Sutton Travis 2015 Texas Journalist of the Year Portfolio
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Table of Contents
Sutton Travis JOY Portfolio
3 Writing 12 Photojournalism 16 Design 17 Editing 18 Leadership/Team Building 20 Entrepreneurship
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Writing
Sutton Travis JOY Portfolio
UIL Feature Writing
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Although this has not been published, it emotionally impacted me beyond anything I’ve ever written, and I felt it deserved to be included. With this, I won first in the 3A division of the 2014 UIL state feature writing contest. However, my sole objective while writing this was not winning, it was truly to do justice to this heart wrenching story.
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eart heavy, weighed down by feelings of overwhelming shock and bitter grief, the woman grasps the black Sharpie in her slightly trembling hand and begins to write her final message on the light pine wood of her daughter’s coffin. As she writes, she reflects on the lessons she has learned from this experience, and ponders the possibility of sharing her message with others to prevent them from suffering the same pain. Catherine Shellman founded “Unsilence the Violence: A firsthand experience with dating/ domestic violence through the eyes of a mother” after her 23-yearold daughter, Tiffanie, was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend in September 2010. Shellman has spoken to numerous groups in an effort to bring greater awareness to dating and domestic violence, and she is currently preparing for a documentary of Tiffanie’s life to be presented at Texas State University in June. “Unsilence the Violence is a
movement I liken to the Susan G. Komen movement,” Shellman said. “It used to be that breast cancer wasn’t spoken of, and now it’s reached a point where everyone knows about it. This type of violence is not spoken of, and I want to kick it out from under the rock where it hides. I want to bring awareness to it because that’s the first step in bringing it to an end.” Tiffanie was murdered by her exboyfriend Kenny Trevino, a mixed martial arts fighter, two weeks after breaking up with him. Trevino then took his own life. During their relationship, Tiffanie’s friends and family failed to notice the clues she left regarding the abuse she was experiencing. “I feel like I didn’t take the situation seriously,” Shellman said. “I looked at him as being completely harmless. [Tiffanie] lived in fear of Kenny. She put her head down and followed him, not knowing what kind of pain awaited her if she did try to fight.” After Tiffanie’s death, Shellman began speaking at police
departments, high schools and colleges, as well as volunteering with the San Marcos Police Department’s Crime Victim Services, Hope Hospice in New Braunfels and First Christian Church in San Marcos. “What inspired me to get the message out was that I couldn’t be there to jump in front of the bullet and save my baby,” Shellman said. “I couldn’t be there to hold her hand as she slipped away. Every breath I take has a new meaning to me. I feel like I have a responsibility to tell everything that we went through.” Shellman teaches people to recognize the red flags abusers give, which include jealousy, constantly checking up, calling names, being controlling and threatening to harm themselves if their victim ever breaks up with them. Shellman also works to eradicate the idea that victims of domestic and dating violence are only certain types of people. “I think people have an idea in their mind of what a victim of dating and domestic violence looks like,” Shellman said. “People have
an idea that [victims] are from certain socioeconomic statuses or very timid. Tiffanie was anything but that. She was very outgoing, president of the National Honor Society and head cheerleader. She was not afraid to get out and have fun.” Shellman encourages people who are victims of an abusive relationship to seek assistance from a women’s shelter, and to remember that the situation is much larger than they believe, and they are unable to control it. “Evil got in, and it got Tiffanie,” Shellman said. “Some days I feel like I could curl up in a ball and let the wind carry me away, but if Tiffanie is somewhere looking down on me, she would want me to live life as best as I can and not allow evil to take me, too. If I had the opportunity to say something to Tiffanie now, it would be, ‘Baby, you did so good. You lived your life honorably, and the only thing that separates us is time.’”
