I SAY “yes�
Inclusion in school community leads to national award
the Hawk
In This Issue: Volume 13, Issue 5 March 12, 2020 Hendrickson High School 19201 Colorado Sand Drive Pflugerville, Texas 78660
Pflugerville Demographics, page 3 Coronavirus, page 8 Sweet Shops in Pflugerville, page 16 & 17 Competitive Gymnastics, page 20
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News Volume 13, Issue 5
state of the
UNION • The Events
Landon Self | Reporter
Photo provided by Carter Marks via NSPA
Texas primary results Landon Self | Reporter The Texas Primary was held on March 3 for President and U.S. Senator as well as Congressional races. In the Democrat Primary for President, Joe Biden won the Texas Primary with 34.5% of the vote followed by Bernie Sanders with 30% of the vote. Michael Bloomberg came in third and Elizabeth Warren
came in fourth, both Bloomberg and Warren dropped out of the race after the Primaries on March 3. President Donald Trump won the Republican Primary with 94% of the vote against seven opponents in Texas. In the race for U.S. Senator, Incumbent John Cornyn won the Republican Primary with 76% of the vote against four other opponents.
On the Democrat side, Mary J. Hegar and Royce West will advance to a runoff election on May 26 after no candidate won a majority of the vote. Hegar and West were two of 12 candidates running in the Democrat Primary. Whoever wins the runoff for U.S. Senator, will face incumbent John Cornyn in the General Election.
Local state senator resigns Landon Self | Reporter State Senator Kirk Watson announced he will resign from his State Senate seat on Feb. 18. Watson, a Democrat and former Mayor of Austin, has represented Texas Senate District 14 since being elected in 2006. Watson announced he will become the Founding Dean at the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston. “I love the people of
Austin and Central Texas,” Watson said in a press release. “They’ve encouraged, supported and inspired me for decades. I thank them for their trust, for electing me Mayor and State Senator, and for allowing and inviting me, time and again, to participate and play a role in their lives.” In a letter to the Governor, Watson’s resignation will take effect on April 30. Watson’s resignation will require a
special election to fill the vacancy to serve the rest of his current term which expires in 2022, according to the Texas Election Code. Governor Greg Abbott will schedule a special election to fill the vancant seat. The special election will not have a party primary and 50 percent of the vote is required to win. There will be a runoff election if no candidate gets a majority of the vote.
Landon Self | Reporter Incumbent Congressman Bill Flores, who represents Texas’s 17th Congressional District in the House of Representatives, announced on Sept. 4 that he would not be seeking reelection to the House. Congressman Flores was elected in 2010, defeating Former Congressman Chet Edwards, and promised to limit himself to six terms in office. He has only served five terms in office. Since his announcement, 11 Candidates filed to run in the Republican Primary to succeed him and three in the Democrat Primary. The Republican Candidates running were Renee Swann, Scott Bland, Pete Sessions, Elianor Vessali, Trent Sutton, Todd Kent, Ahmad Adnan, Laurie McReynolds, George Hindman, David Saucedo,
and Kristen Alamo Rowin. The Democrat Candidates were Rick Kennedy, William Foster, and David Jaramillo. Congressman Flores, a Republican, originally declined to endorse a candidate in the race and donated $2,000 to four campaigns: Swann, Bland, Sutton, and Vessali, but Flores asked for a refund from the Vessali campaign after she stated she would join the House Freedom Caucus. On Feb. 8, Congressman Flores officially endorsed Renee Swann in the Republican Primary to succeed him. In a press conference, Congressman Flores said that “Renee Swann is a strong, thoughtful, Conservative, businesswoman, who will be able to best represent the views, values, and priorities of those of us who call Central
Texas and the Brazos Valley our home.” In Congressional District 10, Congressman Michael McCaul is running for reelection and in District 31, Congressman John Carter is also running for reelection. The Republican and Democrat Primaries were held on March 3 with a runoff election scheduled for May 26. Pete Sessions and Renee Swann placed in the top two in the Republican primary in District 17 and will advance in the runoff. Rick Kennedy and David Jaramillo placed in the top two in the Democrat primary and will also advance to the runoff. The remaining candidates were eliminated from the race after failing to place in the top two with no candidate getting a majority of the vote.
District 17 congressional race
Photo provided by Nikolas Liepins via NSPA
• The Opinions Which candidate from the district 17 congressional race do you support and why? “I supported William Foster because of how those who are at the border are treated inhumane and medicare is very selective. His policies in my opinion would be a move in a new direction from conservative Texas.” Makaiah Mosley, 11
“I supported Renee Swann because I agree with a lot of her policies and will make the best economic decisions because she is a businesswoman.” Isis Camacho, 11
“I supported Renee Swann for Congress because she is a kind and caring lady that would best represent the district.” Will Schulte, 10
“I supported Will Foster because I believe in his views when it comes to pathway to citizenship.” Katherinne Carcamo, 10
News March 12, 2020
• By The Numbers
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2020 census begins in April with instructions arriving in mailboxes imminently Evelyn Wilkosz | Reporter Every 10 years, the census is taken to collect data and information about communities. The 2020 census will begin on April 1, of this year. The census is mandated by the constitution and is important for collecting data about population and general information about the states. Some of the data collected by the census is how many
residents live in the U.S., per state, this also determines the amount of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. According to the United States Census Bureau, federal funds support important programs in communities, counties, and states, with more than $675 billion distributed. The census helps determine where to build new businesses, schools, and hospitals, and
2019 Pflugerville Demographics Report
plan and improve new neighborhoods. It also collects information on people’s opinions on how their community, government, and quality-of-life is. An important change that is determined by the census is redistricting. By definition, redistricting is the process of drawing electoral district boundaries in the United States. This is because
representatives have to be elected by single districts, which was set by a congressional act passed in 1967. The data collected is confidential and can only be used for statistics. The responses given cannot be given to law enforcement, immigration, or be used against responders in any way.
Total Population
71,024 people
Median Age of Population
36 years old Education
91.3% High School Graduate or Higher 36.7% Bachelors Degree or Higher 10.5% Graduate or Professional Degree
Demographic report and census taken for different purposes Landon Self | Reporter The United States Census, which is done every 10 years, is done to get an accurate count of the population of the country. The Pflugerville Demographics Report is a yearly report released by the City of Pflugerville and gives more specific details about household income, race,
education, and taxes. Congress has the power to ask specific questions on the census that gather data similar to the Demographics Report. The Census determines the number of representatives each state will have in the House of Representatives while the Demographics Report does not change congressional districts.
Housing & Income
Median Household Income: $88,232 Average People Per Household: 2.9 People Median Home Value: $234,300
4 Wrestlers place at district, set school record for regional qualifiers News Volume 13, Issue 5
Seth Deaton | Asst. Editor The wrestling team set a school record for the highest number of regional qualifiers, despite being in the hardest wrestling region in the state of Texas. In order to qualify for regionals wrestlers have to place at least fourth in districts with anyone who placed fifth qualifying as alternates. This year senior Devyn Bauer (3rd), juniors Trey Lowrey (4th) and Aiden Keith, and sophomores Evan Tomastik (4th) and Tatum Pruett all qualified for regionals, with Pruett and Keith as alternates. “This year was really good for the program because it’s establishing a standard, and once you set something it creates that expectation,” Lowrey said. “It feels great knowing I’m a part of the
people that are laying that foundation.” Prior to this year, the school record for regional qualifiers was four, including alternates. Over the past few years the program has made consistent improvements in both size and results, with each year having more regional qualifiers. Next year the program will be leaving their current region and moving into a more average region. “I think mentally, you have a temptation to slack off, but I think being in the hardest region has prepared me and the rest of the program,” Lowrey said. “Because if I made it to the hardest region and did decent then I can do pretty well in an average region.” Rachel Schulze | Photographer
Silver Dancers win multiple awards
Cheerleaders compete at Nationals Bryan Ross | Asst. Editor The cheer team performed at the 2020 United Spirit Association Spirit Nationals in Anaheim, California on Feb. 14 as part of a trip which included going to Disneyland in California. The team was not a finalist at the competition. “Not making finals was really disappointing, but ultimately it came down to factors that we didn’t have control of,” junior Mackinley Coe said. “The expectations in California were different than in Texas and we didn’t know that, so it wasn’t about how we
performed, it’s about what we performed, which was really up to the choreographers.” Coe said that despite the disappointment, it was still a fun and memorable trip. “I just remember waiting,” Coe said. “We had to wait awhile before we competed because of different technical difficulties, so we had to sit in this little room for a while, and as a team we played games together and it was the final reflection moment before we went out together and it was really special.”
