Our Turn Hit or Miss
Editor awaits voting in upcoming election
Eliana Grant | Co Editor
Allow me to set the scene for you. I was in the fifth grade, sitting in my English classroom on one of my teachers’ many couches. In talking to some friends about growing up I had a realization that I would turn 18 in an election year. I vividly remember turning and telling my teacher the exciting news. She simply smiled at me, because 2024 sounded like a practically made up year to us then. In 2020 I was 14, and painfully aware of the stress of the election, as we all sat at home and eagerly awaited the election results.
Now, nearly seven years from being 11, and four years from being 14, I am 18 and registered to vote. Before my birthday on September 10, it seemed adults practically flocked to me stressing the importance of registering to vote. The senior class also had a gathering one morning where they explained how we needed to vote if we were of age. I felt deeply overwhelmed by the amount of electoral stress being an ‘adult’ apparently puts one in. Once I had actually turned 18 I kept putting it off. Occasionally my mother would look at me and casually ask “So… have you registered yet?” and my response was always an exhausted no.
Eventually while hanging out before my classes started my friend showed me these voter registration forms the school library had which allowed students to fill out the application and mail it all in the same form. The very next day I drove to the post office and mailed it off, and after eagerly chaining myself to the mailbox through both thunderstorms and brutal heat waves I practically tackled the mailman on the day my voter registration arrived. No amount of “Hey, why are you chained to this mailbox?” or even a pitiful “You can’t have this mail, I don’t even know you!” could deter me from having a mild effect on both national and local elections. Naturally, I am being hyperbolic, as is my way. The real scene was more one of me coming home one day to see my registration card sitting on my kitchen counter and going “Oh cool.”
is the importance of not only the presidential election, but of smaller local elections and bills that I have seen numerous billboards for. I remember being around eight or nine and hearing my babysitter, who was 18 at the time, reflect on how smaller elections were apparently just as important as the presidential election. I didn’t fully understand it at the time but figured I’d grow up to understand, and it turns out I have. If someone is going to vote it is best to be informed, since politics do not start at who is leading the country. How you want the nation to run begins in small local elections and bills.
I have often felt powerless in some ways regarding my place in this country. Being born and living in America my whole life I certainly may be a citizen, but I would consider myself far from a typical patriot. I am happy to feel like I am being given power over the future of the place that I live, though with the modern electoral college system of counting states as blue or red rather than using the popular vote I feel my voice will be mainly drowned out. I believe that many teenagers may feel this way, fearing that their own vote can be shoved down if they live in a primarily red or blue state. Ultimately I am excited to have some say in the future of my country, as now is an important time to fight for what you think will better this countr. I encourage other people of voting age, especially those who recently turned
18, to educate themselves on their local candidates and go out and vote.
PfISD offers long weekend after Halloween
In the past few years when Halloween rolls around, it has always been on a weekday or there’s school the next morning, with the exception of Halloween being on a Saturday in 2020.
Halloween isn’t a federal holiday, so students still have school and most adults have work, making for a late night since the festivities don’t begin until the evening. But trick-or-treating, parties, and hanging out with friends have to eventually come to a close earlier than preferred to prepare for school, not allowing students and teachers to fully enjoy the holiday. Teachers may have to rush celebrations with their own children due to after school time constraints. The next morning at school, productivity levels are low and no one is focused. However, this year, PfISD has made October 31 a halfday, with November 1 to be a day off not only for students but also for teachers who usually have in-service days when students have a long weekend.
Ultimately, the district making Halloween a halfday and November 1 a day off allows for both students and staff to fully participate in Halloween celebrations without worries about school or completing homework for the next day. Also, early voting is still open through November 1, meaning teachers and voting age students could take advantage of this time off to vote. The long Halloween weekend is a hit
Fewer students wearing IDs affects school safety
Until recently, students have been consistent with bringing their student IDs. Lately, however, the halls seem to be a veritable neon rainbow of ID stickers with more students wearing stickers than the mandatory photo IDs given by the school.
Now that I have undergone the registration process, I eagerly await the election. Early voting starts October 21, with regular voting being November 5. I plan to go in for early voting with my mother, and am excited to participate in one of the most American activities I can possibly think of: voting for a presidential candidate. One aspect I was not expecting in this whole process
As a voter you don’t always have to side simply with your party. It is in your own best interest to thoroughly research the candidates and any bills being voted on to decide if that is something you support. Many Americans may wonder how we got to this point as a country, and while just voting will not always be the best solution to everything, a mildly helpful action most everyone over 18 can make is paying attention and supporting smaller elections and candidates. You cannot sit back and complain as things don’t go your way in something you had no input in. It is important to go out there and protest for what you believe is right. Join parties and gatherings to support candidates, and if all of this does not work for you, consider taking out thousands of dollars in loans and running for local office yourself.
It is important that school IDs are worn throughout the entirety of the school day, enforcing safety, responsibility, and organization. Additionally, students should keep in mind that once they’ve received 5 or more stickers, they become eligible for Saturday school detention. To prevent this issue from occurring, all students should consider having their IDs stored in their backpack or wallet during non school hours until it is time to wear them. That way IDs will be kept in a safe place and will be easier to access when necessary.
Overall, students should maintain consistency in bringing their student IDs. These IDs are essential for students to help prevent any safety concerns, Saturday school detention, and help maintain responsibility, and organization. This mandatory student ID policy is a hit, but the recent lack of compliance is a miss
Illustration by | Cylie Cumento
Your Turn Staff Editorial
What are
your thoughts about people making fake threats?
“I think it’s serious and people shouldn’t make threats like that because of what is going on with all the other school shootings.”
- Nathan Irving, 11
“I feel like it’s dumb and most people are now afraid to come to school and it’s affecting the learning that’s happening.’’
- Brittyn Earley, 10
“It’s bad and it puts people in panic mode and it makes schools seem unsafe when it should be a safe place.”
- Paxson Heath, 12
“I think people should stop doing it for attention because they’re not getting the attention they want.”
- Peyton Van Cleave, 11
“If you’re doing it because you want to do it then it’s stupid, but if you’re doing it because you actually feel hurt then you need to get help.”