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Writing
Sutton Travis JOY Portfolio
Theme Copy
Be #Bold (Opening) Voices lift in enthusiastic unison, hundreds of students chant and scream deafeningly, celebrating their selection as winners of the NBC 6 Spirit Stick award for Week 10 of the 2013 season. In the midst of this triumphant, fervent moment, we were celebrating so much more than one award, though. Students were remembering the choice they made to be #bold, like senior Wade Davis leading the school in the early morning pep rally. They were recalling the reason that they were able to receive this award: their football team being #bold and continuing to advance into the playoffs, and they were realizing that in that moment, with their voices raised as one, they were the embodiment of being #bold. Being #bold can exist in many forms. You can be #bold by daring to participate in a new activity your senior year, like Carlie Smith performing a mascot skit as Butch during the first pep rally against Jacksonville. In some cases, you could be #bold by personally crafting a unique creation for the TSA competition, like junior Kolton Worsham
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welding a rocking chair. Being #bold can be demonstrated by volunteering your time as Dillon Husar did reading stories to Primary students at Bulldawg Tales. Like juniors Haley Hanks and Dylan Possoit, being #bold might mean allowing yourself to feel the emotions of another person while rehearsing for the One-Act Play. However, being #bold may also be defined as choosing to take part in making history, like freshman McKenzie Hill, performing at the Diboll football game as a member of the first line of the Bulldog Belle drill team. Through every moment we spent developing our potential, every difficult decision we made, every goal we painstakingly achieved, we learned to be #bold.
#Belong (Clubs/Academics Division) To #belong means to be a part of something much bigger than yourself. On campus, the numerous clubs and various academic courses provide a wide variety of options to enable students to #belong. #Belonging may allow you to participate
I wrote the theme copy for our 2013-2014 yearbook, which was themed Be #Bold. It featured spinoffs of the word “be” for every division page. Each section of theme copy focused on exploring the meanings of “Bold,” “Belong,” and “Become,” respectively, and how they related to specific events from the year.
in an activity you enjoy while benefiting your club, as freshmen Riley Green and Obrei English, senior Rachael Wood and freshman Ahna Stacy did by performing in the fall musical, “Little Shop of Horrors,” to raise money for Drama Club. Sometimes #belonging may mean going the extra mile and trying something new and exciting, like the Bulldog Belle drill team dancing to “Rollin’” in the very first Winter Extravaganza. You could show that you #belong to an organization by assisting in fundraising, like junior Kacey Maines counting donations during Key Club’s Pink Out. In the classroom, like junior Paige Lovelady studying during her Lifetime Wellness class, everyone #belongs as a student striving to gain knowledge. In some cases, #belonging to an organization may require that you make time for perfecting your skills, like freshman Cheyanne Porter, junior A’Toya Villarreal and freshman Jasmine Graves practicing their French horns during band sectionals to prepare for the UIL Concert and Sightreading contest. Like senior William Rittenberry working on an Anatomy and Physiology paper, you can also #belong as a member of group projects. However, #belonging has a much deeper meaning than being a member of several clubs and classes. In actuality, no matter the activities you participate in, when you surround yourself with people you enjoy, devote your time and energy to a cause that you care about and realize that you are significant and needed, that is when you truly #belong.
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#Become Division)
(Student
Life
To #become means to transform
yourself into what you aspire to be through time and effort. By participating in the student life events that interest you, you enable yourself to be a well-rounded student engaging in the activities that will develop you into the person you wish to #become. Like the Varsity cheerleaders pumping up the student body by performing their entrance at the Chapel Hill pep rally, participation in some events can teach you to #become an encouragement to others. In some cases, being involved in an event may require that you #become another person for a period of time, like freshman Chloe Neuman dressing as Jack from the Jack and Jill nursery rhyme during Homecoming week. As senior Griffin Bankhead demonstrated by giving the football team a pep talk, sometimes #becoming a source of comic relief will help propel others to victory. Like sophomore Kenny Spradley introducing English teacher Kim Horton to his mother at Open House, being involved can help you #become a more informed, prepared student. Occasionally, an event may allow you to #become the living reality of what you envision in your mind’s eye, like juniors Alex Rowe and Kate Sherman entering prom for the first time. Like graduate Breunna Greenwood participating in the Second Chance graduation ceremony, accomplishing your goals will equip you to #become successful in the future. In truth, learning what activities intrigue you, discovering your own unique personality and continually striving to achieve the expectations you have set for yourself are ideal methods that prepare you to #become the person you are meant to be.