Evelyn Wilkosz | Reporter At Crowd Pleasers Hill Country Showcase at Canyon High School, Feb. 8, Silver Dancers won Best in Class Officer jazz, contemporary, and lyrical (1st place large division). In overall sweepstakes, for Large Division Grand Champion Officers, the Silver Dancer officers got 1st place, along with winning 3rd place overall for the entire competition. The team’s jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and contemporary won Best in Class Team, including the team contemporary routine getting the highest scoring Team Contemporary routine and the 2nd highest scoring routine overall for the entire contest. The team also won
Overall Silver Sweepstakes, Large Division Grand Champions, in 1st place, including 4th Place Overall for the entire competition. Competing has many rewards, especially when winning, but according to most dancers, it usually means more than that. “My favorite part about competing is personally watching myself grow,” sophomore Alexa Watson said. “Because everytime I do a dance, it gets better.” While competing at Ellison High School for the competition, American Heart of Texas Classic, Feb. 15, Silver Dancers won platinum for style, technique, and movement for their group
dances, while the officers won platinum for expressing emotion. The actual dancing happens starting early in the morning, then ends late at night. After that, awards begin. After all the hard work all year and hours rehearsing for competition before and after school, Silver Dancers placed in 1st for almost all of their dances. For some dancers, the most fulfilling feeling while at a competition is right after completing a dance. “The adrenaline rush after you’re finished with the dance,” junior Anai Lopez said. “And everyone is applauding.”
Realignment introduces new competition Brisa Espinoza | Asst. Editor After Hendrickson dropped from the 6A division to 5A on Feb. 3, the change in division affected who the football team will compete against in the 2020 season for football. The team will no longer compete against Vandegrift, Cedar Ridge, Vista Ridge, McNeil, Round Rock, Westwood and Stony Point. Leander who was previously in the 13-6A district, will also go down to the 11-5A district. Realignments occur every two
years and schools UIL district classifications are based on the student population. Hendrickson will now compete against Manor, Georgetown, Anderson, Cedar Park, Leander, Pflugerville and Weiss. The volleyball and basketball team will play different teams than who the football team plays against during their season, they will play Bastrop, Bastrop Cedar Creek, Elgin, Manor, Pflugerville and Connally. Though the official dates
and locations of the schedule have yet to be announced, the schedule is as follows: Non-District: Steele Killeen Belton District: Weiss Cedar Park Georgetown Manor Anderson Leander Pflugerville
News March 12, 2020
Theatre production nominated Artists compete, move for GAHSTMA awards
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on to state level
Kaitlyn Nash | Reporter The VASE awards, Visual Arts Scholastic Event, recognizes talented artwork made by high school students from around the country. On Feb. 22 of this year, Hendrickson entered in around 40 students to compete in the Region 13N VASE competition. Alongside them were 1800 more students from around the area who also entered. In all, about 1200 students were medaled for their work with 40 of those medals granted to HHS artists. Two students, Madison Hall and Marissa Hynes also made it to Vase State which will occur on April 24-25.
Erika Suarez | Photographer Bryan Ross | Asst. Editor The nominees for the Greater Austin High School Musical Theatre Awards (GAHSTMA) were revealed March 3, with the Hendrickson production of Matilda being nominated for eight awards. The nominations were for Best Actress, with senior Francene Bayola being recognized for her performance of Matilda; Best Lighting Design; Best Ensemble; Best Direction; Best Actress in a Supporting Role, with freshman Tori Ybarra being recognized for her performance of Ms. Honey; Best Orchestra; Best Choreography; and Best Production. The winners of the awards will be announced at the awards ceremony April 15.
UIL Academic Team Competes prior to District On Feb. 29, the UIL Academic team traveled to an invitational meet in Liberty Hill, where students won the following awards: Number Sense Samuel Brown, 6th Place Calculator Applications Samuel Brown, 4th place Computer Applications Theory Lloyd, 1st place Shruti Amiri, 3rd place
News Writing Hector Santos, 6th place Feature Writing Bryan Ross, 2nd place Editorial Writing Seth Deaton, 5th place Bryan Ross, 6th place Headline Writing Bryan Ross, 2nd place Seth Deaton, 3rd place Copy Editing Bryan Ross, 1st place
Mathematics David Do, 5th place Social Studies 3rd place team Current Events Matthew Reggio, 1st place 1st place team: Matthew Reggio, Rahel Fezum, Omar Islam Accounting Russell Schrowang, 3rd place Ready Writing Amber Pride, 6th place
FFA team, members place at meet Seth Deaton | Asst. Editor The FFA vet and floral teams competed at the Jersey invitational on Saturday, Feb. 29. Freshman Skyler Vickers placed 2nd as an individual in floral and the vet team placed 10th overall as a team. Senior Jared Willaims also placed 1st in the Extemporaneous Public Speaking event at Prairie View A&M on Thursday Feb. 20. “There’s different judging competitions you can do horse judging, livestock
judging, wool judging, dairy production,” vet team member Jennifer Wieckowski said. “You can do just about anything as long as you can make a team out of it.” During competitions the teams go through several stations where they demonstrate skills such as identifying parasites, animals, or tools. Then there is the practicum section where the team demonstrates other more basic skills like math or giving animals a shot.
“My favorite part is seeing all the different versions of the ID you can do because nothing is the same,” Wieckowski said. “No matter what competition you go to there’s always a different version so you’re constantly learning and improving upon yourself because you’ll get something wrong and then you’ll understand why you got it wrong and it makes you a better team player.”
President Acquitted in Impeachment Trial Landon Self | Reporter Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced on Sept. 24 that the House of Representatives would be moving forward in an official impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump. In a party-line vote, on Oct. 31, the House voted on the guidelines and how hearings would play out. Throughout the months of November and December, hearings were held in the House Intelligence and House Judiciary Committees, chaired by Adam Schiff and Jerry Nadler. The House Judiciary Committee drafted Articles of Impeachment and sent them to the full house for a vote. The House voted to impeach President Trump on both impeachment articles on Dec. 18 by a vote of 230-197 on Abuse of Power and 229-198 on Obstruction of Congress.
On Jan. 16, the two Impeachment articles were signed by Speaker Pelosi and officially submitted to the Senate. The following day, Chief Justice John Roberts was sworn in as the presiding officer and all 100 senators were sworn in as jurors. For a week, the House Impeachment Managers and the president’s defense team gave opening statements in the trial. Then, all senators were allowed to ask questions to both sides. The House voted to not allow new witnesses on Jan. 31, setting up a final Acquittal vote. President Trump was acquitted by the Senate on Feb. 5 by a vote of 52-48 on Abuse of Power and 53-47 on Obstruction of Congress. With the Impeachment trial over, President Trump remains in office.
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Opinions Volume 13, Issue 5
• Staff Editorial Students need to be aware of Political War Zone in media During Donald Trump’s candidacy and early presidency, he coined the term “fake news” targeted towards journalists and news teams. Throughout his campaign, there were many false stories like Pope Francis advocating Donald Trump and Hiliary Clinton selling weapons to ISIS that went viral months prior to election. The term “fake news” is currently used against the biased media and sources who publish misleading material. It’s difficult to trust the information that we get from the news yet most of the information is altered to make whatever party they’re a part of seem greater or vice versa. News stations use what is called “panel news” or “panel discussion” to justify their opinions. Many stations bring in “experts” to discuss some political event, but really, they are just speaking their views on it, and Vy Bui | Artist it’s not factual, it could be based on facts but it’s tainted with the attitude of their political party. That could also be affected by the more major journalists at big media outlets to contribute money to the different parties, already making the individuals feel strongly about one side over the other. First let’s start with different news outlets and their political views. Media resources like CNN, ABC, New York Times, NBC, and many more are known to be politically left sided. The definition of the left wing party means more social equality and egalitarianism, usually in opposition from social hierarchy. Some Republican or right wing new sources can include Fox News, Daily Mail, New York Post, The Federalist, Wall Street Journal, and more. The right wing means more conservative views as in that social hierarchy is normal, as
Hendrickson High School 19201 Colorado Sand Drive Pflugerville, TX 78660 http://www.pfisd.net/HHS (512) 594-1100 Student Population: 2,134 Staff: 180 Adviser: Kari Riemer Principal: Daniel Garcia www.facebook.com/HawkNewspaper
in they want to preserve property rights and parliamentary government but also to assert social stability and continuity. The definition of a journalist is a person who works for a news or radio program, newspaper, and freelance. A reporter is a type of journalist who discovers, researches, and writes information about news events. The writing is supposed to be factual and educational for the public instead of the news we have today that is politically warped and prejudiced. The most controversial person news sources cover is President Trump, who is Republican, so that means more Republican news sources are going to present him in a better light. While the Democratic news sources are more negative. Most don’t notice, but all Democratic and Repulican news sources cover Trump stories for a longer time than others and angle the story to make their party look better. It’s difficult for the people to create their own opinion when social media politics are also blasting their party. It’s better to mostly ignore news found on social media because it’s usually just politicians advocating for their party or themselves. There is no way of avoiding the biases from the news, but the best way to compile information given is to look at multiple sources and to look out for the exaggerated statements when wanting to understand what’s going on in a country rather than listening to the opinion of it. By then you can come to a conclusion and interpret what makes sense to you and to do that, try to listen to the facts.
