The
Hawk
Hendrickson High School 19201 Colorado Sand Drive Pflugerville. Texas 78660 Volume 15, Issue 2 November 5, 2021
JUSTICE FOR ALL? Students, staff discuss actions during Pledge of Allegiance Pages 8-10
In this Issue...
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Border Patrol update
12
14
Battles of the Ville
Fidget toy review
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News Volume 15, Issue 2
state of the
UNION John Moore | Special Correspondent for Getty Images
John Moore | Special Correspondent for Getty Images
Haitian migrants traveled to the border halted with Texas' 'Steel Wall' Kaitlyn Nash | Managing Editor In Sept., around 10,000 Haitian migrants reached the overhead bridge between Del Rio, Texas, and Coahuila, Mexico after rumors spread that the Del Rio border offered a safe border crossing opportunity. Their influx is not new, however. In fact, these migrants have been on a journey spanning several years which has taken them through multiple countries. The exodus from Haiti was spurred by several reasons - political persecution, presidential assassination, and natural disasters, but the tipping point for many was the 2010 earthquake that killed around 11,000 people and displaced many more. Because of this, many Haitians have been circulating through Latin American countries including Brazil, Chile, Guatemala, and Mexico trying to find jobs to support their families, such as working for infrastructure projects. In response to this surge, many Latin American countries such as Chile have adopted harsh immigration policies, leading many Haitian migrants to look westward. Traveling with a group of migrants through this new part of their journey, Pulitzer Prize-winning Special Correspondent, John Moore uses photography to provide new insight to people about these migrants’ journey. “I’ve been covering immigration issues for many years for Getty Images along the U.S.-Mexico border as well as in Mexico and Central America and also within the
United States itself,” Moore said. “Because of that long-term investment, when there is a new immigration phenomenon, I try to cover it. So when 15,000 people suddenly showed up crossing the border [en] masse in a relatively remote spot in Texas, that definitely qualified as news, and I had to be there.” As described by Moore, the journey that the migrants faced was long and treacherous as they had to move through the Darien Gap, which is known as one of the world’s most dangerous jungles with everything from poisonous snakes to antigovernment guerrillas. This means these migrants had to risk being kidnapped or killed just to find a better place to live. “Their conditions while traveling to Texas were difficult,” Moore said. “Most of the Haitians had actually traveled from Chile, where they had been living and working as immigrants for some years. That journey is very long and requires them to trek through the Darien Gap, which is a 66 mile stretch of mountainous rainforest between North and South America, where there’s no roads. It’s hard and dangerous, and I know that because I recently did part of that trek with them while photographing their journey.” Even though the migrants have spent most of their time these past few years on their journey, there is no guarantee that they will be let into the United States, especially because of Title 42, which the Trump administration passed to achieve
its long-desired goal of closing the border and has passed over to the Biden administration. This section of law gives ground to Border Patrol agents to expel Haitian migrants. Politicians have cited the pandemic as a reason for their decision to pass this law, as they believe migrants would only increase disease transmission. “Based on my discussions with the immigrants who arrived [in] Del Rio, I’d say most of them felt a strange combination of relief and anxiety,” Moore said. “Relief because they had been on a month’s long journey to finally reach the United States, often with harrowing experiences along the way. Anxiety because they didn’t know if they would be allowed to stay in the U.S. to follow a legal asylum process, or they would be deported back to Haiti.” The United States government has had multiple reactions to the increased number of migrants on the border, with one of the reactions being Governor Greg Abbott instituting a “Steel Wall” of cars on the border, sending hundreds of Texas state police to Del Rio, where they parked their vehicles in a tight line along the bank of the river. This Trump-style crackdown came after numerous politicians raised concerns over the number of migrants on the border. However, Moore believes that the border response should be done differently than it is now, especially because many migrants just want what’s best for their family, according to Moore.
“Yes, many of them have faced extreme violence in their home countries, which is known as a ‘push factor’ but the ‘pull factors’ of life in America are very strong as well, such as the financial rewards, better education for their kids, living in a more secure environment,” Moore said. “Without major immigration reforms in the U.S, which allow for guest worker programs and other legal ways of allowing people to be here, we’re going to see large numbers of people coming up in irregular and sometimes illegal ways.” Contrary to conservative politicians beliefs about the migrants, Moore believes that the migration of immigrants to the United States is for the migrants best interest and ours, as they offer a stable form of workers who will take on any job that people normally wouldn’t because they want a chance to provide for their families. “Their main motivation is to seek a better life for their families,” said Moore. “They want to work, they want to live in safety and they want to provide for their children. They know that the U.S. currently has a worker shortage, and they see themselves as willing to do a lot of the hard manual labor that Americans often won’t consider doing. I think that as long as there’s work to be done in the U.S. and we don’t have a labor force willing to do it, there is going to be a flow of immigrants who want to offer their services.”
News November 5, 2021
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Redistricting completed by State Legislature in third Special Session Landon Self | Asst. Editor The Texas Legislature convened for its third called Special Session on Sep. 20. Redistricting was one of the multiple items placed on the agenda by Governor Greg Abbott. Redistricting is the process of redrawing districts every 10 years to account for shifts in the state's population. Districts that need to be redrawn include Congressional districts, State Board of Education districts, State House and State Senate districts. Due to a delay in getting census data, redistricting was postponed from the regular session until the new special session. “The Texas Legislature is responsible for drawing the maps for the U.S. Congressional Districts, State Senate, and State House seats. That's how it works in the State of Texas,” State Senator Sarah Eckhardt said. “We have a legislative redistricting board that picks up the slack if we fail to but as long as the legislature is in session and doing it then it is the elected leaders themselves drawing the maps.” The process of redistricting is similar to the regular legislative process. Redistricting Committee Chairs in the House and Senate draw the initial maps and then they are referred to the committee and a hearing is held. Following this, the maps are sent to the floor and amendments are offered and a map is approved. Then,
the map is sent to the other chamber and the same process occurs. Travis County is currently split into 4 State Senate districts, most of which is Senate District 14, including all of Pflugerville. Other districts in the county include 21, 24, 25. Senate District 14
wholly within Travis County. “My district is overpopulated currently because over the last 10 years, Central Texas has grown in population so rapidly,” Eckhardt said. “By necessity, my district needs to be reduced. There are three strategies that are used, called packing,
The final version of the Congressional District maps passed by the Legislature in the third Special Session. Governor Greg Abbott signed the maps into law on Oct. 25. The star represents where HHS is located in Pflugerville. currently has all of neighboring Bastrop County, but under the new maps district 14 will lose Bastrop County and be
cracking and tacking. All three are ways to control the outcome of the process. My district is being redrawn to take Bastrop
out entirely and pack me into the central part of Travis County.” Under the proposed plan, Republicans would likely gain a Senate seat, based on partisan voting scores of the proposed districts. For the State House, Pflugerville would be divided into districts 46 and 50. State Representative Celia Israel, of District 50, is not seeking re-election and is running for Austin Mayor. Round Rock State Representative James Talarcio is moving to Austin for the purpose of running for that open seat in district 50. For the State Board of Education, Pflugerville is District 10, which is held by Tom Maynard. Under the changes, all of Travis County would be shifted into District 5, which is held by Rebecca BellMetereau On Oct. 15, the chamber of the legislature passed the version of the maps that had passed the previous chamber. The tradition of each chamber not amending the other chambers maps held as House Speaker Dade Phelan used binoculars to watch the Senate pass the house maps, and Phelan then passed the Senate maps. You can view the new maps for the State Board of education, State House, State Senate, and US House of Representatives at dvr.capitol.texas.gov/
Dress code continues to be unfairly enforced despite changes Sarah Schulze | Reporter Natalia Mancini | Reporter The dress code was recently revised to “create an inclusive community” as stated in the policy, however the enforcement of it has failed to meet this expectation. The dress code states that students who violate the grooming and dress rules may not be shamed by teachers, principals, students, or parents. Although this rule is supposed to protect students, teachers continue to violate this rule. “I have had a teacher publicly shame me in front of the entire class and try to forcibly make me change and kick me out of class because of what I was wearing,” sophomore Emma Jones* said. “[I was]
