10 percent. Life will go on no matter what when there is love. Even though she is visually impaired, my granny sees me better than anyone else in the world. —Caroline Hunt

{ westlakefeatherduster.com }

rants + raves

Gingers have souls too

Sofie Seiden

How to play the ginger game:

1. When a ginger is spotted in public, declare loudly “ginger!” 2. The amount of ginger points awarded to the onlooker depends on how intense the ginger’s ginger characteristics are. 3. Extra ginger points are awarded when the ginger is engaging in ginger activities, such as applying sunscreen. 4. The player with the most ginger points by the end of the day is the winner.

Red-heads fight back against prejudice, ask for compassion According to Urban Dictionary, a ginger is a human characterized by pale skin, freckles and bright red hair. But to us, it is so much more. Being a ginger is a personality type. It means living in fear of UV rays and most forms of natural light. It means responding to the name “ginger” more often than responding to your own name. This ginger label is not a choice; it is something we were born into. We don’t choose to lay out on the beach completely covered by shade — we have to. Otherwise, our skin will become so blistered that medical attention becomes necessary. We have to be careful in our decisions involving the outdoors. Our activities have to be planned in advance so that the proper attire and sunscreen SPF can be determined. And it is not as easy as it may seem. Most of us have to apply sunscreen on a day-to-day basis, even on cloudy days. The latest addition to our sunprotection arsenal is SPF 90 sunscreen — a dream come true. But sun exposure isn’t the only danger we face. Taunting is a serious issue as well. In our absences, we are referred to as “that ginger kid.” And it is not uncommon to be called “ginge” for short when passing in the hallways either. As a matter of fact, on our way to second period every day, we get called “ginge” by the same guy. It has become routine. For instance, once at the airport, one of us got called a ginger by one of the airport employees — a complete stranger. Now, this may appear harmless to those engaging in the conversation, but to us, it is

somewhat upsetting when someone forgets your name and resorts to your stereotype. What if we started referring to all of you as “that nonginger kid,” how would you feel? We feel that the rest of the population is simply jealous. They wish they could be as unique as each of the angel kisses that adorn our face and arms. We are rarer than the average student, and to some, that may evoke jealousy. We also have a beef with the magazine industry that repeatedly ignores our milky complexion in their make-up spreads. Where is the blush that will complement our nearly transparent skin? How about some eye-shadow that doesn’t make us look like Wednesday Addams? We can’t wear black eye-liner, or any dark make-up for that matter, because of the intense contrast between our white skin and the black liner. But who’s complaining? However, being a ginger has advantages as well. Not only are we showered with compliments from old ladies about our hair, but we are also often referred to as porcelain dolls due to our paper-white skin. All in all, being a ginger is a lifestyle. So the next time you’re watching a YouTube video accusing gingers of not having souls, think of the person behind the pale exterior and have the decency to close your browser and show a ginger some respect. —Anonymous Gingers

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rants + raves

Best

Barbeque

Quest

Barrett Wilson

Overlooking the Texas Hill Country, The County Line attracts many patrons with its great barbeque and its spectacular views.

A search for must-eat meats in the Austin area In my quest to find the top three barbeque restaurants in Austin, let’s just say I had a dilemma. With more than 40 barbeque joints in town, I had difficulty choosing the three most worthy. Of course, the Salt Lick was my number one choice, until I realized it’s not officially located in Austin. I then narrowed my choices down by locations closest to Westlake and quality of food. The results were tasty. You may not have heard of Bee Cave BBQ because it’s just a small trailer located off Bee Cave Road on River Hills Drive. This restaurant has survived for more than 10 years in Austin and features incredible barbeque. Their moist, tender brisket has a nice taste, although it lacks the depth of smokiness that you would typically search for in top-notch brisket. Mild-flavored sausage links have a juicy interior and a nice snap when cut, and the ribs are large, meaty and succulent. They have a tangy, thin and spicy sauce that goes well over all of the meat. Whether you eat outside on the wooden tables and tree stump seats or take it home, you’ll always enjoy this hidden treat. A convenient grab-and-go meal, Bee Cave BBQ is a delicious dinner just around the corner. It is open Monday-Thursday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Just follow the flying pigs up the hill to The County Line on the Hill on Bee Cave Road. One of the nicest barbeque restaurants in town, it features a more formal style, with waiters and actual tables. After ordering, your plate of choice comes to you smothered in their thin, sweet flavored sauce. The beef ribs aren’t very tender, but they do have a tasty dry rub. With the dry rub forming a decent char, the brisket is tender but lacks smokiness. The sausage is my favorite, though, with a peppery taste and thinner-than-normal casing. If you