The Hawk, the official student newspaper of Hendrickson High School, is an open forum for the exchange of ideas and opinions. Opinions expressed reflect the beliefs of the student author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire Hawk Staff, the Hawk Adviser, the Hendrickson Faculty and Staff, or the Principal. Letters to the editor are welcomed, and may be dropped off in E211. Corrections will be printed when brought to the attention of the staff.
The Hawk is printed monthly at Community Impact in Pflugerville, Texas. 1,000 copies are printed each run, and are distributed to the student body for free through an advisory period and on newsstands throughout the building.
Editorial Staff Co-Editors: Abigail Hill & Kaitlin Mackey Assistant Editors: Seth Deaton, Brisa Espinoza, Ikram Mohamed, Angelyna Rosales, Bryan Ross
Reporters
Hannah Brubaker Kaitlin Curtis Kaitlyn Nash Hector Santos Landon Self
Artist Vy Bui
Ethan Tittle Zachary Valdez Kyla White Evelyn Wilkosz
• Your Turn “I think a lot of news and statements are exaggerated, and people can misinterpret some people’s opinions and turn them all the way around.” Layla Chapa, 9
“Whenever people talk about political and economic stuff I think it sometimes can be exaggerated because their opinions may be more important than what the people’s opinions may be.” Mia Ancira, 11
“It is very hard to trust sources when news is breaking and new stuff is coming out constantly. I follow many news stations so I can get information from multiple sources of news because some news stations differ on reporting.” Cash Deibert, 9
“When you’re reading, just make sure that you pick out sources, or if it sounds like it is trying to pick a side when it comes to certain topics, avoid those. If it doesn’t have an open opinion on where the news stands those are typically good sources.” Ethan Nguyen, 9.
“I watch PBS News hour when I do watch the news because they are publically funded so they don’t have to compete for viewership like Fox News and CNN, and other things that are on cable news. Those news sources tend to not focus 100 percent on the things that are most important or they air more towards the side of sensationalism.” Lily Croix-Blust, 12
Associations Interscholastic Press League Texas Association of Journalism Educators Journalism Educators Association National Scholastic Press Association Columbia Scholastic Press League
I SAY “yes”
Inclusion in school community leads to national award
Honors
ILPC Bronze Star, 2014 & 2015, 2017, 2018 Columbia Scholastic Press League, Gold Medalist 2016, 2017, 2018 Silver Crown, 2017, 2018 Pacemaker Finalist, 2018
the Hawk
In This Issue: Volume 13, Issue 5 March 12, 2020 Hendrickson High School 19201 Colorado Sand Drive Pflugerville, Texas 78660
Pflugerville Demographics, page 3 Coronavirus, page 8 Sweet Shops in Pflugerville, page 16 & 17 Competitive Gymnastics, page 20
Design by Kaitlin Mackey Art by Kaitlin Mackey
• Hit or Miss
Opinion March 12, 2020
• My Turn
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Job Fair offers opportunities With summer on it’s way, 15 and 16 year old students are open to look for jobs. One way that helps with looking for one is the annual Job Fair hosted this year on Feb 14. With multiple tables to look at and different goodies to obtain, the Job Fair was a great way to get kids involved with choosing what they’re interested in. The jobs that are chosen can even lead to scholarships for certain schools if students put in enough time. These jobs also teach time management, money skills, and social skills by submitting the worker into the real world. This means that the annual Job Fair is a hit.
Book Fair embraces reading Last month the school held a book fair at the library, where one could find many books from different genres such as non fiction, graphic novels, realistic fiction and many more. There was enough variety in each book suited for different people. Students had the chance to look at the book’s story summary and could buy it if it caught their interest. The book fair also held many other items for sale such as pins, erasers, pencils and snacks like astronaut ice cream. Allowing students easy access to buy books is a hit.
School expresses support for Black History Month Throughout the month of February, Black History Month is celebrated in numerous ways. The school has done a great job of shining a light on the past of African-Americans. Every year there is a theme, and this year's theme is “African Americans and the Vote.” There was also a show put together by 11th grade assistant principal Lisa Palsholk, and assisted by 12 grade assistant principal Joshua Colvin. The show consisted of songs, stories, dances, and speeches, on Feb. 4 in the PAC. The performances were beautiful, and created a powerful atmosphere. To add to that, there have been posters put up around the school that features the 150th anniversary of the 15th amendment. This amendment allows each male citizen the chance to vote no matter what race, color, or what their previous condition of servitude was. It was ratified on Feb. 3, 1870. Another way that the school celebrated Black History Month was by telling short stories of important historical features during the announcements. Although the celebration of African-Americans should be celebrated for longer than a month, the way the school incorporated the annual observance into the daily lives of students is a hit.
Big Event cancelled due to absence of city officials Each year, the city hosts The Big Event, a community service project for students to give back to their city. Many of the projects involve cleaning up parks and playgrounds, planting trees and overall making the ciy look cleaner and nicer. The Big Event is overseen by city officials who organize and assign the service projects. A majority of the city staff are required to attend a conference on that day, because of this the city is not able to support the event. Due to this, students will no longer be able to serve the community. The Big Event being cancelled is a miss.
Vy Bui | Artist
Editor discusses importance of International Women’s Day Angelyna Rosales | Asst. Editor
Throughout my entire life, my family has always told me, “you can do anything boys can do.” I’ve always been encouraged to be the best out of everyone, not just girls. But I know some people don’t receive that same encouragement, and I know some people view women’s equality differently. International Women’s Day by definition is about the various movements regarding women’s rights, such as the push for women’s voting rights, and more recently, the push for equal pay for equal work movement. To me, these movements not only show that women deserve equal rights, but they reveal how strong women truly are. They reveal that even in the face of adversity, women are willing to push for what they deserve. Some people believe that women are inferior to men because mentally they are “fragile” or too “emotional,” and physically they are “smaller and weaker.” But I think that women are strong, both mentally and physically, and these movements prove it. If women were weak, they wouldn’t fight for their equality, and they wouldn’t fight for what they believed in while everyone else told them they were crazy. Being both female and Hispanic, I’m at a disadvantage compared to a white male, and even other females. Hispanic women are paid 54 cents compared to a white, non-Hispanic man’s dollar according to the National Partnership for Women and Families. This puts Hispanic women at the very bottom of the U.S pay gap differential. This has never made sense to me. Why should I already start at the bottom when I’ve worked just as hard as my peers? Why should all women already be at a disadvantage when some of them are smarter than the men they’re competing with? My questions may be too big to answer, but that’s why movements like the equal pay for equal work movement are so important. Women all over the world are asking the same questions, and they recognize that it’s not fair. They recognize that they’re capable of doing a job just as well as men. They recognize that they’re equally as smart, hardworking, and talented, but they’re still being paid less.