embarrassed and actually pretty angry and refused to change and asked to go home.” Jones thinks teachers should take a different approach when it comes to dress coding students. “It would be very easy for a teacher to just quietly ask the student to come outside and talk about the situation and hear out their perspective rather than embarrassing the student in front of the entire class and forcing them to leave,” Jones said. According to Spanish teacher Edward Curran, most teachers implement the dress code harshly because they see certain outfits as distracting to their own students, they think it hinders their focus on the curriculum that is being taught. Many teachers strictly enforce the student
dress code, yet not all teachers believe that clothes are a contributing factor to why students cannot focus in class. “They try to blame your different colored hair and say that it prevents people from concentrating”, Curran said. “Well, there's kids in here that can't concentrate no matter what color hair you have,” High school students express themselves through clothing. “I like it when you express yourself because who knows you might have a very boring job later and you can't do any of those things, and if you can't have a little fun and experiment with your appearance when you're young, when can you do it?” Mr. Curran said. When discussing the school dress code,
it is easy to overlook the effects of public shaming that contributes to not only feelings of humiliation, but mental instability. “I think with the dress code, you're starting to see how something small can be much deeper, because it goes to yourself,” Curran said. “The statement goes to how you look in the mirror, how you feel about yourself, and all those things. I think it's something that we should all really think about, not saying that we can't have a dress code, but just saying that the way it's enforced, and the way that they make you feel should definitely be re-evaluated.” *Pseudonym
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News Volume 15, Issue 2
After school tutorials available twice a week Lilianna Moran | Asst. Editor Recently the school has reintroduced the After school Academy program available to all students for help on school work, lessons and credit recovery. The program is located in the library on Mondays and Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:30 and has staff committed to help during those times. The school also offers a Saturday Academy for credit recovery and guidance. “Our biggest challenge this year is to get people caught back up, a lot of kids are deficient in credits,
more so than I’ve ever seen since I’ve been here,” Associate Principal Michael Grebb said. “It gives kids the opportunity to help them repair any learning loss they might have had from previous years.” Both teachers and advanced academic students have the opportunity to sign up as tutors for the program and work as committed staff during tutorial sessions. The program offers tutors knowledgeable in all core areas to provide guidance. “Typically, we just float around
the room monitoring students and if anyone has a question, then we sit down with them and assist,” debate coach Kirsten Nash said. “Sometimes it is helping students think through their assignments, sometimes it is offering feedback on something a student has done, sometimes it may even be helping students with prioritizing and organizing their work.” Nash recommends that students utilize this source for work improvement and academic betterment.
Musical Theater cast prepares for next performance
Theater students review the new performance script
Photo provided by | Natalia Zavaleta Natalia Zavaleta | Photographer The Musical Theatre class h as started working on a new project in celebration of the re-opening of Broadway. MTI’s All Together Now! is a global event that will be performed by schools and theatres everywhere, composed of various songs previously performed on Broadway. MTI has made the event free-ofcharge, with no royalty or rental fees. The “musical revue” will be
performed from Nov 12 through Nov 15. “Fisher and I chose it because we liked the story behind it being a show that will be presented on the same weekend all across the world,” MT director Nicole Malone said. “We liked how it was framed and how we then were something larger than Hendrickson High School in doing this performance on this specific day, with the
representationalism of bringing theatre back into the theatre spaces. ” The class has chosen seven songs that will be performed Nov 13 and Nov 15. Directors were given the opportunity to choose what songs they would like to perform. “I liked the variety of the songs that they chose in the Musical Theatre Revue.” Malone said. “The balance between solos and duets and group numbers. I also really liked that they gave us freedom to be genderfluid with the pieces and divide them out however we best fit our students.” Funds collected from the revue will all be going towards the Musical Theatre class, helping support future performances. As of now, the students have been working on the revue for almost three weeks. “The main goal is to help the performer grow and give them the opportunity to work and perform a piece in front of an audience and get feedback from an audience,” Malone said. “The more that you can get students in front of an audience and perform the more comfortable they are going to get on doing so.”
“I have done the After school Academy before and feel that, when students take advantage of this service, it can be tremendously helpful,” Nash said. “Most of the time when kids are failing, it is not because they lack the capacity to get a good grade, but rather something small that is preventing them from achieving; they may not have a quiet space to work at home, may just need organization, or they may just have one little skill that they missed which is preventing them from moving
forward in the course.” Grebb wants students to continue to make use of the programs and seek help if they are struggling academically. “We hope people take the opportunity to get caught back up,” Grebb said. “Hopefully we can continue to provide these consistent days and Saturdays so, anyone that has issues or is having a challenge in school, will be able to get the help and support they need.”
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balfour.com Newly developed Chess Club welcomes new members Sarah Schulze | Reporter More people back on campus means clubs are once again starting their in-person meetings. One of the many clubs that has been developed this year is the Hendrickson Hawk Chess Club. Students gather in room B208, Thursdays after school to hang out, play chess, learn and study different tactics, and mostly have fun while playing. “The chess club is a good opportunity to meet new people and is a great organization to join for resume building, colleges love it,” Junior chess member Regan Greene said. “The environment in the chess
club is very relaxed and casual.” Even though newly developed, the chess club, one of the lesserknown clubs around the school held its first gathering on Sep. 23 and room B208 was packed full of eager students. Although the chess club isn’t necessarily well known yet, that doesn’t stop upcoming plans to make it known. “The chess club plans on doing internal chess competitions, and then hopefully some larger ones in the future, maybe even against other schools in our surrounding districts,” Greene said. “We encourage and welcome anyone who wants to join the club.”
5 Best Buddies make Homecoming mums for Buddies News November 5, 2021
Nosa Osakue | Reporter In the weeks leading up to Homecoming, the Best Buddies organization worked on making Homecoming mums for their buddies. Best Buddies is an organization that allows students to befriend mentally challenged students. “The goal with Best Buddies at the high school level within the friendship chapters is to again provide opportunities where our buddies can create genuine friendships with their peer buddies, it also contributes to supporting their social skills and give them opportunities that any other teenage kid would go through it kind of opens the door puts the foot in the doorway and then an opportunity to reach out,” said Best Buddies sponsored Jacqueline Cardenas. Best Buddies is a non-profit organization that combats discrimination against mentally disabled persons by providing these students companionship through the aid of non mentally disabled students who are paired with them.
“I believe Best Buddies is important because it helps stop the spread of the R-word, and how Best Buddies creates this giant family for kids that don’t think they belong,’’ Best Buddies officier Ava Rawashdeh said. “When truly they do belong, and we give them that palace to belong. It also makes the campus as a whole more inclusive and brings the school closer together as a collective community.” They have had match parties in which Peer Buddies proposed to their assigned buddies to ask them to join the family. “Come November, we are going to have a joint event with Unified Champions where we’re going to be gathering together for Friendsgiving. Here we get to have a potluck along with a kickball tournament so that’s going to be super fun, Then for Best Buddies in December were also going to have a holiday party where we decorate, bake cookies, “Just Dance”, and even karaoke so that is also going to be a blast.
Photo provided by | J. Cardenas Freshman Bree Stiba, junior Ava Carzola, freshman Inez Moreno, freshman Nina Lewis, and senior Kennedy Huschka made mums for their best buddies for homecoming.
Girl Advocate! hosts annual Poetry Night Kaitlyn Nash | Managing Editor Every Tuesday, the club Girl Advocate! hosts their meetings to try and empower and give voices to women and gender minorities with topics centered around advocacy, self-love, support, and the safety of students. During one of their meetings on Sept. 28, officers planned an Open Mic where everyone was welcome to go and share poetry, raps or any short stories centered around the topic of selfcare, mental wellness, body positivity, and other topics surrounding those ideas. “I was hoping to write down something that would remind me how much I had grown past the things that I used to struggle in,” senior Audrey Fife said. “I ended up feeling a lot more confident after I finished.” Snacks and beverages were provided to anyone who showed up and the event occurred in the library. Multiple students decided to share the poems or short stories they had written. When one person volunteered, the rest followed. Junior Jewel Spiveysorrells felt compelled to write after setting goals to grow her confidence. “I want to face my fears because I understand that if I don’t face my fears now then I probably won’t when I graduate,” Spiveysorrells said. “That week since I wanted to try to set goals [and] try new things.”