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Writing
Sutton Travis JOY Portfolio
Theme Copy
#Believe (Sports Division) To #believe means to have complete, unyielding trust in your teammates’ and your own ability and dedication. Whether they entail pitching a ball, benching heavy weights or training for various races, the diverse selection of sports teams have one factor in common: they all require that the athletes #believe. Like senior team captains Blake Bogenschutz, Dillon Husar, Tee Goree and Tevin Pipkin walking onto the field for the coin toss before the playoff game against Silsbee, being a leader requires #believing, long before the game even begins, that your team has the skills necessary to overcome your opponent. Participating in sports may give you the opportunity to teach others to #believe in themselves, like sophomore Jarod Blissett passing on some tips to his “buddies” during the Dixie League Youth Night. In some cases, your sport may involve #believing that you have the strength to continue fighting for the win, as freshman Alexis Brooks did by preventing the player she was guarding from moving towards the goal during the junior varsity game against San Augustine. Like junior Quinton Laster rounding the final corner of the three-mile race at the SFA Invitational cross country meet, an important aspect of sports is #believing that you are capable of accomplishing much more than you originally thought possible. As freshmen Cheston Malone, Logan Baker and Roderic Calloway demonstrated by all sprinting to help make a tackle during the freshman game versus Lindale, #believing that your teammates will support you and have your back at every moment in the game is vital. #Believing that the many hours of practicing and perfecting skills will pay off during the game is also essential, like sophomore Thalia Medrano expertly maneuvering to take the ball from her opponent during the Kilgore game. To put it simply, sports are about much more than the scores and stats. They are about
learning to #believe that with enough hard work, perseverance and unity, you and your teammates have the capability to achieve anything you set your minds to.
#Beyond (Ads/Reference Division) To go #beyond means to willingly go the extra mile, volunteering your time and effort to benefit and focus on others. Like community members agreeing to purchase ads, making the yearbook possible, several school-affiliated organizations and programs allow faculty and students to push themselves #beyond the ordinary. One way certain teachers chose to go #beyond was by writing grants to the Education Foundation requesting better learning opportunities for their students, like video tech teacher Joanna Huckabee’s “A Whole New Perspective” grant for improved lighting and publishing equipment, and chemistry teacher Mary Smith’s “iTeach for Brighter Tomorrows” grant which will provide iPad minis and additional technology for students in the English and chemistry departments. Like members of the Varsity football team signing posters and trading cards for the community members at the State celebration, being recognized for your success is a reward for achieving #beyond normal standards. Going #beyond may entail sacrificing your free time to devote to others, like sophomore Logan Malone helping pass out snacks to Primary students at Bulldawg Tales. Unpaid, voluntary service, like junior Roshundra Noel working Key Club’s face-painting booth during Relay for Life, is another form of going #beyond. An additional way to go #beyond is to be a role model for a child, as freshman Josh Wood did by spending the day with his second grade “little brother” during the Big Brother project. No matter the activity, going above and #beyond requires that you selflessly place others’ needs and interests before your own and
constantly strive to make choices that set a respectable example and leave a positive impact.