I think the biggest leaders for the equal pay equal work movement have been the U.S Women’s National Soccer Team. On March 8, 2019 (International Women’s Day), just months before the USWNT went to the world cup in France, they filed a lawsuit against the U.S Soccer Federation. The team claimed that they were compensated significantly less than the U.S Men’s National Team despite having more success. Many of the players have said that they wanted to be role models for girls all around the world, and they wanted to inspire women to fight for what they deserve. I think that exactly what they accomplished. They were not only able to inspire women to fight against the U.S pay gap, but they also unified women around the world. The team has gained support not only from women, but from other male professional athletes, including the U.S Mens National Team. The USWNT not only inspired women in the U.S, but they inspired professional womens teams and countries around the world that womens team should be equally paid.i To me, International Women’s day is about so much more than womens rights movements. While it’s important for us to recognize these movements, it’s also important that we understand what those movements reveal about women. They show womens strength and grit, and they show how women come together to fight for equal rights. But to me, International Womens Day is about imporving the future for women. Past movements have helped women gain equal rights in some areas, but things like the pay gap represent the fact that women are still struggling to earn for what they deserve. I think International Womens Day shows that there’s still inequality between males and females, in the workplace, in sports, and in everyday life, despite everything that women have done to eradicate that inequality. International Women’s Day should help all women understand that they can do anything men can do, and it should give them the encouragement to be the very best they can be.
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Feature Volume 13, Issue 5
Information unfolds as Coronavirus outbreak escalates worldwide Abigail Hill | Co-Editor With the recent outbreak of the Coronavirus (now referred to as COVID-19), SXSW officially cancelled their 400k-person conference. Although the event, usually held on March 13 through March 22nd, may be rescheduled, as of right now, SXSW is cancelled due to safety concerns brought on by COVID-19. SXSW is known as “a central gathering point for the tech, music, and media industries that gather to learn from each other,” according to Techcrunch.com. This is the first time in 34 years since the start of SXSW that the festival
has been cancelled, and they are currently not offering refunds to the attendees, as the platinum wristband costs $1,550. Other major music festivals are being cancelled as well, including Ultra in Miami, Tomorrowland Winter in France, and possibly Coachella now, too. Nonetheless, the COVID-19 outbreak is not being handled lightly by events that bring in people from all around the world, and could bring on serious set-backs for everyne involved.
Get your flu shot every year. Wash your hands frequently or use sanitizer if necessary.
South by Southwest Ultra Music Festival Tomorrowland Music Festival
Facebook F8 Developers Conference Google Cloud ‘20 Seattle’s Emerald city Comic Con No Time to Die movie
Alternatives to sxsw:
Do not touch your face and keep your distance from sick people.
Visit Zilker Park
Get enough sleep every night.
Hike Mount Bonnell Walnut Creek Park Barton Creek Greenbelt Hike the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve Shop on South Congress Avenue
Get plenty of exercise and stay active.
Feature March 12, 2020
In light of the recent deaths and increase in fear of the Coronavirus, provided below is a time line of the virus, statistics, and what every person should do to prevent getting sick and how to act if one does.
Cases of unusual pneumonia reported in China, the virus was “unknown” at the time.
China reported their first death, a 61-year-old man who went to seafood market.
The third death in china, with over 200 infections reported, confirms the disease is spread through “human-to-human transmission.”
Virus first named “2019nCoV” and is a part of the coronavirus family.
The US reported the first death from the coronavirus near Seattle. the US issued a “do not travel” warning, especially to places like Italy and South Korea.
Iran reports 18 cases and four deaths during the span of two days.
Death toll is now at 259, with 11,791 cases reported in China. Russia, Spain, Sweden, and the UK also confirmed their first cases of the virus.
There are now 908 confirmed deaths in China, and 40,171 infections.
UK announces a $59.9 million package for the COVID-19 response and includes funding for the development of a vaccine.
The United Nations gives $15 million in effort to fund the World Health Organization and UNICEF to support “vulnerable countries.”
The global death toll is now at 2,800 people, and about 80,000 people are infected.
175 people got infected while on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Yokohama, japan.
In the US, there have now been 417 cases reported and at least 21 of those were fatal.
122 cases in Washington (18 deaths) 106 cases in New York 100+ cases in California (1 death)
*At least 479 people have been treated for the Coronavirus and the virus has appeared in 33 states, with a total of 21 deaths so far. *Information gathered from: https://www.nytimes.com/ interactive/2020/us/coronavirus-uscases.html
8 cases in Colorado
12 cases in Nebraska
7 cases in Illinois
22 confirmed cases in Texas 12 cases in Florida (2 deaths)
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I say “yes”
Feature Volume 13, Issue 5
PALs
Hannah Brubaker | Reporter PALs is an inclusive class that sophomores and juniors interested in the class have to interview for to see if they are a good fit. The students learn about the best way to be helpful towards others and visit with their palees at different elementary schools in the district. “My EA Palee is Benji, we play Uno and get to know each other,” junior Faith Cummings said. “He’s very sweet, he says ‘hi’ to me everyday and I love it. My favorite memory was meeting him, he immediately knew my name and
I was surprised.” All of the students also have a special needs pal called an EA pal, that they make time to see every week to talk to and play games with. “My EA pal is Diego, we go on walks and sit in class to talk” senior Meredith Nelson said. “My favorite thing about him is that he always likes to be moving around and he keeps us on our feet.” There’s a reason it takes an interview process to be a part of the class because it takes a selfless person who is compassionate towards others and is understanding and can
be a good role model for their palees and other students. “The PALs class is important to me because I get to focus on helping other people, and the time in the class I’m not focusing on myself and I can focus on the kids rather than my life and school,” Cummings said. Many of the special needs students are involved in different clubs and activities, such as participating in the Special Olympics. The PALs class is leading the rest of the student body towards being inclusive of their special needs peers.
Kaitlin Mackey | Photographer ESPN announcer, Jen Lada, introduces herself and Hendrickson as a whole with seniors Benji Garcia, Hunter Pope, and Makayla Chamberlain while thanking those who helped make the school inclusive. Shortly after, she reads the official paper from Celia Israel declaring the school as one of the most inclusive schools in the nation.
School receives national recognition for being inclusive Kaitlin Mackey | Co-Editor For years, Hendrickson has been huge on inclusion. Recently named as a “Unified School.” According to Inclusive Schools Network, a unified school is any school that promotes social inclusion by bringing together young people with and without intellectual disabilities on sports teams (Special Olympics Unified Sports) through inclusive student clubs, together in school or community-wide initiatives, and by fostering youth leadership. With the help of many organizations such as PALs, Unified Champions, and different sports teams, this year Hen-
drickson was named one of the top five schools across the nation - gaining recognition from news stations both locally and nationwide, ultimately resulting in receiving a banner which was presented by ESPN on March 9. “When Mr. [Daniel] Garcia signed the letter of commitment to become a Unified Champion School, he was committing us to meeting the 10 standards set by Special Olympics,” Unified Champions sponsor and speech pathologist Maggie Jashinsky said. “The goal for all schools who sign that commitment is to meet those 10 standards and then apply to become nationally recognized with a banner announcing that we are
a Unified Champion School. Some schools just get the banner sent to them, some schools have a regular pep rally, not Hendrickson, we are so committed and exude inclusion so well that ESPN recognized us as a top five school in the country for going beyond the basic 10 standards. Our banner presentation will have 1000+ attendants, will be filmed by ESPN, will have celebrities attending, the school board will be here, Texas state elected officials are coming. This is possibly the biggest thing that has ever happened to Hendrickson.” This event was exclusive to only certain organizations who helped contribute to inclusion such as PALs, Best
Buddies, Art Club, band, Silver Dancers, cheer, Lady Hawk basketball, Lady Hawk soccer, boys soccer, softball, baseball, student council, Ag, and volleyball. “I screamed and hugged my co-sponsor in the middle of Torchy’s [when I found out Hendrickson was named one of the top five most inclusive schools in the nation],” Jashinsky said. “It felt better than getting my college [acceptance] letter. I still have the letter. This has been a whirlwind of amazing. When Mr. Garcia first signed the commitment to become a Unified Champion School, we had no idea what it would so quickly turn into. Hendrickson was already meeting eight of the 10
standards to become a Unified Champion School which is incredible. We sort of expected to become a Unified Champion School but we could not ever imagine being recognized as a top five school in the entire country by ESPN for Inclusion. [Knowing that my students are able to achieve something like this is] Amazing. General Education students and their families cannot fathom what this means to the students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and their families. This has literally been life changing for them. Getting to be a small piece of this movement means everything to me.”