Many people who spoke, including senior Max Garcia, wrote their poems to help them grow from their past mistakes and hardships and to try and help other students understand that they aren’t alone in the 0 they face. “The poem that I wrote had a lot to do with regretting the past and trying to fix it when you can’t,” Garcia said. I think that helps a lot of people our age who regret a lot of things they do when they’re younger and who regret the things they just did.” Because of the number of people who shared, Fife started feeling hopeful for the future and she was reminded that she wasn’t alone. “It’s given me a space to remind myself that there are other people who are fighting for the same things that I am and that there’s a lot of hope for the upcoming generations,” Fife said. “It’s a space for me to share the kinds of ideas that I have.” The poetry night reminded the students who came that there was always a safe space waiting for them, which means that the Girl Advocate! club is on its way to completing its goal. “[It’s] been a nice safe space around other girls and somewhere to talk about our confidence or self-esteem,” Spiveysorrells said. “Being able to relate to other girls, especially at Hendrickson since we barely see each other because of our masks, means it’s a nice space.”
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Opinions Volume 15, Issue 2
• Your Turn
• Staff Editorial
Social media shapes trends, promotes hate speech Over the years there have been several viral trends which have been broadcasted over Youtube, Instagram, Snapchat, and sometimes they even reach news stations if they become popular enough. Many of these trends, such as various TikTok dances, are harmless and intended to be good natured and fun. Occasionally these trends go too far as people are forced to increase the intensity of the trend in hopes that their video will go viral. The issue with these trends is that in order for each video to get views they have to go beyond what the video before it did. This was perfectly illustrated with the recent Devious Licks trend when it turned into vandalism for views. While not every trend turns into something illegal it’s fairly common for them to turn dangerous. The milk crate challenge started off as an innocent, funny trend. Several empty milk crates were stalked in a pyramid staircase formation and people would record themselves trying to run across it. However, as the trend progressed and the stacks got higher and higher it became increasingly dangerous with attempts even ending in serious rib or wrist injuries. These aren’t the only examples of this happening. The same thing happened with the Tide Pod challenge back in 2016, and because of that thousands ended up in the hospital. The main reason for this evolution of trends is the somewhat toxic nature of social media apps like TikTok, or even Vine back when it was around. These apps create a constant search for popularity within them. People use the algorithms used by these apps and join in on the latest trends in an attempt to skyrocket to popularity and become the next big TikToker. However, in order to get views
on popular trends videos have to add something new to it otherwise their videos are just like thousands of other videos. This is usually what causes trends to get out of hand. When trends first start evolving as people attempt to create a viral video they don’t immediately become the chaos that they will later on. At first people just add small details to set their videos apart from the rest. The longer the trend evolves the more likely it is to get out of hand as people keep trying to one up previous videos in order to gain popularity within the TikTok community. Apps like Facebook and Twitter use algorithms to promote certain content onto users’ pages. This algorithm was put into a very controversial spotlight when Frances Haugen, a worker at Facebook, revealed documents to the public that revealed their algorithm was being used to promote hate speech and other negative content. These algorithms used by apps are a big part of why social media has become so negative and toxic. Luckily, most trends never reach the extremity of the Devious Licks or Tide Pod trend. Usually the trend becomes old and everyone moves on to the next trend. It’s only in extreme cases that they get as out of hand as these trends did. The constant desire to be trending or to go viral has turned apps like TikTok into toxic apps for people that love creating content. Unfortunately the only solution to this problem is for people to understand that there are limits to how far trends should go. At some point there has to be a limit to what people will do for views, but so far that limit has yet to be found.
“The tide pod challenge, the cinnamon challenge, devious licks all have caused some sort of controversy. A lot are dangerous, with the cinnamon challenge and the tide pod challenge, you could literally die. It’s just dumb.” - Katie Cox, 11
“I think some people take the trends a little too far and think that that’s all that matters, is getting clout on social media. So I think it really negatively affects us because we get in trouble for doing whatever is trending on Tik Tok.” -Jake Dossing, 12
“I think [these trends] are dangerous because even if the stuff is small, it shows that the rules can be bent and turned into something worse. We’ve seen people steal wheels off of cars, it’s gone a lot further than just soap dispensers being stolen. I think it’s really put in perspective that people blend social media and reality, showing that they lose sense of reality.” Reece Wilkerson, 10 “Social media affects teenagers in a way because we always compare ourselves to what we see online, but online is 90% of the time completely fake. We don’t get to see the flaws in our favorite celebrities and we just see the perfectness of it all. This really affects younger kids and people our age because we seek validation and want to be exactly like them so we follow them and trends blindly” -Daniela Wanker, 10 “Social media in today’s society can basically persuade any teenager to do things if it’s worded the right way. People tend to see a trend and begin to follow it, then more and more people start to look at it, and then it spreads very quickly like a wildfire. Even if it’s bad they won’t care if they see other people doing it. They think it’s just a trend and it’s what’s gonna get likes, views, and popularity” -Giana Garcia, 10
Illustration by | Daniel Mendoza The Hawk, the official student newspaper of Hendrickson High School, is an open forum for the exchange of ideas and opinions.
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
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
Associations
Co-Editors: Seth Deaton & Angelyna Rosales Managing Editor: Kaitlyn Nash Copy Editor Yael Behar Assistant Editors: Lili Moran, Landon Self, Ethan Tittle, Natalia Zaveleta
Antonia Guardia Nadia Johst
Reporters
Kate Hayes Natalia Mancini
Artists Yael Behar, Daniel Mendoza
Inez Moreno Nosu Osakue Sarah Schulze
Interscholastic Press League Texas Association of Journalism Educators Journalism Educators Association National Scholastic Press Association Columbia Scholastic Press League
Honors ILPC Bronze Star 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 ILPC Silver Star 2021 Columbia Scholastic Press League, Gold Medalist 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020 Silver Crown, 2017, 2018, 2021 Pacemaker Finalist, 2018
Photo by Daniel Mendoza Model: Esther Tanimonu
• Hit or Miss
Spotty Wi-Fi interrupts learning With the influx of students using computers in school, Wi-Fi access has been a school-wide struggle for many students who just want to access Canvas or assignments but can’t because it’s so hard to connect to the internet. Because of this, many students who don’t have access to Wi-Fi at home struggle even more because they can’t even access it at school. Even if one is able to finally get access to the internet, the stressfulness of getting to that point disincentivizes students from doing work. The school needs to offer stronger, more reliable Wi-Fi that everyone can count on. The school’s internet access is a miss miss.
New tardy policy problematic Getting from one class to another is stressful enough without a punishment hanging over your head, which is why it is so hard to function under the new tardy policy. The policy states that for every single tardy, a one hour tutorial is required to resolve them. For every four unresolved tardies, a three hour Saturday School penalty is enforced. There are plenty of valid reasons to be late and the tardy policy completely overlooks all of them. For instance, going to the bathroom, finishing up a test, or even avoiding the crowded halls are all everyday reasons why one might be accidentally tardy. With this policy, students don’t even have a chance to go to the bathroom. Overall, the new tardy policy leaves little room for flexibility. Due to all of these reasons, the new tardy policy is a miss miss.
More students show school spirit As a part of Homecoming, students crowded the halls in colorful costumes during Spirit Week. From “Anything but a backpack” day, to “Country V.S. Country club,” the last week of this October was an opportunity for students to showcase their school spirit. On Monday, passing periods were filled with students carrying their binders and books in shopping carts, baskets, and tote bags. On Tuesdays ‘Twin Day’ matching costume sets could be spotted during the day, and peak school spirit could be felt on Friday -- where school colors and shirts were adorned. A break in the usual monotony of dressing up for school, this Spirit Week was a fantastic way for students to get excited about Homecoming’s game and dance, and an absolute hit.