Be #Bold (Closing) Dotting the night sky, red graduation caps soar through the air, signifying the final moment of the school year and the conclusion of the seniors’ high school careers. As the applause slowly dies away, the seniors, now Carthage alumni, turn to each other with excited, accomplished smiles. While this event marks the beginning of new journeys and new opportunities to be #bold, they are already fondly reminiscing on the time they have spent with each other; the failures they encouraged one another through, the successes they shared, the bonds they created and the unforgettable memories of being #bold together. Throughout the school year, students demonstrated a variety of ways to be #bold. Like seniors Taylor Price, Marissa Snow, Amber Chaffin and Brooklyn Peace, some chose to be #bold by participating in the annual senior swim across the school pond. At the spring awards assembly, technology teacher Tara Dobrinksi recognized senior David Johnson for being #bold as the president of TSA and accomplishing
outstanding achievements. Senior Jonah Stewart and junior Bradley Holeman set an example of being #bold on the AP English trip to the Kimbell Art Museum by analyzing the origin of a sculpture. Like senior Kristen Liedtke choosing her classes at the Interscholastic League Press Conference, several students decided to be #bold and attend instructional courses outside of school. In truth being #bold, like senior Wade Davis triumphantly raising his arms as he walked across the bridge to the senior parking lot on his last day of high school, became a way of life for students as they discovered their niche and grew comfortable with the uniqueness of who they were. However, being #bold does not end with the conclusion of the school year. Each day is an opportunity for us to be #bold in a different way, drawing on wisdom gained from previous experiences to continue propelling ourselves toward new circumstances and new goals. In fact, it is arguably one of the most vital lessons high school taught us: live your life constantly choosing to be #bold.
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For the remaining copy, I tied the word “Believe” to various sports and “Become” to community involvement and advertisements. On the closing, I strived to emphasize that while high school may be where we learn to be bold, we should continue to apply this lesson to every aspect of our lives.
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Writing
Sutton Travis JOY Portfolio
Feature Writing
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This story is especially important to me because it was my first one written for a publication. My freshman year, the yearbook staff specially requested that I write this for the theater spread of the 2011-2012 yearbook, and I dedicated many hours to carefully gathering information and quotes to fully cover all aspects of the one-act play.
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ilence and darkness veil the motionless stage, commanding the attention of all of the audience members. A muffled, nearly inaudible whisper is murmured into the headset backstage, providing the sound and light technicians their cues. Suddenly, the lights burst to life, illuminating a stage set with antique kitchen appliances, delicate, old-fashioned ornaments nestled snugly into bookcases and clean yet outdated furniture as the play begins to unfold. The one act play, entitled “Crimes of the Heart,” was a play centered around three sisters living in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, during the 1970s. The three sisters, ages 24, 27 and 30, deal with numerous problems including a dying grandfather, a shrunken ovary, a failing singing career, and being charged with the attempted murder of one of their husbands. The play advanced from the UIL District 16-3A competition to the Area 3 competition, where they were recognized as alternate play to Region. “My goals for the play were to create good theater and tell a good story,” one act play director Kimberley Funderburk said. “[‘Crimes of the
Heart’] is a play I’ve always loved, and it seemed to be a good fit and a good educational opportunity for my students.” Auditions were held Jan. 9 for the roles of the three sisters, the lawyer and Doc, one of the sisters’ old boyfriends. The play brought together students from all grade levels, with differing amounts of experience. “I promised myself I wasn’t going to let Mrs. Funderburk convince me to be in the play at first, but after a few practices, I realized it wasn’t what I expected,” senior and actor Micah Almeida said. “It was ten times more fun than I could explain, and a great experience. I really enjoyed taking myself out of my comfort zone and getting a taste of the drama/theater world.” The play consisted of four actresses, two actors, and six technical crew members. Among the technical crew was senior and stage manager Karalynn Potter, who was in charge of various tasks including applying makeup to actors, giving sound and light technicians their cues and keeping track of the time elapsed during performances with a stopwatch.
“To an extent it was bittersweet, it being my last year, but I had to graduate eventually,” Potter said. “I’m going to miss being in the plays because I’ve been with Mrs. Funderburk for six years and I’ve been in almost every play she has directed.” In order to enhance their knowledge of the play’s background, the cast and crew, accompanied by Funderburk, toured Mississippi’s capitol, attended a local play in Natchez, Mississippi, and explored the actual town of Hazlehurst over spring break. While visiting Hazlehurst, the company members dined at a family-owned restaurant, received an exclusive tour of several local businesses and visited the “Henley Home,” the house formerly owned by the grandparents of Beth Henley, the “Crimes of the Heart” playwright. “The benefits of the Mississippi retreat were that we bonded and came together as a family because there were some students that had never [spent time] together,” Funderburk said. “We also learned a lot about the similarities and differences between [Texas and Mississippi].” The company members gained a
better understanding of Mississippi culture and its application to the play over the course of the retreat. “The trip changed my view on many of the aspects in the play,” freshman and actress Haley Hanks said. “[The trip] really brought a new sense of reality to the play. Seeing the actual house the show was based in and communicating with actual people from Mississippi really helped to develop my character thoroughly.” Funderburk has certain expectations for the one act play and the company members involved in it each year. “My goal every year is for my students to learn about theater and tell the story, but of course we live in a world where hardware and trophies are important,” Funderburk said. “I hope we represent the school and our community well, and bring home some more [awards].”
