V L
The Official Newspaper of Longview High School 201 East Tomlinson Parkway Longview, Texas 75605 www.lisd.org/long-view
Volume 76 No. 6 THURSDAY, MARCH 28 2013
The Long-View
ROTC MILITARY BALL, PG. 6
JUNIOR JUMPER, PG. 7
Team of support
OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL, PG.8
PROM tickets
Prom is right around the corner, so here’s some useful information you might want to know about:
• Prom is Saturday, April 13th • Tickets are being sold by Mrs. Blacklock in the College and Career Center • Tickets are $20 until April 1st
Tonya Kendrick / SPECIAL TO THE LONG-VIEW
Homerun Support Members of the varsity baseball team pose with Neal McCoy to show support for Jim Kendrick.
Lobo baseball rallies behind players father Laura Aciano Staff Writer In a crowded hospital reception room, a row of guys wearing green baseball hats sit with their heads bowed. Among them and about forty others, a wife, son, and two daughters dart their sleepless eyes to the swinging doors, waiting anxiously for someone to barge through . On the tenth hour into surgery, a doctor walks into the room, his face unreadable. Their hearts quicken, first with hope, then with crushing fear, as the doctor tells them if they believe in praying, now would be the time to do so; remaining hopeful, they turn to faith and t-shirts. On the morning of Feb. 8, junior Cole Kendrick drove his father, Jim Kendrick, into the hospital for what everyone thought would be a routine procedure. Later at school, Cole received a call from the hospital: his father was going into emergency cardiovascular surgery. “I had a baseball game that day and it was hard to concentrate. My coach stayed the night when my dad was in surgery, he’s been one of the biggest helps. My teammates were there and stayed beside me,” Cole said. “It was hard, but having people there for me made it a lot easier. I’ve always looked at life like ‘if it’s my time, it’s my time’ and I’ll never say that again.”
During those critical seventen hours and thirtyseven minutes of surgery, Tonya Kendrick, wife of Jim and mother to Cole and Mackenzie, was able to see her children mature and grow closer with the support of those around her. “I’ve been married to Jim 20 years and I don’t know how to breathe without him. I heard my children crying and my first thought was ‘Oh no God, please don’t do this,’” Tonya said. “I watched Cole pick Mackenzie up and pray and it was priceless as a mom. I kept saying ‘[Cole] you’ve gotta go to school’ and he said ‘I’m doing exactly what dad and God would want me to do, I’m taking care of you’. I saw him quickly become a role I never expected before.” While they waited in the hospital, Mackenzie came up with Team Jim shirts, which had a great response, to support her father when he was released from surgery. “I was walking on campus and it was amazing to see people reaching out and supporting him,” Mackenzie said. “He’s like our rock, so when we found out he was going to be okay, it was such a relief.” The day of Jim’s release, the whole baseball team wore their Team Jim shirts to support his miraculous recovery, and under the supervision of doctors and nurses, Jim was able to stop by. “I’m a big supporter of the Lobos and an even bigger supporter of my son and it was good when I got to the point where one of the first outings I did was to the game and it was nice,” Jim said. “Cole talking about ‘if it’s your time, it’s your time’, he learned that from me and that changed. I really don’t think I’d be here without the prayers, and the shirts were a good tool.”
Old stuff, new experiences Z-Club girls volunteer at auction Laura Aciano Staff Writer The earthy scent of old, frayed rugs and dusty couches mingles with the smoky scent of burgers and fresh sandwiches. All over the room, girls dash in and out of the kitchen, every once in a while, getting glimpses of the beautiful antique objects around them. As part of their community service, Z-Club members volunteered at the Antique Show at Maude Cobb on Feb. 28 through March 3. People from all over the U.S. came and set up their boutiques with antique objects for people to buy. Aside from the show, lunch was served to those who attended and set up a boutique.
“We were waitresses,” sophomore volunteer Charlotte Williams said. “It was really fun, I kind of just looked as I went while waitressing. I remember this one [boutique] had just rugs, it was interesting.” Along with unique furniture pieces, the boutiques also offered a lot of glassware, and items like old telephones. The volunteers served all sorts of food including a variety of soups and fruit trays for the people. “I was seved by a couple of our girls,” art teacher and Z-Club sponsor Amanda Tilley said. “They did a nice job and I think they had fun talking to different people.” Despite how difficult waitressing proved to be, the girls hope to be a part of the antique show in the coming years. “It was hard work, it taught me to respect the people who I’ve had as waitresses,”
Meaghan McNamara / THE LONG-VIEW
Serving Hours Sophomore Mikaela Lammers waited tables for Z-Club at the Zonta Club Antique Show March 2.
sophomore Mikaela Lammers said. “Just the whole experience [was my favorite part], so in the future if I need to waitress, I know how.” Part of the proceeds made at the show will be distributed amongst local Z-clubs to better serve
the community. “It’s just a circle of giving back,” Tilley said. “[The girls] did have fun talking to different people. A lot of the people there were of the older community, and they were just tickled to see all these girls helping.”
Renovation dedication
Board to fix Lobo Stadium, softball fields including bathrooms and sidewalks Hannah Brown Features Editor Just a few years after the birth of the Mickey Melton Center for the Performing Arts, LHS will be taking a few more steps forward, but this time the focus is on the sports program. The School Board decided at their meeting March 3 that they will be adding renovations to the football stadium and the softball fields. It will cost around $3 million but the district’s general fund will provide the money. “Whenever we look at a renovation of this type, you have to bring up the work we need to do,” Assistant Superintendent Lynn Marshall said. “The summary on the scope of what there is to do is to look at improving the western facilities on the visitor’s side on the football field.” The new football facility will provide the required restrooms for the amount of seats and provide a new building for concessions on the visitors’ side. There will also be new sidewalks on the home and visitors’ sides for better wheelchair access, and the concrete beneath the bleachers will be resealed to prevent leaking. “We have looked that the number of restrooms that are currently in the facility are very few relative to the available seats at the stadium,” Marshall said. “On the visitor’s side there are eight men’s facilities and eight women’s facilities serving 4,000 plus people.” On the softball field, the renovations will include a solid wall around the dugout, a fence around the walk from the parking lot, and more restrooms for the home and visitors’ sides. “It would provide a wire fence and a couple of entries into the stadium. It would also leave control access into the visitors’ side,” Marshall said. “It would say that it’s not the identified entry, but it would help tie the campus together.”