are looking for a nice sit-down, close-by restaurant, stop at The County Line overlooking the Texas Hill Country or The County Line on Lake Austin. The County Line is open Monday-Thursday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Consistently ranked on the top five best barbeque restaurants in Austin proper, Artz Rib House on South Lamar is considered a barbeque institution. Live music plays nightly on the stage located in the corner of the slightly shabby interior, adding to the eccentric vibe of Artz Rib House. The genre of the musical groups tends to be country western and blues. Artz’s brisket is exceptionally moist, but does lack rich, smoky flavors. Their sausage has mild seasoning and a good snap, but the texture of the interior is a bit dry. Their ribs are delectable with the middle sections being juicy and fall-off-the-bone and the ends being hard and crispy. Although the coleslaw is not of the best quality, the pickles, potato salad and pinto beans are enjoyable. An unusual feature of this barbeque restaurant, Artz serves a vegetarian plate consisting of skewered grilled vegetables and various charbroiled angus burgers. Although slightly farther than the other barbeque restaurants reviewed, Artz Rib House is just a quick drive down to South Lamar, making for an interesting change of pace from the norm. It is open Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday from noon-9 p.m. From my barbeque quest I discovered that Austin features a wide variety of choices that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters. All of these restaurants have reasonable prices for quality food. If you haven’t been to Bee Cave BBQ, The County Line or Artz Rib House, drop by for an unforgettable experience. –Taylor Kidd

Family owned for 20 years, Bee Cave BBQ is well known around the community for quality BBQ and service.

Artz BBQ has seating under a covered patio, serving on classic gingham tablecloths which adds to the atmosphere of the restaurant. Barrett Wilson

Barrett Wilson

Stereo-typing A guide for judging others on their musical taste “So, what kind of music do you listen to?” It is the ultimate question disguised as small talk. Your breathing quickens, your palms sweat, your heart races. You look for a way to change the subject. Politics! Yes, such a pleasant topic. Is there any way to bring up the war, gay marriage, abortion, anything? But to no avail; you must answer this fateful question. You look around for a clue — the shirt they’re wearing, a button on their backpack, a keychain...nothing. “Well...I...uh...” you wait for advice. The first name out of your mouth will decide your fate in this person’s eyes. “I...I like a lot of different things,” you finally say, and in response comes a sigh of polite frustration. Before they get a chance to probe more, you ask, “What about you?” Your eyes narrow as you seek revenge, dust off your judgment hat and wait for their response. I present to you a guide for your judgment:

The alternative-rock connoisseur Those rebels really know how to stick it to the system, with Green Day’s “American Idiot,” Simple Plan’s “Welcome to my Life,” and Fall Out Boy’s “This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race” pumping through their iPhone earbuds. They’re so alternative. If you question their taste, they will immediately shout “conformist!” in your face, for they haven’t changed since middle school.

The suspiciously-energetic musical lover Musical fans are known for their wildlysmiling cults dancing through the halls. Also, you will immediately recognize them when they make eye contact with another person across the room and awkwardly burst out into a song you haven’t heard since you were 8 years old. The Sound of Music, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast — nothing is safe.

The metalhead There are two types of metalheads: the classic-rock headbangers and the pretentious metal-subgenre scholars. To the headbangers, there is only one type of metal, and that metal will conquer all. However, they will be crushed by those who have explored the underworld of metal. Genres such as melodic death metal, crust punk and grindcore are only the beginning.

Too indie to be a hipster These guys like bands such as Old Phoebe, Mac Irony, The Disappearing Act and other bands that don’t exist yet. They are pretentious, but undeservingly so. When something is described as “indie-pop” music, they fail to take a second to think about what that means.

Funk You often see them conversing with their friends on Facebook, with

particular fondness for caps-lock and the word “guys.” They use the phrase “that would be capital” when excited. They are similar to those who study the different sub-genres of metal in their pretentiousness and frustration with those who “just don’t understand.”