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Writing
Sutton Travis JOY Portfolio
Sports Writing
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Writing this story for the track spread of the 2012-2013 yearbook was a challenge because it was not originally my assignment, but it fell to me at the conclusion of the year when another staffer refused to complete it. With school already out, I particularly struggled with getting quotes and finishing it in time to meet our final deadline.
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ositioning himself in the starting blocks for his last race of the season, he takes a slow, steadying breath as he makes minute adjustments to his stance. He tunes out everything: the rustling of the other competitors shifting in anticipation, the murmuring of the large crowd and his teammates’ shouts of encouragement. Every one of his muscles is tensed, prepared to spring into action the moment the gunshot fires. Senior Jared Twomey, junior Tee Goree and freshman Jeremy Matlock competed at the state track meet in Austin on May 3. Twomey placed third in the 300 meter hurdles with a time of 38.9 seconds, Goree placed fourth in the 400 meter dash with a time of 48.4 seconds and Matlock placed sixth in the 800 meter run. “I had a great time at the state meet as a freshman,” Matlock said. “I hope to go back three more years.” As the boys’ junior varsity
and varsity track head coach, Walter Preson was responsible for preparing and training the competitors for their races. “My coach was great,” Goree said. “I trained by doing timed runs in practice and by running like it was a real race. He taught me how to be tough and fight through the pain.” Twomey, a two-year state competitor in three different events, was aware of the amount of training necessary to qualify for state, so he prepared individually in addition to his scheduled practices during athletics. “To train, I did a lot of drills, especially on my own time and during the off season,” Twomey said. “I trained for the 300 meter hurdles by running a lot of 400 meter and 150 meter hurdles. It just depended on what I was targeting that week.” Preston said that he appreciated Twomey, Goree and Matlock’s hard work and dedication.
“I thought we had a successful year,” Preston said. “I was proud of our kids’ effort.”
compete for the team he has been a member of since his freshman year.
All three qualifiers were also members of the 4x400 meter relay team, in addition to junior Tevin Pipkin. After Pipkin pulled his hamstring at the area meet during the 200 meter dash, freshman Clark Neuman joined the team, which competed at regionals but did not qualify for the state meet.
“It was bittersweet,” Twomey said. “My track season didn’t go the way I wanted it to go, but to make it to the state meet and earn a medal, I would say it was a successful year. I left no regrets in Austin for the most part, but knowing that was my last high school track meet was hard to take in, and I didn’t want the adventure to end.”
“I had high hopes to win [the 4x400 meter relay] this year, but after the injury of our anchor leg, Tevin, we were unable to advance out of regionals, which was hearbreaking to me,” Twomey said. “We worked really hard all year, and knowing I won’t return next year to be on the mile relay team was a little hard because that was a great group to run with. They didn’t leave anyone hanging, and somebody always picked up the slack, if there was any.” Being his senior year, it was Twomey’s final opportunity to
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Writing
Sutton Travis JOY Portfolio
News Writing
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My sophomore year, my advisor selected me to write this story over the choir’s Madrigal Dinner performance. It was published in the December 2012-January 2013 edition of the Panola Crossroads, a countywide newsmagazine. I was especially proud because it was my first story to be published in a local paper.