THE STATISTICS Costs of the new facilities or renovations $1.7million Visitors’ restrooms $1million Home side restrooms $306,000 Bleacher restoration $100,000 Softball dugouts $15,000 Home side concessions
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A Brief View
The Long-View THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2013
Global performs Black History Program Michelle Sanchez
Staff Writer The Global students participated in the 5th Annual Black History Program Feb 28 in the Micky Melton Auditorium. Global celebrates this event every year to show dedication to all events and traditions through song and dance. Junior Anointe Ward performed Gimme That by Kirk Franklin with a choir background composed of other global students. They were followed by a step team and other singers and dancers. “I was really excited and nervous because I [didn’t] want to mess up and make a fool of
Tiya Taylor / THE LONG-VIEW
Teaching Moments Junior Kambri Sneed assists in teaching at J.L. Everhart Elementary during her Ready, Set, Teach class.
Students “Ready, Set Teach” at elementary Hannah Kempkes Staff Writer
National Honor Society to induct 10th and 11th grade students Lucia Lopez Staff Writer Sophomores and juniors will be inducted into the National Honor Society at the Mickey Melton Center April 1 at 7:00 p.m. Family members are welcome to attend. “I am very excited,” sophomore Simone Macklin said. “I think being in Honor Society will pave my way for a lot of great opportunities and experiences in the future.” 45 students are expected to be inducted into NHS. Refreshments will be served after the ceremony.
Simone Macklin / THE LONG-VIEW
Pumping Steppers Global High’s Sophomore Underground Steppers from left to right Qydarius Tydre Washington, Roderre Shawn Lloyd, and Ca’tavien Barnett perform “Ganesha” during the Black History Program Feb. 28.
Lauren Bally News Editor 14 students were given awards and honorable mentions from the Longview Museum of Fine Arts 53rd Annual Student Invitational. They contest included other East Texas High Schools. Cast paper and prints artist Stewart Nachimas judged the competition March 23. Junior Nina Ignatchenko received an Honorable Mention in Painting. “My painting only took about 4 hours,” Ignatchenko said. “It was really fun. Landscapes are my favorite thing to paint.” Lauren Bally/ THE LONG-VIEW There was a $100 prize for Best of Colorful Candles Sophomore Rachel Crittenden finalizes her artwork to be in the Longview Museum of Fine Arts contest. Show in each of the categories, and a $25 prize for the First, Second, and Third places. Students could even sell their art if any offers were placed on their work. Senior Cherryl Tronzon- 1st Place Painting “I get really attached to my art Senior Javarius Bradley- 3rd Place Sculpture and could never imagine giving up the piece, so I didn’t put Junior Casey Nickel- 1st Place Mixed Media myself up for sale,” Farren said. “I Junior Aide Godoy- 3rd Place Pottery really enjoyed [making my piece] Freshman Shai Ann Davenport- 1st Place Pottery because the final piece turned out just what I hoped for.”
LMFA 53rd Annual Student Invitational Winners
UT representative discusses college
Future Farmers of America members compete in livestock shows
Feeling confident, she takes in the crowd of people. She takes a deep breath. She’s done this multiple times before. She steps out and smiles, leading her heifer behind her. On Saturday, March 9, FFA participants juniors Haylie Weeks and Sierra Jones, and senior Cara Cummings
Students do community service, cultural enrichment programs, student gov, and First Robotics.
Art students compete in LMFA contest
Club Corner Hannah Kempkes Staff Writer
myself,” Ward said “We had a good choir and I was happy on how they did.” Even though there were some sound technical difficulties that threw off the choir performances, even with the sound problems, Head Global Coordinator Kristi Green thought the Global students did a fantastic job performing. “I hate that we had technical difficulties, but the students were very creative and enthusiastic on all their performances, and I really enjoyed the rockn-roll section,” Green said. “The teachers worked hard to make sure that their section was a success, I’m glad the students and parents enjoyed themselves.”
What does Global do?
showed their cattle at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. “I wasn’t really nervous,” Weeks said, “I’ve been showing [cows] since I was in 8th grade.” Weeks got fourth place out of the 27 others showing, including 2 of her classmate. “I was pretty amazed that I beat another girl that was showing a cow from the same owner as me.” Weeks said. “What are the odds?”
Houston Livestock Show Winners Senior Cara Cummings3rd place Junior Haylie Weeks- 4th Place Molly Cummings / SPECIAL TO THE LONG-VIEW
Sleepy Shows Junior Haylie Weeks enjoys being with her cow and participating in FFA.
Wesley Hardin Staff Writer Mario Villa from the admissions office of the University of Texas visited campus March 25 to talk to the top 10% of students in the junior class about the possibility of applying to UT. “There is a large variety of majors to apply for at UT,” Villa said. “The university offers everything from architecture, engineering, and the sciences.” UT also offers a large variety
Calendar of Events
Every second and sixth period, upper classmen in the Ready, Set, Teach course travel to J.L. Everhart Elementary for an hour each day to help the children learn and flourish. Students have been teaching grade school kids since 2006. “They’re a lot of fun and easy to teach,” senior Tayler Wilson said. “At least, when they’re not distracted or playing or something.” The students assist the teachers with several activities, and make sure the children are on task. “For Christmas, we got them a wish list,” Wilson said. “Everybody got together and got [the kids] shoes, and everything that they wanted. It’s nice to be around kids and give them stuff.”
news
Lauren Bally/ THE LONG-VIEW
College caption The top 10% of the junior class listens to UT representative Mario Villa’s presentation over UT in the Lobo Bistro March 25.
of resources for its students to use in their scholastic work. “We have seyveral libraries on campus that would be at the students’ disposal,” Villa
Prom Tickets
will no longer be sold after April 5. Prices are currently $25 per single and $50 per couple.