The white rapper If you went to school anywhere other than Westlake, you wouldn’t be judged for listening to rap. But since you do, people nod their heads and silently scoff at your taste and reference to Rob Roy as “the hood.”

“I like my parents’ music.” They don’t know why, but they do. From The Beatles to Led Zeppelin, from Elvis to Zappa, they know it all, but you’re not exactly sure how. You begin to feel inferior to their coolness, until you take a step inside their house and realize that they are exactly like their parents.

The country folk Poor, poor country, always stuck in the “anything-but” category. You never hear anyone say, “Man, I really love anything but rock.” But country? It’s always excluded from peoples’ lists...yet, for good reason. No one wants to come across as that much of a stereotypical Texan. They probably ride horses to school.

The twitching electronic/dubstep fan Due to the fact that they’re always wearing headphones, it would be difficult to ask an electronic music fan what they like. But not to Emily Mitchell worry, for you can hear it, loud and clear. If you ever do get a chance to chat, they will probably describe their favorite song as sounding something like, “whomp-whomp-whatwa-whatdeebooow.”

“I listen to everything.” First of all, anyone who says this does not actually listen to everything. What they actually mean is that they prefer the blanket that the Top 40 has provided for them to sit under, giving them the illusion that their taste is diversified when really it’s all the same. They don’t seem to be drawn to any particular band or genre and probably aren’t passionate about much else, either. All in all, learning about others’ musical tastes provides insight into the hidden workings of their minds. We look to see what draws them in, which gives us a better idea of what their personality is like. But, of course, you never stop liking the music you liked when you were younger — you just lie about it more. This is why people often deny listening to acts such as Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers, Justin Beiber, etc. However, their secrets will eventually come out. But hopefully, with some time and work, we can learn to accept each others’ differences. —Mariah Stevens-Ross

{ westlakefeatherduster.com }

rants + raves

Toons for teens Finding a new appreciation for TV shows from our youth

s we go through high school, we’re always told to grow up, to act our age and to be more responsible. With all that weight on our shoulders, we often fall into a pit of mild despair. But a cure has been discovered, and many of my fellow students often indulge in this mind-easing pastime. The TV shows and Disney movies we watched as kids are the greatest stress-reliever the teenage population has ever seen. As it turns out, the shows are 10 times more entertaining to teenagers. The number of students who actually sit down and turn on Cartoon Network or pop in some old DVD or even a VCR tape is surprisingly large. As we are now more mature than our 5-year-old counterparts, mildlyoffensive references and hidden messages no longer go to waste. Our educated minds can see inappropriate and politically-incorrect humor in Spongebob Squarepants, Ren and Stimpy and The Lion King for what it really is. The humor stretches from blatant ignorance from the characters — for example, Patrick, the starfish in Spongebob, exclaimed once, “I can’t see my forehead!”— to shockingly clever political references such as the song in The Lion King, “Be Prepared,” which makes a direct reference relating Scar to Hitler. As for TV show humor, you’ve got your Scooby-Doo, full of ‘70s pop culture references and some vaguely questionable lines. To kick it up a notch there’s Spongebob, the show that practically shaped our generation’s sense of humor as we know it. Spongebob remains appreciated from age 3 onward. There’s everything from pointless violence, ever popular among young males, to subtle references about art or politics that only adults find humor in, often incongruous among more easily understood jokes for kids.

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The next level of offensive humor could be found in TV shows such as Cat-Dog and Courage the Cowardly Dog. They both use human-like animal characters to poke fun at dysfunctional familial compulsion. Rather than filling their half hour with culture references and intelligent humor, they just make fun of human nature, the inability to fully understand others and the chaos that tends to lead to. Honestly, Cat-Dog and Courage both freaked me out enough as a kid to change the channel to some educational program on PBS Kids. Perhaps those shows are a little too much for the young’uns. In the movies, the kid-unfriendly bits are hidden in the background or are just situational similarities to famous events in history. Quite a few Disney pictures have very inappropriate messages and pictures placed on the screen for just a few fast seconds before they are gone, but nonetheless, people have searched and found them, adding movies such as Aladdin, The Rescuers, The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast. With all the adult-oriented films and shows floating about on the television, it’s easy to forget the classic, questionably-appropriate children’s shows and camouflaged messages in movies that at some level are far more entertaining. The trick with TV isn’t to find the most repulsive, yet hilarious, humor on the air but to go for the subtle hidden cracks woven into ridiculous animation and idiotic character development. The place to find those shows? After school programs on Cartoon Network at 4:30 p.m. And if you feel embarrassed to turn on a channel geared towards little kids, just know, you won’t be alone. There are many others laughing alongside you. —Lily Pipkin