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arthage High School choir students will perform a Madrigal Dinner in the high school commons area Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m. and Dec. 2 at 1:30 p.m. The performances will be an estimated two hours in length, and there will be no need to arrive early, as seating the audience at their tables is part of the performance. Tickets will cost $15, and the proceeds will fund the choir trip to Cozumel and other choir activities. Tickets must be pre-purchased, and the purchaser must be prepared to choose their seats and know exactly how many people will be in their party. Tickets will be sold Nov. 5-16 on MondayFriday in the high school library from 12-1 p.m., and on Nov. 8 and 15 from 4-6:30 p.m., also in the library. “I expect an energetic crowd and for our acting and singing to be very pulled together,” senior Laramie Smith-Glaze said. “I also expect for our choir to put on a fun show that’s definitely worth
coming to see.” A Madrigal Dinner is an American form of dinner theater set in the Middle Ages that is generally comedic in nature. The meal is prepared by the high school cafeteria workers and consists of appetizers, chicken and potatoes, dessert, coffee, tea and wassail, a spicy medieval beverage. The dinner is divided into courses, each of which is heralded with a traditional song. The play is performed in small acts between the courses, and characters in the play include the King, Queen, Jester, Town Crier, Royal Steward, Royal Interpreter and Royal Hunter. “My favorite part of the Madrigal Dinner was performing in a different age and time,” sophomore Brianna Gwinn said. “Singing music that comes from a different time is a great way to experience culture.” At the beginning of November, roles were assigned, music and
scripts were distributed and students began practicing during their class periods and after school. For several choir students, this is one of their last chances to participate in a high school performance. “It was more bitter than sweet knowing that this was one of my last high school experiences with choir,” Smith-Glaze said. “Choir has been a huge aspect of my high school career, and I will miss it very much.” All high school choir students that are eligible according to UIL rules take part in the Madrigal Dinner. One student participating in the program this year is junior Hanna Kimmes, an exchange student from Idstein, Germany. “I was excited to perform in the Madrigal Dinner,” Kimmes said. “We don’t have choir or theater at our school in Germany, so we don’t get to do these things.” Several of the students also performed in the first Madrigal
Dinner last year. The performance this year will have the same basic setup as last year, but with a different play, or storyline. “Last year we were not very serious about getting everything done and because of that, we were very nervous and not prepared,” sophomore Emily Roberson said. “This year we know how things go so it will be a more professional show. We are going to stress getting songs and blocking perfected so this year’s show will be great.” Choir teacher and director Donna Kushner intends to make the Madrigal Dinner an annual tradition, if the community continues to show interest. Kushner was inspired to begin performing the program at the high school by her own past experiences. “I performed in Madrigal Dinners in college,” Kushner said. “I thought the Carthage community would enjoy it.”
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Writing
Sutton Travis JOY Portfolio
Feature Writing
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For the theater spread of the 2012-2013 yearbook, only a tiny amount of space was allotted for a story, which presented a problem because it was not enough room to cover an entire production. Finally, I instead chose to utilize it for a fun mini feature story over a lead actress in the department.
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n anticipating silence falls over the auditorium as the lights are suddenly extinguished and the heavy velvet curtains begin to glide away, revealing the set. Backstage, she relaxes, and, without a trace of nervousness, prepares to tell a vivid story of her character’s life. Sophomore Haley Hanks played Ursula in the fall production of “The Little Mermaid” and was awarded Honorable Mention All Star Cast at the district one-act play competition for her role as Ouiser Boudreaux in “Steel Magnolias.” She began acting when she was about five years old and has performed in approximately 25 productions.
“I love getting to connect with my character,” Hanks said. “With every part you play, you learn something from it, and you learn from the person you become. I love getting to teach people these lessons through a story.” During her experience as an actress, Hanks has portrayed numerous challenging roles. “The part of Ouiser in the one-act play has been the most challenging part I have played so far,” Hanks said. “I am playing an older, grumpy woman, and I have had to work on older physical movement, voice and mannerisms and also on getting my comedic timing down.” After graduation, Hanks hopes to pursue a theater major.