- Jose Sanchez-Ceballos, 10
School district facing off against rise of violent threats
One of the top priorities of any school is always the safety of the students and their environment, and a good majority of school and district rules reflect that. However, school districts across the country are currently facing off against one of the most serious and widespread issues that challenges that very idea of safety: threats and shootings. These threats have reached an all time high, and cause mass panic and shutdowns
to get behind. Mental health is already one of the main issues that students deal with growing up and being in school. A common similarity in a majority of threats that schools have experienced is that they came from a student, not an adult. One of the September threats, made against multiple schools in the PfISD district, was later identified to have been made by a middle school student. Struggling with mental health is common in middle school, as students deal with changes in their body and their environment, while the brain is still developing and is vulnerable to a wide variety of problems. The issue of threats from students at this age may very well be connected to this
“It’s not okay, we go to school to learn and violence is never the answer. They need to cut it out.”
- Tamar Tewodros, 11
publicized across the media, and eventually reaches the school administration. These threats are taken as seriously as possible, regardless of it being a prank or not, and end up in legal investigation to find the person who made the threat, such as what happened with the September incidents.
Alongside social media, another major factor in these threats is mental health, a problem much more difficult
With media influence and mental health in mind, the final thing that is important to address is the severity of the threats, and the consequences they bring to the offender. Many students who have made threats did not fully consider what would result from doing so, causing unnecessary panic and investigation. Often times the student ends up being tracked down and arrested on the offense of making a terroristic threat to the school, leading to them facing legal charges as a juvenile. Furthermore, it also leads to the student facing severe academic punishment, potentially even being expelled. All of these consequences come from a very poorly considered decision, and have the potential to ruin a student’s academic career, and therefore, being aware of the seriousness on making threats is important knowledge.
Ultimately, mental health, social media, and ignorance contribute to threats getting out and causing concerns with safety in schools. Awareness of students’ mental health, social media influence, and the severity of the threats themselves should be spread to help fight the problem at the source, and help make schools a safer environment, as is the ultimate goal of every school.
Illustration by | Karina Bon
School security doors enhance safety, emergency preparedness Social media plays role in spreading school threats
Marcos Hans | Reporter
As part of ongoing efforts to enhance school safety, security doors are being installed across the school. These doors are designed to act as barriers in emergencies, helping to manage hallway traffic and ensure a secure environment for students and staff, though some students have wondered why these doors are necessary.
“The biggest thing is creating another barrier,” principal Micheal Grebb said. “It also helps us redirect traffic during emergencies, such as if someone has a medical emergency and we need to create a clear path for first responders.”
Grebb also mentioned that once the doors arrive they can serve as a crucial security measure in more serious scenarios, such as when an unauthorized individual enters the building. In such situations, the doors can be closed to contain the threat and
allow school resource officers to respond more effectively.
Grebb joked that the doors might be “on a ship from China.” Despite this the school is committed to having the doors fully installed by the end of the year, with work likely taking place during school breaks to minimize disruption.
In the meantime, the door frames have already been prepared, so the final phase will be quick once the doors arrive.
These doors will remain open during regular school hours and passing periods, only closing when necessary in the event of an emergency.
“I’ve worked at schools with similar systems before, and they’re a great tool for keeping everyone safe,” Grebb said.
“It’s all about making our school a safer place for everyone.”
Quintanilla places at State Fair
Marcos Hans | Reporter
The district has witnessed an increase in threats circulating through social media, many of which are not credible but cause a great deal of fear and disruption.
“When people see a threat, they often assume it’s about our school, even if it originates from elsewhere,” principal Micheal Grebb said.
Grebb noted that while social media can be a powerful tool for positive communication, it can also be exploited by individuals aiming to incite fear and anxiety.
To combat these threats, the district has taken a proactive stance by investigating incidents and penalizing those who spread unverified claims.
“It takes everyone to create a safe learning environment,” Grebb said. “Kids should realize to report, and not repost”
In response to a recent threat circulating widely on social media, the district was able to identify and locate the student responsible.
While the police did not believe the threat was credible, the middle school student was arrested and charged with making a
terroristic threat, a serious crime that will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Grebb emphasized that while some might see these threats as mere “pranks” or attempts to disrupt school operations, they are anything but harmless.
“Beyond the emotional toll these threats take on our community, they lead to reallife consequences for the perpetrators,” Grebb said. “If you see Something out of place, tell us so we can look into it”
Students, staff, and parents are encouraged to report any suspicious behavior immediately.
By working together, Grebb believes the district can continue to encourage a safe, supportive environment where students can focus on their education without fear or distraction.
“Creating a safe and secure learning environment is a shared responsibility, and we need everyone’s cooperation to prevent these disruptions,” Grebb said. “We want to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students.”
Hawks tennis team gear up for regional tournament after standout season
Afomiya Michael | Asst. EditorLast week, as the tennis season hit its final stretch, the Hawks tennis team headed off to regionals.
Under head coach Bertsch, the team has shown resilience bouncing back from early losses and coming together in the latter half of the season.
As they headed into regionals, the team wasn’t just focused on winning but on playing their best tennis of the season
“I’m really looking forward to it, playing with a bunch of different people and accomplishing wins with lots and lots of practice. “ Junior Teagan Kamenicky said.
The Hawk cheerleaders and staff rallied behind them in support of their send off . They used it as motivation to play their best knowing that so many people are rooting for them.
Facing a formidable Anderson High School squad, they fell short in a hard fought battle. Although this may have been a tough loss for the team, the players and coaches are very proud of
the growth they made this season and the determination that was displayed throughout.
While their regional run may be over, the Hendrickson tennis team has much to celebrate. With memorable individual performances and newfound teamwork, they leave this season knowing that they’ll be back better than ever next year.
Senior Lyliana Quintanilla earned top scores at the State Fair of Texas in the Agricultural Job Interview Contest on Oct. 17. Quintanilla is coached by Ag teacher Pilar Lira.
War of Words
Passionate arguments dominate at LC Anderson TFA tournament
Afomiya Michael | Asst. Editor
In a display of passionate speeches at the LC Anderson TFA debate tournament, Emerson Growt won second in Original oratory, while her teammate, Frances Morales-Davila followed with a second place finish in informative speaking.