{ westlakefeatherduster.com }

rants + raves

Burnin’ The searing testament of Esteban the dragon

art by Michelle Ling

or most, visions of the past become quite hazy with age. Yet for this old dragon, my darkest times retain a certain vividness unparalleled by any other memory. Unlike many other of my kin, whose journeys end far too soon in a fairytale-like manner, my story ended in a tragic twist of fate that left me scarred for the rest of my days. For years I ran from my past, but now, lying upon my death bed, I see things in a different light. Though it is too late for me, the world can learn from my demise, as to never repeat the mistakes that eventually destroyed me. It all began long, long ago. The year was 2010 and online social networking was the bee’s knees. In a desperate attempt to make friends and using my exceptional computer skills that I learned at science camp, I created my own program: FaceSpace. Despite my innocent efforts to gain camaraderie, treachery was afoot. My ill-fated fairytale began when a young boy logged onto my site. We were star-crossed best buddies. His name was Abraham, a freshman at Westlake High School, who enjoyed pizza, sunsets and the musical rhythms of bluegrass-rap fusion. We found ourselves to have much in common, minus the whole being a dragon thing. Both of us were social outcasts and most of all, we both considered Wang Chung to be the greatest artist of the ‘80s. With these commonalities in mind, I decided to meet this boy. Spreading my gargantuan scaly wings, I took to the air and set flight for Texas, leaving my home in the Dominican Republic behind. Little did I know what destiny had in store for me upon arrival. I landed in a forest behind the boy’s house. Normally the night would have kept me invisible to the untrained eye. Yet this was not the case due to the fact that the stars at night are big and bright duh duh duh duh deep in the heart of Texas. “Esteban, is that you?” called Abraham. He had been waiting in his window for my arrival. “How many other dragons do you know, you silly goose?” I retorted. “Go back to sleep. I have had a long day flying 1,927.47 miles. We both need to get some rest.” The next morning we began our expedition into the uncharted waters of friendship. Much like the lamb from the nursery rhyme, I followed the boy everywhere he went. The months of summer flew by all

too fast. Soon it was time for school to begin. “I’m afraid to go back to all the bullying at school, Esteban,” said Abraham. “My boy,” my voice boomed through the woods. “So long as I am here, not one bully shall lay a hand upon you.” He looked slightly comforted, but there was still a line of worry in his brow. “Anyone who hurts you, Abraham, shall be, for lack of a better word, roasted.” “Gee golly, Esteban,” he said. “You would really do that for me?” “Of course I would. What good is a friend who doesn’t roast mean people?” The first day that I went to school with the boy, I waited outside the Ninth Grade Center until he was released at 4:05. Sure enough, Abraham walked out of the school with tears running down his face, a shiner on one eye and a limp in his step. He climbed up upon my back and hugged my neck, looking for comfort. Without an ounce of weakness in my voice, I asked which boy did this to him. Much to my surprise, he pointed to a short blonde girl walking down the sidewalk. I could not contain my laughter, but luckily for me, dragon’s laughter releases fire. In that brief instant, the girl was no more than a pile of ashes. We fled the scene under a fake mustache disguise. As the weeks went by, each day followed this same pattern. With each roasting, more and more people saw the boy as much more than a loser; he was a loser with a dragon friend. As more bullies were reduced to ash, the school became a safer place for kids like Abraham. People began to treat Abraham as a friend. As time went by, he started canceling our weekend plans. At times I felt as if his new friends were replacing me, but I would then scoff at the thought and regard it as paranoia, until one fateful day. “You don’t need to come to school with me today Esteban,” he said. “But I always go with you,” I gasped, taken aback by his comment. “I thought we were going to wear mustaches and drink coffee after school today.” “Oh, I forgot to tell you, I can’t do that today. Mother is letting me have friends over. We are going to walk home and then we will all hang out with you.” “Um, okay, I will be waiting when you get here. Should I pick up some fake mustaches for your friends?”