Feature March 12, 2020
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Many groups associated with inclusion lead to national recognition
Unified Champions
Kaitlin Mackey | Co-Editor Inclusion has always been a part of Hendrickson’s environment. Whether it’s just students waving to other students that people don’t normally talk to or befriending someone that they know is generally quiet. The school continues to create many groups and organizations that have included students in the Essential Academics hallway in many events - an organization called Unified Champions being one of those groups. “I initially joined Unified Champions because it was a new program and at the very first meeting where the idea was presented I was the only junior present and I wanted to make sure that I was involved to make sure Unified was successful not only for the starting year but the the following as well,” senior and Unified Champions president Makay-
la Chamberlain said. “I loved the message Unified had and I wanted to help educate others and spread the idea of inclusion to Hendrickson and district wide. Unified Champions has taught me how to appreciate everyday you have and has broadened how I look at others, making me more understanding and aware of my surroundings.” Unified Champions is a nation-wide organization that promotes social inclusion by bringing together young people with and without intellectual disabilities. Schools are then labeled as “Unified Champions Schools.” “First and foremost [in Unified Champions], we say yes,” Unified Champion sponsor and speech pathologist Maggie Jashinsky said. “‘I say yes’ is our motto, coined by [senior] Ronnie Brown. We say yes to including all students in all
Kaitlin Mackey | Photographer
parts of the school day and events. We have full ambassador meetings and officer meetings every other week during Talon. Our ambassadors are called ambassadors because they represent their group [such as] Lady Hawk basketball. They go to their group and decide how they will incorporate all students for a Unified Night. Our goal is for all teams and clubs to have a Unified Night every school year. Volleyball, basketball, soccer both men’s and women’s, softball, and baseball have all had Unified Nights. Mr. HHS was Unified for the second year in a row. The Chalk Walk is Unified. We also have fundraisers like Autism Awareness T-shirts and the Minute That Matters. The Special Olympics flag football team plays the Pflugerville Police Department and Pflugerville ISD Police Department
in our annual ‘Rumble in the Ville.’ We partner with Best Buddies and PALs for general hang out time and their events as well. It’s hard to define Unified Champion Ambassadors because it encompasses so much.” The organization was created last year. In just one year, the group has already accomplished so much. Prior to the homecoming season, when nominations and voting began to come out, the Silver Dancers ran a nomination for junior Chappy Ross to win homecoming prince and seniors Ronnie Brown and Ari Licon to win homecoming king and queen, which they did. That night created such an impact that the event appeared on the local news. Shortly after, the school as a whole was named one of the top five most inclusive schools in the nation.
Seniors Ronnie Brown, and Makayla Chamberlain show off and celebrate the plaque that names Hendrickson as one of the top five most inclusive schools in the district. ESPN hosted a big banner presentation with special guests such as House Of Representative, Celia Israel, and Jacksonville Jaguars running back, Jamaal Charles, to celebrate the national award.
Jordan Visciani | Photographer
“As the campus Speech Pathologist, my whole job is working with kids with special needs, so I already got the opportunity to be a part of these kids’ lives,” Jashinsky said. “Watching what it means to them to be included in the campus has made the biggest impact on me. [Brown] and [Licon] both asked if they were still king and queen when we got back from winter break. [Senior] Benji Garcia got a lifelong dream come true when he called the entire softball game last year. All of that is completely because of Hendrickson students choosing to include. The youth of Hendrickson have accepted this Inclusion Revolution quicker and at a more intense level than the adults. I hope that impacts the staff and parents to fully accept the Inclusion Revolution.”
Senior Benji Garcia performs his act from Mr. HHS. Garcia was quizzed on 50 colleges to see if he knew the mascots, in which he got all of them right. He is able to name over 100 universities around the nation and name those universities’ mascots.
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Feature
I say “yes”
Volume 13, Issue 5
Many groups associated with inclusion cause national recognition
Best Buddies
Ikram Mohamed | Asst. Editor Best Buddies is an international, nonprofit organization which builds one on one friendships between students with and without disabilities. The club began about three years ago, and the impact it has had on the school has only grown since. “I would say that Best Buddies has allowed for a more inclusive campus,” junior and president of Best Buddies Emily Lucas said. “We have sparked meaningful friendships with our peers and have reminded the students that everyone is valued.” Often times, students with disabilities have limited opportunities for developing and experiencing
social interactions with students without disabilities. However, Best Buddies’ goal is to change that and allow students to grow relationships regardless of disabilities. “Best Buddies’ vision is to help break through the gap of isolation and social barriers by providing everyone with an opportunity to build friendships and spread inclusion to not only our campus but also to our community,” Lucas said. “Ultimately, Best Buddies’ goal is for the club to not be needed anymore. Our goal is that all students will become inclusive on their own and that there isn’t a club or organization trying to promote inclusion because it won’t be needed.”
Photo provided by | Maggie Jashinsky Special Olympics team, the Pflugerville Falcons receive first place after participating in a basketball event.
The club has monthly meetings, and multiple events throughout the year. The club has not only initiated multiple friendships, but it has allowed for a more inclusive campus for students overall. “When Best Buddies first started at, we had quite a few hiccups getting started,” Lucas said. “However, once the foundation was laid and with help from our amazing members, we were able to continue to grow Best Buddies in many ways. I am proud that get-togethers with our buddies have become a common occurrence rather than just another membership requirement.”
Ethan Tittle | Reporter A few months ago, our school was named one of the top five most inclusive schools in the nation, with the help of many groups created within the school community. One of the groups being the Special Olympics team, the Pflugerville Falcons. Special Olympics is an international athletic program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “The Special Olympics program has been provided in this district for over twenty
Erika Suarez | Photographer Senior Olivia Fish and her buddy sophomore Elena Chacon play games during the Best Buddies Halloween party. The club has multiple events such as parties where they play games and hang out together.
Special Olympics
years and is working on growing the size of the team,” Head coordinator of the PfISD Special Olympics team, Amy Wiesenhutter said. The Special Olympics team has sixteen members from here consisting of events like, Aquatics, Golf, Bowling, Flag Football, Basketball, Soccer and Track & Field. For every sport, there are varying divisions and events to meet all students' athletic abilities. For example, in Aquatics they have flotation races for the athletes that are unable to
swim, going up to races the length of the pool and relays. Basketball also has different divisions of just individual skills, team skills, and 3x3, up to 5x5. Right now the team is competing in Unified Golf and Unified Soccer. “In the future we hope to increase our number of athletes as well as to continue all sports,” Wiesenhutter said. “We are also planning on adding the number of unified sports that we offer.”
Branching Out
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Leads from winter musical perform in community production his connections in the world of Theatre. running the show. Bryan Ross | Asst. Editor “I met a lot of talented people through [Newsies],” “The directors here are very hands on,” Shaw As the curtain opened at the Georgetown Palace Theatre this summer, three of the lead members Willis said. “I’ve been able to work with a lot of said. “They like to work with you very one on one, from this year's production of Matlida stepped onto different people and get a lot of different tips, and which is great, I like that policy a lot more than the meet people with different levels of experience and Georgetown one, but I also liked the Georgetown the stage with the New York Skyline behind them. one because it was a lot more hands off. It was Seniors Jamaun Willis, Austin Shaw, and a lot more ‘you need to go home, you need to Cole Porter performed Newsies over the work on this choreography, your lines, if you’re summer with the Georgetown Palace Theatre, a tenor one you need to learn the tenor one with Willis playing Jack Kelly, Shaw playing notes, if you’re a tenor two, you need to learn Morris Delancy, and Porter playing a Newsie the tenor two notes. It’s a lot more hands off and and Bill Hearst. The show ran from August 30 they expect you to be prepared when you come through September 9. to rehearsal.” “Newsies was the first musical I ever heard,” Porter said that the experience helped him get Porter said. “The song I auditioned with [Santa more comfortable on stage, which helped him Fe] was the first song I ever learned to sing portray Harry Wormwood in Matilda this year. as far as musical theatre goes. I also had a “Newsies helped a lot with “Telly” because of bunch of other friends that were interested so the way the Georgetown palace theatre is built,” we just made sure we all wanted to go down Porter said. “There isn’t really a divide between to audition together.” you and the audience, so you go to the edge of In order to get into the show itself, cast the stage, which I did a few times during the members had to learn a monologue and a show, and the audience is already right there. song, do a dance audition, and then if they And you can see everybody, it’s not like ours made callback auditions they would come back where there’s all those big lights shining in your the next day to audition. The final cast was face and you can’t really see the audience. But narrowed down from over 100 auditionees. then with “Telly”, house lights were up and it “I wanted to do Newsies because I wanted to was literally just me on the edge of the stage do something like a musical or acting related talking to the audience for like 10 minutes. So it that was outside of high school because I knew definitely made that a lot easier.” the experience was just really good,” Shaw Overall, Willis said that the experience said. “And then two, I saw it was Newsies and Seniors Winston Ross, Cole Porter, Austin Shaw, and Jamaun Willis Newsies was one of my favorite musicals, and were involved with the Georgetown Palace Theatre production of helped him improve his attitude in more than just theatre. then to top it off the music director who works Newsies. Photo provided by | hawkdrama via Twitter “I think the most useful thing for me has been here on the musicals was the music director to always believe in yourself,” Willis said. “And to there so he let me know about and he already knows different things under their belts.” Shaw said that the difference between the believe in who you are, even in the academic setting me so it’s just another benefit of doing the show.” Willis, who played the main character in the show, experience of working on Newsies versus working on and anything else you do, just believe in your said that he wanted to do Newsies to help broaden shows at school was mainly based on the directors abilities.”