Coach Killian achieves 100th win
At the homecoming football game on Oct. 29, the football team won 28 to 21 over Leander. This remarkable win was also celebrated for being Coach Killians 100th win in his career. Coach Killian has been coaching for 15 years at HHS. Congratulations to Coach Killian for this achievement. This win and achievement is a hit.
Vaping shuts down bathrooms Lately there has been a significant increase in the number of students vaping and/ or smoking in the school bathrooms. The issue has become so bad that administrators have been forced to close restrooms throughout the day in order to better monitor those that remain open. This causes students that are simply trying to use the restroom to take extra time in order to try and find one that hasn’t been shut down for the day. Vandalism has also increased in the school restrooms as graffiti and crude “art” now decorates many of the walls and stalls. This plus the lasting smell of weed in the bathrooms makes the bathrooms feel disgusting and gross. These acts are forcing administrators to conduct random searches of students’ bags in hopes of trying to put a stop to them. Both of these actions are misses.
Opinions November 5, 2021
• Our Turn
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Editor discusses school religious absence policy Yael Behar | Copy Editor
Illustration by | Yael Behar
Every year, students are given time off for the central Catholic and Christian holidays, as well as the general holidays that celebrate time honored American traditions. Likewise, every year, Jewish, Muslim, and any other religion practicing student must be forced to pick and choose which days they can afford to be absent in order to respect their religious beliefs while similtaneously maintaining their grades. This past September, I was faced with this exact dilemma. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur coincided, both on weekdays with exams. I sat looking at the calendar debating if I should even take an absence for both days and be saddled with test makeup and missing material, or stay in school and miss both holidays for the sake of school. Rosh Hashanah is the celebration of the Jewish New Year, something most people commonly recognize as the holiday commemorated with apples and honey. Yom Kippur -often regarded as the most important Jewish holiday -- comes directly after the Jewish New Year, and is a day of reflection on the past year, and a day of prayer for the year to come. You can imagine my surprise when I found out I had two exams on the day of Yom Kippur, and a quiz on Rosh Hashanah. Initially, I planned on taking both days off and attending synagogue, however, as the week approached, I decided that the tests I had that fell on Yom Kippur were too important to skip, and the make-up tests I would need to take wouldn’t have worked with my schedule. I ended up attending school on Yom Kippur and missing services. Days reserved for prayers or fasting that intersect with test days and important school material is an occurrence far too common for students of religious beliefs that don’t fall under the CatholicChristian umbrella, including, but not limited to Judaism. Religions like Islam and several other non Abrahamic religions all include holidays or fasting days that fall during the school year. Later on during this December, I know I will face a similar issue, as I struggle to deal with picking if I should respect the first night of Hanukkah, or stay in school and take my midterm(s) of the day, all because winter break was designed with Christmas
in mind. This is all to say, that Judaism is a religion generally suppressed and unconsidered by school districts and workplaces. Tests, much like the rest of the school curriculum, are assigned one at a time, giving students a small amount of time to see if these exams fall on important religious holidays. What is a student supposed to do if they find out a week before a religious holiday that an exam falls on that day? Of course, while it is impossible for the district, or any district for that matter, to recognize all religious holidays and provide time off, the problem that religious students face; having to pick if their religious beliefs are more important than test scores, is far too prevalent. If a student decides to skip school any day during the year for religious reasons, that day is counted as an ‘excused absence,’ meaning it won’t be marked on their record as skipping. Despite having an excused absence, the fundamental issue with missing material in order to respect my religious beliefs overrides any possible reassurance about my record that the excused absence could provide. There is also a limit put on excused absences, so a student utilizing the standard amount to the innocuous dentist and doctor appointments, combined with religious absences, can easily rack up. A student’s religion is not something to be bartered with in order to pass tests or learn curriculum, and it certainly should not be a factor that serves to worry about if a student has too many absences. The fact that I missed the most important Jewish religious holiday because of what happened on this Yom Kippur speaks volumes about the general consideration given to religions other than Christianity or Catholicism within school. I hope that eventually, recognition and importance of Jewish holidays are regarded on the same level, and it should go without saying that school districts should always aim to more inclusive to religions like Judaism and Islam.
JUSTICE Students, staff discuss actions 8
Feature Volume 15, Issue 2
during Pledge of Allegiance
Seth Deaton | Co-Editor Landon Self | Asst. Editor “I think it’s fine to have your own opinion,” Kemper said. “Obviously this country Tensions rise, but classes stay seated. A pledge that is supposed to represent a nation does have its own problems. And I have no problem with people protesting that. united divides it. It’s part of your first amendment right to be able to protest issues you believe are The pledge of allegiance has become a topic of controversy in recent years. It important. I just don’t think the pledge and the moment of silence is the time for that.” started in 2016 when professional athletes and celebrities started kneeling during the Saunders said that most of the controversy is caused by people not understanding national anthem at events. Since the BLM each other, and that if they looked movement some have used those celebrities at other people’s perspective with as inspiration and began expressing their compassion they could better beliefs by sitting during the pledge of understand where they’re coming allegiance. from. She says that until you “Coming from a military family I believe know each other’s life story you that, being in this beautiful country, shouldn’t judge their actions. we have the right to either sit or stand,” “I come from a military and government teacher and head tennis coach police family,” Saunders said. Teri Saunders said. “In other countries a “Some folks look at me and say lot of citizens would not have the choice ‘how can you back the police’ to either sit or stand. I’m glad that my and I always tell them that I’m family, past and current family members, not backing every single police. who have served or are still serving are I’m backing the police that are helping keep our right to do that, and allow doing a good job. My brother is everyone to choose.” not a bad police officer and my With this being the first year that there’s nephew is not a bad police officer. a large number of people sitting during I graduated from a historically the pledge it has raised some controversy. black college and many of the Especially among those with family in the people I graduated with are military. now police. You have to have “I feel like it’s disrespectful to people who good police to make a change in lost their lives fighting for our freedom,” society. You have to have good junior Brock Kemper said. “The freedom lawmakers in Congress to create to be able to choose your own political better change. I don’t like being beliefs and your own way to live your life. put in a bubble so I’m not going to I wish that people would stand for [the Daniel Mendoza | Photographer do that to any group.” pledge]. I’ve had my own family members Students in Ms. Gass’s third period AP statistics class stand and sit during the Pledge of Saunders said that most of the die overseas, so to me it’s important to Allegiance. arguments and conflicts that are stand and show your respect.” centered around the protesting Many of the students that sit during the during the pledge are because pledge do so in protest of recent events that have happened in the U.S. people have allowed themselves to be too easily offended. “I sit during the pledge because of the recent racism that has been going on and I “My generation, one of the older generations compared to [the students], we’re don’t feel like I should stand for that,” junior Nanda Prasad said. “I want to wait to see messed up,” Saunders said. “We haven’t found a way to sift through life without being what happens about these issues before I stand [for the pledge]. so offended. Everyone