for you

“No way José. They aren’t into that childish hullabaloo.” I knew he was having fun at school with his new friends. However, I wept in the woods alone. I felt so lonely. I cheered up when I thought of the fun we would have with all of his friends after school. Unfortunately, that was the last time I was ever happy. “Abraham, you’re finally home,” I blurted out in excitement. “I feel like I’ve been waiting all day. What do you crazy kids want to do?” “We are going to go inside and play some video games,” the boy said. “Fun! I can come in because your mom isn’t home to kick me out,” I laughed. “Actually, it’s just a four player game and we don’t want to take turns so can you just stay out here?” His words cut straight to the bone. “Yeah, sure…” I mumbled. “I will just stay out here until you guys want to play.” As they walked away, I overheard one of his friends ask if it was okay to leave me out. Then, like a lumberjack swinging an axe into my heart, he said yes, because, after all I was just his pet. “Pet?” I whispered to myself, rage building in my soul. “That’s all I am to you? A pet? I thought I was your friend, Abraham!” Now yelling sharply. “Taste my pain!” I bellowed, my booming yell shaking the woods. It was then that I made a mistake of such magnitude, that I never felt joy again. Looking straight into the boy’s

eyes, I opened my mouth with a fiery roar. As fear and flames reflected in the boy’s blue eyes, his toupee fell off. It was too late, I could not stop his incineration. “My god,” I said. “That poor boy had male pattern baldness at such a young age. No wonder he was such a misfit. What have I done?” Tears of guilt rolled down my face. “What sort of a person does this? I am an animal.” I ran to the woods in order to pack my things. I knew I couldn’t stay in the United States; their judicial system would have me singin’ the prison blues before too long. The lights of my homeland came across the horizon. I landed, trying to suppress my tears as I encountered my kin for the first time in many moons. I broke down crying before everyone. It was apparent to all of them that I was still the weak dragon that I was before. I could not stand for this though; I had to squeeze at least one decent thing out of this. That is why I set up the Esteban the Dragon Center for Fellows with Male Pattern Baldness Foundation, or the EDCFMPBF for short, to make sure nobody is held back in life like Abraham was. The moral of this story is very sad, yet true. Friendships have ups and downs but a true friend comes back and doesn’t reduce anyone to a pile of ash. I only wish that I had known this earlier. I only hope that all of those who read this heed my warning; don’t fry your best friend. Sorrow will haunt you for the remainder of your days. It is too late for this old

The End { westlakefeatherduster.com }

rants + raves

The Odd Duck Farm to Trailer I have been to my fair share of food carts. I’m used to the mediocre desserts and pastries that are only popular because they are served out of an airstream trailer. However, Odd Duck Farm to Trailer really cannot be compared to these other food carts. The locally grown, gourmet food is something so different and unexpected when compared to the sea of other food trailers in South Austin with dishes including carrot soup with cumin and cilantro and grilled half quail with cauliflower and mustard. This restaurant, located at 1219 South Lamar, is owned and operated by Westlake graduate Bryce Gilmore, and after eating here, I have to say I feel very proud that a Westlake grad could make such amazing food. I drove up to the restaurant at about 7:30 p.m. to find that the courtyard-style seating was practically full of people. I walked up to order and got a sampling of a four different dishes for $23 and a sweet tea. The drink options were limited, but since it is a food cart, many people around us brought their own drinks. I sat down at a table and waited for my food. As I looked around me, I saw everyone else with their dinners, and as they took each bite I saw their eyes widen at how tasty everything was — I could hear my alreadyhungry stomach grumble. After about 10 minutes of waiting, my food was finally brought out. I have never eaten gourmet food off of a paper plate and a plastic bowl, but I have also never tasted such amazing food. Each dish looked a little smaller than what I was expecting, but I shouldn’t have let that fool me. I was completely full by the time I finished. The appearance