Band members play in local youth symphony Bryan Ross | Asst. Editor Going from practice in the band hall to rehearsal with the best high school musicians in the Austin area conducted by the music director for the state of Texas may seem like a big jump, but for some members of the Hawk band, it’s just any other Sunday. Senior Jayden Zunker-Trevino, junior Hoang-Nghi Nguyen, and freshman Alaina Parent are members of the Texas Youth Wind Symphony. The symphony is based at the University of Texas Butler School of Music and rehearses every Sunday. “First you have to audition for the conductor who leads the ensemble,” Nguyen said. “The choosing process happens afterwards. Depending on how you play and your merits, he chooses based off of that. But it’s mostly based off of your playing, because he wants to see what sound fits his ensemble best.” Zunker-Trevino, who plays bass trombone for both the Hendrickson Wind Ensemble and the symphony, said that he wanted to join all of the high level players around the area in the symphony. “It’s challenged me to play music that’s much harder than what I’d experience here,” ZunkerTrevino said. “It’s made me better by playing with
people who have made All-State, have won rooms, and who have made first chair All-State and stuff like that.” Parent, who plays bass clarinet, is the only freshman in the Wind Ensemble and also performed
Senior Jayden Zunker-Trevino, freshman Alaina Parent, and junior Hyong-Nghi Nguyen performed with the Texas Youth Symhony Orchestra. Photo provided by | hendricksonhawkband via Instagram
with the All-Region symphonic band this year. “Pretty much everybody in the group is from AllState bands,” Parent said. “It’s very enriching to be around that level of playing, and we learn a bunch of new tones and playing styles.” Nguyen made All-State last year on Oboe and advanced to the Area round of auditions this year. “I’ve learned to listen for a lot of different sounds in an ensemble, and how to understand the balance of an ensemble. It can really teach you to use your ears more often instead of playing as a soloist, instead playing as more of an ensemble.” The symphony performed their concert Monday, March 9, at the Bates Recital Hall, which concluded their 2019-2020 season. “At Texas Youth, the whole ensemble is like a pool of all of the best players from each school,” Nguyen said. “There’s almost more than one All-Stater in each section. It’s kinda crazy. Everyone there is insane. Their playing ability is off the charts. My favorite part is mostly just getting along with your section, kind of messing around but also being serious about the music, and everyone’s pursuing that goal of perfecting the music and making it sound amazing.”
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Entertainment Volume 13, Issue 5
Life on campus
New security officers join staff, discusses expectations Hector Santos | Reporter Two months ago former opportunity center employee Andrew Porter was hired to be one of the school’s security guards in place of Artero Huggins, who was promoted to central office. Elizabeth Sanchez, former employee at HID global, started here first year in January. Porter believes it is important to treat everyone fairly but use a different approach to handle the situation depending on what the problem is in order to adapt to each person. “We’re always in the public eye and trying to portray an image that you are here to help and keep people safe,” Porter said. “You have to find a balance to let them know you here to help them
learn to make the right choice.” As a security guard Sanchez feels it is very important for her and other security guards to show the students the same amount of respect they would want from them even if the students don’t show it. “We want them to understand why we’re doing what we’re doing,” Sanchez said. “I have a daughter and as a parent I would hope her security guards kept her safe at school. We’re here to help students, not hurt them.” Both security guards are looking to build a trusting relationship where students feel safe enough with them and other staff members. Porter and Sanchez offer students a chance to speak with them if they
are feeling unsafe about something around other students or are worried that they could potentially get into a fight the security guards will keep an eye out for them, see why they are feeling unsafe and try to resolve the situation before it gets out of hand. If the security guards receive information from any students about anything bad happening in the school they will report to Admin and principal Daniel Garcia and investigate while keeping the informant anonymous. “I’m here to help and guide students to the right path,” Porter said.
Custodians talk about daily routine, aspects of job Ethan Tittle | Reporter Every morning the custodians get to school early and stay later than the rest of the people in the school. Custodian Yesenia Dontes has been working here for two weeks. She gets to the school every morning bright and early, turns on the lights, and starts cleaning the cafeteria. She cleans in the morning until school starts, after the “A” lunch, she picks up, and prepares for the next lunch. Once the lunches are all over she spends the rest of the day sweeping the floors of the cafeteria, and cleans down all the tables. “If I could ask for the students and staff to do one thing it would be to put the trash inside the bin when they are done,” Dontes said.
Custodian Teresa Soto has been working here for one year. When she gets to school in the morning she goes to the cafeteria and cleans, once school starts she goes through all of the back hallways and cleans off all the windows. After that she spends the majority of the time cleaning the staff restrooms and cleaning the other windows around the school. Once school gets out she goes to each bathroom, takes out the trash and cleans them down. “I wish that the students would leave less of a mess in the bathroom and throw their paper towels away into the trash not on the floor,” Soto said. “When the students throw them in the trash it would make my job a lot easier.”
Custodian Teresa Soto cleaning the cafeteria floor to start off her day at work. Makaya Smith | Photographer
Lunch staff member explains normal day on the job
“I take care of the P.O.D which is Provisions On Demand which is emergency food for the kids at school. All the stuff comes from the cafeteria,” lunch staff member Sanjeevi Suren said. “I rearrange the stuff in the P.O.D that kids have messed up and put it in the right place and fill in the gaps.” Meghan Weber | Photographer.
“[My favorite part of my job is] the kids,” Suren said. “Kids are very good to me. I love these kids.” Makaya Smith | Photographer
The Days of March
Entertainment March 12, 2020
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Staff describes, explains importance of international holidays INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY MARCH
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Kaitlin Curtis | Reporter The day of empowered women and the shade of purple; International Women’s Day, a global celebration. IWD (International Women’s Day) was celebrated on March 8. Each year a theme is chosen to have that month focused on, which this year was #EachForEqual. This theme
ST. PATRICK’S DAY Kaitlyn Nash | Reporter St.Patrick’s Day was made official in the 17th century and is based on the story of St. Patrick who was a missionary in the 5th century and got kidnapped by Irish raiders as a slave to Gaelic Ireland. After Patrick escaped, he became a priest and wrote the Declaration about his life. He is credited
with converting many people to Christianity and that’s why he is celebrated with this holiday. St. Patricks day is mostly celebrated in Ireland and the U.S by wearing green, having big parties and feasts, parades, and drinking from a glass, filled with alcohol or cider, with a shamrock at the bottom. It is said that when
promotes gender equality throughout the world. Purple is used to represent the day because that color is widely known for symbolizing women. IWD chose to use this color because the WSPU (Women’s Social and Political Union) incorporated that color. WSPU was a movement that strove for women’s
drinking the whole glass, you should throw the shamrock at the bottom over the shoulder for good luck. Wearing shamrocks comes from the belief that the shamrock represents the Holy Trinity and wearing green comes from the story of Moses and the snakebite. Saint Patrick’s Day falls on the 17 of March and since it’s
suffrage in the United Kingdom from 1903 to 1917. The WSPU used purple, white, and green as their colors. Purple symbolizes royalty and loyalty, green symbolizes hope, and white symbolizes purity. The first IWD meeting was in 1911, making this day over a century old. In that year, over one million people
during Spring Break, there is a lot of free time to celebrate this holiday. In Austin and Pflugerville, there are many events to participate in like the 2020 Luck of the Irish 3.17 mile in Austin on the 17 and the Running of the Green in Austin on the 14.
supported the event. IWD specifically celebrates the accomplishments of women, whether it may be cultural, economic, political, or social. IWD has six different missions, them being women in tech, woman in sport, women at work, women entrepreneurs, women’s health, and women creatives.
MARCH
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MARCH INTERNATIONAL DAY OF HAPPINESS
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Abigail Hill | Co-Editor On March 20 of every year, people celebrate a day of happiness and gratitude.