takes everything too personally, and we’re too narrow minded. In some extreme cases people have been verbally attacked because of their choice to Sometimes when you’re too narrow minded you don’t have empathy for a different either sit or stand during the pledge. Kemper said that even if people don’t agree with person’s point of view. Everyone needs to start seeing everything out of love. That’s others’ opinions they should respect their right to choose. He said that if others are the bottom line. If we can’t do that then these conflicts will continue to be an issue.” showing their respect and not questioning your opinion everyone should do the same. “I do not feel pressured to stand for the pledge as a teacher. I think that many people get confused about students knowing your political views versus students knowing how you stand on humanitarian issues. For me, politics is personal. These are not just ‘political differences of opinions about issues. There are certain issues that, when asked or when the topic comes up, I feel it is necessary to share with students because they let them know how I view other humans and the rights and value of humans – including them. My students know how I feel about equality and the treatment of LGBTQ individuals as equal. They know how I feel about refugees and immigrants. They know how I feel about health care access and fair wages. These aren’t things like differences of opinion about the debt ceiling and who should control the post office. These, to me, are not marks of a political party, but rather marks about my views on how to treat other humans. There is a big difference. Students should know they have value and rights in my class and with me. I want them to know that I value them and their rights outside of the classroom as well. I think that pledging allegiance to a country is a deeply personal issue. It is not something that we should be indoctrinating into children – blind obedience to your country simply because it is ‘your country’ is dangerous. We should instead be teaching students how to hold their leaders (local, state, and federal) accountable and how to meaningfully engage in the political system to affect change. I have no problem with students not participating in this exercise because of their personal beliefs. I think that it isn’t about honoring soldiers – there are many ways we can do that. To me, one of the most patriotic things that you can do is hold your country accountable for the good and the bad.” - *Kelli Smith, staff *Pseudonym
FOR ALL? Lilianna Moran | Asst. Editor
YOUR TURN
“I don’t stand for the pledge. The pledge is supposed to be this idea of unifying the entire country together as one. But, how can I stand when our whole country is far from unified? With all these issues in inequality, and prejudice. When you’re in elementary school, pretty much every little kid stands for the pledge because they don’t really understand the purpose of it and are doing what they’re told. I think that has definitely influenced why some still stand today. It was kind of like a habit, you stand up, say the pledge, hand over your heart, that’s what you were basically trained to do when you were younger. I feel like the older you get, especially with the political climate right now, more people are starting to realize what exactly they might be standing for.” - Thomas Williams, 10* “I lost respect for this country years ago, and by standing for the flag, to me it shows that I support all this country has done. It shows that I’m for the injustice, inequality, and hate towards minorities and those around me. I respect the decision of those who stand, but simply disagree with them. I won’t pick fights over whether they stand or not, it’s not my place to do that. Everyone has their own opinions, and most of those around me are different. With the large uproar of racism over the years, there are more people, myself included, choosing to not stand. Back in elementary, even in middle school, we were more naive and oblivious, so, as we grow older and become more aware of what’s going on around us, we choose to sit for the actions we disagree with. I have been one of the only ones to sit for the pledge many times, and it’s hard sometimes to not give into peer pressure and stand up, but I’m making a statement from a standpoint that I won’t change for a long time, if ever.” - Dylan Gabman, 11* *Pseudonym
Feature November 5, 2021
9
Kate Hayes | Reporter
“I stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. There’s not really a specific reason for why, I just stand because that’s what my brain has been programmed to do since childhood. I think it’s kind of cult-ish, it’s really weird. But, it’s what we’ve done for so long. People make their opinions of you anyways, so no matter what you do, people are going to think something. Now, it’s become more of a political thing, and now that it’s high school, some people don’t want to put the effort into standing up anymore. Now, people are realizing things that are wrong with society, then taking it to the pledge. Then, there’s people who just say “I like my chair.” Back in middle school, there was a big debate about it in my Creative Writing Class. It was uncomfortable and awkward. There’s a lot of social pressure that goes into it, and whether I stand or I sit, it’s not a big deal.” Samantha Hernandez, 12* “I do [stand for the pledge]. I don’t want to be disrespectful. It’s not like everything in the country is great but, I’m still happy for the fact that it’s decent. Like, when you go to other countries, many are not as safe, and living is, a lot of the time, more difficult. So, I’m thankful for the fact that living here is halfway decent. I don’t really like standing for the pledge. I don’t mind it so much because it is sort of a routine at this point. Sometimes it can be interruptive. I could see why people would stand and why people would sit because I’m sort of in between. I don’t view it as a big decision.” - Jessica Harrison, 12*
Reporter reflects on students sitting during pledge Inez Moreno | Reporter
When I see my classmates sitting down during the pledge, I feel bothered. I understand that some people do not stand for the pledge due to religious reasons, different beliefs and opinions, but some people just choose not to stand up because they are lazy. I’m not the type of person to have political opinions, and I do not argue about a lot of things that get me upset, but this is personally important to me. When I stand up for the pledge, I do it out of respect for people who have died to serve our country. My great grandfather fought in World War II, and my grandpa fought in the Vietnam war. My three uncles on my mom’s side, and herself as well, joined the army before college, and were in ROTC throughout high school. My grandpa saw a lot of things he wishes that he could just erase from his memory. His best friends died right in front of his eyes, and he was scarred emotionally and physically. Both him and my uncle both suffer from a disorder called PTSD, posttraumatic stress disorder. It is an anxiety disorder caused by frightening or disturbing events. Victims of this disorder tend to get flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety from the past wars they have served. My neighbor is an ex-veteran, and when it’s the 4th of July, or New Years, he often travels somewhere where people do not launch fireworks. He does this to avoid the roaring bangs that give him flashbacks of the war. Recently my grandma’s dog died, and my grandpa reacted irrationally. He did not know how to display his emotions properly because of all the suffering he has been
forced to experience in his life. My grandma has had this dog for a long time, and it had puppies. Since then, my grandparents have had three dogs. One of them died over a year ago from attacking another dog, now she only has one dog left. My grandma cares a lot for these dogs, and has all their lives. Since her kids are all grown up, the dogs have taken up the role to fill the void of affection in which her children had done previously. My grandfather loved them deeply as well, and when they died, he got very irritable. He has lost so many people he once cherished in his life, and doesn’t want to lose anymore. I find this disrespectful towards my grandma, because whenever he’s angry, he isn’t the lovable grandpa I love. As citizens who have never been deployed to a war, we can only imagine what life must be like for people like my grandfather who have gone through such horrid tragedies that we could not even begin to grasp. These veterans have done so much for us and people choose not to pay their respects. Countless soldiers died, sacrificing their lives for us. The least we could do is to take one moment out of our day to stand up and show our respect for those who righteously sacrifice their own lives for people they don’t know. These people leave behind spouses, siblings, children, and countless others who care for them to fight for our rights as U.S citizens. I just wish people could show how much they appreciated and cared for everyone who has fought in previous wars, to help our country gain its independence, and freedom.