Westlake graduate Bryce Gilmore opened his restaurant on wheels, Odd Duck Farm to Trailer, after working at numerous restaurants around the country. He wanted to bring the “farm-to-table” philosophy to this venue after using it in places he has previously worked at. Barrett Wilson

of my grits with coffee-braised pork shoulder and soft farm egg made me a little nervous, but after taking a bite, my fear went away, and I was eating scoopful after scoopful. The grilled broccoli salad with goat ricotta and pork loin and the grilled half quail with cauliflower and mustard were good, but they could not compare to the pork belly slider with pickled onion. The soft bread, the scrumptious pork, the charming size and appearance — it was amazing. This restaurant really was an odd duck, but definitely in a good way. The reasonably priced dishes ($4-8), the very Austin atmosphere and the whole idea of farm-to-trailer made this food cart like nothing I have ever seen. They are only open for dinner from 5-10 p.m. TuesdaySaturday, so I was already planning the next time I could go there by the time I left. —Leah Whitlock

Me So Hungry You’ve probably been to Whole Foods or REI a million times, but instead of making that turn onto Lamar for yet another North Face jacket or reusable bag full of gluten-free, organic groceries, go a little bit further down Fifth Street and pick up some delicious food from Me So Hungry. The location of this food truck, parked on the street in front of The Tiniest Bar in Texas, can make parking a bit of a problem; however, there is some available at The Monarch just a little down the street for $5. This is where I parked, and as I walked from my car to the colorful green truck, I could already smell the mouth-watering aroma wafting from Me So Hungry. I walked up at about 2 p.m. on a Wednesday to no line and a very friendly staff greeting me and asking if I had any questions. The relatively small menu made my choice pretty simple — the regular bowl of Pad Laos noodles with shrimp and spicy-sweet sauce for $5

and two Vietnamese spring rolls for $3.50. At first I thought that $3.50 was a bit pricey for just two spring rolls, but when they brought me my dish, the spring rolls were practically burrito-size. Everything at Me So Hungry is made to order, so it took around five minutes for my food to be served. But the nice picnic tables provided by The Tiniest Bar in Texas and the setting of downtown made waiting almost enjoyable instead of a hassle. When the dishes were brought to me, I could tell that this restaurant does not skimp on the good stuff. The “regular-size” noodle bowl was giant — it filled up an entire plate once I poured it from the bowl. The noodles looked and smelled amazing, and when I dug in after squeezing the miniature limes provided, I could not believe how enjoyable it was. It made me that much more excited to try the spring rolls. They were exceptionally good, though the peanut sauce supplied with

it was not up to the standards of everything else served. However, the kind woman working there offered about three other options of sauce, all of which tasted delectable with the spring rolls. I cannot wait to go back to this food truck. The next dish I will try is the Bahn Mi with the 24-hour marinated pork and fresh vegetables. Paying for parking was worth it after the great food and service I received. The motherdaughter pair who owns Me So Hungry is so passionate about what they do and the quality of the food really shows this. The hours are convenient (Monday-Tuesday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m-3 p.m.), and you can tell that they are not about overpricing everything like some food carts. All of the dishes are less than $6, an extremely reasonable price for what you get. I think this restaurant will definitely be around for a while. —Leah Whitlock

Food carts, trailers offer more options to Austinites looking for quick meals

Trail mix

art by Ka

therine F inn

Sushi-A-Go-Go

To say the least, I was suspicious to see sushi, usually served in posh restaurants with dim lighting and modern decorations, served out of the back of a street-side trailer. Sushi-A-Go-Go, however, was far from mediocre. Located on Medical Parkway near the old Central Market, it was not an area I was familiar with, but I still managed to find it relatively easily. Limited street parking was available next to the trailer, but there was plenty accessible across the street. As I approached, I was instantly drawn to the bright orange, blue and green designs swirling around the sides of the trailer. The friendly server waited patiently as I scanned the menu, unable to make up my mind. I eventually settled on a dynamite roll and a mango avocado roll. I placed my order and found a seat under the shade of a large sun umbrella at one of the many picnic tables. After a surprisingly short wait, my name was called, and I walked back to the trailer to pick up my order. After sampling both of my rolls, all of my former suspicions were eradicated. I was not disappointed. The rolls, averaging about $6 each, were not only a good price, but also good quality. For those who don’t prefer fish, Sushi-A-Go-Go also offers many fun twists on classic rolls, like the Texan and the Longhorn, which have beef instead of seafood. There are also tasty vegetarian rolls that are typically not found in most sushi restaurants. I was more than satisfied with my meal. The dynamite roll had a nice spicy kick and the tuna was very fresh. The mango avocado roll was different from the rolls I typically eat, but was still very enjoyable. Sushi-A-GoGo, with its affordable prices and relaxed atmosphere, makes sushi casual. Before I left, I went to take a second look at the menu to decide on what to order for when I would soon return. —Sofie Seiden

