THE LONG-VIEW
THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF LONGVIEW HIGH SCHOOL
Friday Volume 77 4.25.2014 Issue 7 Honor Roll Students to Visit Nature Trail Freshmen students who made the honor roll first semester will visit the Eastman Nature Trail May 13, to be educated about the local community’s ecosystem and environment. Students will participate in team activities to learn about topics including erosion, oil spills, and beekeeping.
201 E. Tomlinson Longview, TX
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Prom, page 7
Land of Broken Dreams Seniors face uncertain futures after losing opportunity to join army
Hannah Brown
Global Celebrates Cinco de Mayo with program On May 2 at 10 A.M. during sixth period Global will have their annual Cinco de Mayo Program in the Little Theatre. All students are welcome to attend. Food will be provided with the purchase of a ticket ($4 presale and $6 the day of.) A variety of acts will be presented celebrating Mexican culture including Quinceaneras in a traditional dance and the reenactment of the Cinco de Mayo Battle. Estrella Gonzales
Future Farmers of Amercia Members Advance to State Three LHS Future Farmers of America teams have qualified for state competition in Fort Worth after competing in Marshall April 8th. In Meat Judging, Keegan Allen, Martin Moreno, Eric Perez, and DeKaylon Dudley qualified for state. In Horse Judging, Marguerite Camp, Mary Camp, Kayla Owings, and Gage Patrick qualified for state. In Livestock Judging, Mitch Randall, Callie Faul, Tyler Romack, and Jessie Thomas qualified for state competition. Wesley Hardin
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literally one step under the whole ‘I’m going to get a job in the army’ thing.” Both Vargas and Arroyo came to America as illegal immigrants with their families, but since then both have become temporary residents under Four hours. the Dream Act. Before applying for In four hours, seniors Julio Arroyo the Dream Act, immigrants must live and Luis Vargas would leave Longview in the United States for at least seven behind, would make their families proud, and would fight for their country. years and show proof of residence though receipts, bills, and credit cards. They packed their belongings and “[When I received my residency,] all said their goodbyes. Their futures they gave me was were laid clearly something stating ahead of them, and that I would not everything was be deported, that I falling into place. “At first, we thought it have permission to Four hours. be here for two years was a joke, and we were Four hours before their and I have to apply for departure on Jan. 12, a laughing. But then it hit us. a job,” Vargas said. “I call and a confrontation. After all we did, we were got the job giving me “We’re sorry,” the almost there, and this close permission to be here. message said, “But you to getting in, and then Homeland Security can’t join the army they’re not gonna let us in got my Social Security because you aren’t a with a big stamp anymore. It was a waste of citizen of the United States of America.” time, and he just looked at saying I’m valid for work only.” Four hours. us and said he was sorry.” However, it was not “We were actually Julio Arroyo, 12 the Dream Act that in the ROTC room, should have given me and Vargas, and Arroyo and Vargas access to the US we got the message saying we weren’t armyit was a bill that was terminated able to be processed,” Arroyo said. after 9/11. Despite their efforts to “They told us four hours before our change their situation, Arroyo and departure to Shreveport to become soldiers. Four hours before we actually Vargas found themselves helpless. “I was more disappointed because we signed the contract, and they just told went around asking all the branches us ‘Sorry. You’re not a legal resident, a to see what we could do,” Arroyo said. permanent resident.’” “[Before the call,] I was even told I Shock, nervous laughter, and then anger. could go to officer school because I had In a matter of seconds, everything that pretty high scores and grades in high Arroyo and Vargas had worked towards school. I started JROTC my 8th grade since middle school had vanished. Their year. It became a huge part of my life years of JROTC and their dreams of the and eventually I started talking to the army ended in rejection. recruiters about the army and that’s “At first, we thought it was a joke, what i wanted to do with the rest of my and we were laughing and were like life. But now I can’t do anything. I can’t ‘Are you serious?’ But [the ROTC do any of that stuff.” recruiter] looked at us with a serious The school administration and ROTC look on his face, and that’s when it hit instructors, who had not realized that us,” Arroyo said. “After all we did, we the old bill was no longer in effect, could were almost there, and this close to only offer condolences to the seniors. getting in, and then they’re not gonna “It’s unfortunate. A lot of people fall let us in anymore. It was a waste of victims to the system and that’s the way time, and he just looked at us and said it is,” First Sergeant Landry Peace said. “I he was sorry.” don’t want to get to blaming or pointing Along with his disbelief and anger, fingers, but it’s just unfortunate.” Vargas had one question. Since the rejection, the two have had “The first thing that came into my mind was ‘Why didn’t the Dream Act Broken Dreams story continues on 6 work?’” Vargas said, “I mean we were
ROTC Perspective Rebekah Yates 12th Grade “I don’t think it’s right because if they want to come into the army and serve for the U.S. then that’s a way for them to earn citizenship.”
A Waste of Time
Andrew Littleton 11th Grade “I think it’s fair because they’re breaking the law, but they should trust their instincts and do what they want.”
Kennya Torres 11th Grade “I understand why the army would [deny them], but they should look into people trying to enlist and give them an opportunity to fight.”
Justin Charles 12th Grade “There’s a safety concern because of the risk of Al Quada. It’s protective in some sense. It’s unfair, but it’s justified.”
Kemaya Williams 9th Grade “I would be mad and disappointed. It’s a fair decesion, but then it’s not, because [illegal immgrants] can swtich sides.”
Born in Mexico
“It pissed me off because I’ve been here since elementary school. I came to the U.S. when I was two. My GPA is 3.5 and I have taken all AP and dual credit classes. I’ve done my best. I had an 80 on my ASVAB when citizens make 40’s and 50’s. I just don’t feel that’s right.”
Julio Arroyo, 12th grade “What really sucks is that I can’t join the military, but I’m on the drafting sheet. If you need me in drafting, then why won’t they let me go to war? I came here when [I was six.] I was in bilingual classes for elementary school, regular for middle school. My parents made me go to the library and read English books.“
Luis Vargas, 12th grade
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