“I believe that students should be allowed to use their First Amendment rights. As a veteran. It is my attitude that I served in the military so people could have freedom. It would be frustrating if they didn’t use them. With the new critical race theory law, I can’t require students to contact their elected representatives, which is an odd thing. Usually, as an assignment, I say write a letter to an elected representative. I don’t really pay attention to what they write about other than normal ‘don’t be profane,’ but the topic of it is irrelevant to me, it’s just about how do you communicate with your elected representatives. It’s kind of a standard thing that government teachers are supposed to teach. For current events, I’m prohibited from teaching anything from the 1619 project, activism, and policy advocacy, so I can’t say go out and protest or anything like that. This is odd, considering I want you all to get involved in politics and pay attention to politics.” - Thomas Lucas, AP Government
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Feature Volume 15, Issue 2
Breaking Boundaries
Unified Champion Super senior Ronnie Brown walks at New York Fashion Week Yael Behar | Copy Editor Model after model walks the clean stages of New York Fashion Week, heels tapping, cameras clicking, exuberant clothing by high end designers bobbing with the patterns of their walks. Ordinarily performed with famous celebrities and equally famous models, this fashion show was focused on models with disabilities, sporting clothes that are disability inclusive. This past September, student Ronnie Brown walked on New York Fashion Weeks runway, during the “Runway of Dreams” show. Ronnie, 22-year-old Super Senior, has Down Syndrome and is a member of Unified Champions. “He was doing a lot of cross fit, about three times a week,” Ronnie’s sister Rashida Alshams said. “He was really trying to stay active and healthy before the show, he would practice his walk. While we were there, they had a bunch of pasta and salads and foods and things. Gummies too -- he loves gummies -- and he would say no to all that food and get something like a salad. The second the show was over, he asked “can we get an ice cream?” Gamut Modeling Agency sent out Ronnie’s photos to several events, and it was the Runway of Dreams that reached out to have him in the show. The “Runway of Dreams,” is a foundation that aims to work toward a future of inclusion, acceptance and opportunity in the fashion industry for people with disabilities. “He wore adaptive clothing and Adidas shoes,” Alshams said. “It's a type of clothing that makes things more accessible for people with disabilities. Things like the buttons, they're actually fake, but they look like regular buttons. [Ronnie] usually has trouble with buttons. Things like zippers too, they have hoodies with magnetic zippers. It’s really the little things that people don't usually think about, that's what adaptive clothing usually helps
with.” Adaptive clothing is an expanding venture, and more designers have begun to produce some form of it. The clothing was a central focus in the show, and models were dressed in different designers inclusive clothing. “It was a different side of him. Usually, he's very goofy, but in getting ready for the show, he was committed. When we flew out to see the show, the whole thing was just really inspiring. It's great that young people are working to be more inclusive” That inspiration felt during the show was felt everywhere, especially in school. “We watched the video in class, we watched him and all the other kids walk,” Ronnie’s essentials teacher Jordan Byrd said. “They all thought it was so cool to see people like him, see the people we see in our hallway doing something like that. They were all so proud of him. It shows people that we can do more.” Unified Champions aims to provide social inclusion within schools, and foster these sorts of opportunities with students. For example, students involved in the Special Education program are allowed to stay enrolled in school past traditional graduation age, dubbed ‘Super Seniors.’ “He is a great example of what Unified is supposed to be,” Byrd said. “[Brown] is involved with everything. He goes to all the meetings -- everyone knows him. He's an example of what Unified is like here. On campus, we see all the support USC (Unified Champions) provides, like with Ronnie’s french fry business, we can see students who have bought his shirts, supporting him. It's all really cool because they know him through Unified Champions.” Members of USC hope that Ronnie’s inclusion in this show will help strive to do that. “It makes us so proud, and all the stuff he does and all the stuff he's involved in,” Byrd said. “Especially with fashion week,
it's so cool. This experience really just helps show what else is possible for UCS. This is only my second year here at Hendrickson, but just walking around campus and seeing students saying ‘hey!’ and interacting with us when we walk as a group -- it's incredible.” As Hendrickson continues to foster these sorts of experiences for students with disabilities, there is also a hope that more people will be involved in UCS, and that stories like Ronnie’s will continue to develop. “Unified has grown, too. Hopefully it will just keep growing, and students will be involved in more activities. This year was the first year Unified was involved with the football team, And I hope that we can continue growing the way, being involved with more school things.” Ronnie will continue to pursue modeling, and is walking in the Austin Fashion Show early this December. “After that, he wants to keep working on his fry business,”
Alshams said. “Hopefully we can start that food truck. I think this whole thing, his story, inspires other students to do what they are passionate about. You are able to do what you want.” With this, USC and the special education department has felt they have accomplished something that inspires both
students in special education, but also inclusivity. “I feel like, kids that are like him see that, and they feel that they can do those things too,” special education associate Meagan Sanders said. “It shows people that he's normal. He's just like every other kid.
Unified Champions successfully holds annual football night Kaitlyn Nash | Managing Editor For Unified Champion’s, or UCS’, second event of the year, student ambassadors and kids in special education alike gathered together on Oct 14 for the annual UCS Football Night. The football game was between Hendrickson and Manor and it was held at the Pfield. Before the game started, Unified Champion special education students walked out on the field with UCS sponsors and president Kennedy Huschka and had super-senior Ronnie Brown participate in the pregame coin toss. “Unified Champions created Football Night in order to include our special education students
into the football program so that we could all join together and celebrate the support and all the fans,” Huschka said. “It was all ran through Unified Champions to include and unify the school.” In the student section, UCS ambassadors cheered Brown on while wearing their newly distributed UCS t-shirts. Ambassadors were encouraged to attend the game and show their support for the club. “I think my favorite part was getting to hear the students section when our athletes and our special education students were announced because I really loved the support and I love how everyone was supporting each other,” Huschka said. “I loved
seeing all of our ambassadors in the stands and everybody cheering on our athletes who went out during the coin toss when Ronnie flipped it. I could literally hear the student section and it was probably the loudest I’ve ever heard it. It was just amazing to hear everybody supporting everyone.” Although the night ended with the Hendrickson team losing, Huschka describes the game as a really good time for everyone involved. “When they did the coin toss and when our Pflugerville Falcons got recognized, it was awesome and surreal,” Huschka said. “I loved seeing all of our students participating in it.”
Feature November 5, 2021
A Week of Spirit
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Students and staff fully celebrate Homecoming with return of normalcy
Kaitlyn Nash | Photographer “I was mad at the team. Four minutes left. Tied game 17-17. We needed to get a touchdown so I was cheering on the team.” -Nicholas Lechler, 11
Natalia Zavaleta | Photographer “I was really cold. I was really excited mostly and a lot of people were complimenting me on my dress so it just felt good overall. It was really nerveracking walking out because I had never walked in heels before so I thought I was going to trip.” - Samarah Peterson, 10
“I was feeling excited because I won Homecoming Prince for my grade. I’m so honored to get to represent the Class of 2024 and thankful that people voted for me.” - Christian Rudkin, 10
Kaitlyn Nash | Photographer “It was my first time being in the Hype Crew because I normally train the games so I took a night off from training and decided to be a part of the Hype Crew. I was getting really hype and starting chants and trying to get everyone excited because it was Homecoming. I was hoping we could break that losing streak on our home field. I love everyone getting together and coming up with different chants.” - Mariza Casarez, 12 Kaitlyn Nash | Photographer Senior Celebration held a Homecoming Dance on Oct. 23 at Typhoon Texas, it was open for all students. “I felt really energetic. Everyone was screaming and cheering for me. The dance was not what I expected it to be. I expected it to not be hype but once I got there, it started to get really fun.” -Giana Garcia, 10
Natalia Zavaleta | Photographer
"It was definitely the highlight of my high school experience so far. I felt so loved by all my friends and classmates. Everyone was so nice to me and made my night feel so special." - Lorelie Winnek, 11
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Feature Volume 15, Issue 2
Functioning With Fidgets
Staffers review sensory toys for best anxiety relief
Pop-Its
Kate Hayes | Reporter
Since the trend first went viral on popular social media app Tik Tok, popits can now be found in malls, convenience stores, and online w e b s i t e s everywhere. They may be the most popular fidget toy currently on the market, and with that popularity comes their introduction into a school setting. The main benefits of using a pop-it include both tactile and even auditory stimulation, with many delivering a crisp “pop”
Monkey Noodles
Fidget Spinner Pop-Its
With the rise in popularity of fidget toys over the past five years, from the slime craze to popits, now some of the more unknown fidget toys are making their way to the spotlight. “Monkey Noodles” or “Sensory Strings” are s t r e t c h y, silicon, rod-like toys that come in a variety of colors. They are great at providing stress relief and tactile stimulation, which is beneficial for focus. They are easily transportable
Both fidget spinners and pop-its have been popular sensations in the fidget toy world both recently and in the past. Now, with Discovery Miles’ new fidget spinner, now both are combined into an amazing new sensory toy. On most online websites, this fidget spinner pop-it combo comes in black, blue, pink, and white with multicolored pop-its on the ends of the spinner. The multicolored pop-it offers a colorful distraction to any troubles on one’s mind. Additionally, the toy is decently priced, costing $6 online making it easily affordable. Whenever I’m having a bad day or just need a distraction, this fidget toy always helps me out
Lilianna Moran | Asst. Editor sound the product’s name derives from. However, in a more quiet environment, they usually can’t be used as the sound may be disruptive to other students. Additionally, most popits only have one side that grants t h a t satisfying “pop”, m e a n i n g they’re less fun to use half of the time. Overall, pop-its score 4 out of 5 pops for consistent, easy fidgeting.
and their flexible composition makes them easy to store. They can run the risk of becoming a possible distraction i n the class environment if in the wrong hands, however, they still act as a great source of stimulation for neurodivergent students in the classroom. These toys tear easily and can get dirty quickly, so they are not likely to last long, but they are great for sensory use and fun. Overall, Monkey Noodles are 3 out of 5 pops.