Lamplighter Banquet
will take place on April 11 at the Pine Crest Country Club.
said. “It makes us unique from other campuses because of all our different library medias.” If interested in UT, contact Mario Villa at 903-759-7803.
April Events
April 1- April Fool’s Day April 13- Senior Prom April 22- Earth Day
No School Tomorrow
for Good Friday. So don’t show up. Please. That would be unfortunate.
opinions
The Long-View THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2013
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Staff Editorial
Red Carpet to Prom
Senior celebration is a time for seniors to dress up, show off their accomplishments, and be celebrated. However, if senior celebration could somehow be combined on the same night as prom into one big ultimate senior salutation, it would be a lot easier on everyone’s pocketbooks.
Students saving big bucks
Many may find it difficult to rent a $180 tux once for senior celebration, and then rent another a few months later for prom. Dresses can be even more expensive, ranging from $150 to $300, and yet girls often feel that they can’t wear the same one twice. It’s especially hard to justify asking students to pay full price for fancy-wear when they usually spend an average of only a minute on stage during senior celebration. Right now, neither senior celebration nor prom is very accessible to students who don’t have the funds to get fancy, and so they’re left with no choice but to decline.
Our motto is cheap
Furthermore, the PTO, which sponsors senior celebration, and the senior class, which sponsors prom, have to fund these two separate big events. Combining the two into one night would be more cost-efficient as the organizations might actually make extra money from additional ticket sales. Hopefully there would be a bigger turnout to this ‘Senior Celebration/Prom’ since those who wouldn’t normally show up for senior celebration would buy a ticket in order to go to prom, and vice versa.
School-ception
Same spirit, epic event
Of course, there are those who might be opposed to combining prom and senior celebration because having them separately is a tradition. While this is a valid point, combining these two events is not designed to hurt any traditions, but make them better. Senior celebration would start off the evening in the Mickey Melton as a conclusion to the year and initiation to prom. To make more room, the front seats of the auditorium would be sold to parents, and the seniors could watch their friends from risers on the back of the stage. Then the seniors would line up and parade down a red carpet lined with parents and admirers to the Coliseum, where the prom would commence. Halfway through the night, an emcee could announce the class favorites.
Looking to the future
This year’s senior celebration was amazing. But with our great students and staff, it has the potential to be even better. If Senior Celebration and prom can be combined, seniors only have to buy one ticket and one outfit. Administrators and parent groups only have to plan and pay for one event. That event can be the ultimate senior finale. It’s a win-win scenario.
What do YOU think about it? Do you feel buying two different outfits is too expensive?
“I think that getting one suit would be easier than getting two different suits for two different events.” -Deshondrick McCulloch, 12 “I like shopping, so the opportunity to get two different dresses is a lot of fun for me because you get to have your own night two times and it makes it really fun for everyone to be able to shop twice. - Zoey Skinner, 11
“I like that we have two different events for seniors and if they can’t afford to get two suits they could buy one and just use it for both.” -Lucio Olivares, 11
The problem with school Caroline Araiza Opinions Editor There is something grievously wrong with our school. We just don’t have enough pre-test testing! I can vouch for all my classmates’ agreement on this subject; every minute spent in our testing rooms is considered a minute well spent. We never tire of taking the same test multiple times, as we feel repetition is good for the brain. And those of us who finish an hour (or two or three) early get to spend the rest of the time sleeping, which is sure to recharge our minds so that we can perform even better on the next test. I am sure teachers will agree as well: why would they want to bother teaching us facts that might not end up on the TAKS or STAAR or EOC or Common Assessment tests? Since all this testing doesn’t interrupt the school schedule at all, we should definitely beg the state to give us more tests. Also, if the administrators could turn down the temperature a little in the testing rooms, it would be greatly appreciated. Some students feel the sub-arctic temperatures are a little warm for their liking. Good luck on your tests everyone, and enjoy this April Fool’s Day by studying up for your next standardized test! :D
Letters to the editor The editorial board of The Long-View encourages you to submit a letter. It should be no more than 300 words. Include your full name and email or phone number (email and phone number will not be published). We reserve the right to edit for space, spelling, grammar and libelous statements. Send your letters by email to kberns@lisd.org or mail them to The LongView, 201 E. Tomlinson Pkwy, Longview, TX 75605.