In the original oratory competitions, students deliver a self written 10 minute speech using logic and emotional appeals. Topics can range widely but competitors must recite from memory.
“I wanted to do a topic that was kind of controversial and could get a lot of people thinking,” Davila said.
Davila chose to do her informative
speech on the controversies behind the word Latinx.
“While I was at debate camp, I saw many advertisements with that word and we kind of wanted to explore why there was so much controversy,” she said.
Over the summer Davila attended debate camps to strengthen her skills and prepare her topic for the upcoming tournaments this year. Her work paid off when she placed second in informative speaking.
“It was really fun. I was so glad that I got such a high ranking, especially because it was only the second tournament that I had gone to this year,” Davila said. “It
was basically a chance for me to get state points.”
The feedback that she received from the judges assured that the LC debate tournament was a great experience overall.
“Judges are usually nice with these criticisms but I kind of just look at it through a constructive lens and see what I can use for their feedback to edit my speech, make it better, or just practice the way that I speak,” Davila said.
Securing her second place win as well, third year debater Emerson Growt focused her speech on Bisexual ratio within the LGBTQ community.
Recounting her personal experiences as a member of the community Growt advocated for 2 minor problems — the belief that bisexuality is just a phase that will eventually lead someone either be gay or straight and how it forces bisexuality to a gender binary.
“My solutions were like implementing inclusive language in the LGBTQ community and then being able to not make assumptions about people’s sexuality, just promoting overall inclusivity for everyone,” Growt said.
Haider earns victory at Yale National Conference
Afomiya Michael | Asst. Editor
In a weekend filled with intense debates and competition, senior debater Waleed Haider secured second place at the Yale National Conference as the co-champion in extemporaneous speaking. The Yale invitational is a nationwide National Speech and Debate Association tournament for high school students. People from across the country compete in 12 events. As the inaugural major national circuit tournament of the season, Yale set the stage with different competitions for the participants.
“ The Yale conference kind of has an in-
tense aura surrounding it. It’s super competitive,” Haider said.“ I had the best time there.”
The past year, 6 out of the top ten competitors in the country were non seniors, including Haider.
“Even though it was an intense tournament, I had the best time hanging out with my friends from other cities and states,” Haider said. “ I think The Yale invitational conference stands out as a special tournament because it presents competitors with hypothetical scenarios in the final round.”
This unique style of final questions re -
quires participants to navigate complex questions and think on their feet.
“My speech was about a scenario where Donald Trump drops out of the presidential race like Biden actually did, and it asked me who JD Vance would want to pick as his vice presidential running mate,” Haider said. “These scenarios provide some fun for the speaker and the audience.”
Coming in second, Waleed was pleased about his results.
“I came in second in a really competitive field, so I was happy to debut on the national circuit this season with a strong finish,” Haider said.“ I really enjoyed de -
livering jokes and jabs throughout the rounds.”
Prepping for a tournament with this kind of caliber and recognition proved to be more intense than ever.
“ I’m very grateful to Ms. Janak for helping me prepare and teaching me to turn some of my weaknesses into strengths during the off season running up to this tournament,” Haider said. “ I also want to thank my team for helping me prepare. This just means we all push ourselves to the best of our abilities.
A Nation Divided
2024 Presidential Election sparks controversy, candidates with contrasting ideologies
Kamala Harris Donald Trump
Gia Patel | Co Editor
Kamala Harris, the first woman of Black and South Asian descent to be elected Vice President of the United States, is the Democratic Party nominee for the 2024 Presidential Election.
Tim Walz, the Democratic governor of Minnesota, is her vice presidential running mate.
Harris was born in Oakland, California on October 20, 1964. Harris went on to graduate from Howard University and the University of California Hastings College of Law. Harris has an experienced background in law and politics, particularly in the state of California. She began working as a district attorney in San Francisco in 2004 where she prosecuted several cases of gang violence, drug trafficking, and sexual abuse. In 2010, she served as California’s Attorney General. She previously served in the U.S. Senate from 2017-2021. When she took office in the Senate in January 2017, Harris became the first Indian American and the second Black American woman in the Senate.
the Democratic Party’s nominee. On August 6, 2024, Harris was officially named the presidential nominee for the Democratic Party.
As racial injustice became a major issue in the United States, particularly in 2020, many Democrats urged Biden to select a Black woman as his vice presidential running mate since it would positively impact his chances of winning the election. When Biden chose Harris, she became the first Black woman to appear on a major party’s national ticket.
As Vice President, Harris had the responsibility of addressing the increase of immigrants from Latin America to the U.S. southern border, protecting voting rights, and the access to abortion. Harris was vocal on reproductive health care rights that she continues on in her 2024 campaign.
In July 2023, after his debate with Republican candidate President Donald Trump, Biden stepped out of his reelection and endorsed Vice President Harris for
In her 2024 campaign, Harris aims to fight to restore reproductive rights and women’s access to healthcare, with the belief that health care decisions should be in the hands of the people and their doctors instead of the government. Harris plans to address the nation’s income equality through policies to increase the minimum wage, foster job creation, and support working families. In terms of the conflict between Israel and Palestine, Harris’s view is similar to the Biden administration: pushing for the de-escalation of violence and a cease-fire that would return the hostages and ultimately end the war.
If Harris wins the election, she would make history as the first female president of the United States. Harris’ campaign reflects her commitment to equality and justice for all Americans regardless of race, income status, and gender.
Illustration by | Cylie Cumento
Patel Co Editor
Former 45th President of the United States, Donald Trump is running for a second term as president after his loss against President Joe Biden in the 2020 Presidential Election. Trump nominated Republican Senator from Ohio, JD Vance. Trump was born in New York, New York on June 14, 1946. He attended the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Finance and Commerce where he graduated with a degree in economics. After he graduated, he began working for his father’s business. In 1974, he became president of numerous Trump-owned corporations and partnerships. In the late 70s and 80s, Trump expanded his father’s business by investing in luxury hotels and properties, primarily in Manhattan. In 1983, he opened Trump Tower, which contained Trump’s Manhattan residence and the headquarters of his organization. Through the 80s, Trump shared publicly
that he considered running for president. After publishing his book, The America We Deserve, he set forth his conservative political views.