Kaitlyn Nash | Managing Editor
with calming down and controlling the situation. I prefer it more than other toys because of how easy it is to do my work while fidgeting with it. The only setback of this new toy is that the pop-its on each end could make loud noises when popped, making it a not so useful toy to use in a quiet class. However, you can still spin the fidget spinner instead of using the pop-its, giving this multi-purpose toy versatility, often lacking in other sensory toys. I highly recommend getting this toy if you are stressed out, need a distraction, are neurodivergent, or anyone who wants a fun new toy. I rate this toy 5 pops.
Staffer describes the benefits of fidget toys in an educational setting Nadia Johst | Reporter Fidget toys are known for being fun toys. But, for many Neurodivergent people, they’re much more than simple objects: they’re an essential factor of education and keeping calm. It’s important to keep these fidget tools available to children, especially those with Neurodivergent brains. Fidget toys have multiple uses, some of these including regulation and replacement. Regulation is achieved by giving hyperactive
teens an item to fiddle with, while replacement redirects harmful habits to safer alternatives. For me, fidget toys are necessary for educational success. Whether it’s needing something to regulate my physical hyperactivity, wanting a certain texture to remain calm, or relying on cognitive stimulation to think things through, fidget toys come in handy for all of my needs. Before I had access to fidget toys, I would find myself distracted by sensations,
noises, and sights. I couldn’t seem to hear what the teacher was saying, as if they were speaking underwater. With these helpful toys, I can ground myself and focus on what’s being said to me. It gives my hands something to do in order to help my brain function. Many teenagers with hyperactive brains find these toys helpful when learning, much like I do. All in all, it’s extremely beneficial for Neurodivergents to have access to fidget and stim toys for academic
purposes. Not only do stim toys allow the opportunity for teens and children to burn off some energy, they also are a safe replacement for harmful behaviors. Fidget toys distract those who struggle with maladaptive habits, offering them something to chew on, fiddle with, or pick at. Personally, fidget toys help me keep my hands busy to replace harmful behaviors such as skin picking, pinching, hitting, and other maladaptive coping mechanisms.
It’s important to offer this accommodation for teens, as my bad habits start relatively small and grow more dangerous and obsessive as the years go on. It’s better to stop a habit from forming early, which fidget toys can help with. 504 plans and IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) allow us the opportunity to use these replacement coping mechanisms in class, which is incredibly helpful and necessary. A 504 and IEP are individual accommodations that
assist us in our daily educational functioning. Overall, fidget toys are an essential part of the coping process that Neurodivergents often find themselves navigating. Without these helpful tools, I wouldn’t be where I am today. A lot of Neurodivergents feel the same way I do, as school would be a lot tougher and exhausting. Fidget toys allow us to be who we are safely and comfortably.
Entertainment November 5, 2021
Second Hand Becomes Vintage
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Editor voices opinion on the inflation of prices due to the popularization of thrifting Natalia Zavaleta | Asst. Editor Generational trends throughout the years have had many impacts on society, whether they be negative or positive. As more of these trends start to arise, we begin to realize the more prominent and long effects they are beginning to have. The popularization of “thrifting’’ has created a controversy. Social media has influenced mainly teenagers to begin shopping at thrift stores, making haul videos on Youtube or TikTok, encouraging their followers to do the same. Along with buying for one’s personal closet, some are profiting off of these five-dollar shirts through resale apps, the most common being Depop. The
influx of people reselling cheap shirts they found at Goodwill for more than five times the price, calling them “vintage” is outrageous. The price increase can possibly hurt lower-income communities. Influencers are blind to the gentrification they are promoting. The word “thrifting” has become a part of many teenagers’ vocabulary. The word itself means to go to a thrift store, garage sale, or any other discount shop to look for cheaper clothes, or items. This isn’t a new thing. Second-hand shopping can be dated back to the 60s, allowing low-income people to afford clothing. Although as of recently, prices have been going up. With
thrifting becoming more and more expensive, families are still in need of these affordable shops. A two-dollar shirt is now five-dollars. A five-dollar winter jacket is now nine-dollars. To people with a stable income, these may not seem like a big price difference, but to those whose only option is to shop at a Goodwill or Salvation Army it is. Although, consumption of thrifted items and clothes isn’t all that unethical. compared to fast fashion. Fast fashion is cheap clothing produced by well-known retailers in response to the latest trends. The fast fashion industry is slowly hurting the environment,
contributing to carbon emissions every year. Manufacturing, producing, packaging, and distributing new clothes takes a lot of energy and waste. The popularization of fast fashion sites like SHEIN have greatly contributed to this problem. They sell clothing at incredibly cheap prices, attracting young audiences and encouraging them to spend hundreds of dollars on them. SHEIN is not the only shop in the fast fashion industry, other common places like Target are as well. But the problem is the ethical status of the manufacturing. If you can afford to buy $300 dollars worth of clothes on SHEIN, you can buy higher quality clothing
elsewhere. In order to maintain thrifting as an ethical source of shopping, it is important to keep in mind that what you buy can impact communities. Being selective and managing what you are buying can help reduce overconsumption of clothing. Being mindful of others is important when it comes to fashion. The coolest clothing can always be found at thrift stores, with the many lives they have been through. In order to keep this continuous cycle going, donate old clothing to the stores in order to give back. Do research about the topics that matter and stay in the know.
What is your favorite thrift find? Students share favorite items they have thrifted Inez Moreno | Reporter
“I like this shirt best because of the cool designs on the neck and sleeves and it is Colombian which is cool.” - Kevin Bretfelean, 9
“I like the shirt because I love Peanuts and the Hawaiian pattern in the back.” -Maddy Allgood , 9
“I like the jacket because the patters are cool and the colors look nice together.” -Maddy -Maddy Allgood , 9
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Sports Volume 15, Issue 2
Who runs the Ville?
Change in division, transfers brings new competition to district battle of the Ville, against Pflugerville High School has been one of the biggest rivalries in the district. However, as Weiss was built in 2017 and swiftly grew in student population, they have become a close second. The varsity football team played their second-ever game against Weiss on Sept. 24 after dropping to 5A and Weiss rose to 5A division 1 last school year. “I think last year it was kind of new and we didn’t really know what Senior Andrew Vargas lead blocks for senior Dareyon Holloman on a screen pass to expect from the game,” during the game against Weiss. senior varsity safety “I don’t consider Weiss to be our rivals because we haven’t had any history with them” Kylar Mahoney said. “ I Vargas said. “We’ve played them only one time in every sport and we beat them besides think this year we knew mens track.” Makaya Smith | Photographer everybody that was on the team and what it would be Angelyna Rosales | Co-Editor like and who would be attending.” As new schools are constantly being built in the In addition to the friendly competition, the senior class Pflugerville area, competition and rivalries between felt a special connection to the Weiss game because of school sports are quickly changing. In the past, the
player transfers, including the Weiss quarterback, senior Dior Bradfield “Specifically because he came from us two years ago, I feel like it impacted it in a big way because we all grew up together through elementary school, middle school, and high school,” senior varsity linebacker Kendahl Lang said. “It had a heavy impact on the game.” The senior’s special connection to the Weiss team brought a significant amount of attention to the game. “Because Dior was the person who transferred over there and other people in the senior class transferred over there I think that’s why it gained so much popularity,” Mahoney said. “It was kind of like the senior class is the one that made stuff happen and I think that’s why it escalated so quickly.” This rivalry even got the attention of surrounding areas, as multiple schools were in attendance. “The best part, at least for me, is that it was all in good fun,” Mahoney said. “We all had a good time and the whole town of Pflugerville and even other towns came together to watch.” Despite coming out with a loss, the team still enjoyed playing and the support of spectators. “I got to hit Dior,” Lang said. “There was a lot of trashtalking, and if you don’t back it up it doesn’t matter. The student section and the rest of the stadium was live, there were a lot of spectators and a lot of fans so it was just a loud environment which made it better.”