“Whether it be Broadway or Disney World, I want to tell stories and teach people life lessons through the theater,” Hanks said.
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Writing
Sutton Travis JOY Portfolio
Feature Writing
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When another staffer was struggling with getting started on this story for the relationships spread in the 20132014 yearbook, I volunteered to write it for her. I really enjoyed talking to the Hortons about their unique experience and writing about how being at the same campus had positively influenced their familial relationship.
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rouched down in the starting blocks, she nervously awaits the sound of the gun, her signal to begin racing toward the hurdles in front of her. She quickly scans the crowd next to the starting line, and as she meets the eyes of her father, who is also her coach, she immediately feels calm confidence surge through her, steadying her and preparing her to compete. Beginning her freshman year, senior Caroline Horton experienced a challenge and opportunity that most high school students are not faced with: attending school with both her parents on campus. Not only were they simply in the same building, teacher Kim Horton was Caroline’s Pre-AP English 2 teacher, and coach Art Horton was
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her track and cross-country coach. “I felt like I had more pressure than most other students because everyone expected a lot from me,” Caroline said. “However, I’m glad they were there because they definitely did make me want to be the very best I could be.” Before her sophomore year began, Caroline was apprehensive about being a student in her mother’s classroom, but she quickly realized that she had actually been given a unique opportunity. “Having my mom for English was a neat experience because being in a classroom setting was totally different,” Caroline said. “She was actually way cooler than I thought she
would be. We both enjoyed getting to spend the extra 50 minutes together.” From summer cross-country practices to spring track meets, Caroline was trained by her father year-round. “I loved having my dad as a coach because we got to spend so much time together,” Caroline said. “He knows what I’m capable of doing, and he always pushed me to be the best. I liked being able to compete with him down on the track with me.” With daily eighth period athletics classes, additional practices and numerous meets, Horton’s position as a coach allowed him to be an integral part of Caroline’s years in high school. “It was great fun to coach Caroline, and it allowed us to
spend more time together,” Horton said. “We created memories that we will talk about for many years.” As Caroline prepares to attend college at Texas A&M University, she reflected on the many memories she and her parents had created together. “It’s very bittersweet knowing I won’t be with them anymore because I’m used to being able to see them if I need anything,” Caroline said. “It was definitely a lot more fun than I thought it would be, and they are cooler parents than I thought.”
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Writing
Sutton Travis JOY Portfolio
Sports Writing
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I particularly enjoyed writing this story for the cross-country spread of the 2012-2013 yearbook because, as a member of the crosscountry team myself, I knew the girl that was featured personally. I really wanted to highlight not only her athletic accomplishments, but her strong character and work ethic as well.
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drenaline courses rapidly through her veins as she catches sight of the finish line and increases her speed, struggling to finish before the girl just in front of her. Stretching her stride and forcing herself to use her last bit of stamina to top the final hill, she sprints across the finish line half a second before her competitor, to the accompaniment of loud, congratulatory cheers. Freshman Julissa DeJulian competed at the regional cross-country meet in Humble on Nov. 5. She was the only member of the team to advance to regionals, and she placed 30th out of 153 competitors at the meet. “I felt very good about competing at regionals,” DeJulian said. “It was
amazing.” Girls’ high school crosscountry meets consist of two mile courses that wind across multiple terrains, often with varying levles of hills and ditches. DeJulian and her fellow teammates trained by running three to four miles of distance training four days of the week to increase their stamina, and they spent one day each week running timed sprints to increase their speed. “My time at regionals was 13:23, but my best time was 13:20,” DeJulian said. “I have one goal, and it is to make it to state.” DeJulian has been running since she was young, and she has several habits that help her focus before and during a meet. “Right before the race, I
usually jog around for about five minutes, stretch and give a quick prayer,” DeJulian said. “While running, there are three things [I keep in mind]: give it all you’ve got, pass the person in front of you and never stop running.” In addition to being a PreAP student, DeJulian is a member of band, auxiliary, the freshman volleyball team, the track team and the soccer team. Through her involvement in these activities, she has gained respect from her teammates and classmates for her leadership and focus. “I definitely admire Julissa’s hard work ethic and positive attitude,” sophomore Kate Sherman said. “She never slacks in practice or makes excuses for herself, and she is determined to always try her
best.” Girls’ cross-country and track coach Art Horton also commended DeJulian for her performance and dedication throughout the season. “Our district is very competitive in cross-country, and Julissa finished 5th at our district meet and ran an exceptional race,” Horton said. “Advancing to regionals was a great reward for her, given the time and energy she committed to being the best runner she could be. Her performance at the regional meet was fantastic.”