The first International Day of Happiness was celebrated in 2013, and this year the theme is “Happiness Together” that
focuses on what we all have in common. Started by the United Nations, they made the day “As a way to recognise
the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world,” according to the UN.
INTERNATIONAL WAFFLE DAY Kaitlin Curtis | Reporter International Waffle Day, (or Våffeldagen in Swedish) is an annual holiday first celebrated in Sweden and soon elsewhere; on March 25, the beginning of spring. The day came to be when the religious holiday, Vårfrudagen (“Our Lady’s Day”) or the Feast of the Annunciation was celebrated and the Swedes thought the name sounded like waffle in
Sweden. The Feast of the Annunciation is a religious, Christian holiday that marks the day when the Virgin Mary was visited by angel Gabriel, telling her that she would be the mother of Jesus Christ. With the day being nine months from Christmas, this is the day that the Virgin Mary became pregnant. This day has become a festival in many different countries, and has
been around since the fourth or fifth century. The day that waffles were first made traces back all the way to the Neolithic age; when cavemen roamed the Earth. The Greeks in around 1100 BCE would create waffles by pressing hot metal together with flat cakes, which were called obelios or oublie, in the middle. With the invention of the Belgian waffle, which became popular in the 18th
century, changed the way people ate waffles forever. The fruits, whipped cream, and chocolate gave the waffle a sweeter taste. Many people enjoy these types of waffles as breakfast food, and they can be found in restaurants all around. Celebrate the day by eating going out to a Waffle House or IHOP nearby, making homemade waffles, or simply by placing Eggos in a toaster.
MARCH
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Entertainment Volume 13, Issue 5
Finding the Sweet Spots
Staff reviews dessert locations within the community Andys Frozen Custard Kyla White | Reporter I’m no stranger to Andy’s, I’ll go with my brother when he wants to hang out or my family will go when we feel like having something sweet. Andy’s Frozen Custard is my first choice when I want something sweet, mainly because of how close Andy’s is to the neighborhood I live in with
tons of different things to choose from. Andy’s is a common place to go in Stonehill, they’re open for the majority of the day and the ice cream isn’t super expensive, usually ranging from $4.94 to $6.79 depending on the size. When I go, I always get a small Triple Chocolate Concrete since I’m a big
fan of chocolate so it’s right up my alley. Andy’s isn’t the only place in Pflugerville that sells ice cream but Andy’s is definitely the most popular, it’s not surprising you’ll find Andy’s crowded on a Friday night, a line stretching onto the street and benches filled with people.
Austin Gourmet Popcorn Bryan Ross | Asst. Editor Austin Gourmet Popcorn, a somewhat new addition to the slate of restaurants and shops on FM-685, is a fairly unique establishment. It’s nothing more than a popcorn stand with the interior size of a small restaurant, which isn’t the best thing. Despite the occasional posters on the wall and the candy and other trinkets sold inside, the store can feel a little cavernous. When I went in, there was an
Nothing Bundt Cakes Kaitlin Mackey | Co-Editor As the city of Pflugerville continues to grow, more and more shops begin to open up. One of these fairly new shops is a place called Nothing Bundt Cakes. The shop celebrated its opening on Dec. 31, located in Stone Hill near Panda Express. Nothing Bundt Cakes provides many different options of bundt cakes
ranging from bite-sized bundt cakes sold by the dozen ($20), to single served cakes ($4.25 individually, $48 for a dozen), to cakes that serve up to 30 people ($68) with nine different flavors. Out of all nine, I’ve tasted the lemon cake and the marble cake. While the cakes themself are delicious, personally I’m not a fan of the cream cheese frosting that the cakes are frosted with,
so I usually end up scraping the frosting off of the cake but that’s just my personal preference. The location, the taste, and the efficiency of the service is all great. Not to mention the clever, catchy name of the place. Overall based on my experience, would I go back? Of course.
uncomfortable silence. There weren’t any chairs or tables to sit in, the lighting was low, and the walls and floor were a gray that gave off the general feeling of a house that somebody had just moved into and was still in the process of decorating. As far as the popcorn itself, it is on the expensive side, with a ‘double’ sized bag (the size pictured) ranging from about 5 dollars to upwards of 10 depending on the variety,
but it is good. There is a wide range of flavors, and the taste of the popcorn distinctly reflects said flavors. Whether the popcorn is worth the price or not depends on the person, but I didn’t feel ripped off. Overall, Austin Gourmet Popcorn isn’t exactly a hangout spot, but if you want to pick up some popcorn for the road, the unique variety of flavored popcorn is definitely worth trying.
Entertainment March 12, 2020
The Pflour Shop Ikram Mohamed | Asst. Editor The Pflour Shop is a fairly new addition to Pflugerville’s growing ‘sweets’ industry. Tucked away at 20205 FM-685 just off Texas 130 between a gas station and a variety of shops, the Pflour Shop is a quaint bakery that stands out to many. The store provides a number of sweet goods; such as cookies, cupcakes, brownies, and more. On this particular occasion, I purchased three
of their infamous cupcakes ($3.50) and one chocolate chip cookie ($1.75). The cupcake flavors which I opted for were: Almond Wedding Cake, Cookies and Cream, and Triple Chocolate. The cupcakes were delicious, and what made them stand out was the cake base itself. They were thick yet moist and had just the right amount of sweetness to satisfy your sweet tooth. Their cookies are amazing as well, being one
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of the thickest cookies I’ve ever seen while also being soft and gooey all around. The Pflour Shop’s atmosphere, service, and baked goods are all fundamental parts of what makes this familyowned bakery stand out from others. I would recommend others to visit this bakery whenever they’re given the chance. Believe me, they won’t disappoint.
Photos provided by Yelp.com
Menchies Hannah Brubaker | Reporter The Menchie’s frozen yogurt shop is generally average compared to other frozen yogurt options. Menchie’s has topping options that range from a huge assortment of candy and you could say that it has more diverse choices
compared to the now closed Froyo. The selection of the frozen yogurt is about 10-12 flavors some on the sorbet side and other dessert flavors. They also offer cones, but I would personally not recommend them because I found a spider under my cone and the store
did not reimburse any money back. Overall, it’s a good frozen yogurt shop in the area, but nothing stands out about it. The price depends on the weight but it averagely ranges from $3 to $6.
Crumbl Cookies Ethan Tittle | Reporter Crumbl Cookies, that opened up on Feb. 27 and is located next door to Torchy's Tacos. Crumbl Cookies a bakery that opened on sells an assortment of six cookies that rotate flavors every
week. The cookies are a big size, served warm, and costs about four dollars per cookie. I tried the Churro, Dirt Cake, Waffel, Chocolate Chip, Smores, and the Chilled Sugar flavor and out of the four flavors my favorite my
top favorite cookie was the Churro flavor because it had a lot of cinnamon and the icing that was on top of the cookie came warm as well. Crumbl Cookies is a very good sweet shop, and I would recommend it.
Pflugerville Donuts Abigail Hill | Co-Editor Family owned donut shop, Pflugerville Donuts, has been around since as long as I was a kid and has remained consistent throughout all of these years. They provide
Photos provided by Yelp.com
freshly made donuts, Kolaches, coffee, and other beverages to help start your morning off right. They are open every day from five in the morning to one in the afternoon. My favorite thing to get is a
sausage and chesse Kolache and chocolate covered donuts. Their cheap, fast, and quality donuts make for an excellent breakfast or even just for an afternoon treat.
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Sports Volume 13, Issue 5
On the Right Start
Athletes discuss being placed on varsity as freshman for their first season, what it is like Brisa Espinoza | Asst. Editor
Kennedy Grant | Photographer
What is the hardest part of being on varsity? How did you feel whenever you got put on varsity? “I was happy when I found out I made the team. I was excited about the opportunity and all that would come from being on the varsity team. I wasn’t expecting it at first, but as the season progressed, it began to make more sense as to why I was placed on varsity.”
“Adjusting to the level of play is one of the hardest parts. Also playing against players that are older and have more experience is something different that I had to get used to.”
Basketball Ma’shy Hill, 9
Alexis Schaefer, 9
I felt pretty excited when I found out I was being put on varsity. I was expecting to be placed on varsity a little because of what all my brother was telling me. But since being on varisty it makes me work harder knowing I have to compete for my spot and playing time.
“The hardest part is that you’re transitioning from playing in middle school to now playing high school basketball.I have to prove my abilities as a freshman and that I can play just as good.”