Rivals will reunite after four year hiatus Seth Deaton | Co-Editor For over a decade two teams have battled to run the Ville. After three years without meeting these two teams will meet once again. The Battle of the Ville is historically a game against Hendrickson and Pflugerville. This is mainly due to the fact that these used to be the only big high schools in the area. The addition of Weiss to the area added another local rival to the schedule, but the Weiss games don’t have the same history as Pflugerville. “I feel like [the Pflugerville game] is going to be way more intense than Weiss,” varsity linebacker senior Ethan Bell said. “Weiss is a fake rivalry that we have. Because we don’t have any history. We don’t know anything coming from that game so I feel like that’s going to be way more intense and this is going to be something to watch.” Cheer coach Robin Sheport was a student at Pflugerville,
and according to her the schools’ history didn’t start off as a rivalry. According to her, both schools would attend each other’s event to show support. “I will always have a soft spot for PHS as my alma mater, but I am proud to support Hendrickson,” Sheport said. “It feels like I’ve come full circle in a way because in high school I supported HHS, and now in my career, I’ve been able to officially be a Hawk. And technically, I’ve been a Hawk for a longer amount of time!” Physics teacher Brett Caswell said that this isn’t the first time in the teams history that the Battle of the Ville game has been put on hold due to division differences. “We didn’t have a massive rivalry with [Pflugerville] because we didn’t play them often, if at all,” Caswell said. “I think they were 5A and we were still 4A when I was here. Our biggest rival was Lake Travis, back in the day.” Caswell also said that it’s a very different experience
watching his students as opposed to being one. He said one of his favorite parts of when he goes to the games is watching his kids in the student section. “It’s different,” Caswell said. “It’s just, it’s fun to see [my students] get wild and crazy about the games instead of me being the one to do it,” Caswell said. “Kind of seeing what it was like when we were doing it in high school. Just kind of seeing it through a different lens, it’s interesting.” Bell said he’s excited to get to be a part of this historic match up between the two teams, and how the history makes the game that much more exciting. “I don’t even know what the word is for the feeling, but it’s what makes the game fun, and makes you want to be in the game,” Bell said. “It makes it so good because you’re battling with people that share the same passion as you and have the same will to win and it’s what these games are really about.”
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Sports November 5, 2021
Acing District
Tennis team wins district, bi-district, advances to area Ethan Tittle | Asst. Editor Last month, the Tennis team took the crown at the district and bi-district games, making it all the way to area before losing to A&M Consolidated high school. “We started the season playing harder schools to prepare for district,” varsity player Alexis Rivera said. “When district started, we were doing really well, but we did lose against a few schools really close, like Pflugerville and Weiss 9-10. Then we beat Connally 10-9 and we eventually made it to the semifinals where we beat them again 10-9 after really tight matches.” Once the team made it to finals, they went against Pflugerville again to determine the winner of the district.
“Finally there were district finals against Pflugerville who had beaten us 9-10 before,” Rivera said. “We had a plan going into it that ended up crumbling a bit because we lost some matches. We didn’t expect to lose but then we ended up winning some we didn’t expect to win, which led us to winning district.” After winning district and bi-district, the tennis team advanced to area and lost to A&M Consolidated high school. “It was a really good season, everyone did really well and everyone had a really big part in us winning district,” Rivera said. “Especially coach Saunders and Miller, there’s absolutely no way we would’ve won without them.”
Freshman varsity tennis player Ethan Arndt returning a hit in his match against an Elgin tennis player. Keira Johnson | Photographer
Q & A Diving deep with Stephanie Oiesen Freshman swimmer discusses record setting season Kaitlyn Nash | Managing Editor
What does a typical morning for you look like? “I typically wake up a little bit before five, and my friend will come pick me up and we'll go to practice, which starts at six. And then we'll swim from six to 7:30. And then I'll come home and get ready for school and leave at around 8:30. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays we have doubles. So we'll swim from six to 7:30 in the morning, and then from five to 7:15 in the afternoon every day. [My morning swim is] club two days a week, and I'll show up to high school practices maybe once a week or so.”
What events do you compete in? “I pretty much swim everything except for breaststroke events, because my coach likes people who are diverse in swimming with different strokes. That way you have more opportunities to compete in events, so I swim multiple events.”
What records have you broken, if any?
Freshman Stephanie Oisen at the meet against Georgetown on Sept. 25. “I’ve been swimming since I was nine, so for five years I’ve been swimming,” Oisen said. “I started off at a team called TXLA. And then last year I moved to Waterloo and I’ve been doing a lot better since I moved.” Neon Brown | Photographer
Are there any swimmers that you look up to? “I look up to Katie Ledecky and like Regan Smith, because I mean Katie Ledecky, she's like, one of the best distance swimmers out there. And she's has she's like, always has a good reputation for winning and doing well. She's pretty cool.”
What are your swim goals?
“I haven’t broken any records yet, but I’m really close to it. I feel like I don’t necessarily perform as well in high school meets as I do at Club meets because club meets are more pressured than high school meets.”
“My goal is to make Olympic trials by 2024. I’m not too far off from the cuts. I’m like three seconds off in a couple of events.”
How do you balance your workload and swim?
What events do you compete in?
“I'll typically try getting stuff done during Talon or after practice at night. Like sometimes I'll stay up until 10 doing schoolwork and then yeah, I'll probably sometimes if I have a lot of stuff, I'll work during lunch.”
“I pretty much swim everything except for breaststroke events, because my coach likes people who are diverse in swimming with different strokes,” Oisen said. “That way you have more opportunities to compete in events, so I swim multiple events.”
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Feature Volume 15, Issue 2
Caffeine kicks
Students discuss their favorite caffeinated drinks Illustrations by | Angelyna Rosales
Seth Deaton | Co-Editor
Angelyna Rosales | Co-Editor
Monster
Coffee
Reign “My favorite caffeinated drink is Reign energy. I like that it has sugar free options and still helps get me through the day. My favorite flavor is white gummy bear.” Brock, 11 “My favorite source of energy is black cold brew with a slight bit of cream. I worked at a coffee shop, so I tried it once and it woke me up real quick, and I just stuck with it.” Tatum Pruett, 12
“My favorite coffee is cold brew, specifically the pumpkin cream cold brew coffee from Starbucks. It’s my favorite because it has a strong coffee flavor with a hint of sweetness, and I love all things pumpkin. I started drinking coffee because I like having a little boost of energy during the middle of the day.” Ava Saad, 12
“My favorite caffeinated drink is monster, and to me it’s the best drink on the planet. The majority of liquids I drink are monster, specifically a flavor called tropical punch. That one is my favorite.” Lily McPherson, 12
“My favorite is definitely a white Monster because it doesn’t have a lot of sugar, it’s basically just a shot of caffeine, and it’s really easy to get because they sell it everywhere.” Erasten Lightfoot, 12
“My favorite caffeinated drink is vanilla iced coffee. I love an iced vanilla latte with seven shots of espresso in it because I feel like it gives me a lot of energy and it tastes good.” Alexis Schaefer, 12
“My favorite caffeinated drink is probably a lavender latte with oat milk. At first, it was a little weird but in a good way. I really liked it, it was a comforting flavor. I tried it at one of my favorite coffee shops, East Social House, but they’re not open anymore, but Lampost Coffee also makes a good one.” Hannah Bailey, 12
“My favorite energy drink is the sugar free Red Bull because it does the same thing as the regular Red Bull but you don’t have any of the sugar.” Jacob Donnelly, 10
“My favorite caffeinated drink s are Monsters because I like that there are a lot of different flavors to choose from so I won’t get bored of the same exact flavor every time I have one. My favorite flavor is Pipeline Punch.” Trent Blahuta, 12
“My favorite energy drink is Reign because of the higher caffeine content which is helpful for things like football and powerlifting. It gives you that extra bit of energy to help you get through your sets and drills.” Breckin Earley, 11 “My favorite caffeinated drink used to be just a classic mocha because it’s chocolate milk with coffee but I think my favorite drink now is matcha with lemon and honey because matcha is Japanese green tea and it is really good for your immune and digestive system which can increase mood. Also, it tastes good.” Carlos Ibanez, 12