In 2015, Trump announced that he would be a candidate in the 2016 Presidential Election with the slogan, “make America great again.” He soon became an influential figure within the Republican Party with his rallies and social media presence.
Trump and his vice presidential nominee, Mike Pence, the Republican governor of Indiana, won the election against Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton.
Trump’s presidency focused on economic recovery, strict immigration reform and bans in Middle Eastern countries, and a strong national defense, which he plans to build upon if elected. However, Trump was involved in various controversies during his presidency. On May 30, 2024, he became the first former president to be convicted of a crime, and he is the only U.S. president to be impeached twice. Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsification of business records, which is considered a felony in the state of New York.
Trump believes in the importance of emphasizing tax cuts and has pushed cuts to programs that assist in student loan forgiveness. Trump and Harris have conflicting viewpoints on the Israel/ Palestine conflict. Trump insists that if he was president during the October 7 attack on Hamas, he would have quickly ended the war.
Trump believes that his goals for America will allow the country to return back to a strong and economically successful nation.
Gia
Preparation underway for annual Battle of the Books competition
Fella Sahertian Reporter
The annual Battle of the Books competition is approaching, and students are gearing up for a literary trivia showdown. This year’s event will take place on March 28 at Ann Richards High School, featuring participating schools from the Austin Independent School District (AISD) and Pflugerville Independent School District (PFISD).
Last year’s competition provided valuable insights for librarian Victoria Friday. “When I started in late September, we had no librarian, and I was introduced to Battle of the Books by our previous librarian, Kara Johnson,” Friday said. “It was a big learning curve, but it’s a fun competition meant to inspire students to read.”
The process for this year’s event began shortly after last year’s competition, when Austin Independent School District (AISD) and Pflugerville Independent School District (PFISD)
librarians selected ten books across various genres, including science fiction, historical fiction, mystery, and graphic novels. “Students can choose to read any or all of the ten books,” Friday said. “To really participate in the competition, they’re encouraged to familiarize themselves with them.”
To prepare, the library will host weekly meetings starting Oct. 7, featuring practice trivia rounds. “We want to build a sense of camaraderie among students who might not know each other well,” Friday said, noting there’s no limit on team size, but only five members can compete at a time in each round.
In addition to the trivia competition, which includes formats like Kahoot and Jeopardy, participants can look forward to prizes for completing all ten books and contributing to practice trivia questions. The event aims to be an enjoyable extracurricular activity rather than a pressure-filled academic requirement.
“This is just for fun,” Friday said. “It’s about encouraging a love of reading, so none of that academic stuff.”
Friday aims to expand participation and improve recruitment efforts this year.
“Last year, we had ten members, but by competition time, we dropped to six or seven,” Friday said. “I want to ensure that students feel this is a fun, supportive environment.”
With a renewed focus on team building and engagement, the team hopes to challenge yearly reigning champions from Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA) while fostering a spirit of friendly competition. “Our goal is to make sure LASA doesn’t win, and hopefully that means Hendrickson would,” Friday said.
“But regardless of the outcome, we want our students to enjoy the experience and discover new books.”
Science Olympiad builds knowledge, friendships, time management skills
Marcos Hans Reporter
Participating in Science Olympiad offers numerous advantages for students, extending beyond those passionate about science, to include those interested in other academic subjects.
The program motivates a strong learning environment that supports collaboration and exploration among students.
“It provided a base for me to make new friends when I moved here during my sophomore year,” Noah Lobo, Treasurer and Secretary of Science Olympiad said. To sign up for Science Olympiad students can show up to a General meeting where students are asked to List their Name, Email, and student s-number. Additionally you fill out a form to determine which Events you would like to participate in, Ranging from Write it do it, all the way to Bits Assemble. After the initial sign up phase students will Practice with their teams, and Before Big events, students will be asked about their Availability and if they can make it to the events.
This approach ensures that those truly committed and enthusiastic about the events have the opportunity to shine and display their abilities to the fullest.
“In all due honesty, we just select students based on availability,” Lobo said. “However, during the second semester, we select students based on their capability.”
Lobo revealed that their inspiration to join Science Olympiad stemmed from a friendship formed in Pre-Calculus class with a fellow student named Cole.
“Because of him, I ended up joining, and it’s been great participating in events and working with others during competitions,” Lobo said “In the past, I have procrastinated a lot, and started to struggle in some classes.”
However, they credited their friends with helping them get back on track. In Science Olympiad everything revolves around teamwork and the ability to rely on your teammates and friends whenever tough times arise.
“I have been able to balance the workload by planning ahead and understanding how my teachers create assignments,” Lobo
said. “By mastering time management, you can receive a full 8 hours of sleep. This is key because sleep improves a person’s ability to function.” In Science Olympiad you have the chance to experience countless Memorable experiences. Among one of their experiences was participating in the challenging Fermi Questions event at last year’s regionals. With only one day to prepare, Lobo relied on Cole’s guidance and practiced on the bus.
“Despite my best efforts, I was unable to place in the top 3 with my teammate,” Lobo said.
Adding that the experience sparked a deeper interest in Science Olympiad and reinforced the value of teamwork.
“Team members collaborate and
support each other by building strong relationships during practice meetings we have before competition time,” Lobo said. This sense of friendship helps students navigate challenges and celebrate successes together.
For those involved, the Science Olympiad is more than just competitions, it’s a journey of growth, friendship, and discovery.
“It’s really about learning and growing together as a team,” Lobo said.
Illustration by | Brittany Truong
Local nonprofit aims to ensure all PfISD students have access to warm lunches Food for all
Gia Patel | Co Editor
After senior John Amador saw his peers go into the lunch line and get their lunch snatched out of their hands and replaced with a cold cheese sandwich because of their negative lunch account balances, he knew he needed to do something to help students in Pflugerville.
“I’ve been in the district since I was in kindergarten, so [seeing] kids go through the lunch line to have their food taken away for something that wasn’t their fault or they couldn’t control really inspired me to do something about it,” Amador, the cofounder of Pfood Pfairness said. “It’s hard for a 16 year old to ask other people [for lunch money].”