Should there be more interaction between IB, Global, and Regular? NO
YES
Schools are Students right to put tend to intermore emphasis act with one on separating another withstudents based in classes, on their pace but less when of learning. it comes to In certain i n t e r a c t i n g cases, students with stuare either held dents in othback by the er education class’s slow pace p r o g r a m s or being pushed such as IB, too hard by the AP, Global Ali Yacoub: Guest Writer Meaghan McNamara: Photo Editor speed. By put- and regular. ting students who learn faster in different classes However, different sub-schools should be from the ones who take a longer time to grasp and able to integrate because it will strengthen fully understand concepts, teachers will be able to their social skills and broaden their horizons teach classes on a more personal level that is at a to different types of people and their differcomfortable speed for everyone. Otherwise, social- ent situations. izing in classes that some people consider “blowIf kids from different sub schools socialoff” classes often takes away from other students’ ized with each other more, they would not learning. Reprimands from the teachers towards only gain a new group of friends but learn those students continufrom each other as ously stop the pace of Interesting facts about the schools well. A good example within our school the lesson. of this would be globAlthough many 1. Every other year Headmaster al students learning people think that hav- Brunson takes any student who from student in IB wants to go on a trip to Europe. ing all types of stuand vice versa. Each dents integrate to- 2. If more than 100 students apply sub school has its to Global, 100 names will be gether into electives is drawn at random. own unique set of a way for students to valuable traits, which 3. International Baccalaureate kids see different types of they can assimilate have their own page of memes. backgrounds and perwith students in oth4. Tom Daley, 2012 bronze medal sonalities, throwing er sub schools if they Olympic diver, was an IB student. students into classes interact more. 5. Papers from last year’s IB kids were they don’t want to take Hosting a ‘game’ sent oversesas to be graded in places like Spain, Greece, Singapore, and with people they don’t day or joining more Uganda. know doesn’t help this clubs could be some ideal goal. Students ways in which one are uncomfortable in these situations, leading can socialize more with fellow students. A them to perform below par. typical game day could consist of students Instead, counselors should encourage students arriving to school at regular times, taking to take classes that suit them and their future hopes. role, and spending the rest of the day parPrincipals and teachers should enforce the fact that ticipating in organized games and activities no class is a “blow-off” class and that all electives which would result in meeting new people and making new connections. By particilead to a career path. Going through with this idea that students work pating in a school club students can meet better when they are with others who work like them other students who share the same hobbies will encourage them to excel past boundaries they or passions rather than those with the same knowledge level. never thought they could cross.
Corrections The front page story of the last issue wrongly stated that the Lady Lobos soccer team was undefeated. At the time the paper came out they had actually lost five games. The soccer photo on page seven and the photo of powerlifter Clay Layman, also on page 7, should be credited to Jordan Houser. Any corrections or clarifications should be directed to Longview High School Publications Adviser Kevin Berns at (903) 663-7181 or kberns@lisd.org.
The Official Newspaper of Longview High School News Editor Lauren Bally Opinions Editor Caroline Araiza Features Editor Hannah Brown Entertainment Editor Preston Mitchell Sports Editor Zach Williams Photo Editor Meaghan McNamara Design Editor Andy Rash Staff Writers Laura Aciano Lucia Lopez Michelle Sanchez Wesley Hardin Claire Earnest Hannah Kempkes
THE LONG-VIEW Adviser Kevin Berns Editor in Chief Ashley Kempkes
201 E. Tomlinson Pkwy Longview, TX 75605 Vol. 76, No.6
The Long-View is printed by Champion Printing. The Long-View is a free publication distributed each month during the school year. The opinions expressed in The Long-View are those of The Long-View staff and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of LISD administration or staff. The Long-View welcomes comments on school related issues. Names will be withheld upon request. We reserve the right to edit letters before publication. The Long-View is self-supported by advertising sales sold by newspaper students. Advertisements in The Long-View are $6 per column inch, with discounts for large ads. For more information, contact The Long-View Adviser Kevin Berns at (903) 663-7181, or email at kberns@lisd.org.
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10 WAYS
The Long-View THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2013
feature
to ask your
DATE to PROM
1. GOOD FORTUNE
Slip a tiny note into her fortune cookie that says, “A prom date with me is in your future.” Cheesy but cute.
2. ISSUE A PARKING TICKET
Slip it behind their windshield wiper with the message “Your fine is for being so fine. Prom?”
3. SOCIAL MEDIA MAGIC
Upload a short Youtube video asking her the big Q. Or a facebook video. Or an Instagram picture. Or a twitter update... the list goes on.
4. LANGUAGE OF LOVE
Have Spanish or French with her? Slip her a note or better yet, ask in person. Maybe include a translation dictionary.
5. ALL SIGNS POINT TO PROM
Set up huge posters asking her along the roadside, and then take her for a drive.
6. GOT BALLS?
Fill up her car (if she has one) with sports balls, and then write on the window, ”I didn’t have the balls to ask you in person, but will you go to prom with me?”
7. POKEBALL
If you both happen to be Pokemon fans and she has a sense of humor, pull out a pokeball with the note inside saying, “I choose you.”
8. WHEN PIGS FLY
Draw pig faces on pink balloons, and put them in a box. Attach a note that asks “Prom?” When she opens the box, the balloons will float out and she’ll see a note claiming, “When pigs fly!”
9. SIMPLE MATH
Pretend (or not) to be having trouble with math. Ask your lady to help, and when she comes over, point to the paper that says “You+Me=Prom?” Ask her if it’s correct.
10.THE OLD FASHIONED WAY
You could just ask her. Include some flowers, take her on a date, or give her some chocolate to go along with your straightforward approach.
Jordan Houser / THE LONG-VIEW
The Golden Kick Freshman Cody Jenkins (2), defends the ball during the Lobo Tournament against Henderson on Jan. 17.
Freshman soccer player shoots for Olympics Sidney Lowell Guest Writer His cleats pound against the field as he races towards the ball. He knows what he has to do. He kicks the ball into the perfect position right in front of the goal. His teammate makes a swift kick and the ball flies into the goal. He smiles ear to ear because he just made the game tying assist. Freshman Cody Jenkins has a lot of experience in soccer and has played since age three or four. He went to an Olympic soccer camp when he was twelve that only the top one hundred soccer players per age division in the state of Texas are allowed to attend. “You have to go through this program called ODP and through this program you are asked to go,” Jenkins said. “My brother went through the program before I did so that’s
how I learned about it. The camp is very inclusive.” Jenkins played club soccer in the past which also provided him with more experience. Even though in club and high school soccer it is the same sport, they are not very similar. “The styles of play are very different,” Jenkins said. “In club soccer you want to keep the ball and score when you can and in high school it’s more score when you can and less keep the ball because the players in high school are more evenly matched, so it’s a lot harder to play keep away.” Soccer may be just a hobby for most people, but it’s much more than that to Jenkins. Soccer plays a major role in his life. “I would like to eventually be on the Olympic soccer team,” Jenkins said. “It’s a small possibility because there’s only like twenty-five people on the Olympic team, but it would be awesome.”