Barrett Wilson

Bananarchy

There comes a time in the dead heat of summer when all the frozen yogurt places are crowded, your mouth is far too dry for cookies or cupcakes, and the excitement of Snow Beach’s multitude of flavor combinations has lost its charm. It is times like these when you begin to think, “Where, Austin, city of the weird, might I be able to find desserts that are a little less mainstream?” If this situation sounds all too familiar, Bananarchy might just be the answer to your sugar-laden pleas. These frozen bananas are nothing short of, well, revolutionary. In keeping up with their bananarchist views, the stand even held a protest at the Capitol before their spring opening in an effort to gain bananas recognition they deserve. The idea for the trailer came from the TV show Arrested Development, in which the main family owns a frozen banana stand. Bananarchy gives you the option of choosing your own banana dipping and toppings or choosing

from a set menu. The trailer is on South Lamar near Peter Pan mini golf, so it’s not that hard to find. I was able to find parking right next to the stand, and then took a minute or so to contemplate what toppings I would choose for my banana. You first choose your dipping from a selection consisting of chocolate, peanut butter and vanilla, and then choose from a selection of toppings, similar to what you would find at an ice cream shop. I decided to get a half banana, dipped in chocolate and peanut butter and topped off with M&Ms. I was half expecting it to be as hard as a rock, but of course I was completely wrong. The banana was neither too cold nor too hard. I was very happy with my banana and will probably return to the trailer again on a hot summer day. —Sofie Seiden

{ westlakefeatherduster.com }

rants + raves

A Spoonful of sugar

Senior shares love for South Congress sweet shop

Owner Brandon Hodge makes a signature soda at his South Congress candy shop. photo by Indigo Colton

As a senior in high school, I hoped that by this time I would have given up on childish things and for the most part I can say that I have. However, in addition to PBS’s Arthur series, there is one thing that I still love beyond comprehension — candy. Chocolates, gummies, suckers… all of it. Alas, the small section in H-E-B is not enough to satiate my craving for sugar and I have constantly been drawn to seek better candy and candy shops. Big Top Candy Shop is that place. South Congress is home to some of the most eccentric stores in Austin, making Big Top Candy Shop a perfect fit. Located on 1706 S. Congress Avenue, owner Brandon Hodge also owns Monkey See, Monkey Do, a toy shop a couple of doors down from Big Top. However, Hodge’s history on South Congress goes much further than his toy shop. “My college job was at a similar store on South Congress,” Hodge said. “I was at the University of Texas at Austin, an English and history major, I thought I would become a teacher but sadly enough, I made more working in retail than working with screaming kids. I just eventually had to weigh the worth of a college degree versus real world experience.” With that experience, Hodge began plans to open his first shop. “Monkey See, Monkey Do was really successful,” Hodge said. “It’s a fun shop that fit right in and hit the ground running.” Following the opening of Monkey See, Monkey Do, Hodge began to envision his next project. “It’s so funny, the opening of Monkey See was so fortuitous,” Hodge said. “It was like we moved on one day and opened the next. It was so quick, we threw it all in a pot and served it, but Big Top was around six months of construction. I was going to build it the way I wanted it.” The success of Big Top was inevitable; it even won an Austin Chronicle’s Best of Award before officially opening, and rightly so. Big Top Candy Shop is just fun. It looks as though you’ve stepped into a candy shop from decades ago. The wall art definitely does it; photo-manipulated posters tell a story of a long standing history of the shop and its owner. And instruments that have been fused with other instruments, gas masks and robotic arms only add to the charm of the shop. With a shop that looks as neat as this one does, it seems as though the candy would come second, but candy is king. Big Top sells regular stuff in bulk bins that line the floor. However, that is not what the