Pfood Pfairness is a local student-led non profit organization that fights food insecurity in Pflugerville schools by funding lunch accounts of students who require assistance and are affected by the alternative lunch policy that replaces a student’s hot meal with a cheese sandwich if the account has a negative balance. Pfood Pfairness’s profound impact has not been overlooked by the city. They won the Best Nonprofit of Pflugerville for 2024 by the Chamber of Commerce, and received a $100,000 grant from the city council and The Mayor of Pflugerville, Victor Gonzales who named September 12, 2023 ‘Pfood Pfairness Day.’ People can support Pfood Pfairness’s cause
by spreading the word of the organization or making a donation that will ensure students are protected from choosing between hunger or the humiliation of the lunch line.
Amador said. “You have to get registered with the IRS under a certain code.”
As cofounder, Amador is tasked with primarily spreading the mission of his nonprofit.
Speaking publicly often about Pfood Pfairness doesn’t make Amador feel nervous or uncomfortable; he’s had interviews with news stations like KXAN.
Starting a nonprofit organization at the age of 16 restricts what minors can handle independently, requiring an adult to handle the financial aspects.
“It’s a little hard for someone under the age of 18 to [start a nonprofit], so you have to get a separate bank account for it,”
“My job is mainly to do what I’m doing right now, which is, like, answer questions and speak in front of people,” Amador said. “So if we talk to the news, I’m the main person they talk to. I’m just not allowed to handle money because I’m not 18.”
Counselor gives insight into free and reduced lunch benefits
Travis Tellez | Asst. Editor
The free and reduced lunch program provides a free or reduced-cost lunch for children in low-income families to eat in school and aims to provide quality, nutritious meals for those who can’t afford them. However, the benefit of free or reduced lunch isn’t the only application of the program. It also allows for financial and admission aid for many other services and colleges.
“The students in the free and reduced program also qualify for SAT, ACT, AP, and college application waivers.” counselor
Cassandra Jackson said. “It gives students an option to not have to pay full price for any of that.”
With the free and reduced benefits, students within the program only have to pay $15 for their AP exams instead of the full $99. Not only that, but those who are taking summer school and are a part of the program also pay half of the $100 fee.
“Students who have qualified in the past need to fill it out every year, and the easiest way to do it is online because it takes less than 24 hours,” Jackson said. “I think it's interesting that people don’t do it because
they don’t eat in the cafeteria, since it comes with so many other benefits than just the lunch part. It is also important to know that just because you qualified one year doesn’t necessarily mean that it transfers over to the next and that you should be applying every year for it.”
“It’s pretty easy, the same answers I’m giving you are the same answers I’ve given to like 50 people at this point,” Amador said. “There’s just a script in my head.”
Pfood Pfairness is ran primarily by students in PfISD, with donors across the community Amador works alongside co-founder and his brother, Maxx, senior Natalie Vargas, as well as other students at Weiss to hopefully spread their impact across the Austin area in order to sponsor even more students in need of financial assistance.
“[Our goal is] to hopefully spread to other districts, like Round Rock or other nearby districts,” Amador said. “We’ve provided [around] 200,000-500,000 meals and $50,000 of debt was prevented just in the last year.”
Principal analyzes effect of lunch debts on school, and district Debts go deeper
Eliana Grant | Co Editor
Owing money to a school can be a sensitive topic, which many students would rather not discuss. The embarrassment and fear when walking into the cafeteria, unsure if you can afford lunch that day can be extremely difficult for students. This is why the school and district alike have attempted to relieve these debts and worries through a range of donations and programs.
“Ms. Carl, our social worker, has a fund to feed kids because we don’t want any kid to go without food,” principal Michael Grebb said. “So every year, usually each class leaves money behind as a class gift. So we give Ms. Carl that money for an account, so if we identify a kid that hasn’t eaten, we can tell her, ‘hey, can you run this person through the lunch line?’ and she can pay for them. So we have our own separate account for any kids, any day, we’ll make
sure they get fed.”
School social worker Lori Carl’s account for students is not the only way students can pay off their debts and continue to get food, as many students have been helped through free and reduced lunch, as well as the Pfood Pfairness program.
“The Pfood Pfairness program helps because I think some kids stopped using the cafeteria because they’re embarrassed about their debt, or they just start thinking it’s no big deal, but it is a big deal, it helps them get a fresh start,” Grebb said. “We also always encourage people to apply for free and reduced lunch. Obviously the parents have to do that application and have to qualify based on your income, so sometimes that’s difficult, and people forget to do it year in and year out. [Free and reduced lunch also] gives you reductions on college applications, on SAT/ACT testing, so there’s a lot of good
Food
insecurity impacts millions
Zuri Clark | Reporter
In 2020 13.8 million households suffered from food insecurity. The United States Department of Agriculture divides food insecurity into two categories. Low food security and very low food security. Low food security consists of little to no indication of food intake, while very low food security entails multiple indications of disrupted eating patterns. Here on campus actions are being taken to prevent food insecurity in students.
“Our social worker Ms. Carl has an account called Hungry Hawks, so any kid that can’t afford food can receive a lunch through us.” Principal, Michael Grebb said. For students hunger can significantly affect learning. The link between nutrition and academic success is well documented, and when students lack proper food, their educational outcome suffers.
“If you don’t have food you aren’t concerned about algebra or chemistry.” Grebb said, “If you’ve ever been hungry or had a bad night of sleep, it can be difficult to learn the next day.”
In May of 2024, Texas was declared the most food insecure state in the country.
Illustrations by | Karina Bon
With about 200,000 Austinites lacking food security.
“It’s a big deal, and it’s not handled with nearly as much sensitivity as it should be,” Grebb said.
In Austin, food insecurity disproportionately affects low-income families, minority communities, and students. According to the Central Texas Food Bank, about 1 in 7 Central Texas residents including 1 in 5 children struggle with food insecurity.
In this community students are taking action to help out their peers.
“Two brothers have started an organization called Pfood Pfairness to help kids pay off their lunch debt,” Grebb said. “If you don’t have enough money on your account they’re supposed to give you a cheese sandwich instead of the main entree, this program helps spare kids of the embarrassment and provides them with a full lunch.”
advantages if a student’s family qualifies for free and reduced lunch.”
When students are in debt to the school or cafeteria, they are not the only ones affected. While being in debt is certainly difficult enough, it is important to understand how these debts affect the entirety of the way that the school runs.