PAGE 5 feature Keeping broadcasting in the family The Long-View THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2013
CATE teacher takes over mother’s classes after her retirement Hannah Brown Features Editor
Families pass on many things from generation to generation: eye color, personal belongings and even taste in music. However, in Animation and Audio/ Video Production teacher Michael Palmer’s case, he inherited something a bit different from his mother: he inherited the class that he teaches. Palmer teaches the same classes his mother taught for 22 years. When the job opening arose, Palmer took the job because he wanted to move back to the East Texas area. “I wanted to move back to Longview when I was working in the Dallas/Fort Worth area in video and film production,” Palmer said. “I thought I’d end up working in Tyler or something at a news station, but then she said she was thinking about retiring. So, I applied for a job and got it.” Mary Ann Palmer taught Broadcast Journalism and an introductory course to similar to Palmer’s Principle of Audio/Video Production course. As a student, Palmer took both courses and even participated in LHS News its first year as a cameraman during his freshman year. “I had a real knack for the technical side of things,” Palmer said. “She was more of a speech teacher. She was good at teaching people how to communicate and I was also good at running the equipment. So, she always relied heavily on me to handle all of the technical stuff, even when I was in her class.” When it comes to continuing the family tradition in teaching the broadcasting classes at LHS, Palmer will leave the decision to his children, ages 8, 9, 13 and 15. “I’m not saying they wouldn’t, but I think it’s unlikely,” Palmer said. “I’d be honored for them to do that, but, of course, that’ll be their choice if they choose to pursue this kind of field.”
Meaghan McNamara / THE LONG-VIEW
Camera Work Audio/ Visual Production and Animation teacher Michael Palmer masters the art of being the cameraman for the Longview High School News.
CHIP OFF THE OLE’ BLOCK Mother - taught for 22 years - taught speech - starting LHS News teacher
No beef with Hinduism Freshman celebrates religion Lucia Lopez Staff Writer As he opens the bottle the pop of the cap resounds in his ears. The cool liquid rushes down his back, giving a soothing sensation. His body feels automatically at rest, relieved of the bitterness of the recent weeks. He rubs the coconut fragrance all over, feeling as if his soul has been cleansed. For freshman Siddharth Kortikere, bathing in coconut oil is a yearly ritual, as part of a festival called Depavali. It is all part of his religion. Kortikere is Hindu. “When people think about Hinduism, they usually think about polytheism, but that’s not the only thing it’s
about,” Kortikere said. “Depavali is just one of the many festivals and customs we have. It truly is neat.” Polytheism is the belief in more than one god. It is the central belief in Hinduism. Hindus’ three main gods are Lord Shiva, his son Ganesh, and his wife Parvarti. There are also different “house gods” for every family. “Our house god is Venkateshwera as well as Lord Shiva,” Kortikere said. “We pray every morning when we wake up and every night before we go to bed. Before dinner, we recite ‘an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind’ which is a quote from Mahatma Ghandi.” There are vegetarian and nonvegetarian hindus, though eating beef is strictly forbidden in the religion. Kortikere’s family is nonvegetarian.
Son - teaching for 11 years - girls’ golf coach - Continues the LHS News class
Higher education Physics class learns about motion with rockets Hannah Kempkes Staff Writer
Family Photo /SPECIAL TO THE LONG-VIEW
Cultural Traveler Freshman Siddharth Kortikere practices the religion of Hinduism.
“I don’t really mind not eating beef,” Kortikere said. “I’m used to it, but I always have to ask about the meat served when I go out to eat. My mom makes home cooked Indian food every day, which is awesome.” Even though
Hinduism is not widely practiced here in the south, Kortikere has grown accustomed to it. “I respect other people’s beliefs and they respect mine,” Kortikere said. “I like telling people about my culture and they think it’s cool.”
They all are silent as the moment of truth arrived. As the rocket soars into the air, they hold their breaths, waiting for the parachute to deploy. Whoosh. It opens. They breath a sigh of relief. David Temple’s physics students launched rockets to better grasp the laws of motion and put the concepts they learned into practice. Junior Sydney French, along with the rest of her class, was given two to three weeks before the actual rocket launch. “It had to be something we built.
It couldn’t be something ready to fly.” she said. “We bought a kit, and mine took me about two hours to assemble.” Though many rockets had a good launch, some didn’t turn out so well. “One of [the rockets], did not [have] the parachute launch, so it fell to the ground and pierced the ground horribly.” French said. “Mine flew really well, and the parachute deployed, but one end just fell, instead of floating down with the parachute.” French was glad to do something different and hands-on in class. “It was really fun to have a project in class, that we could go test at school.” French said. “It was really exciting.”
Lauren Bally / THE LONG-VIEW
Alumni receives national honor Former student becomes Miss National United Negro College Fund after fundraising Laura Aciano Staff Writer
Presnell Gilbert / SPECIAL TO THE LONG-VIEW
Crowning Memories LHS alumni Tanreka Smith (middle) proudly holds the honor of being Miss National UNCF on Feb. 16.
There are tears in both of her parents eyes along with dropped jaws of surprise that quickly turn into beaming smiles. Her face stretches out into a gleeful grin as the gleaming crown is placed upon her head, held
high in the air. Daughter of fellow staff member and behavioral assistant, Presnell Gilbert, Tanreka Smith, a 2009 LHS alumni, was crowned as Miss National United Negro College Fund (UNCF) on Feb. 16 in Altlanta. The UNCF is an organization that helps minority students with scholarships for college. Smith currently attends Wiley College in Marshall, TX. “It means a lot to me, it was very emotional, I cried before they even called her name because I know how hard she worked,” Gilbert said. “Her teachers always told me, when she
was very little, that she was going to grow up to do something that had to do with talking because she was always so talkative.” Smith raised a total of $38,000 for the UNCF. As the new Miss UNCF, Smith will have the opportunity to travel nationwide as the spokesperson for the fund. “It was very surprising [to win]. There were much larger schools, but once I won, it was very humbling,” Smith said. “My school was very supportive and my parents were happy: their facial expressions were great.”