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Photojournalism
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My junior year, I particularly struggled with remembering accurate settings for taking action photos so that they were not blurred. I was very excited when I took these photographs because they were proof that I was finally beginning to master choosing the correct aperture and shutter speed.
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These pictures were published on the cross-country spread of our 2013-2014 yearbook.
Sutton Travis JOY Portfolio
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Photojournalism
Beyond simply being pleased with the clarity and lighting of this photo, I also really liked that it showed an emotional connection and camaraderie between teammates.
This photo is one of my favorites because I feel that, in addition to being clear and having good lighting, it also actually captured the strain of finishing the last meters of a race.
Sutton Travis JOY Portfolio
This picture was published in the index of our 2013-2014 yearbook.
This picture was published on the cross-country spread of our 2013-2014 yearbook.
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Photojournalism
Sutton Travis JOY Portfolio
One of my greatest struggles with photography has been taking clear academic photos. I felt that this photo used the leading line of the poster to create a more interesting image. This picture was published on a junior page in our 2013-2014 yearbook.
This was published in the first 2014 issue of our school newsmagazine, The Carthaginian.
My fellow staffers and I often struggle with shooting with the correct settings in the gym, and the pictures are often too yellow. By focusing mainly on adjusting the white balance, I managed to capture a well-colored photo.
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Photojournalism
Sutton Travis JOY Portfolio
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These pictures have not been published yet, but they have all been chosen to appear on a division page, the math/science spread and the cross-country spread of our 20142015 yearbook. I have taken much more of an interest in improving my photography skills this year, focusing on proper settings and angles.
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Design
Sutton Travis JOY Portfolio
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This year, I helped to design the cover of our 2014-2015 yearbook. We focused on using the graphic elements of lines behind and transparently above the text to create an image of revealing, which is our theme for this year.
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SKETCH
UAN VALDEZ
COVER INSTRUCTIONS:
PINEBURR 2015
CARTHAGEHIGH SCHOOL
revealed. revealed. CARTHAGE HIGH SCHOOL
PINEBURR 2015
VOLUME
77
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Editing
Sutton Travis JOY Portfolio
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As copy editor of our yearbook for the past three years, I have been responsible for editing every section of copy, which includes checking for correct punctuation, spelling, AP style and fonts, as is evidenced by this spread from the advertisements section of our 2014-2015 yearbook. In addition, I often check design elements, such as making certain that everything is aligned properly and the correct stroke is used.
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Leadership/ Team Building
Sutton Travis JOY Portfolio
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In this picture, I am working with my co-editor to correct advertisement spreads. We often work together when editing, each of us helping to catch mistakes that the other has missed.
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This year, one of my class periods is devoted to being an aide for my yearbook advisor during one of her journalism classes. As demonstrated in this picture, where I am helping a freshman use the tools on InDesign, this gives me the opportunity to assist younger students with various aspects of journalism.
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Entrepreneurship
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The spring of my freshman and junior years, our advisor took our staff to the Interscholastic League Press Conference in Austin. This allowed us to bond as a staff while also attending various workshops in topics ranging from photography to design to ethics, developing our individual talents and interests, as well.
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Sutton Travis JOY Portfolio
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Entrepreneurship
Sutton Travis JOY Portfolio
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As a member of the yearbook staff, I have been responsible for selling my quota of advertisements, which have typically ranged from $2,500 to $2,700. I strove to meet my quota each year because I realize that ad sales are what fund the yearbook and make its production possible.
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