“We have a food service company called Aramark, so it kind of effects them because obviously they’re trying to run a food service company so when people don’t pay it kind of effects their bottom line because they have to pass that on to the rest of the students, so it’s kind of that basic economics of running a business,” Grebb said.
Most students’ lunch debts are worked off by each school, and usually aren’t made into a district wide conversation. Grebb said that the Pfood Pfairness program was able to present to each school’s principals,
as they give considerable donations to all PFISD schools, but that each campus handles these problems differently.
“I don’t think we’ve ever had a district wide conversation, but as a school, we just want to make sure everybody’s taken care of,” Grebb said. “The Pfood Pfairness that the students started is a great thing because I think food insecurity is something that’s often overlooked. I only see the kids at certain times of the day, I don’t see them on the weekend, I don’t know what’s in their pantry, I don’t know what’s in their fridge, or if they can go out to eat. Groceries are really expensive now, so I think now more than ever food insecurity is a huge topic, because the inflation on food has been ridiculous, so I can understand how it could cause people a lot of stress nowadays.”
Scared Sheetless
Age-appropriate Halloween festivities debated among teens
Savannah Brewer | Reporter
With Halloween steadily approaching, students that are celebrating the holiday ponder what activities they should participate in.
“During sixth grade, I was like ‘I’m too cool for [dressing up],’ sophomore Max Lopez said. “But now I’m probably going to dress up as Thomas the Tank Engine or something.”
Being in the last stage of life before official adulthood, some teens are seriously debating what would be considered ‘age appropriate’ actions for high schoolers, trick or treating being one of many such complications of suspended teetering levels.
“Me and my sister [used to] go trick or treating together with my grandpa,” freshman Audrey Crow said. “But now, since we’re older, we just go trick or treating with our friends.”
With trick or treating being a tradition among many generations, it can be easy to just associate the holiday with one’s childhood and think of it as being beneath them.
“If you think you’re [too] mature to
celebrate Halloween, you’re just boring,” Lopez said. “Just do something. Don’t sit at home all day.”
An average high school student’s Halloween could range from dressing up as a horror movie character to staying home and watching their favorite film. One’s personal interests define what they will choose to wear for Halloween, which makes the holiday all the more enjoyable
“I don’t think [dressing up] is immature because it’s a fun thing.” sophomore Deacon Garcia said. “I don’t think that something fun has to be limited by age.”
Whether someone is attending a wild party, trick or treating or decides to not celebrate Halloween at all, it is important to remember that everyone celebrates the holiday differently.
“Any costume is cool as long as you don’t go with something boring, like just putting on like a normal face mask,” Lopez said., “As long as you do something original or a character, it’s pretty cool.”
Illustration by | Mason Deaton
103 students surveyed on Halloween favorites
Ashleigh Perrow | Reporter
11 people
54.4%
Said candy corn was a hit
45.6%
Said candy corn was a miss
Said Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are their favorite candy 56.3% 43.7% 56.3% of people said they prefer chocolate candy, while 43.7% prefer sour
Illustration by | Isaiah Trieu
A Witch’s Brew of Horror Films
Movies of several categories in the horror genre to watch for Halloween
Savannah Brewer | Reporter
It’s that time of the year again: spooky season. If you’re someone who enjoys a good scare or two like I do, boy oh boy do I have some horror movie recommendations for you. I organized my picks into several different subgenres of horror, so that even if you’re a picky, cannot-be-impressed film enjoyer, you’ll have at least one scary movie to set your undead eyes upon this Halloween.
First up, we have the television show (yes, I cheated, this one isn’t a movie) The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell. For those of you that aren’t too into being scared, but love shows with
scary aspects to it, then this is for you. It’s a strange conglomeration of DIY tutorials, talking racoon puppets, 50’s housewife dresses and gothic Victorian houses. It feels like a mixture between a Jim Henson movie, I Love Lucy and Psycho (but less scary) all in one.
Next on the list is a classic: Friday the 13th. Though some would say that the first film of the long standing series is the best, I would suggest that you skip on to number four in the series, Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter. Its pacing is much better than its predecessors, and the suspense behind the deaths of some of the characters keeps your toes locked in an anxious curl. If you’re up for a cheesy slasher this Hallows’ Eve, I’d recommend this bad boy. It also features the actor who played Mouth in the Goonies, Corey Feldman, if that makes the movie any better for you.
If you’re the kind of person who loves when things are over the top and absolutely musical while still being on the spooky spectrum, then I’d recommend watching The Rocky Horror Picture Show. This 1975 classic was way ahead of its time, with just the basics of the plot including a transvestite mad scientist, a hunchback, lightning, scandals, fishnets, dancing and songs that have long since reached cult classic status. Back in the 70’s, Rocky Horror wasn’t exactly a smash hit at its box office release, but it slowly started to rise
in popularity as audiences began shouting things to the screen at characters during the film. This evolved into a ritual of audience participation that has spanned for decades, with audiences throwing things at the screen at certain moments in the film or even shooting water guns! I’d highly recommend searching for a live showing of Rocky Horror that will let you experience the movie in its entirety, rituals and all, this Halloween.
Now, if you’re thinking ‘what? I thought Halloween movies were supposed to have monsters in them,’ don’t worry. I’m trying to advocate for different subgenres in the spooky genre, and that includes traditional figures that we picture when we think of Halloween, such as Dracula. If you can’t already tell, the movie I’m suggesting is the aptly named film Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Featuring an all star cast of Winona Ryder, Gary Oldman (Sirius Black from the Harry Potter series), Keanu Reeves (who also has one of the funniest and worst fake British accents of all time), and more, this film is loosely based off of the 1897 novel of the same name. The score is absolutely fantastic and matches every scene perfectly, whether it be a swoon worthy romantic part or a violent, bloody fight, which makes Dracula one of the most dramatic, immersive horror films that I can think of.