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The Long-View THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2013
feature
Skating through high school Senior takes up skateboarding as hobby Hannah Kempkes Staff Writer
Round two
Freshmen, sophomores preparing to take second year of STAAR test touted as harder version of TAKS Wesley Hardin Staff Writer Once again, it’s time for the students of Longview High School to do the most loathed thing that takes place all year, standardized tests. This school year marks the second time the STAAR exam, the state of Texas’ new test meant to better assess the academic readiness of students, will be administered to High School students across the state. Ms. Sree Beene at the former TAKS office of LHS talks about the new STAAR exam.
“The STAAR exam is much more rigorous than the TAKS,” Beene said. “We’ve tried to alter the curriculum to prepare students to take the STAAR.” The STAAR is of much higher difficulty than the TAKS and it is timed, but the penalty for failing STAAR is much less severe. “You’ll have to have passed the 15 exams by the end of your senior year,” Beene said. “If you can’t, you won’t be able to graduate.” Since this is only the second year the STAAR test will be taken, only Sophomores and Freshmen will be taking it. “The STAAR was much harder than the TAKS,” Sophomore Nick McCracken said. “There were
more questions and less time.” If a student fails the STAAR, they have multiple opportunities to retake it, over the summer and the following years. “Learn the subjects and don’t mess around in class,” McCracken said. “ If you do mess around you won’t pass.” Its not clear what will happen to seniors who fail their STAAR tests because no seniors have to take it yet, but if a freshman fails their STAAR test, they can move on to sophomore year and retake their freshman tests with their sophomore ones. “The STAAR may be difficult,” McCracken said. “But it’s not impossible.”
He feels the wind whipping through his hair as he takes a deep breath. He readies himself and drops. While other students have less dangerous, less demanding hobbies, senior Cory Rogers opted for something listed as an extreme sport: Skateboarding. He started getting interested in skating five years ago, and took up the pastime to relieve boredom. “I started skating, I guess, because it looked pretty fun,” Rogers said, “I thought I’d try it.” Though there’s limited places to skate in Longview, Rogers tries to make do. “There’s a skate park downtown.” Rogers said. “It’s not a big skate park, but it’s better than nothing.” When Rogers is not actively doing something, he turns to skateboarding. “Skateboarding gives me something to do.” he said. “I get bored a lot, so I’ll just go outside and start skating.”
Meaghan McNamara / THE LONG-VIEW
Basic Boarding Terms Kickturns: the skateboarder balances on the back wheels and swings the front of the board to change direction. The Ollie: the skateboarder pops the skateboard into the air. The effect is the skateboarder jumping with the board stuck to their feet. 50-50 grinds: the skateboarder grinds with both axles, or trucks.
Military Ball Wesley Hardin Staff Writer Cookie Guck / THE LONG-VIEW
Corsage Moments Juniors Reyes Ramirez and Dezrick Allen watch while Arnisha Lilly is presented a corsage from Jonathan Hamm.
Swaying Songs Sophomore Autumn Blalcok and junior Julio Arroyo slow dance during the Military Ball on March 23. Cookie Guck / THE LONG-VIEW
The JROTC got a break from the normal rank and file with their Military Ball, March 23. Junior Justin Charles describes what the ball means to the JROTC. “I’d rather go to military ball than prom,” Charles said. “I’m not planning to go to prom if I don’t have to.” The JROTC students are responsible for a majority of organizing and preparing the event. “We order a DJ, get food, handle the decorations, even rent the actual building,” Charles said. “It’s all headaches; money and headaches.” The military ball is a time for the JROTC students to kick back and have fun. “It’s like prom, but you know all the people there.” Charles said. “It’s more fun than prom.”
Aliceson Edwards / THE LONG-VIEW
Dancing the Night Away Members of the JROTC dance along to the music at the Military Ball on March 23.
EW
Aliceson Edwards / THE LONG-VIEW
E LONG-VI Cookie Guck / TH
Meaningful Speeches Senior Cadet Major Justin Charles gives a speech while senior AJ Fried listens during the Military Ball on March 23.
sports
The Long-View THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2013
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Meaghan McNamara Photo Editor
Giving golf the credit it deserves
Casey Nickel / THE LONG-VIEW
Balancing Poses Freshmen twins Alyson and Robyn Roper spend many hours perfecting their gymnastic routines at Piney Woods Gymnastic Center.
Twins share pursuit of gymnastics Lauren Bally News Editor As the smooth chords of a Spanish guitar fill the room, a petite figure in a sparkling leotard flows gracefully across the floor. Meanwhile, a nearly identical form stands motionless atop a balance beam, takes a deep breath, and flips backwards, landing perfectly on her feet. Even though they are twins, freshmen gymnasts Alyson and Robyn Roper enjoy performing completely different things. Robyn loves executing flips high in the air on the balance beam, but Alyson prefers
staying grounded on the floor. “My favorite thing to do is my floor routine,” Alyson said. “I love it because my music is a sassy Spanish dance, so I can be as dramatic as I want. I also love tumbling because it makes me feel powerful.” Although these girls have been in the world of gymnastics since the age of three, and have performed competitively since the age of eight, they still go through daily struggles. Besides the difficulty of balancing their time at Piney Woods Gymnastics and their school life, they occasionally face mental blocks and injuries. “When you get hurt, it’s a long time before you can put 100% into the
sport again because it takes such a toll on your body,” Robyn said. “ Once you get scared of a skill after a bad wipeout, it’s almost impossible to go for it again without support from your coaches and teammates, and a lot of faith in yourself and your abilities.” The two possess dreams of pursuing gymnastics in the future. While their ultimate dream would be advancing to the Olympics, they first want to work at performing at a college level. “I can only see myself doing college gymnastics,” Alyson said. “There really isn’t much else except for the Olympics and coaching. I would really want to be a coach, but not as a career.”