Basketball Ciana Fuller, 9
Soccer Jordan Franco, 9
Is there more pressure being a freshman on varsity than it would be to have been on JV? “There is definitely more pressure being on varsity than it would’ve been if I was on JV. The reason is that I have to live up to the expectations people have of me so that I can be appreciated on the field as a player. I’ve become a better athlete since being on varsity because I’ve built up my confidence on the field. I’ve allowed myself to really focus on what I need to improve on.”
Amanda Thai, 9
Wrestling
Soccer
Do you feel like you’ve became a better athlete since being on varsity? “Once I was placed on varsity, it forced me in a way to become a better athlete and make sure I prove why I got put on the team.”
Alexis Schaefer, 9 I’m playng with people that have more skills and knowledge about the game. Playing with them forces me to try and reach that level of play and be able to think like them.
Jordan Franco, 9
Does being on varisty make you work harder? “This is the first year that there is not a junior varsity cheer team. But I think that there is more pressure being automatically placed on varsity because the competition and stakes are higher. I’ve improved so much since being put on the team. It is a very positive environment where everyone wants each other to do their best.”
Cheerleading Catherine Kruse, 9
“I work harder because I just want to become a stronger and better player. I still have three more years left but it’s good that I’m starting out on varsity so I can continue to get better and develop my skills.”
Ma’shy Hill, 9 “Being on varsity definitely makes me work harder because I wanted to prove that I belong and that I could play at a higher level.”
Amanda Thai, 9
Sports March 6, 2020
Ready for Action
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Head Athletic Trainers explain handling injuries, what they do, preventative measures Brisa Espinoza | Asst. Editor Standing on the sidelines, are head Athletic Trainers, Scot Chambers and Erica Brumley. They have a front row view of the game, not to enjoy the game, but to watch out for injuries and be the first ones on the field if an athlete were to get hurt. Both Athletic Trainers focus on taking care of the student athletes throughout both off-season and in-season as they help treat injuries and making sure athletes keep proper nutrition to give their best in their games. Being an Athletic Trainer involves time and effort to being able to evaluate and help treat injuries. Trainers are there to help athletes with a minor cut to being able to help athletes through their rehabilitation of a major injury. “When I was in high school, I got hurt and spent a lot of time in the athletic training room,” Brumley said. “So, my senior year, I got into the athletic training student class. From there I learned more about Athletic Training and decided that’s what I wanted to do.” While being able to handle a variety of injuries and ways to help student athletes recover from their injury so they can continue to play or help them be able to return, there are injuries that are common throughout student
athletes. But despite certain injuries so that they can continue playing and being frequent, each injury is dealt practicing despite having sprained with in a different way, as no injury their ankle,” Chambers said. “But can be the same. we’ve had others with the same injury “Shin splints and cuts are common but that have to sit out for weeks before every injury is a separate instance,” they can start playing again.” Chambers said. “Though the injuries Trainers recommend student athletes are similar, you treat every injury to remain active during the off season different. You just as the main method to have a multitude of help prevent injuries things you do when from occurring. By you’re dealing remaining active, with injuries. You they’re staying may have a grade Every injury varies on consistent with their one or a grade that allow how you handle the workouts three ankle sprain, the athlete to keep you’re going to situation because it up with their abilities treat them similar and help throughout just depends on the the season. but one requires more effort or “Remain active, athlete." work than the don’t sit on the other. Every injury couch and eat varies on how potato chips every you handle the day for the entire situation because summer instead of it just depends on going out and doing the athlete.” stuff,” Chambers said. “The biggest Each injury and the way it affects problem we face is that athletes do the athlete is unique. The recovery not do anything for a given period time, rehab and how the injury varies of time and then show up the first because every athlete handles injuries day of practice expecting to be able differently. to perform at their maximum level “We’ve had athletes finish a game and they end up straining a muscle with a grade one ankle sprain and or spraining an ankle because their come in to do rehab in their off time bodies are not used to that level of
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Scot Chambers
exercise anymore.” When injuries occur both on and off the field, the trainers go through a certain set of procedures to help evaluate the injury and form a diagnosis of what happened to the athlete. “We usually look at the injury and evaluate what’s happening,” Brumley said. “There are times when we see what happened on the field and we can kind of already form an idea of what the injury is, but it just depends. Everything revolves around the severity of their injury. A grade one ankle sprain could cause the athlete to be out for a day or two but if it’s a grade three ankle sprain the athlete could be out for months.” The Athletic Trainers are the first people the athletes see when they get hurt and are constantly around to help athletes recover and be able to go back to their sport in the best condition possible. “I was at a baseball scrimmage once and I had a baseball player that took a line drive to the jaw,” Chambers said. “The player had braces so when the ball hit his mouth his teeth were still wired in. When he opened his mouth, you could see the roots of his teeth. It’s one of the most memorable injuries, I’ve had to deal with, it’s not something you see every day.”
Kaitlin Mackey | Photographer
Macy Burnham | Photographer
Kaitlin Mackey | Photographer
Assessing an injury, Athletic Trainer Scot Chambers talks to a player that has just been injured to understand how the athlete is feeling to further assess the injury and what happened.
Cleaning off the blood, senior student Athletic Trainer Hailey Billings helps clean senior Jalen Pheonix’s uniform.
Walking off the field, Athletic Trainers Scot Chambers and Erica Brumley help Garret Winnek walk off the field after getting hurt during the Vandegrift game.
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Sports Volume 13, Issue 5
Life on the balance beam
Competitive gymnasts discuss experience in the sport Angelyna Rosales | Asst. Editor
When and why did you start gymnastics? “I started gymnastics when I was two and a half.” - Jada Nelson,10
“I started gymnastics when I was seven mostly because my sister did it and I always watched the older kids do it which really inspired me to join.” Davis Nuzzi, 11 “I started rec classes for gymnastics when I was eight and quickly progressed. A year later I started competitive gymnastics so I was 9 years old and that would be 2014. I wanted to be in it because I had seen the Summer Olympics in 2012 and I told my mom I wanted to be just like them. I remember my first practice I showed up in cheerleader attire and my coach told my mom I wasn’t allowed to wear that in gymnastics and that I had to wear a leotard.” Lilly Tubbs,10
How is competitive gymnastics different from other sports like cheer?
“Competitive gymnastics is definitely more of a mental sport than it is physical. Overall it’s a lot of work day in and day out. It is also an individual sport where it’s all you getting sore while cheer is more of a team effort.” Jada Nelson, 10 “There’s a different point system, the point system is actually pretty similar to cheer, but with sports like football and soccer, you’re just going to score as many touchdowns or goals as possible, based on ability and as a team, but with gymnastics how good you are individually is how well you do. It’s based on your individual performance.” Davis Nuzzi, 11 “Competitive gymnastics is entirely different from cheer because there is more intense training and several events. I train 25 hours a week, five hours everyday. When I was a cheerleader I only practiced four hours a week.” Lilly Tubbs, 10
What is your favorite stunt to do, and why?
“My favorite stunt is a flick to a lay. It’s when you do a back handspring step out and you repeat that, except after that you don’t use your hands. It’s just a really fun stunt to do.” Jada Nelson, 10 Photo provided by Lilly Tubbs
“My favorite stunt is probably the triple twist because it looks cool, you do a flip and spin three times in the air.” Davis Nuzzi, 11 “My favorite skill is called a ray. It is a skill on bars where you start in a handstand on the high bar and bring your toes to your hands (which are gripping the bar) and make a half circle around the bars, you quickly have to release the bar in a straddle position and as you rotate over you grab the bar again. I like this skill because I like a challenge and this skill is pretty hard.” Lilly Tubbs,10
What’s the hardest stunt to do, and why?
“My hardest stunt was definitely a roundoff back handspring to a double back. It’s when you do a cartwheel landing on both feet, or a roundoff, then you do a back handspring, then into two backflipss in the air at once. Having mental blocks before going backwards is really difficult, and doing skills like that are always across the board really hard.” Jada Nelson, 10 “The hardest stunt for me is probably a triple flip, instead of twisting in the air three times like the triple twist, you do three backflips.” Davis Nuzzi,11
Photo provided by Jada Nelson
“Every skill in gymnastics is a different difficulty level and everyone has different views on it but I’d say the skill with the most difficulty would be a triple double. This is a tumbling pass on the floor where you do a double flipping tuck and a triple twist all at the same time. Maybe one day I’ll be able to attempt this but for now I’ll stick to a single twisting double.” Lilly Tubbs, 10