If, after reading through all four paragraphs of my suggestions, you still don’t see a movie that you think you’d enjoy watching, I have one last
recommendation in my pocket: Suspiria. A foreign film (that is dubbed in English), Suspiria is a masterfully created horror movie that I, myself, have just recently watched for the first time, and am trying to recommend to anyone that I can possibly think of. The director, Dario Argento, an infamous Giallo (a type of Italian horror film) filmmaker who has influenced countless other directors, tells a story about a woman finding that something is terribly, perhaps horrifically wrong within her German boarding school for dance. Suspiria is a psychological horror film with a hint of slasher added to it (only because of the gore, really) that keeps the viewer guessing, not knowing what is happening, making them feel just as panicked as the main characters on
screen are. What’s so interesting about Suspiria is that the harder you try to wrap your head around it to try and make sense of the movie, it’s never going to entirely work out, as Argento never meant for it to make sense. The film is supposed to feel like a nightmare, and Argento pulls this off perfectly, using harsh cinematography in regards to the coloring of the film as well as adding shots of things that make you feel just a bit off. It’s the perfect amount of spooky for Halloween, and if you’re up to see some cheesy, too-bright fake blood, then Suspiria is the movie for you.
Spiraling Into Horror Manga
Horror manga created by the legendary Junji Ito to read this Halloween
Travis Tellez | Assistant Editor
With Halloween closing in, there are so many types of stories that can get one in the mood for the subjectively spooky
night. So many movies, novels, shows, and even music that all represent the Halloween spirit, but one horror medium that I feel is underrepresented in the world of Japanese manga, specifically the works of Junji Ito. Despite the unserious connotation that manga may have in the West, Ito has made himself famous within the manga community through the unique and grotesque art that he puts within his stories.
Ito’s first work ever published was his award-winning Tomie, a series of stories
about a young, beautiful girl named Tomie who has a strangely powerful ability to make any man fall in love with her, and through the use of extreme psychological and emotional manipulation, can make them do anything for her, including
extreme acts of violence and murder. Through the use of extremely detailed acts of violence, a touch of paranormal activity, and a general sense of creepiness from the art, it's no wonder Tomie has caught the eyes of so many horror readers today.
Shifting to more psychological horror with some absurdity, The Enigma of Amigara Fault is a short bonus story from the Gyo series Ito published in
the early 2000s. The story follows the discovery of human-shaped holes on the side of Amigara Mountain after a severe earthquake left a fault at said mountain. As
more and more people visit the holes, the story turns into a dark and oddly realistic story of the horrors of human compulsion and intrusive thoughts. I would highly recommend this short story as it explores parts of the human mind that many horrors, especially psychological ones, don’t explore very often.
Finally, arguably Ito’s most famous work, Uzumaki is a series that truly presents all of Ito’s horrifying capabilities when it comes to drawing manga. It follows the story of Kirie Goshima and her life in her hometown, Kurouzu-cho, which suffers
from supernatural events that revolve around spirals. This story shows what Ito can do, as he takes a concept as simple as spirals, and makes a dark and grotesque story that gives off such an uncomfortable feeling when reading through it.
Ito has created so many more thrilling stories that have captured the imagination of so many readers around the world that range from realistic psychological horrors like his interpretation of Osamu Dazai’s No Longer Human, to inconceivable eldritch horrors like Hellstar Remina, and I truly do recommend people to pick up at least one of his stories this Halloween.
Psychological impact of horror movies on the brain and the science of fear Behind the Screams
Zuri Clark | Reporter
In 1896 director Georges Méliès brought the silent story Le Manoir Du Diable (The House of The Devil) to life. The film is now regarded as the first horror movie. The three minute film was filled with skeletons, cauldrons, and ghosts. However, in 1974 cinema took a turn towards slashers with the hit movie The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The movie opened up doors for violence and bloodshed within the theater.
In order for viewers to enjoy horror movies they must understand that they are safe.
“When you watch horror movies your sympathetic nervous system is engaged, which is our fight or flight response,” AP psychology teacher, Sara Lucas said.
“In your nervous system there is a neurotransmitter called norepinephrine that gets going, and in your endocrine system you have your adrenaline so it’s the same chemical but it’s going through both systems telling your body how to act in stressful situations.”
For some this emotion is exciting. The feeling you have on roller coasters is the same as the feeling you might get if your
house were being broken into.
“It’s fun for many to go to haunted houses because it automatically engages their sympathetic nervous system.” Lucas said.
Many teenagers enjoy scary movies, but aren’t aware of the long term effects the genre can have on ones
“If our sympathetic nervous system is engaged for prolonged periods of time it can lead to exhaustion and will impact our immune system.” Lucas said When the nervous system is stimulated for too long the flight or fight response may be triggered over everyday stressors.
This can lead to hypertension (high blood pressure), chronic stress, and hyperglycemia. Ju
Over the past 50 years horror has significantly changed, with some directors relying on SFX makeup, CGI, and jumpscares to scare viewers. However, the future of horror looks bright with directors such as Jordan Peele, Ari Aster, M. Night Shyamalan, and more honoring the art of invoking fear in their audience.
Running Full Course Golf team aims high in beginning of new season
Starting off in the new season, the golf team scores onto the podium in the first tournament of the year. The golf team scored 3rd place overall in the tournament on Sep 23, at the BlackHawk golf course, with freshman Zaniyah Negrete scoring 1st place in the matchup.
“I felt pretty relaxed,” Negrete said. “I’m comfortable playing golf because it is a sport that I just play for fun, and I am beginning to get more competitive in it.”
When it comes to teams, golf tournaments are vastly different from other sports, as each tournament can involve a number of different teams playing instead of only two, creating a sense of competition
Fall Ball Recap
Preseason
among the players.
“It’s competitive,” junior Roman Martinez said. “You get there and you see like, 15 different teams all warming up, and it can be intimidating.”
While the tournaments create a competitive atmosphere, the members of the teams get together to talk with one another, fostering a social environment during the game.
“It kinda depends on who you get paired up with,” Martinez said. “It’ll be quiet for some holes but then we’ll actually start talking, and you become kinda like acquaintances in the time you’re there.”
The golf team brings opportunities for
students to get into playing a sport and receive scholarships for college after graduation.
“I am very good at it for being a freshman,” Negrete said. “I know if I keep playing, I could actually get a scholarship in it and go to college for it.”
The golf team, led by coach Brian Westerfield, holds meetings twice a week to practice at the course for the upcoming tournaments. The members are involved in a variety of different groups, resulting in them needing to adapt to the schedule of the golf meetups, alongside their other activities.