Flying over the horizon Junior first Lobo pole vaulter in seven years
You grip tightly and swing back. In that moment, every muscle is working in its own way, yet they are all working together for one goal, a straight shot. Disappointment and pain seers through your brain and entire body as it lands just short of the green. You swung too far back and pulled a muscle in your back. The 25 pound bag on your shoulders is becoming too heavy. Nonstop walking and a constant twisting has given you a popped knee. You are only halfway done, you still have two more hours to go with nine more holes to play. How is golf not a sport? Golfers must live up to a constant high standard of low scores and with that comes the serious, competitive attitude of having to perform well. Playing golf requires tight core muscles, strong upper back and shoulders, powerful legs, biceps, and triceps to not only further your ball down the fairway, but to keep up a perfect posture for a dead-on strike at the ball. Without daily practice, one’s swing can go from beautiful to a nightmare because of a loss of muscle memory. Not only is golf a physical sport, it is also mental. Strategy is imperative to making a par on a hole. The way a golfer thinks can either hinder the player’s game or improve it. Focusing on what you don’t want to happen will cause you to do that very unwanted task. Keeping a positive attitude and focusing only on your golf game is quite a difficult task. Playing non-stop for six hours straight or longer in freezing rain or in burning sunshine is a challenging task both physically and mentally. Frankly, golf doesn’t get enough credit. Just one experience will give you a whole new perspective of a day in the life of a golfer.
Lobo tennis places top at Hope Open
Zachary Williams Sports Editor
Schedule
Eyeing the pit, he takes in one last deep breath. He clutches the pole as he takes off down the strip. Picking up speed as he approaches the bar, he lowers the pole to meet his target. The pole just catches the notch as all of the runner’s speed forces the pole to bend. Trusting that the pole will send him up and over, the vaulter holds on for dear life and with a leap of faith, leans back and puts his feet straight up. As he reaches the apex of his ascent, he forces himself over the bar and celebrates as he lands comfortably on the soft pad. After seven years, the track team made attempts last year to train Tristan Berlin for the pole vault. “It was something I had never done before. It looked fun,” said Berlin. “When you first start out it’s a little scary, especially the first time you bend the pole and you’re
Claire Earnest / THE LONG-VIEW
Event
Place
Siddharth Kortikere
Boys 18 Singles
1st
Uwa Ihionkhan Laura Jackson
Girls 14 Doubles
1st
Courtney Alexander Joslyn Smith
Girls 18 Doubles
3rd
Esca Koeglenburg Jenelle Kral
Girls 18 Doubles
1st
Nina Ignatchenko Calvin Payton
Mixed 18 Doubles
1st
JC Arnold Gideon Koeglenburg
Boys 18 Doubles
3rd
Claire Earnest
Girls 16 Singles
3rd
Name
Simone Macklin / THE LONG-VIEW
Kevin Berns / THE LONG-VIEW
Kevin Berns / THE LONG-VIEW
Excelling the Bar Junior Tristan Berlin soars over the bar for the Lobo track team with the goal of being a
top competitor at District.
thinking, ‘Don’t break, don’t break,’ but once it shoots you up it’s so much fun.” When Berlin approached Head Track Coach Chris Clay, he found that there were not enough funds to buy the equipment needed. However, after several fundraisers, including the Lobo Relays, the track team was finally able to afford the equipment starting his sophomore year. Nevertheless, while there was finally vaulting equipment, there
Baseball:
Apr. 5: vs Mesquite (VARS)/ at Mesquite (JV) Apr. 6: 100 Innings Apr. 8: at Kilgore (9) Apr. 9: at Rockwall Heath (VARS)/ vs Rockwall Heath (JV) Apr. 12: vs Mesquite Horn (VARS)/ at Mesquite Horn (JV) Apr. 13: vs Rockwall (9) Apr. 15: vs Nacogdoches (9) Apr. 16: at North Mesquite (VARS)? vs North Mesquite (JV) Apr. 19: vs Tyler Lee (VARS)/ at Tyler Lee (JV) Apr. 20: at Lufkin (VARS)/ vs Lufkin (JV)/ at Rockwall (9)
was no one coach who specialized in this event. “[David Lashley, the triple jump and long jump coach] came for a week and made sure I didn’t kill myself and then he said, ‘You figure out the rest,’” Berlin said. “So when he left I had to fine tune it myself. My first meet I didn’t even have a week of practice in. I never bent the pole. I didn’t clear opening height, but I did better than I thought I would.” Berlin hopes to return to
Golf:
Apr. 8-9: Boys at District Tournament in Canton Apr. 9-10: Ladies at District Tournament in Canton
Tennis:
Apr. 5: Longview Quad (VARS) Apr. 8-9: District Tournament at Tyler Lee (VARS) Apr. 15-16: Regional Tournament in Waco Apr. 29-30: State Tournament in Austin
District and be a top competitor; his goal this year is to vault over 13 feet. In the mean time, he must train himself and help his fellow vaulting teammates. “I’m teaching a new kid now, [Lance Cooper],” said Berlin. “There are two freshmen twins [Alyson and Robyn Roper that practice] vaulting at the middle school. I’ve been trying to recruit some people to vault, but it’s a little difficult. You have to have a different mindset.”