shop is known for. “We have a very freakshow mentality here,” Hodge said. “It’s the weird stuff, that oddity factor.” Big Top is home to “Hot Chocolate” which I was not offered because Hodge was convinced it would “burn my face off” — which is probably true. It contains candied serrano peppers, habanero oil, jalapeno jelly and chipotle peppers. The Elvis Bark, another favorite, contains banana flavored chocolate, banana chips, peanut butter, grape jelly and bacon. Sounds a little strange, eh? It’s delicious. Dried insects are another treat that do incredibly well and the shop’s sugar syrup blood bags are successful considering the new Twilight obsession. Stranger products range from ranch and onion ring mints to bacon gum. But the most popular creation is the double bacon chocolate bar. “We used to make them in shop,” Hodge said. “As we got larger, it just became too difficult.” Big Top also has “regular” chocolates spanning from sea salt caramel truffles to peanut butter cups. If you’re not in the mood for chocolate, Big Top also features a traditional soda fountain with millions of different beverage possibilities. “We have a cherry limeade that will knock you out of your shoes,” Hodge said. “We have a cucumber soda which is just pureed whole cucumbers and simple syrup and it sells like crazy. We also have a vanilla and wasabi shake that’s not on the menu, if you’re feeling daring.” When asked what he was most thankful for, Hodge immediately gave credit to his hardworking staff. “I am so blessed to work with them,” Hodge said. “They take good care of the shop and they give me time to pursue my interests too. I’m also a professional writer for the role playing industry — Dungeons and Dragons. I used to be more shy about it but once I got published, I got very excited.” Big Top Candy Shop is well known in the media, which is impressive especially since the shop doesn’t even have a website, other than a MySpace page. It was recently filmed for an episode of a new series on the Food Network. It has also been featured in USA Today and in various Austin magazines and newspapers. “I love my job,” Hodge said. “I mean, I get to buy toys and candy for my shops all day and when I’m bored I can write an article or something. I’m really blessed to have been given a chance on South Congress — it’s not easy but we keep it afloat.” —Jamie Lee

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Stuff We Like

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ABBA

Doughnut Girl

Many deny their love for this sugary Swedish confection of dance music magic. The Featherduster deplores this kind of genre hypocrisy; what’s more, we defy it! We demand a revolution. It is time for the world to shimmy as one to the dulcet tones of “Dancing Queen,” to appreciate “Chiquitita” through the headphones of musical acceptance and, above all, to Google search “ABBA cat dress.” Oh, ABBA, may your fashion sense and Swedish accents live forever!

Every Friday morning she comes through the Commons, followed by the sounds of joy and munching. Some call her a saint, others a goddess, but she is universally recognized as Doughnut Girl. The many attempts to uncover her true motives, her history or her possible super powers have been inconclusive. Experts report their findings distracted by the taste and smell of the doughnuts that fall from her glorious fingers. Whoever you are, Doughnut Girl, we at The Featherduster salute you!

The Rise and Fall of Pokémon

Fin n ne

Imagine a world without smiles. Imagine a world with no sunshine, no trees and no butterflies. Imagine a world where the Antichrist rules supreme. This is a world without Bill Cosby. There would be no Cosby Show, no more hilarious standup and no more making fun of him garbling like a crazy person. Oh, what a sad world it would be. For us, Bill Cosby is a source of inspiration. We want to be like Cliff Huxtable in The Cosby Show, telling everyone who walks into our houses to “have a sit-down” and planning elaborate dances for our parents’ anniversary. And may we never forget who it was that introduced us all to the glory of Pudding Pops. So now whenever we eat these delicious treats, we all mumble to ourselves “with the diddly doo dop a shing shong shamma lamma.”

Bill Cosby

Remember back in the day when shows like Pokémon were the cat’s pajamas? Every single one of us wanted to be the very best, like no one ever was. To catch them was our real test; to train them was our cause. Eventually, reality sunk in, and we all realized that we could not possibly catch them all. Sure we could have at first, but they just kept adding more and more Pokémon. And now, in the show’s 11th season, it is obvious that Pokémon should have given up long ago. But who really cares about the integrity of this once noble show? Besides their cute, cuddly natures, which appeal to a predominantly female 7-year-old population, there’s also a little war-like spark that draws in the remaining male tween crowd. For the rest of us old folk, we can content ourselves with satiating our inner children by rooting for Misty and Ash to finally (finally!) get together.

Ka th

Katherine Fin n

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rants + raves