“We have football players, band
members, and people in all kinds of events on the team,” Westerfield said. “Getting them all out there on the course together is the tough part.”
Despite these challenges, Westerfield and the members of the team work to improve their skills, with success in mind as the major motivation for it all.
“The biggest thing is just seeing them succeed,” Westerfield said. “Seeing them enjoy it and not giving up is what matters most, because it’s a sport they can play their entire life, even if they don’t play in college or go professional.”
basketball tournament gives insight on upcoming seasons potential
Afomiya Michael | Asst. Editor
For the past six weeks, the girls basketball team has been competing in preseason Fall Ball tournaments at the Round Rock Sports Center every Monday. With their sights set on the upcoming regular season, each team faced various matchups, all aiming to reclaim the title of district champions.
Varsity veterans Niyah Waters, Jaidyn West, Janeah Hood, and Jasmine Cullpepper highlighted how the integration of new talent and innovative strategies will shape their season.
“Playing competitive exams like Vistaridge really pushes us to improve,” Waters said. “They were very fundamental and we learned a lot from not being fully prepared. That’s what preseason is all about.”
While the level of competition can vary, the team remains focused, even against
less challenging opponents. “We use those games to really just put as many points on the board,” Cullpepper said. “It gives us the freedom to experiment with new plays and work on our skills in a more relaxed environment.”
During the offseason, the varsity team emphasizes conditioning and skill development. “We’re athletes, so staying in shape isn’t anything new.” Hood said. “It’s about finding our rhythm as a unit.”
Tournament days are carefully planned to balance academics and athletics. “I usually do all my homework the night before,” West said. “Getting enough sleep and a good breakfast is essential for me.”
As the season approaches, the team is committed to motivating one another and strengthening their chemistry, all while keeping their eyes on the goal of making it to state.
Antonio Garcia | Reporter
Photo by Kiara Evans
Photo by Rylee Vincent
Photo by Rylee Vincent
Leaders Step Up To The Blocks
Swim team navigates through new leadership changes as season starts
As the new season starts, the swim team faces the challenge of a myriad of new swimmers and coaches being introduced to the team and how they must learn everything about the sport as soon as possible.
“My actual experience is more of a swim parent.” head coach Roshell Reyes said. “I had a kiddo that was a competitive swimmer for a long time, but I just have a general background in athletics.”
Reyes stepped up as the new head coach for the team after the previous coach stepped down, and now has to quickly learn as much as she can about the sport
to take care of the swimmers properly.
“What I'm learning with this team is it's going to be a careful balance of getting the more advanced kiddos to be more competitive while also getting the more novice kiddos to be more comfortable with competing at meets,” Reyes said. “ Luckily, I’ve got phenomenal captains that are helping out and taking charge, and love how disciplined they are with managing the team”
Swimmers on the team are also expressive about their opinions about the team and have their own ideas on what they think it means to be a swimmer.
“Someone who always shows up to practice goes to all the meets, and gives it their all,” junior Haydn Helmcamp said. “They themselves may not be the fastest, but if they help and support everyone else around them, then that's what I think is a good swimmer.
Captains of the swim team have taken up certain responsibilities that a coach usually would, such as creating workouts for practice and even coaching swimmers, all to maximize the potential of the team.
“For swimming, being friendly with your teammates, captains, and coaches is such an important part of team
Player Spotlight: Malaya Bennett
What
got you into Volleyball?
"When I was in elementary school I would go to my grandpa's house, and we would start watching UT volleyball, and I really liked it, and I wanted to be like them so I convinced my mom to let me start playing.”
What made you fall in love with the sport?
"The moment that made me realize my love for volleyball was when I got recruited to a club team and I really loved my teammates, we had a Lonestar tournament in Dallas, honestly it was just so much fun and that's when I realized that volleyball is something that I want to do for the rest of my life.”
bonding,” captain Richard Dimas said. “Commitment is also important, as we need swimmers to show up to the pool and try their best during the workout, even when it gets cold out like it is now.”
The captains and coaches work together and set goals for the team so they can have a plan for what they want to accomplish throughout the year.
“Getting as many swimmers to districts and regionals as possible is what I’m aiming for this season,” Dimas said. “Regionals is a fun experience, and I want everyone to be able to hold a medal or ribbon, so they can have the feeling of winning.”
How are team bonds built?
"Team dinners are always something to look forward to because they are fun and we get to spend time with each other, and it feels like a family, and we need things like this to build trust between us."
Who has been your biggest influence in volleyball?
"The coach that had the most impact on my volleyball journey would be Coach LaTonya. She was the coach for the first club team I played for and is the club coach for the club I'm playing for this season. She has been there for me every step of the way and is like family now."
Travis Tellez | Asst. Editor
Photo by Andrea Foster
Photo by Andrea Foster
Photo by Miles Griffin
Abenezer Tewodros | Reporter
A Twisted Tragedy
Musical theater puts on Hadestown production, follows story of Orpheus and Eurydice
Zuri Clark | Reporter
Junior Stella Mutoni talks about her experience performing “Chant” as one of the members of the Worker ensemble. “Chant was challenging, but the outcome was so rewarding,” Mutoni said. “Being a worker was so fun. It was so interesting to change from being someone in the above ground world to changing my persona to a character that’s hard and cold.”
Sophomore Zaniah Anzaldua and senior Jackson Durocher reminisce on what it was like getting the opportunity to retell the tragedy of Orpheus and Eurydice. “It’s emotional because this is my first lead role, and we’re telling such a tender story so we have to be careful,” Anzaldua said. “ I really loved working with Jackson, he made the process so much easier for me.”
Sophomore Gracie Scott takes center stage with her first lead role in the musical theatre program. “It was nerve wracking, but exhilarating,” Scott said. “The cast list came out over the summer, so I was nervous because I didn’t know anybody, but I was still excited to be a lead.”
Junior Madie Berndt discusses working with newcomer freshman Naomi Carter as the Fates. “I felt like I grew a close bond with her. We share the same vocal part, so we had to work together more than other characters,” Berndt said. “I really enjoyed working with Madie,” Carter said. “She’s talented and dedicated to what she does.”
Photos by | Andrea Foster