Track:
Apr. 4: JV District Meet in Mesquite Apr. 6: at Kincaid Stadium Apr. 10&12: VARS District Meet in Mesquite Apr. 19: Area Meet in Mesquite Apr. 26-27: Regional Meet at Baylor University
Softball:
Apr. 5: vs Mesquite Horn Apr. 6: at Rockwall Apr. 9: North Mesquite Apr. 12: at Tyler Lee Apr. 19: at Rockwall Heath
Spotlight
Sophomore shines as outstanding athelete
Halee Brewer
At the Georgetown Softball Tournament, she hit one homerun, two triples, one double, two singles, and scored three runs.
8 ENTERTAINMENT Oz the Great and Powerful The Long-View THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2013
PAGE
‘Wizard of Oz’ prequel fun for entire family
aping the romanticized performances of old movie stars while creating well-refined characters in their own right.
Preston Mitchell
Entertainment Editor
Like most people, I grew up watching “The Wizard of Oz” repeatedly. Therefore, I was extremely skeptical going into “Oz the Great and Powerful,” which takes place before its 1939 predecessor’s events. Fortunately for fans of the original, “Oz” manages to be a great prequel as well as a wonderful family film that stands on its own. GREAT ORIGIN STORY “Oz” represents filmmaker Sam Raimi combining the humorous genre fiction of “Army of Darkness” with the blockbuster thrills of his “SpiderMan” movies. The end result is an immensely fun film that delves into the origin stories of both the Wizard of Oz (James Franco) and the Wicked Witch of the West (Mila Kunis). The entire cast, which includes Michelle Williams (Shutter Island), Rachel Weisz (The Mummy), and Zach Braff (Scrubs), does a fine job of
SOLID WRITING While the visual effects expand the universe splendidly, it’s the solid script that grounds the film with the theme of selfcontradiction that anchored the original. Best of all, unlike “Brave” or “Despicable Me,” the side characters are never superfluous or annoying. Instead, the new creatures serve to accentuate the revamped visual geography, rather than to force sentimentality down the audience’s throats. SPEAKS TO ALL AGES The movie’s biggest problem, among others, is the terrible Mariah Carey song that plagued the end credits and made me wish for Adele to magically step in to do the theme music. Despite that, I really enjoyed “Oz.” Being a great adventure that speaks to all ages, it turned this ardent movie fan into a little kid for two hours straight. And that kid loved every minute of it.
Photo courtesy of: Walt Disney Pictures
5 Greatest Fantasy Films Ever
with Preston Mitchell
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
The Lord of the Rings
Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl
The Princess Bride
The Wizard of Oz
Filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón (Children of Men) riskily took liberties with the third Harry Potter novel and completely revisualized the Potterverse in the process. This resulted in a brilliant turning point for the franchise that finally made the world fall in love with “the boy who lived.” As great as most of the other Potter films are, none of them ever topped this one, perfect fantasy film.
An amazing story told in three parts, this saga is so powerful that it ranks among the very best cinematic works ever made. Unique, gritty, and groundbreaking in its spectacle and scope, this immortal masterpiece changed cinema forever in the same way that Citizen Kane and Pulp Fiction did. And this classic is just as incredible as both of those seminal classics.
This classic was created when filmmaker Gore Verbinski (The Ring) transformed a Disney theme park ride into a brilliant merging of supernatural horror and the swashbuckling, Errol Flynn ideal. It propelled Johnny Depp into superstardom, made pirates cool again, and gave us one of the greatest antiheroes in modern cinema history: Captain Jack Sparrow.
While this hysterical comedy masterpiece parodies all of the conventional fantasy clichés, it’s every bit as actionpacked and transcendent as we hope for great fantasy to be. An amalgam of the classic damsel-in-distress tale and the sharp wit of comic genius Rob Reiner (When Harry Met Sally), this infinitely quotable adventure film is among the funniest movies ever made.
This remake of a 1925 silent film, which itself was based upon an L. Frank Baum novel, is a wonderful family classic that I watched repeatedly as a kid. It’s chock full of catchy tunes, iconic characters, and plot points that pretty much everyone knows by heart. Best of all, it transformed the sixteen-year-old Judy Garland into an immortal icon of the Hollywood Golden Age.
New Justin Timberlake Album Billboard’s Top Five Songs 1. “Harlem Shake” - Baauer Lives Up to Its Hype 2. “Thrift Shop” - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Wanz
is due to Timberlake’s drive to lose himself in the music he creates. “Music is for dreamers,” he said. “You should be able to create another world that With his new album “The 20/20 you can live in.” In comparison to his previous alExperience,” Justin Timberlake is definitely bringing sexy back. He has bums, “The 20/20 Experience” does evolved from being a teen pop icon into not feature his signature pop stanbegin a credible musical talent within dards. Instead, his return to music is the past few years, and now he has highly evident of his growth as a musurpassed the success of his previous sician He has shed most of his pop influences and has brought a unique album, “FutureSex/LoveSounds.” blend of R&B, electronic, and techno. After his six-year break from “Suit and Tie,” the first single from the music industry, his new the album, has a smooth, soft, almost work was anxiously awaited. jazzy sound, “Pusher Love Girl” incorFortunately, “The 20/20 porates falsetto elements, and “SpaceExperience” has shown it ship Coupe”, while laid back, included was worth the wait. a surprisingly awesome guitar solo. The new album’s songs For some, it may take a few are all between seven listens to get the feel for Timand eight minutes berlake’s new style, but once long, unlike Timyou get it, you won’t be able to berlake’s previstop listening over and over ous albums. He again. It was risky on his part looked up to rock to change from his pop-style phenomenons to a mix of new sounds, but Led Zeppelin, the young musical genius has Pink Floyd, and lived up to his inequitable Queen for inspiratalent. He has created the tion. The reason for the lengthy songs RCA Records masterpiece of the year.
Lucia Lopez Staff Writer
3. “When I Was Your Man” - Bruno Mars 4. “Stay” - Rihanna feat. Mikky Ekko 5. “Suit and Tie” - Justin Timberlake feat. Jay-Z
Information Recorded: March 21, 2013